Bonfire night

Another good meeting yesterday although three of my children didn’t make it. I’ll have to give my absentees a call and see if they’re ok. We made apple and berry slice then played guess the vegetable. They guessed the courgette and butternut squash right but struggled with the parsnip and aubergine. I then had cooked samples for them to taste. They like the butternut squash soup more than I thought they would. And all the parsnips were devoured. I then attempted reflection time on Bonfire Night following the success of reflection on Halloween and All Saints last time but I had totally failed to think of any Godly Play-style wondering questions beforehand (can anyone think of any in hindsight?) so it turned into more of a test of their Guy Fawkes knowledge and a general chat about fireworks. The bulk of the conversation focused on a story they’d heard that day in assembly about a girl who’d had her fingers blown off because she lit a firework when told not to. Nice.

I’m pleased that I’m getting time to have more conversation with the kids. They’re so funny. Their wit and energy is so refreshing despite the fact that it takes them half an hour to decide whose in whose team for the quiz. Honesty.

It’s thanksgiving next time. I’ve asked an American lady who occasionally comes to church to talk us through the origins of this American festival complete with fancy dress Indian headdresses and pilgrim white collars as my knowledge of american history is decidedly sketchy. I’m looking forward to it. Not sure what main dish to make with the kids. Chocolate cake was their suggestion yesterday. After chocolate brownies and rocky road, I’m all-chocolated out. Cheesecake maybe? (too challenging?) Or flapjack? (too easy?) Also beginning to consider savoury options though I want to steer clear of raw meat and it needs to be something that they can mix up and then can go in the oven or fridge without any hob or oven work prior to that...other than homemade pizza, not sure what else might work. Any suggestions?