We went shopping

Was putting this in a comment, but it got a bit out of hand 😉

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. I’d come to a very similar conclusion. So, we went to Hobbycraft and bought a pile of stuff, to be kept carefully, although used as and when she wants to, as long as she is keeping it carefully 😉

• Proper paper for when she is doing drawings she wants to keep, (cheap paper from Asda for practising shapes!),
• a “Start sketching pod” (from the makers of Derwent, apparently), which has pencils from 6B through to 2H, as well as an eraser and ruler,
• and a Staedtler set of ergosoft jumbo coloured pencils, which I mainly got because they are lovely bright colours, but also have a wonderful case that doubles as a stand while you are using them. So hopefully they shouldn’t need much rearranging 😉

Small chose a Big little colouring book, and carried it all round Hobbycraft, and has been told that he can share the crayons, although I think that’s only when I’m there to supervise.

Also got pencils and crayons for visitors, as for once, I’m not encouraging Big to share this bunch of stuff. Tim and I debated it, and we do each have things that are our own, such as laptops for instance. We borrow each others occasionally, but it is precisely that, borrowing. I’d like her to enjoy artwork, and recognise that it can be a special thing to do, and as such, she’s gathered up all her practisings today and decided she wants to keep them, so that she can see how she is developing.

Been a good day, generally, although I’m starting to feel rather ill now. Think I’ll potter around sorting the kitchen out while they are soaking, and then go to bed after I’ve done stories. Working from home in the morning so that I can see Sarahthespeechtherapist, so at least I don’t have to face the rush hour, although I have got to go into the office later as I’m not fully VPNed yet.