It’s these simple moments of pleasure that make my day, so when you read my list and perhaps add your own favourite things to do via the blog, remember that simplicity is invariably best and just make it easy and fun for YOU as well as your children!

1. Lie in.  Do not get up early, do not plan your half term with military precision.  Have a pyjama morning.  Be lazy, be slouchy, get cosy and just let it all hang out.  Your kids will enjoy this downtime with you and you can take the performance anxiety away from having to entertain your kids!

2. Go to a library.  Great for mooching around if you love books and kids love the idea that they can choose their own books to take away.  Many libraries have cosy corners or toys as well as all those lovely books to browse through!  Follow with  a trip to your favourite cafe for coffee (for you of course) and cake (for you and the kids of course) on the way back.

3. Go to the cinema and lose yourself in a great kids’ movie.  “Tangled” or “Gnomeo and Juliet” is on my radar for February half term! Follow with a trip to a cafe for coffee and cake.

4. Make a den.  I love my friend Heather Bestel’s idea of combining den making with relaxation (www.magicalmediations4kids.com ).  She suggests making a cosy den in the house using blankets, duvets and pillows and retreating in there with your kids to read or just to lie down and relax.  

5. Declutter the kids’ toy boxes, drawers and wardrobes together.  Take all their unwanted toys to your local charity shop and feel the sense of lightness sweeping over you.  If your kids are reluctant to get rid of their old toys, try some bribery and promise a new, small toy or treat in return for their good dead of giving their old toys to others!
After you’ve taken the toys/clothes/books to the charity shop, follow with coffee and cake.

6. Bake!  Muffins are easy peasy to make (the less mixing the better!), they are divine with coffee (!) and if you make a couple of batches, you can freeze them ready to take out for packed lunches.  Domestic Godess-ness made simple!  To get you started, here’s one of the easiest muffin recipes ever for greedy people like me and my boys, who don’t like to wait long: Start to finish in less than 25 minutes.  Even better, as they are low fat, you could serve them with cream!

Saintly Blueberry Muffins   
Ingredients:

•   1 cup unsweetened blueberries, fresh or frozen
•   1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
•   2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
•   1/3 cup sugar
•   1 egg, slightly beaten
•   1/4 cup oil
•   1/2 cup skim milk
•   1 teaspoon sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly spray a muffin tin with vegetable spray.
2. Wash and drain blueberries. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and 1/3 cup sugar together.
4. In a small bowl, combine egg, oil and milk.
5. Pour all at once into dry ingredients. Stir just enough to blend. Gently stir in blueberries.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 full. Sprinkle lightly with 1 teaspoon sugar and bake 17 minutes, or until light brown. Allow muffins to cool 2 minutes before removing from pan.

Makes 12 muffins (serving is 1 muffin)
Apologies that there is no acknowledgment of the source of this recipe. I’ve had it for ages copied and pasted into a document on my hard disk and can’t remember where I found it!  

7. Go to a playground and don’t just sit on a park bench catching up with emails and freezing your butt off.  Instead, PLAY alongside your children and with them.  Swing on the swings, spin on the roundabout and balance a pole. Get those endorphins going as you move your body and act like a kid with your kids. Follow by a trip to a body of water with some hungry and willing ducks or swans (remembering to pack your stale bread before you set out), then follow with a trip to your favourite cafe.....!