imperfect family life

The need to write

2011-09-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

In a journalistic manner - I just need to let the words take over for a while. Its in there somewhere; my need to write. I just bottle it up, hide it away, unsure of what to do with it. As the walls close in on me at home, perhaps the words can help me escape.

The walls are most certainly closing in. Looking back, I haven't written in here since last time I was overwhelmed by the addition of a new family member. With four little angels now under our roof, our very small roof, life is rather full. Its not my hands that are full - as everyone keeps telling me - it is my life. The hours are full, the spaces are full, the emotions are full, and everything in between.

Moving back to our little "cottage" in Melbourne didn't help. Our house is definitely a "home", complete with special memories, quirks and spaces that are quaint and "earthy". An odd word to describe an house yes. We don't have a dirt floor! Its just that this house feels so real. There is nothing pretentious or extravagant. There is no room to put away the regular, practical parts of life, out of the eyeline. Its all there in your face. Somehow, that's what makes it feel so perfect. I wouldn't hide all that in a bigger home. Simply spread it out some more.

The walls are closing in because the kids are bouncing off them. Thankfully those walls are in need of a paint, and the floors are in need of repair. When the kids bounce, the marks cannot be identified amongst the marks of previous bounces, from their lives and from those that bounced before. I am grateful for this, because when there is nowhere else to bounce, the walls provide some freedom. It would be impossible to live in this space with so many people if it were pristine. I don't hide from the words "don't" or "no", but I can't face a day that is saturated with them.

The noises are closing in on me too. The chaos of four kids can be its beauty, but the constant noise level is exhausting. It doesn't help that we all have loud voices. Mix that with "normal" baby screaming and "normal" toddler dramatic reactions to life and "normal" four year old passion for his own voice and "normal" prep boys' need to unwind and express pent up emotion at the end of the school day. Yes. The decibels add up very quickly.

How did we come to put ourselves in such a cramped and intense space? Would we do things differently with the bonus of hindsight?

Along with noise and exhaustion comes warmth and cosiness. Its hard work. But its rewarding. And the spaces intensify that too.

Sweet valentine

2011-02-12T21:06:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is a difficult Canadian custom for me to get my head around.

Our first February in Canada:

I get a list from our preschool teacher with all the kids' names, just prior to the big day. I think that's a lovely thing to have, and pop it on the magnet board next to my computer.

Valentines Day comes around, my 3 year old comes home ecstatic because he has received a Valentines card from every other child in his class! The penny drops... so that's what the list is for. But hang on a sec, isn't Valentines a lovers thing, for hopeful teens and husband under pressure? No, this will "follow him right through elementary school" his dear teacher informs me.

We did thank you cards that year. He wrote a big "thank you" and we made photocopies and handed them out the next school day.

The next year we were on the game. Did some painted heart stamps on paper and wrote the kids names. Luckily it was a small group. Its a lot of work for a 4 year old.

This year I've got two in "school".

My preschooler didn't want to make 20 cards. So he made one for the class to share. Bless. He came home with about 18 cards, plus chocolates. They also had a party with lots of cakes and other sugary items. So I still don't get it. A lot of the cards were store purchased and the parents had written names on them and helped their preschooler put them in all the kids' purpose made valentines bags.

We've had a bit more prep time for our kindy boy. This is his 3rd Valentines Day experience in Canada. His teacher told me she is still grasping the idea as well but she figured "if its a way for the kids to show their gratitude for each other then its a nice thing". So with the 15 photocopied cards we got from the teacher, kindy-boy carefully wrote all the kids's names and signed his own. Then he thought of a personal "I love you because..." message to write for every kid! I scribed for him. Thankfully he once again in a small class. A lot of work. But a beautiful activity to partake in. To be able to think of something nice to say about 15 other kids is truly a gift.

So if we are going to encourage (make) the kids celebrate Valentines Day.... please, lets make it meaningful.

my favourite gadget

2010-06-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Yes. Its a push mower.
I have always loved mowing the lawn. Beats washing dishes anyway. Thing is with the kids about its not that easily accomplished. With such a small yard, we decided a push mower would do the job. The bonus came when I realised I can do this with the kids about. It doesn't flick sticks and rocks with the same force as a motor mower. It is not so noisy that their voices are drowned out. I don't have to turn it off when I need to race off after bubs. And the kids can "help" me push.
It doesn't do a perfect job. I'm not so taken with immaculate lawns anyway. Our neighbour is not so impressed.....

a box of knights

2010-06-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

Our knight collection needed a place to play. Correction, we had a cardboard box, and a some time to kill.

First I cut the box.
Then they painted.
Then they cut out pictures from the knight catalogue.
Finally we stuck and coated them on with modge-podge.

Its more than just a fun craft project. They spend ages studying the pictures, talking about the knights and their horses. It is used as a castle and a horse stable. Also, it doubles as a storage box for said horses and knights. I don't think we could have gotten better mileage out of a castle from the toy shop.

technical apologies

2010-06-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what has happened to some of my pictures here. Perhaps because I nabbed them from other sites they have not been faithful to me.

rice sack name game

2010-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

I found this idea on another blog somewhere a few months ago. Apologies to the blogger, I cannot remember where I found it.

I have made one each for my little tribe. One rice sack for each letter of their name. Each set has a different fabric on the back so they can easily find their letters. Now they can practice putting their name together in the correct order.

The best bit is, we have been making up all sorts of great games with our new sacks. The latest game was a throwing one. You throw the sacks into a bucket or box. Then you collect all the sacks that went in and arrange them to make an interesting word. A great challenge for my 5 year old who is learning to read, for my 3 year old who is learning his letters and for little bubs who thought just enjoyed cheering and collecting the sacks and getting in the middle of the game. Priceless.

Ramblings

2010-05-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

Looking back, I have not visited this blog since Christmas time. I had a little combination of "overwhelmed by life with three kids" and "I have nothing of particular interest to offer the world so why on earth am I blogging". Well neither of these situations has changed. But I feel the need to write. So let this be my therapy if nothing else.

Whilst I have a few recent craft projects to share I know they would benefit from photos which I am yet to take so it will be a "watch this space" for craft at the moment. Hence the ramblings.

Everyone has been sick. Oh, not quite - overworked, superhero Dadda seems to have avoided the bug. Touch wood. The interesting thing is, being sick has forced us to slow down; slowing down has forced us to spend time just playing; just playing has forced us to spend more "quality" time with the kids. All this has made me feel more relaxed and in control. Also, that overwhelmedness that I mentioned earlier has subsided somewhat. I get caught up in this hyped up state of being where I feel the need to be always "doing" something. Its not just parenting. Its constant. I feel almost guilty if we are just hanging about. Heaven forbid I should be relaxing instead of taking the kids places, exploring this amazing place we live, getting jobs done, and so on.

So here's to standing still and enjoying just being.

To spoil or not to spoil

2010-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

We have a hideous abundance of toys in our house these days. It goes against everything I feel is right as a parent. Yet as much as I try to blame the onslaught of gifts from our large extended family, I held nothing back at Christmas time either.

Its easy for our parents' generation to criticise and make extraordinary claims about our kids being spoilt, about children not needing so many possessions, about how happy they were with their one rag doll or their one matchbox car. It sounds noble, encouraging children to make their own fun and use their imagination. The truth is, they didn't have the choice did they? Its not that we are "richer" than they were, my parents in particular were successful professions just like us (well, like my husband anyway). Its the toys themselves. We simply have easy access (think department stores and online shopping) to a hideous quantity of cheap toys. We live in a throw away society. And it pressures you into participation. Honestly; pressures.

So there I was at Christmas time, wandering around cursing Walmart and the revolting array of unnecessary plastic and claiming the kids didn't need any of it and so on. In the same breath I anxiously searched the shelves for the perfect gift for my 7 month old who didn't need a thing. And I bought it. Along with a nice little assortment of items for the boys as well.

Its disgusting. However there is a certain joy in watching my 4 yr old's endless joy as he embraces his obsession with his new lego. And the onslaught of unnecessaries from the family back home hasn't been put at the back of the toy box yet either.

The child as a work of art

2010-01-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

Pic compliments of The Lab

In an attempt to maintain the overwhelming love I felt for my newborn children, I am working on a philosophy in my mind. Its not that I don't love them all the time. How could I not?? Its just that when I'm halfway through the grocery shopping and my back is aching due to bubs in the pouch, and the boys are yelling at each other and at me, its hard to maintain perspective.

So here's my philosophy (it needs some work!!).
My children are a work of art, perhaps a collage, or maybe just a scrapbook, that is added to constantly over time to create a beautiful masterpiece. The amazing vision that emerges at birth is just the beginning, the colour-by-numbers painting that has yet to be coloured. They are stunning yes, but their true beauty is yet to be revealed. Each moment of every day, the colours are being added and changed. Some of the colours are added by me. I am not much of an artist though, so I also appreciate how much of this art work is a collaboration; with nature, with my husband, with my extended family, with my friends, with their teachers, with their friends, with the man that walks past with the dog and says hi to the kids, even (unfortunately) with the foul mouthed youth at the train station whose conversation and behaviours are observed by my wee little ones! What a melting pot. The most amazing artwork of all time.

Well - now that its in writing I am not sure how it will help me through the next shopping trip. Maybe it would be easier to leave the kids with someone else and shop alone.

Dino-soccer mania

2010-01-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

"Dinos huddle up at noon.

Soccer game is starting soon.

Here come herds of soccer fans and dino-moms in minivans"

We borrowed Dino-Hockey by Lisa Wheeler from the library a few months back. Clever lady - she ends one book with a hint of the next. So we just HAD to get Dino-Soccer. Indeed we became a little obsessed with it. What a build up. But oh so worth it. My 2 yr old now knows it off by heart and we are all cast in roles as "Pachy" and "Diplo" as we dino-soccer about the house. What a fun book. I know my boys are already book worms, but I imagine if they weren't this would be a great way to get little active boys into books!

The importance of role models

2010-01-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

A lot is said of the importance of being a good role model for your children. But I am sitting here watching my boys helping each other create stories using re-usable pictures (they are trucks and dozers by the way, but they all have characters and personalities) and I can't help but wonder about the importance of sibling role models.

I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor playing with my first baby. It was the novelty of it all, but also, I had the time! So the guilt I feel about not offering that individual attention to the others has been an obstacle for me. Yet my younger two have something the eldest never had - they have a big brother! They have a big brother who they look up to with all the love and adoration in the world. They have a big brother who encourages them to take risks he never would have been brave enough (allowed to) take. They have a big brother who has the creativity and imagination that only a child can offer. They have a big brother who has only recently learnt the skills they are attempting, can remember the support and encourament that were useful to him and can get back to basics for them. They have a big brother who is not afraid to tell them they are doing it wrong and who is not concerned about hurting their feelings.

This sibling relationship also works both ways. My big boy now has two younger children to nourish, support, share with and be aware of. He has their added creative input to expand his play and challenge his ideas. He is learning patience and tolerance through allowing for their needs to come between him, his parents, his toys and his life.

My husband and I both have siblings. I have two. He has six. I cannot underestimate the value of these relationships in our family. For better or worse, in having multiple children, we have created role models and teachers for each and every one of them. Not to mention a whole lot of love!
__________________________________________________________
Disclaimer - I don't have anything against only children nor those who choose to have them. Like we all do, I am simply observing (searching for?) the benefits of the situation I have created in my own home. Like all parenting and childhood situations I am presuming there are benefits to both situations.

Feeding time at the zoo

2010-01-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

I think baby led weaning was designed with my children in mind.

First child refused to eat off a spoon. Really refused. At some point we realised he loved cherry tomatoes so we would hide mushy stuff inside! Second time round we got a bit more relaxed and just handed over bits of whatever was going. So much easier. I remember relaxing in coffee shops as he sucked and gagged on bananas at 6 and 7 months. So as we embark on the journey for the third time round I feel like we know it all.

Its easy for me, we have no allergies in the family (touch wood) so I can relax a little about the slow introduction of risky foods. So sometimes I prepare her something special - she loves mushy rice. Other times I search through the boys' dinner for little morsels that she can manage. And the amazing thing is - I'm having fun. Honestly. I am really enjoying discovering her eating style. Because its stress free. Because it feels so natural.

We are all home-schoolers

2009-09-29T16:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Neglected Blog

I have been overwhelmed by motherhood lately. Three children is a beautiful thing. But it can also be a frightening thing to face when everything isn't running smoothly. Lets face it. Life isn't smooth with infants in the house.

But the colds are getting better and the sun is shining this afternoon so my head is clearing (and the possibility of sleep tonight is promising). So here's what's been going through my head a lot lately.

Every parent should consider themselves a home-schooler.

I have been exploring lots of blogs for ideas to keep my little ones happy, busy and inspired by life. and as I delve deeper into many of my favourite sites I discover that they are often put together by home-schooling mums. Yet much of what they are doing is exactly what I do at home.

I believe a child's education begins at birth.

I believe a child's most important teachers are their parents.

I believe that school should not be relied on to cover everything!

So when our new preschool teacher this year seemed a little uninspiring compared to last year's gem, I panicked, then I stopped to think. What is important for our little man at preschool. A safe environment? Yes. A caring teacher? Yes. Social experiences outside the home? Yes. Social experiences without mum? Yes. Inspiring craft and play activities that require thought and creativity. Yes. And it was this last that had me worried. Then a dear friend suggested I look around the room and see what I am doing at home. And I realised he has it all. His early literacy, art, numeracy and other concepts are being fully explored at home. His social needs are being extended at school.

So I congratulate myself in switching off the tv and giving my children an inspiring home environment. And I appreciate the interactions that are occurring with friends at school. And just a little piece of me wishes that last year's teacher will come back.

Back to what I was trying to say - it is our responsibility as parents to educate our children. I still believe in a school education. But it is just one piece in the puzzle.

Card making

2009-08-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

I insist now on the kids making all the gift cards for this family. Saves going to the shops for starters, but it also makes it more personal and encourages them (and me) to actually meaning and thought into the card instead of just writing some words on a purchased card.

Generally they have been the children's drawings on a piece of card. I simply add a border around the drawing to make it look a bit more special. Works really well.

Recently we had a wedding card to make so decided to up the effort a bit. It worked out better than I thought.

I cut out the heart for them and they covered it with fabric scraps and sparkly stuff. Then we stuck the end result on some card and tied it to another piece with that plastic twine stuff. They had fun anyway!

The perils of the only child

2009-08-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Semantics

2009-08-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

I've been reading a lot about "helicopter parenting" and other modern phenomena where parents are over present and over cautious (see FreeRangeKids).

But the term "helicopter" is bothering me. My understanding is that it is used to refer to the parent who hovers over their children; constantly intervening, assisting, fussing and so on. The only trip I have ever taken in a helicopter was a quick fly by tourist trip over some gorges. It did not include any detailed involvement with the amazing natural surroundings. It didn't include a chance to get to know the area in detail. It didn't include even touching the ground. So what does that say about the helicopter parent? Are they disengaged? Are they parenting from a distance?

Then there's the other sort of helicopter ride. On outback cattle properties in Australia, helicopters are often used for the yearly muster. You just fly round and hustle the cattle back to the yards to sort, check, treat and sell some off. What does that say about helicopter parents??

Aside from that, my boys would be absolutely delighted if they thought I was being referred to as ANY sort of vehicle! Perhaps we have chosen the wrong term for this strange evolution in parenting technique. Ah semantics.

A four year old's tale

2009-08-17T13:20:00.001-07:00

I have been meaning to try this for some time. I have just scribed my 4 year old's story as it evolved during play. Hard to keep up as I am not a fast typer so there are some gaps. And unfortunately I missed the start of the story. It was so nice to listen - really listen - to his imagination at work, with no editing or input from anyone else.

The story starts aboard Noah's arc. Some of the characters are already on board.

So here it is:

He helped with lots of stuff. He helped he helped with big stuff and little stuff. Where he sat at the front of the ship on the top deck facing away from his wife. The sir, he stood at the back of the ship humming to himself… Also another helper called cripper ripper who fixed the arc and stayed onboard. And also the naughty boys, also knights. One was a king and one was a knight. The knight lived on the train. Well just an engine. He sat on it. Every day his horse went for a ride. He sat alongside the water with the king and looked out to the dock, well he was at the dock, the dock was pretty close to it …..

[Some details about how it was chained up …I couldn't follow this bit very well.]

And then he would not fall off the train.

He found he had a couple more helped who stayed there. And on that ship, safe below, there was a mole from his hole. All sorts of stuff in there. He also had another one who looked a bit like him. Same sort of face nearly because that he was his brother. His name was called Shnoopy. And Shnoopy’s wife was called Moopy. On that ship he had a couple of bulls, brown bulls, and a donkey from the honkey. That dragon was heaviest of them all. And also a couple of rare cows and a horse from the morse and a camel from the hamel and another camel from the hamel and another camel from the hamel and a giraffe from the half and another giraffe from the half and koalas from the baalas and another donkey from the honkey and a bear from its hair another bear from its hair; a couple of roosters from the hoosters; a couple of lions from the hions. Tthese are all the wild stuff and these are all the farm stuff and the wild stuff are up here as well. A girl sheep from the heap. A boy sheep from the peep. A calf from the half of a calf. A couple of rhinoceroses from the poceroses. He had a pig from the hig, another pig from the hig [repeated 4 times]. An elephant from the pelephant [x3]. There we go and the big ship wheels. The big ship steals. Glides away. Only at first and then starts to healk. A little fell out and then safely again. The bad guys could go through the water … the boat was ahead of them guiding on barrels and streams. They got to it when the ship started to wobble. It wobbled out to sea. Noah’s arc was a fine arc it went to go all day … The ship went on watery shadows and streams over the sea to islands where noone has been. And it glided in and the train ship went to dock. Monster is the docker. He got the boat and he docked it. He got it docked. This is how monster docked the boat. He put his head in a special thing then put his tail through one of the windows and keeped it docked as they roared in … Fa fee fa fight they yelled as they jumped aboard. They had to dock their’s and they docked straight onto Noah’s arc and now came to them the king and the knight and that dragon … they started to get their swords ready to destroy it and they started to tear the wood and destroy it with their swords. Monster had an idea. I’ll throw those guys into the bin … And so they were caught. They would not get out. His idea was final helping. They were not coming back ever. “Hooray I’ve saved the ship” yelled monster. “The bad guys I caught them and I’m not gonna tell you how.”

The story goes on. But I was worn out from typing.

Gone fishing

2009-07-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

By far, their most favourite summer activity so far. Who would have guessed.

Boys will be boys hey?

All it took was sticks, string and the cardboard from an empty tissue box. The fact that the fish have flowers on them seems to add to the appeal. Fun to be shared. Or as an excuse for some solitude.

about reading and spelling

2009-07-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

How children learn compliments of a foothill home companion.

This story could be my story. And I wish this blog was mine!!

Diary of a Wombat

2009-07-06T14:58:00.001-07:00

Jackie French's wombat is a favourite character in our household. He sleeps with our 2 yr old at night and his story is read regularly by the adults and more recently by our learning-to-read 4 yr old.

Today (while bub was being very unsettled - what was I thinking) 4 yr old and I decided to cut the story up and mix it up. Well - I decided. He was enthused.

So I laboriously cut out cardboard cards, wrote on all the words (not all the words from the story, just our selection) and then we had a great time putting it all together again. I'm glad he enjoyed it. Wasn't easy to do whilst holding bub and trying to get her to sleep .... Great activity for reading skills and learning days of the week.

Don't suppose you can see that so well. One day I will learn how to take better photographs.

muffins

2009-06-30T11:04:00.001-07:00

Oh so yummy.

I had no intention of adding recipes here. But this is the easiest, quickest and tastiest thing I have ever made with the kids. We can't get enough of them!!

1/3 cup oil

2/3 cup honey/syrup or combination

3 egg yolks

2 ripe bananas

1 1/4 cups wholemeal flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 egg whites

Beat oil honey & yolks until thick and creamy.
Mix in mashed bananas.
Sift in flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Add oats. Mix well.
Beat egg whites in separate bowl until stiff. Stir into mixture.
Spoon into greased muffin tins until filled to top.
Bake 180 C (350 F) for about 25 mins or until golden on top.

Makes about 12. Never enough!!

We just made our second batch. This time with just one banana and some strawberries. So good! It seems that you can be completely rough with measures and still get great result. Going to try apple & pear, and zucchini & carrot next time. MMmmmmmmmmm!!

the pink and blue debate

2009-06-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

With the unavoidable influx of pink in our household that has resulted from the birth of our first girl, I am exploring the origins of the great pink and blue divide.

... it wasn't until the 1920s that Western parents began dressing their children in colors. Prior to this, children of both sexes generally wore white, and both boys and girls of a young age were outfitted in dresses. When the color assignments among boys and girls did evolve in the '20s, the colors were reversed: pink was for boys and blue for girls. It wasn't until around the 1940s that the colors flip-flopped to the assignment we recognize today ... (HowStuffWorks)

Whatever the reason, modern marketing doesn't help. I just hope our little one can cope with blue and trucks and dinosaurs. Because she is wearing hand-me-downs from her brothers regardless of the cultural or biological reasons for colour preferences!

life with three

2009-06-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Yes. It is different. Life with three children.

To be fair, I've only experienced three weeks and two days of this new world. But as I sit here typing with one hand, enjoying a moment of peace, as bub-in-arms is not screaming and the boys are out in the yard with Dadda, the chaos speaks for itself.

I should start with the positives; as a value statement they far outweigh any struggles we are having. There's a LOT of love in the house. Ok. There always was. But now when the boys (and the adults) list the people they love, the list goes for longer. And it is genuine. Right from the start. They fell in love with their new sister the same way we did. Well she is adorable so that's totally understandable. There's also a lot more cuddles. My arms are never empty. Everyone is wanting more cuddles. Including our new little angel.

It's been very educational too. Now that we've moved beyond pregnancy and birth conversations. We are deep in the whys and how's of breastfeeding and body parts. Why does Auntie need breasts when she has no babies to feed? Why does Grandma need a bra when she has no babies to feed? I thought only grown up girls had no penis. Oh to be inside a four year old's mind.

The teddies are getting a new sort of love as well. They are being "fed from my tummy" up the shirt of our little two year old. They are being carried in slings and pouches. Not just teddies either. Apparently snakey needed a pouch as well. Now he's "just like a joey".

This is very therapeutic. The more I write about positives the more the negatives seem irrelevant. But I like to keep it real. So lets just add a little list. Actually, I can sum it up like this. I haven't stopped. I never stop. From the moment I am woken up in the morning 'till the moment I am woken up the next morning, my day (and night) is full. But as you can see. Its full of fun and amazement as well as nappy changing, clothes washing, preparing food, feeding, vomit, tears, tense moments, exhaustion .........

But who wouldn't want to do it all again?

...

Inspirational, beautiful, educational and more.

2009-06-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to maya*made for sharing a link to the Playful Learning website.

I am fascinated, inspired and in awe of the amazing collection of ideas, thoughts and resources here!

Home made Father's day gifts

2009-06-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

We were reading silly poems on the Robert Munsch website. Its like he handed out a licence to let the imagination lose. Writing without inhibitions. So we decided to write a poem for Father's day.

And of course, we also made dad's favourite cake!

My Dadda Went to Cricket

(by a special 4 year old)

My Dadda went to cricket,

it wasn't really wicket,

he soon batted but it wasn't a bicket,

My Dadda went to cricket in the car.

He soon bowled,

but it wasn't really old,

but then it was a bitter bitter cold.

It was really bit,

but it wasn't really what,

so it rita rita rita rita bot.

Mr Mr Mr Mr Tot!

Nature and string

2009-06-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

On a recent holiday I picked up a large box of "craft stuff" from a garage sale for just $5. An amazing assortment of goodies which was just as fun to unpack as it has been to start using! Including a big bag of half used balls of wool.

So we just filled up a morning with pine cones, sticks and wool.

It started off as a craft project compliments of Quince and Quire. Lovely scraps of wool wrapped around pine cones. And my big 4 yr old extended that to decorating sticks.

But little 2, being 2, got a bit distracted from the task at hand. And before too long we had a great game of fishing for wool (all you need is a stick and a box of wool scraps - who would have thought). Then of course we decorated ourselves with woolen wigs, woolen bracelets and lots of wool all over the room.

What fun! And the best bit was the novelty of brooms and vacuum cleaners has not worn off. So the cleaning up was easy!

101 things to do on a hot day

2009-06-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

To continue on with the anti-tv theme...

Here's what the boys have been up to since the weather warmed up:

squirting the plants (ie each other) with spray cans
watering the plants (ie each other) with the hose
watering the plants (ie each other) with watering cans
watching ice melt, and eating it
wriggling their toes in the breeze
taking all their regular toys outside to play with
walking in other people's gardens to admire and discuss
helping with our slowly improving garden
playing with balls, sticks, bats, nets
collecting rocks and sticks
throwing rocks in the water
washing their toys (ie each other) outside with soapy water
hiding in makeshift tents in the backyard
eating outside
parks
forests

Ok... so its not 101. But you get the idea. And did I mention I'm too pregnant. So most of this has been while I lie on the couch wondering if I should really be out there supervising! There really is no time in summer for the tv.

A little gem

2009-06-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. Frighteningly true...

Job Description

Just read it. Sorry - too pregnant to add anything of interest....

Life outside the box

2009-05-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

So I have no proof that these sorts of things may not have happened anyway, with the TV on... But I am conscious of how much TV seems to drain the energy and creativity out of small children.

I know many mums "use" TV to entertain the kids while dinner is being prepared. Ours doesn't get turned on, at all, during the weekday. As I was pottering in the kitchen this afternoon I could sense boredom setting in as the boys were begging me to read a book. I suggested they look at the books themselves until I finished cooking. So there's my big 4 year old "reading" to his little brother about bees and hives and honey and little Mr 2 is getting restless. Then he jumps up and announces "I want some honey for us". Minor panic - don't often offer honey as an afternoon snack!

So I ask if he would like to pretend to give his brother honey. And off they go. Containers are coming out and the boys are "buzzing" about the house "collecting honey".

Would they have dragged themselves away from the TV if a similar topic came up?

More TV thoughts later. Just wanted to get this thread going....

Inspiring people in the blog world

2009-05-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Just found the most beautiful blog.

maya*made

Oh to be this creative. I am stealing her cool jewels ice necklace idea and oh so many more....

Simple distraction

2009-05-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

We are quickly discovering that our angelic little toddler is really a cheeky monkey in disguise. However, as he was emptying my CD cabinet searching for music to "put on his ipod" (shudder - technology savvy two year old), I discovered an activity to fill up our afternoon and (hopefully) solve our little problem.

I found an old CD with a case and let the boys go crazy decorating it with old catalogue pics, scissors and glue (for the cover) and stickers (for the CD). They had a ball.

I thought that all was solved until the "new" CD was quietly added to my CD cabinet. Do we have to make them a cabinet as well?

But the craft was fun!

An ocean tale

2009-05-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

Truly the most beautiful children's book I have come across in a long time. We stumbled across this whilst on holiday in New Zealand. "Cork on the Ocean" is written and illustrated by husband and wife team Mark Sommerset and Rowan.

Beautifully illustrated... enchantingly philosophical... this story explores friendship, life and love. (Waikato Times - Sarah Laird). It has inspired the imagination of our boys and has also helped to lull them to sleep many a night since we returned home.

Can't wait to get my hands on the sequel; "Cork and the Bottle". See more at www.corkvoyages.com .

Books that inspire the imagination - part two

2009-04-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here's another title that begged for further creativity.

Chris Tougas' "Mechanimals" tells the story of a farmer who lost all his animals to a tornado and was left with nothing but machinery parts. So he makes his own "animal-bots" to help run the farm, including a pig-bot that flies! So now we are creating our own mechanimal plans ...

Inspiration for a 4 year old and a 4 year old constantly inspiring his mum!

Books inspiring the imagination

2009-04-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

My (almost) 4 year old has become fascinated with the concept of the imagination. It was therefore super exciting to find this at the local library: "Not a stick" by Antoinette Portis. The little pig in the story is using a stick to create all sorts of imaginary scenarios and adventures. And then we discovered, at the back of the book, a reference to the author's original title "Not a box" which kicked off a drawing spree of all sorts of "not" boxes and what they could be in your imagination.

A call for the great outdoors

2009-03-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

The outdoors is fast becoming a theme here is it not?

After spending two weeks in Australia I am realising how much we are missing easy access -for both climatic and geographical reasons - to the outdoors. In a land where backyards are bigger and it only takes a hat and sunscreen to dress for the occasion, leaving the house to play outside can happen many times a day. Of course, there is no lack of the nature in Canada. I have just been having trouble easing into it.

And then. the ever inspirational Miss J made a note on her website Urban Preschool, of the work of Richard Louv.. I have now been given the extra push I needed to get outside.

Richard Louv is the author of Last Child in the Woods.

In this influential work about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

I am yet to get my hands on a copy. But his blog is fascinating.

So today, we got out there. It took a little more dressing for the weather. But a quick drive up the road had us in the thick of a forest with waterfalls to gaze at, rocks and roots and logs to scramble over, and mud puddles to squelch in. The boys were in heaven. And I was having too much fun to stop for photographs! And we all came home in a better mood. Honestly.

The great outdoors

2009-03-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is why we are happiest living somewhere with access to nature. My amazing husband took the boys out on the weekend with a child-carrier backpack, a food-carrier front pack and rain gear. Our little almost-four year old walked about 7km through this ...
I wish I'd been there.
My biggest inspiration still comes from the three amazing men in my life!

Hey diddle diddle ...

2009-03-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

This was supposed to be for me to tell stories to the kids. But they have taken over. What a simple idea. Some felt and some glue. Perhaps some eyes would have helped... And now the boys are telling each other the story, moving the pictures around and recreating "Hey diddle diddle" to suit their own amazing imaginations!

Recycling for kids art

2009-02-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

"There's no machinery at The Imagination Factory, and smokestacks don't pollute the air. Instead, we teach children and their caregivers creative ways to recycle by making art. The lessons and activities include drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, papier-mache, marbling, and crafts."

The imagination factory is a web site full of inspiration for using recycled materials for kids art. The skill level is a bit beyond my brood just yet. But what a great idea!

$1 road mat

2009-02-26T16:27:00.000-08:00

Ok ... so we already had the plain green floor rug. But we weren't using it. The tape cost about $2 for the whole role but we only used half of it! And the options are endless.

Credit for the idea goes to Ridgeway Preschool!

101 uses continued

2009-02-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Those empty thread reels we were exploring are slowly getting decorated and set to work in all sorts of construction ...

No more "Good Job"

2009-02-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

Eliminating ineffective praise.

I am reading a lot on this at the moment and it really makes sense. I can't explain it as well as others.

Here's a great article to help: http://louiseporter.com.au/pdfs/developing_responsible_behaviour.pdf

Now I've just got to put it into practice......

Kids music for adults...

2009-02-21T20:39:00.001-08:00

We have to play kids music in the car. It keeps everyone happy. But not the painfully grating old nursery rhymes and fluffy cutesy stuff.

My favourite:

Ralph's World

... Ralph Covert's fresh approach to making music for kids was playing the same great indie pop rock he did with The Bad Examples but with subject matter and lyrics that children love...

There's a few vamped up classics in there regarding things like the alphabet and winnie the poo but it all has a great "I have to sing along feel" and kiddie humour.

Love it. Gotta get my hands on another album!

imperfect parenting

2009-02-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

My parenting philosophy (in someone else's words of course):

One of the themes of Under Pressure is that there is no single magic recipe for child-rearing and that we should distrust anybody who proffers one. Sure, there are some things that all kids need - space to explore the world without adults constantly scheduling, supervising and assessing them; our time and attention with no conditions attached - but after that the details get blurry. As parents we need to ignore the pressure and panic pushing in on us from all sides in order to work out what suits our children best. And we need to accept that self-doubt and making mistakes are a natural part of parenting. My aim in Under Pressure is to ease the pressure on parents by showing that there is no such thing as a perfect parent raising a perfect child.

Carl Honore, author of Under Pressure, from his weblog entry Telegraph Serialization.

patent pending

2009-02-14T18:40:00.001-08:00

I am yet to meet a one year old who isn't obsessed with doors.
I had a great idea for a one year old birthday present.
I searched high and low. I found nothing.
If only I had woodwork skills...

The toy:
A large wooden box covered in doors and drawers of different shapes, sizes and mechanisms.

That's it.

Who is the child?

2009-02-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

Our preschool teacher has asked us to record ideas on "Who is the child?" for an early learning workshop.
My (imperfect) summary of the preschooler ...

Who is the child?

I am growing up. I am full of contradictions.

I want you to hold my hand be my guide. I want to do it my way.
I want you to tell me what to do. I want to be in control.
I want rules and structure. I want to feel freedom.
I really need my special person by my side. I want to prove I can go it alone.
I want to be taken seriously. I want to be silly.
Sometimes I am 2 years old. Sometimes I am 10.

I could reach the stars, if only you would pull them down for me.

... and then there's Clotilda!

2009-02-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

On starry nights, there are fairies in the woods. And there are witches ...

Needless to say, fairies and witches are different.

And then there's Clotilda ....

Witches and fairies by Eva Montanari captures the imagination of my 3 year old, my 1 year old and myself. Magical illustrations. Enchanting story. I can't wait to see the rest of her titles.

Because breastfeeding is normal....

2009-02-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

During a classroom discussion about babies 9 year old Olivia commented "Breastfeeding is rude". Her friend asked "Can't she afford bottles?" when looking at a picture of a woman breastfeeding her baby.

Olivia is a typical Australian child. She sees babies with bottles in the books she reads, on television and out and about in her community. She was breastfed for a few months as was her younger brother, but she doesn't remember. Olivia may not notice women who are breastfeeding as it just looks like they are cuddling their baby. If she does notice, she 'knows' not to look.

And yet breastfeeding is normal. The risks and costs of not breastfeeding- to babies, mothers, society and the environment- are well known by researchers. Where can our children, the future parents, learn this? At school of course! The Australian Breastfeeding Association wants to comprehensively update and expand its schools kit. The plan is to bring it to the internet, to include breastfeeding in many subject areas, and in so doing reach a much wider audience. This important project will cover all areas of the school curriculum, for all ages, for all of Australia.

What a great initiative from a great organisation.

Breastfeeding always seemed the logical choice for me. The Australian Breastfeeding Association provided the know-how and the inspiration to continue to breastfeed and to support others in doing so.

101 uses

2009-02-08T21:25:00.000-08:00

I just picked these up at an amazing little shop that sells unwanted items from "over 100 different local industries, diverting safe, useable off-cuts, discards, misprints and over-stock from the land fill". I think they are empty reels from thread.

My intention was to use them for art projects with the kids.

They have so far been used for balancing balls, role play telescopes, rolling (very fascinating as they curve), stacking into towers, hiding small toys and trumpets. The art projects will come later - apparently they are going to have doors cut to make tents.

I am constantly amazed by the creative minds of kids!

Check out urban source more inspiring materials.

Thanks J for the insight and the experience!

2009-02-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

THE FRIEND

There are lots and lots of people who are
always asking things,
Like Date and Pounds-an-ounces and the names
of funny Kings,
And the answer's either Sixpence or A Hundred
Inches Long.
And I know they'll think me silly if I get the
answer wrong.

So Pooh and go whispering, and Pooh looks
very bright,
And says, "Well, I say sixpence, but I don't
suppose I'm right."
And then it doesn't matter what the answer
ought to be,
'Cos if he's right, I'm Right, and if he's
wrong, it isn't Me.

A.A. Milne. "Now we are six" First published in 1927 by Methuen & Co Ltd

This poem says so much about family life for me.
We have each other. We don't have to worry about the formula. We can parent our way.
We have so much to learn from our children. Their fascination and innocent view of the world are worth listening too.