Something I really dreamed of when I was growing up was that ideal neighbourhood. You know the one you see in movies; where the parents all wave at each other as they walk past, and stop for a chat. The kids can just run next door, or down the street to play with a friend. The older neighbours get looked in on by those next door, just to see if they are all right.
I know that the modern world and digital age has changed things, and the reality of this may be completely different to the shiny fantasy I see in my head, but it's a dream I have hung on to for a while now. I'm thinking of it (and blogging about it) at this moment because tonight, I contributed to making this dream a reality.
Two weeks ago, the house across the street from us was vacated by it's previous tenants, and yesterday, I saw someone pull up and start unloading. When I saw the lights on tonight, I thought there was no time like the present, and promptly loaded up some of the excess pasta I had made for dinner into a takeaway container, popped some ANZAC biscuits into a snap lock bag, and wandered on over. The person who greeted me was surprised and excited at the fact that someone had bought her dinner, and I left feeing really fabulous.
It occurs to me that this is what growing up should be about. I know that I want to see a great neighbourhood where people know and care for each other. I know that I want to live in such a neighbourhood, and have my kids grow up in such a place. And I've realised tonight, more than ever, that I am responsible for making that dream a reality. I have the power to help create such a place, right here and right now.
I am so thankful for the neighbourhood that I live in. Thankful that God has been so gracious to us, in giving us really wonderful and caring neighbours. I'm praying that I can continue to be a blessing to those in our street, not just when they move in.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Mass Production
This thing called mass production is really the best. I love it. I did it a bit last year when I made these birthday shorts (see?) and I got some cool new material recently so thought I'd make a few more. It's kind of handy knowing everyone has boys, because you really can just make a whole stack of boy shorts and then you are covered for the next six months or so of birthdays. Handy.
I did make five of them this time too (same pattern as last time, the Sycamore Shorts) but forgot to photo them until I'd given three away. Slightly silly, and when I went to photo them, it was a grey rainy day and the only place dry with good light was the front steps. Oh well.
Two pairs went to my sister's friend Jane in Melbourne who is having a little boy soon. One went to my nephew Harrison for his birthday this Thursday (spoilers). One more (the groovy ones with the blue pockets pictured here) went to Digby, my new friend Megan's little boy who will be one the same time as Rachel (spoilers again), and the last pair will go next door when they have their new bub in the next few weeks.
It's rather amazing how fast things go. Anyway, I am so loving the Izzy Top that I made for Sophie last year (see it on a hanger here, and on the child here). So I made another one for her (size 3, getting ready for next year). While I was at it, I made another two. One for one of the girls next door (Isla's birthday in May (spoilers!)) and one for my new friend Megan's little girl who will be three in July (more spoilers!).
What I love about these is the reversibility and the cool scalloped stitching I did on Isla's. So fun!
I did make five of them this time too (same pattern as last time, the Sycamore Shorts) but forgot to photo them until I'd given three away. Slightly silly, and when I went to photo them, it was a grey rainy day and the only place dry with good light was the front steps. Oh well.
Two pairs went to my sister's friend Jane in Melbourne who is having a little boy soon. One went to my nephew Harrison for his birthday this Thursday (spoilers). One more (the groovy ones with the blue pockets pictured here) went to Digby, my new friend Megan's little boy who will be one the same time as Rachel (spoilers again), and the last pair will go next door when they have their new bub in the next few weeks.
It's rather amazing how fast things go. Anyway, I am so loving the Izzy Top that I made for Sophie last year (see it on a hanger here, and on the child here). So I made another one for her (size 3, getting ready for next year). While I was at it, I made another two. One for one of the girls next door (Isla's birthday in May (spoilers!)) and one for my new friend Megan's little girl who will be three in July (more spoilers!).
What I love about these is the reversibility and the cool scalloped stitching I did on Isla's. So fun!
Monday, April 20, 2015
In Advance
Not only did I get to start looking after my nephew full time today, but Steve also nicked off to Sydney for three days for a developers summit. In advance, on the weekend, I thought I'd make some big meals to help with the single-parent juggling I'd be doing. I also took the opportunity to hide loads of veggies in too.
One big risotto and a stack of mini lasagne's later, and it was done. Totally worth it.
On the topic of food, last week I did something I never thought I'd do, and made the girls faces for lunch. They are very nutritious, if somewhat grotesque. It was my impression that Sophie would simply play with the food, rather than eat it, but to my surprise, both girls ate most of it, and Rachel was mad about the corn. Win!
One big risotto and a stack of mini lasagne's later, and it was done. Totally worth it.
On the topic of food, last week I did something I never thought I'd do, and made the girls faces for lunch. They are very nutritious, if somewhat grotesque. It was my impression that Sophie would simply play with the food, rather than eat it, but to my surprise, both girls ate most of it, and Rachel was mad about the corn. Win!
Friday, April 10, 2015
Yikes!
Well, after a week and a half away at the coast, a great Easter at home with all sorts of peeps and Steve finally returning to work on Tuesday, I'm actually feeling well and refreshed. Despite the fact that Sophie is in the process of giving up her naps (something I thought I would be much sadder about (My free time!! Nooooo!!!)) I'm still feeling like I'm getting things done. The house is clean and organised (ish), the things I have to sew are few and I even feel like playing piano and guitar with the girls.
So I thought I'd update you on my life, because that's why I've got a blog after all. Steve and I finished the window operation on Easter Sunday. The house is now finally completely fly screened, and all of the windows open and close as they should (except the far one in the kitchen which takes some encouragement, but that's ok). I made a cake on Easter Monday and it was really good to see flies buzzing at the window trying in vain to gain entry to the house and my delicious cake.
Take that flies. This cake is the second one I made in three days. So lovely to have Steve around to go have morning tea with friends. Any excuse to make cake really.
Easter was really great this year. I feel like it's so easy to be in a rut of apathy and disappointment with a relationship with God, and it's unbelievably hard to break out of. But Easter is a great reminder of God. Everything about him. He's all about the new, the good, the real. He doesn't want us to dwell on the crap, the bad stuff, the sin. He wants us to move on to the new life. So great.
I read Anne of Green Gables last week. I love reading things. It was a really sweet, if somewhat old fashioned, read. It's strange to think that it was written over a hundred years ago and yet is still readable and fun.
There is only a week left before I increase from two children in my care to three (it's kind of like having a baby without the nine months and excruciating labour to have to go through). I'm excited, though I know there will be an adjustment period. And I'll really be saying goodbye to my Me-Time then.
I feel I'm in a good place for it though. Trying to be realistic about the fact that I'll simply be sewing much much less. And probably doing everything else much much less too, and doing much more of child raising. Time to get organised with meal planning too so that I don't end up feeding my girls noodles for dinner five nights of the week.
I'm feeling like writing again too which is exciting. And getting some other stories ready to be published mid-year too. Writing is fun.
Anyway, not sure when I'll be updating this blog now, with the busy times ahead. but hopefully I'll drop in every now and then. Thanks everyone for reading along.
So I thought I'd update you on my life, because that's why I've got a blog after all. Steve and I finished the window operation on Easter Sunday. The house is now finally completely fly screened, and all of the windows open and close as they should (except the far one in the kitchen which takes some encouragement, but that's ok). I made a cake on Easter Monday and it was really good to see flies buzzing at the window trying in vain to gain entry to the house and my delicious cake.
Take that flies. This cake is the second one I made in three days. So lovely to have Steve around to go have morning tea with friends. Any excuse to make cake really.
Easter was really great this year. I feel like it's so easy to be in a rut of apathy and disappointment with a relationship with God, and it's unbelievably hard to break out of. But Easter is a great reminder of God. Everything about him. He's all about the new, the good, the real. He doesn't want us to dwell on the crap, the bad stuff, the sin. He wants us to move on to the new life. So great.
I read Anne of Green Gables last week. I love reading things. It was a really sweet, if somewhat old fashioned, read. It's strange to think that it was written over a hundred years ago and yet is still readable and fun.
There is only a week left before I increase from two children in my care to three (it's kind of like having a baby without the nine months and excruciating labour to have to go through). I'm excited, though I know there will be an adjustment period. And I'll really be saying goodbye to my Me-Time then.
I feel I'm in a good place for it though. Trying to be realistic about the fact that I'll simply be sewing much much less. And probably doing everything else much much less too, and doing much more of child raising. Time to get organised with meal planning too so that I don't end up feeding my girls noodles for dinner five nights of the week.
I'm feeling like writing again too which is exciting. And getting some other stories ready to be published mid-year too. Writing is fun.
Anyway, not sure when I'll be updating this blog now, with the busy times ahead. but hopefully I'll drop in every now and then. Thanks everyone for reading along.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sewing Too Far
Even as I type this, more than a week after the event, I still can't believe I did it. I sewed nappies for Sophie's doll. Sigh. It really seems like I went too far. Has it really come to this? Doll nappies?? It has, but not because of me, but rather, because of Sophie.
Children really do have a holistic approach to their toys. They want them to be fed, and clean and have places to sleep and clothes to wear. I thought mum had gone overboard with the amount of dolls clothes she made for Sophie's dolls. but it seems there was further to go.
For the last few weeks, Sophie has been using Rachel's cloth nappies to "change Doll's nappy". Cute and all, but hardly practical. I was hoping it was a phase, (maybe it is, but it's a long enough lasting one that it was worth what came next,) but alas, no. And so I've made cloth nappies for Doll.
They are really cute. A good use of scrap material.
And rather professionally made (if I do say so myself.)
But I just can't get past the fact that I sewed them. And a reusable wipes pack from the left over felt. It just seems too far.
Oh well.
Children really do have a holistic approach to their toys. They want them to be fed, and clean and have places to sleep and clothes to wear. I thought mum had gone overboard with the amount of dolls clothes she made for Sophie's dolls. but it seems there was further to go.
For the last few weeks, Sophie has been using Rachel's cloth nappies to "change Doll's nappy". Cute and all, but hardly practical. I was hoping it was a phase, (maybe it is, but it's a long enough lasting one that it was worth what came next,) but alas, no. And so I've made cloth nappies for Doll.
They are really cute. A good use of scrap material.
And rather professionally made (if I do say so myself.)
But I just can't get past the fact that I sewed them. And a reusable wipes pack from the left over felt. It just seems too far.
Oh well.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Train Rides
Even though she's a little girl, my Sophie loves trains. We went and saw Thomas the Tank Engine earlier this year which was such fun, but as she's gotten older, she's grown to appreciate them more and more, and also get more and more excitement out of seeing them.
Last Tuesday we dropped Steve's Dad off at Roma St to get the train back to Bundy, and Sophie saw the big diesel train come in. We've dropped people off there before, but never have we gotten such a reaction. Even just being at the Train Station was a delight for her.
So on Wednesday, instead of driving into the city to pick up Steve, we parked at a train station and caught the train in. We had afternoon tea on the platform at Central just watching the trains arrive and depart. Even though we were there for twenty minutes, I reckon Sophie could have sat for another hour easily.
It was worth the heat and hassle to see both of my girls enjoy the new adventure of trains. Did you notice Sophie is wearing her Thomas shirt for the event? Got to be wearing a Train Shirt when seeing Trains.
So on Wednesday, instead of driving into the city to pick up Steve, we parked at a train station and caught the train in. We had afternoon tea on the platform at Central just watching the trains arrive and depart. Even though we were there for twenty minutes, I reckon Sophie could have sat for another hour easily.
It was worth the heat and hassle to see both of my girls enjoy the new adventure of trains. Did you notice Sophie is wearing her Thomas shirt for the event? Got to be wearing a Train Shirt when seeing Trains.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Mega Bento
This is a quick one on the Bento the girls had last Friday when I took them to "Mum's Old Work" for a Japanese festival. I was overly prepared with extra snacks just in case. Not pictured here are the squeezie yoghurt, rice crackers, sultanas and small box of plain crackers that live in my bag "just in case". They didn't eat everything, but gave it a good attempt. What wasn't eaten at lunch, was served up for dinner. :)
I feel people must be getting a bit tired of lunch box posts, but they look so shiny when they are all made that I can't resist sharing them.
I feel people must be getting a bit tired of lunch box posts, but they look so shiny when they are all made that I can't resist sharing them.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
It's Alive: Busy Book of the Year!
At last, the day has come where I can say that I'm finished! Get ready for a mammoth post about sewing something, because the thing I've been working away on for I've no idea how long, has come to completion. I would say that I probably spent less time on it overall than I did with the Picnic Activity Mats of last year, but I was making three of those at once. I think this has been in my head for at least six months. Everything has it's own time right? And the time is now!
Before I continue, I must give credit to whoever it is that blogs over at Forty-Two Roads. I saw this marvellous book on the Internet somewhere (pintrest or google or whatever) and it was really the starting point for my own book. No people, I don't think of these things all on my own. As one of my teaching prac teachers said once; "If someone else has made the worksheet, don't reinvent the wheel." Wise words.
Here is what it looked like on the floor as a work-in-progress. In short, it's an enormous cloth book that focuses on the fine motor skills needed to dress oneself properly in the morning. Doing up buttons, zips, buckles, etc, are just some of the amazing features. For added sentimentality and recycling purposes, each page is made out of firstly scrap fabric from my stash, and also old kids clothes, either from Sophie, or in the rare case or two, from the op-shop.
The cover was simply some green fabric I had in the stash that I quilted onto a piece of calico for strength. The inner cover is a remnant that I picked up on the cheap a while back. I did dream that it would one day make the skirt of a fun dress, but it fit perfectly, so I used it here. The words are embroidered onto a separate piece of fabric that was then bound and sewn on the front (slightly off centre I'm afraid). And I put the handle on before the book was finished being bound too, so it's slightly off as well, but I'm really thankful for it, given how huge the book turned out.
Page one is a dress that mum and dad bought Sophie from Thailand (I think) which she wore for a while, but was ridiculously short on her. The cute collar and scalloping on the buttons meant it was perfect to keep. The backing material is just from the stash.
Page two focuses on belt buckles on the skirt. The skirt itself is actually just material that I used to make Sophie's first Easter dress (not the actual dress) that originally came from some paediatric nurse scrubs from the US. The belt buckles I got off a pair of $4 shorts I picked up at Lifeline, and then I used some scrap material from a shirt I made for Sophie to put it all together. The backing material was from Sophie's Tent, though I also used it to make a shoulder bag. I've still got some left, so who knows what it will become next.
Page three is overall clips. I did have to get these overalls from Lifeline too, because baby overalls don't actually have overall clips. They have buttons (see here for an example). Which is all well and good, but I wanted overall clips, so to Lifeline I went. These were a size 4 that I cut down a bit. This was also the chunkiest page because I wanted the side buttons and pockets to still function as per usual. The backing material is from my stash, which I've actually used before to make a quilt, but apparently never took photos of. Strange.
Page four is snaps, using one of the girls old onsies. I know that more grown up clothes don't really have snaps, but I thought they'd be good practice anyway. The backing material was orginally from Rachel's quilt, which I've also used in the Duplo Bag.
This is a great chance to stop and tell you that I also did my best to sew the clothes in with as much usability as possible. You heard about it on the overalls page (with the pockets and buttons), but here on the onsie page, I've sewn only the back half of the outfit, so you can technically still wear it (though you'd also have the book attached to you...). Here is a photo of Bear wearing the onsie while Doll wears the jeans on the opposite page.
Page five is jeans. Again a pair of Sophie's that she wore to death and my mum patched a few times for her. This has a tiny zip and a button. The backing material is the same as page two.
Page six has Sophie's first Christmas Dress, which has a bow to tie as well as top ties on the shoulders. Lots of tying. Very sentimental and pretty. Backing material is the same as pages two and five.
Page seven, coming to the end, is shoes, teaching about velcro and laces. The pink shoes were from Steve's mum for Sophie (that she actually never wore) and were pretty easy to sew in. The other shoe is one of my old ones that I cut up and sewed in, much the same as Steve's old shoe which made it into the last Busy Book. Backing material again from the stash. I think it was another remnant that I got on the cheap.
The final page, page eight, is all about doing up hair. This was probably the trickiest page to put together, despite not needing to sew on bulky clothes. The material was all leftover scraps from dresses the girls have. The girl on the page originally looked bald at the front, and I am not sure you can really see the arm holding the mirror, but oh well. You get the point. Practice plaiting the hair and putting hair clips in. Easy enough. Backing material is the same as page three.
All of the pages were a medium weigh material, that I thought I should reinforce, so I sewed some other medium weight material on the backs of each page before I started anything else (it was kind of quilting practice and also kind of "use as many cool stitches on Sally as I can" practice). In hindsight, this was overkill. The book is now not only enormous (because of the size of the clothes), but it's also heavy. Very heavy. Thankfully, I had the foresight to put on that handle. But I also imagine it will mostly be played with at home. On the floor.
Sally the Sewing Machine did a colossal job getting though all of the thick layers, but in the end (just as I sewed the, rather thin in comparison, inside lining together, she started making strange noises. She's now at the shop getting a service. I did some hand sewing (the pages into the spine, very tricky because it was so thick) and then took the thing pinned and ready to go to mum's to finish the edge on Harriet the Husqvana.
The thing that I love most about this book is that I thought and thought for ages and ages about how to sew the pages together so that there would be no exposed seams and everything would be beautiful and evenly spaced. I had a brainwave about how to do it one night and it worked. Yes! There are things I'd do slightly differently (it's all about refining the process), but in the end, my crazy idea worked and that's what counts.
Thanks for reading this far! Feel free to comment and tell me that my hard work has not been wasted on a two year old who did actually want to help sew the pages in, or the eight month old who crawled all over my work as I was trying to photograph it.
Here is what it looked like on the floor as a work-in-progress. In short, it's an enormous cloth book that focuses on the fine motor skills needed to dress oneself properly in the morning. Doing up buttons, zips, buckles, etc, are just some of the amazing features. For added sentimentality and recycling purposes, each page is made out of firstly scrap fabric from my stash, and also old kids clothes, either from Sophie, or in the rare case or two, from the op-shop.
The cover was simply some green fabric I had in the stash that I quilted onto a piece of calico for strength. The inner cover is a remnant that I picked up on the cheap a while back. I did dream that it would one day make the skirt of a fun dress, but it fit perfectly, so I used it here. The words are embroidered onto a separate piece of fabric that was then bound and sewn on the front (slightly off centre I'm afraid). And I put the handle on before the book was finished being bound too, so it's slightly off as well, but I'm really thankful for it, given how huge the book turned out.
Page one is a dress that mum and dad bought Sophie from Thailand (I think) which she wore for a while, but was ridiculously short on her. The cute collar and scalloping on the buttons meant it was perfect to keep. The backing material is just from the stash.
Page two focuses on belt buckles on the skirt. The skirt itself is actually just material that I used to make Sophie's first Easter dress (not the actual dress) that originally came from some paediatric nurse scrubs from the US. The belt buckles I got off a pair of $4 shorts I picked up at Lifeline, and then I used some scrap material from a shirt I made for Sophie to put it all together. The backing material was from Sophie's Tent, though I also used it to make a shoulder bag. I've still got some left, so who knows what it will become next.
Page three is overall clips. I did have to get these overalls from Lifeline too, because baby overalls don't actually have overall clips. They have buttons (see here for an example). Which is all well and good, but I wanted overall clips, so to Lifeline I went. These were a size 4 that I cut down a bit. This was also the chunkiest page because I wanted the side buttons and pockets to still function as per usual. The backing material is from my stash, which I've actually used before to make a quilt, but apparently never took photos of. Strange.
Page four is snaps, using one of the girls old onsies. I know that more grown up clothes don't really have snaps, but I thought they'd be good practice anyway. The backing material was orginally from Rachel's quilt, which I've also used in the Duplo Bag.
This is a great chance to stop and tell you that I also did my best to sew the clothes in with as much usability as possible. You heard about it on the overalls page (with the pockets and buttons), but here on the onsie page, I've sewn only the back half of the outfit, so you can technically still wear it (though you'd also have the book attached to you...). Here is a photo of Bear wearing the onsie while Doll wears the jeans on the opposite page.
Page five is jeans. Again a pair of Sophie's that she wore to death and my mum patched a few times for her. This has a tiny zip and a button. The backing material is the same as page two.
Page six has Sophie's first Christmas Dress, which has a bow to tie as well as top ties on the shoulders. Lots of tying. Very sentimental and pretty. Backing material is the same as pages two and five.
Page seven, coming to the end, is shoes, teaching about velcro and laces. The pink shoes were from Steve's mum for Sophie (that she actually never wore) and were pretty easy to sew in. The other shoe is one of my old ones that I cut up and sewed in, much the same as Steve's old shoe which made it into the last Busy Book. Backing material again from the stash. I think it was another remnant that I got on the cheap.
The final page, page eight, is all about doing up hair. This was probably the trickiest page to put together, despite not needing to sew on bulky clothes. The material was all leftover scraps from dresses the girls have. The girl on the page originally looked bald at the front, and I am not sure you can really see the arm holding the mirror, but oh well. You get the point. Practice plaiting the hair and putting hair clips in. Easy enough. Backing material is the same as page three.
All of the pages were a medium weigh material, that I thought I should reinforce, so I sewed some other medium weight material on the backs of each page before I started anything else (it was kind of quilting practice and also kind of "use as many cool stitches on Sally as I can" practice). In hindsight, this was overkill. The book is now not only enormous (because of the size of the clothes), but it's also heavy. Very heavy. Thankfully, I had the foresight to put on that handle. But I also imagine it will mostly be played with at home. On the floor.
Sally the Sewing Machine did a colossal job getting though all of the thick layers, but in the end (just as I sewed the, rather thin in comparison, inside lining together, she started making strange noises. She's now at the shop getting a service. I did some hand sewing (the pages into the spine, very tricky because it was so thick) and then took the thing pinned and ready to go to mum's to finish the edge on Harriet the Husqvana.
The thing that I love most about this book is that I thought and thought for ages and ages about how to sew the pages together so that there would be no exposed seams and everything would be beautiful and evenly spaced. I had a brainwave about how to do it one night and it worked. Yes! There are things I'd do slightly differently (it's all about refining the process), but in the end, my crazy idea worked and that's what counts.
Thanks for reading this far! Feel free to comment and tell me that my hard work has not been wasted on a two year old who did actually want to help sew the pages in, or the eight month old who crawled all over my work as I was trying to photograph it.
Monday, March 09, 2015
Distracted Progress
In an effort to actually finish something before I start the next project, I sat down and did some hand sewing today. Yep, Sally is at the shop getting serviced, and in her absence, I resort to hand sewing to get things done. Admittedly, it worked rather well given the way both of my children decided to rebel against their usual sleep patterns, because I could do it while they played and crawled over my work. There are some positives.
I just have the final binding to do and then I'll be able to brag about what I've been doing for the world to see. Nearly there!
In other news, Sophie's toilet training is still progressing very slowly. It really makes me reflect on our relationship with God actually. I mean, she knows when she needs to use the toilet. Sometimes she'll even declare it openly. But then, when questioned for confirmation, will resolutely say "No". I was commenting to Steve about how I just wish I could trust her. I wish she would tell me the truth. I don't mind if she's made a mistake, I just want honesty.
Isn't it the same with us and God? He loves us so unquestioningly, and wants a great relationship with us. He is always telling us the truth. Yet we often reply with white lies and miscommunication. Or we just don't share what we are going through at all.
I am humbled again and again by God's great love for us.
This is not a very eloquent post, I fear (possibly because I type it in the five minutes that the girls are both sleeping and I do so dreading the imminent sound of Sophie waking up), but it's what I've got.
God loves us. Dwell on that.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
This Moment in Time
I'm pretty beyond excited to talk about what I've been working on in the spare moments, but it's not finished yet. Sorry people. On top of that, Sally the Sewing Machine started to make some very strange noises while I was finishing a part of it last night and I'm a bit concerned for her health and well being now. I hope she'll be ok, but I might take her into the shop or read the manual or something before I sew anything else.
Suffice to say, there has been some quilting involved so far. As well as the use of much of the material from my stash. Hooray!
In other news, remember that before Rachel was born, I got all organised and made a few things including this top for Sophie?
Well now (eight months later) it fits and she's wearing it. I love that it is reversible and I can't wait to make more. Am I addicted to sewing? Probably.
Suffice to say, there has been some quilting involved so far. As well as the use of much of the material from my stash. Hooray!
In other news, remember that before Rachel was born, I got all organised and made a few things including this top for Sophie?
Well now (eight months later) it fits and she's wearing it. I love that it is reversible and I can't wait to make more. Am I addicted to sewing? Probably.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Picnic Bento
So I kind of feel bad that I'm posting yet another small and insignificant post about food, but given that it was Rachel's first ever bento, I feel it's also a little bit legitimate. We went to the park on Wednesday and these are the lunch boxes I packed for my girls to devour.
I made them the night before, and forgot to take my camera, so the photos are a little blury. Not only are they taken on my phone, they were also taken while Sophie was trying desperately to get at the food. And I was wearing my sunnies, so I couldn't really see that well. Anyway. The food.
Rachel's lunch. Cucumber slices, watermelon, rice cubes with seaweed stars and sausage. She does well to gum at all of this solid food with her two small teeth in the front to help out.
Because I was in a bit of a rush when I made them the night before, I didn't get to put cute forks in, but that didn't matter. They ate them none the less.
And I was really glad that I'd taken it all to the park, because we left all the mess on the ground there for the ants and the birds, and I didn't have to clean up one bit of stray rice.
I made them the night before, and forgot to take my camera, so the photos are a little blury. Not only are they taken on my phone, they were also taken while Sophie was trying desperately to get at the food. And I was wearing my sunnies, so I couldn't really see that well. Anyway. The food.
Rachel's lunch. Cucumber slices, watermelon, rice cubes with seaweed stars and sausage. She does well to gum at all of this solid food with her two small teeth in the front to help out.
Sophie's lunch. Cucumber slices, rice cubes with seaweed stars (which I thought she would love, but instead rather fastidiously took each one off telling me it was "yucky". I guess she was teaching me for ruining the purity of plain rice or something.), mini sausages. Fruit salad, with orange, watermelon and yellow watermelon.
Because I was in a bit of a rush when I made them the night before, I didn't get to put cute forks in, but that didn't matter. They ate them none the less.
And I was really glad that I'd taken it all to the park, because we left all the mess on the ground there for the ants and the birds, and I didn't have to clean up one bit of stray rice.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Excessive Reading
I now read up to three hours every day. I'd say, on average I do at least two hours. It's pretty good to be getting in all that reading time. Too bad it's reading the same books over and over again.
Ok, before I get all doom and gloom, I have to admit, I'm pretty happy that Sophie's favourite thing to do is sit and read with me. She'd do it all day if I let her. Recently, we've also upgraded from rather small, short, simple story lined board books, to slightly longer with somewhat more complex story lined picture books.
When Rachel is asleep, (and often even when she is awake), Sophie grabs the chunk of new books off the shelf, (about eight centimetres thick of books) and we plonk ourselves on the couch for some quality reading. We have even gotten to the point where she's happy to read each book only once before moving to another one, though that Shoes from Grandpa by Mem Fox is tough to distract her from.
I feel that I've been reading each of these books a little too long when we get to ones like Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. All of the animals seems to be drawn with an exaggeration of weight, I notice. Except of course the mouse (the ultimate boat sinking culprit). Misdirection, it seems, is being taught at a very young age.
I also notice though, that all of the incredibly round and well bodied creatures seem to be female, while the tiny mouse is a male. Is the author trying to say something about body weight to my two year old? Am I thinking about this way too much as I read it for the umpteenth time?
The story that always makes me feel much like crying is Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. This tells the story of a young boy who is friends with a lady from an old folks home who has lost her memory. Maybe it's because my own, only surviving, grandmother is now in one of these places and she too is losing her memory, but I am easily moved by the simple story.
Maybe it's because I can see the beautiful relationship that there is between children and the elderly, that none of us adults can really understand. Sometimes it's like they really do have their own secrets. Maybe reading this children's book is actually teaching me something about life.
So I enjoy the two hours I have a day of sitting with my girl (sometimes both my girls) and reading. After all, Albert Einstein once said:
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." *
For those interested, the books currently in circulation in the reading block (in no particular order) are:
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen
The Particular Cow by Mem Fox
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
Incy Wincy Spider by Kate Toms
The Magic Hat by Mem Fox
Mr Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham
Little Rabbit Waits for the Moon by Beth Shoshan
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
The Magic Sky by Lucy Richards
Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler
Shoes from Grandpa by Mem Fox
*For more information on this quote, read here.
Ok, before I get all doom and gloom, I have to admit, I'm pretty happy that Sophie's favourite thing to do is sit and read with me. She'd do it all day if I let her. Recently, we've also upgraded from rather small, short, simple story lined board books, to slightly longer with somewhat more complex story lined picture books.
When Rachel is asleep, (and often even when she is awake), Sophie grabs the chunk of new books off the shelf, (about eight centimetres thick of books) and we plonk ourselves on the couch for some quality reading. We have even gotten to the point where she's happy to read each book only once before moving to another one, though that Shoes from Grandpa by Mem Fox is tough to distract her from.
I feel that I've been reading each of these books a little too long when we get to ones like Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. All of the animals seems to be drawn with an exaggeration of weight, I notice. Except of course the mouse (the ultimate boat sinking culprit). Misdirection, it seems, is being taught at a very young age.
I also notice though, that all of the incredibly round and well bodied creatures seem to be female, while the tiny mouse is a male. Is the author trying to say something about body weight to my two year old? Am I thinking about this way too much as I read it for the umpteenth time?
 |
| Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen |
The story that always makes me feel much like crying is Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. This tells the story of a young boy who is friends with a lady from an old folks home who has lost her memory. Maybe it's because my own, only surviving, grandmother is now in one of these places and she too is losing her memory, but I am easily moved by the simple story.
 |
| Wilfred Gordon with Miss Nancy Image from Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas |
Maybe it's because I can see the beautiful relationship that there is between children and the elderly, that none of us adults can really understand. Sometimes it's like they really do have their own secrets. Maybe reading this children's book is actually teaching me something about life.
So I enjoy the two hours I have a day of sitting with my girl (sometimes both my girls) and reading. After all, Albert Einstein once said:
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." *
--------------------------
For those interested, the books currently in circulation in the reading block (in no particular order) are:
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen
The Particular Cow by Mem Fox
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
Incy Wincy Spider by Kate Toms
The Magic Hat by Mem Fox
Mr Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham
Little Rabbit Waits for the Moon by Beth Shoshan
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
The Magic Sky by Lucy Richards
Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler
Shoes from Grandpa by Mem Fox
*For more information on this quote, read here.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Organized Again!
Sophie's lunch for tomorrow contains mostly leftover dinner from tonight. Tricolour spiral pasta, cherry tomatoes and cheese, strawberries and some crazy yellow flesh watermelon. Oh, and a squeezie yoghurt pack.
It's a little bit vegetarian, but also a little bit delicious.
It's a little bit vegetarian, but also a little bit delicious.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Cardboard House Upgrade
A long time ago, I made some cardboard houses, which have been used in various places and functions. Some of them now live at the local church where we go to play group on a Tuesday. Some of them still live at home with us. One of them has been drawn on my many people, and with lots of colours.
Last week, when I was getting back to feeling fabulous, I looked at the one that was still under the house and decided it was time for an upgrade. So I pulled it into the house and got to work. I reinforced the roof, and painted some tiles. I wall papered the inside with some $2 wrapping paper from Target. (This, I feel, made the biggest difference to the house. Suddenly it was so cool, just because of that wrapping paper.)
I used my sisters old paints (from her high-school art days (man these paints are old...)) and did a quick coat of blue on the outside and did spend some money getting coloured gaff tape from Spotlight for the trims. This, by the way, is the internet-go-to of how to make your cardboard house look cool and last longer. I don't know what the internet people who have done this in the past are on, but that tape was super hard to get on looking good. I doubt I'll be doing tape again.
Anyway, now these amazing specimens of cardboard houses live in the house and are used daily by lots of small children. I know it's only cardboard and will one day die, but I love these houses. I almost can't wait for them to die so I can justify making another one. Or two.
I used my sisters old paints (from her high-school art days (man these paints are old...)) and did a quick coat of blue on the outside and did spend some money getting coloured gaff tape from Spotlight for the trims. This, by the way, is the internet-go-to of how to make your cardboard house look cool and last longer. I don't know what the internet people who have done this in the past are on, but that tape was super hard to get on looking good. I doubt I'll be doing tape again.
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