Holidays: Day Seven

Today turned out to be a day of creative pursuits for everyone in our family.  Harry dressed as an explorer and went off adventuring down the paddock with his friend Peter.  Ben spent time editing video footage of dolphins and whales that he'd taken recently on a fishing trip (stay tuned...I hope to upload the video soon). And I finally spent some time sewing - an activity I envisaged doing all holidays long (plans don't always work out, do they!). 

I didn't take many photos today. But I did manage to photograph the lovely fairy garden that Till and Nalani created underneath our fig tree.  They spent hours working on it.  Till has left a note in a jar for the fairies explaining what's on offer under the fig tree. After all the trouble she went to I hope they have the decency to write back!

Oh, and tonight the pursuit of all things creative continues..... I'm off to see a play!

Seeds, pebbles, coral and shells all make for fairy furniture, and a glass jar swimming pool

A fairy swing - it's looks people-sized in this picture

Smooth pieces of beach glass make perfect little fairy stepping stones

Holidays: Day Six

Master Chef - Norfolk Island

:: Kids in the Kitchen ::

Harry and Till had a friend over for the day. The three of them happily spent the morning playing with Lego and then after morning tea I suggested they do some cooking. I put everything out on the bench and told them to go for it! Well not completely, I did light the oven for them first. There was much negotiation about who got to do what, but in the end it seems all tasks were shared fairly. There weren't any arguments about who got to lick the bowl or beaters or spoons. You know, they even washed up at the end - I was super impressed (it made up for the gritty, sugary floor ha ha).  It feels like we spent all day in the kitchen today.  Ben made the worlds largest pavlova, plus a salmon quiche and some vegetable soup.  I made garlic bread!!!!!!!! I should probably clarify here....I cut up a french bread stick from the supermarket and added garlic butter - TECHNICAL. Come on folks - that took skill! I also did LOTS of washing up, and boy am I good at that! Oh and I vacuumed and washed the floor too - it's no longer sticky (there's nothing worse than a sticky floor right?).

Nalani passing on the secrets of great mixing!

Look at that intense concentration!

Drawing to pass the time while the cupcakes baked in the oven

Time to add frosting - Nalani in charge!

Good job kids - your cakes looked great and tasted yummy too!

Holidays: Day Five

The weather looked like this morning...

Rain, rain go away...come again another day!

 great if you are a....

Our pet duck Mannie

perfect for staying indoors to play...

Risk

Harry spent time making these...

while Till worked on this....

Heart of the home: the kitchen

 An urge to get out of the house led us to the Op Shop

Score...3 classic tales for the "Book Eating" boy

 followed by a visit to the Waste Management Centre to off-load our rubbish

and then on to the kids favourite shop...

Lego Heaven

Till has a birthday coming....tough decisions to be made

This came home with us...

Harry had pocket money to spend - *surprise* - he chose Lego

After lunch, time for craft....

Steiner stars made from kite paper

Then the sun came out...

collecting guava's down the driveway

PS If your want instructions to make your own window stars go here
And I bought kite paper here

A diet of books

Harry reads my blog - he has unintentionally become my 'self-appointed' editor! Tonight he noted: "Mum, you haven't done an updated post about library books I've read lately".

Hmmm. True.  The main reason being, THIS BOY OF MINE READS TOO MANY BOOKS - SEROUSLY! He's like a machine.  Some days he reads one and a half novels - and that's just between the hours of school finishing and bedtime!! Lucky for us we have access to a fabulous well-stocked library...and luckier still, it has a great selection of books written by the fabulous Australian author, Emily Rodda (definitely Harry's favourite writer this month).

So just for you Harry, here's a list of some of the titles you have ingested recently.  Yes that's right - I know your little secret.............. I know you're swallowing books whole when we're not looking!

Holidays: Day Four

Today the weather wasn't so good, but after days of pure sunshine and cloudless blue skies, a little bit of rain was a welcome sight.  Our tanks needed a top-up and the veggie patch was looking a bit thirsty too. I hope the sun comes back tomorrow however (although the weather man sitting here on the lounge has just told me otherwise).

Awwww...cute.....(the only high heels I own)

 This morning giggles could be heard coming from our walk-in-robe, so I went to investigate what the little munchkins were up too. Just as I stepped into my bedroom, they both emerged from the cupboard, each dressed in our clothes; Till dressed as me and Harry dressed as Ben. We had to go along with this role-reversal caper for half the morning.  Till, um I mean, Mum, even took charge of getting the washing off the line (standing on a chair). Harry, ooops, I mean Dad, took charge of feeding the chooks. The conversations these two had as "us" were hilarious (and scary....do I REALLY sound like that?). And how's this for good value - Little Mum made my bed and cleaned my room.  Actually, come to think of it, I should really take advantage of this role-play thing more often!

Later in the day Harry and Till played a few rounds of uno cards. Harry went off for a horse riding lesson, Ben cooked up a storm and I well.........I...um......had another little afternoon nap! That's what holidays are for right? I did help in the kitchen when I awoke from my beauty sleep.  We had friends over for a BBQ tonight and it was a very pleasant evening.  Good food and great company - what more could you ask for?

Holidays: Day Three

Phew...this blogging everyday commitment is wearing me out...and I have days to go.  Whose idea was this?

OK. I'll quit whining.  Today entailed an early morning trip to the shops to buy lunch supplies, more loads of washing, kitchen cleaning, guitar and piano practice supervision and a long leisurely lunch (but we stayed sooooo long it became afternoon tea) with friends. I gave the kids 'Weat-bix' for dinner tonight, because we ate ALL afternoon at Susie's place! I bet that will get me an award for 'Parent of the Year' - but just to ease my guilt, I think I need to point out that Harry and Till didn't complain! I think they'd happily eat cereal for dinner most nights!

Here's Till and Harry eating breakfast on the verandah this morning (see I do cook nutritious meals for my kids...boiled eggs are so gourmet). Look how camera shy they are!

I asked Harry to do his guitar practice...next thing I know...he's TEACHING his sister how to play!

Did you ever make one of these plates when you were a child? I still have mine.

At Susie's place the kids pretty much played here...

 While the mummies sat here...

Drum roll please.....and to finish off....something we've been waiting for....tooth Number Two has finally vacated this space...Only a mother could love it ha ha!

Holidays: Day Two

Today we had one of those 'chill-out-stay-at-home-ALL-day-long' days.  I really like days like this.  We didn't do anything particularly exciting, mainly lots of cleaning and sorting.  I enjoy re-organising cupboards at this time of the year! Honest!

Harry and Till set up a hair salon in the lounge room after breakfast.  I paid 20 cents to have my back scratched, my hair brushed and all the while being served cup after cup of delicious hot lemon tea.  But here's the real highlight....I got to watch a magic show.  Now there's a concept worth considering.  Imagine visiting the hair dresser and while your hair is being styled, you are entertained by an eager amateur magician (AKA Harry) while you sit! It does make for a rather pleasant time.

Well here are some photos capturing other parts of our non-event day. I don't want to sit here typing tonight....Ben has just ducked up the street for ice-cream....which means...movie night here I come.

 Today...

 Till and Harry had a water fight...

There were many loads of this...

 Harry spent some time fixing the chook-yard entrance... 

I stopped to smell and admire these...

Harry and Till had an early bath and watched a movie while eating dinner (it's a Sunday tradition)

And time for a little bit of creativity just before bed...