more on kids

One of my favourite things about Nicholas' birthday party last weekend was definitely the party games.  As there was a bit of a dinosaur theme happening we played pin the horn on the triceratops, what's the time "Mr Dinosaur hands" (Dave had a dinosaur puppet on each hand), a dinosaur egg pinata and a dino balloon stomp.  The kids really enjoyed them (I think) and it emphasised my belief in letting kids, be kids.  Old fashioned fun.  Here is another post on the joy of party games that I wholeheartedly agree with. 

In the spirit of having fun, I have been turning my mind to things to do for the holidays.  I want the school holidays to be relaxing.  To be some down time for us all and not full of commitments.  We will be spending a few days at Dave's uncles' farm.  I'm looking forward to that. 

I also hope to:

* take the kids to one of our national galleries/museums in each of the weeks of the holidays. (btw, I read a good article on taking kids to museums here)

* live with no particular routine.  no pressure.
* read together
* cook together
* paint together, draw together
* get some decent photographs
* and to cuddle everywhere.  My focus is to be together.

Time won't wait

Nicholas is 6.  Today while at work I missed him.  I thought of him at school, in his uniform.  Was he in class?  Was he playing?  What was he doing?  When I came home I held him and I kissed him.  Whenever he walked passed me I kissed him again. I sat and talked to him while he had his bath.  He told me about his swimming lesson and talked about his lego.  These days I seem to be more aware of time passing too fast.  So I looked at photos of Audrey when she was a baby.  I find this clip and feel that she has already grown up so much in just a year.

The other day I read about keeping a marble jar for your child.  So often it is too easy to focus on the negative - "stop that" and "don't" or "leave that".  I remind myself to lighten up - praise and encourage.  The idea of the marble jar appeals to me - when they do something good, put a marble in the jar.  At 10 marbles take them for a treat, build it up to something spacial.
I also read a blog that I came across a few months ago.  A tragic story of losing a child.  I came across it again.  One of the most recent posts was about helping an older child through the grief.  Again about holding, loving.  Nothing is more important than this.  I pray for grace and patience.

favourite party moments

The End by A. A. Milne

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever

So I think I'll be six now
Forever and ever.

Yesterday Nicholas turned 6.  Today he celebrated with some of his friends from school and church.  SIX!!

Some of my favourite moments at his party were:

The photo booth.

The party games

And the set up - Mel's table was fantastic!

Queens and Castles

What better thing to do on the Queen's birthday long weekend, but visit a castle? We went back to Iandra Castle, this time with a few friends.

On the way there we stopped at the side of the road where there was this gorgeous cart, loaded with pumpkins, lemons and grapefruit.  All for $1 or $2.  I loved the "honesty tin".

At the castle, Nicholas put on his best Jedi Knight performance, while Audrey did a great version of the Little Princess (BBC version that is...) She loved the tumbleweed... I love her crown in the grass in front of her.  :)  She was disappointed she didn't see Rapunzel or the two "red chairs" though.

We also made a brief stop at the Japanese Gardens in Cowra - David and I first went while on our honeymoon, so it was nice to visit again, this time with our children.

D.A.N.G.E.R

I am really enjoying compiling this album as a record of Nicholas' primary school years.  Having a simple two page layout is perfect to record something quickly for each month of kindergarten - and it is not demanding of time or effort!!

It has seen me pull out all of my old Creating Keepsakes magazines and various Ali Edwards, Becky Higgins and Cathy Zielske books.  It is funny as I can see my style has very much changed.  I used to like all of the stickers, lettering and other bits and pieces to add to album pages, but now I am steering directly towards photos, my favourite cardstock and some text layout, so the Cathy Zielske books are getting a thorough re-read.  It really isn't dangerous as I see I can get a bit done while ever this renewed interest lasts!  I', also loving the A4 size American Crafts album, the first time I haven't used 12x12... 

And speaking of recording school memories and mementos, I was very chuffed to read in the school newsletter this week that Nicholas was one of 4 students receiving congratulations from the principal for finishing the Chief Ministers Reading Challenge.  A copy of that will surely appear in his album!

another random one...

I have had this blog in my favourites for a while now.  She makes soy and beeswax candles.  I love soy candles.  A friend of mine made them and has now moved to Bowral (lucky girl).  I've often toyed with the idea of making them - just for when I need them.  Can I manage to take on anything else??  Probably not, now that I am keen to get some scrapping done (I have an A4 American Crafts album for Nicholas' school album!)  And of course a never ending list of sewing projects.  I've also joined Pintrest, but haven't had time to explore it yet.

I bought this adorable bundle of beeswax candles from her the other day.  I also bought two linen sachet of scented herbs.  And she sent lip balm she has made too.  I know what Maria sang "brown paper packages, tied up with string!"  I love them too.  ;)

The candles have arrived in time for Nicholas' birthday - which i need to get stuck into planning for...

I am also doing a photography course (only two weeks to go).  It has been a bit disappointing though - nothing like the "know you digital SLR" classes I was expecting.  Not what most of the class were expecting either, from the grumbles after each class.

One thing I am determined to do though, is go through ALL the photographs saved to our pc and delete those I don't really need to keep.  Which will then lead me to printing what I need for Audrey's first year album, Nicholas' school album and our Christmas album. Lots to do, but I'm in the mood for it so i had better seize the moment!

Oh, and the other day I saw some cute lavender filled strawberries... then I thought "I can do that!"  And proceeded to make 15!

  

And on Saturday night, it was lovely to see Nicholas and Dave make pasta together...

And it tasted beautiful too.

a little sentimental lately

Today we had lunch with some of my grandmothers sisters and my mums cousins.  There was a small pang in my heart when we were together and I thought of the one missing.  My grandmother.

In an odd way it tied in with something else that I have been sentimental about over the past week or so.  Scrapbooking.  One of my great aunts did a lot of scrapbooking when I first "discovered" the hobby.  Another great aunt is the custodian of our family history and stories (of which she reminded me that I inherit one day).  When we said good bye I don't think I imagined that the hugs were just a little tighter, a little longer.  It makes me more conscious of memory keeping.

What has had me reminiscing?  This.  I love the simplicity of Becky Higgins school project.  I fully intend to keep an alum of the kids primary years using these simple layouts.  It is perfect - print them, stick a photo on and write the subject matter.  Memory recorded. 
I miss those early days when scrapbooking was almost an addiction.  Waiting for the latest Creating keepsakes issue, an feeling pure pleasure when stocking up on cardstock and paper!