Galloping Ahead with Homeschooling

Now that we've finished our "Ice-Cream" theme, which was a success (no surprises there), we're moving onto ... "Horses".

We visited these lovely locals with some carrots and apples to get off to a good start.

It was such a peaceful spot for a picnic: beautiful big old shady trees, green grass, birdsong and a cool breeze. I can't believe we've never been here before, but it will definitely be a regular place to visit now.

I just loved a moment of quiet repose, lying on the picnic rug, looking up to the trees. And when the kids came to join me, they didn't even jump on me or drop anything on me, the just lay down for a nice cuddle. Ahh. Loverly.

Got big plans for the "Horse" theme!

Baking Time

K: "Mum, while those cookies are cooling down, I'll just have a little sit here."

Me: "Keep your hands off."

J: "Can I have a strawberry?" (reaching for a chilli)

Dang good chunky cookies from Veganomicon: chocolate-choc-chip-walnut. We diverted from the recipe with crushed Easter bunnies, peanuts, linseeds and psyllium (! don't ask, I've been cleaning out the pantry!) so these are healthy and keep you regular! Just what the kids need after vomiting and diarrhoea. The funnest part was definitely squashing the chocolate bunnies. A very kid-friendly recipe with lots of ingredients to be added (to ensure lots of turns for everybody) and easy dough to roll into balls. Way too good!

PS: Later..... K: "Do you know, if you eat three cookies or lots of cookies, it's just like cake!"

"Ice Cream" - The Wrap-Up

What a fun theme this was to start our homeschooling! I know I was excited!

We made an ice-cream shop.....

and all the customers were very happy. (No, those aren't blue carrots.)

I wore my ice-cream singlet a lot ...

and of course, we made our own! Yippee!

We made berry, vanilla and also citrus sorbet. All delicious.

You can see in the picture above, the suspicious hole in the middle that was there when I got this out of the freezer. Matt.

Just acting normal.

Grandpa was forced to eat an ice-cream cone with sprinkles.

Loving this book: "Yummy Ice-Cream"...

arranging....

ironing (I knew the kids would get a kick outta this - danger)...

party napkins!

Vanilla ice-cream based on the Veganomicon recipe, including silken tofu and coconut cream (with goats' milk instead of soy milk). Really yummy - even Matt liked it. And last, but not least, a moonlit bayside bike ride to the ice-cream shop for dessert. If I thought Jimmy would settle for dairy-free sorbet, I had another thing coming. "I have yours - you have mine. Dat's yours, dis is mine."

All in all, our first homeschooling theme was a TREAT! Haha.

Balls

I stayed up late last night, playing with hairy ballbags.

Old man ballbags! Don't they just bring back memories of being a kid at your local pool? There would always be one bloke with his old fella sneaking out of his loose swimming trunks. And you'd have a good old horrified giggle with your mate! Or was that just our local pool?? Sorry for giving you that image ;0)

Anyway, they're actually felted tennis balls for some cute new babies.

The Cutest Cup of Tea I've Ever Seen

Oh my goodness. These are truly the sweetest sweets I've ever beheld. There are some talented and dedicated Mummies out there. Isn't it just beautiful, the amount of care that loving parents will take to make their child's birthday special?
Apparently you can also make little teddies-under-blankets with Tiny Teddies, rectangular biscuits and an icing blanket.

There's a whole other world out there, people.

Hanging Out With Family #1

Kees' first sleepover at Nanny and Digger's, with wonderful cousins Callum and Tom, included hot chocolate, cartoons in the big bed and bacon and eggs.

Having fun with the gang at sweet cousin Lily's fourth birthday - check out that unicorn cake!

Welcome to the world: Willis Michael Davies, our new nephew! Congratulations Jason, Helen and Kai!

January's Finished! But I'm not.

Hallelujah! I have stuck to my guns this month and am slowly, but surely, getting some satisfaction on the cleaning and tidying front. I'm glad I gave myself a month, because I've needed it. Insides of cupboards, under beds, the dreaded "upstairs room" - and there's still a lot to go. Looks like February's going to be "Cleaning Month" too. I might as well just make it the whole summer. Last night I don't know what I was thinking, but I stayed up sorting out an ancient filing cabinet. Mercy, what a task - my eyes were stinging by the end of it. And my favourite show, Outnumbered, wasn't even on because of the Cyclone Yasi updates. (How inconsiderate.)

Anyway, as Martine said, (CONGRATULATIONS MARTINE!!) it can be very tempting to have a little look around the op shop when one is dropping off donations....and she was right! But look what I found - something to aid my de-cluttering! This silky oak chest of drawers is exactly the same as the one I had as a girl and is still at Mum and Dad's, so of course I had to buy it. It even has the same stamp in the drawer: "European Labour Only". I'll have to find out more about their history. Anyway, this chest of drawers has transformed this corner into a cobwebby-unused-toy-and-miscellaneous-item area into a refreshingly tidy little spot for art supplies. I feel like this poor corner can breathe again, and it's done wonders for my mood! And guess what? Some of the drawers are.....empty! I wonder how long it will last....

It's now more accessible for Jimmy to chop off palm fronds with pliers. Hmmmm.