Jimmy's Birthday

Happy birthday three-year-old!

What a big boy you are.

You've grown so strong and clever,

You really are a star.

You know how to use a lot of tools,

You know how to hammer and drill,

You know how to dig in the garden,

And grow things like parsley and dill.

You love to play with your brother, Kees;

You love to climb and run;

You love to do so many things,

As long as you're having fun.

Like jumping on the trampoline

Or riding your bike with Dad.

Gliding your scooter down Bev's drive

Is something that makes you glad.

Another thing you love to do

That keeps you nice and cool

Is sliding down your slippery slide

And landing in your pool!

So we hope you have a lovely day

When you go up to Maleny:

Lots of cake and gifts and games

With all your friends and family.

Love from Grandma

Ahh, little Jimmy. You are a pure charming delight and we are all in love with you. xoxoxoxoxo Mummy

I want the Funny Card

Most mornings at breakfast time, the kids and I each choose a card from a selection I made. I was thinking it would be a nice way to encourage us all to be mindful of virtues in our day.

We each choose one, but the kids have their favourites. If Kees pulls out "obedient" (which he often seems to - funny, that) he crosses his eyes, goes all droopy and sighs loudly. Then he puts it back and sorts through the box until he finds the "happy" card.

And Jimmy? He just asks me for the "funny" card. Don't worry, Jim. You've already got funny pretty sorted. ;0)

Welcome, Autumn

Autumn days are finally here! Even though the changes here are subtle, I love autumn. Not many trees turning yellow or red, but lots of flowering paperbarks. No squirrels collecting nuts but we do have beautiful dappled light, cool mornings and crisp evenings: beautiful sunsets followed by lots of stars. Not many blustery winds swirling fallen leaves, but macadamia nuts are ripe and delicious. And I love the cosy, longer evenings. A great time to start learning how to crochet, me thinks!

The beginnings of our autumn table. I made this outrageously easy vase-cosy out of a child's jumper from the op shop. I just snipped off the sleeve and slipped it over a jar with a missing lid.

Just having a nice little space like this cosies up my nights beautifully. Kiss everyone goodnight, a hot shower and warm flannelette jarmies, candlelight, a cup of tea and Miss Marple. I'm in heaven.

Now, I just need a little handwork project to work on...

Not Good

I arrived home all peaceful from yoga the other morning to find this. My serenity, like my favourite plate, shattered. Just another in a long list. You know how people say you should use your best china, not keep it hidden away in a cupboard? Well, I've decided they're wrong. Or maybe they don't have two energetic little boys wrestling on their couch.

I will admit to some stomping, door slamming and perhaps even a little tear or two of anger and frustration. After that, to console myself, I reached to the top of the pantry where I still had some bonboniere chocolates tucked away from Sarah's wedding. I peered into the box - which felt rather light - and this is what I found:

What a day.

A Teensy Bit of Sewing

Now that I'm a home educating Mum, I have found that my evenings are strangely taken up by preparation. Trawling the internet for ideas, preparing activities, pre-reading topics so I can actually have some idea of what I'm talking about, creating topic cards ... I haven't been doing much sewing or anything, that's for sure. However, at the moment, we are cruising along with our unit and I seem to have done most of the work, sooo... just a teeny tiny bit of sewing has been done.

A hanky bag for little snotty noses (and big ones)

and a new cushion inspired by some lime chenille I nabbed at the op shop after yoga.

Paper Making Day

Back in January, we were lucky enough to be able to attend this free paper-making workshop run by groovy local fibre artist, Lesa Hepburn. You can find out more about Lesa here and here. This is the kind of thing I've really learnt to take advantage of as a home educator. Anything that has educational value, any opportunity to try something new, we grab it with both hands!

I loved watching the children concentrating and being taught by someone passionate about her art.
At first, all Jimmy wanted to do was steal all the shiny baubles off the big Christmas tree, so I was glad when he realised he could get a bit messy, and joined in.

You can see where I had to chop that Whoopy Putty out of his hair.

At the end of the morning, we ended up with some beautiful handmade paper to use for some special cards. Thanks, Lesa!

Whoopy Putty in Hair

Why? Why?