Stacks

Today my friend came over and together we made a whole stack of gingerbread men and shapes for the our churches Primary Christmas party tomorrow night. I have never made gingerbread before and was wondering why it was so soft and not very easy to work with. I rechecked the recipe and realised that I miscalculated when I was doubling the quantity and put twice as much butter in then what the recipe needed. It is now ginger shortbread. We decided that it didn't matter anyway as the kids only eat the lollies and icing anyway!

His Fisrt Favorite Book

Lately I have been finding Little Man making himself at home in his sisters's room (where all the kids books are kept)  'reading' his favorite book, Baby Touch Playbook.

He loves the bright colours, friendly pictures, mirrors and all the squishy touchy feely bits.

Sometimes he struggles a bit with the size of it.

But he still loves it all the same.

'Cheap' fun

I bought the kids a large bag of birdseed and a plastic storage container. Added some plastic cups, spoons funnels, ladles and bowls from home. They loved it. They loved scooping and pouring.

They really loved the sensory experience of just playing with it in their hands and letting it fall through their fingers.

We smelt it and sorted it. Even Little Man, who is sixteen months old, was a gathering single kernels of corn and adding them to our "bowl of vegetables for dinner."

The funnels were a huge hit. They played for ages. Angel Baby was asking what all the seeds were. I can see seed planting, bird feeding and seed art happening around here in the future.

I put an old sheet down before we started. I caught most of the seed though I think I might get one of the large shallow containers made for going under the bed to give them more area to play without me constantly reminding them to 'play over the container.'

I have a feeling this is going to be a favorite activity in our home.

Helping me stay on top

....or as close to it as I am ever going to get.

The laundry is the household job that I struggle the most to stay on top of. However I think I may have found a solution (other then declaring every other day a nudie day).
Yesterday Angel Baby wanted me to fix her wand. I had told her that I would do it when Little Man was in bed. As soon as I closed his door she was at my side asking me to help her glue her precious unpainted two dollar shop want back together. I told her I had to do some washing. She did not like this at all and reminded me quite firmly that I had said I would do it when her brother was in bed...yesterday. I said that I had to do the washing but would fix her wand when I had finished (though I don't think I will ever be finished). She told me that she would do it. I said that would be good if she helped me.
"I will do it by myself," she said (again quite firmly) as she showed me out of the lounge room. So I went to set up the glue gun as I felt bad that I had promised to fix it the day before and she was that desperate to get her wand back that she was 'folding' the washing.
A couple of minutes later she emerged and asked me, quite proudly, to come examine her handy work.

This is her 'folding.' Every item 'folded' in its own pile.
And so now one day later the wand is broken, again and the wash is back in the basket waiting to be refolded, again. But at least now I know where to find my folding buddy.

I have figured it out!

(Originally posted on my personal blog, 25th October) 

In mum circles all over the world conversation often lead to the topic of trying to be a supermum but finding the task all too challenging. As a mum I want to be SUPERMUM! Don't we all? And what child does not want their mum to be able to fly around with a flashy shiny cape? So after much strategising and trying various methods I have finally done it. I have finally figured out how to be a supermum!

I think I may have just single handedly put an end to many mothers group conversations where mothers come together and 'brainstorm' strategies and action plans devoted completely to the topic of 'how to be a supermum.' (Maybe I should write a book.)
I have to say that becoming a supermum does take a bit of practice. But hey, if I can do it then anybody can.

Important note on being a Supermum

Supermums should not be mistaken for a woman that can do it all. You know the ones that have perfect children, prefect houses, perfect husbands, never fall behind on the washing, grow all their families fresh produce, home school, are 'yummy mummies' that never have a hair out of place or a snot trail down the front of their shirt, bake bread, sew all their families clothes, are often being sort out for advice on how to have the perfect marriage, are the president of the P&C, only use organic, serve in various charitable organisations, are the first to drop a meal off to a friend in need, can run a marathon, have their own thriving mummyprenur business, make their own soap, are advisers to the prime minister, the UN, and Oprah, read three books a week, prepare perfectly cooked and balanced meals for their children who eat everything, are often seen in glossy mags with write-ups about their perfect dress sense and trend setting style, are the RS president and still manage to squeezes a night in with the girls every week.
The woman mentioned above does not exist. She is as make believed as Batman and Spiderman.
We are talking about Supermums. They do exist. They are the ones with great children who something (or often) chuck tanties (mum or children) but are still loved, they read three picture books a day, have two sometimes three snot trails down their shirt, conserve natural resources by not using the hairdryer or showering every day, have children who know how to raid the pantry and entertain themselves by playing in the piles of washing that is waiting to be folded. These mummies can often be found in parks playing on the swings, while their children are waiting for a turn. However the easiest way to identify a supermum is to look at her children. If they are happy, laugh often, are loved and know that they are loved (no matter how many times they wake though the night) then you can almost guarantee that their mum is a SUPERMUM!

Another note on being a Supermum.

Half an hour after I solved the age old mystery of how to be a Supermum I was quickly brought back down to earth when my brother in law discovered a big squishy lump on Little Man's head. I had no idea when or how it happened (not a very convincing argument for the doctor). This resulted in an afternoon spent at the doctor and ultrasound place.

Happy flying SUPERMUMS!!

Writing her name

This is Angel Baby's first attempt at copying her name. I know to most people it looks like random squiggles but to a very proud mummy it is so much more. I can see the basic (and I mean basic) formation of each letter all in the correct order. She has only just turned three in the last month and while she likes to 'write' she has had no real interest in 'real' letter formation or identification. I have not pushed it. The other day she was 'writing' a letter to her grandparent to thank them for a new toy. After 'reading' it to me I suggested that she say who it was from. She asked if I could help her. I showed her how to write her name and she copied it. She is so proud. I am so proud.

Crayfish season is open

Mr Molly loves to fish. Fly fishing, bait fishing, spear fishing. Two years ago he thought he would try cray fishing. First season = nothing. After some research and acquiring a few simple aids (boat, wetsuit, dive compressor) he was ready for his second season. Success finally.
Last weekend marked the opening of Mr Molly's third cray fishing season. He and his friends had been talking about it for weeks and they were not disappointed. Mr Molly got his bag limit (the maximum you are aloud to catch in one day).

Mr Molly said that he wished he had a chef to cook his seafood when he brought it home. I thought, 'Thanks, my cooking is obviously not good enough.'

I thought I would try something different so I made a paella with fresh crayfish and abalone vaguely following these instructions.He said that he takes back the wishing for a chef comment and it was one of his favorite ways to have crayfish.

the beginning.

I am amazing and inspired by all the amazing blogs out in blogland. The mummy blogs, the crafty blogs, the inspirational blogs, the funny blogs, the green blogs, photography blogs, the cooking blogs....


When I read them they give me encouragement and ideas about raising my children. They help me realise that I am not the only mum out there that loves motherhood to pieces but sometimes (or more often then that) feels snowed under by it. They help me see how fleeting and precious childhood is. They help me to not take the blessing of being a mother for granted.


All the creative blogs out there, whether they be sewing, photography, knitting, crafting or cooking, encourage me to develop talents and and do something that I enjoy. Many a online tutorial has saved the day when I have been elbow deep into some project when I thought I could just wing it.


Then there are the blogs wrote by the people who are just trying to live the best that they can. They inspire their readers to do the same by sharing little snippets of their lives, the good and the bad, but always inspiring.


All these many wonderful blogs out there are what have made me decide to start this one. This is my little place where I can document the things in my life that I find inspiring and also what I have done with the inspiration that I recieve from others. One day I might build up the nerve to tell someone else about this blog but until then I am happy to inspire myself.