Although we're not home to celebrate, we're doing a little Australia Day on our patch of earth.
It's a lovely fine day, so Lizzy & I played a little game of cricket in the backyard.
We'll have some lamb, tim-tams & ginger beer tonight. And we can't forget to mention we'll be listening to the Hottest 100.
Ahhh...it's nice to have a little bit of home for a day.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
I Want to tell you Something...
"I want to tell you something" is Lizzy's latest phrase. When she doesn't want to go to sleep you hear these words. When she's trying to delay you from leaving playtime you hear these words. It's quite often followed by "Ummm, ummm" as she madly tries to think of something to tell me.
However today we had a twist.
"Awona. Awona Awmstwong. I've got something to tell you."
She was so proud of herself as she was able to tell "something" to me...
"That's your name!"
However today we had a twist.
"Awona. Awona Awmstwong. I've got something to tell you."
She was so proud of herself as she was able to tell "something" to me...
"That's your name!"
Friday, January 18, 2008
Math & Music
I've been struggling for awhile to develop Isaac's sense of rhythm. Clapping on the beat has just been impossible for him; even keeping a steady beat has been difficult. So how do you teach rhythm to a child who seems to have no sense of rhythm?
It struck me the other week. "Isaac - can you hear the math in the music?"
His head pops up, and I can see a gleam of interest.
"Listen...the music is counting to 4, over and over again. 1,2,3,4; 1,2,3,4. It's like a pattern."
So each time we've heard something with a strong beat, we've listened for the counting in the music. And do you know what? I think he's starting to hear it!
It struck me the other week. "Isaac - can you hear the math in the music?"
His head pops up, and I can see a gleam of interest.
"Listen...the music is counting to 4, over and over again. 1,2,3,4; 1,2,3,4. It's like a pattern."
So each time we've heard something with a strong beat, we've listened for the counting in the music. And do you know what? I think he's starting to hear it!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
An adventure...
What does a princess need for an adventure?
Well...first she needs to be wearing a princess dress and a backpack.
In the backpack she needs to have a coloring book, a reading book and some dental floss. (Obviously keeping your teeth clean on an adventure is critical for princesses).
Once all of that is packed - she needs a scooter and a helmet so she can take off an explore the world.
I must run now - I can hear the adventure is occurring upstairs and need to check it out.
Well...first she needs to be wearing a princess dress and a backpack.
In the backpack she needs to have a coloring book, a reading book and some dental floss. (Obviously keeping your teeth clean on an adventure is critical for princesses).
Once all of that is packed - she needs a scooter and a helmet so she can take off an explore the world.
I must run now - I can hear the adventure is occurring upstairs and need to check it out.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Let's not do today again..
What a day! A Bad, Bad Day!
For those not in the know - that's a quote from a Level 1 reading book which my kids love. It was a very appropriate line for our day today.
We started off with preschool being cancelled and school starting late due to snow and ice on the roads. Not fun for driving, and I had to go out this morning, now with kids in tow.
When we came home, my carbon monoxide alarm was going off. O-oh! I send the kids back outside into the snow while I open up the house and call 911. So instead of taking Isaac to school, I'm telling firemen to please ignore all the toys over the floor as they look around my house for possible causes of CO gas. We found the cause, but so not to incriminate anyone I'll not go into details. Ben..sighs a sigh of relief ;) Oops..did I just say that!
Then this afternoon, my poor baby boy is doubling over in pain and barely able to walk. So it's off to the doctors we went. We're not sure what's going on yet, but for the first time in my life I'm really hoping he's going to start vomitting.
I'm looking forward to a better tomorrow, for today was a bad, bad day.
For those not in the know - that's a quote from a Level 1 reading book which my kids love. It was a very appropriate line for our day today.
We started off with preschool being cancelled and school starting late due to snow and ice on the roads. Not fun for driving, and I had to go out this morning, now with kids in tow.
When we came home, my carbon monoxide alarm was going off. O-oh! I send the kids back outside into the snow while I open up the house and call 911. So instead of taking Isaac to school, I'm telling firemen to please ignore all the toys over the floor as they look around my house for possible causes of CO gas. We found the cause, but so not to incriminate anyone I'll not go into details. Ben..sighs a sigh of relief ;) Oops..did I just say that!
Then this afternoon, my poor baby boy is doubling over in pain and barely able to walk. So it's off to the doctors we went. We're not sure what's going on yet, but for the first time in my life I'm really hoping he's going to start vomitting.
I'm looking forward to a better tomorrow, for today was a bad, bad day.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Stuck
We had a little bit of snow this afternoon, and of course, Lizzy wanted to be outside. After about 10 minutes I had her all rugged up and sent her off to play.
A little later I paused, thinking I heard a cry for help. It came again, and I realised it was Lizzy. I threw on my snowboots & jacket and ran outside. She was curled around an apple tree, looking like she was giving it a big hug.
"What's wrong Lizzy? Are you stuck?"
I walked over and realised that her jacket had become caught on the tree.
She looked up and said "Yes. I'm stuck. Like an apple."
My apple tree doesn't usually have apples on it at this time of year, but I thought I'd pick this apple. It's such a cute apple.
A little later I paused, thinking I heard a cry for help. It came again, and I realised it was Lizzy. I threw on my snowboots & jacket and ran outside. She was curled around an apple tree, looking like she was giving it a big hug.
"What's wrong Lizzy? Are you stuck?"
I walked over and realised that her jacket had become caught on the tree.
She looked up and said "Yes. I'm stuck. Like an apple."
My apple tree doesn't usually have apples on it at this time of year, but I thought I'd pick this apple. It's such a cute apple.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Excitement
At Christmas time, Lizzy was so excited that Santa was coming that she could not fall asleep.
Tonight has been another one of those nights. She is so excited that it took about an hour and a half for her to fall asleep. She finally fell asleep clutching her Dora the Explorer book.
You may be wondering what special event is happening tommorrow...
Let's just say that the dentist will be thrilled that he rates up there with Santa on the excitement scale.
Tonight has been another one of those nights. She is so excited that it took about an hour and a half for her to fall asleep. She finally fell asleep clutching her Dora the Explorer book.
You may be wondering what special event is happening tommorrow...
Let's just say that the dentist will be thrilled that he rates up there with Santa on the excitement scale.
A Mother's Work
Our family was driving in the car yesterday when the topic of women & jobs came up. I was explaining to Isaac that some mummies went to work, some worked out of their homes and others choose to stay at home to look after their children. He asked a few more questions and finally I said "Mummy chose to stay at home and look after you & Lizzy."
His response was "That's not a job. Anyone could do that!"
Maybe when I finally get a green card, getting a "real" job should be the first thing I do.
His response was "That's not a job. Anyone could do that!"
Maybe when I finally get a green card, getting a "real" job should be the first thing I do.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sad Day, Happy Day
One of our fish died yesterday.
You would have thought it would have been a sad day. Usually when a fish dies, it is. However our children were more excited than sad because although our fish had died it had left six tiny babies behind. The excitement of baby fish definately outweighed the sadness of a dead fish.
If we manage to keep them alive, we're going to have 10 fish. I think some will need to go back to the pet shop.
You would have thought it would have been a sad day. Usually when a fish dies, it is. However our children were more excited than sad because although our fish had died it had left six tiny babies behind. The excitement of baby fish definately outweighed the sadness of a dead fish.
If we manage to keep them alive, we're going to have 10 fish. I think some will need to go back to the pet shop.
Word Confusion
Today, Elizabeth requested an egg sandwich for lunch. She's never had one before so it was a new experience for her.
She sat down and had eaten a few mouthfuls when she announced "This is awful". I initially thought "Oh well. At least she tried it." But then she kept on eating it. So I asked her "Is it yucky or yummy?"
"It's yummy!"
We were obviously not only trying new foods but trying new words too. In the meantime, I'll just tell myself that she was full of awe about her sandwich.
She sat down and had eaten a few mouthfuls when she announced "This is awful". I initially thought "Oh well. At least she tried it." But then she kept on eating it. So I asked her "Is it yucky or yummy?"
"It's yummy!"
We were obviously not only trying new foods but trying new words too. In the meantime, I'll just tell myself that she was full of awe about her sandwich.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
A Tooth Fairy Oops
Isaac lost his second tooth on Sunday night. Like every other child around he was all eager to put his tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy. However, unlike alot of other children he completely forgot about it by Monday morning.
This was a very good thing this time because the tooth fairy got her schedule all mixed up and forgot to visit our house.
It wasn't until Lizzy remembered on Tuesday after preschool - giving the tooth fairy enough time to make a quick stop into our house and deliver the cash before Isaac came home from school. She hit a slight problem though when she couldn't find the missing tooth.
Thank goodness for Daddy's who are able to find teeth and arrange for tooth fairy pickups after hours.
This was a very good thing this time because the tooth fairy got her schedule all mixed up and forgot to visit our house.
It wasn't until Lizzy remembered on Tuesday after preschool - giving the tooth fairy enough time to make a quick stop into our house and deliver the cash before Isaac came home from school. She hit a slight problem though when she couldn't find the missing tooth.
Thank goodness for Daddy's who are able to find teeth and arrange for tooth fairy pickups after hours.
A New Meal
I like to cook. So it's inevitable that every now and then I stumble across something noteworthy. Our latest find is Acorn Chicken Stir-fry. It's so yummy and very quick to make.
Basically all it is, is an Acorn Squash (a type of small pumpkin for all my Australian friends) which is split in half, cooked and then stuffed with a chicken stir-fry. While my acorn squashes are cooking in the microwave, I stir-fry some chicken and veggies along with a store bought stir-fry sauce and - voila - it's a meal.
You should try it one day - really.
Basically all it is, is an Acorn Squash (a type of small pumpkin for all my Australian friends) which is split in half, cooked and then stuffed with a chicken stir-fry. While my acorn squashes are cooking in the microwave, I stir-fry some chicken and veggies along with a store bought stir-fry sauce and - voila - it's a meal.
You should try it one day - really.
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