tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76756287202984101752024-02-08T11:19:31.484+10:00My Well of Dreams: blogWockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-44077440280928596742011-05-03T13:33:00.001+10:002011-05-03T13:34:13.652+10:00Kindy Gym FunWe went to our first kindy gym class today at the local PCYC and Gwen loved it. She's 2.3 now and technically meant to be in the "wonky walkers" class but we took a look at that room and both proclaimed it ok but boring with it's couple of soft gym mattresses, soft tunnel and three large car toys. There was music but there wouldn't be any "instruction" by the minder in the room. I've gotten to know lots of 2 year olds over the last few months and for the majority of them this wouldn't have been much fun. They are bouncy and inquisitive and love creative play, epically when they are encouraged to pretend to be or do something.<br />
<br />
So we went next door.<br />
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The Kindy gym class for 3+ year olds had trampolines, balancing beams, ladders, a big soft tunnel, trampolines, a "tower" to jump off onto big mattresses and did I mention the trampolines? For about 5 mins the kids were encouraged to be various animals, jump on a line of hoops and catch bubbles. I joined I on all of this. I did not feel even slightly silly to be the only adult getting into it. While the other mums sat passively around the room Gwen and I actively played together. I’d been ill for the last week and hadn’t been able to do much with her on our park trips and it was great to have the energy again to play.<br />
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When it all ended she really didn't want to leave so I made a point of asking the "Leader" if we could come back next week. It really made a difference to Gwen being ok with going, she knows that we'll come back some time soon.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-29162425764761777012011-01-29T16:49:00.003+10:002011-01-29T20:00:03.795+10:00How to Sparkle Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoJ8i6FNP29wG8Xm9NdBSd5Y786HGJF3VF9RPCHgSBFudlqq_ski-k43JwgLdN-KK2VoThyphenhyphenV5XEiNKau0n8R2CT4Cl702K9YegbUAMF7X3QU7u7nOKWZ-Ixgxf6F338z7LidR0hsAk7s/s320/shoes01.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
Gwen has finally outgrown all of her old shoes and when we got a new pair it was a great opportunity to sparkle them. These are her old shoes, purple crocs that I originally sparkled with red glitter and sequins, then refreshed with gold glitter. She adores them and I'm often asked by other mums where I obtained her designer crocs.<br />
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So this time we got a pair of sandals with a big glitzy flower on them and another pair of pink crocs. The store next to the shoe shop was an art supply and it was a great opportunity to ask her to choose which glitter she'd like on her shoes. Initially she chose lime green, but quickly changed her mind as soon as she noticed the purple right beside it. While she had her afternoon nap I set about sparkling them for her.<br />
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You'll need:<br />
Foam Glue (some glues will eat away at the foam rubber, especially PVA)<br />
Sparkles<br />
Paint Brush<br />
A3 paper<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUm_t8rcFYzIgaplUvsY0NRWXrFisNUR6I5-LonwECz__Qw8FN-WE8Nz0TLBxIdvA-8Ksu1lcs5dUg4WEl7ZAr0InAF4_C2bUBYw0zR0etUj0D7UMji_zyTfoameLQRydEYqxa14H-SU/s320/shoes02.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Fold the A3 in half so that there is a crease in the middle. unfold and put it on top of your work area.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivxe1Qa1xkN_s2OHfp8zZISWRE7vliuUGuXlxtHRnILxCGtdiMtdchjSjMyFz3Tp9pmVfcqz8LFljHFWhC5N2uNnht1EhjEheXPmdp1B1v_uAHS8DwSPQ_cvGVPQLZdjm_rgFDBAz1fE/s320/shoes03.jpg" width="240" /> </div><br />
Liberally cover the shoes with the foam glue. If it starts to bead and pull away from the shoe surface wait a few moments until the glue starts to stiffen and brush it out again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOv9Bqz3vGhUJ5usWThkA4mMiJeAtTg7iGF09TiDbvbJCaOlJ9-LZf3PHDlvBNxyz_vp_QECSPMe7n2z_INJzkf8b5rynFrcoK8blW1JEhbxIht0EsD18EQO6Gc7nAacZIcP08e3ar1rg/s320/shoes05.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
Sprinkle the glitter over the glue then tap the shoe gently to help remove lose glitter. Repeat for the other shoe. Don't forget to do the back and strap as well.<br />
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Let the shoes dry outside in the sun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-DNqr6avipkEsIcJm-3dt0fZHq8c9YZdxYv5XjJShKI8BvZskzoy10XmmSe_29thyphenhyphenoTRfGm7VL1uW7ZP-K0HQQNrmivVfBuGKT_n_bYIV9lxFhyphenhyphenyXeqaCkvy5xjOugdBGE82wzTcDhw/s1600/shoes06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-DNqr6avipkEsIcJm-3dt0fZHq8c9YZdxYv5XjJShKI8BvZskzoy10XmmSe_29thyphenhyphenoTRfGm7VL1uW7ZP-K0HQQNrmivVfBuGKT_n_bYIV9lxFhyphenhyphenyXeqaCkvy5xjOugdBGE82wzTcDhw/s320/shoes06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Fold the paper in half, pushing the glitter into the fold and gently shake it back into the jar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJe80Z-oIJ1x0yWfJBynwyhNvLpOP5ualp-7htd4x6TPK85Ue0HkQs-xXf39guoF_iUnoL7Cg8gS4L4arN5Ue9SFTsP6T8IGrmwvDgPUjh4Y4CRAUUfy4Mvr4BnDM9NxklRByOWMFQ0E/s1600/shoes07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJe80Z-oIJ1x0yWfJBynwyhNvLpOP5ualp-7htd4x6TPK85Ue0HkQs-xXf39guoF_iUnoL7Cg8gS4L4arN5Ue9SFTsP6T8IGrmwvDgPUjh4Y4CRAUUfy4Mvr4BnDM9NxklRByOWMFQ0E/s320/shoes07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
De-sparkle your hands and/or house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-8093125909678573362011-01-29T16:22:00.001+10:002011-01-29T16:32:46.218+10:00Lillypad Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s4Aw7_NKNYyONp9UdjMoW44RqoiK0ut8itvzDOv-qB2mqf2VMUtQ5WQDY_hKLezSDDcU381b-I_8DnMJRRytA7kVwLEZym9CqMtljMlVJTjjHg4efFszy2YXjGBpwOGGp5VGawhrZyA/s1600/lillypads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s4Aw7_NKNYyONp9UdjMoW44RqoiK0ut8itvzDOv-qB2mqf2VMUtQ5WQDY_hKLezSDDcU381b-I_8DnMJRRytA7kVwLEZym9CqMtljMlVJTjjHg4efFszy2YXjGBpwOGGp5VGawhrZyA/s320/lillypads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During a recent trip to Nadi and Buppa's place Gwen was fascinated by the lilly-pond and feeding the tiny mosquito eating fish that lived beneath the big green leaves.Yesterday was really hot and full of outside messy projects so a bath seemed like a good idea. I wanted to make it a special one. I scrounged amongst the mess that is my art supply pile and found two sheets of craft foam.<br />
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The lillypads looked great floating in the water, lots of toys got to sit on them, swim under them and splash about. It didn't take long before it was discovered that they could stick to the wall. Now I just have to work out how to make the beautiful flowers.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-64122921579043076782011-01-29T12:44:00.001+10:002011-01-29T16:23:54.525+10:00Dinners Ready!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmtw2VyvIo3QSGcTDjfVhUsSKyRRRZL4uPfU_jAItr5WODnsiyVKSbeim5cVAymzSJmZx-i4dGQQ9mug3gGEQi-_8mxK8CGX0jqxsMjKODun-Ij5_eU5FDWR1cqxbRJDIcYnFE2i8saE/s1600/toy-lunch-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmtw2VyvIo3QSGcTDjfVhUsSKyRRRZL4uPfU_jAItr5WODnsiyVKSbeim5cVAymzSJmZx-i4dGQQ9mug3gGEQi-_8mxK8CGX0jqxsMjKODun-Ij5_eU5FDWR1cqxbRJDIcYnFE2i8saE/s320/toy-lunch-01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Food is an important part of our daily routine, and the little one seems to need lots of it <i>all</i> of the time. It's amazing how much she can put away and still be ravenous just an hour later. So it's not surprising that one of the first things she did when we started to collect figurines from the markets and local op shop was to role play everyone sitting down to dinner.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbKZrq0SzmEFmAzORw8D-KOshVqxSFLT4hPWaTWI_i6P8usylQiSVUwF6wrTiNBCyaey5zBYgnlsuN57R-OX-Pfa18U5UkWB3t_C4z94hQaQ4jk_a-AHKVBV-8__yU8Gm9dmqpfvXOns/s320/toy-lunch-02.jpg" width="320" /> </div><br />
More recently the roleplaying has been more centered around issues of hitting, shareing and hugging or kissing things better. For example a recent interaction in the bath between the "Daddy Knight" and the "Space Spaceman" started with the Space Spaceman being poked with a sword by Daddy Knight. The conversation went something like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnseoYWnkT8D5LQHoB8_lz01FIzoGT4YBFviiQeOeU3TcFmU3_-s2kVOS3EnK6SZTKT6bIz7wmGr598XIyQuO8zQSSt9RbGYsQuyLlPzjqBpfKb6ka3Y5ShZyqzl4iiFy4POHfouOYVg/s1600/roleplay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnseoYWnkT8D5LQHoB8_lz01FIzoGT4YBFviiQeOeU3TcFmU3_-s2kVOS3EnK6SZTKT6bIz7wmGr598XIyQuO8zQSSt9RbGYsQuyLlPzjqBpfKb6ka3Y5ShZyqzl4iiFy4POHfouOYVg/s320/roleplay.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnseoYWnkT8D5LQHoB8_lz01FIzoGT4YBFviiQeOeU3TcFmU3_-s2kVOS3EnK6SZTKT6bIz7wmGr598XIyQuO8zQSSt9RbGYsQuyLlPzjqBpfKb6ka3Y5ShZyqzl4iiFy4POHfouOYVg/s1600/roleplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<b>Daddy Knight: </b>(pokes space space man with sword several times)<br />
<b>Space Spaceman:</b> No. stop. I don't like it!<br />
<b>Daddy Knight:</b>(continues to poke, though less vigorously)<br />
<b>Space Spaceman:</b> Stop! <br />
<b>Daddy Knight:</b> Oh, sorry. um.<br />
<b>Sapce Spaceman:</b> We don't hit people!<br />
<b>Daddy night:</b> (Hugs Space Spaceman) Sorry. <br />
<b>Space Spaceman:</b> Hug! Awwwww. Space Spaceman happy now.<br />
<b>Biscuit Man:</b> Would anyone like some biscuit?<br />
<b>Daddy Knight</b> &<b> Space Spaceman: </b>Yes please! (they take turns to eat from Biscuit Mans little tin)<br />
<b>Space Space Man:</b> lets go and get some soap!<br />
<b>Daddy Knight:</b> Yay!<br />
(All three stomp around the rim of the bath to get washed at the soap dispenser.)<br />
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editors note: I have just been corrected. Space Spaceman has now changed his name to Motorbike Man Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-63585906500817104782011-01-28T12:00:00.000+10:002011-01-28T12:00:20.764+10:00Sometimes the art is not on the paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG3-vHT1ysK3dNfe-tjN5-VAAy9-BXe0X98P7m9irIH2wmpEZ3EYnfzve1yO0GWb6pmd0CxSmGVGfY2mkt0DiDya8gi1u_UpSY9cTk7lSsntcvKRHGe__uJyHyxdGXdYI2_eENsaT_oc/s1600/paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG3-vHT1ysK3dNfe-tjN5-VAAy9-BXe0X98P7m9irIH2wmpEZ3EYnfzve1yO0GWb6pmd0CxSmGVGfY2mkt0DiDya8gi1u_UpSY9cTk7lSsntcvKRHGe__uJyHyxdGXdYI2_eENsaT_oc/s400/paint.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqbPYXihZLVPc76aDXu3-Hn6-zVFcdTo7QcLsu88B3VjL5JO6FAMfnHQRTHqwQqrnAUFYv3NicPVscDPe9Q7dcA4uvD_A6SEzVL0JrRMAyPqJK3KJNx3__aA3V5MMzV8be2WnAl4e-k0/s1600/stickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqbPYXihZLVPc76aDXu3-Hn6-zVFcdTo7QcLsu88B3VjL5JO6FAMfnHQRTHqwQqrnAUFYv3NicPVscDPe9Q7dcA4uvD_A6SEzVL0JrRMAyPqJK3KJNx3__aA3V5MMzV8be2WnAl4e-k0/s400/stickers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U87QRPAFFu-eOVqZ8xIRn_XX0I2bMxyOY-1KmguBhv0UWNezNau8nWIdhZBhpzmtu9BJVM9DVG_DgEfSyEY-SzqKGLAmOE99yfCGDeSKYqwDYVSshvBNDiS-KYyivTHdU4nK2-7VSgw/s1600/pegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U87QRPAFFu-eOVqZ8xIRn_XX0I2bMxyOY-1KmguBhv0UWNezNau8nWIdhZBhpzmtu9BJVM9DVG_DgEfSyEY-SzqKGLAmOE99yfCGDeSKYqwDYVSshvBNDiS-KYyivTHdU4nK2-7VSgw/s400/pegs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-50428159464880386872011-01-22T12:39:00.000+10:002011-01-22T12:39:19.794+10:00A New SongGwen has been singing her own compositions for a while now. Sometimes they are repetitions and adaptions of well known songs like Incy Wincy Spider and Twinkle, sometimes she simply sings with made up words and random tunes, asking if we know the words or if we like them. It's wonderful to listen to it all.<br />
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This evening I'm excited because at dinner she made up her own composition, a mash up of Fly Away Peter, 5 Fat Sausages and some counting. She held up both hands, all fingers showing and sang:<br />
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"Two Five Pumpkins on a plate<br />
One went pop one went yum!"<br />
(puts all fingers down)<br />
no more pumpkins in the garden!"<br />
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There where a couple more variations to follow but each started with "two five pumpkins." It was pretty amazing to see her do that sort of maths by herself, and I loved the song.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-57547970409982251142011-01-09T12:15:00.000+10:002011-01-09T12:15:41.173+10:00Real World ToolsI've just started using tools with my 2 year old. We found an old set of shelves during the annual kerbside collection for large items. We've put it on it's side and have been converting it inot a long shelf for all of her things.<br />
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We started of with sanding down some edges. Traditional sanding blocks are too big for her hands, instead we wrapped a bit of sand paper around a branch block, or what some call a tree chip.<br />
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Then we pried off some of the extra moldings around the bottom with a hammer and chisel (I hold the chisel as it's razor sharp) while Gwen hits with the hammer.Then we salvaged a few extra screws and de-nailed the moldings.<br />
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Yesterday we bought the wood to add extra shelves and together we chose some paint to colour the shelves before we screw them in. <br />
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I love seeing her become so involved in something so real world, using skills that I too am only really learning for the first time.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-37691294314665786302011-01-06T19:19:00.000+10:002011-01-06T19:19:32.824+10:00Getting Ideas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">I've been thinking a lot lately about the nature of creative collaboration, how traditionally it has happened wherever people have congregated; sewing circles, coffee houses, common interest clubs etc and how the net is changing the nature of it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> I search the web for my current interests be it making glass beads, how to make a bike trailer, veg patch growing, writing, 2 year old entertaining, all without going out to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">large meeting places with said two year old in tow. It's done in snatches between picking stuff up, playdates, cooking and play. I collaborate with people I've never met, often from the other side of the world.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">I've come to the conclusion th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">at the best ideas, and often the most innovative, are the ones that are shared, modified and played with.<br />
<br />
Thank you everyone who has shared their thoughts with me these last few years!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div><br />
<object width="400" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NugRZGDbPFU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NugRZGDbPFU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="280"></embed></object><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> <span data-jsid="text">oh, and it's nice to know other people feel the same way about the net, thus the vid link</span></span></span></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-2098925119287086172010-12-20T12:01:00.000+10:002010-12-20T12:01:51.734+10:00Alphabet Turtle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO5Qk303H3l8DbizRrHJ_VVbSv3FmKc06lx6iWQ1YtVbZ0guz0sz5Z2HoCfwwj3f3Sa0B9zyZtisjP_qijzarGTVW4lr299bweuBPRVTCCXCoDZOMmKKzF2eNW4qz4ULJr-oIihBylAk/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO5Qk303H3l8DbizRrHJ_VVbSv3FmKc06lx6iWQ1YtVbZ0guz0sz5Z2HoCfwwj3f3Sa0B9zyZtisjP_qijzarGTVW4lr299bweuBPRVTCCXCoDZOMmKKzF2eNW4qz4ULJr-oIihBylAk/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Stickers are not a precious commodity in this house. I know some households who only allow the kids to have stickers for special deeds or occasions, but not us. I've always seen them as a fun way to develop fine motor skills, and creativity, and keep Gwen occupied by something that is completely hers, with no mummy interference unless specifically asked.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shiny gold dot stickers often make their way onto unsuspecting feet, faces and clothing. Pink stars, or their lesser cousins the gold stars, might be played with for almost 40 minutes straight, being expertly arranged on some card then scribbled on with deliberation. Silver and black foam stickers sourced at reverse garbage get similar treatment and have recently found their way onto old packing tape cylinders and become armbands.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxfwFhZEIwVVGyzgZ1EiYNrd5RguhStR5cDUhTYsEHMxQR6Rz0TL06OduWDGu6F4p1FBprJeuF_TnjWCi1T6P4Ly_k3ZQeXfdygnKYWzAFcjVwMaK0FnbEDiuGXP9-qhDfnZzwGesssI/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
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Yesterday we broke out the alphabet stickers and Gwen rummaged amoungst her things until she found a shiny rock wheich she dubed her "ABC Turtle." For the next hour he was expertly covered with all manner of ABC's, as was the mirror and her toes.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-75619284729572189292010-12-19T10:18:00.004+10:002010-12-19T11:44:32.025+10:00Market days are a delight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiOQ4BWrWFwr45vOz6Z4eUDl-qi12Juq-_f9G-FfaiZNBgHjyK_2luuuUioJbNBH48vA8D9BPDu00_qo5XPoeblWwcbOP4Fkd-GLGVd08HBTjEX0fmljC4YCBCwQlOg2GVd0mTkn1F9U/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It's all rainy, the mud squelches under my bare feet as we move toward the jumping castle, mango, plum and watermelon juices staining Gwens hands and top. Eagerly she climbs from the stroller and rushes into the bouncing throng of kids. We've just filled up the pram with fresh, cheep market fruit and vege and indulged in a cheesy pancake and a curry puff. I adore market days, and so does Gwen.<br />
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We got home to unpack try out some fresh macadamia nuts which we opened with the macca cracker. Nuts where sorted, bounced, eaten and generally enjoyed. It's still raining outside and for the first time in a week it's nice and cool, but the washing isn't really drying. We played among the cool damp sheets, driving toy cars down a hastily drawn road, painting trees next to it with chalk paint (cornflour, water, food coloring), drawing bicycles (me) and smoke coming from them (Gwen).<br />
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We admired the resilience of our garden Hay-man withstanding such cold rain and then back up stairs to read a few books, play in the cave (a big box with blanket over it) and snuggle into sleep.<br />
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Rainy days and market days always seem so much busier.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-9585453524608337052010-12-09T12:55:00.002+10:002010-12-09T12:55:44.527+10:00How to Colour"What colour should we make this playdough?"<br />
"Here you go!" says Gwen presenting me with a suitably coloured texta with which to colour it.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-603674753950339392010-12-04T09:28:00.002+10:002010-12-04T09:33:13.992+10:00Rain and Whiskers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIJCQRdeTQ3-OpBQFOAAEiYI0lRAU5Z_qmalLoXMPf5NeVO-lUkThggt42uxrdHk6Lu4ygWDhpKdgOqAhWizBtmgmAk7YgyzovIPVRNMI-MrdU6ziRTryxhqVlsRfOL73FdNwbAtiT3k/s1600/whiskers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIJCQRdeTQ3-OpBQFOAAEiYI0lRAU5Z_qmalLoXMPf5NeVO-lUkThggt42uxrdHk6Lu4ygWDhpKdgOqAhWizBtmgmAk7YgyzovIPVRNMI-MrdU6ziRTryxhqVlsRfOL73FdNwbAtiT3k/s320/whiskers.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Gwen has been obsessed with whiskers ever since Halloween this year with our neighbor stopped by on her way to a fancy dress party dressed as Puss in Boots. I helped her apply her whiskers and almost everyday since then Gwen has insisted on them. If they are not forthcoming she comes up with her own whiskers solution.This might mean some chalk, texta or paint.<br />
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It's been raining a lot lately too, which means we're a bit more experimental with the paint.She's been getting into body painting a lot and particularly favors black paint with accents of yellow and pink pastels.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvEMaTlBcD8Zl3B9nGVQN8rZeToVaLHZBr1h_uYT2rJG7TsCLUt8bRrS7q41oNdPB3hYS99XQ78o5ZconF1B11Xr6LjGtBTK_k6sTAx6E-1HH-bG8DTXCubM3pFTO-LF8814iHs-kAxs/s320/gwenrainwiskers.jpg" width="212" /> </div><br />
She has also discovered my goggles and loves to recite the "Rain is Falling down" song as she jumps in puddles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTj4N7r4CLJxpOeTPb77GcdQr5S52UTJr6nhhzoj7sfCoVFmXxftzP1N5UwcuEuhljOnSE5MYKv80xKyerxm-4Y4Bd0xWpl4yJKcYGmRshKAswWlkpKSEVMyfVPjfr1vWrzbBadxahFo/s1600/raingoggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTj4N7r4CLJxpOeTPb77GcdQr5S52UTJr6nhhzoj7sfCoVFmXxftzP1N5UwcuEuhljOnSE5MYKv80xKyerxm-4Y4Bd0xWpl4yJKcYGmRshKAswWlkpKSEVMyfVPjfr1vWrzbBadxahFo/s320/raingoggles.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClgUac0ExfMJSqMof0h2DWL4Raz-1C1L8FzW8KRvnttpH6XXyQ9BE4U2zrcVPYQrt6wWSShUUHJ1Qw2ptA7G_3RxmL9TAjhOfEH5sig-E-LV8hUTtfKigoY-5rCNkawO-3hXRZbpkAAo/s1600/whiskers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-13201496722783373062010-12-03T12:51:00.001+10:002010-12-03T12:51:41.750+10:00Delightful Purple King BeansPurple king beans are easy to grown, you just put them in the ground, water them occasionally and up they pop, producing amazingly prolific purple beans. I love the flowers, the taste and the colour!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PI4VyJvS55iMv_tM7WMPAJ9ANy4RhR2mW-OSPjZyhtMyLPESCQ0-hzWkvWwUT0RX2Qew2sXnz0UWmyuTjX7KCu5LUp4xonYZZfp9kK0OBu7r5mRSR95Tpn11jw9fgIbk7e_H3Qj69FE/s1600/purple+king02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PI4VyJvS55iMv_tM7WMPAJ9ANy4RhR2mW-OSPjZyhtMyLPESCQ0-hzWkvWwUT0RX2Qew2sXnz0UWmyuTjX7KCu5LUp4xonYZZfp9kK0OBu7r5mRSR95Tpn11jw9fgIbk7e_H3Qj69FE/s320/purple+king02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AkZT7nC_COKV4nu9B4wgH56nEjU449mXSfNZlFCJVpzj-uZj6NFe66x3Mv5Q1xh2n77ciequ-jKInC_y9Zugp-7fdGea876LpJy28Cekh49raSPjvwSaqDhBhO61Mx9KVdPj-VAyPNo/s1600/purple+king01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AkZT7nC_COKV4nu9B4wgH56nEjU449mXSfNZlFCJVpzj-uZj6NFe66x3Mv5Q1xh2n77ciequ-jKInC_y9Zugp-7fdGea876LpJy28Cekh49raSPjvwSaqDhBhO61Mx9KVdPj-VAyPNo/s320/purple+king01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-34788170632128459642010-12-03T12:45:00.001+10:002010-12-03T12:52:15.250+10:00A Visitor to our Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sqUd6KB0Ea5f1D9VKwAKLDlB5CGVjobh1eTV9ha_7Qip4M78aq8fvQUuovTw4CQYauatveV0cFuSu0S_LW90-XhReqLC8nkRm76-qpjJ6iDdrUSt77oZpexeDBa_VEmPwDa0dALbQB4/s1600/cocoatoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sqUd6KB0Ea5f1D9VKwAKLDlB5CGVjobh1eTV9ha_7Qip4M78aq8fvQUuovTw4CQYauatveV0cFuSu0S_LW90-XhReqLC8nkRm76-qpjJ6iDdrUSt77oZpexeDBa_VEmPwDa0dALbQB4/s320/cocoatoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-35307474856389487652010-11-29T12:41:00.001+10:002010-12-20T13:59:58.956+10:00Mixing Colours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7p0AdcgTE2-l_fGuTcOGsvEF1rrcCRweuSv_mT_PZnNEPATnq2zOF-1pgo_6pP2lNaY2LGzKaSX7H_uSytHjgSFPUIL5qQ1vAeS_Xi4VQcACgVJa4Qc3IVd8BQimbHxPgYiL98yQ5k4/s1600/gwen+colours.jpg" /></div>A neighbor was throwing away this amazing piece of packaging styrofoam. They seemed a bit mystified as to what we might want to do wth it but where happy to part with it before the garbage truck arrived. We got it home and I filled it with food coloring and water then provided Gwen with a big bowl of water and a cup then left her two it, watching from a distance.<br />
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A lot of these sorts of activities are hit and miss, I'm still not sure what she'll enjoy and what can be dropped in a moment in favor of something wildly more facinating. This one was a hit, she spent a good hour mixing colours, adding water and swirling things around. And she kept coming back to it all day. By the next day the play was more about breaking it up, standing in it and watching little specs of styrofoam float around, by the third day she was over it, but it was fabulous while it lasted.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-74441132825755840982010-11-27T13:06:00.001+10:002010-11-27T13:08:16.477+10:00MarketsWe had a wonderful visit to the West End markets this morning and met up with some friends. It was wonderful to see them after such a long time. We sat under a beautifully huge fig listening to amazing music, feasting on market food. Gwen danced, was social with several other children and dogs, even being allowed to take a small one for a "walk" 2 meters away then back, which she adored.<br />
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She happily devoured two whole frankfurter sausages (actual proper long deli ones being sold at a German sausage stall), two large juicy nectarines, a large cup of sugar cane juice half a frakferter bun, a bar of something nutty from a vegan stall and still had room for crackers.<br />
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She's hollow legged today, which I guess means we're in for another growth spurt soon. She really does grow like weed in the sun, we're into size 3 pants already and her size 2 tops are almost too short for her now, I only moved up to size 2 a few weeks ago.<br />
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Ah well, back to the sewing...Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-24243961905081207212010-11-22T18:18:00.003+10:002010-11-27T13:00:58.472+10:00The Dreaded GreensA post on <a href="http://postindustrialparenthood.blogspot.com/2010/10/veggie-delight.html">Post-Industrial Parenthood'</a>s blog inspired me to reply with this. <br />
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My little one is constantly offered greens, without the dreaded "one more spoonful" tactic.Veges are a constant part of our diet and I can't cook without them. Sometimes they are hidden ingredients such as in "green" beef & mushroom soup, (the trick is to add a can of 4 bean mix, a little cream, lots of green things and some beef, then blend) or sweet potato chips with chickpea (and parsley and garlic) dip instead of plain potato chips.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGfW47djUz22KR0pgZTh98nQrBNfa592a0Ie0ucV-W0bjW_nhza8UyZZR0ZCqu2CaOy5CXCkB_XczmKZ1o1LPHSngP-Z8R79cDAAGURSyQPMi-CmJHMvXkpCWVAEe5n2W_KqMLn9F4mk/s1600/spanish-omlette03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGfW47djUz22KR0pgZTh98nQrBNfa592a0Ie0ucV-W0bjW_nhza8UyZZR0ZCqu2CaOy5CXCkB_XczmKZ1o1LPHSngP-Z8R79cDAAGURSyQPMi-CmJHMvXkpCWVAEe5n2W_KqMLn9F4mk/s320/spanish-omlette03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spanish Omelet, yum! </span></div><br />
Sometimes it's more overt such as a huge plate of nibbly things, cut up uncooked veg, fruit and cold meats, that are eaten on the front lawn. The original post also made me wonder how many people don't have veg regularly in their diet simply because they are swamped with unpleasant memories of overcooked congealing boiled vegetables on their plate that they where forced to eat as a kid? I feel so very lucky that my main memories of veg come from the delicious culinary delights of the <a href="http://gourmettraveller.com.au/darwin-markets.htm?rcid=4881&mode=rcid">Darwin food market culture</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdJkb3ZeXpBL4EsqiI4RF-kF1AAQe8GZ5fSasH-P4jkfn6pFYhmbXqFjiixfmvPJSBZnl0I_XYp4-dHDRrjvyKCjqDZl5rB_QejRUO-T894iCiPELHjPPb6psI16bwZEIjuYChNz6q6o/s320/032_100_mindil01.jpg" width="320" /><span id="goog_1650431030"></span><span id="goog_1650431031"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image Courtesy of the <a href="http://www.australiantraveller.com/component/content/article/4506">australiantraveller.com </a></span></div><br />
I admit that her being only two means there is still a lot of aversion therapy yet to be required, but thats in the future. For now, on the occasion that she simply won't try something we choose an animal that she likes and say that the animal loves that sort of food. She is adoring being a pussy cat eating her lettuce or a doggy eating a cucumber. Peer pressure from people other than us, even if she's only taking our word for it, seems to work wonders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lw2IeO_sfnojOBDYt38frvVmgpny376YKYyBsjE0DM7WNg42H08frXmRN7IQcqdZ8sD7Yn56UqvvCzelOu81fvP9BS5emxSTCiPVg0OB-vohoUiKkMSJgsAluPI1AjCEc0wEBFjx6ps/s1600/cafe06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lw2IeO_sfnojOBDYt38frvVmgpny376YKYyBsjE0DM7WNg42H08frXmRN7IQcqdZ8sD7Yn56UqvvCzelOu81fvP9BS5emxSTCiPVg0OB-vohoUiKkMSJgsAluPI1AjCEc0wEBFjx6ps/s320/cafe06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-80141646264220208252010-11-21T21:52:00.002+10:002010-11-21T21:52:00.618+10:00Adoreable Dressups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuPYMdsFpVfLpEBsftgg5ep24w8877ls9VcpHBg_3bbI4yjbL98d_ouwDovnLAC_kcH3MlByy2FyAeTENikq48t22ybYwMNQFmSySZTt1SUEn2Uq4AavCBqUFm4XgodtgcW0sYcqfij4/s200/costumes01.jpg" width="200" /> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW76Nqq-AwF3It2FdZDKXR4ILEiEy-GHuzqMCTvmCQb90feQSTpSqI6CEhGqfC020PvD5BfpIzKkqdBHobFblFL2EarIBBKBoBcsdP8bGxq2TNmq4VPnsTMb-k1HgXeaGR6JYxjxJEg6Q/s200/dressup02.jpg" width="190" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05z0EH93eHNEbINzO7fNa5gd3nzShfC-UraXO3Ob1y-CL_w_HQts-Chto22atnzsK-ZSGSzBRDzfwMQ0dLnTUXx4KwBA1-5jj1MCrhirW0TjJNeuqWgzFcEXPCX_jlhz2eg_yuHcCPBo/s320/dressup.jpg" width="320" /></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-85595803760469795372010-11-20T21:51:00.005+10:002010-11-21T20:01:35.056+10:00The Not So Boring WallsThe problem with renting is that you can't have interesting walls. Unless you look at it a little differently. Sure you can't nail things into the wall, or paint it without having to factor in repainting them once you move out, but with a few adhesive sticker hooks and some blu-tak you can make the white space so much more interesting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_PKfp_hMcT4L8fpLsxMh1NScfEFy9_jn_o_aAhSa4fgt827mrZOqO_tCN78FPty6DX-07NMWMV-UfcBaac5sL_Dcommt6rgM1p7jVeEjPjfkQgjbXxVh3ibr0z9WeLq_S2ObX9wtZQE/s400/hanging04.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been collecting feathers, seedpods, bark, paper wasp nests, and some of my texture photos to hang from the string lines for awhile now. I change them around when the mood suits. The bird images below are from an old calendar I snaffled at the Lifeline Bookfest. Similar pictures of Australian wildlife fill Gwen's walls and our bedroom as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Wl_qeP6aPAGrfUJMgaify9A4VQny5bE5PjxqXLP34gnAgNM96cLu1IVeX76qK1bwoG7ExFx4jwwH2DgDT7Y77fR1eU-bbzxhRIixVeeBjptjKfpCL3FYloDG19rzdSrCJnKNcYXYz4/s400/hanging02.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> There is also a string line for Gwen's artwork and pretty pictures we find along the way... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v5W1UqPWcUr-21nhmwWSuGXYXXVAnVTve4qiMSpKXNZ8CRn-1mfNRY951p0yhfRcIg5z5RFZ-f-9fpwtOWGF4DN3ASFageyCnUQ_P5GpHc2ztxr1WEMEMeAXW2uDzO62hv40LsuJSV8/s400/hanging03.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...but not all artwork is quite so portable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsGFGn05WCmJE8KoYkEbYwuGQlhoFbPN0_WLP7Sj4iA2Cdh9C5Mi4kR-rwVg2G5v-6GDTCjQXJSeETFJ2LnPYI5HMECRX8-hbGQhQ14mZT_PS8LvkAO9aqOLIiZbvUz0rPHxQmI_RPAQ/s1600/gwenart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsGFGn05WCmJE8KoYkEbYwuGQlhoFbPN0_WLP7Sj4iA2Cdh9C5Mi4kR-rwVg2G5v-6GDTCjQXJSeETFJ2LnPYI5HMECRX8-hbGQhQ14mZT_PS8LvkAO9aqOLIiZbvUz0rPHxQmI_RPAQ/s400/gwenart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-20653695407988172352010-11-19T10:46:00.003+10:002010-11-20T11:54:07.922+10:00An Average Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you do on an average morning? Gwen gets up at about 5am. Hubby and I often take it in shifts so we are allowed a little more sleep, but some times we can't due to an early shift at work or early start at uni.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh2Y_WknIv8e4MAw6yTA3jWfFXlP0N50vJlHoeE_yjlxgn2t1QEg8lluAHBW7IlfMYOIsROZeVFODXoSaHU8L1_4dnw0XSLQTYR7YRV4Y0yKO3Fgx-0ghIOLAYpJTSuOa7Kvk0uB4MsU/s320/R0011383.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
This morning, after dropping daddy off to work at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am we<br />
<ul><li>Had the second part of our breakfast.</li>
<li>Drew spiders and webs.</li>
<li>Played with<a href="http://www.filthwizardry.com/2008/05/rainbow-water.html"> coloured water</a>, tipping and mixing and splashing it all over the lawn.</li>
<li>Painted some sheets with heavily diluted acrylic paint, a paint brush, gum nuts and hands.</li>
<li>Had a long bubbly bath in which all humanoid toys plus horse, cat and rabbit all had their hair washed. Gwen aquessed to the indignity of a hair soaking.</li>
<li>Reading a book in bed.<br />
</li>
<li>Watching <a href="http://dirtgirlworld.com/">Dirt Girl World</a> while consuming untold quantities of fresh pineapple, cheese and pasta.</li>
<li>Put on some washing together.</li>
<li>Chose some seedlings (corn, cucumber and butter beans) and directed where to put them.</li>
<li>Drew more things while mummy dug.</li>
<li>Watching a little bit of Playschool while mummy was on the phone.<br />
</li>
<li>Became a pussy cat with the help of drawn on whiskers and a beautiful long tail.<br />
</li>
<li>Had a visitor picking something up from ebay and proudly displaying chickens.</li>
<li>Milk & Bed.</li>
</ul>Wow, just looking at that list it's no wonder I feel worn out.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-8587576604159936642010-11-18T07:54:00.001+10:002010-11-20T12:42:28.194+10:00Cake & IceIt was someones birthday at daycare today and afternoon tea included cake. On the way home Gwen sang her own version of the song:<br />
<br />
Happy birth cake you you,<br />
Happy birth cake you you!<br />
Happy cake happy cake!<br />
Happy birth cake you you!<br />
<br />
It's possibly the best version ever!<br />
<br />
Another Gwen reworking of lyrics is Ice Ice Baby. We went to get a big bag of ice from the local servo a couple of weeks ago and I started to sing "ice ice baby." It's the only song I know with the word ice in it. Gwen immediately took up the song with:<br />
<br />
Ice ice Baby<br />
Ice ice Mummy<br />
Ice ice Daddy<br />
Ice ice Nandi<br />
Ice ice Buppa<br />
Ice ice Gwen!<br />
<br />
A very appropriate song for what promises to be a long hot and humid summerWockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-35547601261549484882010-11-16T19:35:00.001+10:002010-11-20T21:57:41.452+10:00Na nagh?This is the sound that Gwen makes when she is sort of asking permission to do something she knows she shouldn't. Sometimes she will do it anyway, but mostly if she is acknowledged properly, and she knows my full attention is on her, it is simply enough to shake my head no and then nod with a smile when she chooses to do something else.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540084283804901234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV26X8mCWgGaiYbQg7vFQfog65XuI2jUQootWpRR04F5Lfn3TgebwhnWOAySArmadY4UkufjwRcEP8Ej5Kjtk9DNDDq8ADDztvs6EI8vwU6RUICfC_Gl4qd5KICY6ma9E5QDelwN9-B4/s400/R0013203.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />It's not always so easy and sometimes we have to talk about not doing things because of blah and blah. I Never say a simple "No," I've always felt she deserves an explanation, even if it is as simple as "No, you can't have those goggles, they belong to that little girl and she might get sad." Strangely for the most part this works.<br />
<br />
There are a very few occasions where it doesn't and that's my prompt to check the time. We might be overdue for our morning /afternoon tea or nearing nap time. Otherwise it's time for mummy to get creative with a distraction and make doing something else amazingly much more fun than the thing she was about to do.<br />
<br />
I've never labeled her naughty, but she knows what the word means. A few weeks ago we almost ran over several "naughty chickens who where <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlFB8PJfFRM" style="font-weight: bold;">crossing the road without holding anyone's hand</a>." So if she is being exceptional cheeky I sometimes ask her if she is trying to be a naughty chicken.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540083267135991362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Eaz_8NJEPLXxnyrBGWwt6lNd-ivWVCSH4FCalcAwJKcUJhUPUDMVYnIhh8TaLNaQ77AyZPraaLEiHASdwGeMLPUmKvHRWcZFoj9ilDIHqp4syb1Oi-ExVX-VjO5Oj5iU_WIPAjBU85I/s400/chickens.jpg" style="display: block; height: 282px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 282px;" />This gets either a giggle and she does something else or a very serious expression and a talk about how you have to "hold hands, naughty chicken cross road." If our chickens have recently broken into the veg patch then she labeled them naughty as well, but most often she adds to our conversation about road crossing that her chickens are good chickens.<br />
<br />
I adore that at not quite 2 years old she seems to recognize such big concepts, especially that she can't see herself fitting that label, except very occasionally in play.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-69158223385770146682010-11-15T21:05:00.000+10:002010-11-16T21:13:11.802+10:00My PreciousThe little one has been fascinated by watches, so yesterday I bought her a beautiful wooden wrist watch featuring lots of brightly coloured beads and movable hands. I gave it to her as we waited for an overdue bus and didn't realize just how much of an impact it would make on her. It has become her Precious.<br /><br />She is in love with it so much that just spent 10 mins before bed being conflicted over where to put it for safe keeping and wanting it while she was in bed, then having to find another safe spot for it, the needing to hold it again. Ah the things with do with our precious!Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-5501024687359958022010-11-15T10:44:00.001+10:002010-11-20T21:56:40.421+10:00The best place to hideis in plain sight.<img alt="" border="0" height="292" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539572814202697282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx5RYQIi95Ol6UTO6fFOh22jCY1f6xQuMj4xOl3bB7qpPKEEcf7qvLazD5rxzE2IvRQkw32R4sa-MZRPOvhD-BEwxfY9XMdQdISbxen-DZUVrEwUr6LSDtjCzAgXLkHrnPOd3wU18YrA/s320/DSC02211.JPG" style="display: block; height: 365px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="320" />Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7675628720298410175.post-90397718603525076432010-11-15T10:13:00.002+10:002010-11-20T21:58:04.322+10:00A Hano Inspired ToyEarlier this year I stumbled across <a href="http://www.designpublic.com/shop/david-weeks/13851" style="font-weight: bold;">this beautiful gorilla toy</a> by David Weeks. I had just started a woodworking course and our first project was to create a small wooden toy.<br />
<br />
I adored Hano and wanted to create my own, friendlier version. I've always loved orangutans so I decided to try my hand at designing one. Here's the final result:<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539563828917807618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9Dn3zgT586_x1JGu1KO-PmmSfehmpWufc1T7eZ320c_hTDbmUUK3e0Jy1hyphenhyphenX2CMn-P6uN-KFv_RpN7vsrNcEpa150E3LyoJnwLyplETWtbiHox2mv33dST1Pi1_c46FoOXsabL3fiAA/s400/R0010731.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539563830200304450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQK16u2kFfjudmbwlVMn0mLFuOlhe7kXgFndRyzCqJOZfdlWR28zoeIZrNjQXCgy4DRhW9JxB6a26pBbu_FN4KLOvxItkNn5wiwW469xfBaAtUsrrQn8KMlvupn5lkaszN0UY1hAte78/s400/R0010786.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Little did I know at the start how difficult it would be as part of the brief was to only use hand tools. I certainly learned a lot from the project, particularly how to sculpt on the small scale and some very interesting ways of creating an elastic joint that can be positioned any which way.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539568943593760050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1MuAASvM439pX573ZXUWEhwLL8TNXtPlExn660PDQa3bEBynIVFxVO46wn09u1sJ8VDWuwEEcbFv_fZoSCuQmIIZTYMGzsCnhZNEvTvQ4hT73uH8TTa0UNc_PuN3Hj5EzZxrsW2Bdo0/s400/R0010782.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />It was a wonderful first project and I'm looking forward to getting back into the workshop next year. In the mean time I'm slowly building up my tool collection.Wockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434692347924718517noreply@blogger.com2