Make and Do

I love getting packages in the post. I just received a gorgeous bundle from Notemaker today, mostly Christmas gifts for my Mum, which I would of course totally like for myself. Delivered in a printed calico bag, all I wanted to do was sit cross legged and play with my new toys!
This morning, our resident chef also got creative and tackled the crafty gift he recently received from my sister in London. Although I did try and steal it a few times and make it myself, he built this fabulous cardboard owl today, with the help of our dexterous young apprentice. My love of paper products continues with this clever gift from Muji. Flat packed, easy to build with awesome design to boot, The Count, as I now like to call him, can be found brandishing his wings over our fireplace, far out of reach from nimble fingers.

My new logo?

I am testing out a few ideas for my logo, and thought what better way to get feedback than from my readers.The resident chef says he wouldn't have picked this one for me as it doesn't suit my writing style. Do you think it works? I'd love to know...

Celebrity spotting in downtown Hobart

As we are so well connected here, I managed to score an invitation for the boys to a very exclusive gathering in town. Despite the heavy downfalls, we were graced by the presence of the one and only Olivia at Fullers.

Her adventures and forays into music and art, often 'practiced' on the walls of her house or on the ears of her patient family, are humourously captured by New Yorker illustrator Ian Falconer and are top of the reading list for those of us 3 to 6 year olds. Her faithful followers include none other than David Hockney and Mikhail Baryshnikov, who says "Many dream of dancing on the stage, but Olivia has the legs for it."

Needless to say, the boys were quite starstruck. I was just worried that her pretty ears were going to swipe half the stock off the shelves!

Thank Crunchy it's Friday?

Drizzle. I hate drizzle, unless it's lemon and poured over a cake. I think Mother Nature must have been feeling particularly un-maternal when she invented all day rain. Entertaining toddlers with non TVactivities, especially boys who have no interest in painting, drawing or any craft-like activity, with the added bonus of the attention span of a goldfish, requires, well a PhD in creative patience.
Despite this, the rather frenetic energy at our regular Playgroup this morning, and the fact that it was also the end of the week, we did all manage to survive the session relatively unscathed, leaving with our two glittered Christmas tree decorations (proudly created, not by the boys but by their mother...) and our prize pack of dried apricots.
Just when I was thinking what on earth I could do to entertain them for the afternoon, a magical text came through and as quickly as that, the rest of the day was sorted. Don't you just love spontaneity?
So with five kids, one cat, two giant pizzas (home made of course), one rhubarb crumble (with ice cream), one bubbly bath (with five kids!) and miraculously no major accidents, the day finally came to an end with two very exhausted but very entertained little boys. Take that Mother Nature!

Freebies

Yes, I'll admit it. I am a stickler for free stuff and when I saw that Cleo magazine were giving away a free watch with their latest issue, well of course I had to have it. I know, embarrassing right? I mean what am I doing buying a magazine targeted at twenty somethings when I am a little ahem, passed reading advice from Peaches Geldof or oogling over the boys from Twilight.
Apart from my having to glue my new neon pink faux Toywatch together, I now have one that actually works, has totally impressed the boys and looks supercool...well I think so anyway.

Lost and Found

I thought I'd share with you the work of Oliver Jeffers. We were introduced to him by our friend Nickey who gave the boys How to Catch a Star to read. We found him again in the library last week and are currently reading The Way Back Home every night. The gentle way in which Jeffers tells his tale through word and brush, is heart-nourishing. What a thrill to see that someone has made his award winning Lost and Found into a short film. Shown on Channel 4 (UK) last Christmas and narrated by the warmly spoken Jim Broadbent, the DVD is now available through Amazon, UK. A rather excellent stocking filler for little ones this year I think. Santa, it will be on our list...

Yawn...

This dinky tile sums up the mood today. Me being the little bird and Child One being the crazy goon up top. I am only presuming that his 'humour' today does boil down to happiness and general one sided notions on how to behave. I meanwhile am staggering to make it past their bedtime after a full day with them both! It's the end of the week...not long before I can recharge my flat battery. And look its 10 o'c, far too late for me to be awake. No wonder I'm yawning.

Recharge + reboot = more inspiring and interesting blog-posts...

Major update

Look I know you are all chomping at the bit to find out, so I will not keep you in suspense any longer... We have tomatoes! Three plump, green beauties are growing voraciously and (we like to think) are the first on our street. Following swiftly behind them are some little pip squeaks, and if little hands will only stay away from picking the poor plants, we might be able to sample one in a few weeks time, maybe even for Christmas. Woopee!

Esqueeze me!

While many 'mainlanders' choke in the current heatwave, my compatriots up north are preparing for the chilly months ahead. For those of you who still hold your littlies hand, here is the perfect pair of mittens. Not only do they keep your digits dinky, but they also have an inbuilt sidecar for your precious pickle. Squeeze Me mittens are sadly only available in the US, but I thought they definitely were worth a post.

Chance Encounters

I decided it was Excursion Day, so while the fourth member of our family slogged away in the kitchen, we three took ourselves off to a nearby Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Hobart. I am not usually a massive fan of these places. Previous experiences have been all about stinky enclosures and sad looking animals, so when we drove up the hill through an understated gateway, I was instantly taken by the surroundings. Ok so the signposts were pretty terrible and I actually turned round to go home at one stage, but something pulled me back and brought us to this little slice of animal heaven. Run by an incredibly passionate and super friendly guy, and helped out by his Dad and equally enthusiastic staff, Bonorong Wildlife Park specialises in the rearing and conservation of Tasmania's natural wildlife.
I don't know how or why but we instantly connected with these wonderful people and ended up drinking tea and sharing stories with Greg and his Dad, while Jack, played,fed and hopped along with a mob of kangaroos in the nearby field. Our little two year old floated amongst these passive animals, letting out a squeal every few minutes, refusing to leave his new friends even when coaxed with 'a special treat'. It was so unlike any other wildlife compound I have visited and I can safely say it's the first time I have ever felt comfortable with the idea of animals in captivity. These creatures were so peaceful and seriously chilled out, while people roamed through 'their turf', happy to be touched and peered at. Whatever Greg and his staff are doing here, they are playing angels to these animals.
We have been invited back to chat some more and watch the animals at twilight, when all the bus tours have left. Apparently it's when the park really comes alive. I can't wait...

Freedom?

We were about to walk out the door when we realised a little thrush had flown into the living room. Flapping into the window the poor thing got all confused and couldn't find the door. This was the second time this had happened and admittedly I had to call for help to save the first casualty. This time though, I had to summon up all courage to actually touch a flapping animal. I mean I had to show I could help this poor bird. Jack was watching and looking at me as if to say, "What do we do now Mummy?"
So after many deep breaths and a brain wave of wearing the gardening gloves (I just couldn't do it bare handed, ridiculous, I know), I climbed onto the table and did my very best to gently capture the terrified little creature. After a few failed attempts, I finally got him and with sheer joy and elation set him free. It was one of the most invigorating feelings I have experienced in ages and felt so proud to conquer my stupid fear. We went for a walk today and found a park that held a huge sculpture of three women, setting birds free. Coincidence or providence?
Sadly, my bravery medal will not be in the post, as this evening, we found a curled up little body lying peacefully in the flower bed. Perhaps the little mite was so frightened by the ordeal that it died of shock. The only thing that stops me from dreadful guilt is the fact that we tried our best to save him and saw him fly away. Perhaps that was his spirit flying and his little body was too tired to follow. Rest well, little bird.

She Sells Seashells at the Seashore

What is it about the beach that awakens your senses and gives you a whole dose of feel-goodness? Finding yet another glorious squeaky white beach only an hour from our door was another lovely discovery today and to share it as an entire family was all the better. As the boys splashed about, ate sand and climbed the dunes, I fished for shells and found a treasure trove. I'm not sure what it is about it, but I love looking for pretty molluscs . As a girl I loved to look for stones on our beaches in Ireland, I think I got it from my Mum. Transfer that to Aussie shores and I just become hypnotised by the shapes and subtle colours. So I'm sharing with you my findings today and will enjoy looking at my souvenirs, a lovely memory of this sunny Saturday.

Wardrobe malfunction?

We were happily playing at Kindergym last week when I realised I had made a major fashion blunder. It wasn't worn out socks or navy clashing with black, but something much more embarrassing. I had dressed our two boys AND myself in stripes. When I later hung out the washing I realised I had a minor obsession. Almost every item that came out of the laundry basket was striped, even the new pillowcases I just bought. It got worse. I have now realised that almost sixtypercent of our family's clothing is, yep you guessed it, striped. Scarves, gloves,tights, t-shirts, sweaters, you name it. Thankfully, my obsession has not gone below the belt, although hang on, those boxer shorts didn't escape. Gee I wonder who bought them? Right, I think it's time I moved on and embraced a new pattern. Check, mate?

Enough of the family matters..

I need to get back to sharing the bits and pieces I relish and take a break from family matters. I have just found this 'uplifting' take on the greeting card by Korean O-Check Design Graphics. Their range is absolutely edible and I would like to own every single thing they create. If you click on the image it will take you to the Australian online store that represents them. Christmas is coming.... yes please!!

An afFAIR to Remember

It was supposed to be a pleasant morning at the Steiner school fair. The pocket lady had an apron filled with treats, the coconut shy booth was set and ready for action, and the sausages were sizzling with plenty of hungry mouths to feed. Kids of every age beemed in delight and showed proud parents their classrooms and vegie patch.
The boys and I decided (well I did, the boys really are too little for excursion decisions) that instead of risking another tomato plant torture at home, we would visit the popular fair and catch up with some friends. All was going relatively smoothly until Jack fell asleep in the car on the way there. Hang on it's only 11am? Putting it down to a quick energy booster, we carried on and joined the crowds making their way to the school. We hit the slide and swings on arrival but only managed to enjoy the former before a face plant off the slide halted the proceedings. A quick dust off and we headed for the sausage sizzle.
Maybe it was the relaxed atmosphere that led me to casually allow Jack wander off towards the playfield, or the distraction of chatting to a newly found friend. Regardless, within seconds, I had lost him. I need not remind any of you who have experienced losing your child for the first time, what thoughts race through your head and I will not impart those to you now. On the funny side, I must have looked a sight, flying through the bumpy school terrain, with a pinched face and swirling head desperately looking through all the little legs to find my own precious ones. The word quickly got out as I managed to blubber his description to the office. With help from my sympathetic friend and utter strangers we set about 'operation lost child'.
It was a long and lengthy ten minutes, but after choosing to retrace my steps for the fourth time and choosing the little group of trees to check again, there he was, holding the hand of the kindest man I now know, pointing to me and smiling innocently. I of course was a basket case and squeezed the breath from him, while Charlie, quite unperturbed by the entire ordeal, fell asleep.