The simple joys

A walk, a play at the park, digging in the sand, a jetty, a simple outdoor game, hot cross buns for breakfast, dangling feet in the water.

Oh and some funny photos.

This was our weekend on the river.

Choc Chip Beetles

Looking for a fun baking activity to do with the kids these holidays?

A recent Coles catalogue had a "Choc Chip Beetles" recipe... you can find it here

I just used my favourite (and super-easy) vanilla cupcake recipe; then we got to work with the decorating.

 Enjoy!

My Vision for 2012

With the beginning of 2012 came my mandatory list of goals and plans in print.

But this year I wanted something that I would see or read regularly to keep it all at the forefront of my mind. Something that would continually remind me of what's important to me.

So I decided on a Vision board that represented what I want to achieve and the thoughts I want to focus on during the year.

Being school holidays I thought it would make a fun activity for the kids too. We had a lovely time "cutting and pasting" and deciding on pictures that represented what they looked forward to in 2012.

Do you have a vision board for 2012, or do you have another method of recording your goals and wishes?

Wordless Wednesday - The Glow in Robe

To see more Wordless Wednesday pics head on over to Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love

Choc Chip Muffins for kids

Yesterday Miss Seven decided she would like to bake something all on her own. So, we Googled "simple recipes for kids" and decided on these Chocolate chip muffins from Kidspot, (heaps of great recipe ideas here) though we used milk chocolate chips instead of the dark.

I supervised and gave hints occasionally but she did a great job with everything..

..and the muffins tasted great!

Do you have a junior masterchef at home, and how old were they when they started to bake on their own?

School holidays

While my work has piled up over this first week of the school holidays, we have had a lovely time.

~ Ice creams at the park (while only 4 degrees outside!)
~ The library
~ Babycino and a walk
~ A movie afternoon
~ Monarto Zoo:

Digger the new baby Rhino..

~ Cupcakes {just because}

Today it's fruit loops (well 'Tropicos' actually - much healthier:) necklaces and the market tonight... enjoy your weekend!

School Holiday Planners

I know many of you are already in the midst of school holidays, but with ours under a week away, it's time to prepare a plan of attack.. well a holiday planner anyway. 

This is where the creative {and super organised} girls at Super Organiser Mum & A little Delightful come in.

They have created and prepared these cute and handy printables to help you prepare for, and organise your children's holidays.

There is a holiday calendar that you can alter to suit your holiday dates and a holiday fun list where you can add details of some fun ideas for things to do and see.

Mine are complete with outings and home activities based around my work and times the kids can be cared for by grandparents.

Most events and activities on our calendar are open to a change of day depending on weather conditions.

Now we're organised!

Print out your own here

Time with the kids

I am so often asked, "mum can you build a tower with me?", "can we make a cubby with the sheets", "can you play hide and seek with us", "can you read me this book..."

I realise, with much guilt, that many of the times I am asked these things I say "I can't now, I'm cooking tea" {or "I'm hanging the washing", or "I'm working", or "it's nearly time to leave for school/kindy"}

While I recognise that this is life, and realistically I can't always play/read/join in with the kids, I always feel like I can spend more time that is just for them.

So, my aim has been to adjust my life a little, {more on this later} to ensure I am doing more of the things my kids love to do.

For the purpose of having a little reminder for myself, and perhaps some ideas for my readers, here is a list of some of the simple, and generally inexpensive things my kids enjoy.

As it is winter here in Oz and outside activities are generally not as viable, my list is based around inside activities. I have also included some super-cool ideas I have found across the web.

• Build a cubby out of sheets and blankets {perhaps have a snack inside on a teeny tiny plate}
  
  
• Bake cupcakes or cornflake crackles together
  
  
• Have a babycino at a local cafe
  
  
• Build with Lego
  
  
• Have a picnic lunch on a rug on the floor {I normally do a platter of cheese, dip, crackers & dipping veggies}

• Have a tea party




• Home made play dough - recipe here
  
  

• Watch a recorded program together {my daughter loves Better Homes & Gardens but it is normally on after her bed time}
  
  

• Read a story or two

• Movie night: Set up camp in the TV room, have dinner on a picnic rug and watch a movie or two. Sleep the night.
  
  
• Hide & seek
  
  
• Colouring in - There are many colouring-in printable sites but Kidspot has a great selection
  
  
• Play a board game {or even have a family games night}
  
  
• Crafts - Kidspot has a huge selection of printables and craft ideas
  
  
• Make a card for someone's birthday {or just to say "I love you"}
  
  
• Puzzles
  
  
• Learn online. Here are some of the websites we use for educational fun:
  Starfall
  Triple Zero Kid's Challenge
  Reading Eggs
  ABC 4 Kids
  
  

• Painting - here's one of our last holidays projects
  
  

• Balloon Ball games - satisfy their need for active games with this indoor version. We bought ours here

Image from Balloon Balls
 

• Use masking tape to create a road along the floor - the extent of this is up to you {and the size of your roll of masking tape} Here's a great example from the lovely The Mother Huddle - There is also lots of gorgeous & unique craft ideas here.
  
  
• Butchers paper floor drawing - See how Jade at Super Organiser Mum does it here
  

• Memory - See this idea from Bianca at A little Delightful 

Enjoy!

Easy play dough recipe

Love it or hate it, kids really dig play dough. 

Many of us have long resented the mess it makes and the way the colours get mixed together, and the dried up bits that are left behind in the little shapes, cutters and presses.. well maybe that's just me.

However, my kids love play dough - it makes them happy and keeps them entertained for a good hour, so that's reason enough for me to let go of my hang ups :)

The benefits of making your own play dough?

• It's less expensive
• You don't have to worry about separating the colours to pack it away in the little tubs
• The process of making it is also fun for the kids
• It smells better

This recipe is super quick and easy, and uses ingredients that most households would always have on hand. Plus you can make whatever colours you like.

Ingredients 

1 cup flour
1 tbsp of oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp white vinegar
A few drops of food colouring (depending on how brightly coloured you would like it) 

Method 

Mix everything together in a saucepan.
Cook over a medium heat stirring constantly until it starts to come together into one blob.
Remove from the heat, turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.


Keeps in an airtight container for several days.

Holiday fun for less..

Well that was what the ad promised anyway.

The Kmart ad that is. 

While reading Adelaide's Child I came across an ad selling kid's white canvas shoes, craft activity packs and poster paint with the promise of "keeping your little artist entertained..with everything needed to unlock their creativity"

The Egg Hunt

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

 

Let 's go to Rio

I took the kids to see Rio yesterday. I packed them up a little lolly "box" and filled their drink bottles and off we went. 

The cinemas were so busy we didn't have time for the popcorn line, but it was really lovely to see so many out and about enjoying a movie afternoon.

We loved Rio - how could you not?
Fun and light-hearted but not without its message.
Beautiful, bright colours, funny -something for everyone- and of course a love story (well actually two). 

But nothing is better than seeing the beaming faces of my two little treasures in the light of the movie ..awww :)

My little guy has a bit of trouble whispering: "I like this movie!", "She's preeeeety!" but on the whole, so well behaved (wish I could bottle this)

If you haven't already, go see Rio, you can't go wrong.