Little E and I were exploring the timer on the camera a few weeks ago to take a photo of a sewing project. It turns out the top of the clothes horse is just the right height for self portraits. However I am the first to admit I like the shot from the next rail down a little more.


The top is a kwik sew pattern with a few extra inches added to the length. It is brilliantly comfortable, but does suggest that it would also make a versatile maternity top*. I think I will stick with the conventional length in the future.

*In case you were wondering or were about to call my mother, no, I have no need for maternity clothes.

I love having a black board in the kitchen. It means that we can keep track of things we need to get in the next shop. Little E has put in a few requests of her own as you can see.

September is not too early to start thinking about Christmas? Is it? I always considered Christmas to be getting close when the months end in -ber.

These darlings I made for a challenge in my local craft shop. If you fancy seeing the whole thing, you can head there and vote for you favourite. Note - I didn't say vote for mine because really, all the entries are stunning.

Our Saturday night dinners have just stepped up. I discovered that kids get excited about setting the table if it involves choosing the table cloth and picking the flowers, as well as the usual cutlery and plates. It's not often I have enough flowers to make a posy, so we are making the most of it.

Little E has been teaching herself about love. Some she has worked out herself. This is along the lines of "I love you Mummy, Daddy, Miss H etc.." The rest she has extrapolated from watching a Barbie Fairy Princess Movie*. This was something along the lines of you get married to some one you love. The two sources of inspiration conspire to make some weird, but logical conclusions.

The conversation went like this:

"Mum, can two boys and two girls get married?"

Mum wondering where this is going.

"No, you can only get married to one person"

"Oh, Can two girls get married?"

Mum not wanting to get into the differences between civil unions and marriage or geopolitical boundaries and sexuality.

"If they want to"

"Oh, Can I get married to my sister?" Mum completely flummoxed on this one. Not ready to start that conversation.

"No"

In hindsight, I can think of many sage things to say, revolving around families, families joined by marriage etc. At the time however, I was both stumped and touched that Little E drew the conclusion that if you marry someone you love, of course she should marry her sister.


*Ok, we cut a deal in the video shop. I am not proud that this came home with us. To make it worse, it was a Barbie fairy princess wedding movie. Kind of like playing girly cliche bingo, without the ponies.

Our four year old has a reading journal. We have favourite books that are read over and over before we return them to the library. Often,months later, we can’t remember what it was or what was special about that particular one. That’s where the reading journal comes in.

We have taken to recording our favourites as they go back to the library*. Essential details, such as date, title and author are recorded and discussed. I quickly grab my pen as Little E and I talk about the book – what happened, what she liked, how the book made her feel. After adding a picture, the page is finished.

To make a reading journal you will need:

A blank notebook –It doesn’t have to fancy, or expensive, just special. Decorate it with something that appeals to owner – stickers, pictures or just a name special writing.

A reading book – It always helps to have the book there while you talk about it.

Something to make pictures with – The book isn’t a work of art, more a work of pride. Try to keep the artworks to just one page. If the owner feels they express themselves best with a scribble, let it happen. Add notes about what the scribble is if you get any such instructions, otherwise just let it be. It is their journal. If you want to, you could print out a thumbnail of the book’s cover to paste on the page too.

Time to listen – This is a precious bit of one on one time with your little reader. I think this might be what Little E loves the most about her journal. The parts of each book that stick in a little reader’s mind are not always the one’s you would pick yourself – be it the little dog on every page that you completely missed, or the anaconda that eats little children.


*Did I remember to mention that our library is awesome? It is staffed by this lovely lady . They run a summer reading program for kids, where the kids get to check in with their books and read one on one with the librarians. They also indulge in colouring in and stamps.

Ryan Adams sings it well, don't you think?

We love Rosemary Wells in our house. Her adventurous characters strike a chord with my children, just as much as they did with me when I was growing up. The books are littered with little phrases that stick with you for years.

Jack was getting sleepy,
Father read with Kate
Jack needed singing to
So Nora had to wait.

For the tired of being patient sibling, there is Noisy Nora. At the busiest time of the evening, her parents are a little too busy to see that Nora is trying to get some attention. So Nora tries everything she can think of until she finally announces that she is leaving. We love the feisty Nora and her efforts complete with the triumphant ending.

“She’s left us” moaned her mother
As they sifted through the trash.
“But I’m back again” said Nora
With a monumental crash.

I had never heard of “Hazel’s Amazing Mother” before Miss H was given it for Christmas. My children will happily hear of wolves eating red riding hood’s grandmother, but when it comes to big kids picking on our little heroine, it is a different matter. The fears in this book are so real, that Little E clung to me the first time we read it. In case you were equally worried, Hazel’s Amazing Mother puts things right with a pocket sewing kit, 4 tomatoes and the power of love.

Rosemary Wells will be sticking with us for a while longer. Her stories are just as relevant today as when they were written. I’m sure my kids will take great delight in practising their monumental crashes, while I will keep hold of my pocket sewing kit, just in case.

I know a cafe where the food is brilliant, view is wonderful and the service is wonderful. You can come too. Don't forget to bring your imagination.

Today we ventured out to Palliser Bay to spend father's day with my parents. While Dad was tackling some landscaping, we took off to the beach.

Of course, everyone knows that sand means shoes off and my barefoot babes were busy on the beach. Little E, throwing rocks into the sea and Miss H perfecting her sandcastle cakes. We got to share it all, before pockets were filled with treasures and we went to the house.

Where ever you are, whatever your plans, I hope your father's day is a great one. We will be heading off for a family picnic and then on to spend some time with my parents.