Edward the Bear

Edward is the kinder teddy bear that travels with a bag of clothes and a diary to all the kids at kinder. It was our turn and we had to do something special. Alexander thought it was strange that Edward was always travelling, but didn't even have his own backpack - so that was our project.

Edward helped us pick the fabric and then Alexander sewed it up - and actually did a really good job. We had to paint on his initial (much like the apron) and sew on elastic straps and Alexander hammered on the stud. We wrote our story in the diary (much like homework really) and he presented his story to the class- so very grown up.

What were you expecting?

Yes, I know- usually when you have had a diamond day like yesterday - the next day is... well...not a diamond. Actually for a change that didn't happen (thank goodness). We had a day of doing jobs with the help of Nana and FINALLY enrolled in school. Yes, I know it is cutting it fine but I always wait until the last minute (and then panic.)

It was the day of the party today and the unveiling of the present. Yes, I stuck to my policy and we gave the birthday boy a Denim Apron with his initial painted on it, a matching drawstring bag to keep it in (which also acted as the wrapping), cookie cutters in the shape of a hammer, drill and pliers and we wrote out the recepie to easy cookies. Finally we made the card with the contact A we had cut out to make the stencil - very thrifty. I think it ended up looking pretty good- what do you think?

The party was at Kew Traffic School where we had been in January. I can't get over the progression in Alexander's skills. He rode his bike quickly and easily - considering he has not had much chance to practice. A couple of weeks and he will be off the training wheels.

Some days are diamonds

And today was one of those. It is so lovely (and easy) when children just get along. You can't force it or make it happen - but when it does.....ahhh. Enjoy a hot cup of tea and a chat while five boys play. Thank you two little buttons!

Craft night - take 2

As you have seen we have introduced Barbie into the boy-zone. They are getting played with, but I want a little more imaginative play. Well, maybe a little less 'imaginative' play, and a bit of home corner style play. (as opposed to naked barbie being thrown of benches and rescued by duplo men, but its all good). I thought the best way is to address the naked barbie was by making some clothes together. I was surprised by the lack of patterns around for barbies. I suppose the clothes are just as cheap to buy these days. I found a Burda 8576 which also has Ken clothes. We made some PJ's so it was a good start. I found in a couple of books around the place these knitted patterns, but not really my forte. Finally going through mum's old burda magazines, I found these beauties - circa 1975.

Very tame - I know but I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't take something dirty to someone elses house (although some things are tempting not to do at our house!) but I traced out patterns from this Burda - which to anyone who hasn't seen it, the master sheets look like a road map of America via satellite. It was good to keep me busy but still able to chat. Next time I will take the dresses to sew. All this and home intime to see the late edition of Project Runway - when will they dump Helen????

Craft night...

I got invited to my first craft night and I am very excited. A bit tragic I know, but some like minded mums invited me over to their monthly thing and now I dont know what to do. Of course I have been internet searching for what I want to do.

Through various blogs I stumbled on the magazine Ottobre which is a Finnish fashion pattern magazine (my like my beloved German Burda). There I found some free download stencils, and as I have some fabric paint lying around, I thought this could be a go - butI would have to try it out first...

So I printed the scooter out and cut it out using acetate plastic. I couldn't resist cutting out some tops. I had some lycra like fabric and found that these two matched. I reverse the fabrics so one has a striped body with plain arms and the other has a plain body and striped arms - should look very cute on Benji and Spencer.

I have a basic set of fabric paints and mixed up a burgandy and had to 'test' my stencil. It worked really well and I am really proud of myself. I just had to sew them up - now all that is needed is the neckband and a bit of twin needle top stitching. I think they came up pretty good -not only is it nice to have clothes made by mum, but it is also nice for them not to be covered in scribble prints as is the long running trend in boys clothes.

The only problem now is what do I do for the craft night???

A bit of help needed

Help comes in all different forms - but usually you have to ask for it.

The big squirrel has been working really long hours lately and that can make it hard at home. M mum and dad come over today to offer some relief which was greatly welcomed. It also helped because when I woke up today I remembered I hadn't done the squirrels GST and it was due!!! I dont want an $800 fine so it had to be done. After a lot of nagging I eventually convinced Nan and Popeye to take all the kids out - ANYWHERE!! It is only the second time since they were born I have been at home by myself. Images of relaxing and pampering should be quickly forgotten as I was hunched over the PC drowning in a sea of receits. But it did all get finished and off to the ATO in time - yeah!!

Now on a different matter I need your help. You are aware that I have made the present pact - and it is getting hard already!! Alexander has been invited to a 5 year old party at Kew Riding School - so there is a bit of a transport theme. He is a lovely little boy with an older brother (about 8) and another baby due literally any minute.
Some of my ideas were:

• An apron with cookie cutters shaped in hammers etc that I bought from the Magnolia Market in Brighton- with an audio cookbook (I thought this may be a bit hard on his mum with a new baby but not sure)
• A costume - not sure about dinosaur or any variations on the theme. These are fairly easy to whip up. I do like a police costume - especially given the transport theme - but that is what his dad is - so they have the real thing.
• A top or two - say a longsleeve raglan top with some kind of pattern on the front - a bit boring for the boy!
• I have a hot wheels racing set where two kids race each other on bikes - I had this in my present cupboard - bought on sale...

I like to do books or educational type toys for friends birthdays. I don't know what they already have or really what he likes to do. I don't like getting them say Spiderman or transformers. If you have any great ideas I would LOVE to hear them. It doesn't matter if it is last minute - I am known to be whipping things up at the last minute...

It the journey not the destination

I was feeling guilty about not doing enough with the twins. At the moment it seems that Alexander and I do fun things while the boys are asleep. Today I decided to change that.

A couple of days ago I bought three paints and three canvases and my (great) idea was each boy could paint a canvas in the limited colour palatte and it I could hang it on the wall. I would stencil each boys initial on their canvas - brilliant I thought.

So, I got the paints ready, canvases, a variety of brushes and rollers, plates for the paint, even a bucket of warm water and a towel for the clean up. I thought for sure there would be handprints. I got the kids all dressed in old comfy clothes - as there was sure to be a bit of mess. To get them in the spirit of painting, I even had butchers paper for the warmup painting.

I know I know - what was I thinking? A four year old, and two 19 month olds and paint? Well there were no handprints, a fair bit of paint got eaten, Alexander did a good painting, the deck got a good covering of every colour. I didn't bother getting the canvases out- they weren't interested. The most fun of the morning (for them) was cleaning up. They love mops and water - and as soon as I wasn't watching, Benji even jumped in!! The morning was finished by a good play in the real bath.

So while I had set off with grand plans, we had a good play and a good day. I was all about the end result, but they enjoyed the process and the activities. I don't feel so guilty anymore but maybe next time we'll do play dough!