Cooking up a storm

After dress up day at swimming (hence spiderman outfits) we set about to make a slice.

Well actually it turned out more like a big cake but all good. I have a big rectangular springform pan so I figured the boys could each make their own - giving us a double batch.


They really enjoyed the process and it didnt get too messy - except craking those eggs where the word WAIT fell on deaf ears. However the result was worth it and really yummy.

This is a family circle recipe called SNICKERDOODLE SLICE and was great because it is all done by hand and doesn't need to be mixed too much. Perfect - here's the recipe.

Off to the footy

we all rugged up to brave the Melbourne weather and caught the train into Richmond to watch the football (AFL). Alexander got free tickets through Auskick and we were off to the MCG.

It was a long day as we got there a bit too early to get good seats, but all in all a good day. The twins liked the train ride the best, Xandy got into the man on man competition - as did I from a totally different perspective.....

Incentive or Bribe?

Well whatever you call it, I have employed this technique to all of my kids this week with simply jaw dropping results.

Honestly it is not my usual parenting tool of choice, I prefer to think that encouragement works much better - but I had to pull out the big guns.

First: Alexander. He is playing basketball but frankly is not really a competitive kid. I get it, and while I don't expect him to be Michael Jordon I do want him to know where the ball is and stop dancing and chatting to the other players.We offered him money for his first goal. This we borrowed from another basketball parent and the incentive was actually put in place last year (sot the results didn't really come quickly!) As time has passed the amount actually increased significantly - not that he really understands the value of it. Today he got that first goal! We were thrilled and so was he. After the goal he actually played better than he ever had. Maybe the pressure was off. So is the deal - no more money for subsequent goals.

Onto the twins. They have a couple of obsessions - one is the Dinosaur Train which is a Jim Henson production of which they have the DVD. The other is non-participation at kinder mat time. They will sit defiantly while all kinds of fun things happen around them. Here's a visual - 25 kids and adults dancing Zorba the Greek and my two sitting glumly in the middle. This has been going on some 18 months.

I smelt a rat the other day when they came home and said they had done the hokey pokey and wanted to do it at home. When asked if they had participated they said no, but they had watched. And it really does get through (contrary to some specialists who suggested non-participation was due to speech disorder and not understanding). They knew all the words and actions.

I suggested to them that if they participated at mat time for a whole week, they may get a dinosaur train toy. Friday was the first day and the teachers said not only did they join in but they had fun! Lets hope a week is long enough to break their bad habit.

So it seems that the incentive (or bribe) works for my kids. Would love to hear your experience...

Throw some light on it

Before - expensive light fitting. 12 globes at $12 each which last approx 1 hour each - and not all the same hour.

After - 3 new bayonettes and the cheapest fittings. Lots of light and a happy feeling all over

These have just come out of the packets. They are continuing to straighten out.

My latest Love...

Having a bit of a love affair with pintrest (www.pintrest.com). Any time I need some visual stimulation, I go there for a browse of lovely. My boards are building up nicely, but what I have noticed is while my ideas are growing, output has stalled - if not stopped completely.

I decided yesterday that I needed to make - turn ideas into actions.

Via babycino I found these lovely envelopes.

I love a little purse - and they have such a lovely french name "un fourre tout" apparently translating to a stuff everything. My kinda purse! They are in France and I am not sure they post to Australia so I thought I would make my own.

In my images I had some great old airmail envelopes - of course I cannot find where I downloaded these from but I got the address line from the Graphics Fairy.

Here is my very rudamentary process.

I used powerpoint to manipulate the image. I flipped the back of the envelope so the finished image could simply be folded. I added the address line on after and blended as best I could in five minutes. It kinda looks like this but not so stretched. (I need to speak to my IT dept - Jo!! to find out a better way!!) But you get the idea.

The I simply printed the image onto canvas paper - I got this at Aldi of course, but Offiiceworks etc has it. It goest through the printer just like paper. I took this printout to knitting last night and sat and handsewed it into my own little stuff everything with a zip along the top. While this lacks any purpose at the moment at least I have finished something!

Best Friend

They sneak into each others bed

There is no personal space

They finish each others sentences

They are happily sound asleep in each others arms.

I can only imagine what it feels like.....

Another birthday

Yet another celebration. May is always a busy month for us - but we are done now! Today was Mum's birthday and we actually went out for dinner- but really they should have paid us.

We had a banquet at the local Chinese restaurant. To paint more of a picture, the place is full of Asians for whom this is their regular Friday night fare. We were seated in the middle and must have been entertainment to all these people - because we were there forever!!!! Three hours to be exact and my gorgeous little boys with their red hair glowing is a sea of dark heads sat like little angels. Admittedly they were sick but I had not drugged them! It was long for me, and they must have been so bored, but were so good that the staff were giving them lollies and kisses!!! Seriously! While it was a long time coming - the food was really lovely.

We finished up with coffee and cake at our place where we gave Mum her pressies. This time a top and skirt made from a really fine knit. It is a turquoise with black marle. We teamed it with a belt, and lace stockings and grey earrings. Mr P made an awesome squirrel brooch which is cast in tin. Looks fab but you can't really see it here. She is happy anyway.