tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61750503986255497482024-11-01T18:11:11.338+10:30Oh poo, life is passing by way too quick.Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-44666946322865829032015-03-11T14:42:00.001+10:302015-03-11T14:42:03.043+10:30

It has been more than a couple of years since my last post. Time really does fly when you're having fun. B is now 11 and Little Miss is 7. Our weeks are full with school, homework, housework, work, pets, gardening, after school activities, play dates and family fun. B is a proper tween and exercises a lot of attitude on the family. He is still obsessed with

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-74447314226884609212012-10-09T14:49:00.001+10:302012-10-09T14:49:52.190+10:30

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-47337311309748110492012-09-18T10:33:00.001+09:302012-09-18T10:40:43.892+09:30

What my chickens have taught me.... It doesn't matter who or what came first, it's the here and now that counts. If you peck away at something big it eventually goes away. Creating something is really worthwhile, start out small and it will get bigger and better. If you do something everyday it becomes a habit and those around you will expect it. It

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-84624138109966413502012-08-24T12:10:00.000+09:302012-09-12T13:03:10.777+09:30

When you are five......... Singing in the morning is important. Milky is not cow's milk or rice milk, it's Milo warmed up. Cuddles in Mummy and Daddy's bed are the only way to start the day. Wet kisses are yuck. Rice bubbles that aren't soggy are breakfast. Fairies are real and help make the seasons change, gardens grow and they make furniture out of all the old teeth. Cake should only

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-36946946654805202202012-08-22T13:39:00.003+09:302012-08-27T12:23:25.523+09:30

When Little Miss was at Kindy she got to experience the hatching of eggs and cute little fluffy chicks. This was a wonderful learning exercise that B also showed a lot of interest in. But little chicks quickly turn into big feathered birds that need more space so the kindy had the task of rehousing the chicks into the wider kindy community. We ended up with four of them. Rosie - happy to

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-24175548322071032102012-08-16T12:37:00.000+09:302012-08-16T14:18:44.184+09:30

If B could be would use the ipad before school, after school, during meals and in bed. But only if he couldn't use the computer to play Minecraft in that time. Minecraft is his obsession right now. A few months back it was Dragonvale.  I had read somewhere to take an interest in your children's computer games so I got Dragonvale for myself. It was so addictive I had to play it

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-16876558595824380262012-07-17T12:04:00.002+09:302012-07-17T12:04:22.615+09:30

She counted down the days, said she felt happy, scared and excited all at the same time. Playing schools with her brother she dressed up in her uniform, even wore her school headband to bed. So when the big day arrived and she said she only felt happy. I was relieved for her, but more than a little concerned as her voice was rough, scratchy and soft. She had a cough and said she was sick.

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-71764019733522638682012-07-11T16:31:00.000+09:302012-07-11T16:34:07.121+09:30

Take a couple of plain white plates, some children on winter school holidays and add a collection of sharpies. Wait to see what happens... Then bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 175 degrees. (The plates not the children) Finished result A permanent work of art to eat dinner off of, or to give away as a gift, or

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-1878221730193399822012-06-13T14:49:00.000+09:302012-09-18T10:41:12.373+09:30

Even before I had a daughter I imagined taking her out to a cafe, chatting over the days events and pondering life together over a coffee. So as soon as she was able Little Miss and I have done just that. At first she may have had her bottle or slept in a pram while I grabbed a coffee to recharge myself for that afternoon's dinner, bath, story, story, story, song song and song then finally

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-3364570662452523792012-05-17T10:04:00.000+09:302012-05-17T10:15:43.340+09:30

How hatching baby chicks at Kindy has confused things..... "Mummy when you laid B and I did it hurt? After I stopped laughing I asked, "A little bit. Did you come in an egg?" "No," Little Miss replied, "But I was an egg inside your tummy."

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-65626241203039313352012-05-12T17:19:00.002+09:302012-05-12T17:25:49.877+09:30

B reached a milestone in the last school holidays that makes me really happy and a little bit sad at the same time. He's riding a bike. At eight it might be a bit late on his list of achievements, we haven't intentionally held him back. His late learning to ride has been a consequence of situation. Living in a house with no backyard close to busy roads then moving to a house on a hill. But over

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-52629106889503510832012-05-04T17:26:00.000+09:302012-05-12T17:30:40.635+09:30

Gever Tully explains that to help children become creative and confident we should let them do several dangerous things. And I can't help but agree, but that doesn't mean I'm ready, just yet. Thanks for passing this on to me Shiona

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-32766006071245256562012-04-26T14:35:00.000+09:302012-04-26T16:32:40.310+09:30

Right now I am so into Pinterest. It's like having a new magazine of whatever you want to look at everyday, but you can rip out your favourite pages and put them all together. I'm gaining a lot of inspiration for B and Little Miss's bedrooms. In our house we need to to a lot of renovating, kids bedrooms included. I have been admiring antique single iron beds and have been really wanting one for

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-41281023043915393332012-04-26T13:32:00.000+09:302012-04-26T13:32:11.553+09:30

This is great advice, from here

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-30949924974043158072012-04-13T11:32:00.000+09:302012-04-13T11:43:52.855+09:30

I have this little sister Ruthie, she is small and very funny. Ruthie lives on a lot of land and keeps alpacas. This Easter she had the idea to have a family picnic under a tree in a faraway paddock. So we had to trek to the paddock. Past the alpacas and

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-57446763787749533112012-03-20T22:46:00.000+10:302012-03-20T22:51:36.862+10:30

It's no secret the Chapter Forty household is a big fan of Lego. We all love the stuff. Sure it can be annoying when it's in the bed or underfoot, but I can forgive is uncomfortable corners as it's just so wonderfully creative, entertaining, imaginative and playful. I thought it couldn't get much better than that really, but then entered the Lego game Creationary. (With

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-18913682067163198202012-03-01T18:38:00.001+10:302012-03-01T18:42:08.751+10:30

That late afternoon sun is a reminder to make the most of what time is left. To love and embrace those around you. To try something new. To run just because you can. Life is too precious to worry. So have a laugh instead.

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-59006996937634848592012-02-23T13:57:00.002+10:302012-02-23T14:02:31.767+10:30

Wondering what to do with the kids? Here is a simple activity that B and Little Miss called exploding rainbows. Seeing as B can't get enough of anything war or bomb related (hear me cringe) and Little Miss's favourite colour is currently rainbow, this activity went down a treat. I also liked it as I had everything on hand and didn't need to purchase anything special. To make your own exploding

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-35994286445370971802012-02-06T14:28:00.000+10:302012-02-09T21:10:20.402+10:30

I can't help but look on my first born's birthday as the day I became a parent. B's birthday is not only a celebration for him, but a huge milestone in my life too. I never thought I would have a son who is eight. When I first held my new born son in my arms eight years ago I was so relieved. Relieved that the labour was over, relieved he had all the right bits in the right places and relieved

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-47591483928817894012012-02-02T10:31:00.001+10:302012-02-02T10:33:31.292+10:30

Self discipline is controlling yourself. I use self discipline when I stop at one chocolate biscuit. When two would be much nicer. I also try to use self discipline when the kids are going crazy. I might feel like screaming or hiding in a cupboard, but instead I try to be a reassuring calm Mum who reminds everyone about the rules. The rules are not always explicit though, like our dinner time

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-71160161620213143542012-01-20T21:28:00.003+10:302012-01-20T22:21:41.546+10:30

My sister gave me some really valuable advice around the time B was born. She told me that when its getting tough at home, its really good to get out. I remember with B as a baby taking him for walks in the pram. I would do small bits of grocery shopping everyday. He would often fall asleep with the rhythm of the pavement. People would start to nod in recognition. The pram and I a familiar sight

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-39798441344204555182012-01-18T09:25:00.000+10:302012-01-18T09:25:49.301+10:30

The last words I heard from B last night were, "I'm hungry." The first words I was woken with this morning from Little Miss were, "Mum can you make me my raisin toast now?" With a couple of weeks to go before the new year of school starts I have to say I am really craving some child free space. I would like to have two hours without being asked to do something, like preparing food or

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-36042808841821641412012-01-09T18:37:00.001+10:302012-01-09T18:37:00.161+10:30

when I am here I let my worries wash away the never ending pulse of the sea soothes me breathing in the fresh salted air cleanses me the thrill of the water, the chill that envelopes me, surrounding and supporting me I become part of the bigger picture buoyant, I am adrift from any cares looking at the horizon I am humbled, I am tiny in the ocean catching one pulse of the world on a wave

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-44744443851485001492011-12-28T18:53:00.000+10:302012-02-09T12:46:41.425+10:30

If Christmas is about giving then we did pretty well. B and Little Miss received way too many presents. At home... and at my sister's house. If Christmas is about being together as a family we did ok at that too. Even when some of the family are animals....of the alpaca variety. A baby alpaca was even born while we were there.

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175050398625549748.post-29894602376945605502011-12-18T17:10:00.001+10:302011-12-19T17:59:45.509+10:30

Dear Mum, It has been a year since you passed away. 365 days without being able to ring you up and find out about how you are feeling. 365 days of not being able to tell you about how B and Little Miss are going. A year without your common sense approach and advice. Your dinner ideas. Sharing in your delight at shopping finds, getting your daylight saving reminder, you

Chapter Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16005206439235137179noreply@blogger.com4