Tag: creative

Categories
Creative

DIY: Hand & Foot Print Canvas

Need a unique gift for a family member? Don’t have heaps of money? Well, this great project will give you a cheap gift and your family member will cherish the present for years to come.

This gift can be for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Celebrating being a new mum/dad, or even Christmas.  So don’t worry it will be perfect for any occasion.

Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!
Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for a mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!

Gather Your Materials

  • Washable Paint. If you have more than 1 child you will need different colours for each child. I purchased red, blue and white paint. I made purple paint and also pink out of these colours. I ended up having purple, pink and blue for the 3 kids to use.
  • Canvas (You can small sizes, large ones or enormous size canvas. It is up to you and the project you are making) I chose small square ones so that they would easily fit in the post and also on a wall.
  • Newspaper to cover the floor or outside area. This makes sure you don’t get too messy.
  • Towels – You might want to have towels set up on the floor to protect the path to the bathroom so that your very messy kids can not mess things up too much once they get in there to get clean. I do find that if my kids are head to toe covered in paint, the walls and doors get covered in it too. Therefore having a washable paint is ideal as all you have to do is to give the wall and floor a quick wipe and all is good.
  • Paintbrushes – We used paintbrushes to put the paint on hands and feet. You can just put your hands and feet in the paint but using the paintbrush made it a bit easier.

How To Create the Prints

Step 1: Have your paint ready to go. If you need to mix colours have it all organised before the kids get near it.

Step 2: Put the newspaper down and then lay the canvas on top.

Step 3: Make sure kids are in clothes that can get dirty and then paint a foot or a hand and press on the canvas. (You might want to figure out where each hand and foot is going to go on the canvas. You don’t want to figure it out with excited kids who are ready to paint everything and anything. Before we put anything on a canvas I spoke to the girls about where each person’s hand was going to go and we were going to save space for the baby as well.)

Step 4: Since I was making more than one canvas at the same time I did this 3 times for each person. I made one for my Mother in Law, one for my mum and also one for me!

Step 5: Once you have all the hands and prints on the canvas, it now needs to dry. It should dry well overnight and be ready to post the next day. I picked one up for my Mother in Law. It just needed some bubble wrap to protect it and it sat in the box with the other goodies for her birthday.

 

This is a good rainy day activity. I am sure it will keep the kids happy and having fun. Afterward, they can have a bubble bath and you get some peace and quiet after they are relaxed and tired.

Maybe after the bath put on a film for them to watch or read them a story…… I do live in hope that the kids will be super tired after activities.

Oh well, whatever you do enjoy. I hope this gives you some great ideas and a cheap gift idea to create.

 

 

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Categories
Creative Uncategorised

DIY: Hand & Foot Print Canvas

Need a unique gift for a family member? Don’t have heaps of money? Well this great project will give you a cheap gift and your family member will cherish the present for years to come.

This gift can be for birthday’s, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Celebrating being a new mum/dad, or even Christmas.  So don’t worry it will be perfect for any occasion.

Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!
Create your own hand and feet print canvas, great gift idea. Be prepared for mess. It was a bunch of fun though, but the baby got the messiest. Enjoy!

Gather Your Materials

  • Washable Paint. If you have more than 1 child you will need different colours for each child. I purchased red, blue and white paint. I made purple paint and also pink out of these colours. I ended up having purple, pink and blue for the 3 kids to use.
  • Canvas (You can small sizes, large ones or enormous size canvas. It is up to you and the project you are making) I chose small square ones so that they would easily fit in the post and also on a wall.
  • Newspaper to cover the floor or outside area. This makes sure you don’t get too messy.
  • Towels – You might want to have towels set up on the floor to protect the path to the bathroom so that your very messy kids can not mess things up too much once they get in there to get clean. I do find that if my kids are head to toe covered in paint, the walls and doors get covered in it too. Therefore having a washable paint is ideal as all you have to do is to give the wall and floor a quick wipe and all is good.
  • Paint brushes – We used the paint brushes to put the paint on hands and feet. You can just put your hands and feet in the paint but using the paint brush made it a bit easier.

How To Create the Prints

Step 1: Have your paint ready to go. If you need to mix colours have it all organised before the kids get near it.

Step 2: Put the newspaper down and then lay the canvas on top.

Step 3: Make sure kids are in clothes that can get dirty and then paint a foot or a hand and press on the canvas. (You might want to figure out where each hand and foot is going to go on the canvas. You don’t want to figure it out with excited kids who are ready to paint everything and anything. Before we put anything on a canvas I spoke to the girls about where each persons hand was going to go and we were going to save space for the baby as well.)

Step 4: Since I was making more than one canvas at the same time I did this 3 times for each person. I made one for my Mother in Law, one for my mum and also one for me!

Step 5: Once you have all the hands and prints on the canvas, it now needs to dry. It should dry well overnight and be ready to post the next day. I packed one up for my Mother in Law. It just needed some bubble wrap to protect it and it sat in the box with the other goodies for her birthday.

 

This is a good rainy day activity. I am sure it will keep the kids happy and having fun. Afterwards they can have a bubble bath and you get some peace and quiet after they are relaxed and tried. Maybe after the bath put on a film for them to watch or read them a story…… I do live in hope  that the kids will be super tired after activities.

Oh well, whatever you do enjoy. I hope this gives you some great ideas and a cheap gift idea to create.

 

Categories
6 years and beyond

Timothy is a girl!

One kid in our house has named a toy lemur Timothy. When it first happened I referred to Timothy as a him and a boy. This was corrected quickly and with attitude, “Timothy is a GIRL mummy!” “Okay”, I said. However I did point out that Timothy is a boys name and that is why I thought the toy was a boy.

Timothy's close up. She is a natural with the camera.
Timothy’s close up. She is a natural with the camera.

I do love this creativity and difference naming her toy and did not want to crush this. She then asked if it is okay to name her toy Timothy, and I said you can name your toys whatever you wish, it is up to you. After this she had a big smile on her face.

Have you had a child name a toy a boy/girls name to then find out that the toy in question is the opposite sex for the name?

Last night the kids had a big meltdown and it was over Timothy. One kid said Timothy is a boys name and the other who named the toy said Timothy is a girls name. She was an hysterical mess that I had to calm her down. It did not help that her sister kept on saying it’s a boy, and she was yelling and screaming she is a GIRL! Gosh talk about drama!

We then explained again that Timothy is a boys name but told her she can call her toys anything she wishes. She still thinks Timothy is a girls name and that it is not a boys name. If this is her thinking at six years old, I wonder what she might name her kids if she has any when older.  I do think it is down to age and that she has just picked a name for her toy and decided it was a girl. Simple as that.

Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.
Timothy showing her side view model pose. She is in the backyard, but she calls it the jungle. Timothy is available for modelling jobs. Just email me.

However if you come and visit and this kid has her toy lemur with her, it is a girl and it is called Timothy!

It is not a boy and anyone that says this will be not favoured by this child.

You can learn the hard way or just deal with the six year old strangeness.

What have the toys in your house been called?

Anything like Timothy for a girl lemur? Let us know.

#TimothyTheGirlLemur

 

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Categories
Creative

DIY: Get Creative with Sharpies

This post was originally created for a Father’s Day tutorial. However this could be applied for Christmas gifts, birthdays and anything at all. Use it to create some great presents for Christmas.

 

I do have something organised for hubby for Father’s Day. However I thought it might be nice for the twins to do something creative for daddy themselves. I have had some friends do things with sharpie pens and I have always been curious. Online I saw that you can decorate a mug/cup with sharpie pens, then bake it and all good to use. How amazing and interesting. Will it work? The only way is to give it a go.

createacupfordad_web

So I got the kids some sharpie pens from the shop and a white mug each and then each child had to decorate them.  I told them that they can do whatever design they wished to. One child was very expressive and creative and wanted to colour the whole mug in and the other was trying to draw and write more on the mug. Interesting the difference. It did not matter what they created, it was an expression of them to their daddy.

What do you need?

1. Sharpie Pens. I purchased mine individually as this worked out a little cheaper. You can get a pack of 12 for about $20. Packs I saw for less varied between $14 or more.

2. A cup or a mug to decorate. I choose to have white mugs as then the colours from the pens will show up more

3. An oven to bake the mugs in

Concentrating on her creation for daddy.
Concentrating on her creation for daddy.

What is the process?

1. Once you have all your materials ready you can then start.

2. Decorate your mugs

3. Finalise your decoration and once happy you are ready to bake in the oven.

4. Bake in the oven for 30mins at 180°C or 356°F

Once baked you are good to use the cup. Might need to wait a bit and hand wash carefully to make sure it is all clean to use. As I have never done this before I am keen to see how they go. I would not put in the dishwasher.

Happy creating and this is a great cheap last minute gift for Father’s Day. Have fun!

Finished mugs ready to be baked
Finished mugs ready to be baked

Note: Some colours after it was baked have changed. The gold seems to have turned into brown. Maybe I need to get different sharpies next time.

Categories
5 years and beyond

Knitting Dolls

Did you have a Knitting Nancy or knitting doll as a kid? I did. When I lived in Townsville we went to the boat club for their annual Christmas party. Santa Claus arrived by helicopter and presented all kids there with a gift. I got a Knitting Nancy and loved it!

This is the Knitting Nancy I had as a child.
This is the Knitting Nancy I had as a child.

I had to drop the kids off early at school to be home at a certain time to work on things. Due to the twins being early for class they have taken to going to the library to look at books and to colour in. One of the teachers gave Julia a home made knitting doll well, not really a doll but more of a version with a toilet roll holder and paddle pop sticks. She is loving it. She is now taking her knitting everywhere and has announced to hubby that she is going to make him a scarf.

Julia's knitting. She has done such a great job so far.
Julia’s knitting. She has done such a great job so far.
Look nearly poking out of the holder. Julia is very proud of the fact that she is creating more and more each time. Daddy will have a scarf soon.
Look nearly poking out of the holder. Julia is very proud of the fact that she is creating more and more each time. Daddy will have a scarf soon.
What her DIY sewing doll looks like. Such vibrant pink wool!
What her DIY sewing doll looks like. Such vibrant pink wool!

Both kids seem very interested in knitting and this technique to create things. I have ordered both kids a wooden doll knitter and in fact they are Fairy Knitting Dolls below that I have purchased from Gumnut Toys

These are the fairy knitting dolls that I have orderd for the twins. Cannot wait till they turn up!
These are the fairy knitting dolls that I have ordered for the twins. Cannot wait till they turn up!

As the above images have shown you can do this type of knitting without any fancy tools or devices. You can make your own. I love this. I searched the internet and found a great DIY Post from Heidi from Hands Occupied. She gives a great guide on How to create a DIY Knitting Loom & Knit with it.

Have you created one of these DIY looms/knitting dolls? I am amazed that Julia is getting such joy doing this knitting and task. She is learning a new skill and creating something at the same time. Her sister also is keen and has given it a go. I loved my Knitting Nancy as a kid. I created such wonderful creations, mainly big snakes. What have you created or remember you made with yours?

With many children sitting and watching screens these days, doing something with your hands and creative is a great idea. I hope that I can remember how to work the knitting fairies when they turn up. I also had no idea that the girls would love doing this. I thank the teacher at the school for giving the girls something to keep them busy, creative and a new skill to learn.

Julia loves it and is even taking her knitting to bed to do it before she falls asleep. So cute to watch really. Such a fussy pot now with her knitting and no one can touch it. I secretly took the pictures of her knitting and have put it back carefully in the bag in her room. Yes I don’t want to get into trouble!

What have your kids tried that you did as a kid? I think that this type of toy is timeless. What are your thoughts?

Categories
Sewing

Sew Gabba Gabba Shirts In 5 Steps

Do your kids love Yo Gabba Gabba? Mine do and in fact they are rather obsessed with the show and of course the characters. When the girls were about two we took them to see Yo Gabba Gabba at the Opera House. They were so happy and hysterical when their favourite characters graced the stage. At the time Lillian’s fav was Foofa and it has remained. Julia loved Muno, and still does but now is wanting everything Toodee.

I of course was online and fell across an advertisement saying that Yo Gabba Gabba was going to be in Sydney. Yes another show! It was going to be at Luna Park and we were all lucky to attend last Saturday the 28th, and how amazing it worked in being the first weekend of the school holidays.

So what do you do for your very obsessed kids who want to look the part when they attend the concert of their dreams? You make each child a t-shirt with their favourite character on it. Yes that is what I did! What a nice mummy I am.

Sew Yo Gabba Gabba Shirts in 5 Easy Steps
Sew Yo Gabba Gabba Shirts in 5 Easy Steps

Here are the instructions on how I created these super wonderful shirts that would make any child obsessed with Gabbaland amazingly happy. Trust me, the twins thinks they are amazing.

What To Do:

Disclaimer: I am not selling these shirts or profiting by the Yo Gabba Gabba characters. I am just a mum that wanted to do something special for her kids.

Step 1: Pick shirts that are similar colours for the character you are wanting to add to the shirt/long sleeve top. I made sure to pick a bigger size as I did not want to do all this work and have the girls grow out of them too quickly.

Step 2: Find a picture of the character that you would like, Muno, Plex, Toodee, Foofa, Brobee, or DJ Lance Rock. I found that having just a head shot and limiting it to just top shoulders was best. This allowed me to Just focus on the face and spend time getting that right.

Once I had the picture of the character I made the image bigger in Photoshop. Once I had this image the right size, I then printed it out. I found printing with Microsoft word gave me the right alignment on the a4 sheet better than just printing the image itself. To make it easier I created a word doc of each character and then all I had to do was print.

I used these pictures, but you can find them all online if you do a simple Google search.

Step 3: You will need to print the same character several times. The reason for this is so that you can cut out all shapes that go into the character, eyes, pupil for the eyes, body, nose, mouth, teeth, whiskers, flower and so on. Think about what you need for each material colour and cut it out accordingly.

All the bits to make Foofa out of material. Getting there.
All the bits to make Foofa out of material. Getting there.
All the bits to make a material Toodee. Looking good so far.
All the bits to make a material Toodee. Looking good so far.

NOTE: Make sure to wash your fabric before use. You don’t want to spend all this time to then wash it and it shrinks or the colour in the fabric runs. I used cord for the dark pink on the Foofa shirt and it is fraying more than the Toodee shirt. Next time I will pick just plain cotton material and make the patch in that before I sew it on the shirt.

Step 4: Sew the bits to make the character. Do all the creating before you attach it to the shirt. It can get a bit fiddly but stick with it. You will be amazed at yourself when you are done. Trust me!

Step 5: Once you have your character all finished, pin to the shirt and sew it on. Now you should have finished shirts or one if you just making one. I have to do things in twos.

See the finished product

Here are the girls before the show at Luna Park wearing their new shirts mummy made

Happy girls with their new Toodee and Foofa shirts.
Happy girls with their new Toodee and Foofa shirts.

Here are some pictures of the day at Luna Park

Amazed and happy to be at the Yo Gabba Gabba Show
Amazed and happy to be at the Yo Gabba Gabba Show
The girls took their toys that we got at the last Gabba Show with them. They wanted Muno and Foofa to be there with them. While the kids were dancing Foofa and Muno had a rest.
The girls took their toys that we got at the last Gabba Show with them. They wanted Muno and Foofa to be there with them. While the kids were dancing Foofa and Muno had a rest.

DANCING TO MUSIC IS AWESOME!

How cool to be so close to DJ Lance Rock and all the characters from Gabbaland.
How cool to be so close to DJ Lance Rock and all the characters from Gabbaland.
We had a 4pm show at Luna Park and when we left it was dark. The ferry trip was amazing for the twins. They loved seeing the city lit up.
We had a 4pm show at Luna Park and when we left it was dark. The ferry trip was amazing for the twins. They loved seeing the city lit up.
Managed a great shot of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city while on the ferry. Hubby did a great job with these shots.
Managed a great shot of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city while on the ferry. Hubby did a great job with these shots.
Categories
Review

Review: Beetle Bottoms and The Eyes in the Night

Do you love books that are wonderful to look at? How about books that get your children to get outdoors and explore? Well I do! Beetle Bottoms are just the answer if you want your kids to be involved in nature, reading and have some fun. The kind people at Beetle Bottoms sent me their latest book and the kids loved it!  (Read to the bottom as you will get a promo code for a free game with the order of this book)

Beetle Bottoms new book. Eyes in the Night.
Beetle Bottoms new book. Eyes in the Night.

What are Beetle Bottoms?

Beetle Bottoms are tiny people that live in gardens all over the world. There are a handful of people that have noticed them as they are no bigger than an apple pip.  Why not go outside to see if you can spy any beetle bottoms playing in your backyard.

Beetle Bottoms have books and story play games that encourage fun, reading, exploration, children’s creativity and confidence.  If you are looking for a great gift that kids will adore this is well worth a look. The twins love the books and especially the story play cards. 

What is Beetle Bottoms and the Eyes in the Night about?

After a swarm of bees lands in her tree, Pip wakes to discover a pair of eyes looking at her. She soon discovers that they belong to a boy called Hummer. This is the first time Pip has met a Beetle Bottom that has different colour skin than herself.  Although shocked and amazed (she did not know there was another lot of Beetle Bottoms that lived in the garden), Pip likes Hummer instantly and they are firm friends.

This book shows acceptance of people, races and cultures. It helps children see the world through others eyes.

The book is so beautifully illustrated and a joy to look at.

A page from the book, Beetle Bottoms and the eyes in the night.
A page from the book, Beetle Bottoms and the eyes in the night.

Great offer from Beetle Bottoms

Would you like to get a free memory and snap game when you purchase the book, Beetle Bottoms and the Eyes in the Night? What a great gift this would make!  The wonderful people at Beetle Bottoms are giving my readers a promo code to enter and it will automatically add the memory snap game to your order when you purchase the book.

Promo code: Play Time

 

What a great way to get a fabulous present for your child, friend or grandchild. Fun educational games and books are just the key to a happy child and parent.

 

After reading this latest Beetle Bottom book the twins had to go into the garden to search for Beetle Bottoms.

 

                             Do you think we found some? 

Here are the Beetle Bottoms living in our garden
Here are the Beetle Bottoms living in our garden
Do you think the Beetle Bottoms live in the mushrooms?
Do you think the Beetle Bottoms live in the mushrooms?

Enjoy reading the new book from Beetle Bottoms and you will love their memory snap game as well. Why not check out their other products as well. The girls love exploring and creating stories to do with the Beetle Bottoms. What about your kids? Let us know.

Categories
Sewing

Make Your Own Tea Towels

I thought what could I make to be Christmas presents and decided on tea towels. Yes I am making tea towels as part of my Christmas gifts to family. I have made some and need to finish off quite a lot to be ready for next week. I really have my work cut out for me.

My finished products. Don't they look good.
My finished products. Don’t they look good.
I loved this fabric as well. You could either make tea towels, a table cloth or an apron out of this material. Very much for the chef.
I loved this fabric as well. You could either make tea towels, a table cloth or an apron out of this material. Very much for the chef.
One of the fabrics I chose. I love it as it is different and great for a Christmas present.
One of the fabrics I chose. I love it as it is different and great for a Christmas present..

So how do you make a tea towel. Well you need to do the following:

  • Pick material that is 100% cotton. I chose thicker cotton material that will wear well as a tea towel.
  • What size will you make them? Will they be larger or the average size for a tea towel?
  • If you have a favourite tea towel why not measure the size of that and base the pattern on this size. This way you will be happy with the size and also the fabric as well.
  • Make sure to have the right colour cotton thread to match as this makes it look better and not to see all the seams is nice. However if you are clever you can make a nice decoration with an alternate colour thread. It is up to you and depends on the look you are going for.
  • I purchased 3 metres of each fabric and that has given us 10 tea towels of each type. You might get more depending on the size you make them.

TIP: To get a neat edge, fold over a little edge all round and iron. Then fold over again. This way when you sew it all round you will not see the bits left or any part that might fray. As it is cotton material there is a tendency to fray. If it is folded over and sewn in then this will not happen. Also it looks like a better professional finish

 

So a tea towel is just a piece of material that is neatly sewn all around. You can make them fancy by adding patches, fabric stamping and the like. If you have a tag to add you can add that as well so everyone knows you made it.

I am now thinking of making more and getting more creative with them. They are fun and easy to produce. Maybe I could be the tea towel queen if I ever get really good at it. Look out I might be at your local markets soon with a supply of home made tea towels.

So now I need to get serious and get onto to finishing my batch that I need for Christmas. I have also been cleaning the house, entertaining kids and now they are on holidays! Lets hope that my plans go well. They of course have not had a great start today as I have not stopped sneezing and feel like I am very sick currently.

I need to power on and make more tea towels as hubby would not be pleased with me if he came to find all material not created into towels for the kitchen. So in the next days until Christmas I will be busy working away in my hidden workshop, otherwise known as the dining room (I don’t have a dedicated room for sewing or craft) working away to complete the job.

What have you made or are making for Christmas presents? Send in your comments.

Categories
Guest Post

Enriching Playtime with Music

Enriching Playtime with Music. Image from momitforward.com
Enriching Playtime with Music. Image from momitforward.com

Whether singing songs with your toddler or playing classical music to the baby in your growing womb, most people already recognize the benefits of exposing young children to music. Here are some of the pretty amazing impacts which music can have on little ones.

Music and the Young Brain

Song and other music represent powerful tools for development because they simultaneously promote growth in a number of different areas. Simply singing a lullaby while nursing or rocking a baby to sleep can stimulate early language development, encourage attachment and increase a baby’s expanding spatial awareness.

Engaging with your child through music, whether it is sing-along time or dancing, is a social experience which helps little one’s learn valuable social and emotional skills. Lullabies may help with self regulation. Songs from your childhood support cultural awareness. Self-esteem and self-confidence come from enjoying sound and taking part in it.

As musical sound helps kids begin to comprehend emotions and build relationships, their fine and gross motor skills also begin to develop and improve. Learning to clap and use your fingers during interactive tunes like, “Wheels on the Bus” or “I’m a Little Teapot” can foster balance, coordination and motor control.

Music at Play

For children, play is an essential component of learning and growing. Playtime activities allow their imaginations to expand as they emulate the real world and practice interacting.

There are many different types of play. Some of the basics include:

  • Active, physical play
  • Dramatic, imaginative play
  • Creative, expressive play
  • Social play
  • Mental play

Music can combine with any of these play styles. During active play, children can dance to an upbeat song. In dramatic play, little ones can present a performance. As a part of creative play, they can invent new songs, practice beating a drum or create their own instrument out of craft supplies.

Social play refers to interaction between children. And music can be a part of this as well when kids sing songs together, etc. Finally, when exploring the world of mental play, children can learn about rhythm and beat and naming the notes in music.

Incorporating Music Every Day

Music is a powerful tool for simply lifting a family’s mood. “According to a recent Harris Interactive survey of parents and children ages 1—5 years,” writes blog.nj.com, “listening to music during playtime makes children happier, sillier, more excited and engages them in play for longer periods of time; music also makes parents feel more relaxed.”

Music and play fit together very naturally. And even without parents’ help, most kids will add music to their fun activities through singing and drumming on pots and pans. But the surprising benefits of music exposure should certainly motivate moms and dads to consciously introduce music into the home.

With Christmas coming up, there are some fantastic gifts that will encourage children to play with music. There are basic instruments that make great stocking stuffers and presents like:

  • Rhythm sticks
  • Penny whistle
  • Recorder
  • Harmonica
  • Beat drums
  • Tambourine
  • Keyboard
  • Melody harp
  • Ukulele

By singing in the car, playing with beginner instruments and dancing in the living room, kids and parents alike can enjoy the amazing effects of music and play.

A bit about Jessica Socheski:

Jessica is a freelance writer who is passionate about family life and college success. When not writing and researching, you can find Jessica swimming at the beach.  You can connect with Jessica via Twitter @JessicaSocheski

Categories
4 years and beyond

Budding Artists

Do your kids love technology, mine do and seem to know how to use it instantly. Maybe this is a sign of the times or just good tools that are easy to use. We are lucky to have a tablet and the girls seem to understand how to use it. iPads and the likes of the Google Nexus are so easy to use, even a toddler can do it.

My girls lately have insisted that they want to make videos for their songs, and have told me and daddy that they want to be video musicians. Basically they want to have video clips of their songs. You have heard it here first. My kids have decided they want to be stars. Not sure if this will happen but you never know. I wanted to be on the record in case they become huge and popular artists. I know they are clever what ever they do, they don’t have to be a musician or a pop artist, they will be fine what ever they decide. So don’t think I am putting pressure on them to be a rock star.

Mind you if they get rich and make it as rock stars then they can care for their parents, well why not?  My iPhone has so many videos of the girls singing and pictures pulling funny faces. They both love taking pictures and being able to see what they have taken and the ability to turn the camera around to take pictures of themselves.

Funny faces on the iPhone camera
Funny faces on the iPhone camera
Funny faces on the iPhone camera
Funny faces on the iPhone camera
Funny faces on the iPhone camera - Rock star look already
Funny faces on the iPhone camera – Rock star look already

What is the strangest picture your kids have taken on your phone or computer tablet?

Send in comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond Creative

Cardboard is king

Cardboard a great toy
Cardboard, a great toy

On Friday I visited some friends, and the girls were given a cardboard box to play with. The girls were pretending to be a Jack in the Box. This game got a bit tricky as they then had to dodge the big giant hand, which was my friend Fred trying to tickle or scare the girls; this led to screeches of laughter.

It was this moment that I thought how simple it is, just give a child a cardboard box and they are happy for hours. All the different things that a cardboard box can become, a jack in the box, a house, a shop, a table, a bed for the dog/baby/mummy or whoever they are pretending to be at the time.

We received a gift card from my mother, for James and my birthday next month, and this was for a new microwave. I know not the most exciting present, but as money is tight and our old one ended up on fire a new one was in order. The gift card got to me by Friday so Saturday we all went to the shops to purchase the new microwave, and as you guessed it. It comes with a big box.

The girls now have this big box in the living room and have been happy pretending it is all sorts of things. James wanted to throw it out, however I saved it as I think the girls would be crushed if it disappeared. They have been giggling away, jumping in and out of it and also organising cushions and blankets for the inside. Boxes definitely help to build imaginary worlds that your child/children can be engrossed in for hours on end.

 

Relaxing in the box
Relaxing in the box
Very happy in our house
Very happy in our house
Nice to watch some tv
Nice to watch some tv

Do your children like to play with boxes? What is the most creative thing that you have turned your box or boxes into? If you have the time, patience and energy, you can create some wonderful things out of cardboard.

Here are some great links that will give you some inspiration:

Send in your comments and maybe some of your works of art.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Unstructured for social skills

Unstructured play is now a very popular term for just leaving the kids alone to play. Well they are not actually alone as you are still keeping an eye on them; however you are not participating and helping with their play/downtime.  When I was young we were left to play without parents interfering, nearly all of the time.

My girls run around the backyard and have the best time; they invent games, songs, pretend that they are someone else and just have a have a ball. When did this stop being the norm? Why is it that we are seeing articles spruiking the positives of unstructured play?

Today on the Essential Kids website, there is an article “The chance to play without interference” by Andrew Daddo. I agree with Andrew here, that we are finding this so interesting, and as he rightly points out, “Play something you shouldn’t have to plan – play is just play.”

The other day I saw another  article on Essential Kids: “Put the fun back into child’s play” by Melinda Ham. This article details a study that Professor Anita Bundy, of the University of Sydney and a team of seven academics are conducting. The experiment was conducted in 12 primary Schools in the inner west of Sydney. The academics put recycled materials, bales of hay, tyres, and plastic tubing in the playground to see how the kids interacted with these items, how it influenced play and the children’s social world.

Through this experiment children learnt how to cooperate, ask for help, join in with others and be one of the team.  I would be very interested to see more of the results from this study.

Having the children play by themselves or with playmates in the backyard, park or friends house is not a new idea. I suppose we as parents think that we need to control, look after and make sure that there are toys and things to do… if there is not the kids might get bored.

I think that a little bit of unstructured play, or just plain old creative fun helps development.  I am sure that it has helped my girls, I have had chats with Annabelle, Tananda, Grandma, Grandad, Nana, Opa and that is just some of the people they were pretending to be, just this afternoon.  The amazing stories that are concocted in the backyard are just amazing.

What do you think about the new term unstructured play? Did you have unstructured play when you were little? Do you feel kids need more of this?  Do they have too much of teachers, parents and others telling them what to play and with? Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Little performers

Yesterday we spent the day with great aunty Jean and Grandma. We went shopping and had lunch out. I even was able to do some secret Easter shopping for the girls, although still need to get the eggs.

After shopping we all went back to Jean’s place to get ready for dinner and the exciting part was daddy was joining us as well. The girls were going all day since 7am so I was hoping that they might rest at this stage. This was not to be so. They ran around the house, and were creating games at every turn.  I was pleased that they were happy and would sleep well that night as we had a big day.

Dinner was lovely and one of daddy’s favourites; however it was not a hit with the girls. They pushed it away and said that it was yucky, and they did not want it. We explained that there was no other choice for dinner and this was it. If they were hungry they would eat it. Still no go.

It was only with the idea of missing out on dessert (ice cream and jelly), that they thought that it might be an idea to eat a little of the dinner. We said that if they make an effort and have some more then they can get desert. It was not a great effort but both girls had more than they would have. So they ended up with desert, although the downed the ice cream very quickly and left the jelly.

After dinner, the girls got up on a raised area that they call the stage and gave us all a performance. It was a very interesting show indeed, we had performances from Chuggington, Angelina Ballerina, and the girls did some dancing. I asked the girls if they can share some of their songs with us and they stood on the stage and sung us all the songs they knew, even one that a boy at school taught them which has a funny ending. They are such little performers; they even sold tickets and were setting up the props for the show.  This was not the first time we had a show on this stage, last time the girls were there they did a playschool show, it was mostly singing into pretend microphones.

I must say they are very creative; it makes us all think they are going to be in the theatre or something similar.  Who knows, it is probably just the age they are. Does your child perform for guests or you? Everything is so detailed with the girls, they have stories for everything, what about your child?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Jokers

Yesterday the girls were telling us jokes. We noticed very early on that they both have a good sense of humour, however now they are telling “Why did a banana cross the road jokes”. And yes the answer is to get to the other side.  I checked with Daddy and he did not tell them this joke. The only place would be pre-school. I then asked the girls did they hear it at school, and at bed time Lillian told me that a boy was telling the jokes, she would show me what boy. I don’t mind who told the joke, or where or when it happened. I was curious about it as it is yet another skill they are learning, joke telling.

This skill of joke telling seems to be only funny currently to the girls, although that said the way they giggle and carry on it makes you giggle too.  The crossing the road joke, was then told by Julia who told me about a house, with a roof and windows, and then she was in a fit of giggles. Lillian started off the versions of the pooh and wee wee’s crossing the road. It got to a level last night that it was all about pooh dingle something… not quite sure really.

The only thing matters is that they are having fun. After finally saying goodnight to grandma on the phone, she got them telling knock knock jokes. This as you might have guessed got into the same, there was a pooh or a wee wee at the door. Hilarious.  Well it was for the girls, hours of fun giggling and not going to bed. Just was pleased it was giggles not screams and tears.

What jokes has your child/children told you? Was it funny to you or just the child? It is a great thing to watch the amusement that comes from telling jokes. It is interesting from a behavioural aspect that they are now understanding a lot more how to tell a joke, making up their own jokes and understanding about punch lines. The girls have done this before, however with the introduction of school, I am sure that we will get more of them. My little jokers will have enough to keep us all in stitches.

Categories
Creative

Painting in the shower is fun for all

Shaving cream paint
Shaving cream paint

Have you ever thought how do you make things more interesting for your child/children. The girls for a while have been wanting to do more artistic things so I searched high and low to find out more that I can do. Ages ago, I found this great site called, “I can teach my child“, this has great creative and educational ideas. On this site, I found a great way for the girls to paint while we are having a shower. It is a no mess, fun and creative way for your little one to just go mad and you are happy as the shower washes it all away.

I have added to the idea by making sure that I put the paint in a silicone cupcake container. This means it is easy to clean, just pop it in the sink and rinse out or straight into the dishwasher.

Okay, I suppose you now want to know what I am talking about. Well, it is shaving cream paint.

Step1: Purchase the cheapest shaving cream you can find.

Step 2: Before the shower, put shaving cream into the silicone cupcake container.

Step 3: Add food colouring to each area and mix it with a spoon. Make sure that it is all mixed in and if not to your liking add more colouring.

Step 4: Have paint brushes for the kids.

Step 5: Have a shower and then watch them go crazy painting the shower and being creative. It is so much fun that you end up getting painted as well. You can paint the kids also.

Did you end up with wonderful artwork on the shower wall? Or did your kids get covered in paint head to toe? Let us know.

I hope you enjoyed this and of course it means that your kids will be happy to take a shower.