Tag: school

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Sewing

9 Steps to Make A Book Bag

The twins as you know started school last week. In the guidelines for the school they needed a draw string bag for library books. We did have something like that but it would be like all the other kids at the school. How would my little ones make sure that their bag was theirs, and instantly see it without taking another kids bag?

My tip was to have fabric that is bright and colourful and is unique to the girls bags only. If we had the same as the rest of the kids it would get mixed up. I chose a strong drill cotton fabric as it is going to be getting a workout with kids and especially the books that they put in it. See below for the fabric that I used.

The bright funky material I used for the library bags
The bright funky material I used for the library bags

9 Steps to make a Book Bag

Step 1: I measured a tote bag and then made it a little bigger height wise. I got a large book that the kids loved and used that as a guide. You don’t want to have it not fit larger books.

Step 2: I had a large piece of material and cut out each piece by leaving it joined together. This meant that I only had to sew the left and right edges and make the casing for the elastic. The bottom of the bag was already part of the material and did not need to be sewn.

Step 3: Once I had each bag material organised, I then decided to make a pocket for each bag. On each pocket is each child’s initial. One has a J and the other has an L. This was used to so each child knows whose bag is which.

Pockets with Letters on them for each child
Pockets with Letters on them for each child

Step 4: Cut out the letters from your choice of fabric. Have the pockets or patch material squares or whatever shape you have chosen. Once you have the letters, pin them to the material and sew them together.

 

Sewing the L onto the pocket
Sewing the L onto the pocket

Step 5: Once you have your pockets ready to go, then pin them to the right side of the bag and attach now. If you wait to do when the bag is done it will not be as easy. Now you have the pockets or patches on the bag.

Pocket attached to the bag. You will also note that the material is joined on the bottom and the left and right sides still need to be sewn.
Pocket attached to the bag. You will also note that the material is joined on the bottom and the left and right sides still need to be sewn.

Step 6: Now you need to sew the left and right sides of the bag together. Don’t sew all the way up as we need to leave a gap so that we can make the casing. I stopped about 5cms or little bit more from the top of my bag.

Step 7: Now fold down the sides and sew them. You can see this in the photo. Make sure you don’t close the opening as this is how the elastic goes in and out for each sides of tie.

Sew the sides and join them with a sitch that joins them together but does not seal the opening.
Sew the sides and join them with a sitch that joins them together but does not seal the opening.

Step 8: Now you need to fold down the top to make the casing. Best to use an iron for this and other parts when you need to have it folded down and more accurate. Once you fold it down pin it and then sew around the edges, but make sure to leave the opening not sewn.

Sew around the edge to hold the top bit you folded over to be the casing. Make sure to join the gap so it holds but don't sew it closed.
Sew around the edge to hold the top bit you folded over to be the casing. Make sure to join the gap so it holds but don’t sew it closed.
Folding down the casing and pinning it on the ironing board
Folding down the casing and pinning it on the ironing board

Step 9: Once you have sewn it all round the top of the casing, you now need to put the elastic in. I used one continuous elastic but you can have different things like ribbon. Why not have different ribbon on each side and add some beads? Nice decorative touch. I ended up sewing the ends of the elastic together so that it does not get lost in the bag. Before I did this I added some beads to make it have something extra.

Sewing the casing
Sewing the casing
Make sure to attach a safety pin to your elastic. It makes it much easier to find and push through the casing.
Make sure to attach a safety pin to your elastic. It makes it much easier to find and push through the casing.

So would you like to see the finished products?

Finished Book Bag
Lillian’s Finished Book Bag
Julia's Book Bag. Note the beads.
Julia’s Book Bag. Note the beads.
Works well and even has a book in it already!
Works well and even has a book in it already!

These did not take long at all to do. I took a day and did some finishing touches in the evening. However, I think I will be quicker next time and be able to get it done in a matter of hours. So what do you think? I think they came out quite well and at least the twins have a book bag that they know is theirs and can look after the library books.

Let me know how your projects are going? Have you made something for school yet? Send in our comments.

 

I’ve cut the steps down to 7 and now you can download the PDF Guide

Categories
5 years and beyond

Tales from School

Mood Ring. Image found on Pinterest
Mood Ring. Image found on Pinterest

First Tale

Yesterday when I picked up the twins from school I learnt that Lillian was stressed. Yes stressed!!!! Julia had an older girl buddy and both girls have been hanging with her and this girls bestie. This bestie had a mood ring. She allowed the twins to have a go and it concluded that Lillian was indeed stressed. Gosh, if she is stressed now what will it be like when she is older.  I did explain that this is just a bit of fun and the colour changes due to your body heat. The girls did not believe me and said, “You are wrong mummy, Lillian is stressed, the ring said!” O>K…. fine!

Second Tale

Wednesday I gave each child a $2 coin so that they could go to the canteen. When I picked them up that afternoon I found out how they used their money.

Julia was so happy and told me, “Mummy they gave me money!” I then explained that this was change from your money. She thought that she got more and they were so great to give her more. I could not help but have a chuckle at this.

I then asked what each child purchased with their money. Both of them told me that they got watermelon. Wow, how great that they chose something good for them, the girls love watermelon.

I could see how big they felt with their own money and going off to the canteen all by themselves. They both looked so proud of themselves and it was great to witness.

How are your kids going at school?

How is school going for your kids? Do you have any funny stories so far? If so share them. Hope your kids are loving school and having a great time.

Categories
5 years and beyond School

Kindy is a hit

The girls have taken to big school very well, and are enjoying it. On the first day there was a little confusion with one child. She did not understand when they all walked out the room at the end of the day and got their bags that the school day was done.

She raced out upset, crying and very shaken. She then told us after asking for a while what was the matter? she then told us, “They left her!”, “Even the teacher did not help me with my bag!” I was not sure how one child knew what to do and the others, and of course my other little girl did not. I can only imagine that she was involved in her colouring or activity that she did not hear the instruction.  Then when the kids walked out of the room she was of course thinking they were coming back. We of course consoled her and explained that it was the end of the school day and no one was leaving her.

So far the kids like school, but I do think it is making them exhausted. This is great if they just got home and crashed out. Not to be. They fit it and stay up! This in turn creates snarkiness, anger, and both of them being awful to each other. This charming behaviour then does not help anyone, and gets me and hubby upset.

The twins had their swimming lesson today and I hoped that this would have knocked them out by the time we got home. No, they had to wait until the limits were pushed and everyone was getting into trouble.

Although it was a disaster tonight they fell asleep quite quickly. Maybe next week will be different. My poor little babies are so tired. They are sleeping in the morning and not helping themselves by staying up late.

I am putting them to bed at a reasonable hour, but they muck up. Did your kids/child do this when they first started school?

I am pleased that they are meeting new kids and making friends. However I was told today one of our girls got told to stop making popping noises with her mouth and finger. She is very clever now doing it, but when the teacher is talking not a good idea. The other child joined in other kids making zapping noises with her mouth and was told to refrain from the teacher as well. Day 3 and they are already being told not to do something.

They are little and don’t so are still pushing limits and learning the rules. Let me know your stories and how your little one is going at their first taste of big school.

Categories
5 years and beyond School

Big School Starts Today

My little girls start school or should I say my big girls. They have grown up a lot and I cannot believe they will be at school today and all week.

Below is a picture of the girls and I soon after they were born. They were 6 weeks early and of course tiny as you can see from the picture.

Mummy and the girls on the 27th of Sept, 2008. Katoomba Hosp. Julia on left, Lillian on right.
Mummy and the girls on the 27th of Sept, 2008. Katoomba Hosp. Julia on left, Lillian on right.
Julia and Lilian on last day of school for term 1 2012 for preschool
Julia and Lilian on last day of school for term 1 2012 for preschoolLast day of school

 

Last day of School for 2012
Last day of School for 2012
The girls last day of preschool 2013 - Look how big and grown up they are!
The girls last day of preschool 2013 – Look how big and grown up they are!

They will be in their school uniform and I don’t post in regards to the school they go to and show the uniform but look how much they have grown. They are going to look so cute in their uniform and have such a great day. Hope they have a great time and really enjoy themselves.

Of course I will take pictures for me and to remember their first day. Hubby has the day off so that he can be there for their first day. You might think that today is going to be relaxing afterwards, but not to be. I have a tonne of things to get done.

Kids are now out of the shower and off to help them get into school uniforms and reach all the draws in their new room.

Categories
5 years and beyond

Best Start Assessment

Practicing writing. Image courtesy of Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Practicing writing. Image courtesy of Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tomorrow the kids and are off to the primary school for their Best Start Kindergarten Assessment. This is not a test, just a guide to help the teachers understand what the kids already know and might not know. It helps them understand how to teach your child and if there are any areas that the child will need special assistance.

It will be nice for the kids to see more of their mates before school officially starts on the 3rd of February and also meet their teachers. They are very excited and keen to start Kindy and I am of course rather excited and nervous. I am excited for the fact that they are off to learn bigger and greater things but also nervous for how they will go, and hope it all goes well. I know you cannot hold their hands and I don’t want to as it is their time to learn and grow, just hope that the first day and school on a whole is a good experience.

The start time for the assessment is not early but as we have been working on holiday time it is. We need to be there for 9.35am and have been sleeping in past that. I will need to set the alarm to make sure we don’t miss our appointment.

Part of me knows it is not a test and that is fine. Each child knows things and does not know other things. They are still learning. However I do have a daydream that the teacher will come out and say, “Wow your kids are so smart, they are geniuses, and need to be in the advanced class” Yes I know silly, but I will just be pleased if they answer some questions and do o.k as it is just Kindy and they have all their school career to learn and to be clever at things.

The girls are only five years old, there is time to learn all the things they need to know. My little girls are still babies and still getting to know the world so of course my silly daydream will not be real.

I think many parents think that the teacher will tell them their child is talented. I don’t care. I just want my kids to do well, be happy, and get a good education. Every person has a talent somewhere and sometimes school is not the place to discover this.

Since the kids had two years at a Montessori Preschool it will be interesting to see if this has helped with the transition to school. I have never done the school thing yet, and my little girls are my first kids. I am a newbie at kids at school. I only have my own experience to go by.

My experience is not helpful as I went to many different schools and that was years ago now. I am keen to see if any information from the assessment is shared with the parents and to just see how they went. I don’t want to change things and appreciate that teachers need to know a baseline and where to start things for each child.

As said, my kids are just starting out and there is heaps more to learn. This year is going to be great for them as they were getting very bored at preschool and really needed the next step to keep their brains stimulated.

Have your kids had the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment, and if so how did it go? Did you get any feedback? Send in your comments.

Categories
Pre-School

Last Day of Preschool

Tomorrow is the twins last day of preschool. Yes the last day for ever and ever. They are off to big school, Kindy next year. I was a little upset at their school concert today and I’m sure I will be a mess tomorrow.

As I did when they first started. I took a picture of them on the front step of the house.

First Day at Preschool
First Day at Preschool 2012

I will of course take another picture of the girls about to leave for their last day at preschool. Once I have it will add it to this post. Just looking at this you can see they have grown up a great deal. You can see little legs, and tummies and just smaller kids. Now they look so much more grown up, little people ready to go and make their mark on the world, well at least at Primary School.

Looking around at all the kids that are leaving the preschool today I noted that mine are the smallest and I saw that at Transition. My little girls are tiny compared to others of the same age, and looking at this photo they still fit into the shoes they were wearing on the first day of preschool and that is 2 years ago now.

The girls last day of preschool - Look how big and grown up they are!
The girls last day of preschool – Look how big and grown up they are!

My little ones are very prepared and cannot wait to start Kindy, being September babies they have had 2 full years at preschool and cannot wait to learn more and to be more. They are hungry for more and I welcome the challenges the next years bring us. It will be an interesting learning for all of us.

The girls go to preschool or should I say went to preschool 3 days a week, Kindy is all week. This will be interesting to see how they handle a 5 day school week. One challenge I need to get through first is Christmas and the School Holidays.

My babies at their last day of school. How time flies.
My babies at their last day of school. How time flies.

What about you? Are your babies leaving preschool to go to Kindy? Have you been upset and looking back at things? Is it just me? Send in your comments.

Were you sad that your kids left preschool? It is an end of an era and a start of a new one.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Marriage Organised?…Maybe Not

Dolls kissing, not the twins but nice pic. Image courtesy of Toa55 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Dolls kissing, not the twins but nice pic. Image courtesy of Toa55 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The other day after picking up the twins from pre-school I was told that one will marry one of the boys at school. I asked why this was so, and she said that they like each other and they both have decided to get married. I was rather taken back to say the least. I know this is just play, they are four years old and soon to be five so not like they are running away to get married just yet. Well I hope not!

I asked the other child if they are marrying anyone and she mentioned the same boy. I told them that two people cannot marry the same person. They got angry at me and told me that I did not get it, and they were marrying the same boy.  Not sure if the girls are taken with them or if the boy has used his magic and the girls are under a spell. This boy is very nice, kind and gentle and the girls are good mates with him and have a great time. It is a nice friendship.

Yesterday I arrived to pick the kids up and while putting them in the car they told me that they kissed this boy and he kissed them, as they were going to be married they said married people kiss each other. I explained that just because you kiss someone hello or bye does not mean that you are marrying them. Not sure if they are thinking that all people who kiss need to be married. If this is the case all of you that are not getting married are in trouble! You should put it right and go and get married NOW! Well according to the girls that is.

Maybe it is a school crush? However the girls still don’t like boys on the whole. Only some boys are oaky, and this one must be super special to get a kiss and for him to kiss the girls.

Have your kids done the same? If this is pre-school I shudder to think what kindy and the rest of primary school will be like. Send in your comments.

Categories
Pre-School Uncategorised

Father's Day at Pre-School

Daddy came to pre-school today to celebrate Father’s Day. The girls and the other kids sang songs, and did dances. There was a sandpit, making things with clay, hammering things and other activities to join in with. The girls told daddy that they wanted to create things with clay and so all three of them created some great works of art.  Both girls were tickled pink that he came to see the surprises and to be with them at school this afternoon.

Check out some of the pictures that daddy took.

Lillian being creative
Lillian being creative
Julia
Julia
Father's Day Creations
Father’s Day Creations
Lillian
Lillian

Are your kids thrilled when daddy or mummy comes for special days at school? What type of reactions have you had? I am a bit annoyed as the surprises I have organised for daddy will come late as they are being sent from overseas (I could not get the books here), so he will have be happy with special cupcakes (with cupcake toppers from paper and glitter) and a walk somewhere. Are you planning something terrific for your daddy? Send in your stories.

PS. While on Pinterest I found some wonderful cupcake toppers for Father’s Day and they are free, all courtesy of paperglitter.com. I am sure they would not mind me sharing as they were easily available on the Internet.

 

Categories
Pre-School

Father’s Day at Pre-School

Daddy came to pre-school today to celebrate Father’s Day. The girls and the other kids sang songs, and did dances. There was a sandpit, making things with clay, hammering things and other activities to join in with. The girls told daddy that they wanted to create things with clay and so all three of them created some great works of art.  Both girls were tickled pink that he came to see the surprises and to be with them at school this afternoon.

Check out some of the pictures that daddy took.

Lillian being creative
Lillian being creative
Julia
Julia
Father's Day Creations
Father’s Day Creations
Lillian
Lillian

Are your kids thrilled when daddy or mummy comes for special days at school? What type of reactions have you had? I am a bit annoyed as the surprises I have organised for daddy will come late as they are being sent from overseas (I could not get the books here), so he will have be happy with special cupcakes (with cupcake toppers from paper and glitter) and a walk somewhere. Are you planning something terrific for your daddy? Send in your stories.

PS. While on Pinterest I found some wonderful cupcake toppers for Father’s Day and they are free, all courtesy of paperglitter.com. I am sure they would not mind me sharing as they were easily available on the Internet.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

My free time = 5 hours x 3

Do you ever have visions of getting everything on your to do list done? Well I do, however not all does get done. It is a frustrating situation but I suppose with kids and other things going it is understandable that this never occurs.  However it does get frustrating that some things still are a work in progress and are not finished.

It might be just me but once kids go to pre-school, I have it in my head that I have the day. No I don’t, I just have the magic hours between 9.15am and 2.45pm so I need to get whatever I need to do done in that window.

Lately I have found that the more I have to do, not much gets done. I end up doing bits and pieces of something and then never getting through a task completely. I am using my Swiss cheese approach, just doing each problem bit by bit, a hole at a time. Maybe this is the answer and I should just be content with this. I have been doing what I can do in the time available however with a brain that is overloaded on tasks, I find it hard to concentrate on just one thing lately. Have you had this issue? Or is it just me.

I do have some time 5 hours 3 days a week, those are the days that the girls are at pre-school. Currently they and I have a cough given to us by daddy, who got it from a workmate. Not something bad, but just a little tickle. The girls seem oaky so sent them off to school, but in the back of my mind, I am waiting for the phone call to come get them. Let’s just hope that this does not happen. (I sent them due to the fact that they are playing and are happy at home; don’t seem really ill, if they were they would be home)

I have a messy house still but need to prioritise, the university group assignment is due next Monday so need to put my head down and bum up and get it done. No television just working on assignment this week. So cleaning will have to wait until assignment is done, or just a bit of tidying tonight.

Off to get my cuppa tea and start work on my assignment again. Send in your comments on how you structure your time off when kids are at school? What can you get done in the time allowed? Are you now a speed worker due to the small free time window? I wish I was.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Parent Teacher Night

Hi all readers. We have the girls first “Parent Teacher Info Night” and I am not sure what questions to ask the teachers. Here is what I have so far:

  • How is each child going? By this, I mean, are they finding the work o.k, is there something that they are more skilled at than other tasks?
  • If they are not doing well in one area, what is it? This way we can improve on it
  • Has either child shown a strong interest in any area, and if so, what is it?

Other than the standard, are they getting along with other kids and enjoying it, What else should we ask them? The husband is keen to come along also and to find out more about the school and how the girls are doing.

We are still new to this schooling business and wanted to ask  your thoughts, What should we be asking the teachers? Send in your questions we should ask the girls teachers and remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Mother’s Day Secrets

Yesterday at the girls school I waited for the doors to open for afternoon pick up. Once the doors opened, I saw other kids with giggles and smiles give their mother an invitation. Not sure what was going on, I just waited to see what would happen with my girls. I also had no idea that it was something that I might be invited to.

Julia saw me and was all smiles. She handed me a piece of paper. It was an invite to the pre-school’s mother’s day event. I am very pleased that the girls are getting involved in a secret thing for me, their mummy, however now I need to go to the school rather than have the day. I know that sounds terrible, but I don’t get a lot of time to myself. I am very excited and keen to go, and cannot wait to see what secret things the kids have been planning.

While walking towards the car I asked how the day went, “Who did you play with?”, and “What they got up to?” Lillian answered, “I cannot tell you.” I asked why this was so? Lillian then said, “It is a secret mummy, mother’s day secret”. So I only found out that they played dress ups and were princesses. I am not fussed and think it is cute they are keeping their secret.

Normally the kids spill the beans on secrets. When daddy was opening his birthday present last year, he joked and said, “I wonder what this is?” This is when, Lillian and then Julia told him what he was unwrapping. So very cute but a spoiler, the girls are now growing up and have figured out to keep secrets, what big girls they are becoming.

Julia was so keen on the drawings she did for me and for mother’s day that she gave them all to me yesterday. I explained that it is not mother’s day yet, and these should be given on that day. She did not understand and was so excited; she wanted me to have them now. I was told to hold onto them and keep them for mother’s day.

Are your kids doing secret mother’s day business?  Have you noticed your childcare or school organising anything special. This is my first event to attend at school so it will be rather exciting and interesting. I will make sure to bring the camera; I want to capture the moment. Send in your comments and remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Tired and naughty seem to go together

Do you find that on the days that kids are elsewhere, in school, being looked after by family or at friends, that you want to achieve so much. I find that I have many things that would like to do, but realise that my day is short. This is due to dropping kids off and picking them up and the realisation that I don’t have a full day, only the time between 9.15am and 2.45pm. This is a small window but a great moment to have the time to be by yourself and get some things done.

These things that I would like to get done is the following: Sewing, cleaning, tiding, university study, watching scary shows that I like but the kids would not, shopping for food as it is easier without kids, appointments if needed, exercising, catching up on missed sleep, and probably more should be on the list that I have not listed.

So yesterday as mentioned I managed to do some housework, go off for something for me (Yippeee) and also iron some shirts. Then just in time to get back in the car to pick up my lovely girls, although this lovely moment is short lived due to the lovely girls changing into naughty creatures, when I am reunited with the girls it is like they are just jumping off the walls, not listening and this makes me get very annoyed. They seem to have hit the naughty button and are firing on all cylinders.

I thought I was just over reacting about this change in events. I mentioned my thoughts to some friends on facebook, friends at playgroup and family. The consensus is that the child/children are relaxing by being at home and showing you their true self, this is also is not helped by being tired from a day full of school and action.

It is so hard to deal with the girls after school, I am saying NO! so much, making sure that they listen when I say NO, as they think it is all fun and games. I have had to take away chairs, carry little people out of rooms and take things away from them. Threaten an early bed time, tell them that we will finish the milk in the room while I read stories rather than watching the end of their favourite good night television show. Oh, how this is draining and stressful.

If you say don’t get another busicut they take matters in their own hands. Both girls work together, getting a chair, and making sure that it goes to the right spot, then one gets on the chair and hands the goods to the other. You get the idea. Very clever, but naughty.

Currently we live in a smallish house so no room to separate the girls, so the fact that they have each other keeps the action happening. I have also tried to separate them recently again when they were being very naughty and it did not work. I put Lillian in the lounge room and she managed to get out of the door, While Julia was working herself into a terrible mess for hours. I ended up letting Lillian back into the bedroom and Julia was hugging and kissing her. There is such a connection, Julia was pinning for Lillian and it goes the other way as well. On the whole they are good kids, I just feel that they get too revved up and it is hard to calm them down.

I do see that the girls are exhausted, so try and do things quietly, however that backfires when they run at such a pace all around the house and the yard. Today we were not in school, but had playgroup instead. They were all over the shop and I am very happy and like the fact that they are now sleeping. They did have a fun day, playing with toys and in the sandpit, just so active.

Do you find it difficult after you pick kids up from school? Are you counting the hours or minutes until you can put them to bed? What are your secrets for having a great time before kids go to bed? Do you have some great ideas – send them our way so we can all learn.  I am now off to sleep as I have had a very long day.

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
3 years and beyond Sewing University Study

Questions answered for week 1 at least

Today dropped the kids off at school, but before that, there were many meltdowns. I don’t want to wear those shoes mummy and not that shirt or dress. Oh, why can’t we just put clothes on and get out the door. Then the running around to avoid mummy as she wanted to brush hair. So after all this carry on, we were late getting to school. The only up side to getting to school today was getting  a park and dropping the girls off without a fuss, like the other day. YES!

Finally back home, I make a cuppa tea, put the heater on and a jumper. Very cold today, and not happy about that, but pleased that the house is warm. I am at the computer to tackle my first week of tutorial questions from university. I am just amazed at all the theories about the same area that are surfacing. I am sure that they were there before, just was not exposed to the idea before now. Today I managed to learn about complex adaptive and transactional models in project management. I have also addressed the difference between a manager and a leader, and why in some examples certain projects were failures or a success.  I finished it all, uploaded it online to the university’s site and all is good, very pleased and happy with me today. I know small things make me happy.

I am not sure that I was o.k with all my answers but pleased it is completed. Now on to read more and to get started on my individual assignment, organise a day per week to meet with my group for our assignment and generally research the whole subject. This will be done a piece at a time, not that clever it can all happen in one day or week. After reading this it made it sound like I am super study woman.

Today I had hoped to see if I could finish the pants that I am making for the girls. It was rather cool today, so thinking winter will be very cold indeed. Oh well at least the uni thing this week is not needing to be done and now I can do the pants without thinking about uni. The problem is that if I know I need to do something and want to do something else, I think about the other as it needs to be done before the other. I know, it is hard. However, having limited time to ones self is hard to try and fit it all in.Is this just me that does this. I used to be so organised with a day job, children have thrown me around a bit.  I need to get my to do list organised.

So the weekend I think will be making and finishing pants time. I promise pictures to come soon.

If you have had some time to yourself this week, what did you get up to? Are you studying? If you are studying, have you managed to get things done? Wishing you all luck if you are in the same boat as me, and that you will get all your work done.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond

No Boys

I have been asking the girls how their days at school were and who did they play with? The girls listed some of the kids at school, girls and boys and I said it sounds like they had heaps of friends to play with, this comment was met with “We don’t play with the boys mummy”. I thought that this was a bit sad, but obviously a phase. Maybe it is boys germs. I remember I did not like boys for a while either, although my best friend at school was a boy. I must have just not liked certain boys.

This got me thinking why little girls decide that boys are not worthy of friends or playing with.  Is it the bigger kids that help form this opinion? Is it just the fact that they feel more comfortable with other girls? This cannot be entirely correct as the girls love the boys next door and really enjoy playing with them.

I think it is nice that the girls are developing a network of friends and playmates at their new school, I am just curious about this phase of disliking boys. Is this in built into girls and boys. Do boys suddenly say they don’t want to have anything to do with girls. Yuck girls germs and so on.   Is it peer pressure or socialisation that causes this phase? Or is it just a matter of being a little girl and figuring out how things work, a right of passage in friendship and figuring out the genders.

I was a tom boy as a kid and still sort of am. I do get dressed up and wear dresses but not all the time, and actually rather prefer pants and jeans. I do like getting glammed up, however as I stay at home mummy looking after the girls there is not much need to get all dolled up to go to drop kids at school/shops. I did like getting dressed up for the office and meetings, however there is none of that in my current world.  The girls seem to be girly girls, which is great and fine, however I am constantly looking for something pretty for each child to wear. I hand them something practical like a t-shirt, or long sleeve top and it gets handed back with the words, “That is not pretty mummy!!!”  The girls do get dressed up for special occasions and parties however if they are just going to get dirty and play, why not be in comfy and practical clothing.

This line of difference is very obvious in the toy section of any department store or shop. In the section supposedly for girls it is wall to wall pink, dolls, babies and all things that will have little girls trapped in the kitchen or the house. The section for boys is much more interesting, building blocks, science and other games that use the mind and don’t trap the person into housework chores.   As you might have guessed I have not purchased any of those things for the girls. They do have dolls and some stuffed toys as dolls. However they don’t have a kitchen/sinks/vacuum cleaner/broom and brush. We have given the girls a mixture of toys, building blocks, planes, trucks, cars, prams, doctor kit and so on. They have girly toys if they have to be labelled as such and they have other toys that will help develop other areas of their brain and interests.

Currently I am very curious about why girls go through this hating boys. I know I did it and thought that they were just silly. I used to scare the boys off by saying that I would kiss them. This worked as they did not want girls germs, until the boys decided that they now liked girls, then I ran away.  This is the other concern that we will have to worry about. When boys like the girls. This is a long time off, say 10 years from now, so we have plenty of time until that happens.

Have you as a parent been curious of this development in your child? I know it is all normal, however still curious about why it happens.  I have looked online and only found information about toys, gender and other things. Nothing is addressing my question. I will keep on looking, and if I see anything that is helpful, I will post it here. If you find anything that might help send it my way.

This is an interesting article: Gifted Girls – Many Gifted Girls, Few Eminent Women: Why?

Categories
3 years and beyond Katoomba and Weather Potty Training Pre-School

Too Easy

The girls successfully have completed their first week at pre-school. They both had a great time, however Julia took a bit of work to get organised in the mornings to get out the door. Julia decided that she did not like her shirt, shoes, did not want her hair brushed and dealt with this by falling down in the hallway screaming and crying. Once out the door and at school she was fine. I am thinking it is due to the new schedule and the change from childcare to pre-school. I could be wrong, she was doing this before, and so it could just be a stage.

Today was the first day not at school this week so we all went to playgroup. It was a wonderful change in the weather to have blue skies and sunshine and currently still do. Crossing fingers it lasts more than a day. Due to the good weather, I have done about 3 loads of washing, clothes are on the line and we all walked to playgroup. Well, mummy walked the girls were in the pram. Although the girls are big enough to walk, it is easier to take the pram. The girls end up getting tired and I cannot carry everything with me. When we go, I bring their potties as there is only one toilet, what to do if someone is in it and one of the girls or both need to go? So I take our own. Better to be organised.

The other mums were asking me, and the girls how they went at pre-school this week. Anna asked Julia and Lillian, and then Lillian said, “It is too easy”.  I thought that was very funny coming from them as this is the first week at the new school, however on Wednesday the teachers were giving them tasks to learn about the colours or at least see if they know them. Both girls know all their colours so it was no big thing for them. They were also asked to put a pink block tower back together once the teacher took it apart.  They had water play, painting and collage. So at this stage it is possibly easy. Not sure what else is in store for them this term, but I am sure there will be other things that they have never done, that won’t be “too easy”. Or maybe it is for them, who knows, we will see.

Yesterday Julia wanted to put her seat belt on in the car all by herself, and gets annoyed when it does not happen. She ends up twisting the straps so it makes it impossible to get it clicked in place no matter who long she struggles with it. She gets in such a mood that I cannot show her how to sort the straps out. She does not want me to touch it as that is considered mummy fixing it and she wants to do it. She yells, screams and cries, “I want to do it, me, let me!!!”, however you cannot just stand there for hours waiting for a seat belt to be done up. Lillian the other day has figured it out.  It does not help that she says proudly “I did it”.

The new pre-school fosters independence which is good, but as Julia had this breakdown with the seat belt 3 times yesterday I was so over independence. Just let me do it, so that we can get going. It is a pity that the mood she gets in she will not listen to what I am saying, I am happy that she tries to do it, however I need to show her how and then I am happy to watch her do it, but not when it is all wrong and never going to work.

Both girls are now able to get in and out of the pram themselves. They can put their seat belts on and Lillian can take her’s off as well. Julia can put it on but has some trouble getting it off, this will change in time. It is nice that you can tell the girls to go into the pram and get their seat belts on and they do. Very relaxing indeed.

Let’s hope that school is “too easy” for the girls, and they do well. This might change when they move to big school in 2014, or at least to harder concepts at the pre-school.

Does your child want to do things by themselves? Is it easy for them or do they struggle? Are they doing some things better than others? How do you manage with the child/children trying to do things themselves when you need to be out the door for an appointment? I usually take over if I need to be somewhere and deal with the tantrums and screams.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Pre-School Eve

Finally we are at the day before the girls go to pre-school. One more sleep and they are at school, it is such an exciting time. They are growing up so fast, such little girls. Tonight, the girls, daddy and I helped them decorate their new lunch boxes for school. The boxes came with fun stickers and Julia and Lillian added their own style to them. I made sure that each box had the correct person’s name on it and at least the teachers will know who’s is who’s. Julia has the pink lunch box and Lillian has the green.

I am so excited that this day has come and I am planning great things for my time off, just need to sort out the house and then we are sorted.

Lunches are made, kids are in bed, and finally sounds like they are asleep. Now need to make sure I am up early, showered and have bags packed so that we are on time for school. I am going to go and watch one of my shows to relax and then off to bed.

I hope to pick the girls up from a wonderful first day tomorrow afternoon, hearing great stories of what they got up to.  Will update you tomorrow on how it went.