free love :)

Oh how I love packages!

So did you enter any of the amazing giveaways??? There are a few still open, I just found out...DEFINITELY worth entering......

So last night, after finding out about Sew Mama Sew giveaways, I was a bit disspointed I hadnt found it earlier. One, because I might have gotten my act together and contributed, and also that I only had a limited amount of time to enter!
And so I sat there for almost two hours scouring the blogs, looking at such amazing giveaways, entering as many as I could that really appealed to me, noticing that most of them had anywhere from 200 to 700 people entering...
I now have about 30 new blogs to read ( oopss so much for my cull to not take as much time on the computer!!)

I was just blown away by the talent thats out there. In some ways I was a bit embarassed at the simplicity of my own blog, but then realised that its read for ideas for kids, its simple because thats what they enjoy :)

And guess what???

I ACTUALLY WON SOMETHING QUITE BRILLIANT!!!

Over at the blog "EM AY KAY EE {make}" she was giving away the most gorgeous set of a quilted bag, a toiletries bag, a roll make up case, a sunnies case and a mini pouch. Its really so very cute and just what I would love to havea go at making ( shes doing a sew along too! Sign up so you can have one too!)
AND I WON THE LOT :) Wanna see it all??

My great loot

Like most people, I never win anything. Although I did win a very random Bbq at our local grocers last year. And a hair voucher at the trivia night last year. But normally, I dont win. So I am pretty excited :)

The funny thing is, a couple of weeks ago I won something else just as awesome. Actually my kids really won this but I entered it for them. It was over at Grow With Me Gifts and it was gorgeous Jack and the beanstalk kit containing a growth chart, some magic beans, a colouring page and the story of Jack and the Bean stalk.

An absolutely wonderful prize and my little gardeners are totally excited as tomorrow is THE day! I didnt want to do this whole experience half heartedly so we are going to put up the growth chart, plant the beans ( spot has been prepared for a week) and read the story. Such a great little package :) And thankyou to the wonderful parcel decorator too!!

Whole Jack, beans and beanstalk will experience will be blogged next week with photos :) Get on over to Etsy to get your own wonderful kit!

The last thing I have received this week ( its been an exciting mail week!!) was something that I entered to win but missed out, but was so taken with the prize I bought one myself :) And I was totally not dissapointed :)

It started out going to be for someone else but I love it so much I am keeping it myself ;) (its ok, they will never know! And I will get them something else wonderful). It was over at Bejewelled Beads and the prize was to win one of her gorgeous watches. I looked all the way through her amazing range and found the one I loved, entered and hoped I'd win. I didnt. A week went by and I kept coming back to the site, still loving the original one I'd choosen, and seeing as the prices were really affordable, bought one for a friend.

Postage was REALLY good to Australia ( shes in the states) ( I think) and so it was such a great buy and when I opened it, there was no way I was giving it up :)

Check it out, I LOVE IT :)

Anybody else won anything lately? Anybody know of any other great giveaways??

GIVEAWAYS TO END ALL GIVEAWAYS

ok I HAD to quickly add this to todays post.. I just found GIVEAWAYS TO END ALL GIVEAWAYS. Sew Mama Sew is hosting a three day giveaway and there are hundreds of blogs that are involved!!
You can win everything crafty from fabric to patterns, gorgeous clutches, hair accessories.. I have just spent almost two hours entering about 56 giveaways.. surely something good should come of this??

GO CHECK IT OUT! but hurry, most end tomorrow.....

tractor love/ tractor shape matching

Postcard exchange entry is closed!! Will be sending out the list of people you will need to write to so you can get busy writing and get patient waiting!! Im so excited!!

When Jumeirah was small ( about 16 months it first started) she was completely and utterly obsessed with cranes.

Ma and Pa sent emails of cranes near where they live that just about sent her into a crazy spin.

I had to stop any time she saw one, she almost caused me to have a major car accident when she screamed cos she had seen a green one, she knew almost all the parts including the jib and other strange parts, and shocked scores of workmen when she spouted random facts and information about them. And she was barely a year and a half old. This hasnt really changed much, although shes learnt to warn me before getting too excited in the car :)

Jared, a typical boy, has always been truck and tractor mad and has had similar obsessions as his sister, making me pull over if we see one on side of the road.
Amahli has surprised me and has also taken up a similiar obsession, although hers are diggers and tractors. But she screams the paint off the car if I dont stop to get out and look. It was great when the house was being built as we could go watch the diggers everyday.
This week, we found a new construction site at the end of our street, by accident unfortunately, as now I have to go to it twice a day to satisfy the crazed obsessors in the back seat.






Here are our new found tractor friends.

So when we got home today and they were still talking about the tractors in high, excited voices, I thought I would create a craft where they could make one for themselves.
I quickly got on the net and tried to find a simple craft but couldnt find what I was looking for. So in a word document, I designed this simple tractor from shapes for them to match to create a great little tractor picture.

I cut out the shapes for them and we got started.

Jared labelled each shape correctly, and without any help at all, was able to match all the shapes on the picture. Hes getting so proud of himself when he knows hes done something right :)

Gotta love that self confidence :)

Amahli was more content in sticking the shapes to herself ( too much sticker play for her this week!) but kept saying "Look! A trackor!!"

These are the two awesome books we are currently reading..... ALOT. the cranes one is brilliant, awesome pictures and really detailed as well. The other is a great book altough it makes sounds so I am about the throw it out a window....

What are your kids obsessed with??

doll house furniture fun/Preserving kids drawings

Got to finish another UFO last night... (un finished object for those whose missed yesterdays explanation)
This one is something I started last year.. bad bad bad. I cant find if I blogged about this activity but if you have never done it, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend that you do :)
I asked Jumeirah to draw a picture for me on some calico using crayons. At the time, she was totally into drawing ballerinas with kicking legs. I loved it and got to work stitching it with a simple backstitch. It doesnt really take that long, couple of episodes of Greys Anatomy and it was done.


It looks fantastic and has been a graet way to preserve one of her wonderful drawings. She no longer draws ballerinas like this anymore so I am so glad I got this to keep :)
Once I had stitched the whole picture, I gave it a small border and turned it into a pillow which now resides on my bed where I can see just how clever this little one is :)

We have the most wonderful doll house we bought for the kids a few years ago. Its tall, has lots of rooms and plenty of space to set up and play in. Funny thing is, no one has really played in it. Today, I took a small selection of furniture out of the house and set it up on the table for some pretend family play.



Amahli was straight over, sorting out the family into the areas she wanted... Mum and dad sitting at the kitchen table having a lovely chat about their days, mum then able to sit watching her show on tv , then mum giving kisses goodnight and kids going to bed happy and quietly.







Altogether: *aaahh*

I left her to it, she was singing to them and tucking them in and I thought that just maybe I am doing a great job in showing them a well rounded, happy way of family life.
Less than 5 minutes later, this is what I hear...

"NO!!!!" (her)

"YES!!!! MUM GOES IN THE KITCHEN!!" (him) *SIGH*

Amahli leaves the table and Jared starts to play. This is his set up.

Dad, hard day at work and tired, takes himself to bed.




Kids, jumping together on the lounge, high as kites and about to end in disaster.



Mum, table dancing in the kitchen (?) Yes, I feel for her, there are days that only a table top kitchen dance will fix ;)



Then I witness Jared crash everything down in the house. When I asked him what happened, he replied " Mum went CRAZY!" Again: *sigh*

Having this kind of play allows children to pretend play the things that happen in their house ( ok normally none of this happens in our house, really.) Often Amahli has different voices for different people in the house when she plays, having watched Jumeirah do it. It allows them to take on the roles they see happening everyday in their own little worlds. BUT dont be alarmed if you see the above scenario happening... sometimes its just fun to build and destroy too :)

what are you thankful for? Quilted book cover

I totally dont know why, but you two were absolute hams for the camera today. It is always sitting nearby.. waiting... watching.. hoping to be clicked. Today, I caught you both, encapturing the little people you are now.

You take my breath away..... xxx

An age ago, (ok so it was only at Easter but it seems like a long time ago) I started making Jumeirah a book.The idea behind the book was for her to find something every day that she was thankful for. So often, days are rushed through without really taking the time to realise how lucky we are. I wanted her to have this time to stop and think as she was struggling at school and was having trouble finding her own little happiness at all, let alone each day.

I found a gorgeous pattern on Sew Mama Sew which was designed as a diary but thought it would be perfect to make for her own special book.

Slacker me though, I have so many UFOS ( un finished objects) in my house and brain that I started it but never finished it. But part of my new resolution was to finish all the half finished projects so I can start on more exciting things ;) And so last night, I did finish it and called it " What Im thankful for." Its not my best work, I started it in a hurry, hoping to have it finished for Easter. But still it looks ok :)

I gave it to her this morning and explained the concept, which she of course, loved. I told her we would start when she got home from school.

When she got home, she found that the postman had delivered her a special letter from her beautiful preschool teacher from last year, which excited her no end.'I know, Mum! I'm thankful for Amy". And so she drew a picture and wrote that as well.

A book like this is great for some many reasons... builds self esteem and confidence, its great as a memories book, something to look back on when things in life get tough. Its also great for writing and drawing skills and also a wonderful time for her and me to talk about the great things of the day, and also leaves her to be able to talk about things that werent so great. It doesnt need to be fancy covered like this one, a simple book with a childs drawing would be just as great. And seeing how much she got out of just doing todays one, I am going to make myself one too :)



What are you thankful for today?

bubble licious cooking/ foil painting

Cooking up a bubbly storm

Recently, I have been hit a number of times with a slump in my 'tude'. I think it comes from being a stay at home mum and having limited conversation that doesnt include words like " Please dont", "What is that in your mouth?" and "Wees belong in the toilet". Mostly, I absolutely love being here with these little guys and wouldnt change my life with anyone. They are awesome, fun, loving and great companions. But sometimes going to day job looks like a luxury holiday :)

Today I woke with the resolution that TODAY that crabby slump changes :)

I set up some great areas of play that I know would be fun and busy. The most popular of these was the sand and water table that I emptied of sand and filled with BUBBLES.

As soon as Amahli heard the water running, she was over in a flash.We filled up one side with warm water nad I poured in some dishwashing liquid. We whizzed it up with the electric beater which made for some lovely, fluffy bubbles. To this I added some kitchen things so she could " cook and mix" with it. She had a great time here, pouring the water, making bubble pies, transfering bubbles to bowls and containers using the big spoons. It was such a great experience as she was able to practise her fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and wonderful sensory fun too.

We came inside to paint today, once bubbles were popped and wet clothes were changed :) ( its wasnt too bad, until Amahli thought her shirt needed to be washed.... with her still inside it)

I had made some paint using cornflour which makes a really smooth, bright consistency. I gave them both foil to paint on. Sometimes just changing the canvas makes a big difference and Jared was straight over to see if he could see himself in the reflection of the foil.



They both began to paint.



Amahli was happy to just explore the paint and brushes, Jared began with the blue paint and also began singing....

"here is the sea,the wavy sea

Here is a boat and here is me

And little fishes, away down below

wiggle their tails and away they go"

It took me a moment to realise that while he was singing, he was actually painting (what looked like) the sea! He asked me to cut some fishes and a boat and sang again. Its been such a wonderful thing to watch as his paintings change from exploring with paint to actually painting a picture he has thought about. He painted the sun at the top and then stood back proudly and announced " There Mum, I did the sea."


A great job too :)
Meanwhile, Amahli beside me starts squealing "Geen! geen!" and I look at what shes painting and she has mixed the blue and yellow together and its made green. She too, is incredibly proud of herself.



Still not sure whether the colour guess was a fluke or not, but this mumma was proud anyway :)

Icky Sticky Stinky Fun

I dont get to take photos of you often but wow, when I do.. I fall in love :) You are such a lovely little guy, caring, sweet, with just a touch of boyish mischief. If i could clone you we'd make squillions :)

Went to the archives today.. this is something cool we did last year and are doing again tomorrow... the new photo website I promised I havent finished playing with yet so I dont have much to show you... Monday I promise ;)

My kids are not messy kids. They dont do finger painting, hands are washed as soon as sand is finished with, and they will both come and wipe paint on me instead of getting it on themselves... so unlike me cos I kinda like messy craft. So when I came at them today armed with glue and a grin they were dubious to say the least. I also had 5 glass containers of spices that I think went out of date about 6 years ago. But once we got started, I had them hooked. They great thing about this craft is the smell. Ok so maybe my mix of curry powder, parsley, paprika, cinnamon and rosemary wouldnt have tasted all that terrific but the smell was great.

How we did it:
I gave each of them a piece of paper and showed them the containers. We talked about the spices and smelt them. Jared tried to taste them but decided against it when smelling curry powder. they then spread glue all over the page, then sprinkled each spice on the glue.

Its a great fine motor activity as the curry powder was in a bowl so they had to pinch that one. They did about 4 each until the house smelt ummm strong. Jumeirah liked the colours of the paprika and rosemary so she did a fair bit with them.

Trouble is, now what do we do with them??? :)