Big News

It's a been a long time between posts.

We have two huge pieces of news:
1) We're pregnant! I may have to rename this blog to the threehoneypots!!
2) We've applied to move to the UK. Moving to the UK has been on our hearts for the last year, and finally we've sent through the application.

Relocating to a completely new country with our two young boys, and having a baby in new surroundings, will certainly be an adventure! We are very excited for what is in store :)

While we love Australia, we see many opportunities for our children in Europe - in terms of places to see, cultures and languages to experience - because countries are so near to one another! We look forward to lots of travel and exploration as a family.

It's now a waiting game to hear back from the embassy!

Ups and Downs of a Full Time Mum

Being a full time Mum is challenging.

There are physical challenges of waking early, waking in the middle of the night, surviving on minimal sleep as a result, and long work days. There are creative and educational challenges to keep things interesting and new for you and your kids. There are emotional challenges of standing up to your children and being consistent with your rules when they misbehave. There are challenges of isolation when you have no one to have a quick chat with, or have a coffee and giggle with over lunch. There are challenges of finding fulfilment when there are no bosses to pat you on the back, and no bonuses paid out!

These are all challenges that can affect how my day pans out.

There are days that sail by so smoothly and I have unending patience, my boys are lovelier than angels, and to them I am the nicest, most loveliest mummy on the planet. We go out on adventures down by the river, I teach them new things and they show me how smart they are, we read dozens of books in one sitting, and we sing and we dance, and we paint and we glue, and have lots of fun. On these good days when I put the boys down to bed and close the door, I grin and think "mission accomplished!"

That's a really great day.

Then there a days where everything seems to fall to pieces. They wake at some ungodly hour and sleep before lunch, which puts the whole day out of whack, making them tired and cranky by dinner. Other times the day seems to disintegrate because the boys are pushing the boundaries and I have to discipline them. Usually there's only one of them pushing the boundaries, but a week ago it was both at the same time. Hard.

Then there are days when you know you're not doing something the right way, and you have to find a new way. I'm so blessed to have a husband who is really encouraging and is a great sounding board for my ideas. He also has tremendous input into how we raise the kids, and if he sees something amiss he'll certainly point it out! He's usually working from home too, which is great as I feel more accountable with what I am doing with the boys on a daily basis.

Recently I had a personal 'victory' when strategising a new approach to counter the 'Thomas the Tank Engine addiction phase' that I wrote about in an earlier article. At that time I felt like the steering wheel had come off, and I had lost total control of where we were going! The boys were just careering here and there. It took some thought and actual strategy to try and get back in control.

The new rules that we've been working with are:

a) TV only on Saturday mornings, for no more than 2 hours, of vetted viewing material, else supervised viewing.
b) Trainset can only be played with on Thursdays
c) I will only read one Thomas book each day
d) More focussed prayer for them when they are acting up

I can say this has worked wonders.

In addition to restricting TV viewing, we physically repositioned the couch so it no longer faces the TV. The boys don't even ask me about the TV! It's like it's not there! They are content to find things to play with, or make up their own games. It's marvellous!!

With the trainset only available to them on Thursdays, I've found that they get their 'fill' within a couple of hours, and even though I leave it out for them, they don't play with it much after that. By bedtime I ask them to help me pack it away, and there are no dramas.

Likewise with the Thomas books, just lessening the focus on this character has been beneficial. In its place I've dug out all our Bible storybooks and taught them about David and Goliath, and Noah, and Daniel and the Lions, and about Jesus. They love the stories, and I feel like an idiot for not reading them to them sooner!

I've been wondering around in the wilderness myself. I'm so glad I'm back on track!

Lastly, prayer has been like a rock during crazy times. I use prayer like a weapon against things that affect my children, and I use it like a refuelling tank for my own strength and wisdom. And boy do I need it!

Being a full time Mum puts life into perspective. Things like project deadlines and reports make me want to laugh. They used to be so important before! I can't believe they used to keep me up at night!

Instead I am the manager of two wonderful, incredible little people, with whom I have to use my full capabilities and talents into developing two mature 'great people' with a mind and heart for God and His purposes. What a huge responsibility, what an honour, what an exciting challenge!

What more fulfilling career could there be?

Buttons and an Easy Cubbyhouse

It's back to business as usual and we're having so much fun :)

Today the boys explored playing with a wide assortment of buttons from my craft supplies. They LOVED it!

They poured the buttons into little ceramic cups and liked the sound that they made. Then JJ started to sort them into different colours. SamSam followed suit!

Then JJ start lining them up, and made the shape of a square, "Look Mamma, a square!" he declared. Then he made some interesting patterns. The boys were engrossed with the buttons for about 40 minutes. I had to coax them to put them away.

Easiest Cubbyhouse

We all know that children love to play with boxes, but I stumbled upon something new, a large, long box that has been cut open down one side can be draped over a chair to make a very easy cubbyhouse!

The boys brought pillows to use as doors, and had a party (complete with party hats). Later I gave them a wad of stickers to decorate the outside of their house! Best of all it folds up and doesn't take up much space.

Devotions

Today's devotion was about 'Good Weapons', that we need to be on our guard against things that can hurt us, and that God can help us. There was a picture of a little boy dressed up as a superhero. The boys had never seen a shield before. JJ said he wanted to be a superhero too.

'Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord's help' Psalm 27:14

I want to teach my boys to be strong and brave, and lean on God at all times!

Rough daily routine

I know that some parents find it hard to structure their day, so I thought it would be interesting to write down a rough guide as to what we get up to during the day.

Today went something like this (with lots of toilet interruptions because the boys have gastro!):

7:45am   Breakfast
8:15am   Change clothes, brush teeth, wash face
8:30am   Reading time
9:00am   Colouring activity sheets and writing practice
9:20am   Played with collection of buttons
9:50am   Sat on the rug and sang nursery rhymes with guitar
10:30am Boys had a lie down for half an hour (but didn't actually sleep!)
11:00am Playdough
11:45am Lunch time
12:15pm More playdough & free play
1:00pm   SamSam goes for afternoon nap
              JJ does maths activity sheet with Mummy
1:30pm  Nap for JJ and Mummy
3:00pm  Played in cubbyhouse
4:00pm  Free play
5:30pm  Dinner
6:30pm  Bathtime
7:00pm  Reading and Devotions
8:00pm  Bedtime

Interactive Nursery Rhymes

I've discovered a new interactive way of singing nursery rhymes and songs with the boys. I use props as we sing!

For example, for 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm', I put some of their farm animals into a bag, and before we sing the next animal, I get them to name the next animal by putting their hand in and grabbing one out. It makes it a bit more fun :)

Other songs which I've used props:

'There Were Five in the Bed' - I use five little people on a book, and roll them over and off the book as we sing the verses. The boys think it's very funny when one falls off.

'Farmer in the Dell' - I put together a man, woman, baby, nurse, and a dog in a little circle. They do a little dance together as the group gets bigger and bigger. The boys think it's great!

'Five Currant Buns in a Baker's Shop' - I use anything for buns, even Lego! Actually, the visual subtraction is an excellent method to teach maths.

A New Leaf

Last week was a bit of a disaster.

Because I left the boys trainset out (see last entry), I found that they were happy to play independently from me, and it was just too easy for me to slack off and not interact and teach them new things.

On top of that, we had many playdates and other outings which ate into our normal day's schedule. The plus side is they met and interacted with so many people.

On the downside, they picked up gastro along the way, and I have lost count how many times I have cleaned toilets, potties, carpet and floor over the last two days!

This week I'm turning over a new leaf. It's back to structure, and away with the trainset. I have abolished all TV except educational DVDs shown at 4pm while I cook dinner. Let's see how this goes.

Thomas the Tank Engine Obsession

JJ and SamSam LOVE trainsets.

We have an IKEA railway set and eight trains from the Thomas the Tank Engine series.

However, I've been increasingly troubled that they are almost obsessed with Thomas and his friends. The first thing SamSam looks for when he wakes up are his Thomas and Gordon toys. The books they want me to read are Thomas books. The program they want to watch on DVD/TV is Thomas!

Even this evening, SamSam was even looking at grapes in his bowl and giving them names "This is Thomas, and this is Salty".

I have some objections about a lot of Thomas the Tanks Engine stories - books and TV episodes and movies included. While they all have some sort of 'moral' where a train will learn why they should or shouldn't act a certain way, most of the conversations between trains are not nice. They're actually quite mean. And young kids just don't understand that it's not good to be that way. Instead they look up to all the trains as role models, and pick up everything they say and do.

In particular I really dislike the 'Day of the Diesels' movie, it has some nasty themes. I purposely lost the DVD!

This week I also had to also hide a book about 'Stepney'. In it, children learn about being afraid of the dark (my boys are not afraid of the dark and I want to keep it that way!), and being scared of spooky things.

To try and undo their 'Thomas obsession'. I thought I could do a sort of un-rotation, and leave the trainset out in their room so they could play with it anytime they want.

It didn't work.

Instead all week, they preferred to play in the room with their trains. It was hard to get them interested in doing other things. And I've just remembered that last week I let them watch Thomas on the TV every day... no wonder they are obsessed with it, I've been feeding it! :( :(

This week when I did some simple writing and craft activities I noticed that even their concentration has been diminished. This is serious stuff! They usually have incredible concentration powers.

In the end, un-rotation didn't work.

I've put away the trainset again. I think it will see even less daylight than normal.

I now have a strict policy of reading only one 'Thomas book' a day, and I've banned Thomas on the DVD/TV until further notice.

It's time to nip this Thomas obsession in the bud! 

Twilight Rabbits

We took the boys to a school twighlight fair today. They had farm animals to pet, and they loved it!

They are just crazy about rabbits! I think we'll have to get them a pet rabbit when they're older.

Daiso Shop

Yesterday we went to a new shop from Japan called Daiso, it's fantastic!
Everything is $2.80 and they have so many handy products and cute little things!

We bought a few things for the boys:

A miniature magnetic dartboard. This is great for number practice! JJ has to say what numbers he hits, and which number is the highest!

Training chopsticks!!! JJ had a great time with some chunks of biscuit on a plate and these chopsticks. He can use them!

And possibly my favourite, cute velour hedgehogs so the boys can have fun helping to dust!

Kids Pocket Money

It all started a month ago when JJ asked if he could work so he could buy a doughnut from the local bakery.

We had to start thinking of ways for him to earn pocket money!

Initially we made the mistake of paying him to tidy his room. Soon he expected payment whenever he cleaned his room! We ditched that idea quickly!

Finally we realised we needed to make a clear definition between responsibilities and 'special' work that is rewardable with pay. Here's what we've come up with:

Every day responsibilities (chores) for a three and two year old
- Make bed (Mummy helps SamSam)
- Get changed (Mummy helps SamSam with his top)
- Hang up pyjamas behind the door
- Bring breakfast cereal, bowls and spoons to the table
- Put dirty bowls and spoons in kitchen sink
- Put away toys after playing with them

JJ making his bed

SamSam putting his breakfast bowl, spoon and bib at the kitchen sink

SamSam wiping down the table after putting away the Playdough

Kids Pocket Money:
- Sort and fold JJ & SamSam's clothes
- Perform songs

Kids pocket money : folding clothes

I've labelled four boxes - 'JJ's clothes', 'SamSam's clothes', 'Pyjamas', and 'Socks & undies'.

The boys fold and sort them into the right box. It's quite a long task, and requires good concentration, and excellent fine motor skills. JJ gets 50cents for completing this task. SamSam gets about a quarter of this as he hasn't got the dexterity to fold clothes properly yet.

The last method of kids pocket money - performing songs for us - we haven't started yet, but we want to encourage them to have the courage to talk and perform in public. We think this could be a good way of getting used to eg. public speaking. We think that when they are older they can do street busking to earn some pocket money!

JJ now has his eyes set on a new toy train, it could be another 10 weeks for this to eventuate, I hope he persists!

 Video of JJ folding tshirts with Daddy voiceover!

Homemade Paint

Today we tried potato printing with our own homemade paint!

I cut some potatoes in half and used the knife to cut out some simple shapes - a cross, a circle, some lines and a letter C.

We made our own homemade paint, using flour, water and food colouring. It was fun!

Homemade Paint Recipe:
- 2 cups of plain flour, sifted
- 2 cups of cold water
Stir together flour and water until smooth, split into separate bowls, then add food colouring.

JJ stirring the flour and water for our homemade paint :)

Split the mixture into bowls, add food colouring, and voila! Homemade paint!

Get some small plates, put some kitchen paper roll down to act as the paint pad. Pour on the paint.

Use slightly thicker paper than normal, slip on the painting smocks, then let the painting fun begin!

Boys decide quickly to ditch potatoes in favour of finger painting! (something they've never been allowed to do by their slightly mess conscious mother!).

A great success :)

The boys didn't play as long with the paint as I thought they would - but they really enjoyed actually making the paint. Next time I make it, I will get some stubby paintbrushes as another painting tool.

XNPCSNNJUDW2

The Five Senses

Over the last few days I've been teaching the boys about The Five Senses.

I took a piece of paper and drew a person's face and hand and wrote:
1) seeing 2) listening 3) tasting 4) smelling and 5) touching
and arrows linking each word with the eyes, ear, mouth, nose and hand.

We talked a little bit about each sense, and then we played some games.

Touch/Feeling Game
For this game you put some small toys in a bag, a pillowcase, and a scarf to use as a blindfold.

The boys had turns to wear the blindfold, and had to put their hand into the pillowcase to feel a toy and guess what it was. Things like a car, a figurine, a plastic fruit, a balloon, a toy animal were fun things for them to guess.

They really liked this game!

Listening Game
For this game I collected some percussion/ musical instruments, plus other objects that made sounds. This time the boys had to listen and tell me what I held in my hand under the table!

Examples of what they had to guess:
- maraccas
- wind up toy (when you wind it up it makes a cool winding sound)
- coins in a purse
- a couple of spoons to hit together
- harmonica

Tasting Game
To play this game you assemble some little tasting portions of food in a bowl, cover it with a plate, and the kids have to taste and guess what the food is.

It can be tough getting them to keep their eyes shut!

Food examples:
- Rice cracker piece
- Banana
- Chocolate Tiny Teddy biscuits
- Hundreds and thousands sprinkles
- Cheese
- another idea would have been peanut butter or honey or jam on a teaspoon!

Day at Home

This week has been so busy. Today we finally just get to stay at home, it's nice not to have to rush anywhere!

Pasta play
They played with miscellaneous pasta shapes, and bits of drinking straw, with assortment of cups, spoons, ladles and string. They really enjoy this simple activity.

Matching the animals
I wrote different animals on some bits of paper, plus some names of fruit, and lay them out on the floor. I gave the boys a little carry case packed with plastic animals and toy fruit. Their task was to match each animal and fruit with the paper.

Coconut and Boat Game
The boys have a small inflatable boat. I found their collection of balls - all different sizes, and I called these 'coconuts'. They had to sit on the bed and throw the coconuts into the boat. I pretended to be a hungry crocodile and was sang a funny coconut song.They found this game hilarious!

Computer Time
When SamSam goes down for his lunchtime nap, JJ sometimes gets computer time. There are so many interactive resources on the net which are totally free and are educational. JJ loves spending time on the computer. We limit the amount of time he spends on it, and it's at the moment, he only gets to go on it every few days.

Puzzle Time

Toilet Training
SamSam started being toilet trained this week. He is doing really, really well! Hardly many accidents! I was using the sticker reward system, but I found that reward biscuits work much better for him! Chocolate Tiny Teddy Biscuits are a real fave :)

Impromptu slide
Boys love to be active. A roughly made up slide on the couch, with the slide leading to a drop onto cushions on the rug, amused them for a long time.

I love my boys!

Snapshots

Just a Snippet of What the Boys Got up to Today

Played Playdoh before 8am

Played on Mummy and Daddy's bed (favourite spot)

Walked to the library

Read some books

Went to a music and movement class (didn't have the guts to ask permission to take photos!)

Played on inflatable boat and went 'fishing'

Pulled each other around the house

Made lunch

Went to the community garden patch with Daddy who brought along our inflatable pool...

Letter T Day

JJ is so eager to learn that last week he wanted to play learning and teaching.

While the boys packed two backpacks with pencil cases and water, and pretended to take the bus to 'school' (by rearranging the cushions on our sofa to look like a bus), I whipped up a very simple lesson plan:

Aim: Teach about the Letter T
Method:

• Writing the letter T
• Reading T words
• Playing a T game
• Singing T songs
• Making a craft - animals that start with T
• Storytime Letter T

I photocopied some writing activity sheets for the letter T. The boys took their pencils and traced the dotted lines and coloured the pictures.

Another activity sheet had words beginning with T. I got the boys to read them out - truck, tomato and television. I took a piece of paper and wrote them as a list, and then we talked about how the letter T sounded. Then we added more words we could think of. We came up with Thomas (naturally), and troublesome (!).

I stuck these words up on a door so they could see them.

It was time for some singing with the letter T.

The only nursery rhymes I could think of with the letter T, were 'I'm a Little Teapot' and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. I wrote the titles on a piece of paper, and drew a teapot and a happy star, then stuck it on the door.

Then I pulled out my guitar and boys ran to get their percussion instruments. We sang the songs, and they shook their instruments and walked around the room to the rhythm of the music.

Other pictures and yellow suns are from Sunday school!

Then it was time for a letter T game.

For the game I wrote some words starting with the letter T, cut them up into strips, and put them in a pencil case. The boys had to take turns taking a word out, read it, and then stick it on the object with blue tack. The words we had included, television, toes, tshirt, tap. Toes was a fun one, as they stuck it to Daddy's socks as he sat on the sofa.

JJ holding his school bag

To wrap up, it was craft time with the letter T.

I asked them which animals started with T. I don't think they did very well, so I suggested turtle and tiger. JJ chose to make a turtle, and SamSam the tiger.

The boys LOVE glue. We bought some of those liquid gluesticks at the $2 shop, and they just love squishing the glue out. I drew an outline of the animals, and cut up lots of little pieces of magazine for them to make a collage.

Here's what they made!

Realised later that the tiger's tail is all wrong. Will have to get better at animal drawing!

I had a backup activity in case they wanted more, which was reading to them the letter T from the Richard Scarry book, but it was time to have a run around outside after all this concentration!

Evaluation: The letter T 'day' was a real hit. The boys learned a lot, they were occupied for quite a long time, and for me, having a plan to follow was really good - it made things much easier.

What I'd do next time: I think as the boys get older I'll need to prepare some of these 'lessons' in advance - like having activity sheets already photocopied and art equipment prepared. I found that the boys would get up to mischief while I hurried to prepare everything!

The good thing is that the lesson plan can be duplicated for all other remaining letters, hurrah!!! :)