'You've had a good day son....'

This was a good week....

Because...
... Kieran got to run with the ones- and the ones drew their game.
... I got the Hockey photos sorted.
... Pam stopped by to say hello.
... we made chocolate playdough.
... I got new books in the mail.
... I caught up with Suzanne on the phone.
... Will went to the Book Swap Shop.
... I changed the way I scrapbook.
... I made a whole pile of digital pages and am almost 'caught up' for this year.
... I finally got around to making a Doctor's appointment.
... we went to the Library.
... I made a super yummy meatloaf.
... we were offered a couch in better condition than the one we currently have.
... I made the kids some super cool Nature Tracker Notebooks and got them each a pair of binoculars.
... I made 3 more Photobooks to print during the sale.
... I caught up with Brace and Nana.
... Kieran went to Nadya's house.
... Les and Merenia went to F3B.
... Tama and Will played next door with Sebastian.
... Tama and Will got to play with Josh, Mitch and the cat when we went down there to look after them.
... lots of creating this week.

"You've had a good day son"  is the punchline of a joke my dad used to tell about a father, his son, a bear won in a side show at a carnival and a Mini Car... it's a great joke and the one liner punchline has stayed with us for a very long time. This weekly post is about being grateful for the little and big things in our lives and celebrating success the grand and everyday kind.

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365 2015 Week 20

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Flora on Friday

 

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Tama Month 47

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Wordless Wednesday

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This week on the web...

This is pretty cool- real food cut into identical cubes- there are close up shots on the original page. 

I liked this post about Childism (and Adultism too). I'm happy to say I am Childist too.

A healthy Ice-blended coffee (Frap!!) I definitely want to try this sometime soon.

Some thought provoking and funny cartoons about Smart Phones.

I may have shared this page again but it's worth reminding about because Ditch the Carbs Kids lunch and snack resources are awesome!

Teacher Tom's sharing of the concepts of living life horizontally vs. vertically was very interesting- we've been pretty horizontal around here lately... definitely need more vertical in our lives. 

Glennon is at the storyline blog with some great questions for strengthening and deepening relationships.

Huff Posts article on the impact of technology on children was interesting if somewhat extreme in the context of our family: "Technology's impact on the 21st century family is fracturing its very foundation, and causing a disintegration of core values that long ago were the fabric that held families together." It did make me consider the difference between the 'Bigs' and the 'Littles' their upbringings were significantly different and therefore it makes in interesting to think on their similarities and differences and if technology could have played some part in that.

So what is the impact of technology on the developing child? Children's developing sensory, motor, and attachment systems have biologically not evolved to accommodate this sedentary, yet frenzied and chaotic nature of today's technology. The impact of rapidly advancing technology on the developing child has seen an increase of physical, psychological and behavior disorders that the health and education systems are just beginning to detect, much less understand.

Let the kids learn through play was nothing new to me and once again left me questioning the wisdom in sending Tama to school next year.

Rebecca A. Marcon, a psychology professor at the University of North Florida, studied 343 children who had attended a preschool class that was “academically oriented,” one that encouraged “child initiated” learning, or one in between. She looked at the students’ performance several years later, in third and fourth grade, and found that by the end of the fourth grade those who had received more didactic instruction earned significantly lower grades than those who had been allowed more opportunities to learn through play. Children’s progress “may have been slowed by overly academic preschool experiences that introduced formalized learning experiences too early for most children’s developmental status,” Dr. Marcon wrote.

1000 Hours Outside is a pretty cool website for families.

I found a new Etsy shop this week Studio Armadillo is a bit out of my price range but I think these things are all very pretty and cool.....

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'You've had a good day son....'

This was a good week....

Because...

... I got to watch the 9/10's while Kieran umpired.
... Kieran went and hung out with Nadya.
... I had an early night with Vodka and Orange and Game of Thrones.
... I finished two books this week.
... the little boys played a cool made-up game called Nature Trackers.
... Tama had his first Kindy Excursion to Stirk Park.
... will was observed at school by the OT.
... we had a nice visit with Dr Houliston.
... I got some new jeans, Tama and Will new Trackies and Merenia fun socks.
... we got some Simpsons Lego Mini Figures.
... Les, Tama and I had lunch together.
... I got the distress ink pad I was missing.
... Will had a fun time playing with Robert at school after school.
... we went to the Library.
... got a new printer.
... the right person won Survivor.
... afternoon nap.
... mental health days.
... good people that do H2H.
... Robert came for a sleep over.
... lots of Hockey Photos.
... I made a scrapbook page.
... Home made chicken Pizza.
... cruising with his friends.
... Nadya for a visit.
... fun ice cream flavours.
... 8 people eating pizza in the lounge, watching Yogi bear on a Saturday night.

"You've had a good day son"  is the punchline of a joke my dad used to tell about a father, his son, a bear won in a side show at a carnival and a Mini Car... it's a great joke and the one liner punchline has stayed with us for a very long time. This weekly post is about being grateful for the little and big things in our lives and celebrating success the grand and everyday kind.

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Will Month 89

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Flora on Friday

 

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Wordless Wednesday

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...ing...

Making : a scrapbook page about a first smile.
Cooking : Cookies... eventually.
Drinking : Iced Coffee still.
Reading: Young Adult Fiction- needed something light and fast but still quality.
Wanting: A smooth path at home and hockey.
Looking: at the weeds coming up with the winter rain.
Playing: free cell in the spaces between... I have too many spaces between.
Deciding: well not really deciding, just flowing... or maybe not even that.
Wishing: for a home of our own and a new car.
Enjoying: spending more time reading, and on my own.
Waiting: for things to settle down.

Liking: watching lots of Hockey and feeling like part of a community.
Wondering: how I can do better at parenting- the lack of a routine in the day time is making a mess.
Loving: spending so much time with Kieran.
Pondering: Food options for the kids.
Considering: writing a strategic plan.
Watching: Survivor and Grey's Anatomy.
Hoping: for some washing drying weather!
Marvelling: at how the cool games Will and Tama are playing (Nature Trackers).
Needing: more balance, less conflict.
Smelling: cappuccino.
Wearing: not enough- it's a chilly 15 degrees in here right now.
Noticing: Autumn colours- I love them almost as much as spring flowers.
Knowing: that it all works out in the end.
Thinking: about Hockey way too much.
Feeling: not unreasonably angry and frustrated.
Admiring: The girls teams- they make me want to play Hockey!
Buying: things for Tama's birthday. :-) Four years... where did it go?
Getting: through some stuff- yay!
Disliking: disrespectful people.
Opening: some mail when I finish this post and go get the post. :-)

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This week on the web...

 Just a quick one from me this week I was reading books instead...

I love Karen Grunbergs pages she is one of my favourite scrapbookers and so was excited to see this article on Get it Scrapped was written by her.

Andie's spring zucchini ribbon salad looks yum- but beware the annoying noisy adverts on her site.

Healthful eating is among the best ways to protect your aging brain against slippage. Age slippage- is a pretty gross term and there's no surprises here but it's always good to be reminded.

Teacher Tom talks about how we learn and why we need some flexibility in the classroom.

This is how fast America Changes it's mind was a super interesting read- ok actually I looked at the pictures more than reading... but cool! Imagine if Americans used their power to make strides in poverty and education! The flow on effect would be good for us all too.

A couple of great posts from Teacher Tom this week: This is life itself and Within the Lines

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'You've had a good day son....'

This was a good week....

Because...
... Tama enjoyed some painting in the backyard.
... We had a nice tidy house pre-inspection.
... I finished The Burning Room... I love reading.
... Robert came over for a play.
... We were fortunate to have Cathy pick-up Will when Tama had a sleep-in.
... Game of Thrones Episode 5.
... Merenia had Yoh-fest rehersals.
... Kieran was invited to an audience with the Dalai Lama.
... We had fun at the Kindy Open day.
... Lisa's Carrot cupcakes.... OMG!
... Undisclosed Podcast!!
... got caught up with photo stuff and 365.
... Scored cool new toys including a Triceratops for Tama.
... The 17's won their game.
... Will and Tama both had Birthday Parties to attend. With Callum and Callum.
... K and I enjoyed watching the ladies games.

"You've had a good day son"  is the punchline of a joke my dad used to tell about a father, his son, a bear won in a side show at a carnival and a Mini Car... it's a great joke and the one liner punchline has stayed with us for a very long time. This weekly post is about being grateful for the little and big things in our lives and celebrating success the grand and everyday kind.

  ♥

365 2015 Week 19

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365 2015 Week 18

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Flora on Friday

 

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365 2015 Week 17

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365 2015 Week 16

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Wordless Wednesday

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This Week on the Web...

An interesting article about a school in Norway.

Teacher Tom of the week: Talking, listening, and thinking.

This makes me feel sick, and sad, and so very very helpless.

The importance of Playing, Puttering and Pretending 

Teacher Tom on Obedience.

Sitting and standing desks... not my usual read but still interesting and I had to laugh at the concept of 'Big Mother' technology: "like George Orwell’s Big Brother, only with more nagging."

Etsy picks of the week....

Monsuier IV print from Blancucha. 

Not sure there has ever been a cuter chameleon! From SuAmi, you should see the Narwhal too.

I thought the idea of a ceramic coffee travel mug was pretty cool... and this one is pretty. Seems like it would be nice to wrap your hands around. From Sarah Welch Pottery.

Sweet black and white nesting dolls from Wee Gallery

I'm not much of a jewellery person but when I do I like imperfect and rustic and out of the ordinary, like this ring from Cinnamon Sticks.

I could see Kieran getting this for me both because it would make me laugh and piss his sister off.

 I found the most amazing creator of dolls house miniatures "L Delany accessories for the well appointed dolls house". Am now totally wishing I had a dolls house to 'well appoint'....... 

They're made of paper!

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'You've had a good day son....'

This was a good week....

Because....
... Will and Robert went Rollerskating.
... Les took the kids on a successful shopping trip.
... Kieran and I had an awesome full day of Hockey.
... The Ones drew their game and are still top of the table.
... The Ladies twos won their game.
... We finally had school on a Monday- a much better day to start the week!
... Mrs Mulligan gave me a cool old book from the BSS.
... Robert came to play on Tuesday.
... Salvy and I had a catch-up about leavers.
... Merenia had an enjoyable excursion to Curtain.
... We had a phone catch-up with Glenys.
... Will and Tama and I had a boying session at John Oldham Park in the city.
... We dropped Will shoes into Orthotics.
... I scored a cool shelf from the hospital skip bin perfect for my scrapbooking room.
... I had a lovely Mothers Day afternoon tea with Tama at Kindy- completed with painting each others nails.
... Robert came to Hook in to Hockey with Will on Saturday morning.
... Tama once again enjoyed the full session.
... we had a fairly relaxed Saturday no real Hockey games- makes for a chilled day.

"You've had a good day son"  is the punchline of a joke my dad used to tell about a father, his son, a bear won in a side show at a carnival and a Mini Car... it's a great joke and the one liner punchline has stayed with us for a very long time. This weekly post is about being grateful for the little and big things in our lives and celebrating success the grand and everyday kind.

  ♥

Flora on Friday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Together Tuesday

I'm writing this post in the future! I've been pretty busy lately and so didn't get a chance before now to write a post for last Tuesday. So I'm writing today (Friday) and I'm going to back post which is perfectly ok and utterly perfect.

Our mornings generally flow fairly smoothly. We move through a fairly standard routine each morning. Les leaves, the TV goes off. The kids realise they are hungry- but need to get dressed before they can have the food pay-off. I make lunches. They move about- trampoline to get some wriggles out before the school day. Shoes, bags and out the door.

Yesterday when Will woke up he stayed in his room rather than coming out to the TV and worked on some Lego Heroes. Tama joined him after he got up and I decided just to leave them. If they had have come out foraging for breakfast before 8am we probably would have got back on the school train. But it was 9:10am when Will came out.

W: If I go to school now, won't I need a late note?

G: Yeah you will. Why, do you want to go to school now?

W: Um.... no.

G: Ok then.

And so we didn't, after a crappy week of Hockey drama. Tama a bit out of sorts and the weather generally cooling down and slowing us down we were all ready for a break and so we took one. The boys had breakfast in PJ's. Worked on the Lego some more. Came out late morning for more food. I suggested they get dressed while I made an extra big morning tea and we'd head into town to drop something off and take Will to the Park Tama and I recently discovered. And that's what we did pulling into the drive way back home  just as the 3pm bell went at school. 

It was lovely.

At school they are looking to build children's resilience. The children are not coping physically and mentally with the increasing demands of the poorly designed curriculum and over the top school achievement aims. So rather than make the school work for the children they are treating the symptoms of the problem and encouraging resilience.

I've never heard of something so bizarre. Our physical bodies are not particularly resilient and when they protest we lay off. We rest ourselves. Skip a training session. We don't just heap more training on our injured body in an attempt to strengthen the weakened area. Why then would we attempt to do that to the precious minds and spirits of children? 

So before anyone calls the truancy officer I'm just saying- yesterday was a sick day... sick of the school treadmill and in need of a mental health treatment that really works.

Time and space. Dirt, water, sticks, sliding, splashing, birds, trees, sunshine, snacks, and love.

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