Sara's Wishlists

(updated Dec 2013)

Sara's List:

• Rollar shoes/skates/blades
• Craft kits (specific project)
• Lego friends: LEGO Friends Mia’s Puppy House (#3934)
• Pretty clothes - size 7
• Hats
• Book voucher
• Head bands
• Bike stand
• Doll carrier or pretty basket for bike

My Beautiful Tummy!

Comments by Sara (aged almost 4) on my tummy:

"Mummy your tummy is soooooooo pretty! It has pink and purple on it!"
"Do you think I will get a tummy like that when I'm a mummy?"
"Pink and purple are my favourite colours!"

My tummy when Sara was still in residence

Wordless Wednesday

'



.

Pet Caterpillars

While Dave was away, one of the things the girls and I did, was get a pet... we found some caterpillars in the garden and decided to keep them... actually there were LOTS of caterpillars but we caught 2 and put them in a jar with some holes int he lid.

Sara showing Taliese the caterpillars

The next day I decided the jar was too small for the 5 caterpillars we now apparently HAD to have (believe me it was a hard bargain getting Sara to be content stop at 5!) So the Caterpillars moved home to a more spacious plastic container with a pair of bloomers for a lid (with the pants bit tied up! I think it also made a prettier house!



I did not realise not much these small creatures both poop and eat - the bigger space was definitely a good move! I also did a bit a research on Google (this blog, this other info) and learned that caterpillars are actually very picky eaters, so we needed to give them the type of plant they were on to eat everyday - they won't eat just anything and they won't eat anything that's not fresh! I unfortunately wasn't able to work out what type of caterpillar they are, so we are not sure weather to expect a moth or a butterfly - I'm guessing a moth)

Well there was one busy weekend when I forgot to feed them, leading to an incidence of cannibalism of a smaller caterpillar, after which I convinced Sara to let the little caterpillars go and just concentrate on the two original inhabitants "Jack" and "Alisa" (sometimes "Talisa").


Two and half weeks later we are enjoying feeding our very hungry caterpillars and watching them get very FAT! (Hmmm reminds us of a favourite book!)


We are really hoping to see a metamorphosis take place - How cool for the girls to experience the reality of this transformation take place as they build cocoons and emerge a completely different creature!

In other cool caterpillar news - last night Dave noticed that one of out shrubs was absolutely COVERED in caterpillars - maybe the news got out there wasn't a lot of squishing going on in our yard? We have not dubbed it the caterpillar tree! (not sure if you can see in the picture?)


I will keep you updated when we have further developments in this little adventure. What an amazing thing it is to enjoy children's wonder and joy at things I would otherwise overlook!

ADDIT: Unfortunately while one caterpillar did form a cocoon, no moth or butterfly ever emerged (prob due to some rough handling) and we had to release the other caterpillars when we went on holidays! Will try again next year!

A Week Flying Solo

Dave is away this week leading camp for high schoolers (yrs 9-12) aimed at working with churches to equip and train them in leadership skills. I really feel very excited that he is involved with this.

So while he is doing that I am at home with the girls. Last year it was awful as both girls were very sick, but so far this time it's going great!

Several things have contributed to this: One we prepared ourselves and the girls better. I have sought support (thanks Stefan and Ali!) and thus been able to give my support to Dave more whole heartedly. We have both covered this time in prayer - and also it is beautiful to hear Sara and Taliese praying for their daddy. :) David wrote them letters and they (well more Sara) have really responded to this.
I am relying on God for my strength and am generally in a better place with Him anyway! Dave has also really blessed me with thoughtful notes and encouragements before he left!

Sara has been fine, being older she seems to understand what is going on. Taliese however, does wake up distressed and searching everywhere for her Daddy and is more clingy than normal, but it's OK. We will be OK.

Also I am enjoying the different way I an relating to the girls, not sure if it's just because it's a change or what but we have been doing different things together (like catching caterpillars and hosting a clothes swap)

We also enjoyed a Veggie-face lunch!

However, I am regretting making this week so busy though - I think next time I will use the time to just be with the girls in a different way!

So my focus for the rest of this week will be prayer and trusting in the Lord - looking to learn more from him as well and a few chick flicks and some relaxing time out!

(UPDATE: Unfortunately I didn't spend more time with God, got sick and fell apart on the last day - but the first half was really good!)

Homeschooling thoughts

Several of Sara's peers are soon heading off to Kindy, and so I'm thinking I should delve deeper into what exactly it is that we are going to do now that we have made the decision to home school for the first few years.

Do I buy a curriculum, write my own or a do a bit of both. Do I buy one curriculum or a bit from a few vendors? How do I choose which one to go with? Where do I even start this research? How do I want to structure school time? How do I actively incorporate learning into homelife too?


Jenny kindly re-lent me the book I didn't read the first time - so I guess getting stuck into that will give me some direction to some of these questions... Would probably also help if I ever get along to a home school park gathering...

I want to focus more on the love of learning and understanding instead of marks and results as such. I think this will give the girls a great foundation to achieve whatever in the future, because they LOVE it rather than because they have to. Although I will have to try to follow the government guidelines more closely year by year, as we plan to send Sara to school at grade 3, but if I were planning to go the whole way we could take a more relaxed pace. (letting them go a ahead in some areas and take their time in others)

So far my key areas would be Maths, Phonics, Writing and Bible study. (I'm pretty sure science and art/ craft will happen pretty naturally too - science more than art)

Hmm... have much to think about! Not to mention I have still to sell home school to Sara (who really has no idea what school is but thinks it would be fun to have me walk her there)

Less is more

I have been challenged recently about how consumer driven our society is... how consumer driven I am...

It started with thinking about Taliese's birthdayand all the toys the kids have... why do people HAVE to buy them stuff and NEW stuff to make themselves feel like they are acting in loving way. Do the kids really value all the stuff they have... do they really need more to make them happy, smart, contented, etc...

(The problem is I understand because I love shopping and I love buying stuff and I love giving gifts too... just gotta change my thinking about how to do this well without buying into consumerism.)

Then I started reading this blog which moved the issue closer to home. These people are trying to not buy ANYTHING for a year. Admittedly she know how to wield a sowing machine ... but it's a big challenge to change my thinking on this. (No new clothes, furniture, DVDs, sheets, toothpaste, toilet paper etc... no consuming)

This article also had some ideas in how to help the environment and make lifestyle changes that reduce the amount of stuff we use and chuck etc. And this is always a good reminder of the long term impact of it all.

The bible says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Timothy 6:6-7

I am challenged to make changes, live with less and to tear down some of the idols in my life that I simply cannot live without! (and I'm sure Dave will be happy with all the money we save). Baby steps to start with... I think the most important change will be how I think and feel about it all. Contentment.

These girls seem pretty contented with their blueberry and grape necklaces ...

Out of the mouths of Babes

Recent prayers of Sara aged 3.

"Dear God, Thankyou that you are my Daddy. Thankyou that you can keep me and have me and not my parents" (an interesting thought from such a small girl)

"Dear God, Thankyou that I didn't want to go to sleep and now I do."

A tea time moment

I was feeding Taliese last night and was getting frustrated that she kept just licking the sauce of the pasta as opposed to taking it all into her mouth so I said, "Taliese will you just eat it?" Sara reached over and patted me on the arm gently saying "It's OK hunny, that's just what babies do!"

Taliese's Birthday

I know it was ages ago, but I just downloaded the pics from the camera!

So here was what we all got up to on 21st July 2008

Happy 1st Birthday Taliese!

After opening pressies and singing to Taliese in our bed, we got up and had a yummy (healthy version) pancake breakfast!

We had a lot of fun at Kindergym!!!!

Then we went out for lunch at Bongiorno's, Taliese's first ever meal bought out!

First Babycino!
Which She didn't like that much in the end and Sara polished off for her!



Then after a nap in the pram we went on to have more fun and yummy foods at the Plaza play area


All in all I think she had a good day!

Sara's Funny Ways

We were dirving past Hungry Jacks and the following conversation took place

Sara: There's a farm back there!
Ingrid: Pardon?
Sara: There's a farm back there mummy!
Ingrid: Ummm... what do you mean?
Sara: Old McDonald had a farm .. Eee -I Oh!

I thought this was very funny!

I was also disturbed that she knew enough about fast food to know the name McDonald's and could recognise a fast food joint! So we are NOT going to the outing to McDonald's with play group this week! If the weather is nice we might go find some ducks to feed instead! I think that can wait and for the mean time let enjoy the simpler, more nutritious things!

Sara's Joke

On the way home from Mama and Papa's house in the car, while discussing her fun time with them!

Sara: Papa pushed me in the bushes.
Ingrid: Really ....??
Sara: Noooooo.... (laughing) Papa pushed me on the swing!

It was hilarious!

A lovely morning!

This morning I woke up GRUMPY! Taliese has been waking me up at night (think it's that little tooth I can feel coming through) and I was just tired!
I felt annoyed that Dave hadn't just decided to get up and look after the girl and let me sleep. (Hmmmm... maybe he was tired too and was enjoying his Saturday morning?) All pretty unfair, but I was feeling pretty flat tired and thin skinned!
Well I got out of bed took Sara to the loo and started to get ready with some very ungracious grumbling and generally not helping anyone else to start the morning off well.

[I hear you say ... but the title says it was a lovely morning... is it sarcastic or do things get better?]

Anyway we finally got breakfast eaten ... (actually I forgot to eat the toast i made) and everything/everyone ready for the pool and were running late. Got in the car and the battery was flat (Sara had been playing in the car and left the map lights on yesterday) The RAA was going to be an hour wait.
GRRRRRR... the day just working out to MY plans.

BUT... we had a really nice day! We ended up canceling the RAA and walking to the pool! I didn't really use the gym much when we got there - too tired and flat. But I relaxed and listened to my ipod after a brief workout, while Dave and the Sara played in the pool and Taliese slept. Then afterwards we walked home again!

We got pies from brumby's, bought a really pretty quilt for Taliese and some hairclips for Sara. We talked and just enjoyed each other. It was nice!
We think that maybe we will try to walk to the pool regularly on a Saturday morning!
It solves the problems of fitness (as the gym membership ends tomorrow), Taliese's morning nap (on the way there), quality time, and if we pack a lunch we could eat there then come home and maybe Sara would even fall asleep on the way home? (wishful thinking?)
Anyway it was really nice (even if we didn't get to go shopping for a new car seat) and I am so thankful to God for this unexpected and very undeserved blessing!
Well I am of to have a little nap!

PS Taliese was also able to stay dry all morning to boot!

A bit of everything really

Just using this space to record some thoughts!

Welcome to the world little Nathan Bryan Mathiesen! (Well done Naomi you are fabulous!)

Brothers! - David and Nathan

Also his birth got me thinking about birth etc and today I stumbled across this homebirth site (through a link in an email) and wanted to recorded the link as I think it will be interesting to read, but not really interested enough in it all right now.
(As I may not have an option about home birth next time, it will be best to be prepared! Also heaps cool!)

Also while talking about parenting topics i finally looked up the wrap site and am keen to try and make my own one of theses days!

Been learning a lot more about additives in food, through a talk at GEMS and stuff my Mum has been going to and some reading too! It helps to inspire healthy eating!

Still doing the EC thing part time, with off and on again success! I love it though and it has just become the norm to offer both the girl a wee stop when they wake up or i think they need to go! Normally one of them has a good day while the other wees in their nappy all day!

And that brings me to cloth nappies! I am amazed at how fun they are! Naomi told me how to do the no-pin fold which i have been having fun with today. Also i am inspired to in the new year try my hand at sewing my own fitted modern cloth nappies (with my Mum's help!)
I am amazed at how Sara enjoys wearing cloth nappies so much more than disposable (and this preference had remained for some months so it's more than a fad or novelty! they must be more comfortable even though they feel wet. we are almost full time cloth nappy users now! Wow! V. interesting for me as i really didn't care about using cloth when Sara was little!

And now for a few fun family pics from our time on the beach friday night!

As you can see Sara enjoyed our Spaghetti picnic!

David and Taliese admiring the Sunset!

So hows that for a mishmash post!

A very nice week!

I have had a very nice week this week, starting with birthday celebrations on monday... for Me this time ! Yay!
Taliese and Sara were very good for me and Dave was very sweet too! I also enjoyed the use of a 'trumps card' for the day which was fun! (Not that a really needed it!) I think this might be the start of a new tradition for us!
We visited the museum and had a nice time there and basically just chilled around home in the arvo!! then out to tea with Dave's fam that night! Last night we had my fam around for a very yummy meal including poffetjes! yummo! Only downer was no candles to blow out.
Taliese has been ECing well today, which is encouraging as i thought she might be on strike after all the upheaval of the past few weeks. ahhhh!
thinking of moving Sara to the big bed this week, just need to pick up bed rail from a friend.
Oh and My friend Jacinda had a baby, Caleb on my birthday! I'm a twin! Yay!

(Addit: And then everyone started vomiting!)

Baby stuff

Baby carriers

I have been lent a hug-a-bub baby sling! I think it is great! Actually I think it might be one someone made as there are no tags and is slightly different to ones on web site, but it does the job and is sooooooo comfortable! Can't wait for next opportunity to use it again!

Elimination communication

I am sooo frustrated with this topic, I just want to know how to do it in reality, but can't get hold of a book. Amazon won't post it to Australia, not in the lib or any book stores or on ebay!
Info on the web is too sketchy and doesn't answer my questions!
Maybe we will be a nappy family after all! Oh well... just would have liked to have given it a go!

Edit: Just found a much more helpful web site!

In other news

Really enjoying Taliese's smiles and coos and Sara's gorgeous affection! So sweet