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 ...

Home Birth Dreams probably won't become a realilty

If you have no idea about whats happening in Australia with new legislation affecting mid-wifes and their practices read here.

Basically what I understand is that as of next year, home births will be illegal because mid-wifes won't be allowed and doctors won't do them. The only way is to go it alone with no professional support, which I know Dave won't be comfortable with.

I think that it's terrible, no matter your opinions on it, everyone should have the choice to birth where they feel most comfortable, esp as the research shows that homebirth is safe! (Some statistics here). Also here is a cool article to read if you are interested in a doctors perspective.

So realistically, given the speed of my labours, next time I may be forced to be one of those demeaning car park birth stories - I can't think of anything worse...

Just doing my bit here to raise awareness of what is going on.

Australian Experiences Quiz

Bold is been there and done that.

1. Heard a kookaburra in person.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Seen a koala.
4. Visited Melbourne
5. Watched a summer thunderstorm
6. Worn a pair of thongs.
7. Been to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). I climbed it when I was seven!
8. Visited Cape York.
9. Held a snake.
10. Sang along with Khe Sanh.
11. Drank VB.
12. Visited Sydney
13. Have seen a shark.
14. Have used Aussie slang naturally in a conversation
15. Had an actual conversation with an indigenous Australian (Aboriginal).
16. Eaten hot chips from the bag at the beach
17. Walked/climbed over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (But I've seen it!)
18. Used an outside dunny, and checked under the seat before sitting down.
19. Seen Chloe in Young & Jackson’s. (????)
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus (We'll tried to anyway!)
21. Been to Sydney’s Mardi Gras (and not interested either)
22. Have gone bush-bashing.
23. Taken a sickie
24. Been to see a game of Aussie Rules football.
25. Have seen wild camels (again maybe - but I was very young so not sure)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Had a Tim Tam Slam
28. Ridden in a tram in Melbourne
29. Been at an ANZAC day Dawn Service.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Held a wombat.
32. Been on a roadtrip of 800km or more
33. Seen the Great Australian Bight in person
34. Had a really bad sunburn
35. Visited an Aboriginal community
36. Seen a redback spider.
37. Have watched Paul Hogan
38. Seen Blue Polls in person
39. Wandered barefoot in the bush/outback
40. Eaten Vegemite
41. Thrown a boomerang
42. Seen the Kimberleys
43. Given a hitch-hiker a lift. I’m not usually the one driving.
44. Been to Perth
45. Have tried Lemon, Lime and Bitters.
46. Tried playing a didgeridoo
47. Seen dinosaur footprints.
48. Eaten Tim Tams
49. Been to Darwin.
50. Touched a kangaroo.
51. Visited the Great Barrier Reef.
52. Listened to Kevin Bloody Wilson (who?)
53. Killed a Cane Toad. (but I've been a witness)
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Have read and own books by Australian authors.
56. Visited Adelaide (Yay!!!!)
57. Know the story behind “Eternity”
58. Been camping
59. Visited Brisbane
60. Been in an outback pub.
61. Know what the term “Waltzing Matilda” actually means
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Listened to Slim Dusty.
64. Own five or more Australian movies or TV series. (If I can count a Colin DVD, then we have three - Galipolli and Man from Snowy River)
65. Sang along to Down Under
66. Have stopped specifically to look at an historic marker by the side of the road.
67. Eaten a 4′n’20 pie
68. Surfed at Bondi.
69. Watched the cricket on Boxing Day. We'll if you count a church cricket match - I've even played!
70. Visited Hobart
71. Eaten kangaroo.
72. Seen a quokka
73. Visited Canberra
74. Visited rainforests
75 Used a Victa lawnmower.
76. Travelled on a tram in Adelaide
77. Watch canefields burning. Only smelt them.
78. Used a Hills hoist
79. Visited the Olgas
80. Used native Australian plants in cooking. But my Mum has and I might have helped her...
81. Visited the snow.
82. Chosen a side in Holden VS Ford. Holden - but really I don't care that much
83. Visited the desert.
84. Been water skiing. (Good old youth group camps!)
85. Read The Phantom. But not religeously or anything - all the other funnies are better!
86. Visited Parliament House.
87. Gone spotlighting or pig-shooting. Bunnies - youth group camp again!
88. Crossed the Nullarbor. (don't think so - I'd have to ask Dad)
89. Avoided swimming in areas because of crocodiles.
90. Listened to AC/DC. Probably if it was on the radio and at peoples places
91. Called someone a dag
92. Voted in a Federal Election
93. Have been swimming and stayed between the flags. but there aren't flags around as often as TV makes you think they would be!
94. Had a possum in your roof
95. Visited the outback
96. Travelled over corrugated roads.
97. Hit a kangaroo while driving.
98. Been well outside any mobile phone coverage.
99. Seen an emu.
100. Have woken to the smell of bushfires

{80/100 not too bad}

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!"

An All Nighter... in the name of... TAX!!!!

I cannot believe that Dave stayed up all night doing tax last night! What a waste!

Goodbye October

Every year I wait for the end of October with 4 year old type excitement, a shining light in the year... and wonder what joyous fun and special moments are to come, and then when it is over I bid it farewell with some kind of strange medley of relief, reflection and disappointment.
Some years I am sad to realise that it is over and there is no more, other years (like this one) I am glad to move on and look towards Christmas planning and preparation and the other things that make up life, and make us feel glad, stressed and excited. I am realising that this time of the year I can be a bit self orientated, and think that while it is nice to be spoiled (it feels good that those who love me would want to do so), it would be good to approach it with less invested in it, and thus be able to care less, come what may, responding with grace and sweetness to everything and nothing!
Anyway this is my ode to October

"Farewell my friend, the deceptive light
Goodnight and bring on November
More healthy focus to my heart bring
Next year teach me contentment!"

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!

Contemplating birth

I am writing this blog at risk of creating a scandal (if anyone actually ever reads this blog), but I have been thinking a lot about babies, and birth, and the timing of the next etc of late!
Prob cos I know so many people who are pregnant! :)
Dave's not really open to too much discussion right now, but I thought I'd write about my thoughts...
The more I look into it, the more I REALLY would like to try for a home birth next time!
I really like this midwife's approach to facilitating natural birth.
I looked at our private insurance and we were thinking of changing anyway and if the numbers work out for everything else, Australian unity look like they cover independent mid-wifes!!!
Now I just gotta workout when we think might be the best time to have number 3? (Not soon for those wondering, we'd like Taliese to be around 3 when jr is born and would have to have been with new insurance for 12 months before we could use cover for mid-wife)
But then, why bother ... from experience these things happen when they do! :-P