Biennale of Sydney:: Cockatoo Island

On Father's Day we got up early, breakfasted and headed out to catch a ferry over to Cockatoo Island. Much (well deserved) ado has been made about the Biennale, we were keen to get up close and personal with it ourselves, and so our Sunday art adventure began.

Sydney blasted out a cracker of a day, and the Biennale itself did not disappoint. Particularly given the interactive nature of the show. It's clever, witty and fun. Each of us enjoyed the art - as well as the backdrop of Cockatoo Island.

Highlights included finding those two statues at the top of this post. I know. Real life little statues. So cute I took them home.

On the ferry back I chanced upon meeting Tony from Well Spotted. Tony and I have been conversing via the interwebz since 1975. Or for five years. We've never met in real life. But as chance would have it, we were seated next to each other on the ferry. I recognised his Well Spotted t-shirt and thought "Cool, that guy is wearing a Well Spotted tee". Then looked at Instagram and saw that he had messaged me that he too was at the same exhibit just minutes after me. "Hey... Are you Tony?" And so life goes. Shazam social media!

Check out the Biennale if you get the chance (finishes September 16). It's a fun day for bigs and smalls.

It's Showtime, Baby

We went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday - as guests of the new Samsung Galaxy Note. 


During the day we visited almost every animal known to man, including this heck of a cute goat, who we creatively named Billy the Kid - he slayed me. I wanted to keep that little kid. Tiny cried over Billy the Kid. The Doctor adored Billy the Kid. And Matt stood there like the Tin Man. He did not find his heart. Until I forced a cup of baby goat food into his hand and I damn well made him feed the baby animals. 


Finally we had to wean Billy the Kid from our tender-loving-care, and walked on to see ducks tumbling into ponds, chickens hatching, sheep headbutting other sheep, alpacas being judged, a cow doing a wee, and other amazing sights. 


We watched skaters shredding the rad at the Monster park. We had our portraits done at the Samsung stand (more on that laterz) - where I learnt I have a massive nose and huge, superhero like chin. Fist pump! The Doctor had a parrot on his head. We watched the pooches getting preened. 


And then I won worst mother of the year when I declared we were not, under any circumstances going to be getting showbags. Harsh, I know. Well the Doctor was so dirty at me, when we asked if he had had a good day he replied: "Not really," and then slunk off like an emo six year old. He didn't talk to me the whole drive home. 

Listen Up Lego Afficionados:: School Holiday Guaranteed Boredom Busters

If you're looking for something for your smalls to do these holidays, I've got some hot diggety ideas for you. Mamas - let me be of service! 


First up - if you're in Sydney - check out the school holiday menu at the Castle Hill Powerhouse Discovery Centre. Holy cow they've got some ace activities on offer - the Doctor is booked in for the LEGO Master Builder course - a full-day, hands-on, fun workshop that aims to stimulate creativity while developing teamwork and problem solving skills. The kids are in teams and together they work to build houses, castles and towers of strength using LEGO. Suitable for 6–8 year olds. $60/$55 Powerhouse members. Kids can bring their own lunch, or order their healthy lunch pack. Bookings essential as numbers for the workshop are limited to 12. 


Call 02 9762 1300 to make bookings. 


But even if your smalls aren't into LEGO be sure to check out what's on offer - because there is so much goodness going on over there, make farm animal peg pals, as well as a whole bunch of make-and-do activities, mini workshops including liquid nitrogen (YES! LOVE!), junk jewellery making. I could go on - but see for yourself all the fun and learning that's to be had (it's fun learning, so it's extra good). Go here now!


And for LEGO afficionados nationally - well you've got to listen up because the school holidays are the perfect time for the kidlets to get their LEGO on. Hot diggety! 


LEGO Australia, in conjunction with Toyworld stores are searching for the nation's best LEGO builder in 2012 for the National LEGO Building Competition - entries are open until April 30th. 

The kidlets are encouraged to use their creativity and construction skills to build the LEGO model of their dreams for the chance to win the grand prize of a family trip to LEGOLAND in California. Like this doesn't have the Doctor's name written all over it!

It's easy to enter - children just have to take two identical colour printed photos of their creation to a participating Toyworld store to obtain the official entry form. 

Visit Toyworld for details. 

image of someone else's LEGO awesomeness via Oddee 

Leaning Tower of Colander

Yesterday in a bid to keep the Doctor busy while I clocked up some 'me minutes' we set up an activity he was gangbusters for.

He gathered the goodies, I gave him a few more, and away he went, building a water fountain.

This was an excellent practice in concetration, balance and problem solving. Many times the fountain tumbled. And many times he was disgruntled. He wanted me to build it. But I wouldn't. I helped a few times. I gave him some pointers, but I left him to work on it - and he was triumphant. Until we introduced the hose which sent the fountain toppling. But that was ok because it was fun to the max.

We used cups, plates, colanders, plastic colanders (from ricotta), anything will do really as long as water can overflow, flow through etc.

This is an idea we gleaned from Jo England's Happy Times Together. Lots of great ideas to do with older kids in here.

School Holiday Crisis: Averted!

We're well and truly in the swing of school holidays and the little dude is totes bored. TOTALLY BORED! Thankfully I had the foresight to book some 'intensive' swimming lessons that start tomorrow for the whole week. So that's 1/2 hour for each day taken care of. But what of the rest of the day?

I've been investigating some options around the city. Here's the scoop de la scoop that I WILL share because I am quite good like that. Sometimes. Here we go:

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Australian Museum

6 College Street, Sydney

1. The Dinosaur Show (1-26 January 2010)

Cost: $5 after general Museum entry. Tickets available at the door.

You can meet the museum's very own dinosaur, the Muttaburrasaurus puppet, Winny, and her keeper will entertain you in this fun show about the life of dinosaurs

2. Dinosnore Sleepover (15th January 2010)

Cost: Non-members $160 adults, $120 child. Members $130 adult, $100 child. For bookings, call 9320 6225.

Would you like to spend the night sleeping in Australia’s oldest Museum? You can join the Dinosnore sleepover and enjoy a special pizza dinner, fun craft activity, torchlight tour of the Museum and late night DVDs before catching some zzz’s in the Dinosaurs exhibition. NB: Children must be accompanied by an adult.

--------------------------

Powerhouse Museum

500 Harris Street, Ultimo

(behind Darling Harbour and Chinatown)

Admission: Adults - $10, children (4-15) - $5, under 4 - free

3. The Thriller Experience (4-26 January 2010)

11:00am & 2:00pm

Take to the dance floor and be part of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in the holiday event guaranteed to embarrass and delight all ages. The choreographer will take you through your “zombie” paces as you learn some of the dance moves made famous in the Thriller music video. Definitely not something for me, since I am so unco!

4. Cogs Workshop (4-26 January 2010)

11:00am - 3:00pm

Children can make their own 'go-go gadget' in this cogs workshop a la Inspector Gadget. Suitable for under 8s. -------------------------------
Art Gallery of NSW

Domain Road, Sydney

5. Indian Summer workshop

Check website for dates (under 5s Thursday 14th January; 2-3pm)

Using plants, flowers and animals kids can create an artwork inspired by the maharaja's garden.

$25+

6. Tours for Tots (19 January - let's look at fancy dress; 23 February - let's look at battles and beauties)

2 sessions daily: 10:30am and 1:30pm sharp!

A fun adventure tour through the Gallery’s collection for 3-5 year olds (accompanied by an adult). Hear stories, play games and make your own art.
$15 per child

Bookings essential (limited numbers)

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Circular Quay

7. MCA Family Art Day (Sunday 17th January 2010)

Adult $15 /Student $12 /Child under 12 $10

Explore the MCA’s summer season of exhibitions with this fun-filled family event. Participate in hands-on art activities, family-friendly guided tours, performances and competitions.

8. Mad Mondays at the MCA (Monday 25 January 2010)

11:00am-12:30pm

5 – 12 year olds

Join these lively school holiday art-making sessions running every Monday* in January. Have fun exploring the current exhibitions and create your own artworks.

$12 (pre-bookings essential)

9. Kaleidoscopic Fun (Friday 22 January, 10.30am – 3.00pm)

8 – 12 year olds

See the world like Olafur Eliasson and use light, colour and shape to create your own magical kaleidoscopes. All materials and entry into exhibitions included. Bring your own lunch.

$40

Prepaid bookings essential

10. Art Baby (Thursday 28 January, 2.00 – 3.30pm)

Enjoy the MCA’s unique program for parents and carers with babies. Join MCA staff for a guided, one-hour tour, followed by coffee and biscuits in the MCA café.

Prams and front packs welcome.

$15 (babies free)

Bookings essential

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Other places to go with smalls...

* Australian National Maritime Museum

* Greenwich Baths

* visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and take a picnic!

* see a movie?

* stuck for inspiration?

What are you up to these holidays? We've been digging in the sand clam looking for treasure.

A Crazy Outta Control To-Do List

Do you ever have days where your to-do list is just not going to-get-done? Today is one of those days.

- Wake up

- Prep morning tea & lunch for the Doctor

- Drop the Doctor off to pre-school

- Fruit & veg shopping
- Vaccuum

- Mop

- Breathe

- Get a flat tyre fixed

- Fruit & veg still sitting on floor in kitchen - unpack it now girlfriend!

- Cook dinner (for tomorrow night)
- Tidy the Doctor's room

- Change bed linen

- Washing

- Somewhere in here, get some work done

- Play with Tiny

- I won't continue in case you click away

Do you ever feel as though you agree to take on too much, and then feel like you're suffering in order to make everyone happy? Well that's me right now. I think I need to cut back and learn to say no. I think if I did that, the boulder currently resting on my shoulders could roll off. And that would be an ace thing indeedy.

And tonight friends, sewing restarts. I decided to go back. It's a good excuse for me to ensure I have some 'me time'. And I'm not going to stress about it this term. It's going to be easy sewing. Just learning some techniques me thinks. And my teacher promised she'd teach me how to smock. Coolio. I think tonight I might start work on a cushion for the Doctor. I promised him yonks ago, but never got to it. I've been trawling my copy of 'Bend the Rules' for inspiration. Inspiration-a-go-go.

Today for your viewing pleasure, a little bit of eye candy in the form of the Doctor's scarf I've been working on. And some fabrics I'm thinking of including in his cush.

An Eggy Update

Have you ever had eggnog? I've not, I used to think it sounded terribly romantic, until I read a recipe and realised that it truly involves eggs. Ik! Eggs are not so romantic in my book. However, the Doctor and I have been getting into our Easter crafts with great aplomb, there goes my house cleaning for the morning. Oh well. We've got results peeps, and they're quite cute.

First up for this morning: foam eggs. We painted two of these babies with a mix of acrylic paint and PVA glue. This seals the foam and allows for an optimum work surface. We also stuck a wooden skewer in them to minimise paint/PVA mess, and fingerprints on the egg. This is just the first step on this egg craft journey. Stay tuned.

Second egg craft activity: foam eggs with fabric scraps. PVA glue is required again, wooden skewer is optional (I went without, the Doctor went with), I chopped up small scraps to make them even smaller, then we went to work sticking them randomly onto the foam egg. I wonder if you can guess which is mine and which is the Doctor's?

Third egg craft for today: as blogged about earlier, this one's straight from Amber's idea factory. It's easy and quick to realise your Easter egg dreams. All you need is some cardboard, an egg shape (I used a cookie cutter and drew freehand because my middle name is Matisse - ok ok, it's not, but it could be if I changed it by deed poll), some foil, some paint and some cotton tips, or the end of your paint brush. Here's where my key learning comes in for today. Don't put out more than 2 paints, unless you dig on the colour brown.
You know brown is great if it's chocolate, dirt, cake or a little cat or shaggy dog, but I am not a big brown fan. I saw a woman on the weekend dressed head to toe in brown. I'm talking, dark brown hair, brown sunglasses, brown top, brown skirt, brown tights, brown shoes, brown handbag, everything BROWN. Hey lady, you're not a gigantic walking, talking poo, stop with the brown.

Back to the crafting at hand. A good time was had by all.

Oh we did manage to do one other crafty eggy thing. I picked up this neat little pack of dyes from the local IGA (for international readers, that's a small, independent, local supermarket) for next to nix. We popped some boiled eggs in the dye mix and look at those colours. Loving them.

And now friends, it is time for the small fry to sleep and for me to make hay.

Magical March: Day 24

(I may have missed some 'magical' days, let's just pretend you didn't notice, awright?!)

It doesn't even feel Autumnal at the moment, in fact, it's kinda hot. But in a nice way, not in a stifling, dangerous way. It's cool enough to sometimes wear a cardi, but warm enough to enjoy that slight Autumn breeze slow dancing in on the coat-tails of Summer.

So I've gone AWOL a few days. Sorry 'bout that. I am sure you've been checking your email every hour on the hour wondering just where is PottyMouthMama, so inspiring, witty and creative are my posts (ahem). Slamming down your cup-of-cino (am I alone when I say, I can't stand when people say cup-of-cino?!) and thinking, damn girl, get your freak on and get back to blogging. Well here I am.

Having spent the last six days daydreaming of holidays, of someone else cooking me dinner (yes Hoppo Bumpo, I hear you loud and clear), losing time in book stores, looking for shoes in apparently all the wrong places (hello, has anyone ever heard of a woman with a size 12+ foot? Apparently not. Nope no shoes for me. Just thongs and sneakers. Hot. Uber hot.) and going on yet another date with my husband, I am back friends. Back!

And for you today, a little bitta eye candy. More doilies. It's doil-rific! Sitting in the sun enjoying their new life with moi. Ain't life grand?

Beware The Cute Attack!

Today we found a baby, baby, baby brush-tailed possum. So wee. So cute. So darn soft. So I called WIRES to find out what to do with this wee one we found in the bouganvillea. He looked more like a tiny kangaroo than a possum. Sweeeeet! And the smalls were totally into him. They luuuuurved him.

I dropped him off to a local vet, and they'll feed him, and organise a carer - he needs feeding four-hourly - just like a newborn. Phew! We're just getting over that, so I won't be raising my hand for night duty, that's for shizzle.

More interesting reading here:

- why dirt's good (heck, I'll just keep putting off cleaning the floors in the interests of a healthy family)

- a new, difficult movie on its way (I couldn't think of another category other than 'difficult')

- and I've just picked up this book after a good friend recommended it. Have you read it?

The Real First Day

It's the Doctor's first full day at pre-school. I'm fluctuating between being teary and trying to get all the boring jobs done before pick-up. Tiny's in a grumpy mood sleeping, so I'm washing, baking, blogging and trying to tidy this never-tidy house. I hope the little dude is ok.

This is a photo of my two punks together this morning. Tiny - as mentioned - in a filthy mood. Needless to say, she has not been introduced to the puppy (from my previous post) as yet. Once she is, I am sure she can turn that frown upside down.

Sweet Saturday: Guests for lunch, a garage sale, a twilight vino

I love Saturdays. So full of hope and promise. Particularly if your weekend is wide open and free. Free as a bird baby.

Ours? We started off with a visit from my Mum & Dad who are in town. We had an easy lunch, followed by the best cheesecake ever (sadly not made by me), damn fool, it was good. Wonderful to have a very relaxed afternoon with them, and the Doctor and Tiny were both tickled pink to see them and be the epicentre of attention (not that they're not with us, but you know how it rolls).

Grocery shopping. Not so good.

Garage sale (not to be confused with garbage sale): good! 50 cent books - hello, hello, will photograph tomorrow - but some real treasures! Sadly the Doctor was pining after some plastic race track, but his mama declined. Poor Doctor.

Swim: Crazy fun. Tiny and the Doctor go overtime in the bonkers department - they lurve it. Tiny plunges her face in the water - she is one crazy cat.

Evening vino on the back steps: Ah hello night time. I see you ride into the sky, a line-up of clouds in pink are pushed out - make way for lilac skies. And here come the bats. Time to chat with Matt and enjoy the cool evening breeze sneaking in. Welcome.

And in case you're wondering how my decluttering is going (and even if you're not, I'll tell you) - it's going ok. Though as my MIL says, I have to live in the now, not in the past. Will that make it easier to get rid of my stuff. Hmph. I am not sure, but I will try! And while I'm on the subject - does anyone own this book? Is it good? Do I need it? Or is it more clutter?

What's something fun you're doing this weekend?

Just Look What I'm Filing This One Under

Today we've been busy despite the omnipresent heat.

We nipped down to the nursery at lunch time to pretty up the front of the house. I was in need of colour. Some pizazz. Unfortunately I neglected to get a photo of our colour. Though it's not been potted up yet - it's going to be - yes, dear reader, I will finish at least one of my projects. Amazing I know.

Tiny kept escaping out our kitchen door. That baby sure loves to get filthy. Rather than the softest of pinks, I should really be dressing her in sand, chocolate and any other natural kind of shade so her escapades are camouflaged. Napisan and I are firm friends.

To keep her in one spot I popped a saucepan of water outside with her, along with mandatory wooden spoon, and her favourite - a pint-sized ball. Kept her still for - oh - two minutes.

My hot weather wear is one of my very favourite dresses that I picked up at the markets yonks ago - just a little cotton number with Steven Seagulls (or if you prefer, they can be Jonathon Livingston Seagull). Thongs - compulsory (sheesh, just realised that if you're a US reader, you may be thinking that I'm saying g-strings are compulsory - for you dear US reader, please read flip-flops).

And here's where I am expecting MENSA to come knocking. Matt, for some reason, felt the urge to buy not one, not two, but four loaves of bread on Tuesday - AND a dozen small rolls. Given this sudden influx of carbohydrates, I am currently going gang-busters trying to use it all up before it becomes at one with penicillin. On the menu tonight - individual serves of garlic bread. Nigella, need a sidekick? Talk about genius.

The First Day

The Doctor had his first day at pre-school today. Well not so much a 'day' but just two short, sweet hours. Enough for me to start missing him, and just a 'taste test' for him. And now he's wondering why he can't go back tomorrow.

For me, this is the beginning of being apart. We do almost everything together, so I've been riding on a wave of excitement for him, to being boom-tossed by the wave and feeling a little sad that my first-born is off the starters so soon - but with so much excitement. It'd be terrible for me to try and hold him back just for my own sake. He is thrilled with this next big step.

Tiny even missed The Doctor today. Chanting his name as we drove away. His name comes out as 'Nang Nang', or 'Nah Nah'. She continued for the entire time.

The Doctor returned home pooped. So pooped he had to have a sleep today. A rare, rare occurrence 'round these parts.

I know we'll hit our stride, and it will all become part of our family's week, but for now, it's new and a little secret tear is shed now and then. But don't tell the Doctor.

We Are A Lucky Country

For visitors not in Australia, today is Australia Day. A celebration of our country and all who live here and make our country what it is. Truly lucky.

We went to visit my sister and her family who are staying at Darling Harbour at the moment. I am not usually a fan (and you'd never really catch me down there) of this area of Sydney. It's very touristy. BUT today they had all sorts of fun going on down there to celebrate Australia Day.

Lots of street performers including this ride 'em cowboy who taught the Doctor how to pat a bull (in case you're curious, pat, stop, pat).

The Doctor got to rock out to Bananas in Pyjamas, Jay Lagaia* and Fifi and the Flowertots. Talk about rock 'n' roll baby! The only thing missing was my very special air guitar.

And what happens after all good rock concerts? You run into two very large marsupials, that's what. The male marsupial was sporting some very over-sized appendages.

* Sorry for the Jay Lagaia link - eek - I can't find anything else, and well I thought this was kinda cute anyway, for nostalgia. And Jay's cute no matter.

Activities...

I am quietly attempting to steer the Doctor away from playing with trains all day. Why, you may well ask...? Simply because I've said it once and I'll say it again, I can't stand playing trains all day, and PS - the Doctor starts pre-school next week and can't play trains for the hours he's there. Well maybe he can, but I'm trying to bring him back to doing a range of things rather than just pushing the trains around and around.

So today we got stuck into our activity box. The Doctor is 3 years and eight months. Here are some things he's been enjoying lately...

- Gerald the Giraffe: My sister gifted this gorgeous puppet to him. He LOVES it. I mean love, love, loves it. Gerald eats all his toys. Gerald tries to eat him. I have never seen anyone laugh as manically as the Doctor when Gerald starts to rumble him. Even Tiny thinks Gerald is the best - he's super dooper soft, and realistic. A real asset to our home.

- Cork Pictures: My other sister gave this to the Doctor for Christmas. Good for hand-eye coordination and imagination, this is a definite winner. We lie on our bed and construct pictures for long spurts of time (ok twenty minutes is a long time for him).

- Quiet Time: I've been setting his little alarm clock so that when his quiet time is up, it goes off and he knows he can come out of his room. Very good for my sanity.

And while I think of it here's a cool resource for mamas with small fry... In fact, there's heaps on this site for you to do with the smalls..

Kiddie Craft:: The Ultimate Ice Cube Tutorial

Like I said in my previous post, ice cubes are good. While anyone reading in the Northern Hemisphere might be able to walk outside and collect a handful of ice, we're relying on the freezer to do its magic. Here's a foolproof way to keep the smalls interested in bath time.

What you need:

- plastic containers (don't use any rigid plastic, as it cracks when the water expands - did you ever expect to learn anything by visiting my blog? No? Well, you did today. Surprised us both)

- plastic animals, or any small toys that are ok to be frozen (here I'm using some wild circus animals that perform stunts willy nilly around our kitchen)

- water

- optional: food colouring

1. Place animal (or small toy) into the plastic container.

2. Fill with water.

3. If you feel the need, you can add food colouring. This adds another dimension to this exercise. But you don't have to. Water au naturel is just as good.

4. Pop into the freezer. Leave until frozen rock-solid (at least a few hours).

5. Once frozen (and it's bath time, or ice cube play time) take out of freezer. We pop them into the bath and let the melting good times begin.

Here at PottyMouthMama, we know how to party.

The End.

Ideas For Super Hot Weather

Here are some ideas for hot weather, most specifically, when the air-conditioner is gone, and you're too scared of funnel webs to go swimming:

- go shopping in a big shopping centre (you don't have to buy anything, just enjoy that chilled air that they're pumping out)

- hit the library. It's free. The above is testament to what happens when we hit the library. We have a 20 book limit per library card. Lucky I forgot the Doctor's card so we couldn't go gung-ho to 40.

- ice cubes are good. Yes. And the little ones love ice cubes, watching them, crunching on them. They're great in the bath too. If you put some water in a container and put some of the kids animals in them in the water, then freeze them, then by their evening bath, they have icebergs to watch melt and the animals are freed! Trust me. It's genius.

- keep the curtains closed and watch some great movies. For now, I have to be content watching Thomas the Tank Engine *yawn*

- strictly no baking - no matter how badly you're hankering for those choc chip cookies - no baking!

- book a date with your lover and go to the movies. darkness, great movie, even greater company - can't fault it. Perhaps a choc top too?

- which brings me to my next point: eat some ice cream.

- if all else fails, eat some more ice cream, it's my current modus operandi - and it's working (on expanding my waist line I suspect).

What are your tactics for beating the big heat?

I've Set Myself A To-Do List, Of Sorts.

Next year I turn the big 3-0. In my mind, I'm still 23, but on paper I'm dirty 30. Flirty 30. Mmm. Sounds good.

So on my sidebar I had been collating a list of 30 things I want to do before B-Day. But that just looks messy, so I am putting it here.

Read it and weep (or mock, whatever blows your skirt up):

1. Learn how to change a tap washer (my husband can't, so someone better be able to)

2. Rekindle my love affair with knitting (and knit something more complex than a 1 ft scarf)

3. Learn how to cook an impressive meal (I love cooking, I just want to master something hardcore)

4. Visit more markets

5. Learn how to cook slow food

6. Spend more time with my babies

7. Write stories for my babies

8. Write my husband a love letter a week

9. Do our wedding album (it's been almost three years, I think I can start now)

10. Have our photos printed (I have thousands that need editing and printing... Hmm.)

11. Plan a holiday that's longer than two days

12. More dates (I'm not talking Medjool either)

13. Start writing again - at least 100 words a day

14. Go through my junk, get rid of everything I don't need

15. Have regular dates with my children

16. Start exercising regularly (I'm on my way! I'm on my way!)

17. Learn how to sew

18. Master a sponge cake

19. Try something new

20. Eat more fish (I'm a country girl, I find fish a difficult food to love, I try, I do)

21. Do a defensive driving course

22. Enrol in a calligraphy class

23. Lose my teenage tendencies

24. Start taking regular 'me minutes'

25. Laugh more

26. Change my look - if only for a day or two

27. Make a radical decision

28. Organise my super (whoa - now it's getting exciting here)

29. Organise our next girls weekend to Melbourne (my sisters, my Mum and I - woop woop!)

30. Wear my wedding shoes at least twice

Not exactly ground-breaking stuff. I might need to tweak this list. I might think of something more exciting to exchange a point for... Like learn how to charter a chopper. Not. Or eat grasshoppers. Not. (please read Not in your best Borat voice). Anyway. I'll keep you posted.

NB: Anything in italics is in progress!

Anything bold and in italics is done!

A Busy Beaver

Boy oh boy, am I kicking goals today or what?!

I've zoomed through my son's room, it's so clean you could eat off the floor. Not that you'd want to (particularly as you wouldn't want to get those bits of carpet stuck in your teeth, would you?), sheets changed, toys put away, oh man, I just love kicking goals. Score!

I've done the washing. Though it's raining here so everything is bound for the dryer. Boo hiss....!

I'm just about to start a big cook-up to freeze some purees for my wee little one. Wahhhheeee!

I did some stitching last night (man I am officially the slowest stitcher in the world, I got four piddly puffs done - better than none though, huh?). Yahooo!

Shame on me - because it's raining, and because I am completely hooked - I just bought a piece of this fabric - but really you should say, hey good work because I am HOPELESS at buying yellow fabrics.. How cute! Click here and you can get addicted too and I won't be so guilty. - Boo hiss? But big YAY!

I've taken some photos of my next project, but due to the grey-ness of today, I have been shooting in my *ahem* studio (also known as under the heat lamp in our bathroom). Please don't expect to see my photos ever hanging in the MCA.

I've done some work.

I've paid some bills. Boo hiss!

Yesterday I went for my walk (played relays with Matt so I could go) - yay bravo! Today due to the weather, I will be going in wet weather gear and will look even daggier, if that's even possible?!

And now. Well my camera has given up the goat (or is it ghost?). So pictures to be added later skaters.

PS - My two past titles have no link. Don't get any ideas alrighty?

Carnival of Catch Ups

This is me catching up. Look at me - watch me type! Part of tomorrow's to-do list:

• Want to brighten up a friend's day, if you've got something to say head over here and send a Monk Email. I have spent way too long on this, but man, it is fun.
  
• Tomorrow I'll be putting on my Jerry Seinfeld-esque sneakers and heading out on the track to get my heart pumping in the interests of becoming a life-time member of this group. Join up.


• Go check out another pre-school for my little dude. I feel as though I am fumbling my way through this!


• Make puzzles with my little dude. And clock up some pasting/drawing time with him.


• Bake some bickies.. Stay tuned for those.. Something good, I can feel it in my bones...


• Oh and I know you're probably sitting on the edge of your seat, bated breath, can't-wait-any-longer... Well the theme for this week's This Is... Are you ready? (Gosh I hope this has not been done before - if it has tell me!!) This Is My Favourite Children's Book.. I hope it's a fun one for everyone! New, old, classic, current, picture, story, novel, whatever it is, I can't wait for everyone to share their favourite children's book - and everyone must MUST have one because, after all, everyone was a kid once. Capiche? Glad we've got that sorted. Now on with the show... Oh and if you want to join up to This Is (it's muchos fun) head on over to Angela at Three Buttons and she can hook you up!


• And the photo above.. Yep, totally unrelated.