tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72012791383441043642024-03-14T13:22:58.767+11:00chapter fifteenthe next chapter in the story of my life. Mothering, cooking, crafting, and studying my way along with a smile on my face.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-18137959082969077882014-03-02T20:00:00.000+11:002014-03-02T20:00:56.978+11:00My Clean Eating Experience<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's no secret to people who know me that I was very overweight after having my second baby. I put on 50kg whilst pregnant, and retained about 20kg of it afterward. I weighed 100kg. I was unhappy with that, so I set myself a weightloss goal in October of 2009 to lose 10kg by Christmas. I did that, and kept going losing around 25kg by the end of the following year using the CSIRO diet. </div>
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I felt great! But there was that last 5kg I wanted to budge, and a bit of a baby belly still there that I didn't like. We all have our body hangups. Mine is my stomach. It really bothers me emensely, but I'm slowly accepting it now. Anyway, I digress. I wanted to lose the last 5kg, but couldn't. So, after a bit of googling, I discovered clean eating. </div>
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I was a clean eating convert overnight. I switched my morning weetbix to a smoothie made with water and a little fruit, stopped having all dairy, only ate whole grains, and started surviving on 1200 calories per day. I preached about my new eating habits, and amazed people by the fact that I didn't eat bread or eat any sweets. And you know what? I lost the weight. I got down to 72kg and started wearing size 10 clothes which was a huge achievement for me. I was happy with my weight loss. I was achieving what I wanted and that was exciting for me.</div>
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But you know what? I was afraid of food. I was afraid that if I ate dairy (other than Greek yoghurt) I would turn into a balloon. I was afraid that if I ate bread, I would feel bloated. I was afraid that if I didn't eat every 2 hours, I would ruin my metabolism. I never had massive bingey cheat days because I didn't want to ruin my progress. So I chugged on at my clean eating journey (we'll call it a journey, everyone else does). </div>
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In May 2013 I started to feel really tired, I was the thinnest I'd ever been, and I loved what my body looked like, even my tummy was going away, and baby abs were starting to show. I never got 'too thin', but I missed feeling good about food. I missed eating vegemite on toast for breakfast, and I missed being able to fit food in to my daily plan and run with it, like I'd learned when I originally lost weight. I didn't want to binge out. But I did want to eat a cookie, made with real flour, without feeling bad. I have so many limitations to my diet already due to allergies, and I was restricting myself further and I was miserable!!</div>
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It was at this time that I discovered how to count my macronutrients, and a way of eating that would not cost me my goals, but would allow me to work toward them by fitting my foods into my daily allowance. I sat down and worked out what I was supposed to eat, and discovered that I should be eating a minimum of 1600 calories a day (with no activity). No wonder I was exhausted!! I put on weight to start with. It was only a few kilos, but I noticed. I started to notice my body leaning down again after a few months though, and I'm really quite happy with my body and it's progress now. </div>
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I'm glad I made the change. For the first time in my life, I am in control of what goes in my mouth, and I know that I am eating correctly for my body's needs and my body goals. It's okay to eat bread, and milk, and Ice Cream and cake. It can be made to fit into my daily intake and still be balanced to suit my body's needs. We need a balanced diet to stay healthy. You might ask, how does cake fuel my body for the better? Well it probably doesn't, but... You feel happier knowing you are allowed to eat it of you can make it fit. After all, no one can survive on broccoli, chicken breasts, and brown rice alone. Although these foods are part of a balanced healthy diet, so is cheese and bread and lollies!</div>
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Do I regret my experience with clean eating? Not for a second. I learned that I am very stubborn and have more dedication than I knew I did. I learned about new foods, and how I can fill my nutrient requirements with them. I learned to cook with new ingredients, and I discovered <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/green-power-pancakes.html" target="_blank">Hulk Pancakes</a>! I know now, however, that there is more to being healthy than the food you eat and that depriving yourself from certain kinds of foods, even if it is in the best intent, is not healthy. Because having a healthy relationship with food and your body starts with feeling good about food, not being afraid of it. </div>
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Now, if you are a clean eater, and that works for you that is fine. This is my own experience, and I'm not saying you should change. But think about this... Why restrict yourself with food when it isn't poison, and you aren't allergic to it?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-43908176976111832762014-02-18T09:00:00.000+11:002014-02-18T09:00:04.332+11:00My Goals for 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
Seeing as I have not really been in attendance over the New Year period, I thought I would do a little more catching up. I am not a New Year Resolution kind of girl. I think resolutions are made to be broken. But I am a goal setter, and not just in the New Year ;)</div>
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In January, I sat down and asked myself what I wanted to aim for at the moment. You know, with uni going like crazy, and all of those other things to keep me occupied, why not have MORE goals?!?! I like to set myself goals because I like to be living with purpose and because I always seek to improve myself in little ways. So when I sat down on that day I didn't pledge amazing, mountain-moving goals that would take heaps of time. I sat down and asked what I wanted, what it is that I think will make my life happier, and my family's too. So here they are; my goals for 2014.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goal #1: Family.</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">I want to make more time to spend with the kids. Over the Christmas period, I locked myself in a room and worked on assignments for days at a time whilst the MR looked after the kids (bless him). My goal is to have more time to spend with them, and do the things that they love. Read books with Miss R, and play counting games with Mr O, because they love these things and I love them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goal #2: Study.</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to stop studying on the weekends. I overload at uni. This means that I do more subjects in a given study period than is recommended. I do this for a few reasons, I want to finish my degree faster, and I have the opportunity to not work and study instead at this time. Last year, when Olly was in Kindergarten, I was able to use my time wisely and only study when the kids weren't home, or when the MR was home to look after them. This worked well, but with both kids in school full time this year, it is my goal to stop studying on the weekends, use my time without them during the week to study, and have more family time on the weekends. I am also aiming to finish my degree this year, and undertake my internship in term 1 of next year. This is a big goal, and it is going to be hard work, but I am committed to making it happen.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goal #3: Fitness & Health.</span></span></span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is no secret that I am a bit of a gym junkie. My current goal is to go to the gym five days per week. Being fitter, stronger, and faster is important to me, not only because I want to look good naked (and have abs), but because it is important for my health. I have arthritis in my spine, and being strong is a step toward being pain free. I want to be stronger than ever, especially in my core, as this will give me the ability to do things I haven't been able to before. As another part of this goal, I am being more strict with my nutrition. Carrying extra weight makes the joints hurt, and eating the right things gives my body the energy it needs to workout five days a week, run around after two kids, and keep up with uni. Sticking to a healthy, flexible, balanced diet is an important part of this goal too.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goal #4: Me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all pledge to look after ourselves, and give ourselves time to relax. My 'me' goal for this year is that I will find time to do the things that I love. Playing my guitar, singing without abandon, take photos, knit, and sew just to name a few. This is an important one, because it is part of maintaining sanity in this crazy life that I am pushing on through.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So those are my goals. I have already started working toward them, I know that things wont slow down this year, and I don't want them to! What are your goals for the future? </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amy </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-27304297002323307502014-02-17T13:46:00.000+11:002014-02-17T13:46:27.598+11:00Catching Up... <div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been a while between drinks here at my old blog. Whether anyone even comes here to check if I have posted I don't know. But I do post a bit on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChapterFifteen" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, if anyone ever is searching for me, and wants to get in contact. I intend to do a bit more posting on here, a few times a week when I have time.</div>
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Monday is a nice, quiet day in my house now. The kids have started school, so after the weekend of hectic running around, Mondays are nice. I must admit that every day when I drop off Oliver at his classroom and then walk out of the school yard empty handed I feel a little bit strange. It is like two little pieces of me are missing. Mind you, when I get home I find plenty to fill my time while they are gone, but it is strange being away from both of the kids all day. I do enjoy pick up time.</div>
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Last week I started uni holidays again. So I have been sewing and playing games and reading. I only have one year left now. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. I really can't wait. I think I will be spending some time over the next few months working on my portfolio, so that I can get some work as soon as I am able. </div>
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I have been getting into a bit of photography. I went to a half day photography course a few weeks ago and learned how to use the manual settings on my camera. I am actually really enjoying taking photos, it is a new skill to perfect. A few photos I have taken lately...</div>
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I hope your week is beautiful.</div>
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Amy </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-83409900251951727422013-11-27T09:44:00.001+11:002013-11-27T09:44:28.902+11:00Growing up..."Princesses don't wear pants". This is what I was told on a daily basis by Miss Ruth when she was younger. <div>
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The struggle I would endure to get her into pants was so frustrating. I am sure all you mums of girls know exactly what I am talking about here. We had stockpiles of leggings and stockings because come winter, that summer dress was what she wanted to wear, and some battles are just not worth fighting.</div>
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Yes, that is trackpants underneath a dress... </div>
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I remember the tears that fell over the fact that the school uniform was not pink, and that she would actually have to wear shorts on some days as that was the sports uniform. She was also completely devastated that I refused to purchase the hideously expensive Winter dress and she had to wear trackpants all Winter to school.</div>
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Somewhere though a transition happened... she started to complain less and when it was practical she started to wear shorts or pants out.</div>
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Now she chooses to wear jeans and a hoodie most of the time. She has to be begged to wear dresses and skirts. And yesterday morning she groaned at me when I told her she had to wear her school dress. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7JadtqjFmOExgMSPvBpOq4n2v7m403aTE_uYRKvhSfy4ekOPArITs6L5wSQBCDnrzq1oeZDzlKfHhuxhAwQ5ThTEuf70zDw0XNnwTHhA6xUabGxpD3baPoOYdGKOfER_R0w5UEwBxe4g/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7JadtqjFmOExgMSPvBpOq4n2v7m403aTE_uYRKvhSfy4ekOPArITs6L5wSQBCDnrzq1oeZDzlKfHhuxhAwQ5ThTEuf70zDw0XNnwTHhA6xUabGxpD3baPoOYdGKOfER_R0w5UEwBxe4g/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And don't even talk to me about the fact that she asked not to be called a princess anymore. I think this little miss is growing up. I am not sure I am ready, but I guess I will just have to run with it. Then call her princess anyway, because I am her mum, and well, its my job to annoy her right??</div>
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Is your daughter a princesses don't wear pants kinda kid?</div>
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Are your kids growing up too fast?</div>
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Are you not ready either?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-1832986271929083662013-11-11T17:23:00.001+11:002013-11-11T17:23:44.688+11:00Summer Sewing Inspiration<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I<a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/oh-look-at-that.html" target="_blank"> mentioned the other day</a>, I am embarking on a Selfish Summer Sewing Spree for the next couple of weeks; using up some of my fabric stash, and moving it into my wardrobe. </div>
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Today I have been trawling google images having a look for some inspiration. I like to wear clothes that are super comfy, but can be dressed up if need be. I like my jeans and t-shirts, but I love dresses, skirts and shorts as well.</div>
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Here are a couple of the things I've found that are inspiring me.</div>
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<a href="http://mumsgrapevine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/summer-dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://mumsgrapevine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/summer-dresses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mumsgrapevine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/summer-dresses.jpg" target="_blank">Image Source</a></div>
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<a href="http://fashionistatrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/summer-outfits-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fashionistatrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/summer-outfits-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fashionistatrends.com/summer-outfits-sea-green-chevron/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/13/hbz-street-style-Sydney-5-0413-01-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/13/hbz-street-style-Sydney-5-0413-01-lgn.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/australia-fashion-week-street-style-spring-2013" target="_blank">Image Source</a></div>
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<a href="http://mootr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/boho-chic-clothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://mootr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/boho-chic-clothing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's inspiring you this week? </div>
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Are you sewing this Summer? </div>
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What's your Summer style?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-47367507704049826862013-11-10T20:16:00.002+11:002013-11-10T20:16:50.971+11:00Digital Parents Blog Carnival<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.danyabanya.com/2013/11/Digital-Parents-Blog-Carnival.html" target="_blank">It's a party of the Bloggy Kind!!</a></div>
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Head over and have a read through some posts from other blogging parents. You never know, maybe you will find a new favourite (you know, second favourite, after me...)</div>
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<a href="http://www.danyabanya.com/2013/11/Digital-Parents-Blog-Carnival.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://api.ning.com/files/gHA4wkWOWje7BaDJdtsiey2O9-Qlbalg3io3*DH6FQZNcbvVN-cSe0lGgs3i6iEcf6y8yn*X3w30waf4mkdkKTKRqQRYO*64/blogcarnival.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-78854569499545192892013-11-08T09:30:00.000+11:002013-11-08T09:30:01.030+11:00Oh... look at that!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-b4yWx_thdNl80khZ6Ib0aZqV23JQKu2NyaJ5Xf0W82RUEu7MTEa3x1J37hohJwkz2WLwYl_LWps8aZ5WMYf4jBBgXrjRqfMjRp66BxnKCc_y9fyXTQPtNLIW6-bMSutjZbEW1DfH4tw/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-b4yWx_thdNl80khZ6Ib0aZqV23JQKu2NyaJ5Xf0W82RUEu7MTEa3x1J37hohJwkz2WLwYl_LWps8aZ5WMYf4jBBgXrjRqfMjRp66BxnKCc_y9fyXTQPtNLIW6-bMSutjZbEW1DfH4tw/s400/004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My old friend the sewing machine has made it out onto the table a fair bit lately. </div>
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I took part in the <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/kids-clothes-week.html" target="_blank">Kids' Clothing Week Challenge</a>. Well, at least in part; I had awful arthritis pain that week and was unable to sit in certain chairs around the house.</div>
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I made myself a dress. Which I am yet to blog. Actually I am yet to take photos of myself in it at all, I should put that on my to do list.</div>
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I made a whole lot of medal vests for Ruth's calisthenics friends.</div>
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You could even (almost) call me someone who sews again. I am starting to remember the joy that comes with creating with the machine and thinking that I really should get stuck into thinning out my stash and sewing. The thing is... I don't want to sew for anyone else...</div>
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Does anyone else suffer from handmade selfishness? I want to sew a few things for myself. Not the kids, not the Mr. In fact, when they ask me to sew their buttons back on, I feel like saying "well - there is the needles and thread..." </div>
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So I am thinking of starting a Selfish Summer Sew-a-thon and sew myself some nice new items for my summer wardrobe. I think it sounds awesome, and I hope that the kids get jealous.</div>
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What selfish summer projects do you have planned??</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-59984660018985946482013-11-07T10:42:00.000+11:002013-11-07T10:42:01.186+11:00Melbourne Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx9CyVShvrSVy111JiQyuuzoPCV8dWiQBaGD7K11QTROY1qOX_Ts9zkNBUmlHdjqbAuBsdVlPrubedfY-EfN_JL-M5I_qwkXJEF07QWQ99qozn1onGNj_U2KHi0bOpBm1dgpUj-hQdQge/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx9CyVShvrSVy111JiQyuuzoPCV8dWiQBaGD7K11QTROY1qOX_Ts9zkNBUmlHdjqbAuBsdVlPrubedfY-EfN_JL-M5I_qwkXJEF07QWQ99qozn1onGNj_U2KHi0bOpBm1dgpUj-hQdQge/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was really excited when<a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/im-going-to-melbourne-cup.html" target="_blank"> my tickets</a> arrived for the Melbourne Cup on Friday last week. </div>
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I quickly set to dress shopping, and realised that I actually had a dress in the cupboard, so just went out and bought a fascinator for the occasion. If any of you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChapterFifteen" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or Instagram, you also know that I set to finding out how the heck all you girls get curls to stay in all day (seriously one of my life's biggest frustrations!). </div>
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We had a wonderful day. The crowd was bigger than any I have ever seen in my life. The noise was amazingly loud, and we got a wonderful position on the lawn, near the finish line. It's funny, as a girl who is originally from the country, I just kept wondering how on earth there could be a crowd this big and I actually not recognise ANYONE!! </div>
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We didn't take many photos. I had no pockets in my dress, so the Mr was looking after my phone, but we took a few photos, most of which are covered in little fingers... WHOOPS! But here are the pick of the bunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uC5hf6qXz84GInRPhSvdY_xlu_FVB3qb-Fsxfy8ZFmizGzvtU4A4PPS-j3yKKILVzy0jMGJr9jbf9Bj6qZ8PD5wg7sh1GHQpXFuz6eX6Z7yQyFACo87fkVT7zhmYrR1XIlKyxNIaRgn_/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uC5hf6qXz84GInRPhSvdY_xlu_FVB3qb-Fsxfy8ZFmizGzvtU4A4PPS-j3yKKILVzy0jMGJr9jbf9Bj6qZ8PD5wg7sh1GHQpXFuz6eX6Z7yQyFACo87fkVT7zhmYrR1XIlKyxNIaRgn_/s400/001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOh4Exlt68IuhS5znC68-DXsK_0HuislryoklW2rrka1CjYAyuMrZEPSHwMxpN7hE1Vgo0IywsKkf_GN36XEIUdwhkBs2wFvDhZu-Rd-ehE8QaIae7V8G0a0eG3MbK1nd_V603SJel8Bp/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOh4Exlt68IuhS5znC68-DXsK_0HuislryoklW2rrka1CjYAyuMrZEPSHwMxpN7hE1Vgo0IywsKkf_GN36XEIUdwhkBs2wFvDhZu-Rd-ehE8QaIae7V8G0a0eG3MbK1nd_V603SJel8Bp/s400/003.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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We had such a wonderful time. And returned home by 7pm, completely exhausted and with feet full of blisters. We are so wonderfully grateful for the opportunity we had to go, and hope to get to go again some time in the future.</div>
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Oh... and in case you were wondering... YES! My curls did stay in all day.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-60029414500669381332013-10-30T11:37:00.001+11:002013-10-30T11:37:29.649+11:00I'm Going to the Melbourne Cup!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.farnorthcoaster.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/melbourne_cup_2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.farnorthcoaster.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/melbourne_cup_2.gif" width="174" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.farnorthcoaster.com.au/news/5997/melbourne-cup-tour-visits-ballina-bangalow/">Image Source</a></i></div>
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I will be a guest of <a href="https://www.luxbet.com/">luxbet.com</a> at this year's Melbourne Cup.</div>
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I must say I am looking forward to heading down to Flemington on Tuesday with the Mr, donning some fancy clothes, and experiencing Cup Day. I have never been before, so am very excited about getting dressed up and going down to be there in the flesh on such a big day. There are, of course, a few things that I will need to take care of first...</div>
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<b><i>What am I going to do with the kids??</i></b></div>
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The thing about having kids is that you need to organise so much more in order to be able to leave the house. Most of the time I just don't go out, because no one is able to help out. But this time I said yes without even checking... POSSIBLE DISASTER... I am sure I am not the first mother to say yes, and then think about what to do with the children later. Thankfully I have organised it, and the kidlets will be at their friend's for the day. Phew! I am very grateful for friends being able to help out. So now on to the important stuff...</div>
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<b><i>What am I going to wear??</i></b></div>
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Well, isn't that the million dollar question? I have shoes... I don't want to be breaking in new shoes between now and next Tuesday, I don't have time, so it will be all about the dress... I honestly think that getting to be all dressed up is part of the excitement of actually going. So, although this will be race-day on a budget (I am sure it is for most mummies) I am looking forward to ditching my jeans and ponytail for a day and getting all frocked up. It is easy for the boys, well my boy anyway. He has a suit that he wears for everything, and just changes the tie or the shirt. Hmm, I don't have anything like that. Such a pity when you NEED to go dress shopping isn't it?? </div>
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It must have been by chance, but I noticed that they have Spring Racing dresses down at Target the other day. You know, when I was buying the kids socks and undies and trying to avoid the lollies that lead to the checkout... yeah... my life is THAT glamorous. Anyway, Ruth and I will be heading out this afternoon dress shopping. She says she would like to be my critic, although I am not sure I will take much of her advice, otherwise I might end up wearing something with pink polkadots...</div>
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<b><i>What time am I supposed to get there??</i></b></div>
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This was a serious question I asked the Mr last night when I found out that we were going. I know we will be drinking, so it will be taxi or train for us, and <a href="http://www.luxbet.com/">luxbet</a> has been lovely enough to provide us with a travel allowance. But what time?? The gates open pretty early on in the day and thankfully I now know that the big race starts at 3, not 2 (ex Queenslander here...) and so we will head down at lunch time-ish so we can have a look around and, of course, I am sure the Mr will want to have a <a href="https://www.luxbet.com/melbourne-cup-betting/">bet</a>. He tells me you always have to have a bet on cup day...</div>
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<b><i>What is the best way to choose a horse??</i></b></div>
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I have always drawn a name out of a hat. But seeing as my hat will be firmly placed on my head, I think I will use the close your eyes and point method. Seems to be fail safe to me, I may even have a bit of a <a href="https://www.luxbet.com/melbourne-cup-betting/">flutter on the cup</a> myself. If anyone else has a super awesome tip for me... feel free to share by the way.</div>
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This comes at the end of a big study period at uni, and I feel like I am well and truly being rewarded for my efforts. I am looking forward to finishing my last assignment for the term this week, doing a test on Sunday or Monday, and being able to go out for a day kid, and uni-stress free. Now, to buckle down and finish those assignments so I don't fail!!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-22060480134669722302013-10-16T09:30:00.000+11:002013-10-16T09:30:02.126+11:00Who comes first?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thedailywishspace.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/love-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://thedailywishspace.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/love-yourself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://thedailywishspace.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/put-your-own-oxygen-mask-on-first/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></i></div>
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There seems to be this ingrained part of me that thinks that if my kids need something then it is important that they get it. So I tend to go without. Yes, even to the point where I wear jeans that have a gaping hole in the inner seam (upper thigh... don't stress!) until it is completely noticeable that I do actually need new pants. If my kids had a hole in their pants, they would never wear them in public again, and new pants would be purchased ASAP. </div>
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Am I the only parent who does this? Sometimes I think that this way of thinking somehow springs from that fear of "Oh gosh! What if everyone thinks I am a bad mum??!!??!!". What? Because I allowed my kids to wear pants that had a hole in them? Sometimes I think I need to do a bit of growing up. Who gives a flying McChicken burger what everyone else thinks??</div>
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Two weeks ago, my trusty old laptop packed it in and officially decided that it was not going to do what I wanted. I had an assignment due in 5 days and my computer said nope - I am not opening an internet browser with the click of a button... I will take an hour to do that. In tears, I walked into the computer shop and bought a new one. Because you know what?? It is not worth being stressed over a computer that doesn't work. </div>
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I am slowly realising that I am important too. Don't get me wrong. I love myself to bits, and I absolutely think I am worth new things; I just tend to put others' needs before my own. Putting others first is great sometimes, but not ALL the time. Sometimes, the most important thing is to say yes to ME.</div>
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And guess what?? This morning I threw out those jeans and bought some new ones. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-82738667779067283012013-09-20T09:00:00.000+10:002013-09-20T09:00:06.286+10:00Kid's Clothes Week<br />
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So yesterday I discovered the dates for the upcoming kids' clothing week challenge. Basically, you sign up and commit to sewing for your kids for one hour each day for a week. Last time I did this, I made some great clothes for my kids. It might be a "fall" challenge, but I will be making some great spring-wear for my kidlettes I think! </div>
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The sign up page is not available yet, but put the date in your diary, <a href="http://blog.kidsclothesweek.com/2013/09/kcw-fall-2013/#comment-13249" target="_blank">head over</a> and join the community, and introduce yourself.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-84463095148376820802013-09-19T14:29:00.000+10:002013-09-19T16:00:28.066+10:00Stuff and things<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been completely absent from blog-land the last few weeks as I have been swamped by uni work. I have also been rushing around for the kids, mostly Ruth's calisthenics.</div>
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I finished off last study period one day before I started this one. With no break, and an overloaded study planner you can imagine I was pretty snowed under. I've made a few decisions over the last few weeks though and I think that will ease up my stress, and give me freedom to write.</div>
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Firstly, I decided to drop a subject at uni. I was overloading anyway, so I still keep my full time status, and I get a few less headaches. I will start overloading again at the beginning of next year when Oliver starts school. It is nice having time to breathe.</div>
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I also removed my blog from nuffnang. The thing about advertising on your blog is that you actually have to make time to post when they want you to, and consistently. I have no problem posting consistently usually, and blame my disestablishmentarianism, but I simply cannot do something just because someone else wants me to. It is a weight off my mind to decide to close that door.</div>
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So here is to the wonderful, less stressed, ad-free future.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-57458686482236907152013-08-18T18:29:00.002+10:002013-08-18T18:29:51.304+10:00wordless weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnPkvM1rD17TD61UInz4breSS_Ms06u_lyFgz33PxVFQumGT9U24A0uyf256p5d4bixXL7PZNK4l2SRa4eIksYfbygros5vEXHNNqttJh6A8wgxeghPJQq1jWBvQCVGMTtg5yQTsgA3OZ/s1600/015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnPkvM1rD17TD61UInz4breSS_Ms06u_lyFgz33PxVFQumGT9U24A0uyf256p5d4bixXL7PZNK4l2SRa4eIksYfbygros5vEXHNNqttJh6A8wgxeghPJQq1jWBvQCVGMTtg5yQTsgA3OZ/s400/015.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFWcUWqzlU8LiIT5MeiqZ37BOOz0JqGJe8EacIVLNRo1Vw2SVnc2cOqGbVIsXv3XBNS32alFbmYv2R1L0r3in-YhxLjTnOQqdYTU82Kx3o3OKDoBq8qNLb3luov2mxMbu6zgglfqi-isD/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFWcUWqzlU8LiIT5MeiqZ37BOOz0JqGJe8EacIVLNRo1Vw2SVnc2cOqGbVIsXv3XBNS32alFbmYv2R1L0r3in-YhxLjTnOQqdYTU82Kx3o3OKDoBq8qNLb3luov2mxMbu6zgglfqi-isD/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Saying it all without words today for my wordless weekend. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-62998359727939595592013-08-17T15:18:00.000+10:002013-08-17T15:18:10.614+10:00Creative Inspiration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/itemimages/168/940/168940_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/itemimages/168/940/168940_large.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://museumvictoria.com.au/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></td></tr>
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I have been spending a lot of time sitting and wishing that I was sewing lately. Aside from calisthenics costumes, I have not gotten my sewing machine out and active in over 12 months. For someone who used to sew constantly, that is a bloody long time! </div>
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So why haven't I been sewing?? There are a few reasons..</div>
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1. There was a period of time when my sewing and creating was my job through WeePantz (my old business). After finishing up from that, I really lacked the interest in sewing anything, despite having a few bouts here and there of making skirts and what not. I think I needed a break.</div>
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2. I have loads of study to do. I am very organised, and have every single part of my day assigned to what needs to be done. Study takes up the majority of that time - after the kids of course.</div>
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3. I don't know what to sew! I've been in desperate need of some inspiration. Lately I have wanted to sew, but had no idea WHAT I <i>should</i> sew. So I choose not to, in case time restrictions hinder that (see #2).</div>
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So I have been looking for creative inspiration to get me started on my machine again. I am sure that once I am on there, momentum will kick in and I wont be able to stop - at least I hope so. I have been looking into what is trendy for a fashion challenge at the moment.</div>
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I am not sure that I am very trendy, but I'm sure that I will find a way to fit my style and hopefully discover where my sew-jo has been hiding because I miss it, and the joy of creating terribly. </div>
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What have you been creating lately?</div>
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Have you lost your sew-jo somewhere along the way?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-50858443639258740782013-08-15T09:40:00.000+10:002013-08-15T09:42:02.710+10:00Life's lessons<br />
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I was completely grateful last night when the Mr was able to go and buy us a new washing machine. </div>
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It has been a difficult few weeks since the <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/still-smiling.html" target="_blank">holy crap we have no underwear crisis</a>, and there have been many trips to our local laundromat to make sure that everyone has had clean clothes to wear. My jeans have also had their longest stint of no washing (you don't have to wash jeans THAT much right??). </div>
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I have learned many things in the last few weeks. Yes - you can learn a lot from a broken washing machine!! Most of all, I have learned that my life won't fall apart when things don't go to plan. I am a massive control freak, and I become pretty frazzled when things don't go the way I planned them, and I have learned to let go a little.</div>
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I am spending the rest of today doing washing, and groceries.</div>
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What are you up to?</div>
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Have you learned anything from your experiences this week?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-6585211645432729132013-08-14T09:33:00.001+10:002013-08-14T09:33:14.669+10:00A morning at Essendon Traffic School<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week on Friday, Oliver's kindergarten arranged an excursion for each of the groups to head to <a href="http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/experience-moonee-valley/essendon-traffic-school.aspx" target="_blank">Essendon Traffic School</a>. We spent two whole weeks counting down the sleeps until traffic school. We were so excited that we could hardly contain it! </div>
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Finally Friday of last week arrived. We woke up, we looked out the window, and our excitement was squashed. It was cold, it was grey, and it had been pouring rain all night with no hope of it stopping. We packed our lunches though, ready for anything and off we trotted to kinder only to be met with a big sign saying that traffic school had been<span style="color: red;"><b> CANCELLED!! </b></span>It was a relatively tragic moment for a certain little boy who had been desperately awaiting the excursion. But the cancellation didn't come as a surprise to his mother who had assumed such would occur.</div>
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Thankfully, the excursion was re-scheduled for Monday, so for Oliver, all hope was not lost, and it meant only three more sleeps until we were able to go. </div>
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It was a<b> LONG</b> weekend...</div>
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Monday morning arrived, and the sun was shining! Excited and ready; off we went to kinder, put on our name badges, jumped on the bus, and headed off to traffic school!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zXqMPtMb11VMuzzjnhXgZuhzN1ng8gtTNIkA-mgxa2YBM0no4fGPtdH8aVDKQuZoRFghW6flMYo_L-Ws6wczZ8zGfoiz15HWj66K6CDrc-G2mQ8j6AlrV5KNyjEoUlcPSSULP3Z0a9KE/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zXqMPtMb11VMuzzjnhXgZuhzN1ng8gtTNIkA-mgxa2YBM0no4fGPtdH8aVDKQuZoRFghW6flMYo_L-Ws6wczZ8zGfoiz15HWj66K6CDrc-G2mQ8j6AlrV5KNyjEoUlcPSSULP3Z0a9KE/s400/014.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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It was blisteringly cold. But we listened to the instructor tell us all of the road rules we needed to know, and went on a walk around the track to practice them. We learned that when we get to the side of the road, we need to stop, look, listen, and think before we cross and we learned that when we are in the car, there are special rules we have to follow with the different signs and lights.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGPUmBLzBuX_B85jkORNA2Q7Vb4ph9xljWVbcz71m_UpVbHNvwkFeahKs70WZGBmdCqK1gIfl6Oe5Oyo72H8tGcFAlpR7JlGZ7kQGmZyCVzLI_N0ON_KWUBbYZvJYUIk6D5NethHrbyPH/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGPUmBLzBuX_B85jkORNA2Q7Vb4ph9xljWVbcz71m_UpVbHNvwkFeahKs70WZGBmdCqK1gIfl6Oe5Oyo72H8tGcFAlpR7JlGZ7kQGmZyCVzLI_N0ON_KWUBbYZvJYUIk6D5NethHrbyPH/s400/009.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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We were then fitted with helmets, or at least Oliver was, and chose the deadliest tricycle in the whole place to ride around on for a while.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL2ZxbxmDWPllMCb2YKZlso7NQ37V72hqPXyct9Mqex5hh0cXQ702OMwgc6W7jHpZlzOdBCPVfnXVnJOwblQnLwV9C4fjyrE0FvPfoHYkTkhyEoIrnPyMyN48ZztazSCtLG6ins7FGxr2/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL2ZxbxmDWPllMCb2YKZlso7NQ37V72hqPXyct9Mqex5hh0cXQ702OMwgc6W7jHpZlzOdBCPVfnXVnJOwblQnLwV9C4fjyrE0FvPfoHYkTkhyEoIrnPyMyN48ZztazSCtLG6ins7FGxr2/s400/010.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We forgot that you have to ride on the left hand side of the road, and we forgot the right way to go around the round a bout, but we remembered what all of the signs meant, and also had lots of stops for petrol too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkamdGLaGYb5w4Dzc5vEM7g4qfnWkgTSMhXSkEaV5JobUV78x8-LUgumRmWuxdjkaG18Ru9EMnBNU1GeoLF4643YGT3i-hOYGaNg622oFxNt4tSTbKSMGiN2oB5lj0EqsQJ1h48aDD6XlN/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkamdGLaGYb5w4Dzc5vEM7g4qfnWkgTSMhXSkEaV5JobUV78x8-LUgumRmWuxdjkaG18Ru9EMnBNU1GeoLF4643YGT3i-hOYGaNg622oFxNt4tSTbKSMGiN2oB5lj0EqsQJ1h48aDD6XlN/s400/012.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFygSmVXvNshZFn-vN9I9qG6s7Fl7m5TkI4g0TGuLfXcoquWd1jTwXK9RLHg_akOCmVAhZ5xNw2_WT7uEKciudII2i3BCYuUAWGHwG6h76qxodFX1EvcPUWkgu2GR1jDnpV_HHCvXrRCYa/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFygSmVXvNshZFn-vN9I9qG6s7Fl7m5TkI4g0TGuLfXcoquWd1jTwXK9RLHg_akOCmVAhZ5xNw2_WT7uEKciudII2i3BCYuUAWGHwG6h76qxodFX1EvcPUWkgu2GR1jDnpV_HHCvXrRCYa/s400/013.JPG" width="298" /> </a></div>
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Thankfully there was tea in the shed too, so nobody's mum froze in the icy cold wind. </div>
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We all then got back on the bus, very tired, and drove back to kinder. We were so glad for the rain staying away so that we could have such a wonderful morning out. We had a wonderful time, and would really recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going. It promptly rained tiny little razors of ice on us however, as soon as we stepped off the bus; soaking us through and leaving us in need of two minute noodles and tea to warm us up. Along with dry clothes and underwear!</div>
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We're now counting sleeps until the crazy hair disco. Two to go!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-63336432784153129562013-08-13T18:40:00.000+10:002013-08-13T18:40:13.976+10:00It's a Party!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Or a blog carnival at least!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakBqiMV0Rb_eMvoHZQy9okO9DRJAScPGxjmDcY4_dsL621pw6Q-I98Jt5lfS9Sy1MoamUci6TmBnXMezNDeOTQCSDNYR1GBxhNTvmuOjuXjANDj-ZYj0jEE4if16lhhvRCk5DyyI04CBP/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Power Pancakes!" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakBqiMV0Rb_eMvoHZQy9okO9DRJAScPGxjmDcY4_dsL621pw6Q-I98Jt5lfS9Sy1MoamUci6TmBnXMezNDeOTQCSDNYR1GBxhNTvmuOjuXjANDj-ZYj0jEE4if16lhhvRCk5DyyI04CBP/s400/019.JPG" title="" width="340" /></a></div>
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My amazing <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/green-power-pancakes.html" target="_blank">Green Power Pancakes</a> are part of the Digital Parents Blog Carnival over on <a href="http://www.natsnatterings.com/2013/08/digital-parents-august-blog-carnival.html" target="_blank">Nat's Natterings</a>. Head over and check out my own link, along with a bunch of other awesome posts by other parent bloggers.</div>
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<a href="http://digitalparents.com.au/page/dp-blog-carnival" target="_blank" title="Digital Parents Blog Carnival"><img alt="Digital Parents Blog Carnival" height="200" src="http://api.ning.com/files/gHA4wkWOWje7BaDJdtsiey2O9-Qlbalg3io3*DH6FQZNcbvVN-cSe0lGgs3i6iEcf6y8yn*X3w30waf4mkdkKTKRqQRYO*64/blogcarnival.gif" style="border: medium none;" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-22955206702417652672013-08-08T10:42:00.005+10:002013-08-08T10:42:44.089+10:00Catching up<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do you ever have that feeling that the world is moving really fast, and that all you can do is attempt to keep up? That's how I feel at the moment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3QcUgJbJqO9DuCU_aicW2tnDGxgfDJS_51odsghZKa8ZTl6jE7eMkfWFBEtyIBwGGVTC8mNIeAOn-XERjlF23BSuE-QBRNQLw1upyJtVSNt-ALuD-SsaGvfyjmCS4Uk65HCit5TKPePr/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="My crazy kids" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3QcUgJbJqO9DuCU_aicW2tnDGxgfDJS_51odsghZKa8ZTl6jE7eMkfWFBEtyIBwGGVTC8mNIeAOn-XERjlF23BSuE-QBRNQLw1upyJtVSNt-ALuD-SsaGvfyjmCS4Uk65HCit5TKPePr/s320/007.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been a really huge, very busy week here at our place and I knew I was at risk of <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/six-months.html" target="_blank">falling off the grid again</a>, but somehow running, organising, and keeping things going was more important. A few things that we have been up to this week?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvHwtpJMRgxsMsGiqjSNlNwHqb0RhviCqvt8mPtkkAWrkiga7opilnGPmdfKParO0_6Q7udwvDNu7E_8IJ_q3Gy2u98BlT_F8BZxigMT6-D7sOCQfgck1_cf7Q1IgTmD3yNZYzDj2lGP8/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Calisthenics" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvHwtpJMRgxsMsGiqjSNlNwHqb0RhviCqvt8mPtkkAWrkiga7opilnGPmdfKParO0_6Q7udwvDNu7E_8IJ_q3Gy2u98BlT_F8BZxigMT6-D7sOCQfgck1_cf7Q1IgTmD3yNZYzDj2lGP8/s400/006.JPG" title="" width="237" /></a></div>
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Miss Ruth had her first comp for the calisthenics season. Her team did really well, and we are all very proud of their amazing efforts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1U7jcugrvxIY22XcVWc6SgRJS1eNieZGF5GDFkdJu4B0fyyDX5vQJUTjN0AqUjpv5lt1gvXYTAzU-3n_o6bAj1n4XgVAJdS3MbEi_OryhjRhYsJfao8jvLkSzkXRxdTZ9-QTnymkCGp-/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beanie" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1U7jcugrvxIY22XcVWc6SgRJS1eNieZGF5GDFkdJu4B0fyyDX5vQJUTjN0AqUjpv5lt1gvXYTAzU-3n_o6bAj1n4XgVAJdS3MbEi_OryhjRhYsJfao8jvLkSzkXRxdTZ9-QTnymkCGp-/s400/001.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />I finished <a href="http://ravel.me/missamyg/mfb" target="_blank">that beanie I started a few weeks ago.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AUG64i5k_-CrgWFPCF1uXfCWosE0KucJNyClvqd8Te1ewNJzEs5MoQ3coWMWX55O5RS0zHMILijGaot0LE1hbVYrcxlnDVODbwe49IQsvdmLbvheHmnX8H16YGJ9qeOU-pnIxSka4BC-/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fingerless mittens progress" border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AUG64i5k_-CrgWFPCF1uXfCWosE0KucJNyClvqd8Te1ewNJzEs5MoQ3coWMWX55O5RS0zHMILijGaot0LE1hbVYrcxlnDVODbwe49IQsvdmLbvheHmnX8H16YGJ9qeOU-pnIxSka4BC-/s400/004.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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I cast on, and s<a href="http://ravel.me/missamyg/fm" target="_blank">tarted a pair of fingerless mittens </a>for myself. I am really enjoying knitting and it is slowly becoming quite an obsession. <a href="http://mychapterfifteen.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/a-little-knitting.html" target="_blank">I told you</a> I would become a good knitter!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT32OAPJVWzj5usqO_kdw30rNLysbF8tp41f75y-TdaOnIjeYM7d4lbHPSIxBVn5i3RxLzRiPezMzt9i267y6AjlXDVcmLskyKcxYglN5jOtah7gRuHPuEwGVlYai3kNqBZ2tfjpTwo4Q/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My desk" border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT32OAPJVWzj5usqO_kdw30rNLysbF8tp41f75y-TdaOnIjeYM7d4lbHPSIxBVn5i3RxLzRiPezMzt9i267y6AjlXDVcmLskyKcxYglN5jOtah7gRuHPuEwGVlYai3kNqBZ2tfjpTwo4Q/s400/008.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, I spent lots of time studying as it is the end of the study period and there are plenty of assignments due. I cleaned off my desk, and then 10 minutes later this is what it looked like again...</div>
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What have you been up to this week?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-5194624753517674182013-07-31T18:48:00.001+10:002013-07-31T18:48:41.779+10:00What I'm reading Wednesday.This week I have been reading <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Jonah-Dodo-Press-Louis-Stone/9781409948124" target="_blank">Jonah by Louis Stone</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://monash.edu/library/collections/exhibitions/aus-fiction/fiction52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://monash.edu/library/collections/exhibitions/aus-fiction/fiction52.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
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This is not a book that I chose for myself, but a book I need to read for my Australian Literature elective at uni. Like the other books I have had to read for this subject, I am really enjoying it. It is a breath of fresh air to read something realistic, which is in contrast to the fantasy novels I often read.</div>
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I haven't finished the book yet, but basically it is a book about a deformed man named Jonah, and how he rises above what everyone expects of him, a life of crime as the leader of the local "push", a street gang. The book is about growing up, and settling down. The characters are wonderfully painted, and I am truly sucked in by the plot. I really love the character of Jonah because he is determined to be better, because he knows that he IS better than what everyone thinks of him due to his deformity. Perhaps I hold a small sweet spot for all hunchbacks though, as I have scoliosis myself (although mine was surgically corrected). I am looking forward to reading what happens in the rest of the book. </div>
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What are you reading this week?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-28425859547930423852013-07-30T20:27:00.002+10:002013-07-30T20:27:18.945+10:00Children and housework<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a confession to make. I am a mean "mean mother", and I make my children help with the housework. </div>
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It is my belief that, as a parent, it is my job to teach my children everything that they need to know to become fully functional members of society. One of these lessons is that, unfortunately, housework is not optional!</div>
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I should mention, my kids are not mopping floors, or scrubbing walls; although when Ruth was younger she wanted to play Cinderella, and asked to scrub the grout, I didn't say no... I choose jobs that my kids are capable of, and let them know that this is their responsibility. </div>
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I thought that today I would share some ideas about getting your children to help you out with the housework.</div>
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<i><b>1. Your kids want to do what you are doing...</b></i></div>
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I was told when Ruth was very little, by my health nurse, that your kids just want to do what you are doing. So from a very young age, both of my children have helped with things like dishes, folding washing, cooking and dusting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXJP1Ve6K03QM_Cq2ApL7_eOV06ZU2xY6ZN7xl9lZIguFqR47EMUuaOOjq4rWFUGiCX7Z2PM6gueQIWho02K4yBGn5Qrr0SV_O8C4kRlFmVRKINhZpodwMeUfy7relV-Atoe1d1HVFQ_-/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXJP1Ve6K03QM_Cq2ApL7_eOV06ZU2xY6ZN7xl9lZIguFqR47EMUuaOOjq4rWFUGiCX7Z2PM6gueQIWho02K4yBGn5Qrr0SV_O8C4kRlFmVRKINhZpodwMeUfy7relV-Atoe1d1HVFQ_-/s400/049.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
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<i><b>2. Make cleaning fun...</b></i></div>
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My kids love helping me clean because I turn on music and I blast it through the house. If I send them off to their rooms to tidy up, music blaring is the most important part of it. If cleaning is fun it feels like less of a chore for everyone, including you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi46qOXqa6T5sncAcH9kSx3LUKcvmfYLltPRIzote6LVOdzzRPJ7pTfLDKAYYuKgirSGCyq9hoO0riOcnalpejzga3WA8dXCu9a2nIyF_gwoqMiKMMVBQ8hjWct5QNHrGdMJwindlWeLP/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi46qOXqa6T5sncAcH9kSx3LUKcvmfYLltPRIzote6LVOdzzRPJ7pTfLDKAYYuKgirSGCyq9hoO0riOcnalpejzga3WA8dXCu9a2nIyF_gwoqMiKMMVBQ8hjWct5QNHrGdMJwindlWeLP/s400/046.JPG" width="277" /></a></div>
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<i><b>3. Be realistic...</b></i></div>
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You need to be realistic about what you want your kids to do. I make my kids clean their own rooms, help stack the dishwasher, and put away their own washing. Ruth has recently started folding her own. They will also clean the bathroom with supervision, but I generally do most of it. Ruth often asks to do the vacuuming too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Hqyz-eeM5mne9RGeYS3cjNR62QXM20hUi8c1LbceDhltgexMo-2B908mZiS_4gPoiyfFXHNd1g54a_bxN1JRQyEZUxwdtcDzNq35wmLhyphenhyphenN8R51-ln08o86CcUAu8-FM6dO1ZI8sbfE1/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Hqyz-eeM5mne9RGeYS3cjNR62QXM20hUi8c1LbceDhltgexMo-2B908mZiS_4gPoiyfFXHNd1g54a_bxN1JRQyEZUxwdtcDzNq35wmLhyphenhyphenN8R51-ln08o86CcUAu8-FM6dO1ZI8sbfE1/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b>4. Be patient...</b></i></div>
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Your kids are not going to be awesome, professional level cleaners. Oliver's idea of folding socks is shoving one inside the other and folding them in half (always funny when you pull them out of the drawer). You really need to pick your battles with kids and cleaning. Think about it, is it really SO important that the shirts get hung all the same way and in rainbow colour order?? The idea is that you get them started, that you get them motivated, and eventually they will need less supervision, and be able to do things on their own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdwVSw5IihSpdLU-TSOATKH3YkKPVEDGkyPh4kMOl5k3fDkBDZ4uBaFfgcUzZI_yhCQFsNYphqpsj27e55cukT4oajoxZ45vcAoO-gkbIJZMtZ9XZ4YCc3b0YpZZwk5-AbPhb9T62MSk4/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdwVSw5IihSpdLU-TSOATKH3YkKPVEDGkyPh4kMOl5k3fDkBDZ4uBaFfgcUzZI_yhCQFsNYphqpsj27e55cukT4oajoxZ45vcAoO-gkbIJZMtZ9XZ4YCc3b0YpZZwk5-AbPhb9T62MSk4/s400/048.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
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That's it!! There is the motivator of pocket money, if you are so inclined and we often will sweeten the deal for the kids cleaning up something in particular by paying them. <br />
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Do you make your kids help with you with the housework?<br />
What kind of tips do you have for getting children motivated to help around the house?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-54565668422455740272013-07-29T13:50:00.001+10:002013-07-29T13:50:12.813+10:00Cooking with Amy: Cauliflower Pizza Crust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ciuhj53wwHFhzVMRXSDIYXIy8cLrQ8ko3qQwfNSAV7TKZk0_WVmEQhHN5klmmqWC3no_bH45W32mfj5FN4RV1fq7oRJaCpzJtVeOpK-iqJOXDmDOboMID6-Tcq5a9ikdXQrpuug2CH9J/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cauliflower pizza" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ciuhj53wwHFhzVMRXSDIYXIy8cLrQ8ko3qQwfNSAV7TKZk0_WVmEQhHN5klmmqWC3no_bH45W32mfj5FN4RV1fq7oRJaCpzJtVeOpK-iqJOXDmDOboMID6-Tcq5a9ikdXQrpuug2CH9J/s400/037.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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I know.... this looks A-MAZ-ING!! This is a pizza I had for lunch the other day. I love, love, love pizza, but unfortunately it is not really very healthy, and for some people it is just plain old off the menu due to gluten intolerance.</div>
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This pizza is made with cauliflower as a base, something that I discovered whilst surfing instagram one day. I have tried lots of different cauliflower base recipes, but this one actually stays together, and you can pick up the slices with your hands rather than having it fall to pieces. This pizza base also has an added bonus of an optional protein boost, if you are protein powder inclined.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HOENSFAuOST2VIO9nW1rF9HvfFHhUNorpL1FO49FwRkkFqYC1lGg1w8xNZtsttJliiH8eIQUhP0Er06oOCQRALObiT1UV12iCdE0ynk1qQyhL3dqZY9RHsU4hEDyV9COMZcSL6vc8au/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cauliflower" border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HOENSFAuOST2VIO9nW1rF9HvfFHhUNorpL1FO49FwRkkFqYC1lGg1w8xNZtsttJliiH8eIQUhP0Er06oOCQRALObiT1UV12iCdE0ynk1qQyhL3dqZY9RHsU4hEDyV9COMZcSL6vc8au/s400/038.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b>What you'll need:</b></i></div>
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1 x head of cauliflower</div>
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1 x egg</div>
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1 x tblsp cheese of choice</div>
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2 x scoops of protein powder (optional)</div>
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Toppings of choice.</div>
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<i><b>How to do it:</b></i></div>
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For this recipe, your cauliflower is going to act as a flour for your pizza base, so you need to make cauliflower rice. When I first heard of cauliflower rice, I was quite overwhelmed, but it really is as simple as putting your cauliflower florets in a food processor, or as I have done, grate it. You'll need about 2 cups to make a one person sized pizza.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx4Fs7uPSXk36-wNHmQJVjfPM9oNLp9W9ET5gfiPSvXV-82gj9ffQAv8fjq9Jqgaup-3TWEsRZljDSiq4qeOm7tUMHyxV2ZoWXfQHgRF2NmrIXaCvzi5qrztNnSM_2YKShMQohMFDfFl8/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cauliflower rice" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx4Fs7uPSXk36-wNHmQJVjfPM9oNLp9W9ET5gfiPSvXV-82gj9ffQAv8fjq9Jqgaup-3TWEsRZljDSiq4qeOm7tUMHyxV2ZoWXfQHgRF2NmrIXaCvzi5qrztNnSM_2YKShMQohMFDfFl8/s400/039.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Put your cauliflower rice on a plate, cover it with cling wrap, and microwave for about 3 minutes. You want to cook it. Don't add any water, because the cauliflower contains water in itself, and you actually will be drying it out in the following steps and adding water just makes the process longer.</div>
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Once it is cooked, lay out a clean tea towel and pour the rice out on it. You want it to cool down enough so that you can handle it comfortably. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-R2w45punoAT5ikow9UY1All23S4mOrHxwxwFT7scLVdHLw7Pbq7GGxCKYOgchBgVUPOzxjftcdsAWR51paKGlDfb_cxwEQG7tuO9VwT2vf8W7xeBgmNeIEt7_Fi7X6JV0TP68D6zQbR/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cauliflower rice" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-R2w45punoAT5ikow9UY1All23S4mOrHxwxwFT7scLVdHLw7Pbq7GGxCKYOgchBgVUPOzxjftcdsAWR51paKGlDfb_cxwEQG7tuO9VwT2vf8W7xeBgmNeIEt7_Fi7X6JV0TP68D6zQbR/s400/040.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once it is cool enough to handle, pick up the tea towel with the cauliflower inside and squeeze all of the water out. You want it to be really quite dry as, like I said, it is acting like a flour.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVdk-TR0Qn_K4iP18ML606vjTMAPURsQM2RwC0xNwtefUA_P4gBpRaD01NowDzc2XU7UA0tbOfJI334y6JtHGvoU6BFp4mHaPMUG4p6Q1ic4oEauAw0sx9sq3sMRk54IeypyZu1z8pue3/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVdk-TR0Qn_K4iP18ML606vjTMAPURsQM2RwC0xNwtefUA_P4gBpRaD01NowDzc2XU7UA0tbOfJI334y6JtHGvoU6BFp4mHaPMUG4p6Q1ic4oEauAw0sx9sq3sMRk54IeypyZu1z8pue3/s400/041.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Put your squeezed out cauliflower in a bowl with your other ingredients and give it a good stir until it is combined. I use a fork or a desert spoon, as it helps you get it all together (and saves on big dishes!). </div>
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**a note on the protein powder** I add two scoops of whey protein to my cauliflower pizza base, as this fits my macronutrient requirements. If you don't want to add protein powder, and you feel like your mix is really sloppy, you can add a bit of flour to the mix (oat, rice, wheat etc.).</div>
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**a note about the cheese** Use whatever cheese you have in the fridge. In this instance I used tasty cheese, but I often use ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, or Parmesan. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismppqsK8XsmXoFkWGMVRbjDDurC75wNJu7yf7vNECAImDDK4Jw6xy9Vo2zmry6r_q3LlUNZXMf7ZIdi-C_U4X1z0RXoH2A7g5OAZ0KSyeKv8xGYT8dkoYFxNLoDMtavNxQ-l7-SkLKsh5/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cauliflower pizza crust" border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismppqsK8XsmXoFkWGMVRbjDDurC75wNJu7yf7vNECAImDDK4Jw6xy9Vo2zmry6r_q3LlUNZXMf7ZIdi-C_U4X1z0RXoH2A7g5OAZ0KSyeKv8xGYT8dkoYFxNLoDMtavNxQ-l7-SkLKsh5/s400/042.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pour your mix onto a pizza tray covered in baking paper. You can see from my picture that it is still a bit mushy. This will change when you cook it so don't stress out about that. Put your base in the oven at about 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until it is brown on top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O8Oxm4Y_nw9So5tukwYt_Kf0KeiAROM4OMEoRCYw6cv5jkvfn9xKr1WQwjfFcPzfKVoJYX_1fa9CWUzQgASz2RJXdt80Vf7Xjixt9gDL8Pst6f86GfVDVTyjdoh1PbeE50_ojFG3ZvVS/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cauliflower pizza crust" border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O8Oxm4Y_nw9So5tukwYt_Kf0KeiAROM4OMEoRCYw6cv5jkvfn9xKr1WQwjfFcPzfKVoJYX_1fa9CWUzQgASz2RJXdt80Vf7Xjixt9gDL8Pst6f86GfVDVTyjdoh1PbeE50_ojFG3ZvVS/s400/043.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pull it out and top with whatever you feel like. On this day I was feeling in need of vegetables, so I mashed some avocado and put on some sliced capsicum, grated zucchini, and some baby spinach. But I often just put tomato paste and a little cheese on top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE2NFpJq9CtMKb0-gj8UTKrz9ei_7YM8LgVtsjKu-etDnQ5DbKuHHrJMM6im-5S5vINUn6Ih_tjt2HnSzUxSbywBLqY-ZaF9dFiDptq6O5fqYZNPdjrlCykRLbU-N6jNKFhbvYmgZvlWv/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cauliflower pizza crust" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE2NFpJq9CtMKb0-gj8UTKrz9ei_7YM8LgVtsjKu-etDnQ5DbKuHHrJMM6im-5S5vINUn6Ih_tjt2HnSzUxSbywBLqY-ZaF9dFiDptq6O5fqYZNPdjrlCykRLbU-N6jNKFhbvYmgZvlWv/s400/044.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cook it again for around 10 minutes, or until your toppings are cooked. Slice up, move to a plate, and ENJOY!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcazNWLt-AsgBSbJBwDm-CV7vgRZOjuslFaODCYG5yGNyKeJD2UNZF2Ajdni19JnbhPs9kKIlvuOAAhKtIa0v0jyUI12mzVXk9Y8LGk41Br4YAgxSglD_-HpbdVU5ZqRqJ0QTl7vMLye7/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cauliflower Pizza Crust" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcazNWLt-AsgBSbJBwDm-CV7vgRZOjuslFaODCYG5yGNyKeJD2UNZF2Ajdni19JnbhPs9kKIlvuOAAhKtIa0v0jyUI12mzVXk9Y8LGk41Br4YAgxSglD_-HpbdVU5ZqRqJ0QTl7vMLye7/s400/045.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Try it! You know you want to!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-51547956076000505952013-07-26T09:30:00.000+10:002013-07-26T10:01:00.767+10:00My Prosperity<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>This post is a <a href="http://www.nuffnang.com.au/what-is-product-talk/" target="_blank">Product Talk by Nuffnang. </a></i></div>
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I'm not usually one to start chatting about financial products on this blog, however I was offered the opportunity to have a look at <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">myprosperity</a> through my affiliation with Nuffnang, and I thought... why not? I could definitely do some organising in the financial department now that we have downsized to one income.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOitXPyX56m0XF1y2nB-d_khr2BVmklAth4J3fyQayEwKKP5SfNawkKchuLJoYFcYHD6UEixAW-0ESUFfWar6wUyaoEWUUUfQdfejkIb5SbGlsz6caojiLp8eXEahTMVe_zxGdPb1piG4a/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOitXPyX56m0XF1y2nB-d_khr2BVmklAth4J3fyQayEwKKP5SfNawkKchuLJoYFcYHD6UEixAW-0ESUFfWar6wUyaoEWUUUfQdfejkIb5SbGlsz6caojiLp8eXEahTMVe_zxGdPb1piG4a/s400/007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are so many different elements to managing your
finances, and sometimes it can be a little difficult to figure out
exactly where you stand financially and what you can actually afford to
do. <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">Myprosperity</a> is a free, secure, online platform that you can use to link all of your financial things, bank accounts, mortgage, credit cards, insurances, assets etc. in one place. The best thing about this is, because everything is in one place it is easy to see what is going on financially for you at any given time without having to have 100 browser windows open at once. This actually makes your financial position easier to understand.</div>
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<b><i>How it works??</i></b></div>
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When you register for an account, you log into <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">myprosperity</a>, and you do a little online interview. You start by telling the program what your life stage is and what your goals are. This means that it is not just a cookie cutter set up and is a bit more personalised. This means that you can design a plan to suit your needs, not what "the majority of people" (whoever they are) want.</div>
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Next, you link all of your accounts to your <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">myprosperity</a> account. This takes a little bit of time to set up because the accounts need to talk to each other and all that jazz. Once it is done though you can log in and see where your money comes from, and also what you spend it on. The good thing about this is that it organises all of your in's and out's on its own. You don't need to add each transaction in manually, so you don't miss anything. All of the transactions are then organised into categories, which makes seeing EXACTLY what you spend your money on really easy and makes budgeting a lot easier.</div>
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From here it really is up to you. You can go into the planner and set yourself some goals, check out your wealth position etc. Personally, I really want to focus on sticking to a budget and boosting our savings for all important holidays and emergencies! So I jumped into the goals section and put that in. It was really easy to set up. </div>
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One improvement I would make is an easily accessible help link or frequently asked questions link. Although I found that it was really easy to navigate the site, it took a bit of clicking through things to figure it out.</div>
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I'm looking forward to organised finances with no surprises from now on!<br />
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If you would like to check out <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">myprosperity</a> for yourself, <a href="http://goo.gl/YtExV" target="_blank">visit their site</a> and register for an account. It is an easy, free, and secure way to take control of your finances.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-80177271628754931432013-07-23T17:36:00.003+10:002013-07-23T17:36:57.421+10:00what to do on Tuesday...<div style="text-align: justify;">
More specifically, what do do with an almost 5 year old who is constantly wanting to learn more and more and is exhausting your stores of interesting knowledge, or more importantly, exhausting you?!?!</div>
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On Tuesday mornings we have been heading down to our local library for story time. Our main local library has activities for pre-schoolers every morning at 10.30am. This is PERFECT for little boys who just desperately want to be learning and playing and just being out of the house in general. We have made lots of cool things, and over the holidays we even made space dioramas! Really engaging and really fun!</div>
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When our local library does story time, the stories are generally revolved around a theme. This morning was a farmyard theme and at the end, the activity was to colour in a pig picture. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx5RDX2GAxdENlOjGjvgpwy4eMq7WigHgORmcjfl20uGytpa5g9o38NRZQ8nj2tIwkGME-_Uu0fS0DqDtfOKA8uaH_WW_3KPbDAZHjx_9m1f7uEVX3BzudeK1gSr3AeBTIFQPu1osIjND/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Local Library craft session" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx5RDX2GAxdENlOjGjvgpwy4eMq7WigHgORmcjfl20uGytpa5g9o38NRZQ8nj2tIwkGME-_Uu0fS0DqDtfOKA8uaH_WW_3KPbDAZHjx_9m1f7uEVX3BzudeK1gSr3AeBTIFQPu1osIjND/s400/035.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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As soon as I saw the picture, I said to Oliver, "Let's make a mask out of that!" He agreed that my idea was wonderful. So he coloured in his pig mask with all of the rainbow colours that took his fancy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacx3oGKCmb27IMI05bl92nfdXnPoRorM8-sQdCu2kPyW_n7u7Qom9vxILE17Ac_90hwoize8A60SHLQ4zIHbAhhHQwPclCuF4VZ8XSG8GuyhwOaDSsa-hvSjj6n0-7rB9f58PeQoYrwHi/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colouring in" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacx3oGKCmb27IMI05bl92nfdXnPoRorM8-sQdCu2kPyW_n7u7Qom9vxILE17Ac_90hwoize8A60SHLQ4zIHbAhhHQwPclCuF4VZ8XSG8GuyhwOaDSsa-hvSjj6n0-7rB9f58PeQoYrwHi/s400/034.JPG" title="" width="300" /></a></div>
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And then we cut it out. Once we got home, I found some elastic amongst my sewing things and stapled it to the outsides and... TADA...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktAg-343oP4GzB2WDaVrDFzNgry_9KTMVV5QYGJTkFlgCAphDH6S5L9sj787MKWbTbrjvNTY__5J_76ZajCczsjCCPEzGdjNbukE4HpLR9NrmgYLeFLlqHLbLGNCwccLnM5LmSalKlor1/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Super Piggy!" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktAg-343oP4GzB2WDaVrDFzNgry_9KTMVV5QYGJTkFlgCAphDH6S5L9sj787MKWbTbrjvNTY__5J_76ZajCczsjCCPEzGdjNbukE4HpLR9NrmgYLeFLlqHLbLGNCwccLnM5LmSalKlor1/s400/036.JPG" title="" width="241" /></a></div>
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Super Piggy!!</div>
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Oliver is so excited about his mask that he actually hasn't taken it off. In fact, every activity that we go to down at the library, he ends up super excited about whatever he has made and never wants it to leave his side.</div>
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Does your local library hold sessions for children? Why not have a look?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-84130515553465701742013-07-21T17:30:00.000+10:002013-07-21T17:30:19.564+10:00wordless weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlPvWK3yyeDVWTivZwS7po4UN6_kqWqtp4-xeTosY1q8wLO6fk9jSLNgK6ocUA8S9JNl-T1PtdQKDaXJR0rJ6zVffp9L8GiBazNH8y9hO3-gszmCOagw4TttCJFGMYfLz5mx40O09sVNH/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="my cat" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlPvWK3yyeDVWTivZwS7po4UN6_kqWqtp4-xeTosY1q8wLO6fk9jSLNgK6ocUA8S9JNl-T1PtdQKDaXJR0rJ6zVffp9L8GiBazNH8y9hO3-gszmCOagw4TttCJFGMYfLz5mx40O09sVNH/s400/031.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioravJjQPlCPql3LnqSSTyf8moXZadzWo6QSf9uY4rO36qGebB4jMyCBfJmVM6r_aDSEmGYZAPD-_XqYJQJzS7ZfpxqzLi-yC27PL3kAyP-LX8zHmBjTLnYeInktjXyJC2IMfnH4Wq0urQ/s1600/032.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Melbourne Weather" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioravJjQPlCPql3LnqSSTyf8moXZadzWo6QSf9uY4rO36qGebB4jMyCBfJmVM6r_aDSEmGYZAPD-_XqYJQJzS7ZfpxqzLi-yC27PL3kAyP-LX8zHmBjTLnYeInktjXyJC2IMfnH4Wq0urQ/s400/032.PNG" title="" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRget_Qyr_giI3XKYFJghoMZIa8QkGVARxd5oEWCAwUECrzHEZuQixlCzetunNHd5TXDITRAlE4Wd0xjYeuuqRP68HhmyMyxQh9rM4k8_gUYkmVXjuTH2C_hiNEUQmplzD9WG3ocsyzcYZ/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Smoothies" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRget_Qyr_giI3XKYFJghoMZIa8QkGVARxd5oEWCAwUECrzHEZuQixlCzetunNHd5TXDITRAlE4Wd0xjYeuuqRP68HhmyMyxQh9rM4k8_gUYkmVXjuTH2C_hiNEUQmplzD9WG3ocsyzcYZ/s400/033.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Saying it all without words today for my wordless weekend.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201279138344104364.post-6499209660568047322013-07-20T20:46:00.003+10:002013-07-20T20:46:38.051+10:00using your imagination<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was awfully cold and wet here in Melbourne. I spent the majority of my morning looking for, and subsequently hanging out in, a laundromat. But it was full of good company and I met a few sweet others who had broken washing machines as well, or simply needed to use the dryers.</div>
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This afternoon, my kids seemed so bored sitting around watching television so I made them get up and go do something else. After a little while we heard them opening two packets of <a href="http://www.bigw.com.au/toys/board-games-puzzles/bpnBIGW_0000000015380/uno-stacko" target="_blank">UNO stacko</a>. We started to stop them, but thought... what the heck, let them go and create some mess, some fun, and see what they come up with! </div>
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**Please excuse my iPhone photos, sometimes these action shots don't happen if you have to run off to find a camera!**</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AK0K93GOHcIdUIEosc2S-F_0jySPXNmLMWXepNNzS1BSESG-ydwQLyLMWViisEjKx94PFMBOpcxuOH1tudZL4pYvbzuclrKVTQnlgLZWoVip96XMHUhNpSxcsC3Na4VnqkFkt3PwfNoF/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UNO stacko castle" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AK0K93GOHcIdUIEosc2S-F_0jySPXNmLMWXepNNzS1BSESG-ydwQLyLMWViisEjKx94PFMBOpcxuOH1tudZL4pYvbzuclrKVTQnlgLZWoVip96XMHUhNpSxcsC3Na4VnqkFkt3PwfNoF/s400/029.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFD5_5C5gD_T50l_MRgkMJD7CbyNBxYfchtsR_-iAskvKqkMdBwNy55Jrk6U5MUzs7r9HkKYC8czcYx0kjI_1pNgoXp5ZKoNNgoLYFZE21p8yIo_ktyjcIFa4pSe-2Te_pUD4IhkB5rMB/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UNO stacko castle" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFD5_5C5gD_T50l_MRgkMJD7CbyNBxYfchtsR_-iAskvKqkMdBwNy55Jrk6U5MUzs7r9HkKYC8czcYx0kjI_1pNgoXp5ZKoNNgoLYFZE21p8yIo_ktyjcIFa4pSe-2Te_pUD4IhkB5rMB/s400/028.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a castle for a queen according to my kids. I love it how they can make up an entire scenario with their imaginations and run with it. After they knocked this down, they made a throne for the cat. She ran away as soon as they made their intentions known.</div>
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This is something I think I can learn from my kids. Your imagination is the only limit you set for yourself, and if you put a cap on it, you are only limiting your potential. So many times I focus on the "what if's" in my mind rather than running with my ideas and the possibilities that they hold. In my kids' case, if we had put a cap on their imagination, the cat possibly wouldn't have a throne...</div>
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What do your kids do when it is rainy?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16587297036951667881noreply@blogger.com0