Well, today was the first swimming lesson of the season. Despite the hideous cost I was rather impressed. Class sizes are limited to 6, and in the girls class today there were 3 in Kiki's class, and 2 in M&M's class. I got in with Kiki, but M&M was a big girl and went in on her own. Granted the pool is very shallow, and they can both stand up on their own, but that was quite an achievement. And hopefully in a couple of weeks Kiki will be happy with going in without me.
The teacher, Karen, is lovely, and the kids just love her. Already.
The best part was I was able to shower with Kiki while M&M had her lesson. The further away from her I am, the happier M&M seems to be. Although once again we need more practice at putting our heads under the water. Looks like a few more trips to the Lagoon will be planned over the coming weeks.
Ah well, we'll see how they go on Saturday.
Showing posts with label keeping the kids amused. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keeping the kids amused. Show all posts
Swimming lessons
In this country, especially this part of the country, swimming is a life skill. Like walking, drinking, eating or talking. Both houses either side of us have a pool. We live a mere 20 minute walk from the beach. The summer heat dictates that we do whatever it takes to stay cool. And yet finding swimming lessons isn’t as easy as it sounds. The local pool, a couple of minutes drive away, does not offer ‘learn to swim’ classes. Either there is a lack of private, local swimming teachers, or marketing is not their strong point (although I did hear of one last week – the first one I’ve heard of in 4.5 years living here). So, we look elsewhere. International visitors staying with family this week couldn’t believe that living so close to the spectacular calm waters of the Great Barrier Reef, we would take our children on a 20 minute drive inland for swimming lessons. Well, apparently a tourist area isn’t necessarily family friendly.
Finding swimming lessons for babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children is notoriously difficult in town here. Each week there is a mass migration to the next town where lessons are held. The other problem was the timing. When I was first looking for my eldest, when she was 6 months old (and I had just found out I was pregnant with #2) I discovered that a) there is no such thing as swimming lessons in “winter” (winter is a joke here, we basically have two – three months of autumn then spring arrives again) and b) swimming lessons on a weekend, or at a time when parents who worked could actually bring their children? Not likely. I was working full-time at that point, and read with mounting jealousy of people taking their children to swimming lessons on a Saturday. In June (“winter”).
When my youngest was 6 months, I tried again. The times were a little more flexible (two days a week!) but still difficult to manage with a 9 month old, and a nearly 2 year old (having to get in the water with both of them). By the time the youngest turned one, my mother in law put her foot down, came with us to swimming lessons, paid for half of them, and watched one child while I dealt with the other. After a while we realised that while we’d gotten in early enough with the little one, the big one wasn’t that keen on the water. Discussions with the teacher followed, and two lessons a week were planned.
Over time (well, the ten week sessions in which lessons are held for half an hour a week) she improved, and the following year began going in without me, and learning things like floating and strokes. I had hoped she would be allowed into the beginners class this year, which teaches actual swimming, rather than just survival. However as I began my research in early September, I soon discovered the previous owners of the swimming school had left, and the new owners were planning an open day for this past Sunday. Desperate for my children to finally master this skill, I packed up the family for the 20 minute drive to check out the new people and find out what classes they were doing.
Of course all the classes have changed, and now my eldest will have to repeat the class she did last season, because she’s “not quite ready” for the beginners class. Added to this the 140% price increase and I’m wondering if the effort is worth it? I mean for two (or three, depending on luck) days a week to pack the bags, snacks and traipse across the countryside, to share my ever increasing pregnancy body with the unsuspecting world, swim for an hour with the kids, feed them, shower them, dress them (again!) and scurry home to do an extra load of washing (so everything’s clean for next time) and deal with the exhausted kids on top of the regular housework, study, moving preparation and general pregnancy exhaustion. I’m tired just thinking about it.
Of course I’ll do it, and pay the extra money, because knowing how to swim is not a luxury, but a necessary survival skill.
It does help that the new swimming coach is a bit of a hottie.
Finding swimming lessons for babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children is notoriously difficult in town here. Each week there is a mass migration to the next town where lessons are held. The other problem was the timing. When I was first looking for my eldest, when she was 6 months old (and I had just found out I was pregnant with #2) I discovered that a) there is no such thing as swimming lessons in “winter” (winter is a joke here, we basically have two – three months of autumn then spring arrives again) and b) swimming lessons on a weekend, or at a time when parents who worked could actually bring their children? Not likely. I was working full-time at that point, and read with mounting jealousy of people taking their children to swimming lessons on a Saturday. In June (“winter”).
When my youngest was 6 months, I tried again. The times were a little more flexible (two days a week!) but still difficult to manage with a 9 month old, and a nearly 2 year old (having to get in the water with both of them). By the time the youngest turned one, my mother in law put her foot down, came with us to swimming lessons, paid for half of them, and watched one child while I dealt with the other. After a while we realised that while we’d gotten in early enough with the little one, the big one wasn’t that keen on the water. Discussions with the teacher followed, and two lessons a week were planned.
Over time (well, the ten week sessions in which lessons are held for half an hour a week) she improved, and the following year began going in without me, and learning things like floating and strokes. I had hoped she would be allowed into the beginners class this year, which teaches actual swimming, rather than just survival. However as I began my research in early September, I soon discovered the previous owners of the swimming school had left, and the new owners were planning an open day for this past Sunday. Desperate for my children to finally master this skill, I packed up the family for the 20 minute drive to check out the new people and find out what classes they were doing.
Of course all the classes have changed, and now my eldest will have to repeat the class she did last season, because she’s “not quite ready” for the beginners class. Added to this the 140% price increase and I’m wondering if the effort is worth it? I mean for two (or three, depending on luck) days a week to pack the bags, snacks and traipse across the countryside, to share my ever increasing pregnancy body with the unsuspecting world, swim for an hour with the kids, feed them, shower them, dress them (again!) and scurry home to do an extra load of washing (so everything’s clean for next time) and deal with the exhausted kids on top of the regular housework, study, moving preparation and general pregnancy exhaustion. I’m tired just thinking about it.
Of course I’ll do it, and pay the extra money, because knowing how to swim is not a luxury, but a necessary survival skill.
It does help that the new swimming coach is a bit of a hottie.
The Things We Do For Our Children
Oh yes, if you have had children in about the last 10-15 years you'll probably recognise the character to the left as Dorothy the Dinosour, a good friend of the Wiggles.
Today we're off on an adventure, to a nearby town (only an hour's drive) to see the Dorothy Dance Party. We're leaving early, picking up the tickets and (weather permitting) stopping for a picnic in the park next to the beach.
Not exactly thrilled with the idea I didn't mention this to the children until this morning, now, as you can imagine, every second time one of them opens their mouths it's to tell me that we're going to Dorothy's Dance Party, or to ask when we're going to Dorothy's Dance Party. I should've known better. At least my mother-in-law is coming to help break the monotony.
What we did on the weekend
For ages now I've been bemoaning the kids in our lounge room! I clean it up and 10 minutes later it's covered in toys and crap. SO I came up with the idea to set up a little lounge room in the dining room for them. I study and work on the computer in the dining room, and like most mothers spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This way they're supervised all the time, and have their own space (and we get our space back!)
So while this was planned for Saturday - other things happened, and it finally happened last night. Here is the before shot:
As you can see there's a lot of wasted space there (and it's well used). Here's the after shot:
They had two massive boxes of toys which I sorted into musical instruments, tea set and "other" and along with their lego that makes up the 4 boxes on the shelf. Under the table with the tv will be boxes with their DVD's when I finish decluttering the lounge room. Those pictures are taken from the kitchen room, so you can see they're well supervised while I'm there. Past the clock on the wall is the laundry, so I'm never far away now.
It was quite a big job, and I'm glad it's done now. 1 room down, 10 to go :)
Birthday parties
Well, it's getting to be that time of the year again, in October will start the great end of year birthday rush, which will now follow through until February when the little bean (ok, not so little bean now I guess) makes his/her entrance.
First up is Miss nearly 4! I can't believe my baby is so big. While cleaning out the garage on the weekend we found all the pictures of my assorted birthday parties, and let me tell you, this kid is the image of me, if not in looks, then obviously in personality and style. Even the same tragic obsession with Strawberry Shortcake I had at her age. As I looked further back I found photos of me that prove I'm not insane when I look at Miss 2.5 and feel like I'm looking in a mirror. I might even share them one day.
But back to the important aspect of planning birthday parties for little people. We have a rule which hopefully will only last until their 12th birthday, that states however old you turn, you can have that many friends to your party. This year that makes it 4 kids, plus my two, plus parents, grandparents and assorted other family friends. I'm thinking about 20-24 people. Can you imagine if I said she could have 6 people??
Anyway, we're thinking 2 hours was enough last year, maybe 2 or 2.5 again this year. With a theme. Oh I'm going to love this. Both my girls, and apparently any other girl I know between the ages of 2 and 6, are obsessed with Dora the Explorer, and Miss nearly 4 has asked for a Dora cake. Soooo, I'm thinking of planning a Dora expidition. I've watched enough DVD's to know the format. Problem, someone hands them the solution, they check the map, remember the things to do on the way, then off they go to face 3 challenges along the way - but don't forget Swiper the Fox! I figure that could take them a good 20 minutes. Which only leaves 1 hour and 40 minutes to fill. Last year we did some great activities like beading (even the token male got into it making jewellery for his sister and mother), dancing (freeze), pass the parcel, decorating cupcakes, before the culmination of the party and presentation of the cake. Dead on 2 hours. Anyone would think I'd planned it.
Of course plenty of food in there as well, although not too many lollies, which I think the parents were greatful for.
Well, only one of the kids who was here last year will be here again this year, so I guess I can recycle the same old activities as well! Unless someone can come up with other activities to do....?
First up is Miss nearly 4! I can't believe my baby is so big. While cleaning out the garage on the weekend we found all the pictures of my assorted birthday parties, and let me tell you, this kid is the image of me, if not in looks, then obviously in personality and style. Even the same tragic obsession with Strawberry Shortcake I had at her age. As I looked further back I found photos of me that prove I'm not insane when I look at Miss 2.5 and feel like I'm looking in a mirror. I might even share them one day.
But back to the important aspect of planning birthday parties for little people. We have a rule which hopefully will only last until their 12th birthday, that states however old you turn, you can have that many friends to your party. This year that makes it 4 kids, plus my two, plus parents, grandparents and assorted other family friends. I'm thinking about 20-24 people. Can you imagine if I said she could have 6 people??
Anyway, we're thinking 2 hours was enough last year, maybe 2 or 2.5 again this year. With a theme. Oh I'm going to love this. Both my girls, and apparently any other girl I know between the ages of 2 and 6, are obsessed with Dora the Explorer, and Miss nearly 4 has asked for a Dora cake. Soooo, I'm thinking of planning a Dora expidition. I've watched enough DVD's to know the format. Problem, someone hands them the solution, they check the map, remember the things to do on the way, then off they go to face 3 challenges along the way - but don't forget Swiper the Fox! I figure that could take them a good 20 minutes. Which only leaves 1 hour and 40 minutes to fill. Last year we did some great activities like beading (even the token male got into it making jewellery for his sister and mother), dancing (freeze), pass the parcel, decorating cupcakes, before the culmination of the party and presentation of the cake. Dead on 2 hours. Anyone would think I'd planned it.
Of course plenty of food in there as well, although not too many lollies, which I think the parents were greatful for.
Well, only one of the kids who was here last year will be here again this year, so I guess I can recycle the same old activities as well! Unless someone can come up with other activities to do....?
Homeschooling for Dummies
First off let me say, I will not be homeschooling my children. Period. But after SIX MONTHS of my eldest genius daughter nagging me senseless asking me to teach her how to read and write, I couldn't really put her off for the eighteen months until she starts school.
So I went searching over the dozens of sites I have in my favourites, and found a few useful things. I'm starting slow. About 4 x 5-10 minutes a day on various things, initially: letter recognition, number recognition, pre-writing readiness tracing, shapes, patterns and cutting and pasting.
Because she and the other little miss go to daycare on Friday (where I'm assured she is also getting pre-writing and pre-reading small group work) and the fact she wasbored very enthusiastic today, I decided we would do 5 days a week, Sunday through Thursday. Sunday is a very quiet day here, and something to focus her might mean she'll leave her little sister alone. Hey, let me dream all right?
Meanwhile I haven't forgotten the little miss, who no doubt will want to be involved as well. Dozens of sites provide free printables for colouring, and as theleft handed toad little miss seems rather creative, I plan to involve her further in things such as colour recognition, and cutting and pasting. I have also planned a couple of "fun" sessions a week, with craft, music and cooking varying our days.
Now, if I could just find the motivationapart from the constant nagging to stick with it, and stay on top of the house, washing and my own study, I'd be set.
So I went searching over the dozens of sites I have in my favourites, and found a few useful things. I'm starting slow. About 4 x 5-10 minutes a day on various things, initially: letter recognition, number recognition, pre-writing readiness tracing, shapes, patterns and cutting and pasting.
Because she and the other little miss go to daycare on Friday (where I'm assured she is also getting pre-writing and pre-reading small group work) and the fact she was
Meanwhile I haven't forgotten the little miss, who no doubt will want to be involved as well. Dozens of sites provide free printables for colouring, and as the
Now, if I could just find the motivation
Cooking with Kids
Tuesday is always fun in our house. It's the day the girls and I get dirty in the kitchen, mixing up cakes, cookies and assorted other snacks for them and Daddy. Everything from chocolate cake to Pizza Scrolls are fair game on Tuesdays, altho emphasis is on things the kids can at least feel they're helping with. Athough at the ages of 2.5 and nearly 4, there's not much more than stirring they can do.
We have our favourite recipes of course, things that can be made from what we keep on hand. Cupcakes, chocolate cake, and muffins. But some of our other favourites that aren't quite as simple, well, they're sometimes the tastiest aren't they?
Sultana Apple Loaf
125g butter
3/4 cup raw or castor sugar
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted (I have used rice self-raising flour with excellent results)
2 eggs, beaten
1 lemon rind, finely grated
1 cup sultanas
1 cup apple juice
1 apple, gated
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease & line a loaf pan with baking paper.
2. Melt butter in a smal saucepan over meduim heat (or in the microwave) and transfer to a mixng bowl. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined
3. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.
4. Icing can be made by mixing 1 cup of icing sugar and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl. Add lemn juice and stir. Heat on high in microwave for 40-50 seconds or until runny. Pour over cake and spread to cover.
We have only once added icing to this cake, and all agree that it's not necessary. A loaf makes approximately 12 adult sized slices or 24 kid sized slices. It freezes well and is great for lunch boxes. With all that fruit in there you can almost kid yourself it's healthy. I know it's a sad commentry on me that this is one of the more complicated cakes we make on a regular basis, but I'm really not much of a cook, and simple is always better in my book. Hubby on the other hand.....
Cinnamon Scrolls
90g butter
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
2/3 cup of milk
Filling
60g butter at room temp
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup of dried fruit
1. Rub butter into flour with fingertips until mixture resemles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre. Add most of the milk. Mix lightly with a flat-bladed knife, to forma soft dough (add more milk if required)
2. Turn onto a lightly-floured surface. Knead lightly. Roll out into a rectangle about 25 x 40cm, and 5mm thick.
3. Prepare filling. Cream butter, sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Spread over dough. Sprinkle with currants. Roll up fromt he long side. slice into 3cm pieces using a sharp knife.
4. Place rounds close together on a greased baking tray. Bake at 220c for 10-15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool
5. Ice scrolls with 1 cup icing sugar combined with 1 tbsp boiling water.
Hubby loves taking these to work, and saves him from spending money at the bakeries and cake shops nearby. Of course I'm not much chop at pastries, so he makes his own.
**Disclaimer - all measurements are Australian metric. 1 cup = 250mL and 1 tbsp is 20mL
We have our favourite recipes of course, things that can be made from what we keep on hand. Cupcakes, chocolate cake, and muffins. But some of our other favourites that aren't quite as simple, well, they're sometimes the tastiest aren't they?
Sultana Apple Loaf
125g butter
3/4 cup raw or castor sugar
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted (I have used rice self-raising flour with excellent results)
2 eggs, beaten
1 lemon rind, finely grated
1 cup sultanas
1 cup apple juice
1 apple, gated
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease & line a loaf pan with baking paper.
2. Melt butter in a smal saucepan over meduim heat (or in the microwave) and transfer to a mixng bowl. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined
3. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.
4. Icing can be made by mixing 1 cup of icing sugar and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl. Add lemn juice and stir. Heat on high in microwave for 40-50 seconds or until runny. Pour over cake and spread to cover.
We have only once added icing to this cake, and all agree that it's not necessary. A loaf makes approximately 12 adult sized slices or 24 kid sized slices. It freezes well and is great for lunch boxes. With all that fruit in there you can almost kid yourself it's healthy. I know it's a sad commentry on me that this is one of the more complicated cakes we make on a regular basis, but I'm really not much of a cook, and simple is always better in my book. Hubby on the other hand.....
Cinnamon Scrolls
90g butter
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
2/3 cup of milk
Filling
60g butter at room temp
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup of dried fruit
1. Rub butter into flour with fingertips until mixture resemles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre. Add most of the milk. Mix lightly with a flat-bladed knife, to forma soft dough (add more milk if required)
2. Turn onto a lightly-floured surface. Knead lightly. Roll out into a rectangle about 25 x 40cm, and 5mm thick.
3. Prepare filling. Cream butter, sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Spread over dough. Sprinkle with currants. Roll up fromt he long side. slice into 3cm pieces using a sharp knife.
4. Place rounds close together on a greased baking tray. Bake at 220c for 10-15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool
5. Ice scrolls with 1 cup icing sugar combined with 1 tbsp boiling water.
Hubby loves taking these to work, and saves him from spending money at the bakeries and cake shops nearby. Of course I'm not much chop at pastries, so he makes his own.
**Disclaimer - all measurements are Australian metric. 1 cup = 250mL and 1 tbsp is 20mL
Entertaining only one child
Having my first two children 14 months apart means that ever since the eldest could walk, she's had someone to play with. Today I am facing the unevniable challenge of entertaining a 2.5 year old solo. So far I've come up with the following options.
- DVD's - yeah ok, that's boring
- Playground - oh my god, this girl needs to be pushed on the swing for hours. Next!
- Coffee and cake at the doughnut shop - she doesn't seem interested
- Library - she's begging to go, but we were only there 2 days ago, and she just runs around screaming anyway.
- Shopping - she's 2, she doesn't get the timewasting aspect of it yet.
I might take her to lunch at McDonalds, and then see what the afternoon brings. If all else fails i can always pick up Miss Nearly Four from daycare early and let her have a play there.
Activity site
Whily doing my regular morning blog catchup, I came across this post on Strollerderby. There is a link to a Canadian site with great ideas for summer activities for kids. Since I live in possibly the best climate in the world, I figure most of these are great for all year round activities too.
There are some great ideas, lots of "getting out of the house" activities, and things you can do around the house as well. I feel all inspired to actually, well, spend time with my children now.
There are some great ideas, lots of "getting out of the house" activities, and things you can do around the house as well. I feel all inspired to actually, well, spend time with my children now.
Our Local Library
For those who don't know, I live in a rather small town, something in the order of 5,000 people. Ok, it's not that small, but when you all but grow up in a city, it's a small, small town.
Our local library is an excellent example. We share a single librarian with an adjoining town. As a result 5 out of the 6 people who work there usually aren't able to exactly answer your questions. BUT that doesn't mean it's a waste of time answering.
Last Monday I asked a lady about books for children about new babies. We had a look, but couldn't find any. She said she would keep an eye out for me.
On Friday I recieved a notice from the library that I had two books on reserve. Confused at first, closer inspection revealed that the lady had asked the librarian, tracked down these books and placed them on reserve for me.
Every Monday we go to the library (if the children are behaving) and listen to storytime, and then choose our books (two each for the week, and if the girls have been good, a DVD). We then get some kind of art/craft activity related to the theme of storytime that day. It then goes in the craft box for later in the week if the kids get bored. It also means we can bring up again the themes from Monday later in the week.
If you haven't been to your local library lately, I strongly suggest you check it out. Despite the lack of classics like Austin and Bronte at my library, the staff are helpful and will go out of their way to get anything they can for me. Plus they entertain my children for half an hour. Bonus!
Our local library is an excellent example. We share a single librarian with an adjoining town. As a result 5 out of the 6 people who work there usually aren't able to exactly answer your questions. BUT that doesn't mean it's a waste of time answering.
Last Monday I asked a lady about books for children about new babies. We had a look, but couldn't find any. She said she would keep an eye out for me.
On Friday I recieved a notice from the library that I had two books on reserve. Confused at first, closer inspection revealed that the lady had asked the librarian, tracked down these books and placed them on reserve for me.
Every Monday we go to the library (if the children are behaving) and listen to storytime, and then choose our books (two each for the week, and if the girls have been good, a DVD). We then get some kind of art/craft activity related to the theme of storytime that day. It then goes in the craft box for later in the week if the kids get bored. It also means we can bring up again the themes from Monday later in the week.
If you haven't been to your local library lately, I strongly suggest you check it out. Despite the lack of classics like Austin and Bronte at my library, the staff are helpful and will go out of their way to get anything they can for me. Plus they entertain my children for half an hour. Bonus!
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Preferably down south to drought affected areas.
It is currently our wettest June on record, and the poor kids (and their parents) are very tired of being cooped up. Here are some rainy day activities we have done this week:
It is currently our wettest June on record, and the poor kids (and their parents) are very tired of being cooped up. Here are some rainy day activities we have done this week:
- Shopping - going to the shopping centre is always fun with two small kids. I buy them donhuts and suffer the sugar fix
- Cubby House - We built a massive one under the dining room table
- Cooking - We made cupcakes and decorated them.
- Picnic - We had a picnic in the cubby house with the cupcakes
- DVD's - Mummy went to the library and got Hook, Fifi, Curious George and a few others I can't remember, and the girls watched them on Mummy's laptop IN the cubby house.
- Daycare - Mummy begged and pleaded for a spot at daycare for a day so the kids could play with someone else.
And yesterday, for the grand finale, we drove 2 hours to go to a cinema to see Shrek the Third. And just for fun, on the way home we donned the girls in raincoats and gum boots to go to the local Show. It rained, it was muddy, and we stayed less than 90 minutes before grabbing the show bags and running home, dumping everyone in a warm bath and curling up under the blankets.
BUT we all had a good time. Which I guess is a good thing. Right?
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