"That was the BEST party ever"

To celebrate J(ds-9) birthday we planned a party at Fun House Carindale and in his words it was "the best party ever!"
HE loves those game places, so what better place to plan to celebrate his 9th birthday then at one. We liked this one for the fact that it had a big party room that we could have all to ourselves! IT was huge, clean, bright and included tables, chairs, cutlery and free use of the air hockey table.

We provided food and drinks, but you do have the option of ordering food in from the food court downstairs and you can also pay extra for a host, which we felt with 2 competent parents that wasn't required. IT worked out well that hubby was still on holidays, R(ds-7) went to a friends and C(ds-nearly 2) was taken for a lovely shopping trip in the centre by her very helpful and lovely Meme(my mum)

J had decided to have a "boy only" party and was to choose 8 of his closest friends(which was hard for a boy who is friends with everyone and makes friends so easily). 

The boys were given half their tokens at the beginning of the party, then they came in for some food and a chat. Once their belly's were full they went out to use the other half of their tokens. They played many of the games, some more focused on winning tickets to use at the end to redeem for a prize!....all part of the fun of these places.

We then came in for cake, I made 9 little LEGO cupcakes. The boys all then sat around eagerly awaiting present time, he was blessed with varied types of presents including LEGO(of course), wii games, board games, a slip n slide and money.

We had a lovely morning, always so nice to see your child surrounded by people who care for him and with children, some he has been friends with since he was 5!

Once the party was finished, the FUN was not over. His real birthday was the week before and he had received other lovely gifts from family and friends as well as birthday money that he had saved up to go shopping with after his party.

So we ventured out with his "bestie" in tow and shopped till we dropped. We had to claim our rights and put in for a 10 minute break for parent fuel-coffee!!! They were compassionate and were happy to have a small bite to eat whilst we charged the batteries.
 His good friend is very similar in personality so they set out with a plan and shopped at the 3 major stores comparing toys and prices and then came to a decision and went back to the stores providing the best toy for the best price.

They celebrated over ice cream whilst chatting about the purchases and their day all whilst planning their next play date to play with it all!

Once again another lovely time that hubby and I feel privileged to share with our son, his first shopping experience with a friend.

Happy Birthday to our smart, caring, sensitive and very affectionate baby boy, J. Mummy and Daddy love you xxx

Proverbs 17:17  A friend loves at all times.

Gingerbread Boxes!

Last year we made a gingerbread house(from scratch), it was fiddly and a lot of work but after all the sweat and yes there where tears it was well worth it, we were so proud of our creation, so much so we where hesitant to eat it.
Heres a pic : ) .... I wasnt a blogger then.

2010 Gingerbread House

This year as we where looking through Christmas Recipes, we came across gingerbread boxes and we liked that idea for something different(and secretly a bit easier).

Although still fiddly as assembling these creations are, it was once again fun and memorable.What child wouldn't love melted chocolate and a whole heap of lollies to be creative with?

They look very "home made" but I'm sure they will taste wonderful as we used the same recipe as last year and it was delicious! J(8) sampled a few biscuits this morning made from remaining dough and assures me the dough is spot on.

We also ticked off some learning outcomes, as homeschoolers we are always looking for the learning in everything we do. Maths was definitely required, although it seems we somewhat failed in that department as
some of the sides did not match up!

Even our little toddler C(22 months) got in on the action, although she did more eating than creating.

Rail Museum (Build it)

The last time we went to the train museum at Ipswich was for J's 2nd birthday. J was Thomas the Tank mad!!! The Thomas exhibit was on at the time so we braved a HOT January day and took him for a day filled with trains. We thought the place was a good day out back then, over 6 years ago!

Our home school group had an excursion and workshop booked last week for the Build It exhibit. I had booked us in to go but had second thoughts when it fell on a particularly busy week. However I decided to go and I am glad I made the effort.

The workshop itself was OK but not the highlight of the day.

There was lots of other things going on for the children to do and look at. There was a whole room dedicated to "construction" the kids big and small loved this room.

Dressing up, large and small blocks, connector straws, stencilling amongst many other things.

The children also enjoyed the play area where there was lots of ride on toys, tracks and role play areas including more dress ups.

There are lots of trains and displays to look at of course, well it is a museum. The older kids both had a turn of driving the train on a simulator and enjoyed exploring the carriage.

We were on our way out after being at the museum for 3 hours and noticed a whole section we had missed. There were all these work stations set up with different activities to try. The children got a certificate which they stamped as they completed each activity. There was plumbing, painting, welding, building, rope tying amongst a few other trades.

 At 3pm we had to leave as R had dance class that we had to be at in an hour! If we had more time we would have spent at least double the time just at these work stations. It was great for the children to have a go at different skills and a good point for discussion on the way home about various occupations.

Our family had a fabulous day and will definitely make the effort to attend the rail museum when they have their special exhibits!

The big "phew" moment in a homeschool mum's life!

He CAN READ!!!

Those who homeschool would know exactly what I mean. It is definitely a big "phew" moment when your first child learns to read.

As I was sitting with my eldest who is 8 this morning doing our daily reading time I had a moment to reflect. "I can do this",  "I am a teacher". Not that I ever doubted myself, No who does that? no homeschooling parent I know : )

It is such a relief when your children learn to read but when you are in the midst of teaching it and waiting for it to happen as I am with my second child who has just turned 7, it can be scary and daunting and all those thoughts and doubts come flooding back! It can definitely be a challenge and just as you think you are making progress, she forgets another one of her letters or sounds!

I know it will happen and listening to my son read everyday reminds me of this....surely it gets easier with each child??? Guess what? I don't think it does!

I'm sure there will be many more posts like this one along the way.....

 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus
Romans 15:4-5