An unplanned quiet day

Littlest one a bit unwell today. We cancelled all plans and when he wasn't in my arms (which was 95% of the time) he sat like this on the lounge, thumb in, pointer finger alongside his nose. This morning this finger totally cracked Little D up. Like he'd only just noticed that's how Little H sucks his thumb. He said 'Me and H both suck our thumbs don't we mum? But I don't put my finger LIKE THAT! (Ha ha ha, hysterical laughter). Hmmm, strange sense of humour this kid has at times!

While Little H enjoyed a quiet day in my arms, Little D was his usual busy self moving between his craft table, little lego (because H was too unwell to join in i.e. ruin his creations and lose the tiny pieces!), a little computer time to do Reading Eggs, time enjoying his renewed enthusiasm for puzzles and building himself a cubby house over his bed. You can just see his feet in the cubby above.

(I regret making that cake gluten free now. Three quarters of a cake sitting here, house bound mummy - what's a girl to do but eat cake? And it just isn't quite as yummy as the spelt version we usually make!)

Can we make a cake mum?

We made a cake. And ate some for lunch! Apple, raspberrie and sultana cake with gluten free flour so we can share it at our playgroup tomorrow with the cealiac kiddies. Little D was so pleased with himself for mastering the grater. He grated apple for 20 minutes straight, mouth pulled into that gorgeous lop-sided concentrating position. The apple went brown it took so long! His reward for all that work? To lick the spoon and bowl of course.

Oliver+S 3 ways

My Rudd Money sewing mahcine is almost a year old. And a fine lot of use she has received in her first year. I love sewing. I can hardly remember what my life looked like before I rediscovered sewing! I tend to wing it, and until recently have avoided patterns and generally anything requiring I be too precise or follow detailed instructions. Because I'm lazy more than anything!

But then I discovered Oliver + S patterns, a children's clothing pattern company based in NY. The instructions are just so clear and unlike most of the well known pattern makers have no assumed prior knowlegde in them - everything is spelled out and then explained as to WHY you do it this or that way. I've learnt things that I've then been able to apply to the rest of my fly by the seat of my pants/pattern-free sewing. So far I've loved their Sandbox pants and whipped up several for Little D and as gifts. I'm making loads of mistakes (and bad fabric choices) along the way but learning a whole lot aswell. Below is the Oliver +S Sail Boat Top. One pattern, 3 completely different shirts.



For my first attempt with this pattern I used a natural linen cotton blend and apart from some slight puckerig at the sleeves, it turned out alright. Little H has been getting a lot of wear out of it.



My second attempt was much less successful I must say! What was I thinking with that fabric? Even the facing fabric looks totally wrong. It WAS late at night when I cut this one out. More PJ looking than shirt, I think this one may get some wearing under his overalls this winter but will quickly be moving into the give-it-away or repurpose it pile.



As for my 3rd attempt, I ventured into a stretch jersey knit. Yes, I faced my fears of stretchy fabrics and hey, not so bad at all. Mum has been reassuring me that I'd be surprised at how easy it is to sew with but I was unconvinced until now. In fact I think I will try my hand at some more of this stretchy fabric business! This fabric came from an adult size shirt that I picked up for $4 from Vinnies and the facing is from an old t.shirt of mine. Homemade AND from repurposed materials, that makes my heart sing!

A perfect public holiday

Started the day with French toast and syphon coffee (our latest little obsession). Then a picnic on the foreshore. An unscheduled and exciting visit from some relos in the afternoon. Snapper stewed in 'crazy water' (Neil Perry's recipe - soooo delicious) for dinner. And a good long stint at the sewing machine after my boys went to sleep. Now that's my kind of Monday.

Wet and (almost) cold, yay!

The weather is finally starting to feel more like it should this time of year. And although I love the sun, it's a welcome relief. Lazy homebound Sundays are just so good and proper lazy when it's pouring down rain outside. Although the sun is making an appearance just now in time for me to snap Little H's undie bum!

We've built rocket launch pads and control towers out of blocks, a wooden railway system set up to deliver goods from the kids bedroom to the living room, rockets made out recycled goodness (top photo), a little sewing (well, cutting out patterns really), a little zoning out at the computer by each of us (except Little H who has yet to discover the joys of computer time), Lego villages and moving of all the wheeled things we have. I just counted them and am embarrassed to say we have no less than 7 bikes/trikes/carts! You can see them lined up in the second photo, something Little H took it upon himself to do.

And Little H has been practising his undie wearing. The kid has been nappy free for months but try as we might, he just can't seem to get the undies thing down - he actually still goes to his potty but sits down without pulling down his undies first! Bare bumming it has been fine until now but there comes a point and cooler weather when we have got to get this kid dressed from the waist down!

We're here!

Blog post numero uno. Funny thing though, now I've got it all set up, it seems the cat has got my tongue! Ah well. We'll start slowly, get some photos happening and let this thing evolve in it's own natural time. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that, as my mother would say, I could talk under water with a mouth full of marbles...

So while I'm waiting for 'my words', and 'cause this has got to start somewhere, here's something Little D and I did together today. Fabric markers, cheap white T-shirt, voila! Perhaps not the most pleasing aesthetically speaking, but a very easy, very 4 year old friendly activity resulting in something unique. He is so proud of himself and can't wait for this unseasonably warm weather to end so he can get to wearing it.