Knights in Coloured Armour

Unlike last year, we spent this year's Australia Day very casually and at home. Sam (and I) have quite a few thermal assessments to get through so we thought we would take advantage of the public holiday. However, we also found time to play new games with the boys and do something crafty!

Thomas received these fabric knight costumes for his 5th birthday and I have had them put away waiting for the perfect opportunity. Today seemed a great time to pull them out - and it kept them busy all afternoon! Samuel has one put away as well for when he's a little older.



Don't know where he gets these poses...



They both added sections in patriotic colours.



Nonna even joined in at one stage. Think she had fun colouring in :)



Once complete, the two knights entered their castle.



Standing guard outside their castle.



A back view of their costumes.



And finally, some friendly sparring (for a change)!

The knights costumes and castle are products of Villa Carton and can be purchased in Australia from Ball and Skittle.

Happy Australia Day

to everyone lucky enough

to call Australia home!

So how did you spend your Australia Day public holiday?

Wordless Wednesday ~ Growing Our Own

Playing along with My Little Drummer Boys - click and visit some other great Wordless Wednesday posts :)

The Baby of the Family

Samuel began at daycare/preschool this morning. He is almost 28 months old. Last year when I would take him along to drop Daniel off, he would always cry (and sometimes scream) because he also wanted to stay. I wasn't sure how he would handle today. His reaction? Very relaxed. Didn't phase him at all. That didn't shock me I suppose. What did shock me was my reaction. I cried when I said goodbye!

Thomas and Daniel were both younger when they started and I'm pretty sure I didn't cry. Thomas' first visit got a bit of a mention in a blog post, Daniel's didn't rate at all. I was back at work, busy and just needed to drop them and run. They did cry for me sometimes and that broke my heart but I never actually cried (okay, maybe just once in the car, overwhelmed by having to work and having to leave them). I don't think I cried when Thomas started school either, even though I was a bit emotional. But today I cried - in front of all the staff! You know why? Because Samuel is my baby and no matter how old he gets, he'll always be my baby. I now understand why it's a universal truth that youngest siblings are spoilt. No matter how many siblings there are, if you are lucky enough to land last spot, you can pretty much go out and get a t-shirt printed - "spoilt" (alternatively known as "getting away with murder").


I put him in Daniel's old pre-school shirt
and he has Daniel's old back pack.
lol is that mean?



"Aunty Grace, I need a haircut! Mum obviously doesn't
know I have to impress!"


Now "spoilt" isn't to be confused with "more loved" - although it is often confused with this by older siblings. It just means they get away with more because they are the baby of the family and they are never forced to give up that privileged position. I'll give you an example. Today, when I dropped Samuel off, I had to tell the staff that he doesn't share! That is a common trait of toddlers but I never felt obliged to say this when Thomas or Daniel were starting. And the reason he doesn't share is because I don't make him. I hear him fighting with his brothers over a toy - he is inevitably screeching the loudest - and automatically I  scream like a madwoman tell the other two to "just give him what he wants!" I just want to keep the peace so I can finish preparing dinner or whatever it is I am doing. This solution may have been okay when he was not yet one and did not understand but he is now older than two!! Even though I tell Thomas and Daniel that "he doesn't understand, he's just a baby" - he full well understands the power of his lungs and he is not a "baby" - just my baby.*

I feel sorry for some of my nieces and nephews who have had a sibling come along after a large gap of many years...they thought they had the whole gig sewn up, then they were pipped by a late arriving sibling! That kind of sucks, but remember your parents love you equally (even if they do spoil the baby)!

I'm conscious of all of the above which I guess is better than just doing it and not realising what I'm doing. I promise to try and make Samuel more responsible. And now just a couple of notes for when the boys read this as teenagers:

Note to Thomas and Daniel: Yes, your brother is spoilt. Yes he is my baby. But you two are my babies in different ways. It all evens out in the grand scheme of things. My heart bursts at the seams equally for all of you. So please don't come to me complaining. I'm hoping to have the problem sorted by now. If not, please come and discuss. Don't beat your brother up!

Note to Samuel: Yes, you're cute. We all think that. Even Thomas and Daniel. But you can't play on your baby status/birth order all your life. Remember, your brothers are older than you - they can make your life miserable - share your stuff!

* As predicted, in the 2 hours I left him there today, Samuel managed to get into "a couple of scuffles" (whatever that means). I presume it was over toys but didn't really ask for details. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Hope it wasn't anything too bad!

Where do you fit in the family pecking order?

Do you think it's true that the youngest is spoilt?

My Rocket Men

And I think it's gonna be a long long time

Till touch down brings me round again to find

I'm not the man they think I am at home

Oh no no no I'm a rocket man

                                               (Elton John)

I'd venture to say that most little boys (and even little girls) love rockets and mine are no exception. Now, this isn't me in my lingerie (I'll spare you that sight!) - it's an ad my boys came across featuring a rocket made from ordinary household items (some prop people must have gone to a lot of trouble). They had already been collecting "junk" to make one and this ad spurred them on.

So today I passed on the wonderful 'opportunity to help' to my sister - better known as Aunty Rosie! Whilst I caught up on my ironing and they built, I could hear much arguing creative discussion and soon enough my little rocket men had their rocket!

This pic was taken tonight before bed. Thomas wasn't
overly pleased because pieces kept falling off :)

I think it actually looks better in real life! A true masterpiece created from junk! Only problem is its large size...not sure when they'll part with it...

What creative fun have you indulged in these holidays?



Meltdown!!

When it's not the kids having a meltdown, it's the damn freezer! We seem to be cursed when it comes to freezers. We've always had a separate full length freezer because we have found that more convenient. Both freezers we have invested in (brand new) have been the same brand - and both have let us down in a major way!


Not my freezer. Image found here.

The first freezer we bought when we got married blew its motor or something and we lost a whole heap of food. It was still under warranty and they fixed it. That was at our first house too.

The same freezer now living at our second house also had the motor go haywire and again, we lost a heap of food. The second time we were covered by insurance so we made a claim for what we lost.

Now in our third home and this brand new freezer has also decided to play up! After spending a lovely day out yesterday with friends, I walked into the pantry in the middle of making dinner last night, to find water all over the floor. At first I thought one of the kids had spilt something. Then I realised it was coming from the freezer :( 

It's still under warranty and someone is coming to look at it on Tuesday but that's not the point. The amount of food I threw out this time seemed such a waste...so much red meat (I'll spare you the photos I took - too much blood), chicken, heaps of seafood (mostly scampi), specialty cheeses, pizza bases, bread, homemade olives and biscuits...the list goes on and on...I wrote a list as I threw everything out and I'm glad I did because otherwise I wouldn't have remembered what was in there! 

I know there are worse problems I could have right now, but this one was still majorly annoying - don't think I'll ever purchase this brand freezer again!

Is there a household appliance or brand that you seemed cursed with?

Feel free to vent here...

To Toilet Train or Not To Toilet Train?

Potty training...toilet training...whatever you call it, I'm clueless. But since it seems to be a hot topic on social media sites (at least in my circle), thought I would write a blog post about it and ask your advice.

You see I have already toilet trained two other boys previous to the one I now I want to train (all my own children) - but I can't remember a damn thing. I vaguely recall that Thomas wouldn't have a bar of wearing underwear (no matter what much loved character they had on them) and he steadfastly held onto his nappy for as long as he could! Despite my mum's constant reminders that we (my brother, sister and I) were all toilet trained by the age of 2, I relented and did what Thomas wanted. Yeah, I know I was supposed to be the boss but I really couldn't be bothered adding a fight about underwear and cleaning up 'accidents' to my already full day.

He was three (I know - shock, horror) when I decided to put underwear on him one day and he didn't scream the house down. Guess what? He just proceeded to go to the toilet. Not one accident. There has been an isolated accident or two since then but for the most part, I didn't spend any of my time disinfecting floors!

Daniel (I think) was pretty much the same. Only 15 months behind Thomas in age, I think he just wanted to do what his big brother did. Again, I don't have a strong recollection of that whole period so I assume it wasn't horrific (unless it was so traumatic that I've blocked it out).

Fast forward to Summer 2012 where I find myself with yet another 2 year old that needs to be toilet trained. And I have no freakin' idea where to start! I know there are a million and one theories and books on toilet training and I've read many a blog about what I should or shouldn't do and whether Samuel is ready or not. Frankly, I don't know that he is. He sometimes tells me when he's done a number two but for the most part, he's happy to sit in it until someone notices the undeniable stench (usually Dan is the first man on the case - he has a good sense of smell).

I really should train him now while the weather is warm and we are on school holidays. I know I should. So I went and collected the potty I was storing at my mum's (it plays music when you, or rather he, does the deed)...

I also bought these...

and these...

and these (because one of my SIL's told me they are useful and they were also tiny and cute)...

No, I don't have heaps of money to waste but I obviously have no idea what I'm doing. Which of the above am I supposed to use? Do they all really serve the same function?

When I attempt to sit Samuel on the toilet or potty, he doesn't go ballistic but he's not exactly thrilled. He looks perplexed (maybe worried) and says "No, no, no" - not in a shouting or crying way, just in a "I don't know what in the hell you have in mind but I'm not having a bar of it" kind of way.

I suspect that I'm the one who is truly not ready for toilet training. Maybe I'm lazy. But I'd much rather him step out of nappies and into underwear with minimum fuss like his brothers. I am sick of changing (and buying nappies) but is cleaning wee and poo off tiles and floorboards a more appealing option? I'm thinking not.

So what do you think I should do?

Pull my finger out and get this kid toilet trained or just go with the flow and hope it will all happen magically again?

What's your favourite toilet training tip?

Empty House

My two eldest boys have been at my mum and dad's place the past few nights. My mum rang and offered. Much as I love them, I couldn't say no. I did ask if the offer included Samuel but she told me I was pushing my luck there! lol

It has been very, very quiet around here. My house is clean and my ironing is up to date.

I could go through all the pros and cons but Katrina from The Block already did it for me :)

We do miss them, but they will be back tomorrow...as loud as ever I'm sure. And nobody will be happier than Samuel, who has really missed his two big brothers (along with all the toys they took to Nonno and Nonna's!)

P.S. They did return briefly yesterday for something quite funny...but that's another post for another time...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Woodfire Oven

Reconnecting with Trish over at My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday .  
Enjoy the photos and please try and visit other links on the WW page and leave some comment love :)

Delicious!

Even though I have had plenty of baking disasters, now and again I strike a recipe that hits the mark. This isn't really a baking recipe and apart from the chocolate (which can be a little fiddly), it is super easy to make! I made these for Christmas and then for a different crowd on New Year's Eve - and everyone loved them :) Happy eaters, happy cook!

Oreo Cheesecake Truffles

Ingredients

500g block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
2 packs of Oreo biscuits
Choc Melts (either in milk, white or dark chocolate - or all 3)

Method

Place biscuits in a food processor and process until they are completely crushed.

Add cream cheese to food processor and blend well.

Roll mixture into balls and place on a lined tray in fridge for at least 40 minutes (the firmer they are, the easier they will be to work with).

Melt chocolate in whatever way you prefer (I use the microwave).

Using a toothpick, pick up each ball and coat in chocolate. I found holding them against a spoonful of chocolate helped coat them nicely. You may need to add a dot of chocolate to toothpick hole after pulled out.

I told you they were super easy!! And there's no real cooking involved so not much that can go wrong.

Tip: You have to work quickly when coating so that truffles do not soften and chocolate does not harden :)

Whats your super easy, fail-safe dessert?

P.S. Don't forget that the Philadelphia recipe book and supermarket voucher giveaway ends tomorrow!   Click here for easy entry:

http://chroniclescamera.blogspot.com/2011/12/philadelphia-morning-tea-and-giveaway.html

Today

Another day of fun, rest and relaxation... hanging out with friends over a BBQ, followed by tennis and swimming. Did I mention I'm loving January?

Sometimes you don't have to actually go away to feel like you're on holidays :)

What has everyone else enjoyed doing these holidays?

No Dessert Queen

I am lucky enough to have a couple of friends who are outright dessert queens. They whip up the most gorgeous looking and mouth-watering desserts imaginable. Unfortunately, whilst I am a dessert queen in the tasting department (that is, I always leave room for desserts when at restaurants, no matter how stuffed I am), I'm no baking masterchef. I try, I really do but often I just fall short. I seem to lack the delicacy required to make a dessert have that 'wow looking' factor. Most of the time, the dessert tastes alright and looks okay - it just won't win any prizes for best looking!

I had to tell you all of that before I tell you about my spur of the moment baking last night. I saw these delectable looking mini cheesecakes on Julie's blog, Mama of 2 Boys - and I thought hmmm, they don't look too hard. I can whip those up after dinner. Go have a peek here to see exactly what they looked like - go on, you need to see the original product to understand the rest of this post!

Great plan Cathy. First I had to contend with the boys wanting to help, as they always do. I didn't want to be in the kitchen too long so I came up with an alternative plan for them. I gave them my small camera and told them they could have turns of taking photos. There was much scuffling, moaning as one took a while to have his turn and lots of agitation from me as I implored them not to fall off the step stools and not to drop my camera, especially in the hot saucepan! Somehow we survived and these are some of the pictures they took...



Unfortunately, I didn't have any eggs from my in-law's farm (best eggs ever)
so I had to use store bought ones.

  

Not the prettiest looking bases.





Yep, I stuffed up and added both eggs at same time.

 The end result was the following. Looks like I overcooked them...and no idea why they didn't cook evenly as my oven is usually pretty good. Do you remember what Julie's looked like? Ahem...not quite the same as these.

Thankfully, they tasted okay and all the boys devoured them. When dressed up with mango pieces and icing sugar, they don't look too bad. What do you think?

Have you had a baking disaster? Please share and make me feel better!