Hornsby Adventure

During school term I had a day that I was going to take Eliza and Alexander to Hornsby to look at Fusion to get some Swans shirts then head to IKEA to get a couple of things. This plan went out the window when James took his car to work and left me with my car but no keys for it. Bummer! Productive day out the window.

Then I had an idea - I still had the double pram so popped the kids into it and off we headed to the train station. I might not be able to do both plans, but I could still do one and make it a fun adventure.

We made it to the station and watched a few trains go past us.

We then hopped onto our train. The kids were pretty excited to be on it.

We then walked to Fusion and found the Swans shirts. Unfortunately none of the shirts were James' size but I did get one for me.

The kids also got some books.

On the train on the way home Eliza wanted to sit downstairs. I told her that that was ok as long as I could see her. She was so proud of herself.

We then had to walk home from the station. It was a pretty long walk pushing the double pram but Alexander was a help up the hill.

Eliza wasn't budging from inside the pram though. I did like chatting with my little man while we walked home and he even was keen to push the pram.

Open Wide... Come Inside

Yesterday I took the kids to the Play School Concert. When I booked the tickets a few months back, I did wonder if Daniel would be excited about it or if he'd be 'too cool' to go to it. I love the innocence of my boy. In the morning he woke up and came out of his bedroom asking me if we had red spot stickers. When I asked him why he told me it was because he wanted to dress as Humpty for the Play School concert. I told him that we didn't have any red spot stickers. He then thought up sticking red paper on his shirt. I told him that I might be able to put something together for him. While the kids played I went to my sewing table. Thank goodness I have material for my quietbooks. 30mins later I had made a Humpty shirt for my boy.

From this...

To this

 Daniel was pretty excited, although when I asked him if it looked like Humpty he said 'No, because Humpty had white pants but I don't.' But he was very excited to have it.

We headed through the pouring rain to the RSL for the concert. The Kids were excited to be there.

It was great to see Teo and Emma as our presenters. Their enthusiasm is contageous.

This concert was the most enthusiastic and engaged that all 3 kids have been. 

After the concert we got some photos in front of the stage.

Alexander makes me laugh with his crazy faces

As we were packing up to head home another mum commented on Daniel's shirt. She said 'I don't know how people have time to do things before 9am in the morning.' I told her that I didn't have time to do it, but managed to squeeze it in.

I then noticed Emma was chatting with some people near the door. I asked the kids if they wanted to say hi and they did. Daniel wanted to show her his shirt so they went over. She told Daniel that she spotted him from on stage. He was so excited.
He then asked if he could show Teo his shirt too. I told him that Teo wasn't with Emma so he might not be able to. Daniel then turned around and pointed out to me that Teo was setting up a couple of chairs at the front of the stage. I told him he could go over and show him. Teo said 'Wow. It's Humpty Dumpty!' He also said that he saw him from on stage.

 The kids then got a photo with both of them.

Daniel again asked if he could get a Humpty Dumpty toy. He has asked for one every concert we have gone to and I have told him no each time. This time James and I decided that they each could get a toy. They were so excited!

On our way home we stopped into Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar's place. The kids were excited to show them their new toys.

Big Humpty, Little Humpty

Alexander chose Fergus the Frog

Eliza wanted Princess Jemima to join her Jemima

The kids were also slightly distracted by the PS4 which meant that Jens and I could enjoy a cup of tea and have a bit of a chat.

Daniel was pretty excited to have a turn

Parent-Child relationship

Parent-Child relationships can be so varied from family to family. Some kids are really close with their parents, others are not. Lately I have been thinking about what you do now, while the kids are little, but also as they grow up to foster a close, open relationship. While I don't know all the answers (or really any of the answers because my kiddies are still little) I am thinking through some strategies.

Today I just needed my parents. I wasn't sick, I wasn't hurt, I was just overwhelmed and stressed out and didn't know what to do. I just needed my parents. My parents were amazing, came around, listened to me, hugged me, occupied Alexander, were just there. I think a big part of having a good, close and open relationship with your kids is being present with them and open to listening to them. When they are upset, hearing them out, not just shutting them down. When I called Mum and Dad they were in the car heading home from chiro. They came straight over. Not a hesitation. How did it make me feel? Loved, cared for, supported, important. They are pretty amazing, selfless parents.

Another element of having close relationships with your kids is love. Unconditional love. Love that shows itself through actions. Love that shows itself through words. Andrew preached a sermon on 1 Corinthians 13 and it wasn't about being married. He didn't directly talk about love as a parent with kids but on the way home I just kept repeating in my mind 'show the kids love'. 

I hope and pray that I have an open, close relationship with each of my kids. I hope that they will feel comfortable coming and talking with me about different things - worries, joys, changes, uncertainties, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. Time will tell but for now I am going to try really hard and be present and showing them love as much as I can.

Thanks to Mum and Dad for their support today. I really needed it!

Power House Museum

On Monday with it being the long weekend, we decided to go for an adventure to the Power House Museum. Not a bad adventure with us only needing to pay for James' entrance. When we entered the kids went to the creation section and made their own tie, bowtie and headpiece. The kids loved making it. I thought Alexander's bow tie looked so very cute!

Daniel made a tie

Alexander's bow tie

Eliza's headpiece

We had some fun in their photo booth after the kids finished making their crafts.

Next we went into the experiments section. Daniel enjoyed making music with this machine. 

Next we experimented with scales and weight. Eliza was able to lift up Daniel, Alexander was also able to lift up Eliza. They didn't fully understand the concepts but they still had fun being able to lift each other up.

Alexander then had fun making lines with cogs and making them turn.

The kids loved making the electricity move using the plasma ball. They were fascinated by it.

Daniel had a go at pedaling to make enough electricity to power a fire engine. He struggled to get the speed but did well to turn on some of the lights. 

Next up James and the kids worked to make a passage for a ball to go through using gravity using pipes. They had a blast making the passages and trying to fix the parts that didn't quite work right the first time.

The kids then had a turn to sit on the penny farthing. Well, Daniel did and pretended to ride it by moving his feet around...

and Eliza had a go sitting on it. But Alexander was too freaked out by it.

They liked looking at the steam train and were curious about the timetable board. Amazing to see how much technology has changed in such a short time!

We liked walking through the space section. I love all the information. We went into the anti-gravity simulation chamber. It is crazy how it tricks your mind. Poor Alexander didn't like it at all. He kept saying 'I don't like it. I'm falling. I'm falling.' 

Next we went to The Wiggles exhibition. The kids were so excited again! 

The kids enjoyed making fruit salad.

The kids each wrote a note for Wags and then Eliza watched a show about Emma.

The kids made roses for Dorothy and had cups of tea.

'Cup of tea?'

Then they had a blast dancing with The Wiggles. Alexander didn't want to leave!

We finished it off with a ride in the big red car.

We then headed out for lunch down at Tumberlong Park. On the way the kids liked seeing the large 'Boom' sign.

There was an inflatable course that the kids had fun on too. It was a bit big for Alexander so after one go, I distracted him by having him chase birds. I love the pure joy on his face as he ran around.

Another fun adventure day.