Sunday, 21 June 2020
Alexander riding
Alexander's training wheels on his bike were almost broken so that pushed us to try and take him to do more riding again. James took him along to Headen Park again to ride on the oval while I walked up with Daniel and Eliza. As soon as we arrived, Alexander rode over to me with full confidence. James said that as soon as he got onto the grass he just did it.
We decided to try him on the path. Alexander was a bit more hesitant but was willing to have a go.
We then went down to the play equipment to try riding around corners. This is an area where we really need to work because Alexander wasn't confident turning at all.
He didn't enjoy riding off the grass so we headed back over to the oval to do a bit more riding. He rode over to me from the fence.
Then we decided to try doing some steering. I put our AFL balls out for him to ride through (like the goals) and then he would need to turn and ride over to me. I did similar with Eliza when she was learning - having her ride through the goal posts, but today the goals were being used by other people so we made our own ones. He did alright with it but wasn't really able to turn too well.
We moved over to where the grass was shorter so he could pedal a little bit more easily.
He didn't like having to turn and kept asking to ride straight. We changed it to riding along the line to try and hit the ball. He came so close a few times!
And then he got it!
While steering we need to work on, I am really proud of him for having a good go at it, for trying a few times, for getting the speed up to balance and for being able to stop properly most of the time! He is getting there.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Today during church we were learning about the passage Matthew 7:7-15.
'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.'
During church the kids coloured in door hangers with this verse on it. They sand a song about it. Then we spoke about it for the kids talk.
We spoke about how God wants us to ask, seek and knock. We spoke about how God wants us to pray and speak with him. We spoke about how God is a good God. We spoke about how he hears our prayers, anytime. We spoke about how God answers our prayers - yes, no, wait.
Daniel gave an awesome example from Ninja Kid books where the Grandma makes lots of inventions but only gives them to Ninja Kid at different times because he might not be ready to use them or they might be too heavy for him. James and I were quite impressed that he saw the connection.
We asked the kids if they wanted to pray and Eliza and Alexander did. Eliza started and prayed for Boompa. It was such a beautiful prayer. She prayed that Boompa would get better, and thanked God for all the things that Boompa has done for us and for others before he got sick. She prayed for Nana J too, thanking God for all that she does for us and for others and for her care.
Alexander then prayed for Boompa too and asked that he would get better. He also prayed for Nat and Steve and their family that they would be able to fly out from the tribe.
I saw it as an opportunity to talk with the kids about Boompa. I have been worried about how they are going to go with Boompa having cancer and not being sure about the future. James and I mentioned that it is important to pray for Boompa to get better and we should pray for Boompa to get better, but we need to understand that God sometimes says yes and sometimes says wait and sometimes says no. We don't always understand why he answers prayers the way he does, but we do know that God is a good God who loves us and knows what is best for us, so we need to trust in him. We explained that Boompa might not get better, even when we ask God for that. The kids told us that they don't want Boompa to die. We agreed. We don't want it either. But we need to remember that it might happen.
It was a hard conversation to have, it was a tricky one to navigate with what to say. But it was important that we start talking about it this way. It is important that we are honest with the kids. We don't know what the next few weeks/months have in store for us as a family but I do know that it will involve James away for a bit.
'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.'
During church the kids coloured in door hangers with this verse on it. They sand a song about it. Then we spoke about it for the kids talk.
We spoke about how God wants us to ask, seek and knock. We spoke about how God wants us to pray and speak with him. We spoke about how God is a good God. We spoke about how he hears our prayers, anytime. We spoke about how God answers our prayers - yes, no, wait.
Daniel gave an awesome example from Ninja Kid books where the Grandma makes lots of inventions but only gives them to Ninja Kid at different times because he might not be ready to use them or they might be too heavy for him. James and I were quite impressed that he saw the connection.
We asked the kids if they wanted to pray and Eliza and Alexander did. Eliza started and prayed for Boompa. It was such a beautiful prayer. She prayed that Boompa would get better, and thanked God for all the things that Boompa has done for us and for others before he got sick. She prayed for Nana J too, thanking God for all that she does for us and for others and for her care.
Alexander then prayed for Boompa too and asked that he would get better. He also prayed for Nat and Steve and their family that they would be able to fly out from the tribe.
I saw it as an opportunity to talk with the kids about Boompa. I have been worried about how they are going to go with Boompa having cancer and not being sure about the future. James and I mentioned that it is important to pray for Boompa to get better and we should pray for Boompa to get better, but we need to understand that God sometimes says yes and sometimes says wait and sometimes says no. We don't always understand why he answers prayers the way he does, but we do know that God is a good God who loves us and knows what is best for us, so we need to trust in him. We explained that Boompa might not get better, even when we ask God for that. The kids told us that they don't want Boompa to die. We agreed. We don't want it either. But we need to remember that it might happen.
It was a hard conversation to have, it was a tricky one to navigate with what to say. But it was important that we start talking about it this way. It is important that we are honest with the kids. We don't know what the next few weeks/months have in store for us as a family but I do know that it will involve James away for a bit.
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Handstands and Cartwheels
Since Eliza has returned to school, she apparently spends her recess and lunches doing handstands and cartwheels. She is actually getting quite good! She started with legs everywhere and she focussed on trying to keep her legs straight. She then started to focus on landing on her feet and not her knees. It is pretty cool seeing how good she is getting. The influence definitely comes from Emily who is a natural gymnast. These videos are from the end of May.
I do love that she is enjoying doing handstands and cartwheels. I remember doing them in the backyard at Mum and Dad's when I was little. Happy memories.
Dr Seuss Day
For the last week of home learning Kindergarten were listening to Dr Seuss stories and writing about the Cat In The Hat. To celebrate home learning and to finish it all off, the Kindy teachers suggested that the kids build a cubby to listen to Dr Seuss stories, enjoy some Dr Seuss themed morning tea and watch a Dr Seuss movie. Because we were learning a day behind in the lessons I decided that we'd do the set work from Thursday and then we would have a Dr Seuss afternoon. For snacks the kids would have Dr Seuss themed food. It was actually a bit of fun organising.
We made a big cubby in the loungeroom. Inbetween Daniel's work he got to listen to some stories in the cubby too.
The kids then had for crunch and sip Cat in the Hat skewers. Marshmellows with strawberry and banana hat stripes.
After a bit more work they got to enjoy green eggs (but no ham) biscuits. Such a simple idea. Digestive biscuits with white icing on top and a green m&m.
Eliza wanted me to wear bunny ears today (no clue why) so I did for fun (until it hurt my head).
Eliza and Alexander took over the kitchen floor to make a push and pull toy from craft and recycled materials.
While Daniel completed his last home writing task (much to his delight).
For lunch the kids had Green Eggs and Ham. Eliza and Alexander loved it, Daniel did not. It was scrambled eggs mixed with pesto on toast and then ham on the side.
And then they had dessert of Cat In the Hat parfait. (chopped strawberries and yoghurt layered).
To finish off the day we had a little presentation afternoon. I had written each of the kids a report card based on their own home schooling experience and also bought them a book to enjoy.
I was very proud of each of the efforts during their learning at home, of the work they produced, of their enthusiasm in different areas. They all have achieved so much and pushed through when times were hard.
To finish off the learning at home and Dr Seuss Day the kids and I then sat down to watch the Cat In The Hat together and they enjoyed some more green egg biscuits.
The kids did enjoy the movie but the boys got a bit worried at times so ended up on my lap to watch the rest of the movie. I didn't complain about the extra cuddles :-)
It was also lovely to have James Tweet this about me. Thanks honey.
We made a big cubby in the loungeroom. Inbetween Daniel's work he got to listen to some stories in the cubby too.
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| The front cover of their report cards was set out like their school reports |
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| Alexander got the book 'See You Later Alligator'. He loved it! |
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| Eliza got Aladin |
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| Daniel got a science book. He was more intersted in reading his report |
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| Each kid sat down straight after and read their books and reports. |
To finish off the learning at home and Dr Seuss Day the kids and I then sat down to watch the Cat In The Hat together and they enjoyed some more green egg biscuits.
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
I recycle my turnips
James and I had to laugh at Daniel's comment. Nana asked Alexander what his t-shirt said. Alexander said 'I don't know.' Daniel then replied saying 'It says I recycle my turnips.'
Ha! Close enough!
Ha! Close enough!
Contageous laughter
Eliza was sent a PDH task where she needed to learn about and describe what persistence is. I loved the kids watching it! They were in hysterics.
This is the link to what they were watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUm-vAOmV1o&fbclid=IwAR0XR9Syz1WcFvcBNQjy-moHBYtCiKmlNS10GwX-W4u0DmxTCl2s534pmts&app=desktop
And this is how the kids were while watching it (every time).
This is the link to what they were watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUm-vAOmV1o&fbclid=IwAR0XR9Syz1WcFvcBNQjy-moHBYtCiKmlNS10GwX-W4u0DmxTCl2s534pmts&app=desktop
And this is how the kids were while watching it (every time).
Home school reflection
Yesterday marked the end of learning at home. I am changing my saying from 'home schooling' to learning at home, because it is different to if I was doing home school. The other term that has been used is 'crisis schooling' but I prefer learning at home because it sounds a bit nicer. When I was doing the kids' report cards, I was amazing to see that we have been at this isolation for 2 months exactly. We started on 22nd March 2020 and we finished on 22nd May 2020. 2 months of this! In some ways it hasn't felt that long... but then in other ways it really has felt like 2 months. It was nice to have the holidays break up the learning time and give the kids a bit of a break.
To reflect upon the last 2 months of learning at home I thought I'd write the things that I enjoyed and think I will miss and the things that I found challenging and probably won't miss.
Things that I enjoyed and think I will miss:
1. Teaching again.
It was nice to realise that I do remember a lot of what I used to do lesson wise. It was nice to see it from a parents' perspective too and hopefully that will help me if I send homework home in the future - how practical is it for a kid to do independently? How much does a parent need to explain the task, therefore it isn't so helpful to be sent home to do.
2. Being able to see what my kids are able to do.
The reports give a small glimpse of their abilities and how they work in the classroom. The kids telling me about their day gives me a small glimpse about what they are learning at school, but it really is a small glimpse because they don't say too much about their days.
3. Seeing the kids play so well together.
They have played the best that I can ever remember. They worked together to build cubbies. They worked together to do experiments, build obstacle courses, they encouraged each other, Daniel and Eliza helped Alexander write. They would listen to books together. It was just lovely to see.
4. The relaxed mornings.
This is a thing that I am keen to try and continue even with the need to get to school. In the mornings the kids would get dressed (most days) and then play, create or read. There wasn't a rush to have to be somewhere. They had freedom in the mornings.
5. Bike riding and walks.
While I want to try and continue this when they're back at school, I'm not too sure how we will go. After school (or even in the mornings) the kids would hope onto their bikes and we would go for a walk/ride around the block. It would be around a 30min trip and the kids loved it!
6. Celebrating my kids' achievements there and then.
While I do this when they get their reports, I often don't know how they are going. While learning at home I was able to jump up and down when Daniel finished a writing task, clap and cheer when Eliza spelt or said a word by sounding out, be so excited when Alexander was forming some of his letters correctly. The joy on their faces when I celebrated what they did is just so special and stays in my mind.
7. Having the kids make me lunch to show thanks.
It was sweet that they did that a few times.
8. Longer afternoons.
It was nice to not have to rush to places after school. Things like swimming, play dates, etc. we didn't have to rush to.
9. No set starting time.
It was nice to be able to just start school when we wanted to/needed to. We would aim to start at 9am but if the kids were engaged in playing, then we would just start a bit later or finish a bit later.
10. Being able to invest in the kids each day.
Things that I found hard and don't think I will miss:
1. Trying to help Daniel do writing
Daniel had a great attitude towards school at home until he had to do writing. His head would slump down, he couldn't think up any sentences, he couldn't remember the sentences he did think up. It was so hard to keep encouraging him during these lessons. I know what he is capable of and he just needs to believe in himself and his own abilities. So most of the time writing was like pulling out teeth. He would end up in tears, I would end up in tears. It was a hard slog. I hope that he will believe in his ability and grow in confidence when he is asked to do writing. He can do it, he just needs to know it. (although thinking back, I was like that too. No confidence with writing for most of my schooling life).
2. Eliza exploring the names in her class.
The kindy teachers made the work the same structure each day for Term 2 so that the kids could try and work independently. This is a great concept, however it did get boring for Eliza (and me too). She had to listen to a kid in the class talk about their name (that was fun), she then needed to count how many letters were in the name, recognise if they were tall, middle or tail letters, identify the first and last letter and if there were any double ups. She loved it for the first couple of days but then she started to get frustrated with it, particularly when she needed to then find 5 things around the house that started with the first letter of the name. She just hated doing this. She didn't like thinking up things that started with different letters and then she couldn't remember the ones she came up with. It was just painful.
In the last couple of days Eliza would say she didn't want to do it. I told her she had 2 options. 1. We can send a video to her teacher saying that she wasn't going to do her work or 2. We could send the videos of the work she had completed. Fortunately she chose option 2.
3. When the kids just wouldn't listen
There were days when they were hard. Can't really remember why they were hard, but they just were. The kids wouldn't listen, they would do the opposite to what I said, I'd ask them to come multiple times and they would say no. I'd help and they'd shout at me for helping then shout at me for not. Some days were just hard.
4. Getting the lessons last minute
I made a decision to teach a day behind because I wasn't coping with getting the lessons between 8:30 and 9am and getting my head around it. So it made a huge difference going to a night before. I did feel a bit bad though about not doing the work on the day it was set.
5. iPads
While the kids loved using them, give me pen and paper any day. The kids would play on the iPads at times instead of doing work. They would take up more time than they would if they were just writing in their books. Daniel's maths tasks took so much longer because we had to make the text box fit into the little space on the worksheet on the screen. It was time consuming and frustrating a lot of the time. The other hard part was where Daniel would accidentally delete his work and then save it so that I couldn't get it back. He did it about 3 times, so not that much, but it was still frustrating when it happened.
6. The shout of 'no' when I asked them to finish playing and to come and do their school work.
This one was hard. When the kids were happily playing I didn't want to interrupt but it was important to start school work. So it was hard when they took that frustration out on me.
7. Feeling bad about not being able to invest in Alexander
Alexander has been a champ through all of this. While sometimes he drove be crazy, most of the time he just adapted and made the most of this time. He would sit down next to the big kids and want to do their handwriting or writing with them. He would sit and listen to books with Eliza. But he would also come up and ask if I could play a game with him or read him a book. Sometimes I could say yes, but most of the time I'd have to say sorry, no. Even the times that I said yes, it would often be interrupted by the older kids. I just felt so bad not being able to invest in him and pushing him to the side. But he coped really well through it.
8. The kids not being able to see their friends
I know that all 3 of the kids have missed seeing their friends from school and preschool and mothers' group. They have been lucky to see a few of their friends when they came to visit the art gallery and had a play out on the road, but it hasn't been the same.
9. The juggle between being teacher and mum
I found it hard to be a caring mum at the same time that I needed to be their teacher to get their work done. It was a tricky balance and I don't know if it really did it well or not. But we made it through.
There are probably many more reflections that I could make but these are the ones that first came to mind.
I also asked the kids what the liked and didn't like about home learning and here are their responses.
Daniel
Liked - That I got to play with Alexander each day
- That I got to ride my bike a lot
Didn't like - Having to do writing every single day
Eliza
Liked - That I got to do Mathletics
- That I got to watch lots of Epic (a reading app)
- That I got to do Maths in my writing book
- Having to write
Didn't like - That I couldn't play with Alexander all day
Alexander
Liked - That I got to write with Daniel and Eliza
- Riding my bike
- We get to build cubby houses
- That I got to do playdoh with them
- That we got to do the cherrios one
Didn't like - nothing
I had a couple of people send me this photo during home learning time. Pretty funny. I don't think I quite look like the photo, but I do definitely feel that I have aged over this time.
Bye home learning.
To reflect upon the last 2 months of learning at home I thought I'd write the things that I enjoyed and think I will miss and the things that I found challenging and probably won't miss.
Things that I enjoyed and think I will miss:
1. Teaching again.
It was nice to realise that I do remember a lot of what I used to do lesson wise. It was nice to see it from a parents' perspective too and hopefully that will help me if I send homework home in the future - how practical is it for a kid to do independently? How much does a parent need to explain the task, therefore it isn't so helpful to be sent home to do.
2. Being able to see what my kids are able to do.
The reports give a small glimpse of their abilities and how they work in the classroom. The kids telling me about their day gives me a small glimpse about what they are learning at school, but it really is a small glimpse because they don't say too much about their days.
3. Seeing the kids play so well together.
They have played the best that I can ever remember. They worked together to build cubbies. They worked together to do experiments, build obstacle courses, they encouraged each other, Daniel and Eliza helped Alexander write. They would listen to books together. It was just lovely to see.
4. The relaxed mornings.
This is a thing that I am keen to try and continue even with the need to get to school. In the mornings the kids would get dressed (most days) and then play, create or read. There wasn't a rush to have to be somewhere. They had freedom in the mornings.
5. Bike riding and walks.
While I want to try and continue this when they're back at school, I'm not too sure how we will go. After school (or even in the mornings) the kids would hope onto their bikes and we would go for a walk/ride around the block. It would be around a 30min trip and the kids loved it!
6. Celebrating my kids' achievements there and then.
While I do this when they get their reports, I often don't know how they are going. While learning at home I was able to jump up and down when Daniel finished a writing task, clap and cheer when Eliza spelt or said a word by sounding out, be so excited when Alexander was forming some of his letters correctly. The joy on their faces when I celebrated what they did is just so special and stays in my mind.
7. Having the kids make me lunch to show thanks.
It was sweet that they did that a few times.
8. Longer afternoons.
It was nice to not have to rush to places after school. Things like swimming, play dates, etc. we didn't have to rush to.
9. No set starting time.
It was nice to be able to just start school when we wanted to/needed to. We would aim to start at 9am but if the kids were engaged in playing, then we would just start a bit later or finish a bit later.
10. Being able to invest in the kids each day.
Things that I found hard and don't think I will miss:
1. Trying to help Daniel do writing
Daniel had a great attitude towards school at home until he had to do writing. His head would slump down, he couldn't think up any sentences, he couldn't remember the sentences he did think up. It was so hard to keep encouraging him during these lessons. I know what he is capable of and he just needs to believe in himself and his own abilities. So most of the time writing was like pulling out teeth. He would end up in tears, I would end up in tears. It was a hard slog. I hope that he will believe in his ability and grow in confidence when he is asked to do writing. He can do it, he just needs to know it. (although thinking back, I was like that too. No confidence with writing for most of my schooling life).
2. Eliza exploring the names in her class.
The kindy teachers made the work the same structure each day for Term 2 so that the kids could try and work independently. This is a great concept, however it did get boring for Eliza (and me too). She had to listen to a kid in the class talk about their name (that was fun), she then needed to count how many letters were in the name, recognise if they were tall, middle or tail letters, identify the first and last letter and if there were any double ups. She loved it for the first couple of days but then she started to get frustrated with it, particularly when she needed to then find 5 things around the house that started with the first letter of the name. She just hated doing this. She didn't like thinking up things that started with different letters and then she couldn't remember the ones she came up with. It was just painful.
In the last couple of days Eliza would say she didn't want to do it. I told her she had 2 options. 1. We can send a video to her teacher saying that she wasn't going to do her work or 2. We could send the videos of the work she had completed. Fortunately she chose option 2.
3. When the kids just wouldn't listen
There were days when they were hard. Can't really remember why they were hard, but they just were. The kids wouldn't listen, they would do the opposite to what I said, I'd ask them to come multiple times and they would say no. I'd help and they'd shout at me for helping then shout at me for not. Some days were just hard.
4. Getting the lessons last minute
I made a decision to teach a day behind because I wasn't coping with getting the lessons between 8:30 and 9am and getting my head around it. So it made a huge difference going to a night before. I did feel a bit bad though about not doing the work on the day it was set.
5. iPads
While the kids loved using them, give me pen and paper any day. The kids would play on the iPads at times instead of doing work. They would take up more time than they would if they were just writing in their books. Daniel's maths tasks took so much longer because we had to make the text box fit into the little space on the worksheet on the screen. It was time consuming and frustrating a lot of the time. The other hard part was where Daniel would accidentally delete his work and then save it so that I couldn't get it back. He did it about 3 times, so not that much, but it was still frustrating when it happened.
6. The shout of 'no' when I asked them to finish playing and to come and do their school work.
This one was hard. When the kids were happily playing I didn't want to interrupt but it was important to start school work. So it was hard when they took that frustration out on me.
7. Feeling bad about not being able to invest in Alexander
Alexander has been a champ through all of this. While sometimes he drove be crazy, most of the time he just adapted and made the most of this time. He would sit down next to the big kids and want to do their handwriting or writing with them. He would sit and listen to books with Eliza. But he would also come up and ask if I could play a game with him or read him a book. Sometimes I could say yes, but most of the time I'd have to say sorry, no. Even the times that I said yes, it would often be interrupted by the older kids. I just felt so bad not being able to invest in him and pushing him to the side. But he coped really well through it.
8. The kids not being able to see their friends
I know that all 3 of the kids have missed seeing their friends from school and preschool and mothers' group. They have been lucky to see a few of their friends when they came to visit the art gallery and had a play out on the road, but it hasn't been the same.
9. The juggle between being teacher and mum
I found it hard to be a caring mum at the same time that I needed to be their teacher to get their work done. It was a tricky balance and I don't know if it really did it well or not. But we made it through.
There are probably many more reflections that I could make but these are the ones that first came to mind.
I also asked the kids what the liked and didn't like about home learning and here are their responses.
Daniel
Liked - That I got to play with Alexander each day
- That I got to ride my bike a lot
Didn't like - Having to do writing every single day
Eliza
Liked - That I got to do Mathletics
- That I got to watch lots of Epic (a reading app)
- That I got to do Maths in my writing book
- Having to write
Didn't like - That I couldn't play with Alexander all day
Alexander
Liked - That I got to write with Daniel and Eliza
- Riding my bike
- We get to build cubby houses
- That I got to do playdoh with them
- That we got to do the cherrios one
Didn't like - nothing
I had a couple of people send me this photo during home learning time. Pretty funny. I don't think I quite look like the photo, but I do definitely feel that I have aged over this time.
Bye home learning.
Alexander turns 4
This weekend has been a weekend celebrating Alexander's 4th birthday. Normally we would have headed to the park to celebrate his birthday with family but this year, with Corona Virus, we couldn't do this.
Saturday morning we set up the loungeroom with balloons, the Happy Birthday sign and glasses.
We signed up to a virtual birthday party that was to be hosted by Emma Wiggle. Alexander was a little bit excited about it. We did think it was going to be on Zoom but guess too many people applied for it and we missed out so joined in through Instagram. It was a bit cute, singing, dancing, a game of pass the parcel and musical statues. It was just a lovely little party.
Alexander had a lot of fun and couldn't wipe the smile off his face. It was a different way to celebrate his birthday and to have a party but it was nice to do it together.
At nighttime we had a bit of fun with glowsticks for the kids as they went to bed. Alexander did enjoy having the glow. He even wanted to read with the glowstick. But I didn't let him. We read with the light on instead and then prayed by glowstick light.
My gorgeous baby boy was turning 4 tomorrow. He just looked so gorgeous at bedtime.
In the morning the kids started chatting around 6:45. At 7am Daniel ran out of his bedroom with a blanket he wanted to share with Alexander a teddy and shouted 'Happy Birthday Alexander!'. Eliza then went to his room saying 'Happy Birthday' and was asking him to play a game with her.
We got up and dressed for the day, mixed with cuddles and giggles. We then sat on the couch and watched a gorgeous video of Alexander's family sending him birthday wishes and messages.
So so lovely to have Nana J and Boompa join in, as well as Grannie Jean, Grayma and Tim and Rach. It was just so nice to see everyone's faces when we couldn't be together. He loved it. He had a smile throughout, he giggled at times and even answered questions from Grayma about how his bike was going.
After the video we did present time. It was lovely to watching each person read their birthday message to him from our birthday messages book.
He gives the best reactions to openning presents. He was very excited to get the huge box of lego and he was also quite stoked to get a light up car track.
He opened Nana J and Boompa's presents as well as Grannie Jean. He loved getting his own little Bluey and some little Super Mario Kart characters.
Grayma called while Alexander was openning his presents. I loved watching him chat with her. He pulled so many faces.
We then had some porridge for breakfast. He was very exited to have this. He also requested some orange juice (freshly squeezed). Thanks for the suggestion Daniel.
After breakfast the kids had a little play and then we got ready for Church. Mum and Dad came around to join us for the service which was quite nice to do.
Then Alexander got to enjoy openning his presents from Nana and Poppy, Auntie Sue, Great Grandma and Grayma.
After church we got organised for lunch. While James and I set up the table and food, it was lovely to see the kids with Nana and Poppy - chatting, reading, playing, looking at photos. I have missed these special moments.
We then had a tasty BBQ lunch - complete with corn on the cob (a favourite for Alexander), make your own garden salad and the crunchy noodle salad. It was quite yummy!
After lunch the kids rode their bikes for a bit on the road (thanks to Poppy for watching them).
Then it was cake time. Alexander thanked me for making his caterpillar cake. He had requested the one from the Woman's Weekly Cookbook but I changed it slightly to be the Very Hungry Caterpillar. It was quite fun to make. (Will post photos of making it at the end).
Also with being in ISO I made 2 lots of the cake - 1 to have with Nana and Poppy and 1 to have with Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar. We sang Happy Birthday to Alexander and he blew out the candles.
Then each person got a section of the cake (one muffin) and 2 lollies (fruits that the caterpillar had eaten).
I was really proud of how the cakes turned out. The holes in the lollies were especially cool and I was quite proud of that idea. Starburst for the win!
After cake time we thanked Nana and Poppy and said bye in a social distancing way - with elbow high fives and foot taps.
After a little bit of playing time the kids had some downtime with watching Bluey (while James and I brought down Alexander's lego table from the Howie's. It was Oscar's old one).
Then the Howie's came around. We did present time where Alexander was very excited to get some more Lego and then to get the LEGO table too. Pretty fun treat. He was even more excited when he realised that he could store his LEGO in the table!
Next up we had cake time, round 2. The kids sang happy birthday (again) and Alexander blew out the candles (again). We then enjoyed some more cake. Good thing they were just small muffins so it wasn't eating too much cake.
The kids then requested to play the Wii. James set it up and the kids liked playing a game of Bowling. They cheered each other on with strikes and spares. It was pretty fun to see.
Daniel and Oscar then played a game of baseball (Oscar won). It was quite hard for the boys to hit the ball at the right time.
Then Eliza and Alexander had a turn of tennis. Eliza won both games.
Lastly Alexander and Oscar had a game of golf. We laughed so hard at Alexander doing massive swings, even when he only needed to hit the ball a short distance. He was also funny when he kept hitting the ball into the bunker and then from one bunker to the next. Not quite the aim of the game. He was also keen to hit the ball into the water. Again, not the aim of the game.
After the Wii it was time for dinner, just an easy meal of toasted sandwiches and left over sausages and veggies. While finishing dinner we had a lovely surprise of Emma and Anna popping over to give Alexander a present.
So lovely to see them and they are just so generous. We had a brief chat with them before the kids finished dinner and the kids got ready for bed.
At bedtime Eliza was very sweet and wanted to read a book to Alexander. I love how she loves reading.
They were very excited to read together. He then climbed into bed with his new Bluey toy and went to sleep.
Happy 4th Birthday Alexander! I hope that you had a fun day. You sure looked like you did. I am so glad that you were able to celebrate your birthday with some of your family and that you were able to see even more of your family on your messages video. This will be something that I hope you look back on and smile at as you grow up. To see Boompa, Grannie Jean, Grayma. It was just very special to have them involved. Alexander, I just love your heart for others. Even this morning when Eliza was upset that she doesn't have very much LEGO, you immediately said 'It's ok Eliza. You can borrow mine and play with me.' You love to be a part of other peoples' lives. Your smile is just gorgeous and your belly laughs are contagious. You love to make people laugh by pulling faces and being silly and I just love this confident side of you. You just want to be around others and be involved in what others are doing. This has become more clear through doing home schooling during Corona. You are so clever, picking up new skills and being very proud of yourself when you achieve something new. You love to laugh and play with your brother and sister. I love seeing you look out for others, be creative in your playing, have a love of music and be curious about things around you. Thank you for my many cuddles, sitting on me, nuzzling into me, doing nose rubs with me.
I love you Bubba and I hope that you felt loved and special today because you are.
Happy 4th Birthday Alexander!
(I asked Alexander what his favourite part of his birthday was and he said 'Watching the video of all the messages to me. Especially Mark saying that I needed bandaids for my present for if I feel off my bike.)
Here are the photos of making Alexander's cake.
Saturday morning we set up the loungeroom with balloons, the Happy Birthday sign and glasses.
At nighttime we had a bit of fun with glowsticks for the kids as they went to bed. Alexander did enjoy having the glow. He even wanted to read with the glowstick. But I didn't let him. We read with the light on instead and then prayed by glowstick light.
We got up and dressed for the day, mixed with cuddles and giggles. We then sat on the couch and watched a gorgeous video of Alexander's family sending him birthday wishes and messages.
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| Nana J and Boompa |
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| Nana surprised Alexander saying 'Boo!' |
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| Nana and Poppy |
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| He had this smile on his face the whole time. So precious. |
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| Grannie Jean |
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| Grayma |
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| The Howies |
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| Maddie |
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| Aly |
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| Auntie Jen |
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| Uncle Ryan |
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| Tim and Rach |
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| Auntie Sue |
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| Auntie Ros and Uncle Mark |
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| Kimberly |
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| Aunty Julie and Uncle Pete |
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| Auntie Megan took us on an adventure around the shops trying to find the perfect present for Alexander |
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| Aunty Megan and Mark |
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| He loved it! |
Grayma called while Alexander was openning his presents. I loved watching him chat with her. He pulled so many faces.
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| Happy with his 4 badge from Nana J and Boompa |
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| Cuddles |
Then Alexander got to enjoy openning his presents from Nana and Poppy, Auntie Sue, Great Grandma and Grayma.
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| Cuddling his Bluey while watching Bluey |
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| Oscar reading Alexander his card |
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| Alexander's faces were so funny! |
Then Eliza and Alexander had a turn of tennis. Eliza won both games.
Lastly Alexander and Oscar had a game of golf. We laughed so hard at Alexander doing massive swings, even when he only needed to hit the ball a short distance. He was also funny when he kept hitting the ball into the bunker and then from one bunker to the next. Not quite the aim of the game. He was also keen to hit the ball into the water. Again, not the aim of the game.
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| Thanks for coming Howies! |
So lovely to see them and they are just so generous. We had a brief chat with them before the kids finished dinner and the kids got ready for bed.
At bedtime Eliza was very sweet and wanted to read a book to Alexander. I love how she loves reading.
Happy 4th Birthday Alexander! I hope that you had a fun day. You sure looked like you did. I am so glad that you were able to celebrate your birthday with some of your family and that you were able to see even more of your family on your messages video. This will be something that I hope you look back on and smile at as you grow up. To see Boompa, Grannie Jean, Grayma. It was just very special to have them involved. Alexander, I just love your heart for others. Even this morning when Eliza was upset that she doesn't have very much LEGO, you immediately said 'It's ok Eliza. You can borrow mine and play with me.' You love to be a part of other peoples' lives. Your smile is just gorgeous and your belly laughs are contagious. You love to make people laugh by pulling faces and being silly and I just love this confident side of you. You just want to be around others and be involved in what others are doing. This has become more clear through doing home schooling during Corona. You are so clever, picking up new skills and being very proud of yourself when you achieve something new. You love to laugh and play with your brother and sister. I love seeing you look out for others, be creative in your playing, have a love of music and be curious about things around you. Thank you for my many cuddles, sitting on me, nuzzling into me, doing nose rubs with me.
I love you Bubba and I hope that you felt loved and special today because you are.
Happy 4th Birthday Alexander!
(I asked Alexander what his favourite part of his birthday was and he said 'Watching the video of all the messages to me. Especially Mark saying that I needed bandaids for my present for if I feel off my bike.)
Here are the photos of making Alexander's cake.
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