Preschool at Home

 

 I have been teaching Erik preschool stuff at home this year. To send him away to preschool (or Kindy/Kindergarten as they call it here) is ridiculously expensive plus its just not necessary. I know it's so common place in todays world but not needed. While I definitely have my days where I would love to be able to drop him off for a couple of hours for the benefit of both of us, I have come to get used to teaching him at home and coming up with fun things. And we do so many other social things, he is balanced just fine.

This day we worked on fine motor skills and put dry spaghetti into homemade playdough and it was extra special because I got a small box of fruit loops and let him put them on the noodles and of course snack on a few. It was a major hit.

 There are numerous websites that have so many amazing printables and great ideas for preschool and other home school grades out there. I use those sometimes and this day we worked on gluing fun pieces onto a superhero.

 I also started writing in a journal with him. I write whatever he wants and he draws a picture. Behind him you can see a board, its a day of the week and calendar/season/weather board that are not perfect at updating but he really likes it. He now knows that days of the week by their assigned color. So he knows the order of the colors but doesn't always know the name. Its funny, he also knows that if Daddy is in town that he will get to be home on purple day (Saturday) and he LOVES purple day for that reason.

We do live a "normal" life....really

While this year truly has been the year of travel for our family....and we are not finished. We do live a pretty normal (well for a military family) life. Here is some evidence of that...

 

A sweet little face in a funny winter hat, that he loves because it has a little pocket that he can hide a gold coin (worth one or two dollars) in.

 One lazy day, when we pretty much did nothing majorly productive but enjoyed time together as a family. Erik stayed in his pj's and Lin and I had been watching tv, I went in my room to see what Erik was up to, and he was listening to music on the ipod. He is such a little adult sometimes. You can see he had been playing with his airplanes and destroyed the bedding but was thoroughly enjoying his tunes.

 Then we decided to try our hand at frozen hot chocolate. Erik loves loves loves to help in the kitchen. I have control issues though and I am trying to curb that and let him help more. He often requests to make muffins, or something that we bake.

 He really doesn't like loud noises at the moment. I guess the ninja doing its job was just too much for him.

Mmmm, those were yummy and sometimes those low key days are so soothing. Today for example, Erik got dressed but I didn't. I have put up a fort for him and read to him and am trying to get over a case of the grumpies. I told Erik last night when I put him to bed a certain code phrase, or question rather to ask me today when he thought I was being a bit mean to help remind me to change my attitude. I sadly admit, he has used that code question about 4 times. Sad, but true, I am trying and I am so glad that I have a little boy who is so much more patient with me than I with him. I am so blessed to have him around. It will be so sad next year when he starts school. I am glad that he has been such a good reminder boy for me today. I definitely need it.

He had a birthday!

So Erik had his fourth birthday while we were in Hawaii. And it was so fun. It wasn't super fancy and his only request for his birthday was that he wanted decorations this year. Easy-ish enough. I wanted to totally deck out one of the hotel rooms someone was staying in, but we were so busy having so much fun that it ended up being Lindsay and I running around to get a few things. We put up streamers and a banner and had a few balloons. We covered his eyes and brought him out of the bedroom so it could be more exciting.

 And then we sang him the birthday song and he acted all bashful, it was quite cute!

 the birthday party

 An airplane shirt, wahoo! He is obsessed with Airplanes.

 And excited to continue to open things and chatter away about what he is experiencing and his love for airplanes.

 He was so excited to get this card that had the number 4 on it-which he recognized and was so happy because he was 4 and his card said 4. It has been so fun to see him learn and connect dots like that!

 And finally we went out to dinner and Erik got his own piece of ginormous cake with lots of thick chocolate on it, his favorite. And he sat next to Cindy who also shared lots of her chocolate with him prior to him eating his main meal, he was one happy birthday boy!

Still here

I apologize for my recent absence. I really have no excuse other than the temps have risen and instead of heading to a park everyday (it's too hot for that now) we are usually poolside or beachside or somewhere playing in water if not doing our everyday business. So back in July when you all were taking your virtual breaks I was in mid winter and now it's my turn :)

Halloween has come and gone. I didnt get many pictures but I will try to scrounge up what I can find. We had a blast with visiting Lone Pine Koala sanctuary where we have annual passes as they did a couple of different Halloween events (nearly the only place here) that we attended. We also went to a small Halloween event for the primary kids (aged 3-12) that the youth group from church hosted.

Thanksgiving came and went. we were lucky to celebrate two weekends in a row with different feasts and different ex patriots. Since its not a holiday here there was no time off, no black friday in the stores, and so we have the feasts on a saturday. It was lovely to have traditional American fare and large group gatherings similar to family gatherings back in the states. It is interesting to see how when you look hard enough and have enough people put in all the effort you can find nearly all the foods that Australia doesnt typically have. Some had been stockpiled from husbands who travel back to the states frequently and others from specialty shops around the area. It was just a good cuple of celebrations.

And what's a post without pictures....

a couple of months ago, the Mister was travelling quite a bit and we had spoken of Santa possibly bringing EJ a big boy bike for Christmas. One trip he came home with said bike and I thought we would hide it away...

 Obviously that didnt happen. EJ saw it as soon as his Daddy walked in the door and while I tried to come up with a cover story, EJ would have nothing of it and the Mr. would cooperate with me. I pulled him aside and was asking 'what are you doing? I thought we agreed on this?' and then in his realistic/logical perspective that he always has he told me ' I thought since he would have to wait two months for Christmas and then he would leave a few weeks later for a length of time to go overseas, by the time he got back he would have hardly any time to ride it around before next fall.' Righto my dear, true that. So once again united, EJ was ecstatic that he had a big boy bike like his friends in New Castle and that it was spider man!

This picture is his I am tring to play it cool and not smile even though I am bounching around face. Notice how he is sucking in his cheeks trying not to smile. What a goof ball! He has also been having lots of fun playing with his backpack and often packs it for walks, play dates, church, and now bike rides. And yes he is still obsessed with airplanes as noted by his sticker book that is now full but he can not bear to get rid of.

This little man is so full of personality it is remarkable. He is so smart and yet sometimes he makes me want to bang my head against a wall because he seems to lack common sense. He seems to be one of those kids who can tell you all about airplane parts and what different airplanes do and exactly what his Dad does for work (which is pretty complex for a 3 year old) and yet he cant figure out why he trips and falls every time he tries to walk or run backwards for any distance while walking on uneven sidewalk. He makes me and Mr. Moon look at each other shake our heads all the time with his witty comments and hilarious logic that only a 3 year old can possess. Lately he has been telling people who ask him how old he is.. 'on my next birfday I going to be 4 (holding up for fingers), then 5 (holding up one hand), then 10! (holding up both hands)' EJ is cheeky as all get out sometimes, today we were swimming in the pool and when it was time to get out, he of course didnt want to. Finally I got him out and as we started to walk where the towels were he turned, laughed like a mad scientist and proceeded to jump back into the pool. As I jumped in after him and lifted him out of the water he was still laughing hysterically at his own antics. seriously never.a.dull.moment!

Singing in the rain

All right, so these posts are probably seeming very random. You would be correct. I need to get my phone pics sorted and whilst that is waiting we have been busy doing our normal day to day things. Althought this weekend Ej and I came down with a cold. I have it more mildly while Ej had it fairly bad the first few days so we didnt do much outside of the house. But remember when I said we are trying to go outside everyday? Well we dont always make that goal, but we get there 5-6 days a week which works for me! One day earlier this week it was raining and it has been warming up so I thought it would be a warm down pour. I was oh so wrong!

 It was actually quite cold so we didnt stay out a real long time, but long enough to have a fun time in the rain and then go back up to our flat to warm up and feel like we got out.

 He is pointing up because he wanted me to show him our balcony.

 I didnt bring a jumper down for myself initially because I didnt think it would be that cold, so we took a quick break and each put another layer on....thus little man's rain slicker.

 then we found a little slug and took some time to look and explore

 Little man touched it...

 and was so proud of himself!

 then he decided the slug needed shelter form the rain too, and shelter him with a palm leaf

And then he took a couple minutes to listen and feel the rain fall on his slicker and then we came in.

Phone dump next I promise!

Uh! Spaghetti Oh!

I was so angry when I took this picture. But this picture says a thousand words and I just had to record this for future years when it's a funny story.

We have really been trying to reign in screen time with Ej, and often it's the first privilege to go when he makes bad choices. I have a love/hate relationship with that privilege because it's a great way to keep him entertained during key times like when I shower or make dinner and yet sometimes I want to just cut it out for good. Well on this particular day he had lost his privilege the previous day to have any screen time. Thus on this morning I had to trust that he would play well while I showered and got dressed. Ej has gotten so much better about self entertaining but he has also is in a phase where curiousity kills him and he is always poking his nose into the pantry and drawers and whatever. So while I was showering I had one of those mother's instincts that he was into something so I called him into my bathroom. I asked him what he was doing and nothing seemed to off (although after the fact, i thought about he walked in with his hands behind his back, but when I had him put them out they seemed fine).

Well I dismissed him and didnt think too much about it. But as soon as I got out I went to go find him. So I was in my towel and found him on the balcony with finger paint all over....the table...the chairs....the floor (luckily its tile out there)...and himself. My first reaction was anger, but I knew it was funny, so I snapped this picture. You can tell I had already scolded him because he wouldn't look up and was quite sad. I honestly think he didnt see the harm in emptying 1.5 bottles of the paint around. He was just having a good time. I already can look back on it with much lighter feelings but I was pretty upset that morning.

Rocks Riverside

Mr. Moon traveled a lot in the last couple months which gave EJ and I extra time (and the car) to go spend some time in fun places. So we went to yet another park. This one we have been to a fair bit, but it's a good one for a nice warm day.

 There is a small lazy river with some pools near the top, normal playground area, a flying fox, a wading pool, bbqs and soon you will see an area where I think they are building something fantastic!

 EJ making his way to the top of the 'river'

 There is a bike path that winds up and down and around that seems like a blast. Every time we head there I always wish I had remembered to bring Ej's scooter for him but am usually preoccupied making sure I have all the sun and water gear.

 This is the area that they are building, it looks like it will be a bunch of different rock climbing style equipment. I hope it doesnt take too long too finish, so fun! We really are so spoiled here with fun places to play.

 Ej's classic head tilt that he does when you want to take a picture of him.

 walking along the top where the water comes out.

 And althought it was a warm day, it was just cool enough and with the unheated water, he had to take breaks and sit on the side to warm up. Smart cookie!

 the wading pool

 Another really cool feature at this park is this swing. It's for people who are wheelchair bound. They can ride their chair onto this and it will lock their chair on and then they can swing!

And it was the perfect day for the ice cream truck to park itself right near the entrance. We certainly partook of it's yumminess and enjoyed a sweet treat before heading home.

It is the time of year now where I start seeing all the fall decorations and cold weather things appear on everyone else's blogs. And it will bring a twinge of jealousy because fall had started becoming my favorite time of year before moving to Australia and then all the holidays ramp up and I miss my family. And as our weather here heats up you will see us in more water and beach things...so maybe it balances out? I missed out on all the Fourth of July festivities and fun summer back home so now it's my turn to play. It's a good thing I have friends here to help keep homesickness at bay! I am doing pretty good right now with that and it helps that we have a trip after the new year to meet up with family and have some visitors coming next year .... so much to look forward to!

Mock 2012 Olympics

Back in July around the time that the Olympics started a friend of mine asked if EJ and I would want to join her and her kids for an olympic themed play date at a park. We said "oh Yeah." So she mostly got it all organized and we had a great day. We were trying to dress the kids in our home countrie's attire (They are from Canada) and her kids were dressed accordingly with shirts and some face paint. I realized EJ no longer has any american tees or anything that fit him and so he made do with his blue pants, red bandana and blue sunnies. It was chilly that day and so he wore a jumper for about half the day (too bad the colors werent right-oh well).

We started off with opening ceremonies and Jody did awesome creating torches for the kids to start out with!

 First up were some track and field events. Kids at the start line prepared to race. We used streamers held across the finish line so they could run through a ribbon!

 Preparing for the hurdles (boxes of cereal on their side). I love how they were all trying to do a starting position!

 Long jump was next. The kids loved the running races but didn't quite show as much interest in the long jump nor did they quite understand how to do it-so that makes sense. I think the longest jump was maybe a foot.

 Next up shooting. I brought our nerf shot gun and some small nerf pistols. We used blocks built up a bit as targets and the kids loved this. They had a bit of hard time getting how to load the guns and if I remember right the shot gun wasnt quite working properly....but still mighty fun!

Miss A with the big gun!

 M takes a turn with the pistol with help from mom.

 EJ took his turn very seriously. He was very focused on the task at hand....

 And after a few failed attempts he decided his best bet for hitting the targets was to get real close to knock over the blocks. I say good on ya mate-for being so clever :)

 Fencing with wrapping paper tubes was next.

 And sometimes if you get the right spot they kind of tickle!

 The sisters duke it out!

 And then they ganged up on Jody! It was quite funny! Jody has another little one that was home that morning with daddy and I am sure if she was there she would have been in on the action. She stayed home because she is old enough to toddle around but young enough to disrupt. I am sure she enjoyed getting some quality alone time with her daddy though!

 Last event was the discus with a lid from a tin container. This one was fun to watch as the kids all had their own versions of throwing the thing and there was more than once that Jody and I had to duck or catch it before it hit our faces or heads.

 And the closing ceremonies where they all received their medals.

 Wahoo!

I had one of the older kids take this photo of us hence the slightly off kilter image. But I think they did a pretty good job! We had a ton of fun and I am so glad that we have friends here to do these kinds of things with. Jody and I were running together for a while last year before the holidays and crazy humid heat striked for the summer. Unfortunately life happened and we didnt pick it up again but we try to get together with the kids. She and I are the only ones that live on our side of the river-the one that seperates the city and we have fun together. She has taught me many a things about motherhood and is someone I really admire. I wish I had as many little ones as she does but I give loves to hers all the same. Her youngest was born just after we moved here and so its been fun seeing her go through all the stages, and she is a mommy's girl but I have finally gotten her to start coming to me which has been lots of fun!