Go Barker!

Yet another induction into the world of having kids at school... cue House Sports Day. Mr E was put into the 'yellow' team, named "Barker", which, I can only assume has some historical significance - given the location of his school. Having graduated from a school whose creativity in naming Houses extended only as far as the compass points (North, South, East and West), it is a new concept to me that House names can actually have a meaning... Anyway, after lamenting slightly for him not being in the "Green Team" (or, "East" as it was to me), I set out to buy a yellow top for him... evidently, not an easy task this far into the term when all school uniform basics have sold out.

Last minute enthusiasm saw me pulling out an old Tutu (conveniently yellow) and endeavouring to create a matching one for Miss N (yes, it's true, she copied me!)... and when I say 'last minute', I mean: I dropped Mr E off at school, rushed to Spotlight, bought some yellow tutu material, rushed home, pulled out the sewing machine, whipped up another tutu and rushed back to school, having only missed the first event... PHEW! We made it... we matched... we turned heads...

Mr E had such a great time, channelling his endless energy into something that was so well organised...

He ran his heart out in the 50m Dash...while some serious Sibling Support was given...
He kicked... and threw...
There were loads of proud moments...
and all in all, it was a very fun day.

GO BARKER!

Another first

Life is full of firsts and new chapters. Today marked the beginning of yet another one for us in our young family... Mr E started school. What a long anticipated day... and the South Australian weather pattern didn't disappoint with a scorcher to start off the school year: a forcasted 41*C... Thankfully, Mr E seems oblivious to heat and carries on regardless!

I'm not sure if the whole thing was anti-climatic or whether this is just the way things are... whatever the case, we made it on time, unpacked his things, attended his first Chapel, kissed him goodbye and left. He was smiling, we were smiling and that was it.



Pretty sure I'll blink and we'll be attending his graduation service... here's to keeping our eyes open and enjoying every bit of this chapter!

They're back...

Teletubbies are back. UGH... Probably due to the un-warranted success of their latest jaunt, In the Night Garden.

I'm still not a fan.

I caught Mr E watching it this morning. He said, "Look Mummy, the Jelly-beans are jumping!" Need I say more?

Thank God for Strawberries

A friend of mine suggested that we entertain our children for an hour or so by picking strawberries at the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm in Hahndorf. My first reaction was, "Oh yeah, that sounds like a good idea", however then I pictured the scenario... Trying to get Mr E to pick strawberries without eating them... hmmm... suddenly the idea turned into a nightmare and I decided that this would not be a positive expereince for anyone involved. Upon declining the offer, my friend enlightened me to that fact that there was a small entrance fee, allowing you to consume as many strawberries as you liked but any that you wish to leave with, you must pay for by the kg. Ah-ha! BRILLIANT!

Mr E and his friend, Miss H took excellent advantage of this great offer, consuming their mothers' $3 worth (not to mention their mothers also taking advantage of that same $3 - that's right, children are free entry!!!) and a wonderful morning was had by all!

There really is just one thing left to say...

Thank God for strawberries!

The Dictionary of Mr E (mark 3)

err moffs: ear muffs
Compulsary attire when playing the drums with Daddy or riding on the lawn mower - some of Mr E's favourite things to do.
(Also the name he gives to a newborn friend, Amos.)

kaw-fif: fork-lift
another of Mr E's passions.

The Dictionary of Mr E (mark 2)

big sweep: big sleep
regardless of whether he actually sleeps, upon rising from his bed, he always declares "I had a big sweep!"

he hoo ha (said stacatto): there you are
One of Mr E's first attempts at stringing words together. It was said in reference to finding something, but also when he was extremely excited to receive a "special treat"

yawn mowyer: lawn mower
Mr E is currently totally obsessed with lawn mowers. We see and hear them everywhere! But he is particularly interested in ride-ons

He speaks (The Dictionary of Mr E)

There was a time when I was a little concerned that Mr E couldn't / wouldn't speak. I can categorically say that I am no longer concerned... perhaps I've moved into utter frustration as the stage of asking inane questions and simply stating the obvious is well and truly upon us. To relieve my tension, I feel I need share some of the utterances from my 2 and a half year old's mouth that actually make me laugh. Most parents intend to (and some quite successfully) keep a diary of these marvels, this is my best effort... stay tuned!

cwubbers: covers (sheet, quilt, blanket)
Mr E fancies anything that covers his knees. His morning ritual involves getting up on our bed and joining us under the "cwubbers". Unfortunately, he has graduated to the correct pronunciation, however we still giggle at the memory!

sexercises: exercises
I'm not actually sure that Mr E has made the connection as to what exercises actually are, however when I am wearing shorts and sneakers, I am doing my "sexercises"

cwick: cricket
Mr E can actually say cricket, but he likes to shorten words, so for a while he was getting under our "cwubs". I'm not sure how he intends to shorten "sexercises"

cup of cawfy: cup of coffee
a morning treat

juicy: juice
the rare occurance that he actually lengthens a word

tiga: Guitar
if he is playing the drums, then I get to play the "tiga". If he is playing the "tiga" I have to play the drums

nice and smoovy: banana smoothy
well they are, aren't they?

The reintroduction to children's television

My new role in life has led me to experience children's television again. Despite my best attempts, my 2 yr old son has never taken much interest in television... until now...

Depending on the readers of this blog, you may or may not have of heard of a particular show on ABC Kids called "In the Night Garden". Another monstrosity produced by those that inflicted the "Teletubbies" on us in the 1990s. Thankfully, I was largely able to avoid watching that one, except for my one-day-a-week nannying job where the young child I minded required a daily viewing... *sigh*


I feel I need to share "In the Night Garden" with those of you who (thankfully) don't have a reason to view this show. The creatures have names such as Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, and Makka Pakka. There are the Tombliboos, Pontipines, Wottingers, Hahoos and Tittifers and they get around in a train called the Ninky Nonk and an airship called the Pinky Ponk. As usual for "Ragdoll Productions" there is no coherent dialogue between the characters and only thanks to the narrator, we may just get the gist of what is going on.

It is wierd.

I think the creators are on drugs.

Nevertheless, Mr E is mesmorised... from beginning to end. As one review said "It is designed to delight young children and scare the living daylights out of adults". If this is the intention of the creators, then they get 10 out of 10 for achieving their goal. Until wiriting this blog and doing further "research" I assumed that Mr E was only into the colour and activity and, like me, he knew nothing of what was actually going on. However, while I was surfing the site (http://www.inthenightgarden.co.uk/) to find out their names, Mr E came over and diligently pointed out all of the creatures and named them! So I stand corrected... there is something in it other than sharing ones drug induced stupors because they have the money to buy the time slot on ABC!

Thankfully Sesame Street comes before this programme and Play School comes after... which are far more familiar and, shall we say, lucid.

If you want to experience it for yourself, its in ABC1 at 9.00am.

For those of you who are interested in kids TV, I can HIGHLY recommend "Shaun the Sheep" which airs at 4.00pm on ABC1. Another Aardman creation that is as entertaining as the well known "Wallace and Gromit" episodes. Thankfully, there are still good things coming out of the UK!