One of our local schools is struggling for numbers this year, so in an effort to revamp their image they are adding a permaculture garden and sustainability emphasis to their curriculum.  I went to a talk on permaculture there a few weeks ago and last weekend we had a workshop where we did a compost heap, some seed planting, planning a garden and grafting fruit branches onto root stock.  There are three more workshops followed by a sustainability fair where the garden will be displayed. 

Anyway, in looking up info for this I came across these sites which are fascinating, so if you are interested perhaps you could suggest them to your children's school:

one from the UK: and one from Aus:

This is a great way to get kids interested in the world around them, in nature, in food and in understanding our environment.  Plus it encourages good health - good food, fresh air and exercise.  What more could you want?

I have one vege patch in already, but we have plans for a few more - I only wish I could make it look this good!

Photos of our street:

and house

I don't know, does it look any different to last year?

Following the post here, I was looking up photos of my home town as I forgot to take photos today.  I live in a small town halfway between Canberra & Sydney.  The population is less than 1000 and our town comprises a railway station (on the Sydney Melbourne line so very few trains stop there), a general store and post office in one, a school, a community hall, a park, sports field (where Bill O'Reilly played), state forest (well known for bike rides, malamut racing, orienteering and raves) and a fire station.  Very exciting! 

What I learnt today though is that it was built by convicts in the 1800s, then largely wiped out by fire in the Chatsbury bushfires of 1965.  Very few original houses remain and the few old ones are looking at being protected.  Ironically apparently the name of my town comes from the Aboriginal term to burn (in what language it didn't say). Quite funny!

I quote Wikipedia:  "Its modern resurgence can be attributed to its tranquility and the idyllic life-style it offers. The hamlet nestles in the midst of pine and eucalypt forests and is approximately 1.5 hours from both Sydney and Canberra. The area has attracted many artists, particularly writers, and is the home of published authors and professional writers who find the environment conducive to prodigious creative output."  I feel like I am letting the side down.....

Apparently "Property prices in the area have remained stable throughout the recent real estate slump, and are fetching significantly higher prices than those achieved in many places closer to Sydney" - nice to know!

I did find some photos if anyone wants to check it out, but I will have to take some more tomorrow I think....  We even made the National Public Toilets register - Wow!  I am amazed at what a thriving little place I live in!

From a party today - great fun with the fold out Thomas tent:

And playing in the 'snow' (the ice from the esky) - I mean, why buy presents when some ice will give them hours of entertainment?  They made snow balls, a snow man and even dolly had a go making snow angels.... 

B has 2 baby dolls (mine from the 70s) - they are twins, one boy & one girl (Baby Christopher and Baby Carrie).  None of her dolls have clothes poor things - well, they have them, but B prefers to remove them.  So, R is looking at them naked (in all their plastic glory) and tells me "this one is the girl and this one is the boy".  Interested, I ask him how he knows - "well", he says, "the hair".

Here are some pics of Boo.  DH would like to make you all think that the tears are from the Swans performance on Sunday, but I think she was just tired.  Anyway, here are some photos of B not at her best...

With R away, B has had a lovely week to herself.  She has played in dirt (always a favourite), built towers of blocks, threaded cotton reels, fed & bathed her babies and helped mummy (do the washing up, put clothes away, get firewood, pick up pegs).  She has spent time with NANNAN (Grandad) and enjoyed having her grandparents around (they have just retired to the same town so this is a novelty). 

Bella has taken herself to the potty several times (yay!) and has also been sleeping in her own bed (well, R's bed) all night (even more yay!) - though still not every night.  She is also talking non stop and putting sentences together very well.  She is very clear to her wants and only occasionally can we not understand what she is saying (stupid mummy!).  Day sleeps are pretty much out the window - except for two days this week (I'm sure only while big brother is away...).

What a big grown up girl she has become.

R is home tomorrow so we look forward to hearing all his excitement then....

Well, last night was the big day my little man has been hanging out for...  WE trundled off to the movies in the cold and met up with his grandparents and 2 aunties and we went to see "Get Smart".  OK, not a good choice for kids, but it was Grandpa's birthday so the movie was in his honour.  R enjoyed it but not the 2 little girls - "boring" said G, "scary" said B - so they sat a lot of it out....

Then, after the movie they headed home, taking R with them.  I asked for a hug and he said "oh we've already done that", so I asked again reminding him we wouldn't see each other for a week.  He gave me a big hug and lots of kisses and said "I gave you lots of kisses because I love you lots muchly"

So now the house is very quiet and, whilst I admit I am enjoying the rest, we miss him already....

If bread covered in 100s & 1000s is fairy bread - what is a toddler covered in them called?

mmmm - that's what you get when a little girl has a shower (don't even ask about the nappy that led to the shower...), then lathers herself in body lotion and then gets into mummy's baking cupboard.  YUM!