Tea party

We found a recipe for fairy bites this morning (shortbread with sprinkles, cut into small pieces  link here). Lumpy requested to make them as soon as she saw them! While they were cooking she asked if we could please invite all her friends and have a tea party!
She picked a dress (requested I frock up too!) And set up for her tea party.

I decided to use my 3 tier server and add some sandwich (it was nearly lunch time) and the only other tea partyish food in the house - big tedz!

Quick and easy recipe, quick and easy set up... And an amazing memory made .

Bubble wrap octopus

One of Lumpy's favourite shows at the moment, is Mr Maker. We got her a DVD for her 4th birthday. In oen of the episodes he makes an octopus with a paper plate, bubble wrap, paint and a few other things. Lumpy reallllly wanted to give this a try, paper plates were on sale for 25cents so we had some of those. Pretty easy activity in the end.

Lumpy picked blue paint for the colour of the octopus. She did need my help for cutting the bubble wrap. She remembered her craft apron to attempt to keep her clothes paint free.

Painting the bubble wrap

Painting the paper plate

gluing on the goooogly eyes

Taping on the legs

Draw on the mouth (Mr Mker used cardboard for the eyes and 3 spots on the octopus head)

TADA!

DIY restaurant!

Lumpy wanted to go to a restaurant ( it's been a big week for birthdays and eating out), I had to explain that we can not eat out every day, it's not good for the wallet or the waist. She then decided that she would like to make one instead! - we were headed to food shopping so it was pretty easy to organise.

So she decided on what we would be eating, she asked me to do up a menu and she decorated it.
She grabbed a table cloth and set the table, she helped with meal prep (I did all the cooking and oven work), she showed her 'guest' (daddy) to his seat and took his drink order! And then carried the starters to the table.

It was a pretty a good experience, she loves helping in the kitchen so was thrilled to be taking charge!

Setting the table

Rolling the corn in foil to cook in the oven. - encourages counting "how many corn wobs will we need if it's one each"

Putting out the green triangles (spinach and feta) - again encouraged counting, she decided we needed two each, which makes six, and counted out six.

Placing the cooked garlic bread on her serving tray! 

Such a fun and easy activity to promote confidence and learning (counting, food prep). I wonder how she will go with plain old meat and 3 vege tomorrow night!
Remember they can start "cooking" from an early age example here

Dinosaur world

After doing some Dinosaur colour ins at the library, we decided to make a dinosaur world! A quick shop for some supplies - a their box and the dinosaurs! and then a quick walk to go and pick up some rocks, sticks, leaves, bar.
A very simple and cheap (espeically if you already had dinosaurs) activity and was fun to make and has kept her entertained for a while :)

Collecting rocks

deciding where it shoudl all go.

finding a place for everything.

Playing with teh dinosaur world.

Preschool pre writing skills

Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEAR. Secondly, I've been a little slack due to exhaustion and so much to do, I'm feeling much better and ready to blog some more :)
Lately, Lumpy has been asking to do "home work" so a quick google found some pre - writing fine motor skills work sheets. She has done a few of these, and loves them (and NAGS to do them alll day!!). After a lovely play date this morning (and a wonderful rare nap) she asked AGAIN for hoem work - the printer did not work!! the photocopier did. So i made a few sheets, however decided she needed outdoor play. I Made her a seek and find list, gave her a small glass jar and sent her to the yard while I prepared dinner- this was a very big hit with Miss Lumpy!

I am certainly no artist!

Her finds!

Sydney trip.

In October we took a short mini break to Sydney! It was very very busy and very fun (and very smokey - they had the Blue Mountain fires at the time)- we managed to get an amazing price on flights (as long as we only had carry on luggage and on fly on set dates). 

Waiting to get on the ferry to the ZOO

on the ferry

Not enough room :(

Lumpy and I being... Us.

Roof top golf!

 Powerhouse Museum - making a picnic

Powerhouse Museum - swimming

Powerhouse Museum - Dorothy Dinosaur dance shoes- wiggle exhibition

String paintings

I have a secret... I feel like being lazy today... Not much planned at all. But as we all know 3.5yr olds don't do rest days! So it will be a day of crafts, play room, books and most likely playing under the patio on her "race track" (chalk drawn lines on the pavers). easy activity - string painting. very very easy - string, paint, paper, child!

Getting teh paint onot the string

we made 3 painting, and then she decided to add the string ... may need to find the glue..