A Summery Saturday

The kids started doing some puzzles this morning and Nathan pulled out his dinosaur puzzle which led him to ask questions about how they became extinct. We did a bit of googling and then got out his dinosaur book (I'm thinking I must have the only 5yr old who has never been interested in dinosaurs lol). It had a few crafty ideas which led him wanting to make a model of a trilobite which we decided to do a little later.

In the meantime they were keen on making a hut, so rather than constructing something inside I suggested we make one out on the front lawn using the bamboo shade structure we made during winter with the intention of growing some vines over it (which just hasn't happened yet). So I slung some sheets over it and pegged them on. The kids then proceeded to turn it into a campsite by getting out their sleeping bags and cushions.

When this was done Nathan was back onto wanting to make the trilobites, so I bought outside some materials that we could use and we intended on putting them into our paddling pool that is currently full of seaweed after they brought some home from the beach when they were out with Grampy a few days back (I'm intending on making some seaweed tea for the garden, so multi purpose ;)). So looked just right for an ocean setting.


(Gross looking water eh? Who knows how long I can stand that being left to brew...)
I had forgotten about a friend popping in with her boys and at 9.30am I was still in my PJs constructing the playhut when she arrived. So a hasty getting dressed and the kids had a little play before they headed off again.

After lunch, Nathan then moved on to browsing through a science experiment book I'd found at the library and he was keen to do a yeast experiment. So we set up the jars and followed the instructions. He was rapt with the results of the yeast in warm moist temperature.

While the yeast was doing its thing he then moved on to wanting to make a tunnel like one in the book using cardboard, scrunched up paper and papier mache. So we made up some paste using rice and the kids set to work. It's now outside drying so it can be painted.

No day is complete at the moment without using the hammer for SOMETHING. Lately it has been for smashing ice. Many an ice lump is being made throughout the day - there are buried mandarins and toys. But the hammer was then used to puncture the plastic on top of the yeast to see if it would explode.

This evening after Simon returned from work and scoffed down his dinner we headed out for the local Carols by the Sea. After a 1/2 hr of listening to the singing they wanted to head to the playground, but that was too crowded so we wandered over to the beach. What a perfect evening for playing and building. Nathan wanted to make a teepee, so they gathered driftwood and built. Danielle added something and when daddy asked what it was for she replied "it's the water for the garden", then Nathan brought over a large log that was too big for the hut and he said "that's ok, this one can be for building the vege garden". I like the way these kids think lol.

On the way back to the car the kids spotted four dead fish in various states on the beach (probably dumped by the fishing boats returning back) and they were thoroughly inspected and flipped over with a stick, one was even being devoured by a seagull. Blech, but they were interested...

Finally, time for bed. They have been taking to both going to bed in our bed and then being transferred into their beds when we go to bed. Nathan read one of the Dr Suess books - it's interesting to notice him trying to read it by memory and then realising that he's said the wrong word and go back and correct himself.

Phew! One tired mama needs to sit down with a cuppa tea...