Category: Family

Happy Birthday Oliver

Yesterday Ben had a play date with Oliver (his honorary cousin) for his Birthday.  Oliver is turning two next week.  Oliver has a great outdoor courtyard just right for toddler play.  It’s equipped with everything boys need – a sandpit, bikes, an easel, an outhouse (with potty), trucks, cars, plants, dirt and grass.  Ben was into everything.  He ate dirt, chalk, his rusk, Oliver’s rusk and anything else he could get his hands on.  It was just wonderful for Ben.  He and Oliver played together as toddlers do.  Ben gave Oliver a little red wagon for his birthday.  Thanks for a great afternoon Ollie!!

Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof

As I have already said Ben likes to call all animals ‘Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof’.  Recently he was on the change table playing with a toy horse while Andrew was changing his nappy.  He was saying ‘woof, woof, woof, woof, woof’ while Andrew was explaining that it was a horse not a dog and horses go ‘neigh, neigh, neigh’. With this explanation Ben put his good arm in the air and said ‘Hooray!!’ to which Andrew replied ‘Yep I’ll take that, it’s pretty close’.  Good Job Ben!!!

Bright and Shiny

Ipswich Art Gallery has hosted the most amazing interactive exhibition for babies and tots – Bright and Shiny.  Bright and Shiny was a hands-on art-themed play space.   It was developed with  consultation with Early Childhood professionals.  It allowed tots to explore their creative potential and the sensory world around them, as they followed their interests and set their own pace.

Ben loved it!!!!!!!! (and so did his mum)  We attended three sessions.  His mates Oliver, Joseph and Jayden also came to play.  Each time we attended Ben used the space differently.  He also revisited his favorites – the sliver piece of cloth, the books, the fireman light and the tunnel.  It was interesting to watch Ben grow in confidence in the space and manipulate items differently each week.  Each session had a focused activity as well as free exploration.  The first week we attended the story ‘I love to Sing’ by Anna Walker   (one of Ben’s favorites) was featured.  It was projected onto the wall.  Ben immediately crawled over to the wall touching the pictures.  The sessions ran for forty-five minutes but felt like five minutes.  The experience was designed for children but also for parents to enjoy their children which certainly was the case. We look forward to the next tots exhibition.  Scroll on the images for an explanation.

Broken Arm – Update 2

The sling is off!!!!!  After a couple of days of gingerly using his arm Ben is back to his old self.  How about that, three weeks and back to normal.  He is pulling himself up again and walking around everything.  He will also walk with you holding onto only one finger!!!!  He WILL walk anytime now……. fingers crossed!

Songs to make you SMILE

Benjamin and I went to the Justine Clarke – ‘Songs to Make you Smile’ concert at Ipswich Civic Hall.  It was fabulous.  It was our first children’s concert so we arrived early to ensure a good seat.  We purchased our ‘Dinosaur Roar’ t-shirt and took up position in the front row of the mosh pit.  Justine opened the concert with ‘I like to Sing’ and Benjamin was so excited but a little confused.  Confused that we weren’t watching her on the television.  She was a bundle of energy, singing songs from both her new and old albums.  Benjamin bounced and clapped his way through the concert.  The concert went for forty-five minutes (just before the major tackling began in the mosh pit).  Ben nearly fell asleep in the car on the way home – ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED!!!   I still get overwhelmed by what an absolute privilege it is to be a Mum.  I am so honoured to be able to do these amazing things with Ben.  I think I enjoy them just as much as he does.

It was strange to see Justine Clarke in the flesh.  She already feels like a close friend or relative as we share our life with her.  She is in our loungeroom most days, on Playschool or DVD.  I felt like I should have invited her home for a cup of tea.  Well…. anytime you are in the neighborhood Justine, you are welcome to pop in.

Broken Arm – Update

The Specialist – Dr Mohoney, is very happy with how the arm is healing. He removed the strap from around Ben’s body. So now Ben just has a little sling that fits over his wrist. Ben is much happier about this. The Specialist said that probably next week Ben will just begin to use his arm again. At the most Ben will have the sling for three weeks but it can come off anytime after two weeks.

Ben is doing considerably well. He is managing to scoot around on his bottom and get to most things he wants. However I have spoilt him a little and he is obsessed with DVDs. He is constantly wanting the Justine Clarke – I like to Sing DVD put on. I have given in every time. I can see when the sling comes off there will be some MAJOR tantrums – Oh Dear!!!