Welcome

" Little darlin', come with me
Won't you help me share my load;
From the dark end of the street
To the bright side of the road.

Into this life we're born
Baby, sometimes we don't know why;
And time seems to go by so fast
In the twinkling of an eye.

Let's enjoy it while we can
Won't you help me sing my song;
From the dark end of the street
To the bright side of the road"

-- Van Morrison --

Friday, August 20, 2010

Rainbow magic

What an amazing day!

I was with my Pre-Primary kids today
... all 20 of them ...
and we had such a fun day.

We explored the colours of the rainbow and
did a bit of magic (or science) too.

The kids are super excited about doing these
science experiments at the moment
and I am getting some great compliments as a result!

It was "Mrs Magic" today! Ha ha.

The experiment:

Step 1. Add 1 cup of milk to a shallow bowl.

Step 2. Add 3 drops of yellow food colouring
 to one edge of the bowl

then 3 drops of red food colouring
 about a third of the way around the bowl,

and 3 drops of blue food colouring
 another third of the way around the bowl.

DON'T JIGGLE OR MIX

Step 3. Squeeze a drop of dish washing detergent
into the centre of the bowl.

Step 4. Now watch what happens!!!!!!!!!!!


We had four tables, each with eager faces watching intently
as the detergent swirled through the milk
picking up each of the colours as it went.

Rainbow Magic, indeed!

This is the one we did at home :)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Fabulous 15!

Apparently, it is all to do with attention spans ...
But, whatever it is -- it really does work!


After talking with an expert,
we limited our girls' homework time to a fabulous 15 minutes a day ...
And amazingly they now appear less apathetic
and, dare I say, more enthusiastic about their HOMEWORK!

The other day, in fact, they both chose to do their homework
before going off for their favourite after-school activity -- imaginative play

Our girls are nearly 7 years old and know that 15 minutes isn't that long,
so I emphasize this fact -- and use "you've only got 5 more minutes" to get us over the line!

What a difference these little things can make to the enjoyment of life.

Thank you Brad!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Hugs

Hugs.
Hugs are precious.
Hugs are priceless.
Hugs are made for every occasion!

Hugs can make you feel ...
supported,
comforted,
acknowledged,
loved,
secure,
and special.

I love hugs.
I love to give hugs.
I love to receive hugs.
And, amazingly, you can't fake a hug!

Hugs are for family.
Hugs are for friends.
Hugs are for babies, the elderly and everyone in between.
Hugs are for everybody!

There are all sorts of hugs:
bear hugs,
A-frame hugs,
cheek hugs,
sandwich hugs,
grabber-squeezer hugs,
group hugs,
side-to-side hugs,
back-to-front hugs,
heart-centred hugs,
and custom-tailored hugs.

A hug is a simple gesture that can say more than words.
So ... make sure you hug each and every day.
Hug yourself, your partner, your children, your friends, your neighbour, or your hairdresser.
Hug your extended family and make sure your hugs are sincere and full of love and grace.


"The Litte Book of Hugs" by Kathleen Keating is my source for different sorts of hugs.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Happiness

What do you need to be happy?

I have learnt over the years not to depend too much upon other people, material wealth or life circumstances for my happiness.


I am happy when the glow and warmth of the winter sun enters the windows of my house.

I am happy with a strong, black coffee and sizeable square of chocolate in my hand.

I am happy as I walk my very energetic and often disobedient puppy in the bush.

I am happy at get-togethers with old friends or family I haven't seen for a long time.

I am happy when I can talk deeply and trustingly with a close friend or my loving husband.

I am happy with the satisfaction of a hard day's work or the arrival of an unexpected compliment.

I am happy as I watch the rain lashing our lounge room window during a wild tropical storm.

I am happy at the memory of childhood delights or first kisses.

I am happy when I read an unforgettable book, view a fabulous photograph or see an inspirational movie.

I am happy with the sound of my children laughing.

I am happy as Spring arrives and brings with it the first blush of roses and fruit blossoms.

I am happy at the beach with the sound of waves upon the shore and the joy of shell collecting.

But I am happiest, above all, within my own skin.

It has taken many painstaking years to get to this point, but I am now happy to be who I am.