Cookies & Koalas

TRACKING YOUR HOMESCHOOL DAYS... As I get deeper into this adventure of homeschooling my children, one of the dilemmas and challenges I have faced has been around how to record and what to record of what we do everyday. Here in South Australia we do have some government requirements, but I am not required to show what we did every day. However, as an eclectic homeschooler and also a Montessori inspired homeschooler I felt I needed some way to keep track of the work we’ve done- both for me to keep track of where we’re up to and to have a way to prove that I am educating my children if I ever needed to defend myself (unlikely, but I feel more secure this way). Also I felt I needed a place to make observations about my children and notes about learning gaps and needs and interests. But I NEED this all together in one place. TRYING DIFFERENT METHODS First I just tried a small spiral notebook, but I found this messy and although it worked for noting my observations, didn’t have space to...

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? It was one of those days- I felt like something different for dinner. Something besides the usual meals that adorn the family dinner table. I was bored with what we have been eating. I had a pack of lovely chicken legs that needed to be eaten and a butternut pumpkin I had roasted earlier in the day. Although I spent far too many minutes browsing Jamie Oliver recipes, google, and Pinterest, I couldn't find anything that used the ingredients I had. So... as the minutes ticked away and dinner time loomed nearer, I took a deep breathe and determined to make up a recipe. The general inspiration for the recipe came from Jamie Oliver's Chicken Laksa in my 15 minute meal recipe book. And boy was this creative twist of a meal  was a success! The kids all asked for seconds (you know its a winner if that happens!) and the husband and kids all requested that I make this again. I think in the future I would rather use a more mildly flavored noodle, but it was sti...

SIMPLE HAPPY PARENTING Parenting is one of those things that challenges ; it challenges even the most successful, well educated, and patient among us. When an adult is required to contend with a seemingly irrational miniature human who constantly demands some type of attention, it can leave even the greatest of men overwhelmed and frustrated. Somehow those little bundles of cuteness have the capability of bringing out the very worst monsters inside of even the most cultured grown members of our society. Nevermind the grave responsibility and heavy burden that parents feel weighing on their shoulders. They feel they need to ensure they teach their child everything he or she needs to know, that they provide all the opportunities, all the stuff, all the entertainment, to ensure that these little humans grow into perfect people.  Enter Simple, happy parenting. Seriously? Is that even a thing? I mean I can think of a lot of words to describe parenting, but simple, yeah that probably ...

OVERCOMING THE LAUNDRY MONSTER Laundry . laundry . laundry . Laundry . laundry . Laundry ...etc... Laundry is that never ending task that has been the nemesis of many a mother and housekeeper. I often say the state of my laundry is a direct reflection of the state of my mind.When the laundry baskets are overflowing that's when my mind feels completely overwhelmed, or when there is clean laundry scattered about in random places, perhaps half folded, waiting for eternity to return to their proper homes, that's when my mind is scattered and foggy. Conversely when I've conquered the laundry and I feel in control, I feel successful, productive and able to face my days with joy. Far too often the laundry is a major cause of my overwhelm, stress, depression, and feelings of failure. Do any of  you experience this too? So since laundry seems to affect me so profoundly, I've been on a mission to conquer this laundry monster and be in control.  TOP TIPS TO CONQUER THE LAUNDRY...