Curb-side-pick-up...the unofficial recycling program

 (photo sourced from here)

Do you have curb-side-pick-up where you live?  It happens here a couple of times a year when you receive a letter in the mail telling you a magic date which then gives you and everyone living in the designated suburb permission to put everything and anything that once was in your house/garden/shed/attic onto the side of the road.  It is so interesting as you drive around the streets to catch a small glimpse of peoples lives by the type of 'stuff' that gets thrown on the curb.  However, even more interesting/satisfying (and has actually been my entertainment for a few days) is watching all the 'enterprising' recyclers who come and pick up all the 'stuff' before council picks it up.    Ranging from  professionals with trucks to little kids with wagons everything that could be used, sold, broken down for copper and steel has been picked up in the light of day; or for the more self concious...in the dead of night.

24hrs is all it took for one of our chairs to go...it was a bit like waiting for the tooth fairy, wondering when it would go...how long it would take from when I put it on the curb.

Lets just hope it doesn't end up on the curb next pick up...

play time

I must admit that sometimes my 'play' time with baby boy isn't as imaginative as I would like.  We get so busy that sometimes I forget that instead of just pulling out some toys I need to actually sit down with him and play, and show him the diffrent ways he can play with his toys so he can then use his imagination to take it further. 

This week I bought the beautiful wooden castle above (and I will be honest and say that good wooden toys aren't cheap), but as soon as we bought it home and put it together I felt relieved that my expense was all worth it.  Baby boy sat down at his table and played with the castle for nearly an hour.  

 To set this off I first explained to him who all the characters were (the witch with the cauldron is called 'the cook' ;0) and showed him how they could be used, how they could go through the little doors and how we could make them talk and play with eachother.  He loved it!  

So now I just need to keep reminding him that playing with his castle is more exciting than watching tv (which is another area where I really need to improve).

I bought the castle from Oxfam which also helps me know it was made using fairtrade practices.

A little bit of nice

I saw this clip when I was watching tv with baby boy yesterday, it made me smile and it made me cry and it made me happy again.  It is just nice, in every sense of the word.

Lately I have realised I have no tollerance for people who aren't nice...none at all!  It is making my working life difficult, but then easy at the same time because I can see things really clearly.  Things in my personal life lately show that we are only here for such a short time, so being unkind is just a plain old waste of time.

special spaces

I love these ideas for creating spaces for your child at home, and am trying to figure out how I could make a space like these for baby boy.  Too cute!

Work spaces

Learning spaces

Respecting

This year I have been thinking about what goals I have and where I would like to improve. And with images all over the tv of so much stuff being ruined and thrown out with floods and cyclones I got to thinking about all those people who have now lost so much, and wondered what they are really missing.

So this year I want to treat my 'stuff' with respect, treating it with the value it deserves. I have started by sorting out all the clothes in my closet, hanging them properly and in order so I can always find them. When you think about it, there is a lot of money in there and I need to respect that and enjoy wearing all of those clothes. My other project has been to sort all baby boys toys, making sure no pieces are missing and that all the 'sets' are kept together. Anyone spent a morning sticking all the flaps back on the 'Spot' books?  It was really satisfying!
I hope to folllow this pattern though all the rooms of my house, and enjoy a greater appreciation for what I do have.

Got teeth?

If you read my family blog you may notice photo's of my beautiful baby boy with his amber teething necklace on (much to many of my relatives dismay ;0) I purchased it when he was about 15 months old and thought that I have now tested it out enough to give my opinion on it.
They work!
Baby boy didn't start getting teeth til he was around 12 months, and after a few nights of paracetamol and excessive drooling I thought they couldn't hurt. I had also had a recommendation from a midwife in my ABA group who uses them with all her children. Man of the house thought I was crazy...but he usually does anyway...He married me :0)

The biggest difference noticed after putting it on is the drastic reduction in dribbling and irritability. From soaking through tshirts one minute to literally dry the next, it has really been that noticable for me. If you have never seen one used, they are short and sit against the skin of the child under their clothing. The theory is supposed to be that the amber warms against the skin and releases an anti-inflammitory oil. After a few minutes baby boy doesn't even notice it is on. They are not to be chewed and should have a clasp that will release when pulled on to reduce any risk of choking. Read this warning.

So that's my opinion, I do think that medication definately plays a vital role, but if I can avoid giving it to my child (hence not reducing the effect of their growing immune system) I will.

I bought my necklace from here:http://www.thedappyshop.com.au/
If you are interested :0)

Growing

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer to God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth"
~Dorothy Frances Gurney~