Junie B.

When my parents visited late last year, little did they (or us for that matter) know what they started. My mother had bought for Monet (on a Dubai shopping trip) a 'chapter book', called 'Junie B. First grader, Toothless Wonder', bought especially because Monet had lost a front tooth during their stay.

I asked Grandma for permission to post this pic. =)

Roll on six months later and we've slowly been collecting the books (there is like 27 in all) which Monet can now (proudly) read to herself.

This week at her school is 'Book Week' - a week dedicated to all things bookish.

First thing first, was a Poster Competition (or book review or short story competition) which was handed into school on Sunday (the first day of the working week over here). Of course Monet insisted on Junie B. Jones and why not?  We've worked on it for a couple of weeks at home. I had drawn the outline of 'Junie B' but the rest of the work belongs to Monet herself. Oh, and I helped do the border but that's it. She did a beaut job if you ask me!

The last day of the working week here, Thursday, today, was dress up as your favourite book character. Gee, I wonder who Monet went as....you get one guess.

School was a hive of activity this morning and I'm a bit mad at myself not having brought my camera to school. There were Princess', knights, Thing 1 and a Thing 2, plently of Cat in the Hats, Where's Wally?, animals of all shapes and sizes, Pippy Longstocking, a Wimpy Kid and that's just scraping the surface...

Ahh, book week, what a fabulous thing for kids to be involved in.  Agreed?

Proud Parent Moment

I'm actually liking the eldest being six point five years old.

It is a good age. MissM's tantrums are now further and further between, you can have proper conversations, she can swim independently, she can take responsibilty for stuff, helps out when she can (ie. is more than happy to hang out the washing for me before school), knows what she does and does not like, is very good at playing with her sister and now can read chapter books to. her. self. (LOVE, love, love that!)

It's not to say that MissM is an angel - she's far from it at times and it's not to say that MissM always acts her age, she literally does act her shoe size! (She's a UK size 2 - big feet our girl and currently stands at around 130cm - she's going to be one tall girl)

The 5 year age difference between my girls for us is perfect. MissM is a great role model and teaches her little sister things like "when you touch this button on the remote, it changes the channel", "if you keep asking mum over and over and over again for something to eat, she'll cave in and give you something" and "when you touch the iPhone screen you can watch videos of yourself or of Telly Tubbies"...

The coin dropped quite some time ago with MissM and her reading. She has always shown an interest in books (which MissL is starting to now) and I've always read to her, practically every night of her life. (I now give myself Thursday and Friday nights off from that duty!)

When my parents visited last year, my mother bought MissM a 'Junie B Jones' book which they read together. A couple of months ago we noticed in Borders a whole section of Junie B chapter books so bought the first couple, which I read to her. When they were finished I bought her a couple more, in which we shared the reading. I'd read a page, then she would read a page. Last week MissM spent some of her pocket money on a new Junie B novel. On the way home from Dubai (where we bought it) I did not hear a peep out of her. As we pulled into the driveway MissM proudly announced "I'm up to page 46!" She had been sitting in the back seat reading quietly to herself. Whoo-hoo!!

She raced inside, sat on the couch and quietly continued reading until she had read all 80-90 odd pages! "I just love reading" she told me. =)

The following day, she read two whole Junie B Jones novels to herself, in her bedroom!! Awesome. And best thing is, the words are actually sinking in, as I asked her what the books were about.

I've been waiting for this day to happen and it seems as if that day has come.

Now wait until I tell you about the book she wrote and illustrated!

A French Parcel from the USA...

I love getting surprises in the mail.  Not surprises as an unexpected bill (hate those!), but parcels or cards or letters.  

Imagine my surprise when I collected from the post office a parcel, especially for me, from the lovely Katherine over at Kitten's Lost Her Mittens.  It just happened that I posted a comment on her blog and ended up being the lucky recipient of a prize she was giving away.  It arrived on Monday.

It is a gorgeous French (oh to be french!) Marie Claire magazine full of ideas on making, sewing and decorating for little kids.  Katherine was also kind enough to include a pack of (much appreciated) 10 Claude Monet postcards from his Waterlilies collection.  

My Monet recognised the Claude Monet paintings straight away saying they were paintings from her garden! (So she says!)  I guess she can say that, after all, I did make her stand on the famous Japanese bridge that goes over the waterlily pond!  

It really made my day, so thank you Katherine.  I felt very lucky.

Speaking of parcels, Auntie Kimbofo, there should be something heading your way in the next week or two!  (I just bought it on the net and is getting delivered straight to your place.)

When was the last time you got a nice surprise in the mail?

A Sticker Book & A Meme...

When we were in London, I came across a terrific Sticker Book for Monet.  I gave it to her on our flight home and honestly, it filled in most of the time (inbetween meals and sleeping). 

This book is still getting a good workout, even though all stickers have been stuck and re-stuck and the story been read a hundred times, I need another.  I'm unable to find another (or similar) here in Cairns, typically.  *hint hint Auntie Kim*  Monet loves the fact it is about Dolls (she loves dolls this girl of mine) and involves stickers.  It was bound to be a hit in this family!!

Anyway, I have been tagged by a new blog friend of mine, Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens.  We were kindly introduced by Alice of Magpie Files.  (Oh the blog world is great isn't it?)

Here are the rules of this 'meme'...

I have to answer 6 questions about myself. At the end of the post, I then tag 6 people and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read my blog. Then, I must let the person who tagged me know when I’ve posted my answers. 

Interesting hey?  So here goes...

Places I have Lived  (all in Australia here, nothing exotic!);

Malvern, Victoria

East St. Kilda, Victoria

Rye, Victoria

South Melbourne, Victoria

Cairns, Queensland

There have been more but I choose not to share...

What I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

Hmmm...1998.  I was living in a Victoria Country town, had shacked up with Lyndon and working in a local Supermarket (so glamerious, I know!) but wanted more.  We both left town and headed to Melbourne and never looked back.  Never.  It was the best move we had ever made.  We lived in a gorgeous little newly refurbished 1-bedroom flat in a leafy East St Kilda Street.  It was close to everything we wanted and I have fond meomoires of this move, the flat, the area, the fun times, back in 1998...

Five things on my to do list today (not that I write a list everyday!)

1.  Take Monet for a play in the Playground tomorrow morning. (Done)

2.  Give Monet's old Highchair a good old scrub down and see if I can take it to a 2nd hand baby shop to get some extra $...

3.  Make a list of the weeks meals, followed by a Grocery list.

4.  Go grocery shopping.  Woolworths or Coles?  Coles more than likely.

5.  Clean out my Kitchen cupboards.  Even though I only cleaned them out not that long ago, I think it is about I threw some stuff out I haven't used in the past year.  Anything to justify this purchase in the future!

Snacks I enjoy

Too many to mention!  I do love the odd pack of Twisties, the odd Chokito Chocolate bar, but really I do love to snack on a platter of cheese, biscuits and dips.  Any excuse.

What I would Do if I was a Billionaire

Travel.  Well, I could list all the things I could do to help create world peace, help the environment and try to eliminate famine in third world countries but at least I'm honest here.  Of course I'd donate $ to charity and the like but this is my meme.  I'd like to have homes in different parts of the world and travel to place to place...

Six People I Would Like To Know More About

I have to choose six fellow bloggers here and I know a few of you have done this already, so if I have chosen you and you've already done it (or don't want to), that's fine!

Kikimiss from The life, Habits & Routines of Kiki

Julie from Dreaming of Daisies

Alison from Three Times Kewl

Fairlie from Around The Traps

Kimbofo from Kimbofo

Deana from Friday Night Fish Fry

The Secret History

I knew there was a reason why I kept Donna Tartt's debut novel, The Secret History. I knew it!

Like most of you out there, I enjoy reading. I always have and I always will. I guess it had to do with having a father who was a school teacher/principle and a sister who loved writing stories on her school holidays.

Over the years I have collected a lot of novels, but then I also have no proof of this. After so many moves, my novel collection has dwindled to a handful. I tend to pass on books now as it is very (very) rare if I reread a novel. Why should it clog up valueable apartment space when someone else can get enjoyment from it (and clog up their own space! *heehee*)

After recently finishing Marian Keyes 'Anybody Out There' (which I loved by the way, but will pass onto my mum) I was desperate for a book to read in bed. I hunted through my small collection of auto/biographies (these I do not part with for some reason or another) and then stumbled upon the Donna Tartt novel I purchased back in the mid 90's. I remember buying it on recommendation from Kimbofo.

I'm halfway through the novel again and absolutely loving it. If you could love a book, this one could quite possibly be the book for you! I had completely forgotten about the plot but you instantly getted hooked into the main character's world. I cannot wait to continue reading it because I have no idea what happens towards the end.

This is the reason why this novel has moved back and forth across the state of Victoria, across Melbourne suburbs and the move to Northern Queensland. I will not part with it. No matter where we move to in the future, it is one novel that is sticking with me.

Have you read any novels that you will not part with because you love it?

A Post About Books (& a plug for a cool website)

I love books, especially good Children's books. I have a few books waiting patiently in my wardrobe to be wrapped and put under the Christmas tree for the youngest member of this household. I love it when Monet gets books for Christmas because ultimately it is I who reads them all and I get sick of reading the same ones over and over and over....

At least on Christmas night there will be at least 5 new books for me to read. *Phew*

I was speaking to one of my Melbourne mates this morning (Hi Paula!) and told her about this fabulous website, Huggies Book Club. So for all you Aussie pals, I recommend you join (it's free) and they offer free postage (FREE!) and 10% off RRP on ALL books! You can even lay-by your books. They even offer gift wrapping and gift cards, for an extra $2.50, which makes ideal Children's gifts.

I have been a member for quite some time and have ordered books via this site for my Nephew in country Victoria. Apparently the card was hand written which my S-I-L (to be one day) said it was a really nice touch.

You can bet I am waiting in anticipation for my little parcel of books to arrive in the post in the next few days...

Nothing Like Being Organised

Gee, anyone around here would be thinking we are going on a European Holiday, judging by the books on the dining table...

(Half belong to our to our local library!)

There is nothing like knowing what we want to see, where we want to go and how much it's going to cost.

I'm also stroller researching. Can anyone tell me what the Maclaren Volo one is like?

Will it cater to a 110cm high, 16 kilo, 3 year old? By all my researching on the net it seems it will, but if anyone has any personal experience with one please say... (By the sounds of it, it folds well, is easy to carry over your shoulder, is comfortable, easy to push) We're not going to buy it here, because the thought of 3 suitcases, 3 carry-on bags, a 3 year old AND a stroller in the mix, in an international airport does nothing to soothe me! We're going to buy it in London and will mainly be used to roam the streets of that city.

Anyway, you don't want to hear all about that...

If you want to read something that makes you go 'Ewww', read this. It made me cringe.

And to keep us all on our toes up in this corner of Australia, there is a Cyclone brewing in the Coral Sea, still a fair distance from here and moving a very slow 5 kilometers per hour. May I present to you Tropical Cyclone 'Guba' (yes, Guba!)....

It's not a threat to us (at the moment) but is partly to blame for the crappy weather over the last few days (raining on and off and wind). This Cyclone is apparently the first of many this season. As long as there isn't one on or near April 17th, I'll be happy!!

A Leave of Absence

I am going away for a couple of weeks so I won't be posting here at cakes, cookies and an odd roast dinner.

So, I will leave you to discuss amongst yourselves your favourite cookbooks. Can you recommend to me a recipe book that I would use a lot, like I did with Karen Martini? (There are over 20 of her recipes from the 1 book in this blog!) Are there particular books you use all the time or are there books that you want to cook out of but just haven't yet? I look forward to reading what you write.


Thank you and happy baking and cooking in the next few weeks!!

1500 Recipes in Three Books???

Can you believe that the three little books in the photo below hold 1500 recipes?It's true. And they are great books if you are looking for a particular cupcake, cookie or appetiser recipe/idea!!

Unfinished Projects

One thing I do love about moving is the amount of stuff you get to throw out! I love to feel organised (obviously) and there is nothing like going through all your stuff to cleanse the soul (or something like that anyway!! Hehe..)

So this morning's pathetic wet weather, lead to me sort through my 'scrap booking' tub I have. Oh my I have a lot of items, all ready for scrap booking. I went through the coloured papers, through the assortment of stickers, photos, tags, cut-out shapes, paper frames and sorted them into little bags. (I love those little plastic bags with zip-tops!)

My aim at our new abode, is to actually begin scrap booking again. Or finish scrap booking. I'm not sure which. I need to spend less time here at this computer and finish off Monet's 'Baby Scrapbook' before she turns 21. I know, she will be 3 on her next birthday but Lyndon found a Cross-stitch I began in like 1991, and it still isn't finished. See what I'm like? I need to finish this for her as I have done over half already and it seriously is a lovely memento.
Do you have any unfinished projects at your place?

We Love A Good Book

Thanks to Marie for inspiration in regards to this post!

Monet has always enjoyed books. Since before birth even. Yes, I was one of those mothers-to-be, who sat on a comfortable chair at 8 months pregnant and read out aloud to my tummy. I don't know if that helped in the fact that she enjoys books, but honestly, I think it is in her blood anyway and I don't think I know one child who doesn't enjoy a good story book.

We've got a few new favourites here and I chuckle to myself when I hear her reading to herself. She's actually pretty good at it. If you know Monet, you'd know she's a pretty clear talker for a 2 year old.

Today I heard her hiding behind the couch with 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt', written by Helen Oxenbury. She was saying "tip toe, tip toe..." then "squelch..." then "through the door and up the stairs..." then "under the covers". I was pretty surprised to hear those words coming out of her mouth. She loves that book which we gave her for Christmas. We got the book that came with a DVD version of the story. I have only read the book to her a handful of times and she's watched the DVD a couple. It's a good story that gets the heart pumping, depending on how you read it out loud of course. We know that this story is a favourite of her 4 year old cousins too.

'Whose Teeth? Whose Tail? Whose House?' by Jeannette Rowe is another new favourite. We gave it to her for her 2nd birthday but it seems as if she's only just discovered it. It's one of those books where you lift the pages back to discover just whose teeth/tail/house it actually is. Monet loves guessing and she'll happily sit there and surprise herself when reading to herself.

Auntie Kimbofo sent to Monet for her second birthday, 'Lulu loves the Library', written by Anna McQuinn. I think we especially like this lovely book because it reminds us of ourselves and our library days. And the fact it's called 'Lulu...' as Monet's middle name is Lulu. A very lovely book indeed.

At the moment I am reading the 5th Harry Potter book (a bit behind in the series, I know!) but I am enjoying it. Not sure what I will tackle next. How about you? What are YOU reading at the moment?

A Post About Cookbooks

I love Cookbooks and I know I am not the only one (am I Sarah and Marianne?) I find that most women like a good cookbook but it is something that men don't seem to understand. We women might buy these lovely books but not necessarily cook from them, because we like the idea that we can or could. I would love to own many more than what I currently do, but the majority of them are just too expensive. (Since when have Cookbooks have hefty A$60 price tags I ask?)

My favourite cookbooks read like novels. Jamie Oliver's 'Jamie's Kitchen' and Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' for example. I like the fact that not only can I cook from their recipes I can also read them. You know what I mean.

My last Cookbook purchase was written by Melbourne Chef, Karen Martini's 'Where The Heart Is'. Her recipes are easy to understand and most look very yummy. I am yet to make something from it yet but will do soon...

I do really like the wonderful cookbooks that the Australian Women's Weekly release and are great value for money. (Usually RRP A$12)

I have been meaning to subscribe to Super Food Ideas magazine, for about five years now, but I never have. Released each month I don't think there has been an issue when I haven't made something from it.

Two cookbooks on my 'to buy' list is the new Jamie Oliver one, named 'Cook with Jamie' and the new biggy released by the Australian Women's Weekly named 'Cook. How To Cook Absolutely Everything'.

How about you. Do you enjoy reading cookbooks? Who is your favourite author? What cookbook would you recommend to me?