Escape

A busy first half of 2011 has included the birth of Ambrose, the second year of school for Felix, change of jobs for Michael, a new (additional) kinder for Matilda and becoming a mother again for me. I have longed to get out of the city and camp yet the cool winter winds has delayed this possibility and so a Lake Tyres winter break was booked. I was concerned that bring alone with 3 children and two dogs may be too much. When Matilda was 4 months I was at Lake Tyres by myself with 2 children and 2 dogs and found it a struggle. What I now realise it that 4.5 yrs ago I was struggling for control, or at least what perceived as control. I loath people controlling people especially children and yet this is what I was trying to do. I wanted to get things done when I had planned too and found myself annoyed and upset it it didn't work out for me. I yelled I cried and I felt desprately alone that summer. Fast forward to this July. More children, worse weather and by myself again but...... Things could not be more different. I came here wanting and needing to relax and regenerate myself. I wanted to reconnect with my children and it has all happened. I do not try to control our situation rather help to guild and direct it just a little. The baby does not sleep for long during the day as he loves to watch the others playing, writing and drawing. A consolation for our cat napping is the lovely long night of sleep 6-6 we have so I feel so renewed. The children play, argue, explore and breath. They have reconnected with one another and have opened up to me about how they are feeling. I am looking forward to being home again and trying to remember this time to keep me on track.

Collecting

We have enjoyed collecting a number of items on our holidays. The beach had provided wonderful natural items such as shells, driftwood, stones and sponges. The bush block we are staying in provides wild flowers, doddervine, banksia nuts and leaves. While the local oppshops provide silk, rope and dress ups. We have come here for 10 days with no toys and yet the hours of play generated from the items collected has been amazing. Children don't need toys just time space and wonderful imagination.

School Report and Holiday time

Having studied VEL's (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/)during my Dip-Ed and using them report on my students last year I find it amusing to see my own child's school report. As a parent you instinctively know (or hopefully do) the personality, learning type and intelligence of your child. But does his/her teacher? In the Steiner system (state and private) children have the same teacher from class 1-8. Some schools will do a split (1-3/4, 4/5-8) if a teacher has a particular strength of understanding for junior or middle school years. SO at the start of this year when introduced to Felix's teacher I naturally sussed her out. I felt reassured by her academic understanding and found she was more math confident than most primary school teachers which was refreshing. She was honest and did not presume to know everything but her openness to learn was outstanding. I have always believed that learning how to learn is a skill children need to see for themselves through experience and example.
But would this new teacher really understanding Felix?
His school report has expressed Felix perfectly. A team leader, confident, a wild imagination which is contagious, puts in 100% effort and wonderful behaviour. Felix's VEL's levels at at the standard or above the standard required for a year 1 student. This is Felix to a tee. Felix is my "easy" go lucky child. My Matilda on the other hand is hard work but her character is wonderful. She is tenacious, strong and more intelligent academically than me (& Felix). This for a 4 year old can be hard work to keep your emotions and self in check socially. She reminds me so much of my brother who unfortunately had a rocky time at school and I know that the sussing out of her teachers in the years to come will be incredibly important to ensure that she is guided and not squeezed into conforming with school. My confidence in the school is strong for the primary school years and our plan is for the children to move into other schools at class 5, 7 or 9 level depending on their needs. Now for some school holiday adventures to enrich imagination, refuel the bodies and bond as family unit once again.

Tooth tooth tooth

The Indian prince will be missing his front teeth. This week has been manic with rehearsals almost every day for Felix's upcoming ballet performance. We have also taken turns in having a really bad cough and cold(Ambrose worst of all). But here we are hours from the ballet concert really to see the months of practice coming to fruition. Last weekend Felix lost a top front tooth which started a week of tooth lost. Tuesday at school a bottom front came out and finally this morning another front top tooth came away. Our little prince is gap ridden for the concert.

Windy Tuesday

The study brief

Overview: Utilising an quirky space to house a study for the entire family. Storage of important files, craft, stationary and laptops.

Dimensions:

Length: 4300mm

Depth: 1300mm

Height: 2840mm

Plan so Far:

To build a long desk 4300mm by 450mm along the wall under the window. Install wall cupboard units above the window. Paint walls. Reseal floor. Door installation. Wallpaper feature wall with matching inlay to cupboards. Blinds. Office seats to suit children and adults.

The desk:

We have requested quotes for two desks so far. First is using a recycled timber desk top made to our dimensions by a local company and for us to attach desk legs. This is perhaps the cheaper choice however it appears that the leg design at our disposal are limited with the desk being so narrow. We wan to have a table leg which limited the obstruction of your legs such as this one:

We have also asked for a quote at http://www.industriax.com.au/ who construct the table with steel frame, incorporating a C box leg in the middle and sustainable ash timber strained in the colour of our choice. This company can also make us matching study chairs and stools at our height specification to suit our multi age usage. We can have the steel any colour within the powder-coat range all 86 of them.

Colour:

We want to room to promote a mood to creativity and focus for both children and adults a like. The wall paper will be a green base while the rest of the room will be painted a seed pearl white.

Storage:

Using a range of kitchen cupboards to utilise the space to a maximum.

Appointment with the Architect

Michael love to discuss how we can develop our home, well at least I do and he listens. We had been debating if we should swap the location of the bathroom and kitchen or if we should renovate and put on an extra level. Having scanned the internet for ideas and read lots of books I decided to book a consultation with a local Architect. Antony arrived and looked through the house with curiosity and wonderment- perhaps a little too rehearsed for our liking. After an hour of discussion and questions from Michael and I the consult ended. In reflection it was worth having a third party who confirmed to us what we had speculated on:

Yes we could go up and put on another 2 small rooms or master and on suite but would get rid of living area and new deck to "start again"

We could extend down our block to create more living space but would have very little garden left

Michael and decided that we might practice with a smaller project to start with before tackling the "renovation"so our family study is room 1.