Lemons

While out for a walk after tea with the girls, we came across this box of lemons waiting to go to a new home :)  Now to see what we can make with them. 

Justice Crew Workshop

We got up early this morning (for a Sunday!) and drove North of the River to Maylands for the girls' to attend the Justice Crew dance workshop.

They were very excited, waiting since we booked a few months ago.

I didn't get too many photos (it was too hard with too many taller photographers in my way!) but the girls had a great time.

I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine while the workshop was on, and took a couple of pics from the top of the RISE building.

CHOGM

Well it's a public holiday here today while CHOGM ( what is CHOGM?) is on, one that comes at the end of a couple of busy week for the kids, including school swimming lessons everyday (and bus travel) To say they are exhausted in an understatement. So we declared a few days ago that today would be a home day! Phil arrived home late yesterday and is exhausted too, so a perfect day for us to relax and enjoy each others company together again.

photo source

The back yard needs a tidy up - mowing, weeding and wippersnippering, and after all the recent rain, it will be nice to get out there. The girls will probably spend some time on the Wii, and reading. Phil will potter around doing not-alot!

I hope you all have an enjoyable Friday!

Listography: Top 5 Toys for Kids

Today, I'm linking up with Kate Takes 5 who is asking us to list our top 5 toys for Christmas.Two of my favourite things to talk about are Christmas and toys, so when I saw this on my friend Domesblissity blog, I knew I had to join in.

I got my girls aged 10 and 8 to help me!

Here's what they said:

1. Wii

Fantastic entertainment for ALL the family. Great for when the girls' have their friends over too. Favourite games are Fitness Plus and Mario Kart.

2. Ipod Touch

I know it's not technically a 'toy' but it's what my girls love at the moment. They get used at every opportunity, not just for playing games (infact that's the least they do on them) but for making dance movies, listening to music and the biggest use - listening to audiobooks!

3. Baby Alive doll

This has been Ella's favourite doll of all time. A couple of years ago, when she was in Grade 1, she took it to school almost every day. So did 3 of her friends and they played with them every recess and lunchtime.

4. Derwent pencils and sketch pad

They got these last Christmas and spent alot of the time away camping using them. They have continued to be widely used this year and new pencils have been added along the way.

5. Smartglobe

This is played with almost daily too. They give each other quizzes and mark tests. While the RWC was on, it became a great source of knowledge finding countries and learning their national anthems.

RWC2011 Final - NZ versus France

It's a BIG day for New Zealand today

A BIG day for New Zealand rugby

We wish them well from across the ditch!

Worn Out

5pm Friday afternoon after school swimming lessons all week

Enjoying the peace and quiet

Today is the first day of just the cat and I in 3 weeks. The girls' went back to school yesterday for the final term of the year and Phil went back away for work today. It seems so quite. Lots to get through this morning though - so far I've done 3 loads of washing, made some scrolls, made the beds, cleaned the kitchen twice, vaccumed and mopped (just waiting for the floors to dry) then I'll go and watch the girls' school swimming lessons. After school we have singing and hip hop classes so we get home about 8pm. And now I'm off to prepare dinner and clean the kitchen again!

Pumpkin Soup

I got up early before everyone else this morning and used up some pumpkins and made this easy soup. It's a recipe I got from my friend a few years ago. The best pumpkin soup I've tasted and so easy to make.

PUMPKIN SOUP

1 kg butternut pumpkin
1 small leek
1-2 cloves garlic
1 litre chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste

Cook garlic and leak until soft, add pumpkin, pour in stock. Simmer until cooked stirring often. Season to taste. Blend until smooth.

I froze some for busy nights and the rest we'll eat later today.

Mangoes ...

mean summer!

Ella's most favourite fruit. She's been asking for awhile now if they are in the shops yet (and they were, I was just waiting until they came down in price a bit) so today after the pools (35 deg here!!!) we stopped at the fruit & veg shop and picked some up. At $2.79 each, that's not too bad. And they smell so yummy!

RWC2011

This is what I'll be watching this afternoon

as these two great teams battle it out for a place in the final. Go the All Blacks!

Pretend Camping

Camping.

We bought a tent in a sale a couple of weeks ago when Phil was home last. Well today with him home again and the girls' wanting something to do, we put it up just so we can work out how it all works before we go away at Christmas. It's a pretty good size with four rooms. The girls played in it all afternoon and into the night.

The bunk beds fit perfectly into one of the bedrooms for the girls with plenty of room for storage. 

Once it was dark the girls played a board game that I got at the OP last school holidays for $2. It's called "Go to the top of the class" and is a real test of general knowledge. I played a game with them as well. We'll leave the tent up over the weekend, and probably take it down on Monday before school starts back on Tuesday.

On My Mind ...

is saving more than spending. Instead of flittering money away here and there - really thinking beforehand whether I can do without said purchase. I'm trying to reduce my grocery bill, reduce my electricity use and my phone us (have already made huge savings here not ringing mobiles as much!)

I'm playing along with Down to Earth today

Come along and join in!

Easy Rice Pudding

I usually make rice pudding using the recipe from The Edmonds Cookbook, but it takes a couple of hours of slow cooking. I got a book out of the library today called Healthy Living for Families by Jenny Craig. In it was this easy (and delicious) creamy rice pudding recipe.

1/2 cup long grain rice
625ml low fat milk
1 Tbsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
3 Tbsp sultanas

Soak the rice in water for approx 15 mins, then drain and rinse in cold water. Place the milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon stick in a medium size pot and bring to the boil. Add the rice, cover and simmer until the rice is soft, approx 17 minutes, stirring often. Add the egg yolk and sultanas and continue cooking, uncovered, for another minute. Remove from the heat, discard the cinnamon stick and serve the rice pudding into individual serving bowls.

Kings Park

With keeping with our theme of enjoying the spring sunshine, today we headed to the famous Kings Park to get some fresh air.

The grounds are beautifully kept, and of course with such beautiful weather and being school holidays, the park was very busy.

We stopped at Mt Eliza lookout which looks out over Perth City.

Then we set off on a trail, across bridges which took us high into the trees, what a view!

After that big walk, it was definitely time for some refreshments.

Ella wanted me to take a photo of her beside these pretty flowers!

Kings Park has two wonderful playgrounds. First we visited the Synergy playground which is aimed at older kids. It was really packed with lots of picnickers! The girls' rode their scooters around for a bit before playing.

We then headed around to the Ivy Watson playground which is probably better suited to smaller kids. My girls still loved it though.