paper doll link

Here is a cute link to a printable paper doll or another- for any blog readers out there who have a little girl who might enjoy this.

Another cute one (this one can be coloured in) here

Could also put pictures onto magnetic sheet and put small magnets (those ones you pick up free from the hairdressers ... that clutter the fridge:) on back of clothing items for smaller children who couldn't fold over tabs.

Or could simply be used for some cutting (requires fine scissor skills) and pasting

Either way the pictures are adorable even for big girls like me!

Fridge magnet gift idea

If you're wanting a little gift for a friend or teacher here's an idea I have tried recently.

Using self covered buttons (strangely they seem cheaper at quilting shops than craft stores...) Choose some coordinated fabrics (only need a small circle so it is perfect for those scraps of fabric you have lying around) Follow the directions on back of packet to cover the button.

Remove the back of the button... I used metal buttons so with a little pair of pliers I squeezed the wire at the back and it came out easily. I have also tried plastic buttons but it is a little trickier to make the back of the button flush after you cut the stem off.

Attach the flat back of the button. Superglue a magnet on the back.

I chose an Asian theme for Joshua's music teacher because she loves all things Asian.
I have done other styles which may come up in future blog postings...

Package nicely by sticking double sided tape to the back of the magnets and attach to pre cut piece of card. Cover in celophane bag, staple a strip of cardboard over the top and decorate (my little sister was my inspiration here!

Put a note on the back of the card letting the person know how much you appreciate them...

Wa - La !

birthday

Joshua sharing his birthday with friends from Bible study

Goody bags for friends... kind of lumpy with a tennis ball inside:)



How Josh spent his day:

• Opening a few gifts from Dad and Mum and a few cards from others he had faithfully saved to open on his much awaited day.


• Snuggles and family breakfast of pancakes, maple syrup and coconut cream (yummy.. thanks Aunty Angela for this inspiration - tastes fantastic!)


• Chatting to his cousin, Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents on the phone.


• At a 'My Time' group (gov. organised group for parents of Spec. needs kids) doing school work, playing with a few little tots and


• then off to RE (Religious Education) with Grandma, where the teachers were very nice to him. One classroom teacher let him pick out a book from the prize box for his Birthday. He chose a book of mazes and was thrilled about that...


• Then Grandma indulged him with a yummy malted milk and a trip to the swimming pool for a splash together.


• Back home for a dinner together as a family


• Cake (chocolate cheesecake was the request) with Bible study friends. Heard a little of celebration traditions in Sudan


• Off to bed, showered with kisses!

Joshua

Joshua - our firstborn son turns a huge 8 years old tomorrow! He is currently tucked in and sleeping soundly in the room with Owen. He tosses over on the bed, he settles himself into a comfortable position and dreams away... whatever 7 year olds dream of when they are anticipating their birthday.

My mind travels back to the journey we have had with our first... the joy of his arrival, the knee-knocking experience of being a Mum who wants to be confident as a Mum but hasn't a clue! The gorgeous smiles, the joy he brings to the extended family, the challenges and battles over various things, some of which I later learn were battles not worth fighting for, others are worth every effort you can give them. Learning, growing, seeking the Lord...

Here you are Joshua - the long awaited day. You are constantly a vibrant ray of sunshine. Full of life, full of questions (as your music teacher aptly pointed out today) and full of insight, curiosity and oozing enthusiasm.

It still makes us smile to think how much you keep us all organised - making sure we know how many minutes it is until we must be going, remembering exact dates and times or writing yourself little notes to make sure you remember. I recently hung a little calendar on the bulletin board on the back of the toilet door and smiled each time I saw you had written in various activities and events and then crossed them out if plans changed. You certainly know what is going on or soon will...

Life is sometimes a mystery for you to be solved. I love the way you just have to find out why something is the way it is. Recently you discovered a hose had been dumped in our yard. Some time later you discovered another.... to you, a mystery was in the making... and a note I found in the kitchen...

We are all anticipating the discovery you make...

Another note I spotted this evening:

You have had extra responsibility being eldest - not only being eldest but being big brother to one who needs/needed extra help and time in waiting rooms, dedicated time to learn to speak, to walk or to get his muscles working harder. You watched with compassion as he went through heart surgery, and were delighted to see him recover. You were so excited to see him walk - albeit a very delayed learning to walk - that meant nothing to you. You proudly told almost all you met that he could stand unaided, then learn to pull himself up...

Daddy and I sometimes wish that we could free you a little more from some of these extra burdens you bear. We look to the Lord because we know he cares for you and understands your frustrations from time to time... we also know that he is already using you and has used these situations to make you more understanding of others, to make you more accepting of those a little 'different' and to make you into the very outgoing, lovable boy you are. We thank Him for this.

You are so precious to us. As you grow taller, eat more and more slices of bread to fill up those hollow spaces - we thank the Lord. We thank him that you are learning more about Him, that you are learning what it means to follow the Saviour and that the Lord is gracious and compassionate and loves you deeply.

Your Dad and Mum are over the moon that the Lord has blessed us with you!

MWAH!

XOXOX

...but wait, there's more!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX (which means you have a sloppy wet face from all the kisses!)

More family pickkies

More of family - precious ones...

Nanny and Grampy (my parents)

Happy Nappies

Happy nappies... and other funny moods we find ourselves in...

Links below

Scroll to bottom of page to see links to various sites...

Have just fixed them so hopefully you can access them now all who have been keen to take a peek;)

Well I never

I am still chuckling to myself...

Ever been serenaded by Jehovah's Witnesses at your door?

I still find it comical to think the guy managed to get through some JW training and then feel free to break into song on his umpteenth visit...

"I just called to say I love you!"

Poor David was the recipient of such a serenade. I was in our bedroom upstairs and assumed it must be a relative... though I couldn't place the voice.

I can only imagine my poor husband's face when greeted in this way!!

I am still chuckling to myself.

(I don't know if the 2nd JW he was with (more trained guy) appreciated his introduction... perhaps he had words to him afterwards)

It really made my day and tickled my funny bone!

Help from blog readers needed

This week David began a Bible study in our home. He decided to use a DVD - the Gospel of John which is acted out, using word for word Scripture (Good News Bible). After we watch a small section of DVD we stop, open to the book of John and are challenged with questions relating to that passage of Scripture.

It was encouraging to see some of our neighbours (who have started coming to church) come and join in the study. Was great to have a study in our home again, too...

After the study I had an opportunity to get to know one lady - a Sudanese Mum who has started coming along to church. It became apparent through the study, when she was called on to read the Scripture, that she couldn't read at all. After apologising for her having been embarrassed at not being able to read - I privately asked about her background and was astounded to find that she had not learned to read in Sudanese either. She said it was typical for Sudanese women to have about 1 year (for a few more fortunate ones up to 6 years) of education. The things I take for granted... My heart goes out to her, and many like her who have active minds and not the opportunity... and then add an entirely different culture to that struggle...

I have agreed to help her learn to read..

I am praying about this and doing some research but would also like to invite you to join in praying with me.

I would also like to ask...

Do any of my blog reading friends know, or have heard of a program for teaching adults to read?

I have great materials for children but want to be careful to avoid anything that might look childish or might seem a little goofy to a very capable Mum...

Ideas/insights please??

Family

Nice to just hang out with family - letting cousins giggle, play in the park, build things from lego and enjoy some time at the beach ...

Nice to see cousins getting to know each other again, Uncle playing shop with Owen (in a comical way only Uncle can...), Auntie playing on the sand, chatting and catching up.... Pleasures of the family God has blessed us with.