Glow Stick Bath

Ok, so I can't remember where I first saw this - I think on my friend Gypsy's blog, as she does the coolest stuff with and for her kids, but I just can't remember, so let's just give her the credit anyway!

Anyway, Jayden was having a bit of a rough day the other day and so asked if he could have a bath (instead of his usual shower).  As he was filling the bath I remembered seeing the photos of a glow stick bath and thought I would treat him to the same.  I grabbed some glow sticks, then knocked on the bathroom door asking him if I could pop my head in for a moment.  I dropped the sticks into the bath and took a photo (with the light on).  It's cool how the light is bouncing around on the water, but not too spectacular right?

So, spread them out throughout the bath and turn the lights off and take a photograph without any flash and the effect is way better.  He thought it was great and ended up staying in the bath for about 1/2 an hour.  Cheap exercise too, as the glow sticks were $2 for a packet of 15 and I only used 5.

So busy!

I say it every year about this time:  I am so busy - next year I am not going to take on as much and yet the next year come right around the corner and before you know it, I have actually added to list instead of making it shorter.  I guess I just love helping others and my volunteering hand is on automatic - ie it jumps up into the air as soon as someone asks for help.  I managed to sit on it one year and not take on anything new, so I guess I might have to try that again next year.

It is however also Jayden's last year at Manuka (sob, sob).  I'm going to miss being a part of such a wonderful place.  I have truly enjoyed my time there, working with the kids on various things and on the Parent Support Group for the past 5 years, 4 of them as Chairperson.  But, with all good things, change is necessary and it's time for me to move on and change course and for someone else to step up and bring fresh ideas to the group.

So, my goal for 2013 is to stick with everything I am currently doing (aside from the PSG) and then not to take on any other roles.  Wish me luck!

Legs 11

How quickly the time flies.  Can't believe Jayden turned 11 in May.  

In the morning before school, we let him open up some of his presents.

 He was really thrilled with the M&M dispenser that Taryn bought him.

 And seemed to like the skull shirt.

 He thought the All Blacks duvet cover was pretty neat too.  He's actually quite an easy kid to please, as he appreciates everything that people give to him.

 He was blow away with the new sports watch that sported both analogue and digital displays.

 But I'm pretty sure his favourite was what he got that night before going to bed.  His first Swiss Army Pocket Knife.

 On the Sunday we had family over for afternoon tea and this is the rainbow cake I made for him.  7 layers - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo & Violet.  Complete with matching pebbles (although the green and violet pebbles were a bit pale in comparison.  Jayden just thought it was awesome, which is all that really matters.

More presents on Sunday - lollies & money

 Star Wars PlayStation game

 Puzzle of the London Underground.

 And as part of the present from Nan & Pop, firstly (as a joke) Special K - mum had seen it on special and knows how much Jayden loves it, so added a box to his present, which also included 2 pairs of shoes that he had pointed out previously, a pair of gloves and another puzzle.

 Jayden wanted to light the candles

 And then blew them out again.

All in all, a great birthday week for Jayden.

Milo the kitten

The kids begged us for ages to get a kitten.  We sat them down and discussed how they would need to be prepared to pay for her, her food, her vet bills etc.  We also said they would need to be the primary caregivers, cleaning up any accidents, cleaning out her litterbox box, feeding her etc.  The two of them discussed it, worked out the cost of everything and a plan of how much pocket money it would take each week and then agreed to go forward and get a kitten.

Due to some soft brown markings, they decided she looked like she had Milo stains down her back and so called her 'Milo'

She was so tiny when we brought her home, but grew super quickly.  Milo is a bit mischievous, so fits into our family well! 

She loves to cuddle up and fall asleep on us, or just sit on us and watch what's going on.

 Sometimes she lies down in some funny positions.

We love her dearly and hope she will be with us for a very long time. 

Bed Hut

Since he was a baby, Jayden has always liked to be wrapped when going to sleep.  Even at 10 he likes the feel of an extra blanket wrapped around him before the rest are pulled up over him.  

Lately he has also started to build low bed huts before going to sleep.  We try to keep it just to the weekends, as it's quite time consuming to get just right, but when he does, his smile says it all and he happily goes off to sleep.  He does a pretty good job too, as the huts last right through the night.  Quite different from me, in that I'm a bit too claustrophobic to be able to sleep in such a small enclosed space.

Oh and if you read the last post about his drawing on walls, you can see the totally stripped walls in these photos.  So far, so good - not one bit of new writing/drawing.  He may just get his room redecorated before his birthday!

Done drawing on walls...

...well, so he says anyway.  One of the ways Jayden would take out his frustraions in life was to write on his walls.  We let it slide for a while and then said he really needed to stop, which he said he had.  We decided that there was just so much on the walls, that it was hard to know if there was anything new there or not, so we have stripped the walls completely (was previously just the backing paper he was writing/drawing on) and have said if there is nothing new on there in a months time, we will redecorate his room.

Some unusual looking creations could be found on his walls.

Plus the notice to "stay out of my room"

And the final bit found behind the bedroom door... anyone know what a PW is?  Mike says he can think of one term, but don't think Jayden knows that term, so pretty sure that's not it.  We did ask him, but he says he wrote it a long time ago and can't remember now.  We had to laugh!

Will keep you posted as to how it goes.

Ouch!!!

Taryn loves her cricket and despite a few injuries and many bruises, just keeps playing.  A couple of weeks ago however, she had to seriously rest up as she received a massive bruise on one leg from a fast ball at practice and...

...had a small tear in her groin muscle on the other.  The school physio (who had previously played women's cricket for Northern districts herself), knew where Taryn was coming from in not wanting to miss a game, so she worked on her injury every other day, strapped her up well and gave her some exercises to do.  She did still end up having to miss 1 game (to which she still went to watch & support the team and was chomping at the bit to get on the field) and 1 practice, but was fit to play again within 2 weeks.  Physio Action are just awesome!