Rockpool Homeschool: Bathing Boxes

Help Gf Peeps!

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:01:16 +0000

I'm going to scout camp tonight. The boys and leaders are all eating together, but it's being organised by the other troop, so I have to cook my own GF food.

For breakfast I'll take yoghurt and meusli

I'm stuck on lunches, I usually have leftovers or toast, but I can't toast on camp and GF bread untoasted is vile! Obviously I'll take some fruit, but other than that I'm drawing a blank.

I need to sort out two dinners, well I think it's two dinners, perhaps it's one dinner. Hmmm anyway. What would you suggest that is easy to cook for just one person in just one pot.

The Final Friday

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:21:28 +0000

Normally, I don't believe in saying 'good morning' to the day until having a reasonable sleep and noticing the daylight and bird calls. But this time I am ready.

This time it is dd6's last day at school!! Woo Hoo!! This will be my last time stressing over making a school lunch --which she just might eat-- in a hurry while rushing around doing all those family maintenance things that you do bright and early, all without offending anyone or pushing them to tears from militaristic herding.

Didn't mean to be awake right now. Just spent an hour or two packing goodbye snacks for dd's classmates and writing thank you's to her teachers, (who really have been doing their best under insensitive leadership). It has been an emotional week, telling folks at school, getting ready to say, well not 'goodbye' as much as 'see ya-wouldn't wanna be ya'. Oh, and another funny phrase pops into my head, 'No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!' When I was a kid I always thought that was terribly naughty, but now at this moment it feels appropriate. (neither of these, by the way, would I feel comfortable saying outside this little TRP cyber circle--I'm too nice--and I hope it doesn't offend those of us who have a child in school. It's just working for me right now)

DD wrote a beautiful note to her classmates and to her teachers, which is so heartfelt and simple. I asked her if she told her closest friends yet and her response was, "I don't have any of those. My closest friend left the school." Which is true. After being with these kids for a full year, she hasn't made any significant attachments, so it really hasn't done much for her socialisation skills, unless you count learning how to not have someone to play with when you're surrounded by peers.

Well, here come those tears again. better get a few hours of sleep. I will greet the new day again in a few hours, but you may not see me here until much later...

I am so looking forward to getting my life back, loving my family, cleaning the house, listening to those morning bird calls together...

Hope you all are coping okay in those flooded districts.

Happy Friday!!

Growing Pains

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:31:48 +0000

My dd (aged 11) is having bad growing pains in her legs/ankles at the moment.

I am sure that I have read some good advice on the pool before about some supplements but I cant find it.

If you have any advice I would love to hear it.

Thanks heaps

Summer Is Coming ...

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:44:31 +0000

Having known several people who've had "near misses" with their children, I thought it was timely to remind people what to watch for this summer:

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/drowning/?10981

An example was one day after M's preschool swimming lesson, I was still drying her by the pool, and the next lesson (a Mum and Baby class) had started. One of the children from M's class was playing in the water, as her baby brother and Mum were in the pool. I had to save her from drowning, even though she was within five metres of both her Mum and a swimming instructor, it was a learner pool so the water was shallow enough for her to stand up in, and she had a floaty toy with her!

How did it happen? Well she half tipped off the floaty toy, so her legs were on it but her torso and head were under water. She could easily have rolled off it and stood up, but her instinct was to get her head above water, so she was uselessly flailing underwater while her elevated legs were preventing her from making any headway. There was no noise, no splashing (all the action was happening underwater), and nobody noticed until I looked up from drying M and saw what was happening. I was the only adult around, other than those in the pool who were busy cooing over their clever babies. I have no doubt that if I hadn't happened to be there the child would have died.

A horrible incident happened at our local pool in Porirua one time. (I was not present.) A toddler drowned in the spa pool. This smallish spa pool contained eight adults, including his mother, and a lifeguard was standing nearby. Again, NO SPLASHING, NO NOISE.

Young children especially can go directly into the drowning stage without any distress stage. Please be careful for summer!

Out Of Whack Wednesday

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:21:53 +0000

http://www.rockpoolhomeschool.com/public/style_emoticons/default/raise%20hand.gifHey everyone, we've just had one of those crazy weeks where you spontaneously loose three days and as a result I'm having a hard time convincing my brain that today is Wednesday not Monday. We've had a fabulous three days but I feel like I've been away from the Rockpool for EVAH. We ended up going as a family to the last two days of the World Science Fiction Convention. It was really awesome!!! The kids did workshops with one of the main design guys from WETA Studios and the illustrator Shaun Tan. They also played heaps of games and came to a couple of the lectures. I went to some really interesting workshops - mostly on History!!!! Possibly the most useful one was a panel discussion on how to use imaginative fiction in the new National Curriculum at High School Level. It was a really interesting discussion. Worth noting is the fact that the current online version of the curriculum (and the one teacher's are currently doing training on) is not the final document and that there are significant changes in the next version. Was interesting to hear how high school teachers are dealing with the document. As a kind of outsider I could see where they were going to have problems and how limiting the curriculum was going to be. It's funny how the aim in designing the curriculum is to give a broad scope and to be very socially aware but at the same time being quite prescriptive about what is taught and when, and yet in the end result, you can see quite clearly how the document is basically a collection of compromises designed by committee. It then has to be interpreted by the teachers and translated into practical terms.
One example of something the teachers were going http://www.rockpoolhomeschool.com/public/style_emoticons/default/pullhair.gif about was that there is a really heavy emphasis on poetry at each year level (not in itself bad but maybe somewhat out of proportion) which has resulted in things like at year 7 they are supposed to include a verse novel. They are basically all going what on EARTH are we going to use that is appropriate for 12 year olds? Plus ideally written by an Australian. Guess they'll be using that list on Wiki.

Another problem they have is time restraints. There was a bit of brainstorming about what people might use or not and there was some really good stuff that they simply couldn't use because it wouldn't fit into either the class time they had or it was simply too long to include in the term and year plans.

Touched-By-The-Little-Things Tuesday

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:53:20 +0000

It might sound a little corny, but it really is a morning when I'm finding the little things in life really important.

My teapot is giving me some great cuppas this morning. A couple of grevilleas are flowering for the first time. I threw the stovetop knobs into the dishwasher last night and they've come out gleaming. I've run out of washing powder so the washing machine is quiet. We've got leftovers for dinner. And I've got a good friend coming over later and I'm looking forward to a catch-up.

We've got a few things on today, so I'd better get a move on. We'll head down shortly to our swollen river to do our waterwatch stuff (great fun, as we get to play with chemicals and feel like evil scientists while we're actually doing something useful).

I also have some running around to do for our local homeschool group, and also for a local festival committee that dd12 and I are on.

Sending good vibes to those who are travelling, moving, living in temporary accom or otherwise doing it pretty tough at the moment.

Mustering Up For Monday

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:13:40 +0000

Time to roll up the sleeves for another week.
I need motivation by the cup full, as we've got a busy week ahead.
The most important part will be making sure meals are started in the crock pot before we head out, so I'm about to sketch out some ideas and maybe even freeze ahead when I can (so glad that I have a microwave again!)

One highlight this week is that Friday will be a visit to see some TRPers that live a fair bit away.
Anne!

Thinking about those in flood affected areas. I hope you're all safe, as well as anybody in NZ who is still needing to clean up after the 'quake.

Hope you all have a great week!

Dolphin Bubble Rings Video

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:23:07 +0000

Amazing! Eeee-eeeeee-eeeeeee!

Belated Weekend Thread

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:21:59 +0000

I probably won't have time to pop in tomorrow before we leave for Tasmania. A lot of washing and more importantly, drying to get done between now and when the boat sails tomorrow evening. Things keep cropping up that need to be done tomorrow morning so its going to be a busy day running errands, preparing and finishing the packing.

We're going to be in Hobart of 7 nights and Launceston for 2 nights. I'm hoping our accommodation is as nice IRL as it looks on the internet! I hope Bass Strait behaves itself- either way I'll be heavily dosed on Kwells.

Wishing everyone well for the next couple of weeks- I don't think I'll have web access, unless withdrawal gets too bad and I have to find an internet cafe somewhere. So 'see' you all when I get back.

Naplan "full Of Flaws"

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:18:54 +0000

http://www.theage.com.au/national/literacy-tests-full-of-flaws-20100904-14vd7.html

Actually, I think describing gigantic mistakes like that "flaws" is rather generous.

Would You Like To Assist The Kids At The Bali Orphanage?

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:02:01 +0000

Hello Folks, we are departing in a few days to ................

Have a break

Visit Green camp Bali (for a possible home school camp)

Visit a beautiful eco school

Visit www.thebaliorphanage.com where we will be assisting, teaching English, donating books & clothes & assisting with some educational resources.

If you would like to assist with a donation (even $2 will help) you can read all about it here
http://mystical-bali.blogspot.com/

& in particular
read
Feeling rather humbled suddenly about this trip after connecting with the orphanage
&
How to donate to The Bali Orphanage - thank you!

If not, but you are interested in the photos and adventures, feel free to look at the blog anyway

Thanks folks
Chat soon
Kind regards
Lesley

Earthquake In Nz

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:22:22 +0000

I read on the ABC website that there's been an earthquake in NZ, centred near Christchurch, with a magnitude of 7 or so.

There are no reports of serious injuries or deaths at this stage, but apparently there's heaps of building damage, roads damaged, rubble in the streets, etc, so doctors are on standby at this stage.

Just hoping here that our New Zealander TRPers are fine, and all of their families and friends are fine, including the families and friends of those who live here in Australia.....

Would love to have a report from you all when you get a chance. Praying for you all!

Bad Mummy

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:23:15 +0000

C went to Kid's Zone tonight. 7-9pm. I was chatting to my SIL when I mentioned C as suddenly realized he wasn't home yet. It was only 9:20. So I flew out of the house, drove to church with adrenaline coursing through my veins. Only to find him happily playing with one of the leaders kids and completely oblivious to the fact the Mummy was 1/2 and hour late.

Fanciful Friday

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:21:55 +0000

Based on a conversation with a friend last night, I'm going to pose this question today:

Which celebrity/famous person have you been told you look like?

In the past I was told I looked like Alanis Morrisette and, more disturbingly, Doris Schwartz from Fame. I like to think I'm more of a Monica Belluci, personally.

Hope you all have a super day!

Williamstown Books

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:14:55 +0000

I was in Williamstown today and spotted this book store.
First of all, the prices were amazingly cheap, most were $20 or under.
Secondly, they had a HUGE history selection.

Definitely worth a browse if you are in the area, but they also have a website
http://williamstownbooks.libro.com.au

Thursday

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:07:18 +0000

Morning all

It's Thursday once more and as I'm very thankful for all your support and love while I delt with my wisdom tooth tribulations I thought I'd title this thread thankful cause I am.

I think we are all so lucky to have each others unconditional support "So thanks"

Other than a kids party on Saturday (if I decide to go? I can use the extraction as an excuse right?) we are not doing anything special. Just hanging around the house and making fathers day cards for Sunday.
Whats on your agenda this weekend?

Raised Wicking Garden Beds

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:21:41 +0000

We are going to put our veggie patch beds in this weekend, following this guide:
http://www.theruralindependent.com/garden-projects/wicking-beds

Instead of bolting the sleepers together, I wanted to use cut outs and a metal peg system such as the ones used here:
http://www.naturalyards.com.au/about/faq.html#easy

So in my wanderings around the hardware store today I could only find 3m lengths of metal, which need to be cut down to size. That means a cutting disc for the angle grinder, as well as about $100 worth of metal rods

Can anyone think of a more economical way to create some metal pins/pegs? They need to be about 70 cm long, and about 12mm diameter.

All help with brainstorming or search phrasing suggestions appreciated

Heath Insurance

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:57:27 +0000

Hi Everyone.

We moved to Australia 6 years ago and took out health insurance when we arrived (HCF). We did this because immigrants are exempt from the over 35 loading if they take out insurance quickly, and at that time we were earning enough to make it worthwhile (cheaper than the alternate tax).

We pay about $2000 a year, money which we could gladly redirect elsewhere.

The only claims that we have made so far are for dental (DS had a tooth extracted), chiropractic care and my contact lenses. I didn't bother to go private for my DD's birth. I'm not comfortable with the idea of a two tier medical system, however I would put our heath above any qualms every time.

I am worried about relinquishing cover in case anything serious were to happen to any of us. Both of my parents died relatively young due to cancer so I am a bit neurotic about our health.

DH's argument is that we would be better to save the premiums and pay for treatment as and when we need it. He feels that once the gap payments/medicare rebates are taken into account, private helthcare doesn't really save you much. He has also heard from anecdotally that as soon as you go private, the costs of every test etc are bumped up,leaving you no better off.

I don't really know what the system is like here, so I would love to hear from you if you can give me any insight about the following issues. I don't want to pry, and am happy for you to PM me if you would like to keep your details private.

Does private heath cover mean that you saw a specialist/received treatment more quickly?

How much of any major treatment did your fund cover, and how much did you end up paying yourself?

Given your own experience, or that of people close to you, do you have a strong opinion about the value of private health care?

Thanks in advance, Kirsty

Wet, Waining Wednesday

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:46:20 +0000

Happy Spring everybody!!!

Spring? I hear the Southern Aussies say, lol What is that? It is coming, I promise! Cherry Blossoms are on the trees, it must be coming, right?

This morning we woke to coldness, and as my 2 year old says Yots of wain.

We are still in the Breakfast hour here, it always seems to drag on. Then we have washing, cleaning up DD6 bedroom, book work for the kids and I have some spring colouring sheets for the little ones, although now I am wondering if it might confuse them with our weather today

We also need to round up all the library books so they are ready for tomorrow morning. I'd rather get the searching done today, rather than before we are heading out the door!

What have others got planned for today?

Tuesday Tea

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:21:23 +0000

It is a funny morning here today, I am trying to wind up our space unit and things keep getting sidetracked- Mr7 just leaned how to play naughts and crosses so we keep having to play another game please Mum I am trying to do a tidy up and I am having a few very involved email conversations that I needed to reply to, and its 9:16 and apparently that is morning tea time today- we have a caramel mud cake in the fridge, it did take me a while to cotton on to why Mr11 was asking me over and over if I want a cuppa- even though I was drinking one.

Its a lovely morning here with a forecast today of 25- tomorrow it will be spring

Hope other TRP children are more productive than my two are today, I need to go and have cake - urgently apparently! Wishing all a wonderful day.

Free Seed Postacards

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:09:36 +0000

While at the council this morning I came across recycled paper postcards with seeds scattered through them, they were free and you just plant the whole thing, much like the seed sticks, they had thyme, chamomile,swan river daisy's, Alyssum and oregano, then at the library they had a display with them growing.
We grabbed some and thought maybe some other libraries may have some too, so maybe check next time you go

they had a website on the postcard... http://www.scrubaustralia.com.au/index.php

Ella

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:37:06 +0000

I had a terrible dream last night. Andrew said I was whimpering in my sleep.

I was in the library of the local public school and there were a lot of the children I know quite well from spending so much of my time at school and because one of them is still Erin's friend. My children weren't there. A wall of bookshelves fell down and crushed the children - three of them died. In my dream I was howling.

At first I was thinking "Where on earth did THAT come from?"

It wasn't until I was describing it to Andrew, I realised. Yesterday when I mentioned Bulli and its coal I was reminded that I'd meant to look up some info on the Bulli mining disaster so I googled. The last couple of lines in the wikipedia entry mentioned the old railway bridge and how it had been restored for use as a pedestrian bridge after "an accident involving the death of a school child." That happened ten years ago and it wasn't just a schoolchild, that was our neice Ella. She was 7.

It was national news and prompted a government review of safety around schools. That was mostly because Ella had spoken in a local TV segment where the school had campaigned to make the crossing safer, and she was a stunningly beautiful child. The media lapped it up. Some locals wanted to name the bridge "Ella's bridge" but her mum (Andrew's sister) declined as it wasn't Ella's bridge -- if it had been there before, she'd still be here too.

Ella loved school, although her mother was haunted by the memory that she had begged not to go that day because she wanted to go and see her little cousin (Our E who was only 18 months old) We had just moved into the area. She was a generous little soul - forever giving away her toys but partly because she knew her adoring daddy or gran would replace anything she asked them to. She was very self-possessed and could get on well with people of all ages. She was interested in horses, dogs, dancing and all things pink and sparkly. Family was very important to her. She lived her short life to the fullest.

She is part of the reason we we wanted to move to this area. I could see what a trully happy and fulfilled child she was and she adored E. She's also part of the reason we homeschool because she made me realise a few things about life, including that childhood is all the life some people get and it's important they get the chance to live it.

I suppose it's no different to reporting the death of a miner or the death of a pilot, but to me it seems a lot worse to have our Ella labelled a schoolchild.

Happy Birthday Glimpse!

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:42:15 +0000

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/wafpaf/glitter/happybirthday/happybirthday17.gif

Hope you have a fantastic day!

Monday's Minutiae

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:21:32 +0000

Don't you just love that word? It so accurately defines much of what we do as stay-at-home mothers (or even working mothers for that matter). Yet without those minute details, things would soon fall apart.

P has decided to take his day off today- a wise move for him after his full-on weekend. So I have the day to do as I wish. I wish to work in the garden, seeing as the weather is spring-like and I have a few punnets of seedlings to plant out. I'm going to have a go at making some wire cages to keep the birds and mice and snails out because one of those parties, or perhaps all of them, is guilty of eating everything green down to the ground.

When I've had enough of that, I have plenty of bits and pieces to do inside and will kind of be moving towards getting ready for Tassie next week. We're having a house sitter this time so I also need to leave the house respectable. So all week I'll be sorting, putting away, making lists and packing. There are some over-ripe bananas that need to morph into muffins too!

What minutiae will be receiving your attention today?

School Holidays? What's That?

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:10:32 +0000

Just realising that many of the nearby hs-ers will be doing their own thing during the school holidays in a couple weeks... and we've just begun to make connections.

Which local meet-up groups will continue through the school holidays? (We're in the eastern subs, more north than south, more inney than outey --Balwyn-- and we may find ourselves on the Mornington peninsula for a few days)

If anyone is interested in getting together with dd6 and ds3, especially if your dc are aged 3-9/10, please pm me. http://www.rockpoolhomeschool.com/public/style_emoticons/default/raise%20hand.gif We're always happy to make new friends.

Thanks, TRP folks.

Jackie

Raised Garden Beds - Aldi Special Buys 2 Sept

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:41:00 +0000

Aldi have a DIY raised garden bed flat pack on sale next week:

http://www.aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_15027.htm

I'm not sure of the dimensions, but they look fairly reasonably priced.

Weekend Ramblings...

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:33:33 +0000

Hey everyone,

How is your weekend going?

We've been rock climbing tonight, and I took ds to one of the university open days today, so he could get more of an idea about what he wants to study at tertiary level. I took the opportunity to sit in on a nutrition course information session, and am thinking about my return to the workforce/study at some future date...

Tomorrow I hope to dig out the sewing machine. There are also the Farmer's Markets, and ds has his maths tutoring session in the morning. dh is up visiting FIL and getting in some surfing this weekend, but he'll be home again tomorrow night.

I hope that everyone who is ill is feeling better, and that those in the wet areas are getting some sunshine this weekend

Frazzled Friday

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:52:22 +0000

Good Morning All- while it is still morning.

Busy, busy, busy here today, we are finished our school work and into the house cleaning and needing to head into Grafton after lunch- library and tennis today

Mr7 has definately caught the reading bug and is reading a chapter book out loud whilst he is cleaning up his room

The is out and it is so it wont take long to dry.

Hope everyone is having a great day, you all must be very busy especially Cath our Friday 5 girl, she is probably off swashbucking somewhere whilst whipping up something delicious

Have a lovely weekend and I hope everyone is feeling better.

Thursday Thread

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:24:58 +0000

Good Morning All

We have a busy day today so I am just dropping in to say good morning.

Wishing everyone well today and all those who are unwell, sad or lonely a healing day.

Kathy- you are in my thoughts and I am hoping to hear from my visitors soon- Kym where are you

Does Anybody Know... What To Do With Dead Frying Pans?

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:48:42 +0000

So we have a dead frying pan. The non-stick coating is coming off in huge flakes. As far as I understand, you aren't supposed to use them once the coating starts to degrade. What I want to know now is, is it recyclable? As in, should I stick it in our recycling bin? I guess it's aluminium but it may have a copper bit inside the base. It doesn't say anywhere on it and I just can't remember. The base is quite thick and it's jolly heavy. Seems awful just to put it in the general rubbish. Any suggestions?