Wednesday 23 July 2014

Wordless Wednesday 23 July

Just last weekend a rare moment in Auckland.



It was a bit cold on my bare toes as I tip toed outside to take this.

I am linking this post to My Little Drummer Boys.

Monday 21 July 2014

Monday Menu 21 July

The first week of term 3 of our school year has just started.  I am feeling like I have not had a holiday and it is only the end of the first day of the term.  Hmmm

Winter is well and truly here and there will be no more breaks for the school holidays for 10 weeks.  Oh I can't wait. 

So here is my menu for this week.

Monday  beef wraps

Tuesday  steak potato and green vege steamed.

Wednesday  beef stirfry  (creamy coconut sauce to go)

Thursday  chicken and corn quesadillas

Friday   Pumpkin soup with homemade bread.

Saturday  mediterranean Bonelss Pork Chops

Sunday  left overs.


I am linking this post to I'm an Organising Junkie.

Friday 18 July 2014

Fridays Fabulous Five # 60



Here is my week of finds

I would love to be linked to any of your favouite finds.

Just what does it take to create a science project for school.......Not my project.

In my opinion it takes a lot of skill to teach your child how to take pride in their projects.  There are many components to a fantastic project and for me the list looks something like this.....Ok I am a teacher and that makes my thoughts will be scewed a little.

In no particular order


  •  Help find/ get the research material necessary for the project.
  • The research and content of the project needs to be the child's own work.  It needs to be edited and proof read with the teachers support.
  • Have all printer charged up ready to go with ink and paper.
  • Marker pens, felt tips pens, pencils, erasers, rulers etc (Make sure your ruler is a long one)
  • Finally a tonne of patience for the planning of the presentation and assembly


So exactly how much help is too much. 

In my opinion my 10 year old son, who had never been asked to complete any science project like this before, needed some basic direction.  His report about Pluto was written at school.  Everything else he planned and completed at home.  I provided the balls that made the model, the display board.  We found around the house everything else you see. 

As for laying out his project I showed him how to cut out his work using my cutter, how to line up all his report so they were straight on the page and spaced nice to the eye.  Of course there is the place and look twice before using the double sided tape.

My son painted and put glitter on the board, he drew coloured in etc the central panel, he drew the orbiting patterns (I provided the idea of using liquid white out at the planet paths).  He wrote all the interesting facts etc.  It took a whole day to assemble this project.  The model was made a few weeks earlier by putting paper mache photos of the planet, onto the model. 

Wow it was fabulous.  I would say 95% his own work.  My guidance the other 5%.

Oh he came second too and of course I am so proud not only of his effort and care with his presentation but that he came second too.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Wordless Wednesday 16 July

A quick snap shop through the window this afternoon.  No editing of the photo just uploaded as it was taken.



I am linking this to My Little Drummer Boys.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Monday Menu 14 July

My blog took a break.  It is the middle of the school year here and we have a two week school holiday.  I needed some time to relax and do the things that you when it is the middle of winter and school holidays. 

So here I am this week back with a fresh look at life and one that is not so sleep deprived.

Monday  Easy Fried rice

Tuesday  baked potato, steak and green vege.

Wednesday vegetable spring rolls with vegetable stirfry

Thursday   beef pie (using filo pastry) and salad

Friday  pumpkin soup with homemade bread.

Saturday  Shish kebab on rice with salsa

Sunday  leftovers.

I am linking this post to I'm an Organising Junkie

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Wordless Wednesday 2 July

7am last Friday after dropping my DD at school hockey practise.  Auckland Sky Tower from my cell phone.



I am linking this post to My Little Drummer Boys.

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Mondays Menu 30 June

The last week of the school term and here I am trying to stay on top of things before the holidays hit and our busy schedule

Monday  steak, baked potato and green vege.

Tuesday  beef burger

Wednesday  beef and vegetable stirfry

Thursday  spaghetti bolognaise.

Friday  bacon and egg pie green salad

Satuday  pumpkin soup with homemade bread.

Sunday  leftovers


I am linking this to I'm an Organising Junkie.