thirst for change

Remember these guys? Well we went back to see the finished mural. It was beautiful - although slightly hidden away. The text reads: "Do not waste water even before a flowing river." Once in Hanoi, where we had stopped for a day on the way to Europe, I saw an old man squatting by a lake in a public park. He was washing his hands with great care. He used one teacup of water.

In our house we are conscious of the sound of rushing water, dripping taps. We catch the warming shower water in a red watering can and water the strawberries out the front. I cannot imagine the kids playing with a running hose. But still our taps gush, we waste more than a drop or two.

Homeless World Cup - Melbourne 2008

So what are you two up to then?

Well we are eating some chips and then we are off to see the
Homeless World Cup.

A mini-stadium set up in Birrarung Marr. 56 nations competing. 15 minutes games.
This is Australia playing Zimbabwe.

At first it's boiling hot and we are running back to the car for forgotten hats and suncreen.
Then suddenly - a little rainstorm - just ten minutes. The little stadium cleared but we sheltered at the back underneath the flags. It was lovely. Soon it stopped.

Ella afterwards asked 'what is homeless?' And 'who won?'
Everyone.

my beautiful friend

Married in a tranquil garden with a stormy sky and rainbow-bouncing bubbles.

the smell of green

We've had lovely rain lately.

street seat

We went for a city walk and found: a big-issue seller with a lovely voice, some street-seats at the top of Centre Way, a very long queue to see the Myer Christmas windows, some new and completed street art, and our favourite curry house.

house-bound house-found 3 - sticky tape

And how about this little mixed collection of craftyness, reading practice and green found on the kitchen table?

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Sticky-tape- how it is loved in this house. There is nothing my girl cannot mend or create with a few bits and pieces and some sticky tape, which she much prefers to glue any day - so in case you're in need, here are a few sticky tape ideas: make a laptop with a plastic box, bits of paper and stickytape; stickytape a buckle back onto a broken shoe; stickytape a button to a door as a doorbell; stickytape a torn hat back together; stickytape some buttons to a small cardboard box to make a mobile; stickytape fabric scraps onto small dolls as clothes, make a sculpture from some stickytape, feathers and a large cardboard box ...

house-bound house-found 2

Ale's birthday star, Ella's skirt design, love bag, alphabet, bye-bye in chinese, Ella's jobs, cupboard of tiny found things, Blondie lyrics, and Proper Moments for Drinking Tea ...

christmas crafty plans (present ideas carefully hidden), collage dragon (from school), recipe for 'icky-sticky fruit pops', paintings, mandala

Folding girls, dolphins, people and stars - a project with Nana.

house-bound house-found

We are a little bit house-bound at the moment - and spending a lot of time in familiar spaces. So these pictures are of our everyday things, things I see all day everyday. The tour goes like this:

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Stop 1: inside the the dishwasher

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Stop 2: on the wall with the skillet and pan

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Stop 3: back to the dishwasher - the shiny side

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Stop 4: the big picture - whole kitchen

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one of each

examine and see

ring the bells

On a walk - we were invited to ring the bells - the tall standing bells at Birrarung Marr.

ring the bells that still can ring

forget your perfect offering

I am going to school

Orange hat, green hoody, lime dress, rainbow leggings, pink socks, red boots - tall little girl full of anticipation. We went to Ella's first school orientation visit - she was so keen and nervous and shy.

And just a moment ago:

Ella's recycling talk

Ella did a talk on recycling at the Storytime session at our local library today. Walking along one day Ella saw some rubbish on the ground and was wondering why people didn't recycle their rubbish. We talked about how some people don't know about recycling or how important it is. She wrote to the children's librarian, her friend Jeanette, and asked if she could do a talk on recycling to the kids at Storytime. Jeanette thought that was a great idea. Ella planned how it would go and we made a poster and she designed an activity for the kids (colour in the recylable and stick it on the recycling truck). She was so nervous, but there was no question she was going ahead with it. She's a strong, smart girl. My heart swelled to see her growing into herself so beautifully.

my little brother Jamie

Ella says: I took this photo by myself and it's one of my favourite photos. I like it because he's got wide eyes and the way he's shaped his lips. And he's staring at the camera. I was standing right next to Jamie.

under my desk as I work

what you see - around and about

Playdough Shop

Ella says: My friend Kaelan made some chocolate mice and I made lots of different little biscuits and cuppacakes.

boy microwaving

Here are some of things Jamie likes to microwave: little dolls, jewellry, puzzle-pieces, a hat, his milk-cup, rubber animals, plastic food, a chocolate-chip cookie, textas