School Holidays crafting baking

That big one of mine is getting so independent.  She's often in the mood for baking and jumps on the computer to find a recipe or a new craft activity. She's embraced the blogging ethic and is even taking photos of her activities.

 Cinnamon Biscuits artfully arranged by the Big Bowerbird.

 Pipe cleaner craft (love how she set up this picture)

 Playing crazy games

The entertainer 

 Flourless chocolate cakes with hazelnuts, fudgy goodness.

  I'll have to put up the pictures of the World Peace Cookies she made later, they're as good as Gandhi.

 Photographer

 I'm going to miss her when she goes back to school, feels like the holidays are rushing by.

Car Travel with Kids

The journey home from Phillip Island was remarkably quick and peaceful.  Especially as I slept half the way.  We have a little car and its pretty squishy in the back for the Bowerbirds, especially with the car seat. This forced extreme closeness doesn't always bode well for Bowerbird harmony. Fortunately the littlest nodded off quickly and some activity books helped the other two keep occupied.  The middle Bowerbird got a set of Action Packs for Christmas and was really enjoying  playing the car trip treasure hunt that had a list of things to find,it's surprising how hard it can be to find a VW Beetle.  It would be fun to make up our own treasure hunt for the next trip - could even add some sight specific markers to look out for - like the Giant Koala or the sea on Phillip Island.

 It rained for two days following our departure so not the worst time to leave the beach. I took this from the car before I nodded off.

Do you have any favourite games for long car trips?

Pip's Potato Curry and Slowing Down

 I made this last week and can highly recommend it

 Pip's Potato Curry.  

For the recipe visit

http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2011/12/pips-potato-curry.html

 Goes very well with this on a warm summer's evening. The recipe was quite generous and I enjoyed sharing it with my parents the following day for lunch. I would put more onion in next time, we have plenty drying by the back door at the moment.

 The only problem with sitting outdoors on warm summer evenings.

Middle Bowerbird showing us his self portrait.

 Growing his first adult tooth.

 Check out those last day of school black rings under his eyes. Utterly exhausted.

The Big Bowerbird cried in the supermarket getting icy poles after her last day of school, it was hot and she was so tired and recovering from a nasty cold, bless her little heart.

Loving the holidays, sleep ins (thanks mum) and slower pace of life.