The upside of having a bored 10 year old home from school

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Mika

Yesterday, the schools were closed due to the snow.

My bored 10 year old decided to do some baking. (Yus!)

Chocolate Chips Muffins

Apple Crumble

Thank you Edmonds Junior Cookbook for her inspiration! (We added rolled oats to the apple crumble recipe, and swapped out the blueberries and added chocolate chips to the muffin recipe.)

I love the illustrations in this recipe book. It helped my daughter do the majority of the baking by herself.

I remember collecting illustrated recipes similar to these ones from magazines when I was her age.

The recipes are written and illustrated by Mary Pat Fergus, and she has illustrated other recipe books as well (although, a lot of them were published years ago.)

By the way, this isn’t a paid review…although it sure does sound like one! hehehe

FREE School Holiday Events for Young Children. Wellington April 2011

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Mika

	Mon 18/4	Tue 19/4	Wed 20/4	Thu 21/4	Fri 22/4	Sat 23/4
All Day				Easter Fun Day @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	Home-grown Family Trail @ Te Papa	Home-grown Family Trail @ Te Papa
10am-11am						“Easter Theme” DIY Clinic @ Bunnings, Porirua
11am-12pm	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Shoe Talk and Activities @ Te Papa	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza
	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate		Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate
	Edible Plants Talk & Activity @ Te Papa			Science at the library @ Johnsonville Library
12pm-1pm	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza	Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza		Create Your Own Easter Gift @ North City Plaza
	Edible Plants Talk & Activity @ Te Papa	Make Your Own Poi @ Te Papa
1pm-2pm	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate	Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate		Monty’s Birthday Carnival @ Queensgate
		Make Your Own Poi @ Te Papa
2pm-3pm		Science at the library @ Cummings Park Library
3pm-4pm			Birds, Wings and Flying Things @ Miramar Library

	Mon 25/4	Tue 26/4	Wed 27/4	Thu 28/4	Fri 29/4	Sat 30/4
All Day	Home-grown Family Trail @ Te Papa	Creativity Centre @ Queensgate	Creativity Centre @ Queensgate	Creativity Centre @ Queensgate	Creativity Centre @ Queensgate
			PlaNet Pasifika Family Day @ Te Papa
10am-11am						“Mother’s Day” DIY Clinic @ Bunnings, Porirua
11am-12pm		“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre
					Traditional Maori Games @ Te Papa
12pm-1pm		Make Your Own Poi @ Te Papa
1pm-2pm		“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre	“Under Water Adventure“ Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Centre
		Make Your Own Poi @ Te Papa
2pm-3pm				Science at the library @ Karori Library	Science at the library @ Wadestown Library
3pm-4pm				Birds, Wings and Flying Things @ Kilbirnie Library

Back & Beyond & Here

This exhibition explores Wellington’s identity through art. The works in this exhibition were all made in Wellington, are by Wellington artists, or they come from Wellington collections. Activities and interactives are at the core of the exhibition design with various tactile elements keeping the area one of playful exploration.

Date: Now until Sunday 29 May

Time: 10am-5pm

Location: Wellington City & Sea, Queens Wharf, 3 Jervois Quay, Wellington

Scavenger Hunt

NC Duck has lost all of his Easter eggs! You can help him find them by joining in our fun Scavenger Hunt in-centre and you could be in to win a yummy Butlers Chocolate Easter Prize Pack!

Date: Saturday 16 April – Sunday 1 May

Time: Store Hours

Location: Visit the Customer Service Desk at North City Plaza, Porirua to pick up your scavenger hunt clues and entry form.

One entry per person only. Children must be aged under 12 years and bring in their completed Scavenger Hunt entry form by Sunday 1 May 2011 to be in the draw. Full terms and conditions apply and are available at the Customer Service Desk.

Monty’s Birthday Carnival

Throw on your party outfits, it’sMonty’s birthday and you’re invited. Over the school holiday, Westfield Queensgate will come alive with dancing, music, prizes and one very happy monkey.

Date: Monday 18 April to Thursday 21 April

Time: 11am and 1pm

Location: Westfield Queensgate, Lower Hutt

Edible plants – do you know what you’re eating?

Do you want to learn which parts of well-known plants are edible and which aren’t? It’s really worth knowing if you want to avoid stomach cramps, vomiting, and death. So come and meet Te Papa’s botanists. And there’s a free craft activity – start your own herbarium of edible plants!

Date: Monday 18 April

Time: 11am-12pm

Location: NatureSpace, Level 2, Te Papa, Wellington

Create Your Own Easter Gift

Come along to North City Shopping Centre to join in the fun and decorate your very own Easter Bunny photo frame to take home. Spaces are limited to 24 children at any one time. Children must be aged between 3-12 years old. Parents/Guardians must be present.

Date: Monday 18 April – Saturday 23 April (excluding Friday 22 April)

Time: 11am – 2pm

Location: Centre Court, North City Plaza, Porirua

Make Your Own Poi

Learn how to make your own poi. Then bring them back to Te Huka ā Tai on Friday 29 April for some dramatic whirling and twirling during the Ngā Taonga Tākaro Traditional Māori Games Discovery Hour!

Date: Tuesday 19 April and Tuesday 26 April

Time: 12pm-2pm

Location: Te Huka a Tai, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Science at the library

Come along to Cummings Park Library and join a real scientist doing crazy science things. Best suited for 6-11 year olds please.

Date: Tuesday 19 April

Time: 2pm

Location: Cummings Park Library, 1a Ottawa Road, Ngaio

Birds, Wings and Flying Things

Holiday Programme at Miramar Library

Date: Wednesday 20 April

Time: 3pm-4pm

Location: Miramar Library , 68 Miramar Avenue, Miramar

Easter Fun Day

Come join Zappo, Mr Magic and Dazzle Face Painting for a fun Thursday of Easter Magic. Also, meet the Easter Bunny.

Date: Thursday 21 April

Location: Johnsonville Shopping Centre

Science at the Library

Watch crazy chemical reactions, feel the forces of nature and bag some books to fill your brain with knowledge. Free and fun activities for primary and intermediate students!

Date: Thursday 21 April

Time: 11am-12pm

Location: Johnsonville Library, 5 Broderick Road, Johnsonville

Shoe Talk and Activities

Hoof it to Te Papa ain your favourite shoes and enjoy stories about fascinating footwear from Te Papa’s collection. Curator Lynette Townsend has some great examples to show you. When she’s finished telling you about fabulous shoes from times past, you’ll have heaps of fun with shoe-themed activities for the whole family!

Date: Friday 22 April

Time: 11am-12pm

Location: Inspiration Station, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Home-grown Family Trail

Grab a free family trail from Inspiration Station and you’re away! Take the kids on an ‘I spy’ tour through the Home-grown section of Slice of Heaven (that’s the grassy bit) and help them discover the past.

Date: Friday 22 April –Monday 25 April 2011

Time: 10am – 6pm and 10am – 9pm on Thursdays

Location: Inspiration Station and Slice of Heaven, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Kids DIY Clinic

Workshops are free for children over the age of 5 and must be accompanied by an adult.

Date: Saturday 23 April (Easter Theme) and Saturday 30 April (Mother’s Day Gift)

Time: 10am

Location: Bunnings Warehouse, 9 Heriot Drive, Porirua

“Under Water Adventure” Show

Come and join Captain Zappo, Sydney Shark and Helena Queen of the Seas on a magical “Under water Adventrue’

Date: Tuesday 26 April – Friday 29 April

Time: 11am – 1pm

Location: Johnsonville Shopping Centre

Free Creativity Centre

Come and play at the free Creativity Centre. Kids aged 4-10 can join us for a whole hour of crafts, dress ups, story time and heaps of other exciting activities. There is no booking required, rather a “first in first served”. The Creativity
Centre can take 15 children at one time.

Date: Tuesday 26 April – Friday 29 April

Time: 10.30am-2.30pm

Location: Queensgate, Lower Hutt

PlaNet Pasifika Family Day

Who’s up for some strumming and drumming at PlaNet Pasifika? Celebrate Pasifika music all day with free music workshops, art, and craft activities. Free entry, except for $3 craft activity 11am-noon

Date: Wednesday 27 April

Time: 10am-4pm

Location: PlaNet Pasifika, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Science at the library

Come along to Karori Library and join a real scientist doing crazy science things. Best suited for 6-11 year olds please.

Date: Thursday 28 April

Time: 2pm

Location: Karori Library, 247 Karori Road, Karori

Birds, Wings and Flying Things

Holiday Programme at Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie Library)

Date: Thursday 28 April

Time: 3pm-4pm

Location: Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie Library), 101 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie

Traditional Maori Games – Ngā Taonga Tākaro

Learn about traditional Māori games with the Rangatahi Tū Rangatira (R2R) team from Kokiri Marae. Bring the whole whānau (family)!

Date: Friday 29 April

Time: 11am-12pm

Location: Te Huka ā Tai, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Science at the library

Come along to Wadestown Library and join a real scientist doing crazy science things. Best suited for 6-11 year olds please.

Date: Friday 29 April

Time: 2pm

Location: Wadestown Library, Corner of Moorhouse Street and Lennel Road, Wadestown

Easy Kids Craft: Fortune Cookies

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Mika

After watching the video from last week’s 5 Great Finds: Fortune Cookie Edition. All my kids went away and started making their own versions of fortune cookies.

The following craft, is one my 5 year old and 10 year old came up with. In step 4, where you put the message in, I have included two ways you can insert the message.

All you need is:

Cardboard Circles (These are some that I rescued from being thrown out..score! You can easily cut your own.)

Small pieces of paper with messages in it (My daughter put messages like: you are smart, you are good at sports etc and gave them to all of us)

Where’s Wally? Where’s Mummy!?! Getting out from behind the camera

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Mika

So here’s what I have realised. I have hardly any photos of myself!

Making more of an effort to get out from behind the camera has been on my mind, on and off over the last couple of years. We even bought a smaller camera with the idea that the kids could take photos of the family…and hopefully with me in it too!

Then a few days ago, I was asked to submit a photo for something. I went searching and I was shocked at how few photos I am in. Absolutely shocked.

If I wanted to change this, I needed to be a wee bit more demanding, “ok, now take a photo of me!”

I also needed to get over myself.

I remember last year, when I really grasped the fact that, how we look every day: no make up, our hair doing all sorts of funny things and daggy clothes etc, is how our kids see us every…single…day. So they are going to love that photo of us even if we are “unpolished”, because that person they are hugging in the photo is their reality.

For my children, I want them to have photos of me with them.

And for me, I want to accept and love the person in the photo….au naturel.

I have been challenging myself, by taking opportunities to snap photos of myself. I just set up the tripod and away I go.

Sometimes, instead of using the tripod I get the kids to take the photos.

I didn’t realise that this exercise would reward me with such fun (and funny) photos. None of these photos were taken by another adult. The shots inside were on a tripod (I bought a bundle similar to this S1800 model where you will see my mini tripod). The shots outside were taken by me or the kids using our Fujifilm FinePix S1600. (I usually shoot with a Canon 10D)

This is the mantra: It isn’t about perfection, it is about the memories….now breath! And take the photo!

Housework and Fun?? It is possible!

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Mika

What is it about the New Year looming that make us scrurry to get our houses in order before New Years Eve?

If you are like me and have been enjoying the Christmas break tooo much but now the mess is getting under your skin, here is a post from New Year’s Eve last year. It really did work, with the kids help, we got the house in order and had fun at the same time!

Can you guess what I’ll be doing today?!

It’s been a great week of relaxing. Yesterday, we went on another of my favourite bushwalks in Khandallah that ends up at the Khandallah Playground.

This morning, hubby and I worked on our goals for the year.

Next, was getting the house back in order!

On small pieces of paper we wrote what job needed to be done and a fun a game. The aim was to do the job for 20 mins, then stop and play the game as a family for 10mins. We put all the pieces of paper in a container and took turns drawing out the job and associated game. This worked well for our children aged 8, 7 and 5…my 2 year old pottered around, and helped out here and there. It also kept me from getting overwhelmed by focusing on a small job rather than the entire house….oh! and focusing on the game at the end didn’t harm either! We also took plenty of food breaks, and kept things light and fun!

This is what we got done today:

JOB: My youngest daughter’s room. GAME: Musical Statues

JOB: My son’s room. GAME: Hide and seek

JOB: Laundry. GAME:Trampoline

: My hubby flipping the kids on the tramp

JOB: Kitchen. GAME: “Don’t eat the Prophet!” (An alternative to “Dont eat Pete” that the kids were taught at church. I have pictures of prophets that I scattered on the floor, then we put a lolly on each of the prophet’s face. One person covers their eyes or goes out of the room, while the group chooses one of pictures to be “it”. When the player returns, they eat the lollies one at a time; but the minute they touch the picture that is “it” we all yell out “DON’T EAT THE PROPHET” OR “DON’T EAT PETE!” Their turn is over and the next player leaves the room. Continue until all have had a turn.)

JOB: Hallways. GAME: Tickle Monster

JOB: Family Room. GAME: Watched a DVD before bedtime.

Well, I’m off to play Guitar Hero which we rented to rock in 2010!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

I also appreciate your lovely comments, I love reading them!

See you all in 2010!

Repost from last year http://jugglingmotherhood.com/2009/12/31/fun-and-housew…it-is-possible/

Water fun at Willowbank Park

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Mika

We went out exploring at Willowbank Park in Tawa today. We bypassed the playground, and crossed the river to see where the bush walk would lead us.

We found a fantastic sturdy pine tree branch to catapult the kids into the air.

The stepping-stones across the river was a great find (but I was a bit nervous I would fall into the water with my camera!)

We explored along the river and the kids had fun finding sticks and leaves to throw into the water and watch the current take them away.

We found a small waterfall. The kids loved the sensation of the water rushing over their hands and feet.

My 6 year old fell a couple of times, and had a lovely muddy bottom to show for it.

We ended our outing with the kids favourite activity…throwing rocks into the river.

We have all been enjoying our time at home over the last couple of days. I was almost tempted to stay inside today, as the kids were so content playing with their toys (especially since they bought some new toys yesterday with their Christmas money from Grandad. They were in heaven.) You never know when the next stint of bad weather will come your way, so I thought we’d better get out of the house (and leave the laundry and cleaning for another day!)

Christmas 2010 Highlights

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Mika

Going to the Telecom Tree on Christmas Eve with the Family.

Then, heading over to join the big crowd outside the house in Oriental Parade, to try and make enough noise to make the sound activated Christmas lights light up.

Watching the Nativity scene in the Joy to the World DVD on Christmas morning on our bed with the kids.

The kids made Christmas presents for the family this year. I loved seeing the excitement of the giver and receiver. A lot of thought and effort was put into the making of the gifts over the past couple of months. It was really special to see the kids show genuine appreciation when they received the presents. Probably one of my favourite parts of the day.

Our special banquet breakfast (lots of favourite food and drinks – kind of like our tradition of the birthday breakfast in bed, but we get to enjoy it all together, and it is at the table…rather than the bed….hehehe.)

Visiting family and loved ones.

Looking 4 months pregnant after finishing the amazing Christmas dinner that my mother prepared!

From our family to yours…may you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wishing and Hoping…

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Mika

I had been waiting patiently for it. I had been a good girl, surely I wasn’t asking too much.

It finally arrived. It didn’t come in the mail, it didn’t even fit under the tree.

I had been crossing my fingers that the weather report was right, and that we would finally get some sunshine, after drizzle, cloud and rain.

Thursday was beautiful! After dropping hubby at work, the kids and I spent the whole day around the Wellington waterfront…going to the beach, playing at Waitangi Park, lounging on the bean bags near the Telecom Tree, exploring Te Papa and the waterfront.

I think the kids loved playing on the concrete blocks by Oriental Parade the most.

They loved running through the water and the waves!

After a fun day out in the sun (thank goodness for sunscreen, hats and water!) We picked up some fish ‘n’ chips and ice blocks, picked up hubby from work and had dinner at Botanic Gardens.

“You can’t beat Wellington on a good day.”

Use-what-you-have Advent Calendar

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Mika

Since deciding at the last minute to do an Advent Calendar this year, I had precious little time to come up with a plan.

I wanted to have some sort of countdown, but I wanted to have somewhere to hold the pieces of the Nativity scene we were creating.

Then I remembered I had lots of paper bags. So I literally put a paper bag through the printer, and printed the number “1″ on the bag. (I used Pea Courtney font from kevinandamanda.com.) I was ready for the first day of December!

Boy, kids are easy to please. My children were so excited about having an advent calendar. I quote, “This is going to be the best countdown ever!”

In the bag, I put in the first pieces of the Nativity scene, an activity to do that day, and a scripture about Jesus which included something to do, that went along with that scripture.

Later on that day I completed the rest of the bags. I “zooshed” them up by printing the numbers in colour. (I did these in Publisher, and would be happy to forward the file to anyone.)

Then I just used some left over wooden pegs and satin/silky type rope to hang it from my curtain rails.

All done!

If you need a bit of inspiration on what activities to do with the kids this month, Sarah from Catching the Magic, Angie from ModernMake [via Mousehouse ] and eighteen25 have listed their wish list of activities on their blogs.

If you liked the idea of Katherine Marie Photography’s Random Act of Christmas Kindness calendar, then you’ll love that Cheri from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar has made a Good Deed Advent, with a focus on tasks that can be done (sometimes with a little help) by a 3 year old.

Family Traditions: Counting down to Christmas

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Mika

What’s a girl to do when she decides the day before, that she wants to do an Advent Calendar for December?!?!

First…go on the internet and drool over all the wonderful projects that
she can’t do because she hasn’t allowed enough time.

Next…decide on something simple, age appropriate and Christ centred.

We are going to be putting together this Navitity scene by adding to it each day.

We will also be doing different activities each day…reading about Jesus, random acts of kindness, showing love to family members and friends in different ways, crafts, baking etc.

Happy 1st December everyone!

(Go check out Katherine Marie Photography’s blog, she is counting down to Christmas by doing a Random Act of Kindness each day!)

Family Traditions: Turning 8

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Mika

We have just returned from a lovely evening out with our daughter who turned 8 today. When it is their 8th birthday, we take them out to a restaurant with just mum and dad. I think I look forward to it just as much as the birthday child. I love the one on one time we get to shower on the birthday child.

This birthday tradition is another one that we have decided to adopt from my hubby’s side of the family. My hubby remembers it being a big deal, because it may have been the first time he went to a restaurant. He did the ordering etc and felt very grown up.

The other tradition that we also do on their 8th birthday is give them their own set of scriptures and hymn book. She was very excited about her scriptures and getting her breakfast in bed (you can read about our birthday traditions here)

Then it is her baptism on Saturday

All she kept saying today is “I don’t feel 8!”. In my mind she just seems to be growing right before my eyes….

Fuzz, Felt and Fur at The New Dowse

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Mika

While lawnmowers buzzed around us, our family relaxed into our public holiday on Labour Day. **Bliss**

We eventually made our way out to The New Dowse to see their new Fuzz, Felt and Fur exhibition.

I thought it was very interesting how alongside the pieces of art, they supplied a cushion-like example of the textiles used in the displays. (Sorry my photos are blurry. They said I could take photos, but not with a flash.)

The children were able to touch and feel tapa cloth, satin, felt, wool, harakeke (flax weaving), and my favourite scratchy texture, tulle. My kids excitedly told me their favourite was the velvet cushion.

They even had a big furry interactive wall.

That’s an outline of my 3 year old that my older daughter made.

We ventured into the gallery, and the children were just old enough to not touch the works of art.

My favourite had to be the oil painting by Sam Foley. The painting came to life when a projection of running water played over the top of the painting (it even had the sound of rushing water!)

Go to Sam Foley’s website to see the actual Otira Gorge oil painting.

Just off the entrance of the museum is a long room with a number of activities that kept the children occupied until it was time to go home.

There is a cafe on site if you get a bit hungry or need a hot chocolate fix.

The New Dowse is a much smaller museum, so we pretty much did everything that we could do in about an hour.

I will definitely keep an eye out on the exhibitions coming up, so we can come back as a family or even on my own.

THE NEW DOWSE

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10 – 4.30pm, Sat and Sun 10-5pm

Cost: Free Entry

Location: 45 Lainges Road, Lower Hutt

For more information:

website: www.newdowse.org.nz

email: newdowse@huttcity.govt.nz

phone: (04) 570 6500

Fun Kids Activity: Music Conductor

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Mika

Our children have so many things dictated to them on a daily basis. “Brush your teeth”, “Put a jersey on”, “No, you can’t”, “Yes, tomorrow” (with please and thank you of course hehehe)

That is why I think it is fantastic when an opportunity comes up where the children get to call the shots.

This morning, my daughter saw my ukulele and wanted me to play the “ew-guitar”. Since, I was looking for any excuse to procrastinate from doing the housework, I happily obliged.

After singing some songs, my 3 year old started singing a song I didn’t know how to play. I quickly googled it, and found this great instructional video on how to do some cool strumming to “Are you sleeping?” or “Frère Jacques” or “Porowhita” (A great song about the shapes in Maori. Sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques”. Porowhita x2. Tapawhā x2. Tapatoru x2. Manawa x2. Meaning: Circle x2. Rectangle x2, Triangle x2, Heart x2)

So, as we were singing the “Porowhita” song and “Are you sleeping”, my daughter decided she wanted to control the volume of the singing:

HAND UP: LOUD

HAND DOWN: QUIET

Pretty simple…but OH how she loved it! (Let’s just say, I was able to get some good practice with my strumming)

Other ideas:

Make your own instruments, and play them loudly and quietly: Tissue guitar, Rice filled maracas, Pot/Bowl drums, Cardboard tube trumpets etc etc.

Try it with no instruments and just sing loud and sing quietly.

Change the tempo to the music. FAST: WAVE HAND AROUND FURIOUSLY and SLOW: NICE GENTLE MOVEMENTS

Enjoy!

Want to start playing the Ukulele?

EQUIPMENT:

Some ukuleles are not expensive. I would highly recommend getting it from a music store. You could easily pick one up for around $30-$50NZ.

LESSONS:

I went to a 2 hour Playcentre Ukulele workshop a while a go. We were taught 3 chords (C, G7 and F) and were given a list of songs using those chords. It was so much fun!

I wouldn’t be able to join the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra…but I can play a few children’s tunes which is great!

If you do a search online, and on YouTube you should be able to find some good tutorials.

Here is a link to some easy songs to try once you master a few chords:

http://guitar.suite101.com/article.cfm/kids_learn_5_ukulele_songs_in_the_key_of_c

HELPFUL ACCESSORY:

If you don’t think you could tune a ukulele by ear, I would really recommend buying a clip-on Tuner for your Ukulele. Cheaper ukuleles often “slip” and go out of tune, so it is handy to have this electronic clip-on tuner so you can check it whenever you get your ukulele out to play.

You just attach to the end of your ukulele, strum one string, and adjust the pegs. Then the tuner will light up when it is in tune. SIMPLE!

Ukuleles are said to be the new “recorder”, and have been introduced to schools as part of their music curriculum. You can understand why, the kids have so much fun with it!

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

Fun Kids Activity: Spot the Difference with a Twist

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Mika

Last night for Family Home Evening, our 5 year old was responsible for choosing the game.

He decided on the game “Spot the Difference”.

Spot the Difference Game Rules:

One person stands in front everyone, so we can have a good look at them.
Then that person goes away where everyone can’t see them.
They change their appearance in one way.
They appear before everyone, we then guess what thing is different about them.

In the past we have made the changes really obvious like, take off a sock or pull up a sleeve or take off a belt. This time we were all very sneaky! My daughter pulled a zipper down on her jacket pocket, my hubby had a sticker on his sock that he changed from one foot to the other and I took off one of my rings.

So depending on the age of the children you can adjust how obvious the differences are. Or you could be really silly and be like one of my children who decided to turn up in just their underwear for a laugh!

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

FREE School Holiday Events for Young Children. Wellington July 2010

Posted on July 3, 2010 by Mika

Mon 5 July	Tue 6 July	Wed 7 July	Thu 8 July	Fri 9 July	Sat 10 Jul
		10am: Monopoly Celebration @ Te Papa			10am: Garden themed DIY Kid’s Clinic @ Bunnings, Porirua
					10am: Rubik’s NZ Speed-Cubing Comp @ Te Papa
					10am: Creativity Centre @ Westfield Queensgate
	10.30am: Fireside Stories @ Central Library			10.30am: Fireside Stories @ Central Library
				10.30am: Fairy Tales/ Fantasy @ Khandallah Library
	11am: Winter themed DIY Kid’s Clinic @ Bunnings, Porirua		11am: Winter themed DIY Kid’s Clinic @ Bunnings, Porirua	11am: Storython @ Wadestown Library
11am: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	11am: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	11am: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	11am: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	11am: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza
11am: BJ Bear Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Ctr	11am: BJ Bear Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Ctr	11am: BJ Bear Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Ctr	11am: BJ Bear Show @ Johnsonville Shopping Ctr	11am: Bro ‘Town @ Te Papa
11am: Make your own tī rākau @ Te Papa				11.30am: BJ Bear’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic @ Jville Shopping Ctr
1pm: BJ Bear Show @ Jville Shopping Ctr	1pm: BJ Bear Show @ Jville Shopping Ctr	1pm: BJ Bear Show @ Jville Shopping Ctr	1pm: BJ Bear Show @ Jville Shopping Ctr		1pm: Atiu Mapu @ Te Papa
1.30pm: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	1.30pm: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	1.30pm: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	1.30pm: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza	1.30pm: Ice Age Close Encounter Show @ North City Plaza
		2pm: Flight of Fantasy @ Miramar Library

Mon 12 July	Tue 13 July	Wed 14 July	Thur 15 July	Fri 16 July	Sat 17 July
10am: Zappo & Zappolina @ Jville Shopping Ctr	10am: Zappo & Zappolina @ Jville Shopping Ctr	10am: Zappo & Zappolina @ Jville Shopping Ctr	10am: Zappo & Zappolina @ Jville Shopping Ctr	10am: Zappo & Zappolina @ Jville Shopping Ctr	10am: Arts and Crafts themed DIY Kid’s Workshop @ Bunnings, Porirua
10am: Creativity Centre @ Westfield Queensgate	10am: Creativity Centre @ Westfield Queensgate	10am: Creativity Centre @ Westfield Queensgate
	10.30am: Fireside Stories @ Central Library			10.30am: Fireside Stories @ Central Library
			11am: Ronald McDonald Show @ Westfield Queensgate	11am: Ronald McDonald Show @ Westfield Queensgate
	11am: Arts and Crafts themed DIY Kid’s Workshop @ Bunnings, Porirua		11am: Arts and Crafts themed DIY Kid’s Workshop @ Bunnings, Porirua
11am: Tuatara Tales @ Te Papa		11am: Te Huka a Tai Whanau Day @ Te Papa (& $2 puppet making)		11am: Learn about Tatau (traditional Samoan tattooing) @ Te Papa
	11am: Storython @ Cummings Park Library	11am: Fairy Tales/ Fantasy @ Jville Library	11am: Storython @ Karori Library
	11am: Your Favourite Book @ Brooklyn Library		11am: Your Favourite Book @ Island Bay Library
			11am: Fairy Tales/ Fantasy @ Mervyn Kemp Library, Tawa
					12pm: Pacifica Experience with the Pacifica Mamas @ Te Papa
			1pm: Ronald McDonald Show @ Westfield Queensgate	1pm: Ronald McDonald Show @ Westfield Queensgate

Free Fun at the Wellington City & Sea

Draw a picture or write a poem about something in the Museum. A selection will be published with prizes to be won.

Date: Now until 1 August

Time: 10am-5pm

Cost: Free entry and materials provided

Location: Queens Wharf, 3 Jervois Quay, Wellington

Free fun at Westfield Queensgate

Eight butterflies have been hidden around the Centre, can you find them all?

Pick up an entry form from Customer Services, write in the names of all the butterflies you spot hidden around the Centre and you could win a prize pack from McDonald’s and Event Cinemas!

Date: Monday, 5 July to Sunday, 18 July

Time: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm, Thu-Fri: 9am-9pm, Sat: 9am-6pm, Sun: 10am-5.30pm

Location: Westfield Queensgate, Lower Hutt

Free fun at Te Papa

Hey kids! Collect a trail sheet and follow the clues throughout Te Papa to find out interesting facts about tapa, the amazing cloth that is made from the beaten bark of a tree. Everyone who takes part will go in the draw to win a prize!

Date: Now to Sunday, 12 September

Time: 10am – 6pm and 10am – 9pm on Thursdays

Cost: Free

Location: Entry forms available from outside Te Papa Kids’ Store, Level 2 or Planet Pasifika, Level 4, Te Papa

Ice Age Close Encounter Show at North City Plaza, Porirua

Get ready for an Ice Age encounter with the wacky loveable goofball Sid and the nutty as ever Scrat as the Ice Age 3 Close Encounter Show. Help Scrat find his precious acorn in a fun packed musical adventure with singing, dancing and audience interaction.

Date: Monday, 5 July to Friday, 9 July

Time: 11am and 1.30pm daily

Cost: Free

Location: Centre Court, Ground floor, North City Plaza, Porirua

School Library Programme at Libraries around Wellington

Escape the wet, wild, winter weather and come into a library near you for exciting stories and some activities to warm you up!

Date: Tuesday, 6 July to Friday, 16 July

Time: Variety of time

Cost: Free

Location: Variety of locations

BJ Bear Show at Johnsonville Shopping Centre

A fun interactive show with great prizes to be won! 2 Shows Daily

Date: Monday, 5 July to Thursday, 8 July

Time: 11am and 1pm daily

Cost: Free

Location: Near the Food court, Johnsonville Shopping Centre, Carpark entrance on Broderick Rd & Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville

Te Huka ā Tai Discovery Hour – Tī rākau (Māori stick games) at Te Papa

Make your own set of tī rākau and build on your game playing skills. Learn some waiata (songs) to accompany your new moves!

Date: Monday, 5 July

Time: 11am – 12pm

Cost: Free

Location: Te Huka ā Tai, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Kids DIY Clinic at Bunnings Warehouse, Porirua

Workshops are free for children over the age of 5 and must be accompanied by an adult.

Date: School Holiday DIY Clinics: Tuesday, 6 & 13 July and Thursday, 8 & 15 July

Weekend DIY Clinics: Saturday, 10 & 17 and Sunday 11 & 18 July

Time: Weekdays: 11am; Weekends: 10am

Cost: Free

Location: Bunnings Warehouse, 9 Heriot Drive, Porirua

Monopoly Celebrates 75 years at Te Papa

Have a go playing on the giant board and view historical Monopoly memorabilia. Great Monopoly prizes and Warehouse vouchers will be up for grabs, so do pass go!

Date: Wednesday, 7 July

Time: 10am – 11.30am

Cost: Free

Location: Wellington Foyer, Level 2, Te Papa, Wellington

bro’Town at Te Papa – Inspiration Station Discovery Hour at Te Papa

Meet the stars of bro’Town, Oscar Kightley and Ant Sang and bring your favourite charater to life using the bro’Town Laughter Lines interactive (the cartoon drawing station).

Date: Friday, 9 July

Time: 11am – 12pm

Cost: Free

Location: Inspiration Station, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Johnsonville Shopping Centre

A fun interactive show at Johnsonville Shopping Centre.

Date: Friday, 9 July

Time: 11.30am

Cost: Free

Location: Near the Food court, Johnsonville Shopping Centre, Carpark entrance on Broderick Rd & Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville

Rubik’s New Zealand Speed-Cubing Championships 2010 at Te Papa

The 3.3 world record holder, 14 year old Australia Felix Zemdegs, will be there. In addition to the regular 3×3, 4×4, and 5×5 speed-solve events, there’ll be a one-handed solve, and even a blindfolded solve, which relies on astounding memory skills.

Date: Saturday, 10 July

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: Free for spectators, Participant registration fee applies

Location: Wellington Foyer, Level 2, Te Papa, Wellington

Atiu Mapu at Te Papa

Enjoy this young Cook Island dance and culture group from Porirua.

Date: Saturday, 10 July

Time: 1pm – 2pm

Cost: Free

Location: The Marae, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Creativity Centre at Westfield Queensgate, Lower Hutt

Date: Saturday, 10 July to Wednesday 14 July

Time: 10am – 2pm

Cost: Free

Location: Ground floor, Queensgate, Lower Hutt

Zappo & Zappolina at Johnsonville Shopping Mall

Zappo and Zappolina will be down at the shopping mall painting faces as well as balloon making! FUN! (This time they won’t be doing a show, but will be doing one in Sept)

Date: Monday, 12 July to Friday 16 July

Time: 10am – 2pm

Cost: Free

Location: Near the Food court, Johnsonville Shopping Centre, Carpark entrance on Broderick Rd & Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville

NatureSpace Tuatara Tales Discovery Hour at Te Papa

Tuatara Tales – Why are female tuatara cooler than males? Here is your chance to meet one of Victoria University’s resident reptiles and tuatara experts and get all your tuatara questions answered.

Date: Monday, 12 July

Time: 11am – 12pm

Cost: Free

Location: NatureSpace Discovery Centre, Level 2, Te Papa, Wellington

Te Huka ā Tai Whānau Day at Te Papa

Learn about the daring adventures of Māui, our very own superhero. Be scared by the story of Hatupatu and his escape from the talons of the bird-woman, Kurangaituku. Be enthralled by tales about the magical patupaiarehe (fairy people) who live in the shadows and mist – but be careful, if you follow their laughter, you might get lost!

Date: Wednesday, 14 July

Time: 11am – 4pm

Cost: Free except for the 11am – 12pm $2 craft activity: patupaiarehe finger puppet

Location:Te Huka ā Tai, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Ronald McDonald Show at Westfield Queensgate, Lower Hutt

Everyone’s favourite yellow, white and red clown is coming to Westfield. Come along and see Ronald McDonald’s® exciting NEW show – it’s sure to be fun for the whole family. He’ll have a little bit of magic and a few other tricks up his striped sleeves.

Date: Thursday, 15 and Friday 16 July

Time: 11am and 1pm

Cost: Free

Location: Ground floor, Queensgate, Lower Hutt

PlaNet Pasifika Discovery Hour – Tatau: Traditional Samoan Tattooing at Te Papa

Have you ever wondered why and how tattooing is practised in Samoa? Join one of Te Papa’s experts for a wonderful show and tell session. Then join in the free activity.

Date: Friday, 16 July

Time: 11am – 12pm

Cost: Free

Location: PlaNet Pasifika, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

Pacifica Experience with the Pacifica Mamas at Te Papa

The Pacifica Mamas serve up a taste of Pacific cultures. Come to a workshop and have a go at drum and dance, weaving, and lei-making – what a great way to get the flavour of Pacific life!

Three workshops run simultaneously for 45 minutes, and there are four of these session times during the day. The three simultaneous sessions are, Weaving, Lei making, and Drum and dance.

Date: Saturday, 17 July 2010

Time: Workshops will be run at:

12 noon–12.45pm
1pm–1.45pm
2.15pm–3pm
3.15pm–4pm

Cost: Free

Location: The Marae, Level 4, Te Papa, Wellington

For more school holiday fun for up the coast, check out Kapiti Kids Connect!

http://www.wcl.govt.nz/kids/whatson.html

Fun Kids Activity: Capturing the world through your kids eyes

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Mika

On Monday the kids were off school early, so we took advantage of the extra “free” time and went to Te Papa (Wellington museum – our favourite hang out when it is cold and windy outside!)

The kids took our new family camera for a test drive. It was nice and light for the kids to use, and they loved walking around the museum documenting their trip by taking photos!

My 5, 7 and 9 year old really enjoyed this, my 3 year old wasn’t too interested – she was too busy exploring! I noticed my 9 year old was particularly excited about being able to take her own photos. (So I made a mental note, that this would be a perfect way to keep her engaged if we ever do something that is gauged towards younger children.)

The children can do many things with their photos!

They can:

email them to grandma and grandad
make a slide show of the photos to view on family night
enter the photo on to KidsClick
make their own photo collages using Picasa
talk about why they took their photo
write about their photos
make their own blog and showcase the photos
print out smaller pictures to stick into their journals
let their mother use them for a blog post hehehe

Lots of car parks to choose from! Bonus!

A cool photo of the ceiling in the foyer of the Museum

A map of constellations on the museum. The kids love skidding on their knees over it for some reason?? (Te Papa is a kid friendly museum...hehehe)

A map of constellations in the museum. The kids love skidding on their knees over it for some reason?? (Te Papa is a kid friendly museum...hehehe)

I still have memories of the fish display from the old museum from when I was a kid

The kids and I checking out the exhibits (Yay! I'm in the photo for a change!)

My son looked up at the ceiling and asked what this was....I said it was the skeleton of a whale...then he asked where the heart was..

(my photo)...then he exclaimed "I know where it is!" and ran to the nearby Discovery Centre, and hopped into the life size model of a whale's heart!

Check out http://squid.tepapa.govt.nz/ to find out more information about our "Colossal Squid"

More interesting sights my kids found

(my photos) We all had a blast!

Can you believe that we were at the museum for 2 hours, and they were spent mainly at the Science Discovery Centre and up by the Stowaways Container!

Reality Check: As soon as we got home it was off to the Parent Teacher interviews. So we had a quick snack before we left, and then a very late dinner. If only we could make time expand!

Good Reads:

Digital Photography School: 13 Lessons to teach your child about digital photography (this is a great article, even adults who are interested in photography would find it useful!)[via Okanagan4kids]

BetterPhoto.com: BetterPhoto for Young Adults (A range of articles to help your child develop their photography skills) [via Okanagan4kids]

Come play at Childhood101 We play link up

Fun Kids Activity: Guess the middle name

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Mika

(I searched my photos to see if I had ever taken any pictures of my kids while they were eating, and I came up empty. I guess because I am outnumbered 1 to 4, taking photos at the dinner table is the last thing on my mind! hahaha!)

Lately we have changed our eating habits for dinner. I used to hover, clean and snack, while our kids ate at the breakfast bar (I think I got into the habit of “what’s the point in sitting down, when I will have to get up for this-that-and the other”)

Now we all sit down at the dining table (including me!) and it has been great!

A fun activity that we did the other day, was “guess the middle name”. I would say a middle name of someone in our family, and the kids had to guess who it belonged to. We started out with people in our immediate family. Then we did grandparents, then uncles, aunties and cousins.

It was a fun way to pass the time during dinner, and get to know a little bit more about people in our family.

I took these photos while I was doing some Sunday baking this week.

I included them to remind us how food and children can also be a time that can be quite fun! (Good luck!!)

Come play at Childhood101 We play link up

Fun Kids Activity: Staying connected through letters

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Mika

When I was younger, my grandmother and I used to exchange letters regularly. I loved her handwriting (I can still picture it!), and the pretty paper that she would use.

Recently my children have started to exchange letters with the other children in our extended family. When they get a letter in the mail, they immediately start thinking of what to send in return. I have really enjoyed watching their excitement and enthusiasm!

Even though we may not be able to see our family members often, I love that the letter writing is making our families who live far away, seem just a little bit closer.

The older children have been writing letters, making cross words puzzles and drawing pictures.

The younger ones have been decorating paper with stickers, drawing and dictating messages.

There have been candy exchanges too, which are fun to send and to receive!

If I have any scanned pictures of the kids’ drawings, I will print them out and include some of them as well.

Come play at Childhood101 We play link up

Fun Kids Activity: Car Adventures

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Mika

Things go grey by Imeus Design @ www.laffichemoderne.com

To combat cabin fever I like to take the kids out for a drive. I recently posted about our drive around the bays and included some links for ideas to do when you are stuck indoors.

The 3 school kids are home sick from school at the mo. Yesterday, after we dropped hubby off at work, my son asked if we could go on an ADVENTURE?!

I knew exactly what he meant.

We sometimes go on “adventures” in the car. It is where I let the kids tell me where to go. They will shout out, “Let’s go down that street!” or I will ask, “Shall we go left or right?” when we get to an intersection.

We look at road signs and I ask the kids what they think it means.

Source: canterburytrails.co.nz

Once it is time to go home, I tell the kids to keep a look out for the road signs with our suburb on it. I get them to tell me the direction the signs are telling us to go. Once they were familiar with where we are, they just rattle off which streets I need to go down to get home.

It’s a great activity to talk about all sorts of things. The seasons, pointing out road works, places we used to visit etc etc.

My son must have enjoyed it because the first thing he told his dad when he got home was, “Daddy! We went on an adventure!!”

Come play at Childhood101 We play link up

Fun Kids Activity: Simple Water Dye Fun

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Mika

Materials:

Empty ice cream & yoghurt containers
Plastic sipper bottles filled with water and a few drops of food colouring

My daughter is a pourer. If she happens to get her hands on two cups, she will spend the next while pouring water from one cup to another. So to extend this, I decided to fill some bottles with the primary colours and let her pour to her heart’s content.

We talked about “what would happen if we mixed yellow and red” or “what would happen if we mixed blue and red”. She loved experimenting and finding the answer herself…”PURPLE!!”

THE NEW DOWSE

Other ideas:

Want to start playing the Ukulele?

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

Zappo & Zappolina at Johnsonville Shopping Mall

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