Effort and School Reports. Does Art Count?

We got a first report last night. It seemed a rather uneventful occasion.

I recall report night being a rather big deal as a child, everyone would be reading how they were going,  what the teacher had said and whether or not we agreed with what the teacher thought, and we were always gauging our parents reactions, would we be in trouble - like in year 10 when my behaviour in religion was deemed inappropriate.

But it all passed rather boringly here for a first report. I read it at swimming lessons to ensure I wasn't disturbed and it pretty much just said what we were expecting.


Except one section. There is always one.

One section indicated that effort was lacking. This was a surprise as Popps is usually the type who likes to impress, thrives on praise and likes to do her tasks as well as she can. The lack of effort was in Art, so I asked her if she liked Art, she said she does, it's one of her favourite subjects and then she pulled out a massive art folio that came home too. A semesters work that she then went through and described every piece in detail (fun for all, you can imagine).


As a newbie school parent, we're not sure if we need to discuss this anymore with her. 

How about  you, can you produce a decent self portrait - and how do you discuss 'effort' with your kids after report time?

Migraines, Merlot and Movie Tickets.

Image totally unrelated to this post.
Immy providing a concert to her toys when no real people would sit and watch it.

It's been a big week. I decided I need to seek more help with managing my migraines. Currently I average about 10 days a month with a migraine, I get through it ok, but it requires days of medication, too much codeine and sometimes a spaced out Mummy that goes to the supermarket to buy one thing and comes home with seven choices for dinner because she couldn't make a decision.

The doctor has suggested two options for me to try, one involves taking medication every day to try and prevent migraines appearing. I am still not sure I want to do that, but will give it a three month trial and see how it goes. There are two side affects of the medication, one it makes you sleepy, so I need to take them at night, the other, it causes weight gain. I wasn't too happy about this one so I decided that I need to start getting on top of that before I start.

I went and gave my all at a Body Combat class.

I can now hardly move. Throwing down voltaren like a crazy lady.

Yes, I am going in circles, I know, I know!

The good bit was that we discussed how I have pretty much given up alcohol to help with the migraines, doctor suggests that clearly that isn't working so I should feel free to drink in moderation again. Hello Winter Merlot with my soup dinners.

Thank you for all the retweets on twitter about my post discussing the iPad donation to Popps' school and thank you for all the entries into my Brave post - the most I have ever had.

If you are a winner, please send me an email at claireyhewitt AT gmail DOT COM with your postal details on it.

The Winners, as judged by Mr H are:

Effie
thisistracy
Alicia
Roslyn@SewDelicious
Di from Max the Unicorn
Kim Maxwell
Mrs BC
Julie
Sara
Melinda

Have a great week everyone.

Someone said yes to one of my crazy ideas.

I am excited.

Happens a lot I know, but this has been a couple of weeks in the thinking and today I can talk about it.

I am always on the look out for ways to work creatively with a brand. I get the odd email from PR reps and business owners asking me to write about their products on my blog. Lots are great products, events or services but writing about them is boring for me AND for you and rarely do people take me up on any creative ideas I suggest...usually they just ignore me and actually, most just never even write back. 

But not this time. 

I had been reading some articles that indicated learning your way around the computer we use today is really a waste of time for kids at school entry level (Prep for Victoria) so fast is the technology moving, Kinder kids of today won't be using a mouse and clicking file/open/ gdrive/... in twenty years time.

They already swipe, use apps and most won't have a CD player when they leave home.

Popps' school teacher had mentioned they wanted IPads to use in the prep classroom.  As a public school, they have limited resources but they could see the potential of iPads as a teaching tool.

They also know much much more about teaching children and which games/apps are really of use to a child then me. I could tell you that Popps liked a game, but I can't really tell you the real benefit, if any, it gives her education wise.

So I replied to EA Mobile that I would love to talk about their products while in use at my daughters school. To do that they would need to gift an iPad filled with all of their games on it to my daughters school. Not to me, the school. I told them it was a public primary school and that's all. 

They said yes. 

Today the iPad arrived filled with games. I have had a couple of meetings with the principal and some teachers. They are pretty excited about this arrangement. It has meant they have had to set up an itunes account and start thinking about what that means. They are already listing the many ways students at different levels can benefit from access to an iPad.

The EA Mobile iPad will be used by Popps in the classroom as the teacher sees fit. Other children in the class will also use it for their own needs, dependent on their own independent learning plans. 

In three months the teacher will give me some feedback on how she found the games, any that were particular favourites, those that were used for learning and development or others that are used for rewards or in any other ways.

I am keeping this treasure for one day simply to take a little look at all the games options. Though I might need it for two, Immy has been hanging out with the Little Pet Shop Game in the moments when she can get it out of the hands of Mr H as he tries to beat his own score  in a soccer game. 

So thank you EA Mobile for being the first people willing or crazy enough to trust in your own product to do well and take up one of my crazy ideas. You have made a number of people rather happy.


What do you think of using iPads in the classroom? 

Winter Countdown.

It's raining.

Lots.

Yesterday marked the shortest day of the year which means we are now on the way to summer.

I struggle with the Melbourne winter every year and have been trying really hard not to whinge and complain about it.

Instead I am looking on the bright, sunny and warm side.

The countdown is on.

COUNTDOWN WIDGET

Blogs and boobs

This little space of mine can be a selfish place. I get to decide what you read. I get the invites to attend stuff or free washing powder in the mail (I know, you are just so so wishing that was you).

I have lovely readers, not a troll comment in nearly two years for one thing! I had a lovely reader recently send me a gorgeous lemongrass candle that she made me herself, in her own kitchen on a Saturday night, to help with the smoke stench!

Generous.

I have met lovely bloggers along the way. Once upon a time I was hosting the Aussie Wordless Wednesday, but I couldn't keep up with it, so I contacted Trish to see if she could. She was so lovely, she said yes straight away and has run it really well ever since. I have met Trish a number of times and jealously read her trip around Australia last year with her husband and twin 5 year old boys.

Last week Trish went to the doctor and was told she had suspected breast cancer, they booked in surgery and today she had a double mastectomy.

I checked into Facebook to see how she was. She is sore, and still pretty worried, but in good hands. No doubt she has a tough few weeks ahead to recover and some further testing.

The next facebook update was from another friend who I met a year ago, M has been a great support (unpaid promoter!) for my blog, and her post was celebrating her health, three years on she is now a breast cancer survivor and the doctors are very happy with all her results.

On twitter those that know Trish have been lighting candles to wish her well.

I have too, my precious Mor candle in a tea cup and my lovely lemongrass one from my blog reader.

These candles this week, they are for you Trish, boob candles, for the boobs you no longer need and they are for M, for sharing the spark of life with everyone she meets and always having a positive attitude, it's infectious.

My best candles for the best of women.

Light your candles ladies, and give your boobs a good feel up. Use this guide if you need some help, there is even a video.
http://canceraustralia.nbocc.org.au/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-changes

Brave enough for Brave?

Yesterday Popps and I headed with some friends to see Brave, the latest Disney Pixar flick.

In the cinema we settled in with our 3D glasses and listened to some bagpipes while watching some highland dancing. Popps was rather into it, I wouldn't have been surprised if she suggested it be the latest fad she attempts to have a go at.

Then we got into the movie. As an adult, it's a good film, for the animation and soundtrack alone, it is well worth it.

But it is also pretty scary. Regular readers would know I am pretty against pre school children watching violence even if it is in cartoon form. This film is not so full of violence for the sake of it. No one dies.

But for those of you who are in the more cautious box with me, I suggest reading a few reviews on what others thought about Brave, in relation to the ages of their children.

Popps spent most of the movie in my lap with her hands over her ears and eyes closed, asking me to tell her when bits were over.

Scary Beary

The short of it is, Merida the princess, is refusing to be wedded off by her parents to one of the other clans' eldest sons. Merida takes off on her amazing horse Angus and finds a witch who gives her a spell to change her fate. There is lots of talk about fate and destiny, this didn't sink in for Popps and she asked me what Merida was talking about, but the message is a good one for those that pick it up.

The spell turns Queen Elinor into a bear which is rather humourous for those that get the bits about the queen being concerned about her modesty. Without giving it all away, there is another rather scary bear involved, there are moments when the clans try and kill the Queen when she is a bear. There is sadness as Merida cries because it looks as though the Queen will remain a bear forever. In true Disney form there is a happy ending.

When we got home I was surprised to hear Popps tell Mr H and Immy that the movie was excellent and she loved it. I asked her if she would like to see it again, she said 'no way, never again'. The film didn't stay with her though, there was no further discussion about it, no bad dreams, so I think she did get the idea that all ended well, but she has no desire to watch it again.

For those looking for a film were the princess does not fall in love with a handsome prince to find her happiness, Princess Merida is sure to make you smile. She is a princess happy to fight custom and tradition who fights for the things she wants from life. She also believes in magic.

Brave is being released on Thursday in time for school holidays. I suggest thinking about what your kids like, what levels of scary they can tolerate before going to this one. I know many of the other people at the cinema have tweeted how much they and their kids loved the film.  If you are a blogger who attended, feel free to add your review in my comments for other people to get an idea of what you thought, especially if you have kids in the older primary years who I think this might be aimed at.

For the official preview take a look here, the scottish accents alone might be enough to encourage you to go along.

If you would like to take your kids to see this over the school holidays I have TEN double passes to give away.

To win a pass you need to leave a comment below telling me what the scariest movie you have ever seen was. Mr H will decide on the ten movies that he thinks rate the scariest, or the comment that makes him laugh most.

Tweeting this giveaway gives good luck, sharing it on Facebook makes your wishes come true.*


Fine Print:
1) Only Australian Residents
2) Comments open today Monday 18 June and close Friday 22 June at 8pm.
3) If I do not have a reply from you by Wednesday 27 June to confirm your postal details, then the prize will be given to someone else.
4)You need to follow this blog or my Facebook page to be included in the giveaway.



*This is not confirmed, it might be false, but you never know til you try.

To have or to go

Getting out to see the things.

Decision making about funds in the household can often cause discussion and debate. Once the essentials are covered the choice of what to spend on or save for need to be agreed to as a couple.

As a couple Mr H and I always struggle on what I call the 'have or to go' problem.

He would rather have stuff.

I would rather go somewhere.

Right now he wants a surround sound system.

I would prefer a weekend to the snow.

He would like to renovate the bathroom.

I would rather flights to Singapore to stay with friends about to move there.

For his birthday he requests golf bags, bike gloves, (actually bike or golf anything) for my birthday I request tickets to the theatre or dinner somewhere we wouldn't usually go.

It can be the cause of much discussion.

Most times it doesn't really matter as we settle the argument by agreeing to save the money first and then decide between the choices.  But it seems this savings bit rarely happens (damn you new car fuel thingo and battery, damn you creche fees, damn you dentist bill and optometrist bill).

Are you a Have spender or a Go spender?

And a half

I am a big fan of celebrating birthdays.

To me, life is too short not to celebrate the small things that come along. While some people decide that kids get a party every second year, here the Huey's get a party every year.

Not a bells and whistles, catered for, entertainers roaming style party. But there will be cake, candles and friends and family of some kind.

And maybe it's because we have both their birthday's around Christmas time and it is a long time between cakes, but we also celebrate their half birthday too.

Today Immy is officially three and a half.

This means she gets to pick what is for tea and we have cake for dessert.

She made her choice carefully and requested her utmost favourite dish that I have ever served.

Tonights tea is tinned spaghetti on toast with mud cake and ice-cream for dessert.

So tonight, everyone's a winner. Mum of the Year is all mine and all I have to do is eat cake.

Are you getting enough cake lately?