Sights and Sounds: Swan Valley – Western Australia

Just 25 minutes away from Perth’s CBD is Swan Valley. There is so much to do there that you could spend a few days just trying to get through it all. The Swan Valley information site offers a few day trip itineraries you can follow: Indulge your senses Cultural discovery trail Swan Valley family fun

Why Don’t We All Go Fishing?

G2 was at G1’s school when he found some magnetic fishing rods and had a blast with it. After pondering how to bring that activity home without having to go out to buy our own magnetic fishing rods, I came up with this… What you will need: Fishing boat – a large laundry basket Fish

When Anyone’s a Friend

Hercules is back at school. When I picked him up from school after the first day back, we had the following conversation… Me: How was school? Hercules: Good! Me: What did you do? Hercules: Play with friends. Me: What are your friends’ names? Hercules: Children! Don’t you love childhood? You don’t need to know anything

How Two Boys Turn into a Basketball Team

I’m lying in bed with my two boys – one in each arm – and I say, “Mummy’s so lucky to have two gorgeous boys!” Aristotle: And next time you can have a gorgeous girl, too. Me: Er… maybe not. Aristotle: Please, Mum. I really want a baby sister! Me: We’ll have to think really

Thinking Outside the Box for More Time on the Box…

When we moved into our new place, hubby and I decided we wouldn’t get Astro (paid TV) so that the boys would be forced to cut back on their TV time… It worked a treat until Aristotle made friends with our neighbour’s kid so he could watch Astro at their house…

Happy Birthday Grandfather

Overheard while Aristotle was on the phone wishing his grandfather a happy birthday… Aristotle: Happy Birthday Ah Kong (translation: grandpa)! For your birthday surprise you don’t have to go to work! And Mummy will make you a cake later! Don’t you just love how kids assume the authority of deciding who goes to work and

Tai Chi – the Art of Deflecting Blame

While I was driving, I smelt a smell in the car; you know the kind – the noxious fumes that little boys release from their behinds from time to time… Me: Hercules, did you make that smell? Hercules: No. It’s not me. It smells like koh koh (meaning “brother”).

My Favourite Class Teacher is…

School is a constant battle for us with Aristotle. If I could find a school that he likes, I would send him there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, children don’t necessarily ask for the realistic… Aristotle: I don’t like going to this school because I don’t want to be in this class. Grandpa: Then what class

Little Boys Grow up Real Quick

When Aristotle was 5, he told me… Aristotle: I’ve decided who I’m going to marry. Me: Who is it? Aristotle: Yerin. Me: Oh. Ok. Aristotle: I already asked her and she said “yes”.

When Two Boys Start Goofing Around…

May I present to you Aristotle and Hercules in their first ever performance… Aristotle is playing the ventriloquist for a stuffed dragon. He makes the dragon bite Hercules’ ear. Hercules: Argh! My ear! My ear! Aristotle makes the dragon bite Hercules’ arm. Hercules: Argh! My arm! My arm! Aristotle makes the dragon bite Hercules’ leg. Hercules: Ow! My