It's disruptive - bad patterns from home don't come along. Whinging happens less. Working together happens more. We parents used fun and silliness more to get stuff done and kids listen more where there's actually a real need to follow instructions (hold my hand or you might fall off this cliff, don't go too close to the kangaroo or it might hurt you with its huge claws). Small domestic tasks become fascinating. Making up beds in a tent. Washing dishes in a camp kitchen or bucket. Finding … [Read more...]
Healthy beds for healthy sleep
We've needed new beds, both for us and the kids, for quite a while, but couldn't get it together for a variety of reasons. My list of requirements for beds and bedding has grown significantly and I couldn't find anything up to scratch. Standard mattresses leach chemicals into the air and we breathe it in. They are also ultra thick and padded and don't reflect traditional sleeping surfaces. Pillows and padded mattresses limit the movement of our bodies through the night. I wanted mattresses and … [Read more...]
Family adventure day – Werribee Open Range Zoo
We are all about the mini adventure at the moment. Sometimes a day or two is all you need if you spend it connecting, moving and being outside. It's an unusual mid-week public holiday so we decide to take a trip to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Our family membership had lapsed, but we forked out the money to renew it, as you make your money back after a few visits and it means you can be relaxed about your visit - after all, you can come as often as you want! We were helpfully told … [Read more...]
Family adventure – Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
Due to our important Sunday commitment (The Teddy Bears Picnic at Ripponlea Estate), we swapped our weekly adventure to Saturday and made it close by to Lou's music lesson. We went to Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and had a great time, apart from Belle that is who seemed freaked out by the whole thing following a close encounter with a fish. A sure sign we need to take her to the pool less and the beach more! The Sanctuary is located in Port Phillip Bay 20 kilometres south east of the … [Read more...]
Family adventure – Newport Lakes
On Saturday we went and explored Newport Lakes for a few hours as part of our plan for our family to have a weekly 'family adventure day'. This is where we get out in nature and move and explore as a family. Newport Lakes is a bushland area created from a former blustone quarry and rubbish tip site in the middle of Newport. The park is 33 hectares in size. The lakes area of the park has been extensively revegetated using native plants, with over 200 species of plants and 85 species of … [Read more...]