Sunday 29 June 2014

Kite flying fun

The last item on Ethan's Birthday Bucket List was kite flying.

I have never made a kite that actually flew for more than 10 seconds so we stuck to the tried and tested kite kits from our local toy store. 

The only problem was the lack of wind... but we decided to give it a try anyway.

Day 1:
 
so it didn't work out, 
onto Day 2:

That was a little better - the kite actually got off the ground that time!!!

Day 3:

Kite flying with Gran at the beach!
 The kite actually stayed air-borne!

Whew! Who would have thought kite-flying to be such a mission.

I packed the kites away safely, ready to be pulled out on a blustery day.

Ethan's Birthday Bucket List all done.
This is one family tradition we definitely will be keeping.
Such Fun!!

Thursday 26 June 2014

The Great Bash-up


My little man loves his toy hammer
(he loves Dad's hammer even more!)
Even though he has a toolset, complete with nails ,screws and pieces of pretend wood, he still prefers hammering cupboard doors, windowsills and under-counter pipes!

Today, he got to 'fix' stuff in a great, messy bash-up!!!

Equipment :
 * baked cotton balls
 * water beads
 * jelly-filled eggs
 * safety glasses
 * a hammer

****** Try to do this activity outdoors or cover the floor with a plastic sheet. Messy with a Capital M!!!



Water Beads
 I soaked a packet of water beads a few days before our bash-up 
so they were really large and plump.
Next, I filled a ziploc baggy with the water beads and let Ethan at them.

I'm so glad that the water beads were safely packed into the baggy.
I didn't want water beads shooting off all over the floor - major safety hazard, especially when you have 2 left feet!



Jelly-Filled Eggs
These need to be prepared the night before your bash-up so the jelly has plenty of time to set.
Step 1 : Cook Spanish Omelets for breakfast..... :D  Basically, you need empty egg-shells.
Step 2 : Carefully paint egg-shells. Allow to dry. 'Is it Easter Egg time, Mommy?' asks Ethan.
Step 3 : Prepare jelly and allow to cool slightly.
Step 4 : Pour jelly into egg-shells. The Butterballs loved using the funnel and toy teapot to fill up the eggs.
Step 5 : Refrigerate until set. I placed the eggs back into the egg box - made it easier to store.

                ****Place eggs on a tray before smashing - 
                      things are about to get REALLY messy!!

Ethan LOVED smashing through the crunchy egg-shell into the squishy jelly. He couldn't resist digging through the crunchy slime with both hands!!!




Baked Cotton Balls

The Butterballs had fun preparing these cotton balls.
How to :Mix a cup of flour with a cup of water. Stir until it forms a smooth paste. Mix in a few drops of food colouring. Dip cottonballs into the paste and place on a lined cookie tray. Bake for 15minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.

Allow the cotton balls to cool before smashing.

The baked cottonballs are simply cotton balls with a colourful, hard shell. Nothing special to an adult but sheer magic to a two year old!

 Ethan had the time of his life...he would have happily spent hours 'fixing' cotton balls and jello eggs at his messy workstation.

Even Tamlyn got in on the action!

Just one more activity left on Ethan's Birthday Bucket List now!



Wednesday 18 June 2014

Ethan's third birthday











My little builder boy requested a Lego block birthday cake.

We decided to make the most of this amazing weather and had a little picnic in the park.








Slides and swings, see-saws and jungle gyms,
kite-flying and Lego building fun.







An amazing day!!


Friday 13 June 2014

To Ethan, on your Third Birthday



This past year has flown by... my baby boy is now my little man!
The cute curls are growing out (you have your Daddy's hair!)
and the diapers are long gone!
 Thankfully, the cuddles and kisses, the snuggles and hugs, still remain!

During the last year, you have needed me less and less.
I love your independent spirit and your perseverance.
You never give up, even if it means squeezing your toes into sneakers that are a size too small!

I miss your midnight visits - no more cold little toes creeping under the blanket,
no little voice calling out in the dark, 'want you!'
Instead, my heart swells with pride at the sight of you and Tamlyn tucked into bed reading.
Soon you will move to your Big Boy Room.
 I hope that you and Tamlyn continue with your bedtime story-time together!

You have now been in school for six months in Teacher Rose's Grade000 class.


During your first week at school, you unwound an entire roll of toilet paper around all the desks and chairs in your class. Your favourite learning activities are Bicarb-vinegar reactions (explosions)


You have also started attending Sunday School and have learnt 'The Lord's Prayer' by heart.
I am so proud of you!!!!

This year in a nutshell:

* Favorite hang-out    - Jimmy Jungles



* Love animals, sea creatures and bugs.

* When asked where you would like to go too, you answer :
     Ushaka - to see the sharks, turtles and Nemo.
                         or
    the farm - to feed the sheep and cows and ride on the pony.



                         
  You also love feeding the fish and ducks at the park and going to the blockyard with Dad.


  You've gotten over your fear of the ocean and love visits to the beach, splash pad and pool.




* Favourite Storybook - The Gingerbread Man.

* Favourite Lullaby - Over in the meadow; Baby, baby, close your lovely eyes.

* Favourite Clothes - biker jacket, takkies...





   You also love wearing shorts; call your pjs 'jimamas' and you wear your sunglasses on your head (like Dad).
  Long-sleeved formal shirts are called 'granddad's shirts' and when you wear a tie, you peek into the mirror and exclaim 'Just like Grandad!'
Wellington boots are for stomping about and killing cockroaches.

* Favourite toys - tool set, mini bobcat, lego and Tamlyn's computer.

* Favourite food - Curry, any curry, especially if it is on Mom or Dad's plate! You hate getting your fingers messed and wipe your hands at least a dozen times during the meal. Cooldrink bottles are still very precious to you-you continue to carry them around from room to room.

* Favourite T.V program - Mickey Mouse ClubHouse and Art Attack (You love to copy Alex the Big Artist and often empty your closet and arrange your clothes across the floor to create 'Big Art'.)

Whenever I bake, you are always in the kitchen. You love to lick the frosting and cake batter, and of course, sample the sprinkles! You call your chef hat 'Muffin Man hat'.


   My darling boy, I love you so very much! Your charming smile and infectious laugh brightens my day. Your sweet hugs and wet kisses never fail to make me feel better. Even your mischief antics have a special place in my heart. You have learnt so much and grown so fast in the past year. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.
May God bless you infinitely, my darling son. 
May 'every good and perfect gift from above' be yours,
 just as you are my 'good and perfect gift'!!!
 Happy Birthday, Ethan Micheal!!!!

Father's Week - 13\06\14



A picture says a thousand words!!!





Thursday 12 June 2014

Father's Week - 12\06\14



Fruit Facials, anyone?


The Butterballs had a blast mixing and applying this easy fruit mask.

Ingredients: 2 mashed bananas and 2 tbls honey.

Leaves skin soft and smooth....Yummy Dad!!


Wednesday 11 June 2014

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Father's Week - 10\06\14



The Butterballs love massages! Rubbing on body lotion always involves a mini massage and the pain of little bumps and bruises are magically massaged and kissed away.

Today the Butterballs have decided to give dad a back massage.




 
After a few minutes of massaging (read: playing with the almond oil),
 the Butterballs decided to use dad's back as a jungle gym \ slippery slide.

I'm not sure who enjoyed this treat more - Calvin or the Butterballs!

Monday 9 June 2014

Fathers Week Celebrations





Calvin is an amazing husband and an awesome Dad. He works tirelessly to provide for our family and even after a long day at work, he still finds the energy to romp around with the Butterballs.

Going out for breakfast with Dad (while Mom is at work), is one of the Butterballs favourite activities - they get to have ice-cream for breakfast!

Calvin's spur-of-the-moment excursions ensure that the Butterballs jump up and race excitedly to the door as soon as they hear his bakkie pull into the driveway.

My husband is a GREAT dad and although we try to show our appreciation everyday of the year, we like to make Father's Day extra special by dedicating an entire week to spoiling dad!

During Father's Week, Calvin gets a special treat each day to remind him how much we love him and how special he is.

We started Father's Week with a sweet treat
... a giant chocolate cupcake!
...Yum!


Friday 6 June 2014

Birthday Traditions : Super-special Birthday Breakfast




Ethan loves frozen yoghurt so it was off to Filo's for a yummy breakfast celebration!







He looks like he's in heaven!!!

 

Monday 2 June 2014

Birthday Traditions : Photo Shoot Fun


Both Butterballs are super excited about writing a Birthday Bucket List.
Tamlyn already has her list done even though her birthday is in September,
and her list has changed at least a dozen times in the last week!!!
What have I got myself into??!!

Ethan's Birthday Bucket List is fairly simple...He wants to:
* Fly a kite
* Visit the blockyard. Calvin runs a Construction Company and Ethan loves watching the manufacturing of the retaining blocks.
* Fix stuff....read: Bash things with a hammer!  His favourite toy from the toolbox is his hammer
 which he uses to 'fix' everything from the bathroom door to the kitchen sink!




Ethan is totally crazy about construction, building, fixing (and breaking!)
so I decided to kill two birds with one stone by doing his birthday photo shoot at the blockyard.




This mini construction shoot was sooo fun!!!
Ethan loved every second of it!!




As for his Birthday Bucket List... 1 down, 2 to go!