Canberra ... with activity links!

I was quick to put up our snow report following our holiday, but what did we do for the rest of that week?
Here's a glimpse ...


For a few nights we stayed with my Aunty and Uncle, where the children enjoyed playing with resident terriers Snowy and Sally.  One evening we enjoyed a family dinner with my cousins.  Elijah discovered another food he likes ... caviar and smoked salmon blini (small pancakes).  This adds to his favourite foods list of bbq baby octopus and homemade sushi (Makizushi 巻寿司), a definite seafood theme which has prevailed for a couple of years.  I LOVED being in a home with central ducted heating, even if it was sometimes a little too warm ... it was ironic to be warmer in Canberra than I had been for months, the reason being that we only use the gas heater or air conditioner for a few hours a day in the middle of winter.  Frugal and enviro-conscious intentions only!


Of the outings, QUESTACON was our family favourite.  There is so much to do and see, touch, experience, learn, wonder about ... the kids had fun in Mini-Q, the 0-6 yrs play zone.  Mini-Q featured an impressive water play setup which I'd love to replicate if I had a spare sunroom.  We loved watching a very clever live science show, "Invasion from the Planet Fwah" The BOC liquid nitrogen show.  We didn't try free-fall (a vertical slide), but I did go on the earthquake simulator (it was ok) and Track Attack, a rollercoaster simulator (awesome, even if I'm biased because my Uncle built it).  Jasmine was very upset (like totally traumatised) by the pretend guilotine and the accompanying sound effect ... we saw it as we explored a sideshow exhibit, then every time she heard it operating (even from other rooms) she would shake with fear.  In the end she practically dragged me through the exit doors, but thankfully didn't mention it again once home.  How I wish we lived closer and could go to Questacon more often (though at least we've seen their traveling exhibits when they've been in town).  See what you think of Questacon online, there are lots of activities (for kids and big kids like us!) to try, at  Perception Deception and ScIslands.


We drove on the public road to a lookout inside Duntroon.  A bunch of military trainees were hauling heavy packs up the huge mountain.  I was more interested in the immediate surroundings than the view of Australia's capital city, as it gave me a glimpse of the life path I didn't commence at age 17 (of the two cadetships I applied for, I accepted the offer from BHP Information Technology, and thankfully missed out on becoming an air traffic controller with ADFA at the last stage of selection ... their wise psychs must have realised I wasn't made of tough enough stuff) ... whew!  


Cockington Green minitature village was a big hit with the kids, and we walked around for hours listening to them say, "Look at that!" as they noticed every little detail.  In the International display Elijah wanted to quiz me about every country and type of building ... I wished I was a walking encyclopedia.  If we go again I'll see if we can have a guided tour with an expert!


Our next venue was the National Dinosaur Museum, which was a bit of a fizzer.  Perhaps on it's own we would have seen it in a more exciting light.  It was kind of small, and the tired children just wanted to zoom around, buy unnecessary 'stuff' in the gift shop, and go out for icecreams.  Elijah and I preferred the Australian Museum in Sydney which we visited last year.


We saw Parliament House from various angles as we drove to other places, but will save the proper tour until the children are a bit older.  They are pretty interested in government and followed the recent election with us.  They talk about Kevin Rudd, and weave Julia Gillard into their play conversations in amusing ways (such as once, she was telling Barbie she would pass a law to allow boys to go to hairdressers ... is that a hint of discontent about MY home salon skills?)


The Australian War Memorial was the place Elijah MOST wanted to see, but we didn't get there.  Time just ran out and we decided it would best be left until next time.  Until then we can use their Kids HQ website to learn more about our history.

Lovely Surprise!

What a lovely surprise to wake up to ... a Beautiful Blogger Award!

Thank you Subadra, for the award, and the lovely comments you wrote about my blog.  I always find something inspiring, useful or amusing to read at your Library of Books, Links and More ... it's an absolute treasure-trove!  I have bookmarked many pages to refer to when my children are ready to explore certain topics, and some pages, such as this one about architecture, have helped with my own life-long education.

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I'll admit I haven't properly participated in blog awards before, being too daunted by the rules.  But I'm more familiar with how to do links etc. now, so am ready to give it a go!

The rules state a recipient of the Beautiful Blogger award must:

1) Add a link and note of thanks to the person giving the award.

2) Pass the award on to the bloggers whose blogs you love (15 tops)

3) Share 7 things about yourself

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There are SO many blogs I love reading!  Subadra has already nominated a couple of blogs I would also have chosen ... freeplaylife and Magic and Mayhem.  


It's my pleasure to send Beautiful Blogger Awards to:

Almost Unschoolers  ... always full to overflowing with ideas about science, cooking, craft and everything to do with home ed.  This family with 6 kids looks like a wonderful place to grow children!

Do Whatever He Tells You ... I love reading Tricia's blog about her home school journey and faith.  I especially appreciate Tricia's informative and insightful posts about Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Aspergers and PDD-NOS.  I have several friends whose children have these and other special needs, and am always keen to understand them better, and in doing so, gain ideas about how to cater for the various, unique needs of all children.

Dove's Rest ... Renelle writes from the heart, and shares some funny stories about her children.  Dove's Rest is a great source of inspiration and homeschool tips ... Renelle has great taste in resources, and a lovely way of sharing her family's journey into home ed.

Escape Adulthood ... I came across this blog a few months ago, and just love the way Kim and Jason express their vision for a fun, child-like life!  They're living their dream, encouraging readers to do the same and providing ideas to help us do it.

Left to their own Devices ... Michelle and I live on opposite sides of the world, but the similarities in our children are sometimes uncanny ... it helps to know someone else is facing similar challenges and triumphs.  When I see a new post or comment by M.J., it's like a friend dropping in for a cuppa!

Eclectic Homeschool ... I enjoy reading about the many educational adventures these guys go on ... I especially love their voracious appetite for languages.  Their very skillful Captain (aka Mum) guides them skillfully around this big, amazing world!

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That seems long enough, but the rules say I have to share 7 things about myself, so I'll try ...

1.  When I was a child I thought my ears were too big and stuck out a mile ... but eventually I grew into them!

2.  As a child I always got in trouble for reading.  In first grade it was because I read the book upside down (it was more interesting that way!)  At home it was because it was dinner time, chore time, bed time or social time.  Now I'm grown up (kind of) ... and I still get in trouble for reading too much.  I'm not addicted though ... I can stop anytime.  In fact I did once stop recreational reading, by my own choice, for a whole year, except for reading the Bible.

3.  I used to go with Dad on long distance trips when he owned a truck.  I loved getting beyond the towns and mountains, out where the road was flat and the only thing on the horizon could be a couple of wheat silos and a single, crooked shed.  One of my loveliest memories is sitting on top of a covered load of grain, in a place like that, just quietly watching the sun set.

4.  I'm such a perfectionist that I even worry about getting my blog wrong!!!!  I know I'm not perfect though, so forgive my imperfect grammar and punctuation, my hybrid of English/ American spelling and superfluous superlatives  ;)

5.  Both sets of my Grandparents moved to Australia (one set from England, the other from Holland) when they were in their 20's.  I love this land surrounded by sea, the shape and size of this continent and especially the colours and contrasts.  I especially love places where the bush meets the sea.  If you want to see some stunning photos, click here.

6.  I've been using Apple Macintosh computers since I finished highschool.  My current iMac has a lovely white monitor surround.  I don't own an iPod, iPad or iPhone.  My mobile phone (which I share with hubby) is a 10 year old Nokia, for which I have the cheapest bills ever!!  Usually under $8 a month.

7.  Seven happens to be my favourite number.  I like it's Biblical meaning (in Bible Numerics, 7 is the number of spiritual perfection, and God's seal).  I also like that 7 is odd and a prime number.  Interestingly, I was baptised by full immersion on the 7.7.00, after receiving the Holy Spirit (with evidence of speaking in tongues for the first time) on 5.7.00 (five is the number of Grace).

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Thanks for reading my blog!!

I won't be offended if award recipients can't follow the Beautiful Blogger rules ... it's nice to "Pay It Forward ", but I think how you do it is up to you!