Creative Junk

Is there one where you live? I only discovered this a few weeks ago but it has been in Christchurch for 25 years! It's a place, not a shop, more of a warehouse, that is filled with barrels and shelves of factory cut offs and throw outs, along with lots of things (plastic containers etc) from people kind enough to drop them in.You can fill a bag for less than $10 and have hours of fun with the collection. Great for children on those wet days and great for the classroom too.

Rhys kept changing his mind about what his creation was...but, he had fun and maybe it didn't need a label.


Joseph made a bird's nest with baby birds in it.

The little pieces of coloured stuff is the bits of plastic that surround wires, there was a whole barrel just with those in it. It'll no doubt end up in the landfill one day but at least its had a detour on the way.


Wool, shiny silvery paper, fabric, ribbon, empty spools, coloured card, polystyrene bits and whole bunch of other stuff I cannot name.

Born to be wild?

Here's a quick clip of Rhys on his new bike. This was going to be his (3rd) brithday pressent (in August), but his father had a feeling he was ready for it now. His mother proved this by teaching him how to ride it within 5 minutes or so. That's his brother giggling like the village idiot in the background!

He did have a few of these, most of which he laughed off.

"I'm clever dis bike . . . "

Not to be out done by his big brother and his cycling abilities, Rhys has taken well to the hand-me-down running bike on which Joseph earned his stripes!

Sleepy Boy

Amazing what the lull of a vacuum cleaner can do to a very tired wee boy.

We've been busy...

It's been a little while since we updated this but here a few photos to show what we've been up to. We spent most of last term doing the same old working thing, trying to be the best parents we can and having lots of family and friends staying. if I was really dedicated to this bloggging thing I'm sure I'd find half an hour every week to add to it, maybe I should try a bit harder this term!



We got rid of the not at all childproof water feature in the back garden and replaced it with a sandpit.


We're still deciding what we will do with the patch of dirt that is left, maybe a gravel pit, maybe a play house, maybe just grass...or perhaps a mud pit!


Littlest cousin Tripp has been down from Auckland a couple of times, the boys love him, we're not sure if it's mutual love yet as it's a bit overwhelming for the poor wee man coming down here and being put among his 4 big cousins.

My dear old friend Nikki came to stay, it was absolutely lovely and the boys adored her, Rhys said for weeks afterwards that 'Nikki gone home'.

We've also had my sister and her family here for a weekend along with our gorgeous friend Emma all the way from the Sunshine Coast (I just tried to add more photos but it's not cooperating). And a random visit from an old friend Jason with his beautiful daughter Bella.

It's been fantastic to have the space for so mnay to come down and visit, it's so easy with a big house and we love showing off this great city too. I think it might be time for us to take a trip North though so hopefully we'll get up to Wellington before Christmas.

Inside fun and...when stunts go wrong

Happiness is...

Playing with homemade playdough when it's still warm.

Here's the recipe:

1 C salt

1/4 C oil

1 1/2 tblspoons cream of tartar

2 C flour

1C cornflour

food colouring

2 1/2 C freshly boiled water

Put everything except flour in a large bowl or pot, add flour one cup at a time stirring vigorously.

This worked perfectly first time for me, it was so easy. Keep stirring if there are lumps and they will disappear. The cornflour (a secret trick from my Mother-in-law!) makes it really silky.

I made ours a few weeks ago and it is still good as new kept in a plastic bag in an ice-cream container. Hours of fun!