Sewing sisters!

Sewing with your sister is "sew" much fun!!

 Especially when you are still in your Pj's!

What have you been up to lately??
Smiles The Torrents'

History of Launceston for Kids - Prince's Square

Tuesday's are our History learning days. We are having a ball getting out and about in the crisp Winter air and discovering the wonder of the History of Launceston.

 

Prince's Square, once called St John's Square is a remarkable place of interest! Whether it be the stories about the amazing fountain in the center, of the fact that convicts used to make bricks there or even that the Duke of Edinburgh himself planted two Oak trees (that are still standing.) There is PLENTY to learn about this square!!

Like why is there a statue of Dr William Russ Pugh on the steps of the park??? Well you will need to read on HERE to find that out.....

Here is the old hospital building that he worked at... the plaque tells all about it. Hannah is reading it out to everyone.

See the awesome old sign in the footpath...... sooo very cool!!
WE are loving this,
Smiles The Torrents'

Winter veggie garden

 

I've not ever bothered with a Winter veggie garden as the sun doesn't really reach that part of the yard at this time of the year. However I was talking to one of my wonderful friends Hubbie, and he encouraged me to give it a go!! Esther is one of my keen gardeners, she loves to get out there and get her hands dirty! I love that cause then it motivates me to get out there too! So after much weeding and digging we were ready to plant!

 

 

 

We planted some Spinach, cauliflower, carrots and parsley! What a fun afternoon in the veggie patch we had.
Smiles The Torrents'

Ant food experiment {part one}

We've all been quite sick for what seems to be ALL WINTER! However in this last week the children and I have felt low again and so the "normal" book routine has been out the window and we've done more of the FUN learning like craft, art and experiments!
With our theme on animals this term I saw a great experiment for ants! You simply put out different types of food scraps and see what is the favourite for the ants. Easy!

For our first attempt we put out Strawberry, Toasty sandwitch, strawberry jam and lastly honey. We wrote down our guesses and waited........

and waited......

and then saw that the ants not only liked the Jam but also the dried up Yogurt that was stuck in the lid that I used! (opps!!)

Here we saw an ant carrying off some bread

and then we noticed that the toasty was totally gone..... we were thinking a bird helped themselves!!
Smiles The Torrents'

Paper Snowflakes

 

 With the recent snow fall again this Winter I got the children involved in making some fun, very easy paper snowflakes! They usually happily cut ones all year through in a big square piece of paper but this time I wanted to show them how to make a round one!

 

 

 

 

 First you cut out your "random" pattern, 

then start to unfold

now for the surprise and finished snowflake!

HERE is where I found the best info. SO with the laptop, scissors, pencils and paper we were all off making wonderfully, different, beautiful paper snow flakes!

Then with the scraps we made little ones......

We've put them up on the windows for our Winter decorations this year! I love how they all look, it's been really nice to enjoy these amazing creations around the home this season.
Smiles The Torrents'

Our Snow trip 2013

 

   

We like to try and get to the snow each year. This year I wasn't sure that we'd make it with a baby and all but when I was out and about the other Saturday morning and saw the amazing white tips on the mountains I came home most excited to go for a trip!
When went the following weekend (YAY the snow was still there!) and decided that instead of the mountains we'd go to the Central highlands. It was the best decision and is now our children's FAV spot to go!!! (so they kept saying!!) For a start it was WARM!! Yes, it seems strange to say but the sun was sooo delightful and it was totally warm! We found a great spot to pull over and there was a paddock like piece of land that we all had loads of fun playing in!

 

 

 

 Sapphire was totally mesmerized by it, Esther had a blast and couldn't be happier,  

which was lovely after last years melt down after about 1/2 hour!!

 

 

 

 

  there was a ramp for the toboggans..... very funny....eating and tossing of the snow!!!

 

Hannah also had the best time EVER in the snow (she also usually doesn't have much fun due to very cold feet) and Sophia and Zeke, well they loved every minute too!! (though they always do!)

 

 

The girls made snow angels.... sooo beautiful!!

Of course you can't leave the snow without trying to take some home, Hannah got onto that job and filled the windscreen with that wonderful white stuff before we headed off!
Smiles The Torrents'