Hands up who knows what Whizzpoppers are?
Anyone?
Well, its the result of the downward bubbles that are created when giants drink Frobscottle. Thats the Coke equivalent with the one big difference of having the bubbles fizz downwards instead of up. So, the effect of those downward bubbles is er....not a burp.
Aaron and I have been reading The BFG by Roald Dahl these past few nights and this word has stuck. We were on the way to mass and he proudly proclaims "Whizzpopper!" In the middle of playing and again, he yells out "Whizzpopper!"
Now, is that alright? I don't know. We had a big laugh when we were reading about it and I did say that it could almost be like a secret word that we could use and not many peoploe would know what we were talking about (until I blog about it).
Whizzpoppers are such a source of laughter in this house. Even Adrian finds it funny. All kids do! So, should they really be a source of embarrassment to parents when they're out and about? I didn't know whether to laugh or pretend not to notice when Adrian one day did a downward dog (the yoga pose) and then made a whizzpopper noise. No prizes for guessing who taught him that!
Just like everything else in life's balancing act, we all have to learn to balance what we genuinely find funny in the home and what we can only secretly find funny when we're out. The problem is that people like Adrian don't know that difference and let all our secrets out to the outside world!
My final thoughts on this is that I don't think its entirely right of me to tell them its wrong to laugh at something that :
1) they 'discovered' to be funny by themselves.
2) makes them laugh spontaneously (and also makes me laugh to see the fun on their faces).
3) is really a natural phenomena that average humans encounter about 14 times a day.
Right...now all I have to figure out is how to explain 'home jokes' and 'outside jokes'.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Free Music at Gregory Park
No matter what impact the latest Federal Budget has on spending (or spending cuts), I hope the Brisbane City Council will still have these free bands in the parks on Sunday afternoons. Its fantastic to spend a lazy one hour, sitting on the grass, enjoying some music.
There was a kid's theme to this afternoon's performance with the band playing many TV show tunes, including the Thomas the Tank Engine. That was a huge hit with the crowds - parents and children alike!
The afternoon wasn't entirely lazy, although it was easy work to play with Aaron and Adrian.
You can see the band in the background of this photo. I thought the boys might have needed some incentive to stay in the once place for a little while.
They last for about half the duration and then we decided that we could listen to the music while playing around.
I don't think I have anything to worry about in terms of Adrian being too cautious (the way the Aaron is). The second after this photo was taken, he was struggling to get free from me and walk that plank alone!
Here he is again, trying his best to keep up with Aaron.
Thankfully, Aaron is still very enthusiastic about 'taking care' of Adrian.
And thats the end of another weekend...
There was a kid's theme to this afternoon's performance with the band playing many TV show tunes, including the Thomas the Tank Engine. That was a huge hit with the crowds - parents and children alike!
The afternoon wasn't entirely lazy, although it was easy work to play with Aaron and Adrian.
You can see the band in the background of this photo. I thought the boys might have needed some incentive to stay in the once place for a little while.
They last for about half the duration and then we decided that we could listen to the music while playing around.
I don't think I have anything to worry about in terms of Adrian being too cautious (the way the Aaron is). The second after this photo was taken, he was struggling to get free from me and walk that plank alone!
Here he is again, trying his best to keep up with Aaron.
Thankfully, Aaron is still very enthusiastic about 'taking care' of Adrian.
And thats the end of another weekend...
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Replica of HMB Endeavour
As mentioned in my last post, the HMB Endeavour was in town and we took Aaron. We actually went with Aaron's friend, Toby, and his father. Aaron and Toby are of course, dinosaur crazy. But, on the sidelines, they also want to be pirates. So, what we got on Sunday were two pirate dinosaur boys going crazy.
I don't know what causes it because I believe that both of these boys are quite well behaved individually. Its a whole different story when they get together. The energy level, craziness, 'rude' word competitions (y'know, things like wee and poo), EVERYTHING, is multiplied ten times. They run everywhere, roar at each other, switch from dinosaur characters over to pirate characters without stopping by at being boys. Its a little unfair to say that they misbehaved or were being naughty but that kind of excitement level was really tiring for us parents to keep reigned in. Ironically, the only time that these two get together (apart from the occasional outing like this) is during Sunday mass and for a short time afterwards.
Anyhow, I didn't get to go on the ship but I thought I'd still share some of the photos they shared with me. I do wish I could have gone on as well.
I always thought these types of ships were all 'HMS' but now I know that in the 18th Century, ships were classified according to the shape of their hull. So, the 'B' here is for Bark - a ship with a flat bow and square stern. This isn't the REAL HMB Endeavour that Captain Cook used on his discovery voyage to Terra Australia of course, just a very good replica.
I guessed that it would have been low below deck but I never knew that at some parts, Aaron was the only one that could stay standing upright. And look at this photo with the little door.
Now, one of the interesting little tidbits that they relayed to me was that the toilet was right at the front of the ship. St the pointy part of the bow was a platform with a hole in it, of course. There is more to the trivia but I don't think I'd like to share that on my blog.
I don't know what causes it because I believe that both of these boys are quite well behaved individually. Its a whole different story when they get together. The energy level, craziness, 'rude' word competitions (y'know, things like wee and poo), EVERYTHING, is multiplied ten times. They run everywhere, roar at each other, switch from dinosaur characters over to pirate characters without stopping by at being boys. Its a little unfair to say that they misbehaved or were being naughty but that kind of excitement level was really tiring for us parents to keep reigned in. Ironically, the only time that these two get together (apart from the occasional outing like this) is during Sunday mass and for a short time afterwards.
Anyhow, I didn't get to go on the ship but I thought I'd still share some of the photos they shared with me. I do wish I could have gone on as well.
I always thought these types of ships were all 'HMS' but now I know that in the 18th Century, ships were classified according to the shape of their hull. So, the 'B' here is for Bark - a ship with a flat bow and square stern. This isn't the REAL HMB Endeavour that Captain Cook used on his discovery voyage to Terra Australia of course, just a very good replica.
I guessed that it would have been low below deck but I never knew that at some parts, Aaron was the only one that could stay standing upright. And look at this photo with the little door.
Now, one of the interesting little tidbits that they relayed to me was that the toilet was right at the front of the ship. St the pointy part of the bow was a platform with a hole in it, of course. There is more to the trivia but I don't think I'd like to share that on my blog.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
What I Owe My Mother
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. I had the usual sort of Sunday, filled with outdoor time with the family. We took Aaron to see the HMB Endeavor but they didn't allow anyone shorter than 90cm on board so I had to stay on land with Adrian. I'll put some pictures up in my next post. For today, lets have something about 'Mothers'.
I got this in an email that my father forwarded to both my mother and me. Now, is he trying to give me a lesson on all the lessons I can give my children. OR, is he just reminding me of the strife that I might have caused my mother and that I am getting payback for now.
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION
"You better pray that this will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
"Because I said so, that's why."
5.My mother taught me MORE LOGIC
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
"You'll sit there until all that SOUP is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOUR
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a tent?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favourite:
My mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"
I got this in an email that my father forwarded to both my mother and me. Now, is he trying to give me a lesson on all the lessons I can give my children. OR, is he just reminding me of the strife that I might have caused my mother and that I am getting payback for now.
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION
"You better pray that this will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
"Because I said so, that's why."
5.My mother taught me MORE LOGIC
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA
"You'll sit there until all that SOUP is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOUR
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a tent?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favourite:
My mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Home Made Dragon
Its Saturday morning and I'm feeling very lazy. Wouldn't it be great to have a lazy day at home doing nothing? Unfortunately, there wouldn't be much chance of 'doing nothing' in this house so instead, I've negotiated for a few minutes to myself now and then we're going to head off for our usual couple of hours at the state library.
We go there for the sing-a-longs as well as the low craft tables and ample amounts of kid friendly craft supplies they have laid out. This term, they have have the area setup as a kitchen table with a giant walk-in saucepan, kitchen table and chef dress-up area.
Here is Aaron's and my creation from out more recent trip. I wonder what we'll make today.
We go there for the sing-a-longs as well as the low craft tables and ample amounts of kid friendly craft supplies they have laid out. This term, they have have the area setup as a kitchen table with a giant walk-in saucepan, kitchen table and chef dress-up area.
Here is Aaron's and my creation from out more recent trip. I wonder what we'll make today.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Music In Our House
One of the most common things that mothers of young children will say is that they're singing Nursery Rhymes all the time. They no longer know what the latest releases are but they know all the variations of "The Wheels On The Bus".
I'm like that too but I also try to share the music that I loved as a child, with Aaron and Adrian. When I was around Aaron's age, four and a half, all the music came from a records that my parents had. The record player was an extremely precious possession so we weren't allowed near it but my parents were more than happy to oblige us with whichever record we wanted to listen to.
Amongst the many records, I remember three favorites: 1) A Harry Belafonte album (but we only wanted to listen to the Banana Boat Song), 2) A Boney M Album (entire thing) and finally, 3) A children's one that had "She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain" as the first song. My mother must have been trying to share her old favorites with us because we know all the Elvis songs too.
With Aaron, I made a lot of CDs of all my favorite songs, including those from my childhood. So, he's very familiar with the Banana Boat Song, Elvis was an early favorite of his and he was singing "If You Want To Be Happy (For The Rest Of Your Life)" when he was two and a half. He was like a little old men and a source of great entertainment for all his grand aunts and uncles when it came to singing them a song.
I haven't been able to do the same for Adrian because Aaron has been monopolizing the CD Player and we listen to Jurassic Joe and his dinosaur songs most of the time. So, Adrian is good at those. Or so I thought.....
"Tik Tok" by Ke$ha came on the radio and all of a sudden, both Aaron and Adrian are bopping to it. Aaron can sing along! I don't even really know it. So, I eventually find out that not only do they know KeSha, they know Usher! Specifically, "DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again". Just imagine a baby voice, with baby pronunciation singing "Eyes eyes eyes..."
Guess what Richard has been doing whenever it was his turn to watch them??
I don't have a problem with it although, now that I think of it, I haven't exactly listened or examined the lyrics yet. Who knows what they could be singing about! Kids don't go into details anyway, they just look cute singing.
Meanwhile, I've been going through a Muppets phase - something I missed during my own childhood. Those guys were cool! And look, here they are with Harry Belafonte:
I want to balance their exposure to music to include more classical pieces, and I have tried (even with Adrian), but they just don't take to it as willingly or as rapidly. *sigh* Well, I suppose I can't have them liking everything that I like....
I'm like that too but I also try to share the music that I loved as a child, with Aaron and Adrian. When I was around Aaron's age, four and a half, all the music came from a records that my parents had. The record player was an extremely precious possession so we weren't allowed near it but my parents were more than happy to oblige us with whichever record we wanted to listen to.
Amongst the many records, I remember three favorites: 1) A Harry Belafonte album (but we only wanted to listen to the Banana Boat Song), 2) A Boney M Album (entire thing) and finally, 3) A children's one that had "She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain" as the first song. My mother must have been trying to share her old favorites with us because we know all the Elvis songs too.
With Aaron, I made a lot of CDs of all my favorite songs, including those from my childhood. So, he's very familiar with the Banana Boat Song, Elvis was an early favorite of his and he was singing "If You Want To Be Happy (For The Rest Of Your Life)" when he was two and a half. He was like a little old men and a source of great entertainment for all his grand aunts and uncles when it came to singing them a song.
I haven't been able to do the same for Adrian because Aaron has been monopolizing the CD Player and we listen to Jurassic Joe and his dinosaur songs most of the time. So, Adrian is good at those. Or so I thought.....
"Tik Tok" by Ke$ha came on the radio and all of a sudden, both Aaron and Adrian are bopping to it. Aaron can sing along! I don't even really know it. So, I eventually find out that not only do they know KeSha, they know Usher! Specifically, "DJ Got Us Falling In Love Again". Just imagine a baby voice, with baby pronunciation singing "Eyes eyes eyes..."
Guess what Richard has been doing whenever it was his turn to watch them??
I don't have a problem with it although, now that I think of it, I haven't exactly listened or examined the lyrics yet. Who knows what they could be singing about! Kids don't go into details anyway, they just look cute singing.
Meanwhile, I've been going through a Muppets phase - something I missed during my own childhood. Those guys were cool! And look, here they are with Harry Belafonte:
I want to balance their exposure to music to include more classical pieces, and I have tried (even with Adrian), but they just don't take to it as willingly or as rapidly. *sigh* Well, I suppose I can't have them liking everything that I like....
Monday, May 2, 2011
Urban Country Music Festival
We had such a big day out yesterday that I went to bed shortly after tucking Aaron in! Ten years ago, or even five years ago, I wouldn't have thought that I would go, very much out of my way, to an Urban Country Music Festival like this. It was all because of clogging that we went and we all had a great time.
All my regular readers know that I enjoy clogging. So yesterday, I tried to get Richard interested too. We set off on the one hour drive to Caboolture at 8am so that he could participate in the Introductory Clogging class. He did alright for a first timer and seemed to enjoy it but I didn't get the feeling that he's going to be as enthusiastic about it as I am. I did my clogging in the afternoon at the Social.
The clogging was only a small part of this huge festival. I honestly didn't expect it to be such a big deal but it was. Its not just for country music lovers, the festival had many live bands dotted throughout the areas playing both country and 'urban' music. We didn't have time to explore all the grounds and stayed only at the historical village.
I think there is usually an entry fee for the historical village but on festival days, it was free entry (the festival was free too!). The place was fascinating with an assortment of historical buildings from various parts of Caboolture that were brought too this site, positioned as a village would have been and then setup inside as they would have been in the old days.
Here are a few of the photos:
I do have one suggestion for the organizers - Give those rubbish bins a bit more of a historical look or disguise them better. They're ruining my photos :)
Aaron had a great day too. His friend from the state library was performing at the Children's area. Here they both are trying to get some 'customers'.
This bushranger had Aaron very worried. He was cracking his whip and firing his pistol and then he told Aaron he was going to rob the pub. And Aaron believed it all.
It was so much fun that I'm already looking forward to next year. There was so much more of the festival that we didn't get too!
All my regular readers know that I enjoy clogging. So yesterday, I tried to get Richard interested too. We set off on the one hour drive to Caboolture at 8am so that he could participate in the Introductory Clogging class. He did alright for a first timer and seemed to enjoy it but I didn't get the feeling that he's going to be as enthusiastic about it as I am. I did my clogging in the afternoon at the Social.
The clogging was only a small part of this huge festival. I honestly didn't expect it to be such a big deal but it was. Its not just for country music lovers, the festival had many live bands dotted throughout the areas playing both country and 'urban' music. We didn't have time to explore all the grounds and stayed only at the historical village.
I think there is usually an entry fee for the historical village but on festival days, it was free entry (the festival was free too!). The place was fascinating with an assortment of historical buildings from various parts of Caboolture that were brought too this site, positioned as a village would have been and then setup inside as they would have been in the old days.
Here are a few of the photos:
I do have one suggestion for the organizers - Give those rubbish bins a bit more of a historical look or disguise them better. They're ruining my photos :)
Aaron had a great day too. His friend from the state library was performing at the Children's area. Here they both are trying to get some 'customers'.
This bushranger had Aaron very worried. He was cracking his whip and firing his pistol and then he told Aaron he was going to rob the pub. And Aaron believed it all.
It was so much fun that I'm already looking forward to next year. There was so much more of the festival that we didn't get too!
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