Americanese

We had our first run-in with americanism's today when Jamin got home from Kindy.

I was taking his shoes off and I said "you must have spent a lot of time in the sand pit today!

Look at all the sand in your shoes".

Jamin said "It's called a sandbox Mum".

Uh Oh. It's started and I don't know if I like it!

the Magic School Bus...

Before we left for the U.S. Jamin was spending every Monday with his Gran, which everyone involved loved, especially me!

Gran had a dvd called the Magic School Bus which Jamin loved and watched almost every week. It's basically the story of a class of kids, their quirky science teacher and a magic yellow american school bus that flies them around to interesting places.

So fast forward to our move to the U.S. and imagine Jamin's excitement when he finds out that his kindy is running a summer camp that takes them on field trips to interesting places every week. This is a picture of the entrance to his kindy.

So far he has seen much more of Salt Lake City than me or Danny. He's been to:

This Is The Place

Museum of Natural History

Wheeler Farm

Red Butte Gardens

So this week Jamin's field trip was to a jumping gym and his teacher said that he had loads of fun. I managed to get some pictures of him and the other kids getting off the big yellow bus in their matching 'field trip' t-shirts.

This is Jamin with his new friend Kalice.

Fishing for 'Table Time'

Most days Jamin and Kael spend some time at the table while I am making dinner or doing jobs around the house. It gives me a chance to catch up on housework and them a great opportunity to learn self-control and focus on a game or task that I give them.

Recently Ainsley gave me a great resource called "Preschool Activities in a Bag" which has 20 or so easily made activities using things from around the house. Ainz, the wonderful friend that she is, started me off by sending us a few of the activity bags in the mail (that was an exciting day!) and now I have begun my part of the collection by making the "Let's Go Fishing" Bag.

Jamin had a great time trying it out this afternoon and I had lots of fun making it. Oftentimes I get just as much pleasure out of making toys for him as he does in playing with it. We are a good team!

Next up... Bean Bag Toss.

it makes me happy

Danny has hung my very special wind mobile from the Eumundi Markets in Australia.

Now it feels like home...

Independance Day!

We have spent the weekend enjoying the 4th of July festivities around Salt Lake City.

Saturday we went to our local celebrations which had lots of fun things for the kids and great food.

Jamin went on a mini-train ride with his Oma.

Had his face painted

Got a tiger balloon and crown made

Kael joined in the patriotism as well

Today we took a drive out to Park City, about 30 minutes out of Salt Lake, where they had a parade and some 4th of July celebrations.

Jamin's favourite was this balloon and birthday cake Smart Car. Mum said that he mostly waved to the balloons and covered his ears from the noise.

There were some pretty great floats, including the local fire engines.

Now we are going to attempt going to bed with the sounds of fireworks going off around the neighbourhood.

Gifts from Gran

Danny's Mum sent over some beautiful presents for the boys.

She makes a Quillow for each of her Grandchildren and Kael's is a "Hungry Caterpillar" one which brightens up the floor!

She also sent a wind spinner which Jamin is very excited about!

Certainly looks like summer over here and our backyard has some great shade.

Helps to have water to be able to turn the sprinkler system on twice a day - unheard of in Toowoomba!! Took me a while to get out of the habit of feeling guilty :)

A corner of the house...

I am loving the flowers that we have picked from our own garden and this picture of my Dad that sits on the computer table in the living area.