Kids iron beds

Right now I am so into Pinterest. It's like having a new magazine of whatever you want to look at everyday, but you can rip out your favourite pages and put them all together. I'm gaining a lot of inspiration for B and Little Miss's bedrooms. In our house we need to to a lot of renovating, kids bedrooms included.

I have been admiring antique single iron beds and have been really wanting one for Little Miss. So it was with a screech of brakes and butterflies in my stomach that I approached one the other day at a garage sale. I thought it was going to be at least $200, but was overjoyed to find it was only $30!!! It does need restoration and a new coat of paint, but Little Miss really loves it.

The following images are of kids rooms with iron beds that I think have a lovely old world feel to them. A magical space seems to be created when something with history is given to a child to use and appreciate. If only the furniture could talk. All the children that have come before and laughed, played and learnt  in the presence of these objects. Growing up is such a precious impressionable time. Making a space special for each of my kids is high on the renovation priority list.

Source: daffodildesign.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: marktuckey.com.au via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: elinadahl.blogspot.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: dotcomsformoms.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: plentyofcolour.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: designspirationsk.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: kireei.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: remodelista.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: 2bydesign.blogspot.com via Chapter on Pinterest

Source: designspirationsk.com via Chapter on Pinterest

How to really love a child

This is great advice,

from here

Easter Picnic

I have this little sister Ruthie, she is small and very funny.

Ruthie lives on a lot of land and keeps alpacas.

This Easter she had the idea to have a family picnic under a tree in a faraway paddock.

So we had to trek to the paddock.

Past the alpacas





































































and up the hill































Where we picnicked by lying around and eating a lot of food

We played "bunny hop", which is Ruthie's Easter version of Kris Kringle only with Easter eggs (This is a game where you take turns to select a wrapped gift, but can choose an opened gift someone else has already selected, so it can get a bit playful) Thankfully the children did not end up in tears.




Full of the view, food and chocolate, we then we made the trek back again.



Now I have to admit I was not all that keen on the idea of trekking up the hill to the picnic spot. Lacking in adventure that day I just wanted to enjoy the warmth of the house and a comfy chair. I may have even been hoping for some rain to spoil the plans, naughty sister that I am.

But I have to admit how wrong I was. The effort was absolutely worth it, the fresh air, the exercise and the view altered my soggy mood, we all laughed about this crazy thing we were doing and it felt really good. So like most things in life the more you put in the more you get out.

Thank goodness I have a funny sister.

Crazy about Creationary

It's no secret the Chapter Forty household is a big fan of Lego. We all love the stuff. Sure it can be annoying when it's in the bed or underfoot, but I can forgive is uncomfortable corners as it's just so wonderfully creative, entertaining, imaginative and playful. I thought it couldn't get much better than that really, but then entered the Lego game Creationary. (With thanks to my 23 year old nephew)

You have a box of basic Lego pieces and a deck of cards picturing, vehicles, buildings, natural things and tools of some kind. The idea is that you have to make an item from the card and the other players have to guess what you have created. The cards vary in difficultly and the rules are adaptable, so one person can create or all the players can create at the same time.

It sounds simple enough, but with the box of basic pieces limiting your palette you have to get very creative.

B is really good at Creationary and he wanted to record some of our creations.

Owl

Windmill

Ruler

Seaplane

Microwave

Camera

Butterfly

Stethoscope

Crab

Skier

The sun

Eiffel tower

Drag racer

Tractor

Plane

Park bench

Broadcast van

So now you know what we have been up to lately. It kind of goes without saying that we highly recommend this game.

Perfect picnic

That late afternoon sun is a reminder to make the most of what time is left.

To love and embrace those around you.

To try something new.

To run just because you can.

Life is too precious to worry.

So have a laugh instead.

Exploding rainbows

Wondering what to do with the kids? Here is a simple activity that B and Little Miss called exploding rainbows. Seeing as B can't get enough of anything war or bomb related (hear me cringe) and Little Miss's favourite colour is currently rainbow, this activity went down a treat. I also liked it as I had everything on hand and didn't need to purchase anything special.

To make your own exploding rainbows take a plate of milk

Add some food colouring

Then dip an ear bud into some liquid soap like hand wash and then into the milk. Watch in amazement as the soap changes the surface of the milk and the colours mix together.





I could have talked to the kids about the science of detergents and fats or even prattled on about colour mixing, but I didn't. Instead we just played, they never asked why? So we just enjoyed the magic of their exploding rainbows.