The Blog of Geoff, Nattie, William,Toby & Jack

Today will had his swimming assessment and he’s got the ‘bubble, bubble, breathe thing happening and has gone up!! Well done mate.

Tonight both older boys Will and Tobes were particularly cuddly with Daddy. It was just beautiful as it’s not often they are both so affectionate.

We have really noticed a change in Will’s maturity levels. He is very ready for school next year and it’s exciting to see how enthusiastic he is about it.

This last weekend we went away with Th Balls to Coledale. Will was really well behaved and deserved to be praised for this which we did.

Photos in smug mug but here’s a few.

This weekend we spent down at Santuary Point with Nanna, Poppy, Angus and Callum. The weather was fairly average but we did get a nice day on Saturday and we walked to the shops where we had coffee and some snacks. After that all of us except Poppy went to Green Patch – it was gorgeous. Callum decided despite the cold water he would do some snorkelling, the boys had a beautiful time.

Site 31.

Arrived at 10am.

More photos on Smugmug! We are returning on 1st and 2nd of December!

Great site and awesome for the kids. Stayed on 268.

More photos on Smugmug!

We spent the weekend away at the gorgeous Currawong Beach, it was so nice to spend some time with Lish and Dave (now engaged) and they were great with the kids.
Here’s a link to the drone aerial shots that I took - https://www.geoffsphotos.com.au/Holidays/Currawong-Getaway-August-2018-Drone-Shots/

And here’s some more shots of the weekend in general - https://www.geoffsphotos.com.au/Holidays/Currawong-Getaway-with-Dave-and-/

 

Will at just over 5 has a watch and is telling the time like a trooper!! He know the hour and 1/2hour!! So impressed!!

He is also training soccer skills with the Basilian soccer school on Thursday afternoons and getting so good!!

He is all enrolled to go to Harbord Public School next year and so very excited!!

He will be the grammar police like Pa Pete I think as today he corrected Toby by saying “are we there not are we here as we aren’t there yet”!!

Toby is 2.5yrs and in the thick of whinge and complain mode. With little tantrums along the way!!

He is getting himself undressed and nearly dressed.. he is totally toilet trained for wees and working towards not having to put a pull up on for poos!!

He is speaking so well and having beautiful conversations with us, teaching us even more about life…

His bestie at Daycare is Oli and we hear all about their playing and how they share a love of Thomas the tank!

Toby doesn’t join us at the dinner table for dinner currently as he has a small amount and head off to find some fun and adventure! Very frustrating though very cute too!!

Today we went to the zoo, he was so excited and after being there for approx 20mins he told me “mummy you can come to my party”! This obviously means he likes me and was happy we were at the zoo!! Haha…

Jack is a few days off 7 months and learning everyday! He is making all sorts of noises and even saying “dad dad dad dadda” He is now starting to eat more and understands what to do with food so I am giving him 3 small meals a day with some luck!

He is a good sleeper, only waking for his dummy or 1 bottle a night and then straight back to sleep..

He loves his brothers and laughs at theirs antics, always watching and following them…

He has his 6 month check and is tracking well with everything!

He is our dream bubs, so smiley and fun, not often getting upset at much… except when hungry or tired…

Jack loves his dummy and his family.. he lols exactly love me currently and still has blue eyes at this stage!!

We had a beautiful weekend away at Lower Portland, and we stayed this time at a place we’d never been to before – a private ski park (water skiing) called Cornelia Park which was right next to Alex’s Dad’s place. The weather was gorgeous and we looked out onto a beautiful wide open space of grass (all be it a bit brown due to the recent lack of rain). There were loads of catch ups with lots of the original mothers group including Lauren, Dave and their four kids Jo, Johnny, James and Izzy, Meca, Chris, Savanna, Luka, Alex, Bel, Eva then Jess and Brett with Zoe and Liam. Lots of fun down by the water making fire, collecting wood and feeding the cows but also enjoying a little ride on that back of the ride on lawnmower. Some of the kids also got a ride with Brett on the kayak! Cudos to him as it wasn’t warm! Lots of pics here:

Wow!! We made it to five!! Happy Happy Birthday Beautiful Boy Will….

To celebrate our third wedding anniversary we took off to beautiful Berry, via Sanctuary Point where we dropped off Will and Tobes on the Friday afternoon. Will was a biiiig chatterbox most of the way down but ended up snoozing for about 30 minutes for the last leg of the journey. After a cuppa and an afternoon snack and big hugs and kisses goodbye we were in our way as a temporary family of three to Silo’s Estate.

We were greeted by Royce and we shared a lovely glass of sparkling red- he was typically welcoming and chatty!

Opening the door to ‘our’ cottage was like being ‘home’ again – some beautiful memories here.

Friday night called for a night out at Leaf Thai restaurant in town – it never fails to impress. We enjoyed spring rolls, bbq pork buns, pork belly with Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce and a yummy green prawn curry!! The service was fast and efficient!

Welcome to Silo’s Jack!

After a beautifully relaxing Saturday morning and home made bacon and eggs we ventured into Berry where we walked the strip, did some window and indoor shopping then enjoyed a coffee and donut at the famous Berry Donut Van – yum!

At lunch time we took off to Two Figs winery where we did a wine tasting and bought a Chardonnay, a port and a red Siena. A beautiful day.

He starts big boy swimming today even though still 6 months of 3, he is ready so they have put him up a class!!

He is excited and all ready to go!!

At 2 yrs 8mths T has progressed to undies and is weeing in the toilet with minimal reminders..

He has a few accidents here and there when distracted by play etc. and still needs a nappy for poos and sleeps but is undies all the way!!

Toby Half Yearly 2018

Physical:

Toby is emerging in his gross motor skills and spatial awareness and demonstrates enthusiasm for physical play. He uses small manipulative items (fine motor skills) and uses tools and equipment in a purposeful manner. Fine motor skills are involved in smaller movements that occur in the wrists, hands, fingers, and the feet and toes. In particular, Toby has been observed playing with the diggers in the sandpit, working out puzzles, playing with the toy cars, painting, manipulative games, and construction.

Gross motor skills are larger movements children make with their larger muscles such as the arms, legs, feet, or their entire body. Some examples are running, jumping, throwing a ball, dancing.

Gross motor movement develops fundamental skills such as hand-eye coordination, strength, coordination, postural strength, balance, strength and endurance, attention and alertness (sensory processing), body awareness and movement planning (praxis).

Toby shows interest in gross motor experiences outside, such as riding the bikes, shovelling and transferring dirt in the dirt patch, building blocks, running, OAC Active and climbing the obstacle course.

In the long term, physical play is so important in providing long-lasting good health, increased confidence and the improved self-esteem that comes from being able to successfully take part in games with other children, release of stress and frustration and improved skills to prepare the children for school.

Communication:

Children communicate with others, using gestures, sounds, language and assisted communication. They are social beings who are intrinsically motivated to exchange ideas, thoughts, questions and feelings. Toby takes the initiative to communicate his needs for comfort and assistance. Toby uses two to three words together in a sentence and is building an extensive repertoire of words. Toby is acquiring skills in comprehension and Toby likes listening to stories, which is a major beneficiary in enhancing Toby’s language and understanding.

Social:

Toby is beginning to develop friendships as he engages in parallel play and has begun to initiate one-on-one interactions and play cooperatively with peers and teachers. This includes participating in teacher directed group games, such as ‘Sandy Boy’ or ‘Cheeky Monkeys jumping on the Beam’.

Through these interactions, Toby is learning fundamental social skills such as sharing, turn taking, empathy and understanding group rules.

Toby regularly looks, communicates with and smiles at his teachers and seems to enjoy and take comfort in interactions with us. Toby is developing skills in interacting with both adults and his peers and is beginning to develop friendships and emotional connections.

Spiritual/Moral/Sense of self:

Toby is becoming aware of his effect on the environment and shows respect for both natural and constructed environments. He is beginning to understand how and why it is important to be socially responsible. (Outcome 2.4: “Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment”). Toby has often been observed enjoying himself and the beauty of nature in the secret garden as he explores and plays in it!

Toby’s sense of belonging is evident as he is very settled within the Room and easily follows the routines and transitions throughout the day. “When children participate collaboratively in everyday routines, events and experiences and have opportunities to contribute to decisions, they learn to live interdependently” (EYLF Belonging, Being, and Becoming, pg. 25).

Toby explores his identity through play, shared interests, expression and is emerging in perspective taking.

This belonging is also observed through Toby beginning to make connections (as aforementioned) and engage in shared play (involving negotiations, collaborating, sharing and turn taking), and Toby is learning to consider the rights of others and fairness.

Through the strong emotional ties that Toby is building, this enables him to feel secure and confident in his environment and develop a strong sense of self.  (EYLF: ‘Children have a strong sense of identity’).

After a week off because he really wasn’t keen on solids we have tried again and he was a little more receptive!! Porridge and apple!!

Might cook some sweet potato and see if that floats his boat??

So we have stopped with solids for a week or two and will try again.. he just didn’t seem like he wanted to eat them after trying for a week!

He slept with his arms out for the first time last night! He is getting a big boy!!

He is gnawing at his fist and looks like a little white tooth is trying to come up on the bottom!!

Well yesterday was the day for Jack to start solids!! The bubs had some rice cereal, William filmed it, I fed him and Toby watched on!!

It was only a few mouthfuls and he wasn’t so sure what to do with it though he laughed all the same!

Might give some fruit with it today?!! Go bubba Jack!!