Aussie Fridays: Perfect Laundry Weather

I have learned something about doing laundry in Australia. The process is generally the same...sort, wash, hang out to dry...but it's getting that perfect Aussie weather day that makes all the difference.

I've recently started a contractual job, which I'll tell you about another day, so I no longer have the days to myself to get the jobs done. It now takes more planning and while it's good to be earning again after 6 yrs at home...it's back to getting things done on the weekend. 

Australia...as we all know...is a country where it gets rather hot. This sounds ideal because you can do all the laundry in one day. Mount ironing doesn't quite work the same way...but why do laundry every day when you can do it all in one day and it's over and done with!

Ok, so now I'm not making much sense am I? Perfect laundry day...

Today was not a good laundry day, unless you were staying at home. It was 39*c, clear blue skies and bright sunshine. See the thing is it's not a good idea to hang your washing out on the line to dry if you cannot bring it in as soon as it is dry.

The Australian sun is not only bright, but harsh. Black t-shirts that hardly faded in all the years in the UK are practically grey now. Washing cannot be hung out to dry on a day like today and left for hours on the line...even my plastic pegs from Tesco's have faded and some have weakened from the exposure.  And they were expensive pegs!

Now everything I wash is turned inside out first and hung outside to dry the same way. On a day like today, as soon as load number 2 was finished, load number 1 would be dry. 

However the quickest and less sun-damaging perfect laundry day would be a bright sunshiny day with a warm northern breeze. This way load one could be dry and ironed before load 2 was finished. 

But who wants to iron on a perfect day? Or do laundry?

An OoO Day Out: Birthday Lunch At Warren Glen Garden Centre

Now that school has started and we don't have the convenience of a park right next to school like we did at kinder, us mum's have to find alternate reasons to get together for a good old chin wag...gossip...skinner - whatever you call it.

Last Wednesday was Amanda's birthday so the mum-gang got together at the Warren Glen Garden Centre to help her celebrate...and catch up on the gossip.

The morning started out really well...the weather was gorgeous...Sunshine didn't have to go to school because of a swimming gala...and being a Wednesday the little man also didn't have school. So I piled them in the car and started out to the unknown.

I've complained about Mr TomTom before sending me to places I didn't ask to go, but he seemed to be co-operating ok. But the co-navigator wasn't... she was holding onto Mr TomTom and turned the volume down...so while I knew the general direction I was going (I'd been to another party that way the weekend of the 11th) I missed a turn. Only realising then that Mr TomTom's co sat-nav-in-the-human-form had the volume right down...and only also because one of the other mum's stopped next to me in the correct lane at the traffic lights!

So a quick turn-a-round and we were back on track. 

Now a garden centre doesn't sound like a place to go to for a meal, but garden centre's these days aren't like they were in the "olden days". Garden centre's were places you went and bought plants. And compost...and plant pots...and weed killer. Nowadays they are more like botanical gardens! With cafe/restaurants! And gift shops! And somewhere for the kids to play! Ducks to feed!

None of this row upon row of the same boring plants with nothing interesting to look at while your parents spent hours looking at 1000's of plants and deciding on a measly few.

Even those are a thing of the past. Now the items for sale are gorgeously placed and very appealing to the eye. I guess kids these days still think plant shopping is boring, but at least it's more appealing to the eye and there is something to keep them entertained. 

Even if one of them has an accident while playing and comes home with a nice big shiner! Even the dads at school the next day were impressed ;-)

And I fired the co-navigator!

Robyn x

 

The PlanetBox Lunch Box

I'm here to tell you all about the US $60 x 2 lunchbox plus US$44 for postage to Australia.

Now before you run off and hyperventilate into a brown paper bag...think about it. Buying those plastic containers is going to land up costing the same over years of schooling. For the little man, this means 13 yrs...poor guy!

Carry case

I came across the PlanetBox while looking up ideas for school lunches. Sunshine was getting fussy depending on what was considered cool at school, and I needed some fresh ideas after packing her lunch for the last 8yrs.

I was straight onto the website and I too had to grab a paper bag! I himmed and haaad for ages about getting them, especially with postage being so expensive...but then a miracle happened. The UK tax man gave me some money back! Can I hear a whoop whoop?

With magnets on

When they arrived, I knew it was money well spent. I love them! They are so easy to pack, wash and even making lunches the day before and putting them in the fridge overnight, ensures that everything is still fresh by lunchtime.

The website can give you all the technical details, but I've included these pics so you can see how it's sized. If you buy the complete set as I did, then you get the lunchbox, carry bag, 2 containers, and some funky magnets to go on top!

Little and Big Dippers

The two containers...Big and Small Dippers...both have removable food grade rubber seals to keep from leaking. I've only used the Big Dipper once, but the little one comes in handy practically every day. I mostly use it for yoghurt, but the little man had chicken nuggets once and I put tomato sauce/ketchup for him to dip them in. The bigger dipper can be used in addition to the main compartment food..ie. sandwiches...because of the pocket on the front of the carry case.

The carry case has a double zip and besides the pocket on the front there is also a space for a bottle - max 3' in diameter. On the inside of the carry case, is a mesh pocket that can be used to house cutlery or in hotter climates...ice packs to keep everything cooler for longer. So plenty enough space for everything!

Unfortunately Sunshine has decided that she prefers the millions of little plastic containers so she can just grab what she needs at recess and lunch rather than schlepping the whole thing outside twice. The little man eats in the classroom before going out to play, so it's perfect for him.

I was so eager on the 1st day of school, I packed far too much for him. He's not a big eater and is slow on top of that, so he didn't finish it all. Now I pack less but enough to keep him going until home time when he has a small snack.

Latch closed

Go and have a look at the website and seriously consider getting one of these for your kids. The kids have taken them on picnics too and with the bag they are easy to carry around.

Latch open - see the grooves? The latch needs to be in those grooves to completely close the PlanetBox

Sunshine's PlanetBox hasn't been relegated to the back of the cupboard...I've have got myself a contractual job so I'm using it for my own lunch!

I'm still putting ideas together on what to include...and have been taking pictures of what I've packed so far...just so I keep ideas fresh and make sure I don't get into a rut.

Questions? Ask away!

 Here's the link for all the blurb;
PlanetBox

Robyn x

ps. this post has NOT been sponsored by PlanetBox. Apart from when I ordered, they have never heard of me... 

Valentines School Lunch

This may sound odd, but the mister and I don't really "do" valentines day. In the past we have exchanged a small token gift but made an amicable decision that we would skip it this year. It's rather bah humbug I know, but it's just the way we are.

However, that didn't stop me doing something a little special for the kids lunches. Sunshine wanted to do her own lunch and after I'd done the little man's, she jumped right in and did hers the same.

I didn't think about doing anything until I actually made the lunches and if I had planned better, I would have made sure I had strawberries that I could cut into heart shapes, and other small details.

• Heart shaped ham sandwiches
• Carrot sticks
• Spring Onion dip (for the carrot sticks & crackers)
• Cheese crackers
• Grapes
• Heart shaped sweets/lollies/candy

Hope you all have a happy Valentines Day!

Robyn x

Aussie Fridays: First Day of School in Australia

I should really be writing today about how I've been having mixed emotions with back to school today. Sunshine is off to her second year of high school, not a week after she returned from her month long overseas holiday and only really recovered from jet lag yesterday.

Today though was a big day in our household, because after 5 and a half years of having him with me everyday, talking a hind leg off a donkey...the little man has officially started primary school. And I wasn't a sobbing mess...

Running to school...well he hardly really walks anyway

Why? Because I was far too excited for him! The hardest part for me? Getting up early.

He has been patiently waiting for this day forever. He has been so ready for this day for months now and today was finally the day that we have all been preparing for. As with all kids he's brain is like a sponge wanting to absorb as much info as possible. Constantly asking questions...some of which I have to do internet searches to find the answer (what we we do without Google??)...and telling me about how ants know if another ant is from the same nest. 

If the little man had started school in September 2011 as he would have had we stayed in the UK, for the first few weeks it would have been a staggered intake. A few hours here and there either morning or afternoon for the first few weeks and only by about wk 4 would it be everyday for the full school day.

There was a slight staggered intake this morning. New preps who already have a sibling at school started at 9am. Those, like the little man, started at 9:30am. All finished at 2pm. For Monday and Tuesday next week, they all start at 9am and finish at 2pm.

Bag in cubicle and all ready to learn...

For the month of February there is no school for the preps on a Wednesday. This is because each child needs to do maths and literacy testing to see what program best suits them individually. 

Then from next Thursday 9th, it's school everyday (apart from Wednesday's in Feb) for the full school day.

I had fully intended to come home today and wallow in the silence...little man doesn't stop talking...but then I got a text inviting all us mum's to Sheridan's house to celebrate the 1st day. There was champagne and strawberries (yeah I know...drinking at 10am...a shocker!!)...pikelets with jam and cream, fruit platters, jaffa cake, chocolates...where would you rather be?

So all in all a fantastic first day to the start of the school year. When asked if he enjoyed it and wanted to go again on Monday, he said yes. Right answer my boy!! However, his friend said no, and could they go to the museum instead! 

BTW...ants smell each other with their antenna to see if they belong to the same nest. You learn something new every day. Unless you already knew that and didn't actually learn anything from that. 

Did you know then that deer flies flap their wings 200 times per second? Did you even know that there was a thing called a deer fly?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Robyn x

An OoO Day Out: SkyHigh Dandenong

Today's start was an earlier one than what we have been enjoying these holidays and especially this week while Sunshine overcomes her jet lag. We got a taste of back to school with an appointment this morning at 9:25 where Sunshine met her new form teacher. While waiting for her to finish I received a text with an invitation to a picnic at Sky High in the Dandenong ranges.

We have visited this spot on a few occasions and it's somewhere we have taken the few out-of-towners to when they are here. It's also a great place to get a full view of Melbourne city and surrounds.

Melbourne CBD

 

 

 

The bay is to the left of this photo all this area in front of the city building known as the Eastern Suburbs. Unfortunately though it was quite a hot day, it wasn't the clearest of days with a lot of cloud. I'll be coming back on a clear day to get a clearer view of the city from this viewpoint, which s this below...

Giants Chair and Viewing Point

No not from the giants chair but the view point above. 

SkyHigh is about an hour from Melbourne CBD and is at the uppermost reach of the Dandenong ranges. It boasts formal dining where many events take place during the year to celebrate various functions and holidays, a cafe and family bistro, function centre, English garden, Maze and forest walks...entrance to SkyHigh is a bargain at only $5 a car with no time limit.

Function Room / Fine Dining

Directly in front of the Giants chair is a large grassy area with a bbq area where there is plenty space for the kids to run around and enjoy a few games.

Cafe eating area

It's a great place to spend the day and is an extremely popular place to go as it's always busy on the weekends. 

Fine Dining

After a leisurely picnic...on the Giants Chair for the kids...we dumped the baskets back in the car and went for a walk to the maze and English gardens. 

Plenty room for one more!

Entrance to the Maze

The English garden is simply stunning and though not very big size-wise it is full of gorgeous trees, flowers and that quintessential English feel.

Ok, so not all English gardens have  a lovely little stream and bridge, but it all makes sense in this Australian English garden. You'll have to trust me on that.

Gorgeous lavender lined on both sides of one of the little lanes through the garden. 

After a quick visit to see if Percy Possum was home, we headed to the cafe for a much needed and well deserved Frozen Coke!

I took a number of photo's in the English garden which I will show you another day. 

Big day tomorrow - someone starts school!

Robyn x