Time Flies!

It's amazing how time flies! Since I went back to work my life has become such a rush! I need to prepare lessons for children so each minute is precious ... I'm either cleaning, out with the children for extra curricular activities or preparing lessons. Sundays are dedicated to my family. I miss my friends, when I have time to think about them. The children in my classroom keep me busy at work and my own children keep me busy at school but I don't complain as long as I am in good health. I thank God for each day that passes.

Here is our owl cake with my little helper!

A photo taken last summer! The 'Owl' was for my brother's graduation. 

How to make a puppet theatre: reusing magazines and a box

An epmty box: cut a hole in the bottom for the child to put her hands through! 

Take out old magazines and leaflets ... make sure nothing important is cut up!

Stick different coloured papers to the outside of the theatre.

The process takes time if the box is big so either choose a small box or  plan to continue on another day,

Sew the curtains... hard work lady! We had to work on it past bed time but the result was great!

But hey.. wait a minute... we forgot to take a photo of the finished project before handing it to the school .... oooohhhhhhhhh! We'll ask for permission to photograph it later. The material used for the curtains were two old t-shirts. We even attached strings so we could open and close them as a proper stage! We used two kebab sticks and a drinking straw to keep the curtains in place.

A lovely rag ball and two egg cosies to entertain the children.

Today was a very busy day. My aunts babysat my son and while Raquel went to school I managed to clean as much as I can... a much needed thing but which always comes last when the children are present. We prefer to spend the time together usually. In the afternoon I went to an in-service course as I intend to go back to work. The computer lesson was a bit complicated today and too much thinking made me get a headache... lol ... a taste of what will happen next September.

Here is an update of the crafts I have been doing last month. We were playing in my friend's field and noticed we had some rags, some foam, and I had my needle work box with me. So I cut six oval shapes, the shape of a rugby ball, that means pointed on two sides. I sewed them together leaving a hole to fill with foam. It was ready in less than an hour, filled the ball and stitched up the opening. The children had a lovely time playing with it!

Rag ball... an old pair of jeans, an old pair of trousers, a left-over from a skirt... all made this lovely ball come true!

Egg cosies to give as gifts...

These egg cosies were made from left-over yarn. All hand knitted! All you have to do is knit a straight piece, decrease at the top and pull all stitches together. Add some hair. Knit two small hands and add details. Creativity is so much fun!

Two more cakes... Miguel's birthday cakes. The first one to celebrate at home, the second to celebrate at the mother and child group. Yummy cakes! We ate a lot but could not finish them so we gave some to my aunts and friends too.

Falling asleep.... while still on foot!

How about a day out in your friends' farm? That really tired out little Miguel! He could not wait until we finished eating and fell asleep while he was on foot :)

Happy Birthday Raquel!

Raquel's cake was a success! I made it... yes I did! It took a lot of hard work but it was all worth it! Her school friends were really amazed to see the cake and the party organiser hardly wanted to cut it up... what a pity she said!

A ballet lesson... really enjoyed watching the little ballerinas!

This was a little update on my blog... I haven't updated it for a while. A lot of things happened and I am always so busy. Now with the good weather I can't stay inside ... I just keep finding excuses to go out with the children and enjoy the warm weather with them.

San Anton Gardens

These lovely gardens are in Balzan, Malta. This is the president's palace garden. This gift from Japan is really lovely and makes a beautiful monument in this garden. It is worth a visit. The President's Kitchen Garden is also lovely. Children can see the vegetables grown there and a few farm animals. It was a lovely outing and we enjoyed it. This was a lovely family outing two months ago.

On Saturday we have been to the beach for the first time I guess this year. The children longed to swim but the waters were invaded with jellyfish and it was not warm enough to let two coughing children swim. We had a lot of fun on the sand and got our first sunburn unfortunately.

I would like to write more often in this blog but I am so busy going out with the kids that I hardly have time to come here. My husband also spends a lot of time on the computer as he is still studying. I hope I will have time to upload this week's photos. I am going to try to do some house work now as tomorrow a priest will be coming to bless our house, as is the tradition in Malta. After Easter all priests go out with Holy water to bless as many houses as they can. It is a difficult task as the population grows and the number of priests gets smaller. Some are even too old to visit apartments without elevators... but most of the Maltese catholic people wait eagerly for the priest to bless their home and they clean and get the house to look at its best for the occasion. Well, I do look forward for it but I don't make a fuss about the cleaning bit :) I just can't watch my children get upset inside on a bright sunny day! We all go out and try at least not to leave a mess.

Hope you all had a nice Easter!

Funky eyelash yarn toilet roll cover! Suits all styles!

I just finished knitting this gorgeous dress for the doll! It looks gorgeous... almost makes me want to keep it for myself. It would be lovely in my aunt's summer house! It's on sale right now but if it does not sell I'll be happy to keep this one. It's original as I made up the pattern from my fantasy. The hat and the scarf make it so chic!

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