The Great Easter Maths Challenge

It's Easter 2016 and I have a new Easter Egg Hunt to share. This is for Julia, my maths-loving 9 year old (how can she be that big now?)

I will admit that I was hoping that the Easter Bunny would just drop a few eggs off this year without the whole hunt thing. That peaceful thought soon evaporated earlier this week when Miss 9 clearly stated "I love the Easter Hunts that Easter Bunny leaves every year! I hope he leaves one for me this year!"

Dang, I thought, and quickly replied "Maybe he'll think you're too old for a hunt this year". "Oh no Mum, definitely not", was her emphatic response.

So I sat with pen, paper and calculator, and worked out an amazing Easter puzzle for her. Here it is for you.

If you are looking for some inspiration for next year, you can download or print this sheet in PDF format here. Enjoy!

You can also find some Easter hunt clues from previous years here and here. 

Christine xx

January just slipped right past me...

January has come and gone without a blog post from me. So here is my month in pictures: 

A family holiday in Tasmania...

... some school holiday cooking... 

... and some crocheting. 

Pattern by Twinkie Chan.

Pattern by Josephine Wu.

Pattern by Drops Design.
Hand dyed yarn by Red Riding Hood Yarns.

Pattern by Jessica Woofter.

My own design.

Christine xx

Miss J's Cold Rock Birthday Party

Julia is now Miss 7 (where has the time gone!) and this year I took the easy route - her birthday party was at Cold Rock Ice Creamery. What a fantastic party it was! 

All the party goers loved mixing their own Cold Rock ice cream! 

There was dancing and games... 

And I think you can tell that Miss J had a great time. 

Julia's birthday dress was made by Shelli at Shelli Morse Design - on Facebook and shop on madeit. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Special gifts you find under the Christmas Tree

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "One title, no words".

Christine xx

The Gallery - Blech!

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Faces".

Do you remember those faces from the first time your child tried solid food? These pics of Miss J still make me chuckle! 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Me and Andy Warhol

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Selfie".

I must admit, I'm not one for taking selfies. But if challenged I like to keep a bit of anonimity, usually hiding behind some photo editing creativity.

This isn't a new photo. But it's one of my favourite selfies :)

Christine xx

The Gallery - Looking cool

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Relax".

Several years ago... Miss Three on holidays. Waiting patiently at a cafe for a milkshake. Looking cool. 

Christine xx

Been a little busy...

Sorry I haven't been around much lately! I've been a bit busy doing some of this...

some of this....

and some of this.

Holidays and crafting - two of my favourite things! 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Bright sun

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Sun.

This is Julia's photo. 

Miss 6 and a half has an intermittent interest in photography. She likes to point and shoot, and is thrilled by whatever she captures on the screen. In her eyes, all her photos are artistic masterpieces. 

I think as we get older we often become more critical of ourselves and our creativity can become stifled. Perhaps the trees get in the way and block the sunshine. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - The new Dad

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Dads.

This is the first picture I took of my husband and his new daughter. 

Julia was born by caesarean section so I was in recovery afterwards for the good part of an hour. During that time, my husband waited in my room and was given Miss J to hold. When I showed up, his arms had just about fallen asleep because he had been holding her in the same position all that time. This new Dad didn't know what else to do with her!

Christine xx

The Gallery - A little girl's inspiration

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Inspirational Women.

Like them or not, the Disney Princesses have a story to tell. They entertain, charm and attract many little girls with their fanciful stories and beautiful dresses. But in many ways they also demonstrate courage, intelligence, and determination. 

Merida is the latest princess in the Disney line-up. She is impetuous and quick-witted with an outgoing, forceful personality, but she is also caring and kind hearted. Her story, of a girl who wants to take control of her own destiny, is compelling and inspiring. Especially to my little Miss who is very much like Merida in so many ways - minus the curly, red hair of course. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Turning Two

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Two.

When you turn two you get to blow out the candles on your birthday cake all by yourself. Even if your family has to eat birthday cake with extra drool.

Christine xx

Calisthenics - Championship Solo Competition

The Calisthenics Championship Solo Competition for 2013 was held last weekend. 

Julia (Miss Six) was once again truly fabulous and I am so proud of her. She had practised hard and it showed in her performance. She tried her very best and although she missed a placing, she clapped the loudest and the longest for everyone else!

All the girls were wonderful, and Julia had such a great time that she is keen to continue with solo competitions next year. A huge thank you once again to Hannah for being such a great coach and well done on your achievements so far this year! 

Now Julia will be concentrating on her team routines - the first team competition is coming up fast!

If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at Calisthenics ACT if you are in Canberra like me, or Calisthenics Australia for more information about Calisthenics in other states. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Mmmmmm.... Butterbeer!

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Drink.

Here is a picture of me, scoffing Butterbeer outside the shops of Hogsmeade. It was absolutely delicious and I couldn't let all that yummy froth go to waste!

This photo was captured by my ever-loving (ever-laughing) husband on our trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Florida. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - A lovely weekend

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is The Weekend.

Every 6 months or so, we travel to Berrima for lunch with my brother and his family. They travel from Sydney and we travel from Canberra, so it's about half way. 

We usually have lunch at Josh's Cafe - the food and service are excellent! 

One highlight for Miss J is a visit to The Lolly Swagman. It's a real old-fashioned sweet shop with jars of lollies stacked up high on shelves along the walls, rows and rows of bagged lollies on benches, and handmade fudge behind a glass cabinet. There's always time to take a photo outside the shop, then Miss J likes to choose a bag of lollies for the car trip home. 

Such a lovely way to spend the weekend. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - The frazzle you can't see

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Self Portrait.

The setting: Australia Day 2009, Commonwealth Park, a hot day. 

The Mr Men gang are dancing around on the stage and I'm enjoying the performance. (Actually, I'm enjoying the shade in front of the stage). Three-year-old Julia would like nothing more than to be let loose amongst the crowd. She's wiggling and starting to get really heavy in my arms. A self portrait of perhaps the best side of a somewhat frazzled Mum :)

Christine xx

The Gallery - Pulling faces

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Expressions.

"Hey Mum, take my photo, take my photo!" 

"Okay... are you ready?" 

"Yes!" 

Click...

Christine xx

Calisthenics - Practice pays off

Julia (Miss Six) was fabulous in her second Calisthenics Solo competition for the year. 

She put in lots of practice during the past three weeks and it paid off as she received third place in her age group. She was totally thrilled to receive a trophy!

Look at the huge grin on her face! She is pictured here with her coach Hannah, to whom all thanks must go for her ongoing efforts and friendship. What a wonderful achievement for both of you! 

One more solo competition to go...

If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at Calisthenics ACT if you are in Canberra like me, or Calisthenics Australia for more information about Calisthenics in other states. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - In my youth

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Youth. 

This photo of me and my sister was taken when I was 12. 

In my youth I had two main interests: Calisthenics and Girl Guides. I loved both. 

Christine xx

A little bit retro

To celebrate the Centenary of Canberra this year, and also the last day of the school term, all the kids at Julia's school wore outfits from different years. Julia's 1/2 class all represented the 60s and 70s.

Julia's retro style dress is a favourite in her wardrobe and one that she wears quite often! 

This bright and colourful dress is handmade by Lee-Anne from Hannah Banannas Designs. Take a look on Madeit for her collection of gorgeous clothes which are "bright and girly, fun and twirly!"

Christine xx