Fostering resiliance in the KATs

Quote from here

Term two is in full swing in the house of KATcapers.  Oldest KAT is in year 7 and Middle KAT in Year 5 so that also means we have NAPLAN hanging over our heads.

Each time we've gone through this we get the blurb from the school reminding us that the children shouldn't feel stressed or anxious about NAPLAN. 

Heeeeelllo!  What parallel universe do these teachers live in! Oh and can I join them there!?

There's simply no getting away from this locomotive as it steams down the track towards them!! Regardless of Saint Mike and I keeping the focus off it at home, there is more than enough discussion about it amongst their peers and at school generally.

Oldest KAT is not anxious about it.  She's more concerned with the assessments she's undergoing for subjects like Science, History and Design & Technology which is all new to her!  She is going from strength to strength academically and reading, writing and arithmetic is like breathing to her.

Middle KAT on the other hand is a different kettle of fish.  Year 5 is truly turning into an emotional year for her.  She's had the usual surge of hormones (and feet growth) that signals her commencing her passage into young womanhood and this makes for an emotional time whenever any hurdle presents itself.  Unfortunately, schoolwork is a hurdle that is not getting any easier.

Her ability to focus (or lack thereof) has always been a source of worry for us.  ADHD is an acronym that we've toyed with over the years and even had her tested to see if there was anything that needed to be diagnosed.  Our concern has never been about behaviour as she's not disruptive, it's more to do with the feeling that she can lack focus and be "off with the pixies" which affects her learning.

How funny then that just when we're preparing for these weeks of high tension in our house I received an email from Allison wanting to know if I'd be interested in sharing the following information from OnlinePsychologyDegree.net:


For better or worse we're past the point of implementing this advice for toddlers and babies but I think it's got real merit in terms of the way we are trying to raise our KATs to be resilient and equipped to be emotionally mature, independent young people ready to take on the world in whatever way, shape or form their hearts and minds tell them to!

Saint Mike and I make a good team when it comes to adopting stretegies to help get the best out of our KATs.  I'm really lucky that way! For example we decided that we really needed to curb the amount of TV viewing and general screen time that's been going on in our house.  This chart talks about it for babies but it's soooo much harder when they can verbally complain about the no TV or games during the school week!!!

I'd love to know what you think of these pointers?  Do you prescribe to this approach or are following a different one?

Paint Chip Circle Garland DIY

As you know I've got a bit of a crafty bent.

On one of my many trips to Bunnings I had the urge to collect (or should that be pilfer) some of the paint colour cards in my favourite tones of blues and greens.

I had an inkling they would be put to some crafty pursuit.

Having admired the many garlands strewn around Pinterest I decided a paint chip garland was just what the house of KATcapers needed!

My circle punch came in very handy for this activity.

Youngest KAT gave invaluable assistance pairing up the circles as I whizzed them through the sewing machine...the perfect opportunity to begin her education in tone and colour combining!

I used orange thread to add a bit of a punch.

I'm liking my garland draped on the Expedit bookcase...it may end up adorning the window in the lounge...only time will tell.

Cheery and bright and just our style. Verdict?

Grape dipping baskets as planters

True to my word I am posting some shots of my latest revamp - the rusty grape dipping baskets transformed.

I love rusty and authentic but unfortunately they were making a mess of our new travertine and I was finding their rustiness a little wearing!

I lined the bottom and sides with mesh to stop the soil escaping and used that coconut stuff to insulate them (mental blank - cannot remember the proper name for it!)

The painting involved a good undercoat with a Dulux rustproof spray paint and then white enamel spray paint.

The plants are a mix of hardy species which should handle the lack of attention they are sure to get:) I've used pebbles as mulch to complement the travertine.

I may buy some more of them online (I've seen them on eBay) and keep them in their rusty and weathered state for use in the back garden but for the purposes of the front porch these are ticking all the right boxes!

For the record, on eBay you can buy them for $10 - $15 each....in Sydney at the Murobond store in Artarmon they were selling them for $60 each!!!

It feels good to have gotten one project out of the way:) Thoughts anyone?

Long Time Gone

As those cool Dixie Chicks' say I've been a long time gone!

 

It hasn't been a conscious thing, more a result of circumstance (health issues). Although I haven't been visible there has been a LOT going on behind the scenes!

Thankfully I have been surrounded by support from family and friends which has made a difficult few months much easier to manage.

 

Fortunately with the term coming to a close things are on the up and up! Last Friday we celebrated a family wedding and I was full of pride at my three gorgeous KATs.



Oldest KAT was a flowergirl (more Junior bridesmaid as she was as tall as the bridesmaids). Stunning is my only word....how did I produce such beauty?

On the DIY front I have had time to consider my new venture and have a little renaming in the wind...more news to follow! For now here are a couple of my projects to whet your appetite:

Picked this up locally...solid and in good nick and bonus is a matching "hutch" that sits on top. Thinking I'm going to paint it white and the back of the shelves in the hutch a pale blue. Knobs will be replaced and may find some map paper to line the drawers!

Does this picture piqué your interest? The metal baskets are popping up all over the place for varying amounts...I have three of them and have been admiring them in their rustic (rusty) form but have decided to give them an overhaul and use them as planters on the porch...photos to come:)

So that about covers it! Life is good, school holidays are beckoning and I've got heaps more energy!

Acutely Incapacitated

Image from here

Apologies for radio silence....I've had a misshap doing laundry of all things and have a rather acute back injury.

I am currently relegated to bed and am slowly losing my mind:)

Hope to be back soon!

Trial By Fire - Ombre Effect Bookcase

 

I've finished my first project!

 

It's quite a transformation...

 

 

I forgot to take a proper "before" shot so this one is midway through the coat of primer.

I'd love it if you'd come on over to my new blog and be properly introduced to Phoenix the bookcase:)

A Big Week

Littlest KAT started big school yesterday.

Her bravado over the holidays had lulled us into a false sense of security...she was actually nervous!

We thought Daddy wasn't going to be able to make it but he surprised us:)

This is the face of apprehension.

Luckily she had a smile on her dial more than the anxious face.

 

As if that's not enough of an emotional roller coaster we have also had another momentous occasion this week...

Oldest KAT is off to high school.

I am so proud I could burst!

To say its been a big week would be an understatement!

Let's not forget my little fish Middle KAT. She has been the most supportive of sisters to both her older and younger sibling and has allowed them to be in the limelight without even a hint of resentment.

I am a very lucky mummy to have such a trio and Saint Mike.