Luke and Elliott Find That Music Rocks With Battlebird

It is the classic parenting story. A father feels for his son's struggle with shyness and finding his feet in the schoolyard, so he decides to share his love of music to help his son build confidence. Two years on, and Elliott is now eight years old. Elliott and his Dad, Luke, also known as The Kid and Lucky Luke, and their trusty robot DJ Scooter have teamed up to create BATTLEBIRD, the galaxy’s finest time-travelling, space-hopping, pop-rocking kids band.

 

Luke says “Elliott was struggling a little bit at his new school and I found it pretty heartbreaking. I had a feeling music may bring him out of his shell as it did for me when I was younger so we started goofing around in the garage writing music, making video clips on an iPhone and an old MacBook and before I knew it we’d pressed a handful of EP’s and performed live at the local Moruya Arts Festival (2015) in front of 200 people with Elliott’s classmates joining us on stage.”

 

With their song ‘Ho Ho Ho Let’s Go’ featured on the ABC Kids Christmas album Volume 2, and their debut album ‘Life is Good’ due out on March 25, Battlebird are set to blast the airwaves past and present with their very unique sugar-rush style of Intergalactic boomboxpop! - they can’t, don’t, won’t stop until the battle is won…

 

The CD also comes with a five track DVD.

You can buy it here and follow them on Facebook here, and jump over here to their website.

 

BATTLEBIRD ‘Life is Good’ - Album with 5 track DVD

Available March 25

 

The coolest musical collaboration of 2016 is looking set to come from none other than an Aussie Dad and his eight year old son.

 

I had to include one of my favourites from the album, which is track 5. C'mon C'mon C'mon.

 

 

Tasmanian Snowfall

Snow was predicted and snow was received across Tasmania today. The hype was building, the cynics were voicing their doubt, and the child in us all was hoping it was true. Unless you were awake through the night and periodically checking for snow like a child watching for Santa, then you awoke a dusting or a dumping of snow across most areas of Tasmania.

Whilst it is not uncommon for parts of Tasmania to receive snow, it is extremely rare for so much of the state to have snow, and it was received down to sea level. If, somehow, you were oblivious to the outside world, it was soon in your face from every social media direction. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and many other mediums were full of pictures and stories of snow across the state. Children and parents waited anxiously for news of school closures, and those who needed to venture out were checking for road closure announcements.

I was in primary school in the 80's when I experienced snow in my own backyard, which resulted in a snow day being called due to frozen pipes, and a huge snow fight in my cul-de-sac. My children see snow every year, as we usually make the journey to a snow blessed, elevated location at least once annually to have a play. To have snow falling around our house and to be able to scoop it off our own letterbox if quite a different experience.

So as not to bore you with too much detail, how about I just show you in pictures.

Christmas: Handmade Ornaments

I love using the handmade Christmas ornaments, which my kids have made at school, on the tree at Christmas time.

To me, these ornaments are filled with love from my children, and tell their own little stories of their personality and development.

I have included below the ones we had on display last Christmas.

My daughter's hand print

A tiny Christmas hat

Santa - made from a cup

A pinecone reindeer

Wreath Ornament on a CD

Christmas Angel

Christmas Angel no.2

A glittery cone ornament

Thanks For The Valuable Lessons

Last year, as our son started his new adventures in Prep at "The Big School", hubby and I voiced our opinion to the school which teacher was "our" choice. The teacher we had chosen was known to us, having taught our daughter at the same age. More important, to us, than knowing the teacher, was knowing her technique and structure in the classroom.


We feel that this decision served our son well, as he integrated into full time school life. Perhaps if we had any choice of teacher in Kindergarten, he would have struggled less?

This year, whilst being assigned the same teacher, it was to be for only the first two weeks of the 1st term, as she had made plans at the end of last year to move interstate.

While we are saddened to see our school lose a good teacher, we feel that our son has benefited greatly from learning from her in his first year.

The areas of growth and learning he experienced were less to do with reading and mathematics, but more along on the lines of behaviour and maturity whilst in the school setting and amongst his peers.

I think that, at such a young age, that this is an important starting platform.

His teacher placed great importance on listening, following instruction, showing respect to your peers, speaking with confidence, being rewarded for outstanding behaviour, encouraging family communication, representing the school ideals, and trying your best.

With these lessons fresh in his mind, he can build on his education and we look forward to a fresh face, and new learning opportunities with his new teacher.

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Things I Know .. About Back To School

My children are so different in their approach to life, and their likes and dislikes. This was glaringly apparent over the Summer holidays, and the imminent return to school once the New Year rolled around.
We had one pining for school and the other dreading it. Isn't it always the way?

As they returned back to school for their first day of Grade One and Grade Four, I learned quite a few things as I caught up with them at the end of the day. Some were surprising and some were quite expected.

Leading Up To The Day

• If you want all items ready to go for the first morning, either find them yourself or give children weeks of advance notice. Children can not justify looking for school items during holidays, even if they are "dying to go back"
• If there is anything that needs to be done or "should" be done before school returns, like haircuts, shopping, altering uniform, etc, then it needs to be scheduled into your agenda as soon as you think of it. Otherwise these items will be done at the last minute or not done at all.
• Buying new supplies can be exciting, but try to be practical about the choices
• Let your child have say on their choice of supplies, like lunchboxes, but they need to be guided
• Try on uniform items a week or so before school. This allows you to check the fit just in case your child has had a growth spurt
• Take advantage of the "Back to school" Sales. There are good bargains to be found, and the selection is often better during this time.
• Your school will often be able to supply items of uniform, book and stationery, but savings may be made by buying things from outside sources

On The Day

• Having the same teacher as the previous year eliminates the "getting to know you" nerves
• Having the same teacher as last year can either be a joyous thing, or a terrible thing
• No matter whether you are looking forward to the first day or dreading it, getting to sleep can be tricky
• Children are often early to get ready on the first day, with everything prepared the night before
•  Being prepared the night before, and being early to rise and get ready may not continue after the first day
• Taking your children to school for the first day (at least) can be very important, for both you and the children. You can meet the teacher, learn where the class is located, make sure they get to school on time and safely,  and gauge both yours and your child's mental and emotional state
• Don't expect the first day to be a quick drop off, as there is a huge fluster of activity, confusion and excitement
• Younger children don't talk to each other about what they have been doing over the holidays
• Teachers don't talk about what they have been doing over the holidays
• It is great to catch up with friends you haven't seen much over the holidays
• It does not take long for friends to slip back into their routine
• Children are keen to help pack their lunch for the first day
• Children are not so keen to help pack their lunch AFTER the first day
• Even if children help pack their lunch, there will be something they are not happy with
• There is always something else needed, like a hat, a pencil case, or socks, even when you have made it your mission to be prepared
• Children get sick of answering your questions about their first day quickly
• If you are anything like me, you have many questions
• The first day is often taken up with organisation, getting to know people, games and settling in, but the children are usually tired at the end of the day

Things I Know About Being Late For School

I have been so happy that we have found a good rhythm this year. 

The kids have been mostly co-operative in the mornings. Hubby and I make lunches the night before and I usually get the uniforms out ready to go. This morning was BUCKING THE TREND!

Everything was going to plan, until Master 5 decided he wanted to style his hair.

Most mornings, he could NOT care less about his hair, or any presentation at all.

I thought he was doing well, as I could hear him in the bathroom, and the gush of the bathroom tap. 

I should have known better, when it took a while for him to reappear.

And reappear he did, with quite a smug look on his face.

"Like my hair Mum?"

I turned around to find Master 5 with a very good looking Mohawk.

Now, if he had achieved this look with just water, it would have been fine.

Master 5 does nothing in halves though.

He had delved into my NEW pot of Hair Sculpting Paste, with his little hand, and grabbed quite a handful by the looks of the hole that was left. He had applied so much paste, in fact, that his hair was plastered up nicely, AND it was completely white!

Being the scrooge that I am, I got out as much as I could, using a fine tooth comb.

This stuff is not cheap!

I kept going until his hair was no longer plastered in white paste.

Being the good Mum that I am, I then styled it the way he wanted.

By this time, the school bus had well and truly gone past. Miss 9 had the sense to avoid the commotion at home and catch the bus solo.

Master 5 was jumping around with his back-pack next to the car.

"Hurry Mum, we're gonna be late."

No kidding - I wonder how that happened?

I was left to rush around and hurriedly don my clothes for work, gulp a mouthful of tea and grab my bag and keys.

Little scenes like this have a way of getting much bigger, as they usually cause a domino effect. I thought I should warn unsuspecting parents of the little bumps in the morning that can go on to cause mountains.

We were now arriving at school late.

We get to the classroom ... which is vacant.

Master 5 has no idea where his classmates could be.

Luckily, the teacher walks in to inform us everyone is up at Music.

We trudge to the other end side of the school, where Master 5 happily plonks himself down, whilst his classmates admire his hair-do.

I then make my way along to the canteen to deposit his late order for lunch.

My next stop is the office at the front of the school, to inform the ladies that Master 5 has arrived late, and the class attendance form needs to be amended.

Lastly, I bolt past the kids already into their outside class activities to my car .... because now I am running late for work!

I can happily report, that once in my car and on my way, the trip to work was good. 

I was slightly late, but nobody seemed to care.

Work today, has followed the trend of every other Friday.

Organised Mum, happy school kids

How many things are on at your school each month that you need to remember? How do you remember all of these, or more likely, how many times have you forgotten something? With only two kiddies, I struggle to keep on top of their school and social agendas.

I have been guilty of dropping my daughter at school in full uniform, to find all the others children in free dress. I have also felt that dread, to see the library bag still hanging from a chair on library day. Or feeling I have forgotten something important, to realise it was the cut-off to return a permission slip.

So how does an organised parent keep their sanity and their "great parent" status?

My approach is attack the situation from all angles.

We have a family calendar where we write each month's appointments, special days, events, etc.

I cross-reference this with my diary, which has a permanent home in the kitchen.

I also have my trusty Android phone, which alerts me when I get up if the day involves an event at school which needs money or particular clothing.

Our school has Free dress day, raffles to be returned, cupcake day, carnivals, presentation assemblies, parent/teacher meetings, mini-concerts, excursions, annual fair, NOT TO MENTION library day, sports day, show and tell, choir, after-school sports; these are written on a magnetic planner which lives on the fridge........ O M G!

So I would love to know what your tips and tricks are to staying organised and remembering everything through the week.

The Things I Know about Breakfast

When I get up in the morning,  I have a routine. Many people do. Mine includes breakfast and always has. My morning does not feel complete without it. I question how people who choose to skip breakfast can function properly, or get through the day.

Oats, milk + blueberries. Green tea + 1/2 lemon

I am so glad that Schools in Australia are aware of the benefits of breakfast now. My children's Primary School offers free breakfast options before the start of school each day, which assures that even if the parent is not enforcing the importance of eating breakfast, the children can still have the option.

An article in The Herald Sun recently highlighted the findings of a study of over 800 students over 5 years, and concluded that children who eat before school get better academic results.

It has been talked about for quite some time that eating breakfast also triggers the metabolism into action. I have known of people on diets skipping breakfast, thinking this is a good way to reduce their calorie intake. It definitely reduces calorie intake initially, but the body may also think that food is scarce and slows down the metabolism to survive, or it may cause you to binge on other foods to get you through to lunch.

I don't need research to tell me that I am much more focused and energetic through the day when I have had breakfast. I encourage my children to have breakfast every morning too, though this is sometimes a struggle in the morning madness. I persevere though, trying to set my kids up with healthy habits that will benefit them now and into the future.

What are your morning habits regarding breakfast? Have you always eaten/not eaten breakfast?

Bullying: Our Community Makes A Stand in 2012

Bullying in any form, is unacceptable. My community has made a stand against bullying, and I couldn't be more proud.

Bullying may be defined as the activity of repeated, aggressive behaviour intended to hurt another person, physically or mentally. Bullying is characterised by an individual behaving in a certain way to gain power over another person. Many people will be a victim of it at one time or another throughout their lives, and at varying levels.

My personal experiences with bullying at school were horrible at the time. I would like to think that it made me a stronger, more resilient person. Thankfully, neither the bullying nor the resulting effect were as extreme as many. As a parent, I would hope that my children do not have to deal with bullying. I know, that if they were the instigators of the bullying, I would be deeply horrified.

Rally for Respect was held for the first time in October 2012, and will hopefully be a regular event.

The Rally started as an idea of some local High School students, and turned into an impressive event of over 1000 people involving 10 local schools, the students, teachers, and members of the community. Premier Lara Giddings marched amongst the people, along with some other State and local leaders.

The huge assembly of people gathered at Arthurs' Square where they heard the heart-wrenching story from Chloe Cunningham, of her experience with bullying. More of Chloe's story can be seen on the website, Angel's Goal. 

Rally of Respect 2012 brought the subject of bullying out into the open. People were discussing it and telling their own personal tales. The students were hearing about bullying and the consequences everywhere. My children are only 5 and 8, but were proud to be a part of something so important to so many people, and were so excited to bring home their own Rally of Respect wrist band. The media has really taken an interest, so the photos in the paper and the coverage on TV show them that this is an important issue for everyone.

We look forward to the next Rally of Respect.

Please feel free to read more about the Rally:

ABC Hobart article
New Norfolk News blog
The Mercury article
The Examiner article
The Premier of Tamania's media release

Last cuddles for my Cowboy

I gave my four year old son his last cuddle tonight.
He was snuggled down under his doona, and fighting sleep. As I nuzzled in for my cuddles, he begged me to stay a while ..... to sing one last nursery rhyme, and his arms tightened around my neck. I laughed it off, smothering him in kisses and urged him to go to sleep. As I pulled away, I knew there would be no more cuddles ever with my four year old son, and it made me pause just a little longer.

Tomorrow, my son will bounce out of bed in excitement. He will be shrieking and running around frantically searching for presents.

Tomorrow is his fifth birthday, and he is so, so excited.

He has been asking all year when will it be his turn for a birthday. A year has been such a long time for him.

As I write this I am waiting for cupcakes to finish cooking. He will proudly carry them into his classroom tomorrow to share, and announce, finally, that it is his birthday.

That is the plan, anyway. He did try to tell me that since it is his birthday tomorrow, surely he would not need to go to school.

Good try buddy.

 These are my last photos taken of Master 4. This week at his Kinder Book Parade he proudly strutted his stuff down the Cat Walk, dressed as a Cowboy. Complete with a wooden gun, chaps, Cowboy Hat, and a coil of rope.

Happy Birthday to my little man 

to be known, from tomorrow, as Master Five.

Double trouble? - What is best for OUR students?

When I attended school, which (quietly) was not yesterday, there were many issues. Some of these have been addressed and fixed, there are some new issues, and some issues remain the same.

I heard an idea today that is being tossed around by at least one Australian state, as a solution to a few of the current issues. I have my doubts as to whether the advantages will outnumber the disadvantages.

The idea of doubling classroom sizes to up to 60 students, being taught by two teachers, has been recognised by the Chinese as an effective method for some time, apparently.

I agree that the idea of combining the expertise and ideas of two teachers is appealing, given that they work well together. They would be able to learn from each other, teach the components that best suited their ability and knowledge, plan together and act as a team within the class.
This would also require the same or slightly less resources, so no further strain on the budget.

Looking at it from a students point of view, though, is where my doubts appear and grow.

From my own experience and that of my own children in school now, I am very aware that some children do not do well in large groups. There would be potentially more noise, and more personalities vying for attention. There also seems to be many more students with special needs learning side by side with the general population, or at least, within Tasmania. I can not see how making the classes larger would work to their advantage.

I fear that many students would lose their chance to participate in class discussions given the time restraint given to the subject, thus making them feel more anonymity.

Doubling of classes would also work well in newly built schools, but for the majority of schools, it would mean major renovations.

As this is only my opinion, I would be interested to know what you think of this idea, and what has been your experience with either small and/or large class size.

This class appears on the website mrs clines classroom and is similar in size and structure to our local Primary School

Going back in time

I was hurtled back in time today, just by attempting to put some things away.  This happens to me quite often. I try to get some stuff done, and in doing so, I find something I haven't seen in a long time. All of a sudden, I am fully sidetracked.

I like to keep things.
Things the children have made, significant birthday cards, etc. I guess this stems from my own childhood where my Mum did the same thing.

As I added things to the "Memory Box" today, I found some things I have kept from my childhood. It really did feel like finding a time capsule. They are just small things, but they revive some great memories.

 So, what have we got here?
1. Collectible eraser in the shape of a peg
This was one thing I collected as a child. I had quite a cool, colourful collection.

2. Netball medal from High School
I have played Netball since Third Grade, but this is a small memory token I can fit in my box.

3. Skeleton keyring from the Hobart Show
The annual Royal Hobart Show was one of those treats that I have some cool memories of. The rides, the tacky show bags and the fireworks are still a fun tradition.

4. Rock from Tasmanian West Coast
This is a treasure from one of our family trips. It is very shiny and glitzy.

5. Key tag with primary school photo
Ah ... those were the days. So young and innocent.

6. Mickey Mouse figurine
Another token of my childhood. I have a really cool photo of me with the Mickey Mouse Ears.

7. Feather earring
This was from my rebellion teenage years. Feather earrings and black eyeliner!

8. Keyring with boomerang and enclosed Scorpion
I carried these 2 around for quite a while. I thought they were both pretty cool.

9. The Bug key tag
This one actually belonged to my Mum. She once owned and drove a Volkswagen Beetle.

As I get older, I wonder how much the Brain can retain of these memories from long ago. I certainly spent a good amount of time today smiling and going back in time with the help of these items.

There are so many other things that would have been great to keep. I had some great posters that would have been cool to hang on to, but I think that would push me into the hoarding category...

photo source

Do you keep things as mementos? Have you ever made a time capsule?

My son was ready to sleep at school....

Master 4 started his school holidays, saying he hated school. Today was his first day back after 2 weeks, and he told the teacher he was going to sleep at school overnight, and it didn't matter that there was no TV.

Has he had a dramatic change of heart? Did he have such a good day that he never wants to come home again?

Well, the teacher's report was very positive. She said he had a good day.... it is very rare to hear this. Then, out of his own mouth, Master 4 declared he really did have a good day. Should I be over-joyed or suspicious? I mean, hubby and I were having chats with the teacher every week regarding behaviour, sometimes twice a week, and he only attends Kindergarten 3 days a week!

I walked Master 4 into school this morning with hesitation as to what today might bring, or what his teacher would say today. I need not have worried.

So, back to why Master 4 was going to sleep at school.
It may have something to do with the fact that I arrived late to collect him. The poor mite was the last left in class, and the only cars in the car park belonged to the teachers. So I slinked into the class to reassure Master 4 that we really do love him, and wouldn't really leave him at school forever. By this time, Master 4 had it all figured out where he was going to sleep and what he would play with.

Hubby thought this was a little funny. Not that Master 4 was late being collected from school, but that it was me who had committed the sin of losing track of time, and potentially forgetting our own child.
He played it for all it was worth too, giving Master 4 cuddles and words of comfort when he arrived home.

Hmmmph! As if ....  My halo is a little crooked but still in tact.


I linked up with
life on planet baby

and appeared in

Happiness is .. being recognised

This week is all about recognition for us.

Master 4 has managed to stay in his own bed for three nights in a row. I made sure there was a big fuss in recognition of his very grown up behaviour. It wasn't just words - Mummy and Daddy are both really proud and relieved for three nights good sleep.

Miss 8 received her recognition at school for her efforts last week. She received a certificate at the school assembly showing that she follows the schools three B's of Br safe, Be a learner and Be respectful.
Her teacher made sure she included on the certificate that Miss 8 is always a hard worker. Whew! That is better than the often heard "is disruptive in class" or "could apply herself more". The certificate has pride of place on the fridge.

I was also recognised for my efforts this week, which was rather nice. My employer saw it as beneficial to give me a pay rise! That will come in very handy to cover the many price rises of late.

Overall, a pleasant week.

Wordless Wednesday - Move those legs

 I had a great time watching the kids go around and around at the Kindergarten Bike-a-thon.  Unfortunately, we were sitting on the first corner which proved a little risky. Exciting, nonetheless.


Linking up for

5 Minutes for Mom,

Tots and Me

Tina's Wordless Wednesday

By Word Of Mouth Musings

Wordless Wednesday

Crazy about my BayBah

Some Days We Tread Lightly

He begged me. "I don't want to go".
He kicked his shoes off as soon as I put them on.
He refused to seat in his booster to be buckled in.
He pouted all the way there.
He dragged his feet down the path toward the door.

Once inside, I tried to steer him through his normal routine of finding his name to put on the board, and hanging his bag under his photo. 
We greeted the teacher.
Uh oh ... relief teacher.
He took a step back from the unfamiliar face.
Luckily the teacher aide rushed in. "What would you like to start with today? How about you join in playing with the trains?"

He never took his eyes off me, so I sat down near the train tracks. He slowly lowered himself to the floor next to me.
He surveyed the other boys playing with the trains and the track they had already created. He spied a train not being used. As he reached for it, a little boy grabbed a piece of track and whacked it across his hand "No!"
He was instantly in my lap, his little arms around my neck. He sobbed for a good ten minutes.

He is not usually clingy. He is usually eager to join in. Not today.

Today he is fragile. Today he wants his Mum. Today he doesn't want to be a big boy at Kindergarten.

The teacher's aide came to my rescue again with a game with Dragon's on it. This woman is worth her weight in gold.
Other boys crowded around and wanted to play too.
He slowly sat in the chair pulled out for him.
He concentrated on the games for a while, and I saw his shoulders relax.
The teacher's aide gave me a nod as I stood.
He looked up as I closed the door behind me.
His eyes looked longingly into mine, but he stayed in his chair as I smiled and waved through the window.

My heart is heavy as I head along the path to the gate.