Extraordinary mondays - artistic abilities

My dad use to tell me that my late granddad was quite the artist. He taught my dad how to draw. I know for a fact that my dad is quite the artist. So if those smart people studying genetics are right, I should be quite the artist too. Well...I wouldn't go that far as to call myself an artist. I'd say I have creative genes flowing through me, untrained and unharnessed. I'd say I'm an artistic dabbler.

Now, to complete that equation then with Khoa's artistic DNA, our kids would be artists-in-the-making. I thought I'd share some of their recent drawings with you.

Zach's prefers his monotones. I'd love it if he branched out into technicolour but no, for the last few years, it's been monotones all over. But check out the accuracy and details of his shark, giant squid and lantern fish.



Amelia, not wanting to be left behind in the drawing game, drew this fantastic 'dog'. She's been drawing smiley faces for a while now with stick arms and stick legs. This is her very first drawing of a complete animal. Check out the little body in side profile complete with little tail to the right. Isn't it just the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen? Well, probably not. But for me, it's the beginning of beautifully formed creatures and animals from Amelia. I can't wait to watch her drawing ability blossom.



They aren't child prodigies but I can see in them the same need I had when I was younger to draw and produce stuff. I wish I knew how to train and mold their creative abilities. Please send me suggestions and recommendations for books to read on how to nurture a child's creative ability.

Extraordinary mondays - Our little Eden

I don't think I've ever shown you our garden. I thought since we are just on the brink of getting some sky juice from the heavens, I'd serve up a visual sampling of our garden with you. Please note, I have done absolutely nothing in this garden. I don't have a green thumb and have even managed to kill lucky bamboo! Our little Eden is the product of the hard work of my in-laws. I've grouped the photos in two categories: Fruit and Herb. So Fruit first:

Persimmon

Paw paw or papaya

Cumquats

Longans (we're having a bumper crop at the moment!)

Pomelo

Grapes

Oranges (these are just ripening now)

Mango (these babies were so sweet and succulent!)

Guava

Dragon fruit

Herbs next:

Tia to (red perilla)

Spring onions

Lemongrass

Chillies

Thai basil

Rau Ma (Vietnamese Pennywort)

Mint

I bet as you were scrolling through all that greenery, you must be wondering if we have a big block? Well, we have a typical suburban block in Perth. We just don't have anything else other than fruit trees and herbs in our garden. We don't believe in watering anything that doesn't produce anything for us to eat. There is one exception, my in-laws did plant a tree but that was for providing shade.

As a family, we don't do much for sustainable living but our little Eden is us doing our little bit towards it. Besides, what can be better than plucking fresh lime from the garden when you feel like a refreshing drink?

Extraordinary mondays - Birthday encore

Our family loves throwing parties. full stop. You only need to look back at Amelia's 1st birthday invites.

We love particularly to celebrate birthdays with the creativity gauge on max. Often it involves lots of making and crafting. The entire family is engaged in some part of the preparations. And on party day, the guests are never allowed to just sit and relax. They become integral to the celebrations of the day.

It was the same when we threw Zach's 5th birthday party at Scitech this weekend.

Preparations began weeks ahead but went to a feverish pace the day before. There were lolly bags to be packed, food to prep, cake to make and activities to finalise.

Did I mention the cake or shall I say the cakes? Here are the hands of Auntie Tina making the dinosaur shaped cupcake toppers.

The one on the left is the dinosaur image the cupcake toppers are based on.

Oh, and DID I MENTION THE CAKE? Isn't it absolutely gorgeous!



The boys loved the cakes and managed to stay in their seats for their food. Hats off to them seeing that there were so many things to do at Scitech.

For the day, we put together a little activity that had the boys discovering different things in our world. Each boy got a "discovery bag" that had tools and equipment and an activity card. The card contained 5 tasks. The boys had to solve a clue, find the relevant station and complete the task. When completed, they received a stamp on their activity card. Each completed task earned them a little prize. The boys really took to the activity and had a blast. In fact, one of the Scitech members approached us for the activity card as he loved the idea and hoped to incorporate it into the Scitech-run parties.

The girls, Amelia and Emily, left the boys to their boisterous ways and did some quieter discovering of their own.

The party wouldn't have come together and be as successful as it was if it weren't for my wonderful family. Thank you Tina for the dino-rific cake and yummy food. Brendyn for the sausage rolls (and I'm sure, the washing up at home), Gina for being absolutely great with the boys and running the activity, Dan for looking after the girls, Aunty Kim Anh for rolling the fresh spring rolls, Liz and Andy for helping with the stations and buttering the sandwiches, Mom and Dad for the food preparations and of course, Khoa for planting the idea and fanning the inspiration flame.

Can't wait to throw the next party!

Extraordinary Mondays - Sculpture by the Sea

It's that time of year again when amazing artwork descends and resides on one of Perth's beautiful beaches. It's Sculpture by the Sea time! Here's a quick summary in pictures of some of the ones we liked.

The Desert ships by Neil Jones were Amelia's favourite because "I can ride on them and feed them."

The sculpture above is my favourite of all: Lifeboat by Marwa Fahmy, Stephen Genovese, Elizabeth Marpole and Kate Parker. Incidentally, they won the $15000 NAB WA Sculptor’s Scholarship.

There are lots more to see so don't miss out. The exhibition ends 22 March.

Extraordinary Mondays - the day he loves her the least

You'll have to forgive me if I don't prattle on today. I'm still exhausted. This weekend has been a marathon for the whole "village." Correction, these past three weeks have been a marathon. The preparation for the bridal shower, the lead up to the wedding, the putting together of the bride's survival pack, the wedding itself and then the next day almost mandatory family gathering of both families.

'Nough said. Picture time.