kids

Weekend Antics

by Chavah Kinloch on June 6, 2011

Usually my weekends are relatively quiet and boring, just the way I like them but during the months of June and July it’s like all of a sudden I have a crazy busy life. Not that things aren’t usually busy around here, someone always has something going on. The schedule just changes quite a bit, from some late night down time to no down time; that’s probably how I should describe it.

It does keep things interesting though because something out of the norm is happening. We have four birthdays during this time, two children and both of us parents. The kids get so excited about their day and I just there sit in disbelief that I’m old enough to have one child let alone four. It’s like I blinked and I aged 10 years. Life is much better than I could have imagined it would be 10 years ago though.

Friday evening I had some girl time. Every woman needs time out with other women! I got to get out of my trackies and dress up. I do enjoy my trackies, it means I can get dust and paint everywhere then add in a workout but I enjoy slipping on a pair of high heels just as much. Before I went out Andrew told me he really liked my hair. So did I, so I figured I’d do a mini vlog on it. You can see it here: My hair & the kids.

Of course we’ve been working on Miss V’s bedroom pretty much nonstop the past week. Tidying up edges, picking up the creative mess that comes with renovations, getting it ready for her sleepover. While I was out for dessert with the girls I mentioned how much effort it would take to get the room up to scratch by the next day and a friend suggested I just leave it and put some mattresses in. Never a wiser word had been spoken, neither Andrew or I were up to putting in much effort (can you say drained?) at the time so instead we moved all the gear to the garage so that the house was presentable again and pumped up some air mattresses for the girls to sleep on. It all worked out great. Just don’t go in my garage.

By the way, nine year old girls = NOISE. Music  to my ears though, sleepovers with my friends growing up were some of the best times I ever had. I’m glad my daughter is getting the same experience.

Of course it was the one weekend that Boston decided to wake up 4:00am. What.The.Heck. He usually sleeps through until 8! By the sound of his cry he’d had a nightmare and just didn’t want to be alone again. The next morning he was up early again but this time 6:30am. Still doesn’t give you much sleep when you’ve had visitors until 2:30am. *Yawn* He’ll get back to 8:00am in the next day or so hopefully. We’ll do our best.

Other than the crazy early morning and the odd toddler tantrum, Boston is so much fun to have around. If you don’t have a toddler, have one :P (or just borrow one). They are amazing. Boston is basically our shadow, everything we do, he wants to do too. Here’s some picture proof from the weekend:

This is what happens when a nearly 2 year old gets into his Daddy’s hair wax. Believe it or not, these photos were taken after his hair had been washed multiple times. When he puts product in, he doesn’t do it by halves! All he wanted to do was put it in his hair like he sees his Dad do every morning before work. I know, I know, he needs a haircut. I just can’t bring myself to do it yet. He’s my baby :( It represents the end of an era and I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to his baby look just yet.

This next photo may shock and distrub some viewers:

I bet you’re going huh? Why?

Well my dear friends, that ‘lipstick’ right there is in fact a tampon. He cracks me up so hard. I snapped this with my phone as I was getting ready to go out for my girls night. His favourite place to be is in my bathroom where all of my interesting bits of jewellery and make up are. It’s his forbidden fruit.

This is why people have kids. There’s never a dull moment and we love it.

How was your weekend? Did you have any “what the heck” moments like we did?

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DIY Lampshade for the Bedroom Makeover

by Chavah Kinloch on May 26, 2011

So in 2008, yes 2008… I bought this:

I only know I bought it in 2008 because of this blog haha. I posted here the weekend I got it.

Anyway, Miss V’s room needs a new lighting fixture. All it has is a light bulb because the boys one day threw something in the air and managed to smash their bedroom light shade. Can you see me shaking my head? I am. I have a million stories like this lol.

What I want for her bedroom is this:

I saw one for $99 last year and knew I should have scooped it up. It’s pretty affordable anyway but right now my budget is close to non existent so for now I have to make it work with what I got. Challenge accepted.

The lampshade I bought in 2008, I originally intended to spray paint orange. Never quite got there though because I fell pregnant that month with Boston and the exhaustion from the pregnancy kicked my butt.

So here we are years later and a few months back I found this. Pretty sure it’s from one of my favourite blogs because I recognise the room it’s in. It just happens to be one of my favourite kids rooms ever. EVER. Eh-Verrr.

Don’t you love that huge bulb? I die. I’m going to find one. As for the lampshade I figured, I can do that! I had a lampshade just sitting there waiting and I knew I could find the fabric to cover it so off I went and pulled my gear out of the studio to get to work.

Big thanks to Karley Feaver who sent me some fabric last year. I finally got to use some of it! I’ve been wanting an excuse to use that fabric.

I rummaged through my fabrics and pulled out four samples. Here’s what I was inspired to do:

Steps one and two.

Steps three and four.

Hopefully I can get my hands on one of those large bulbs and I can get Miss V’s room looking half as good as the one above. I’m still considering maybe adding some flowers or beads to the shade. If I do I’ll update you.

Total cost = Free (maybe $1 for everything)

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Creating – Back in Business Baby!

by Chavah Kinloch on April 11, 2011

Boston is at a beautiful age right now (20 months). For the most part he’s allowing me to create throughout the day while he ‘draws’ alongside me or just enthusiastically watches. It seems living from such a young age with all my materials around them, my kids have grown into understanding what they are and aren’t allowed to touch so it’s only when they’re extremely young (under one) that I have issues with them touching my projects or products. I’m feeling really grateful that we’re back to a stage where I can trust each kid (for the most part) to not destroy what I’ve got in the works. It’s allowing me to create as often as I want…which is constantly right now. I love it.

So right now I’m working on a few projects and really just experimenting again.

Up next I am part of a fundraiser for the SPCA in an event called The Funky Chicken. You’ll find my creation at Jay Jays on Esk St, Invercargill from the 25th-29th of April (Easter week). After that it’ll be available to purchase via silent auction at H &J Smiths, Invercargill store. On the 22nd of May the sculpture/chicken will be able to be collected/delivered to the highest bidder.

Here is a photo from last week, it’s had a lot of progress made on it since then but I won’t be revealing any more until it’s completed! Exciting :D

Right now I am heading in a more loose abstract expressionism direction with my paintings and enjoying the freedom it offers. It might have a lot to do with my absolute despise of being ‘told’ what to do. Everyone has issues, that’s my biggie. My parents would strongly agree I’m sure haha. It runs through into my hatred for people saying what art should look like. There are certain things that make up a good creation but not everyone should use the same techniques and styles. I get really annoyed when I hear people try to argue that someone like Pablo Picasso didn’t make ‘real’ art. Yes, I have in fact heard people talk like this. The art world would stifle if we all stopped listening to our own creative prowess. These two paintings shown are recent creations and I have two complete abstracts in the works that I’ll get to once my deadlines are done.

Below: Forever in my Memories

(excuse the poor photo below – painting currently untitled)

I’m working on a portrait commission of a gorgeous wee girl at the moment too. I forget how much I love to sketch. Hopefully I’ll get her finished this week.

I’m also helping my kids design their ‘dream rooms’. They’re making little models and taking great pride in their designs.

My oldest boys actually share a room so my youngest in the photo is just painting his weet-bix box turned piano hehe. The others were painting and he didn’t want to be left out.

Coming up I have the annual NZAG collaborative project to work on but I haven’t started on that yet. I’ll be sure to share a peek of that when I finally get around to it!

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The Next 21 Days – Day 8

by Chavah Kinloch on March 17, 2011

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day everyone!

What I Learn from my Children

I’m one proud mama at the moment. Yesterday I wrote about how inspiring you all are, today I’m writing about my children and the way they motivate me.

My daughter had a school athletics day yesterday, a day late because of the weather. I promised I’d go along with my littlest guy later in the day, to watch my daughter run. So off we went at lunch time and found my newly five year old and his friends to hang out with. The other two popped up every now and again too.

After lunch as I was sitting by the playground watching Boston think he was invincible, my eldest son’s teacher walked past and said “You’ll be a proud Mum today” and handed me a piece of paper. I thought “Oh yay, my daughter made it through to zones”  which when I think about it now is a bit weird for me to think seeing as it was my sons teacher but oh well, I have my moments lol. It took a few minutes before I realised that the piece of paper was actually for my son and not my daughter. He was the one off to compete in the zones for athletics. I hear his besties also made it through so they’ll all probably get up to mischief.

A few seconds after that I heard my daughters name get called out for some races about to happen so we moved across to the field to watch them. She did great, she tells me she had a stitch by that point.

When all the races were done, a teacher stood up and called out the names of the children that had made it through to the zones for different categories. I wasn’t sure if my daughter had made it through at this stage, I knew she wanted to (she wrote it on her blog lol) but I didn’t know how it’d turn out.

Then I heard it, I heard her name and I couldn’t help but feel incredibly happy for her. She’d done what she’d set to do. In the past she has made it through to the zones every year but it had never really meant anything to her. This year it was something she really desired.

What shocked me though was not only did I hear her name name once but three times. By this stage I was wishing my husband could be there with me so I could squeeze his hand to show my happiness. It really sucks to be happy and have no one to share it with. Turns out I missed hearing her name called out one other time because out of 6 categories, she  had made it through on 4. Long jump, high jump, 60m & 100m sprints. She didn’t make discus or shotput but if you’ve ever seen my daughter, it’s hardly surprising, she’s only tiny.

If that wasn’t enough to make me burst at the seams with pride they also had their one after school activity to get through. Wednesdays are long days, my children play touch rugby during summer. My daughter only started playing a few weeks ago for the first time and has been lacking in confidence because it’s all so new to her. She signed herself up for it though and we’re all about following through on your commitments so she’s currently learning that lesson. I did feel quite bad for Vahnija though, she’d already been on her feet all day. They love their touch games though and after loading them up with afternoon tea and making them rest until the games started they were good to go.

My daughter was a beast during her game! I don’t know what clicked but she was chasing down these boys on the field like a lion would it’s prey. It was awesome. She was awarded player of the day for her efforts which I’m really proud of because she’s come so far in a few short weeks. Next was my sons game. I can’t go into it all but lately there have been big issues with his team and he’s felt like crap after all his games this term. It’s been heartbreaking and frustrating to see him upset because of the actions of adults. They should know better. I admit I let the protective mama-bear instinct in me out one week because of what was going on. Each week we’d have to talk to him about what was right, to ignore the things being done to him and how to carry on next time. I’m so happy to say that yesterday he was back to his old self. He had obviously taken on all the advice given to him and was being who he knew he could be. I was proud of him for believing in himself. It must have been noted because come the end of the match, he was also awarded player of the day.

I know my kids aren’t perfect and I know that I’m not a perfect parent but I am so proud and motivated by these little accomplishments that these tiny wee people are achieving. They have challenges of their own, they have dreams, they set their own goals, they’re living through highs and lows and people who want to put them down but they’re taking it all in their stride and showing me that the negatives won’t stop them. They’re so strong and I love that I’ve had a part to play in that.

I’m going through a stage with my journey where it’s all feeling very real. Getting back into life when you’ve been out of it for years because you’ve been focusing on other things is a difficult task. So much has changed and I have to get used to new people all over again. I’m about ready for a breakdown and it would be so easy to just quit because it’s scary to delve into my own issues but how can I quit when I see my own children facing their fears. I like to believe they’re not the way they are by pure chance. So I won’t be reduced by my fears. I’ll tackle them head on. I’ve achieved great results in the past and I can do it again. These kids are teaching me a lot. Life is changing.

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Kids in the Newspaper

by Chavah Kinloch on February 12, 2011

Here’s the article from the paper today. They spelled our name wrong. Story of my life.

On a side note, for those who aren’t on my Facebook page and missed the announcement, my daughter has started her own blog as part of a homework challenge for the year. She’s super adorable and I’m looking forward to reading life as she views it. You can take a peek at Viva La Vahnija here! Stop by her about page, it makes me go “awwww”.

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Happy 75th Birthday Tip Top

Thanks for the free jellytips! I spent the afternoon out with my kids. Andrew joined us for a few minutes too. We headed into town because yesterday, an invite went around pretty much everyone in NZ’s Facebook page telling them of  the place in their town that would be giving away free ice blocks. A [...]

Which Came First?

The chicken or the egg? In this case it’s the chicken. Here’s the very beginning of a chicken leg: It’s quiet around here today because I’m creating. Thinking of you though I’m busy making my very first recycleart project and it. is. FUN. Totally inspired by Robert Bradford’s ‘Plastic’ sculptures. I’ve got 2 wardrobes full [...]

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