Making a Cardboard Play Land - Phase One

This morning Priya and I began working on what will be phase one of a cardboard play land. I got the idea for the trees from Kind Over Matter and the rest just flowed on from there. Priya chose outfits for her peg people and arranged things while I completed most of the construction.

So far our favorite part of this playscape is the mail box. Not much beats putting tiny little letters through a miniature mail slot.

Next on our play land agenda is a beach followed by a main street with shops. I quite like making toys out of cardboard boxes and the ideas keep coming. The possibilities are endless.

Life Skills - Clothes Hanging

This morning I came across The Princess and the Tot's 'What's on the Tray' post, featuring a clothes hanging tray. I thought it was such a great idea so I jumped straight to my feet and assembled a clothes hanging station for my 27-month-old. I knew she'd love it and I was right. Within half an hour she'd learned to hang clothes. She even hung the dress off her own back.

Who knew a broom handle and and a stack of clothes hangers could provide so much stimulation?

Making an Ocean Play Scene

Earlier today we made an impromptu ocean scene. I was feeling a little sad and guilty that I haven't been as available to Priya since her little brother arrived so I grabbed some sea shells and paint out of my craft tub and asked her to paint them.  Were were going to make something, I just wasn't sure what yet.

I mixed some shaving cream with blue paint which left a lovely marbled effect on the shells once dried. When we had tired of painting shells I gave her a piece of paper to use up the rest of the paint. It looked like water which gave me an idea. A while ago I made some button fish, felt boats and spoon sailors which we'd never used. Together this eclectic group of items made for an interesting afternoon of ocean-themed play.

Our Belly Art Journey Ends Early

At 35 weeks, 6 days pregnant I sat on our kitchen table for what I thought was our second last body art photo session. Aunty Rebekah was kind enough to take the photos for us and bring some props too. We had some scheduling issues so I'm relieved we went ahead and did it that day rather than waiting for the weekend. We knew the baby was coming soon, we were just blissfully unaware of how soon.

Twelve hours after these photos were taken my waters broke while we were sleeping. Feeling quite emotional and a little bit shaky from the shock, I crawled into bed with Priya for her last cuddle as an only child.

If you would like to see a recap of our belly art adventures then read on.

20 weeks - I first had the bright idea to have Priya paint my little bump at my parents house down the coast. The weather was still warm in April and I didn't give much thought to what seasonal changes future months would bring.

23 weeks - I enlisted the help of my sister in law Rebekah from Just for Daisy to take photos for us. She was generous enough to take time out of her busy life to help document our body art on three occasions.

27 Weeks - At Aunty Rebekah's house the weather was getting a little bit chilly but the sun came out just for us. Priya decided she would like her tummy painted too. 

31 weeks - Daddy took part in the belly painting fun for the first time. He took photos while Priya and I painted, cuddled and talked about the baby. 

I am so glad that we did this together. It was a lovely way for us to bond, document the pregnancy and prepare for the arrival of our little Digby.