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Things We Like | The Summer Holiday 2016 Edition

The best thing about summer holidays?? OK, there are lots of great things, but one thing that I love is that it gives us a chance to read, play board games, watch movies, and generally relax. The aftermath of Christmas means we usually have a few new toys to try out as well. So here are some things we are loving at the moment.

Carcassone

What is it??? Well, it’s a great strategy game which is simple enough that Meg and Toby can play, yet still interesting enough for adults to enjoy too. I bought it for Country Boy for Christmas, after he left a few hints (such as a list on the fridge, and showing me a blog which reviewed the board game – he is subtle sometimes). The aim is to place cards to make cities, roads, and monasteries, which you claim with little wooden people to gain points. We call it sausage city because one of the first times we played, the cities all ended up long and thin like sausages, but it is definitely fun and easy. There is also an expansion pack, that may well be part of Christmas 2016.

Things we likeThings we like-4

River Cottage Australia (series 3)

Toby loves River Cottage Australia, and considers Paul (the host) and the other people on the show as his friends. He will often start talking about something Paul did, and it always takes me a minute to think “who is Paul?”, before I remember who he is talking about. Toby will also occasionally give a running monologue of what he is doing around the farm just like the show. My favourite one so far was when he announced “Things on the farm are going to change. I’m building a raft”. Any how, we gave him series 3 for Christmas (slightly unusual present for a 5 year old, I know), and we have all enjoyed watching it. I’m also getting some inspiration about what I can cook, and may have suggested to CB that we need to get some bees…

Things we like-3

Wide Angle Phone Lens

CB bought me a little lens from Typo that magnetically attaches over my mobile phone lens, and gives me either a wide angle, or macro lens. It is super easy to use, and really extends the width of the photo. I’ve been using it a bit when taking photos of the countryside, and I love it. Check out my instagram account to see some of the pics I’ve taken with it.

Things we like-2

Audio Books

Long time readers would know that audio books are always a staple of every Christmas at our place. We do quite a bit of travelling around the place, and audio books really help to keep the kids happy, and to make the trip seem quicker. This year we have listened to Winnie the Pooh, What Katie Did, and still have The Ranger’s Apprentice to listen to when we go up to Sydney next week. They are also perfect for hot days when we don’t feel like doing much. A little colouring or lego or trainset with an audio book in the back ground makes the day go faster and happier.

Things we like-5

Water Paint Sets

My sister and brother in law created the best presents for their nieces and nephews this year. They all received beautiful little sewn pouches with a good quality water colour set, paint brush, pencil, and several little note books inside. The kids spent lots of time at Magic beach sitting around the table with my sister, painting together. My kids have also done some more painting since we got home from Magic beach. They are the perfect size for taking away with us.

IMG_8799

What do you love about summer holidays? Have you found anything new that you love?

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Comments

  1. jan2132 says

    January 18, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Voyage to Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues under the sea were favourites for my sons. Ancient history, they were on cassettes. Son and his wife and I combined to buy lenses for iphone for 15 year old granddaughter and a case. I had originally found a Fiji I liked as we all have Fuji XT -1 and love them. However tech nerd son did research and we bought the lenses. She is producing some superb photos and has a great eye for composition.

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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A lovely, easy Christmas with family, good food, a A lovely, easy Christmas with family, good food, a few presents, an afternoon swim and dinner on the veranda as the sun set. Time to stop and be thankful for the many blessings of the year. I hope you had a lovely Christmas too!
We have been mulling over how to fix up the drivew We have been mulling over how to fix up the driveway and lead up to our house for a while. Currently it’s just a dumping ground for old bits of metal and a big pile of mulch, but C would like to create a turning area and put in a garden. First up though, there’s a huge old stump that needs to go. What better excuse is there to have a fire on Sunday afternoon? C and the kids jumped on the quad bike and trailer, and hauled back a big pile of sticks and logs to help the stump burn. Once the fire was going, marshmallows were found and roasted. No better way to spend time together.
Team work makes the dream work. We were asked rec Team work makes the dream work. 
We were asked recently whether we “make” our kids work on the farm. The answer is of course not. Having said that, all three love to help out whenever they can. They all work hard because they want to; because they take pride in working hard and contributing in a meaningful way to our family life; because they love living on our farm and don’t remember life before we moved here. Whether it be planting trees or doing sheep work or feeding animals, they all want to be involved. As a parent, nothing is better than watching them grow in skill and confidence as they work along side you. We’re so glad that we get to spend time with our three, working together.
We’ve had an unexpected addition to the family ☘️🐑. She is a lot easier to look after than the other family members but she does try to escape her yard and head butt people. Poddy lambs are super cute but they tend to think they are a human. Clover the lamb is sure that Meg is her mum. Can’t think why… 🤔🤣
The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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