Thank You!

To Bianca's Teachers, Staff and Members of Rocking Horse Nursery.

I want to go on record as giving profound thanks to the wonderful staff at Rocking Horse Nursery. I know some of you read my blog. You know who you are.
I know I have thanked you countless times for what you give to Bianca and also to us, but “Thank you!” seems so inadequate at times. Bianca has not only learned how to learn (and enjoy doing it), but far above and beyond—about how the world works and its people. How to give and share and do it with purpose and joy.
I want to thank you all for your passion for teaching and for focusing on the whole child. You challenge her and help her discover what her capabilities are. You teach her how to think “outside the box” and look for solutions, and how to collaborate with other little people. How to do what needs doing, and with pleasure. How to sing and dance and do the Locomotion.

I also want to thank you for embracing and supporting us as we have become us—you’ve seen us grow into our family—and find our parenting rhythm. You've always been patient and kind. Even when I've rushed into the Nursery school 45 minutes before the end of the day to fetch Bianca when I genuinely thought I was 45 minutes late.

The African proverb said it well, “It takes a village.” It does indeed and I’m thrilled that you are part of my daughters and our village.

So, once again, from one grateful mum,

Thank you!

C is for Colour!

In a previous post I talked about surrounding yourself with passionate people. I talked about finding small businesses who are doing extraordinary things. Looking for artists and writers, for people who are obsessed with doing something really well. One of the mums at Eva's school handed me a book today and said it was a gift for my birthday. I was thrilled. It was only when I got home however, that I realised it was a signed copy of a book she herself had written. Wow, Anna! I'm so impressed. What an extraordinary woman you are, I am so inspired. I can not wait to go for coffee. Thank you for my book *(^_^)* I love it!

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A is for Art!

She's Gifted!

In an affluent corner of Kent, in a beautiful primary school on a sunny Tuesday morning, a violin lesson was in full swing. Later that afternoon my phone rang, it was Eva's violin teacher Mrs Mills.”Good afternoon Mrs Da Silva” she said.“I feel that Eva would benefit from an individual lesson as she is progressing well. She really stands out” Mrs Mills continues. “Eva is very musical and always comes up with different twists on things” Wow, I'm impressed Eva's only had three lessons, I think to myself. 'She is very musical and its amazing how fast she's moving through the lessons,' she gushes. 'Eva really is a gifted young musician.'
And there it is, that magic word, the six letters that are music to the ears of every parent. Gifted. I put down the phone and already mapping out her ascent to the top of the international music world. Will she have her first concert in London or Paris? Does she need an agent? Are we raising the next Campoli ? Will she be offered a scholarship at Juilliard New York? After dinner I start surfing the Internet hunting for the right course to nurture my daughters gift. The ad that catches my eye promises, 'Unlock your child's genius!' My husband wonders if I'm going too far, but his words are no more than background noise to me now.

The next morning, on the walk to school, I run the idea of an individual lesson past Eva. But she is having non of it. 'But I like having my lessons with my friends, its fun when we're together.' My heart skipped a beat, but I resisted the urge to scream, 'WHAT!' Instead, I answered in a neutral tone.'That s okay honey.' Studies have shown that its not private tutors or individual lessons that boost marks or the chance of success but rather that having a passion for learning is a more reliable indicator of success. So for now Eva will continue to enjoy her violin lessons with her little friends. I don't want to hijack her childhood. What's important to me is that she's happy and enjoys what she is doing. I don't want her to miss out on the things that give texture and meaning to a human life – the small adventures, the secret journeys, enjoying her time with friends, the setbacks and mishaps, the successes and the failures.

You be the Critic!

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. They risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to judgment. They thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than their criticism designating it so.

Urban Angelic at Bubble.

Urban Angelic at the Bubble London Kids Trade Show.....Wish us Luck!

Happy Fathers Day!

“Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad.”
~ Unknown

How true.

I can state that I never really thought about having children (uh-huh!) until I met Paulo. I was an only child and the only experience I had of young children were my best friends three obnoxiously rambunctious “boys-will-be-boys” brothers. They tested my patience and me beyond anything imaginable. The idea of having children that might act like these three boys, well… frightened me.

Time, maturity and love changed my perspective on children. When I fell in love with and pegged Paulo for my future, I realized that I wanted children with him. A minimum of four or five, maybe a dozen. In this man I saw someone who valued me as an equal partner. I loved this guy who was funny, sensitive, compassionate, and entrepreneurial, I was touched by how he embraced his inner child and encouraged me to embrace mine. The importance of family was deeply ingrained in him and I discovered that it was in me as well.

We wasted no time in building our family. Despite occasional and normal “hiccups,” our girls are doing well, growing confident and independent in leaps and bounds. Paulo is a major part of all of the girls successful growth and self-esteem, embracing fatherhood and all of the “everything” it entails. Sure I’m biased, but he is an amazing father.

Eva says, "Whenever Daddy comes home, he smiles, yells my name and gives me the biggest bear hug. He makes me feel like the most important person in the world. He loves my mummy. And most importantly my daddy is cool because he doesn't mind that Mummy and I wont let him touch the thermostat."

Up, Up and Away.

Paulo, my husband, started flying kites about 5 years ago. I had gone to Blue Water Shopping Center in Dartford, intending to buy a stuffed-animal toy for my daughter, but ended up in a kite shop buying a four line power kite for Paulo. I thought it was something he might enjoy.

As a child, we made our own kites, ripping up sheets to tie on the tail, making the kites do loops, getting them stuck in trees and running around the garden dragging them along the ground. Kids just love kites and although some won't admit to it right away, so do most adults! By choosing the right kite and understanding a few basic tips, you can avoid most of the frustrations, and provide hours of simple, inexpensive fun for your kids and for yourself!

Kite flying can be a fun and rewarding hobby. And, best of all it gets us outside in the fresh air moving around. We now all have our own kites. Eva and Bianca love flying their kites. Paulo and I enjoy it too. We don't always realize it, but it's the simple things that bring the most pleasure in life and time spent together is the best time of all!

Our Royal Wedding Tea Party.

I was the same age Eva is now when Charles and Diana got married. I'd love it if  the girls and I could be in London for the Royal Wedding. I'm not a royalist by any means, after all, the funeral of Princess Diana created a national day of mourning out of my graduation day. I do like a good excuse for a party though.


I know, I know a Royal Wedding Party...really? Well we're not having a street party to celebrate. After all, the last memorable thing that happened in our neighborhood was the time I reversed into the neighbors fence. Still, the girls were born here and I want them to acknowledge the enormity of the day. Whatever camp you fall in, you have to admit it's a what-were-you-doing-on-the-day kind of event.

So instead of throwing in the towel and calling it a normal Friday, I've decided to hold a Royal Wedding Tea Party. Girls in princess dresses and plastic tiaras, Mums with cups of tea or champagne. I've splashed out on Union Jack bunting and good old English cake and biscuits. Whether you’re crazy about royalty or just sort of looking for an excuse for a tea party, make your April 29 a day to remember.

Adventure Book.

Easter holidays, it's a chance to spend quality time with my girls and then it's over before we 

know it. At the end of last term Eva was told that her half term project was to keep an Adventure Journal or Book just like Ellie's Adventure Book in the Pixar movie Up. What an absolutely fun project. So Eva, Bianca and I watched the movie Up.  

What a lovely movie! More than just a cartoon, but a lesson to be learned. Is our greatest adventure the here and now, not what you have experienced, or hope to discover, but what is happening in front of us! The time we spend with the people we love. Yes, I did cry and I did love the movie!

Now that my five year old daughter is getting to be quite the artist, I have assembled these small love tokens for her creative spirit. They can be downloaded from the Disney Family Entertainment website.
So......make some art to share with your family, send these adorable downloads to someone who needs an adventure, or do some crafting with your children. The "My Adventure Book" has places to adhere book badges for deeds well done, things to be accomplished, or a little about the person completing this cute little book!

Starting School: Class of 2011

Starting school brings about big changes for the family. Whether you're excited, nervous or a bit of both, I think that it makes a huge difference to those first few days if your child knows at least one or two other children in his or her class. If there are children who were at nursery together then that's wonderful. But if you've moved to a new area or gone to a different school, you may not know any other children who will also be in your child's class.

The aim is to find other children and mums who will meet up for a coffee, play date or trip to the park before school starts. If you know any mums at all with children at your new school, even if they are in older classes, use them for local information. They are very likely to know someone whose younger child is starting in reception. If you can find someone, ask if they'd be so kind as to meet up for an hour or so over the next few weeks before school starts.

Well, today we did just that. We arranged a play date for all the children starting school in September 2011 with Bianca. So all the little people at the play date today by now know their starting BIG school in September. But do they actually understand what happens at BIG School. At lease if anything after this play date we know that on that big day they will recognise a few friendly familiar faces in thier class.

Thank you to everyone who came today!

A Day At The Beach.

A day at the beach means more than just sandcastles and ice creams for us it's the perfect start to the Easter holidays.

Cooler packed with homemade goodies. It's time for an all-day beach adventure. It drives Paulo crazy but I will insist that we find a secluded section of the beach, somewhere hidden from the world, out-of-the-way and isolated even if it means we walk for miles.

Scouted out a perfect location and put up our cover. Out with the beach shovels and pails for building sand castles and collecting shells (Only the white ones of course)

What our children will remember, and what will strengthen them, are the moments of closeness, honesty and peaceful times that we spend in amid the scramble of life. The parts that we fence off and make special, where we establish powerful memories created by heart-full, love smothered childhood experiences.

P is for Party!

In LOVE with this super cute birthday cake for an equally cute and stylish little girl! I love the colours, (doesn’t it look TASTY?). That is absolutely the cutest birthday cake, that Nat created for Amelie’s birthday party! Too cute well done Nat!

Keep Away From Bitchy Mums Those Who Try To Belittle Your Ambitions

Yesterday I had an amazing morning I had coffee with one of the mummys from Eva's school.
The gathering itself was simple: the two of us, a simple cup of coffee, a couple of biscotti, and nothing else. Except that we lost ourselves in conversation so deeply that before we knew it, 3 hours had passed. I was shocked at how quickly the time had passed.
The secret is also simple: when you talk with people who are passionate about what they’re doing, passionate about life and the people they love, it is transformative.

Passionate people not only inspire you, they give you ideas. They read books by other people who are passionate and full of ideas, and they recommend the books to you or pass the ideas on to you. This mum, for example, is constantly meeting other passionate people, and that inspires her … and in turn that inspires me. It’s fuel for an intense fire.

While I try to lead a life of minimalism, I’ve learned that minimalism can be done anywhere you go … and it doesn’t require that you move to a farm or give up your contact with people. Just the opposite: minimalism is about giving up consumption in favor of doing things you’re passionate about and having real relationships with a few people you really value. I’d much rather have a conversation with someone doing something amazing than stand around with mums bitching about everything and anything. The most amazing advise someone gave me was a quote from Mark Twain “Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.

You don’t have to live in a big city to surround yourself with passionate people. They’re in small towns, but it might take a bit of looking to find them. Find small businesses who are doing amazing things. Look for artists and writers, for people who are obsessed with doing something really well.
If you can’t find them where you live, find them online. Read books by people full of powerful ideas who are doing innovative things. Read their blogs, talk to them via email and Twitter. Start collaborating with people like that.
Be one of them, and inspire others.

Custom Crayons

I have been a fan of crayons ever since I was old enough to hold one. As a child, there was nothing more exciting than a fresh, new box - all those pretty waxy sticks neatly lined up in their colourful rows.

I still love crayons to this day,Eva and Bianca do too. They are great favors to give out at children's parties. Sure, everyone probably already has crayons, but I don't think you can ever really have enough. But sometimes, the bright colours of crayons just don't "go" with an event's decor. So, I often dress mine up a bit to make my own "custom" crayons...

This is the simplest project and lots of fun to do with the kid. All you need is crayons, a scissors (or paper trimmer), some pretty scrapbook paper and some invisible (Magic) tape. Just cut your paper into rectangles that are slightly longer than the crayon wrappers. You don't even need to remove the wrappers. Just tape one edge of the paper rectangle directly onto the paper wrapper, wrap the scrapbook paper tightly around the crayon (overlapping it slightly), and neatly secure it with tape.

Bundle up a small bunch of crayons and tie them with some pretty ribbon.

These make a lovely addition to a goody bag, would look adorable in an Easter basket, and are a great favor to place on children's tables at weddings and holidays.

Bianca's New Best Friend

My youngest daughter Bianca has her first best friend.  It's not that she's spent the last four years in solitary confinement, just that up until now I have always chosen her friends for her.  (My husband points out this trait of mine is not solely directed at the children). 

When your babies are tiny they play with the off-spring of your own friends.   At toddler groups and music classes you instinctively gravitate towards mothers with whom you feel you have a common bond. Regardless of how your children interact, if you become firm friends then by Jove your children will too. 

"Isn't it sweet how they play together?"  you exclaim, as little Bianca totally ignores little Maggie.
"So very sweet.  I wonder if they'll be friends forever...  More cake?"

Bianca has spoken of little other than her new best friend since term started, so I was determined to encourage this fledgling friendship. I set off the other day to collect her from nursery school, and with thoughts of inviting Bianca's new friend to a play date.  I stood for a while at the window, watching the children play, and identified some possible contenders.  Perhaps the small shy looking child with the pretty pink dress and the attractive father?  Or the pretty curly-haired girl whose mother runs the childrens clothing store? 

As I got to the door Bianca bounced up to me and introduced me to her "bestest friend", a snub-nosed stocky child twice her size.  Widthways.  I knelt down and flashed her a winning smile, only to be rewarded with stony silence. 

I stood up to greet her mother, thinking perhaps we should arrange a play-date for half term.  She was a carbon copy of her daughter, with a face that could curdle milk. 

"Hello!"  I said, brightly.  "I gather our children have become good friends." 

She gave a sort of grunt and looked me up and down, slowly and without embarrassment.  I had a sneaking suspicion she was not about to suggest a mummy date. Whilst Bianca and her little friend will undoubtedly continue their relationship for at least another fortnight, I fear her mother and I are unlikely to be found chatting over a latte at the shopping mall. 

Bee Biscuits

Baking with Eva and Bianca is not only fun but it can also provide the perfect opportunity for some incidental learning to occur.There’s only one thing wrong with cookies you make at home: they disappear too fast! It’s a good job they’re simple and quick to make.
You are probably wondering if I am "two pancakes short of a stack" for advocating you to join your children in the kitchen. All you probably see is the mess that they will make.
But baking with kids can be one of the best experiences you will ever share with your children. Creating lifelong memories of the luscious baked goods you have prepared as a "team"!

Pretty Parties!

The daughter of a very good friend of mine is having a Hawaiian-themed birthday party next month and Eva, Bianca and I wanted to make her something special. So, I came up with the idea of making a paper lei. The little girl's favorite colour is pink, so I knew the typical bright, Hawaiian colour palette wouldn't work, so I decided to use some pretty pastels instead. I found all the supplies I needed at Hobby Craft. I started with these beaded bracelets that I found in a Pond Shop.
After we finished painting the beads, we cut them off the strings and allowed them to dry. Next, I cut out a bunch of paper flowers using some paper punches and some pretty scrapbook paper that I also found at Hobby Cratf.
Ideally, I wanted to use two-sided paper or card stock for these flowers (to give them some more stability), but I really wanted to use this paper, so I just glued two flower shapes back to back.
Next, with Eva's help we punched some holes in the middle of the paper flowers.I just alternated the flowers and the beads, but you could make any pattern you want. Next time, I think I'll vary the size and shape of the flowers for added visual interest.That's it!

Our Easter Tree

Decorating our Easter tree is another festive holiday custom that Eva, Bianca and I love! Decorating Easter trees is a custom that traces its roots back to Germany. The traditional "trees" were branches in a vase hung with brightly coloured eggs. Today many homes hang the painted or dyed Easter Eggs and other decorations on tree branches in their living rooms to add a colourful touch and festive spirit to their homes.