We made felt dolls today. I know we should have been out sight seeing some more, or saved the activity for a rainy day (which I'm really sure are on their way) but we all enjoyed the creativity and it was nice to just stay put.
There was a bit of drama getting the shapes cut out, and working out the best way to stitch them together. Joseph likes to leap into things, and after nearly chopping his doll's head off because he wouldn't listen, he spent some time watching everyone before getting into it again. Nadine wants it first one way, then a different way, then the first way again, and by the time she has decided which way she will actually have it, she is a little behind the eight ball, but she gets there in the end. Dominic is very definite about how he will have his, and just gets in and does it. Katie gets frustrated if she can't get it right first time. Oskar wants his, but he wants someone else to do it, and Cooper was happy with anything, as long as it was orange.
The doll idea came from our visit to the Perth museum where there was a display of dolls made in a workshop by some aboriginal women. The kids all watched the video and were keen to try their own, so yesterday in Bunbury we bought some felt at spotlight. Now we just need stuffing and some clothes.
Joseph is very funny at making up stories with the toys they have been making. They have funny voices, and do silly things, but the littler ones keep asking him for new episodes. He just loves having an audience.
After lunch we headed off, with very detailed instructions, to find Gnomesville.
This is an area off a round about, about 10 km from our campground, where people have left literally thousands of garden gnomes, and poems and little gnome houses. We took our own gnome along with our names on it, and put it there with the others.
The country side is very pretty, with little streams, rolling hills, tall jarrah trees. On our way to Gnomesville we stopped at king jarrah, a 400 year old tree that was very tall. Apparently it is small compared to some of the trees further south.
We also drove past the wall of the Wellington Dam. It was very tall, with a big pipe at the bottom letting water out and was very spectacular.
Heading home from Gnomesville we went to visit the other campground in the park, the honeymoon pool campground, which has a very nice swimming hole. It was so busy that there was no where to park, so we just drove through, passing the wedding that was being held there.
It was nice to come back to our campground which was quiet in comparison.
Our camp hosts are doing a good job, sending away campers with pets, or who are trying to camp outside the correct areas. They are worn out already, and it is only the first weekend. It makes a difference being in a campground so close to a big city. We think we prefer the isolated spots.
We are enjoying the campfire that we can have here. We even used our jaffle iron (sandwich press) for the first time a few nights ago. We made apple pies. I buttered the wholemeal bread and sprinkled a bit of raw sugar on the butter. This is the outside of the pie. I lay that in the jaffle iron, then fill it with a scrape of butter, finely chopped apple mixed with cinnamon and a bit more raw sugar. Coming out of the jaffle they were steaming and crunchy on the outside. A big hit. We only have one double jaffle, however, so it's a bit slow.
Tonight we made pancakes on the fire and had them after our lamb curry for dessert. Grant is an expert at pancakes.
We had a nice chat with Leonie and Colin after dinner around the fire. they brought us the ingredients for s'mores. Toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two chocolate oatmeal cookies. It was very nice.
Leonie and Colin are into playing games and told us all about the ones they enjoy playing.
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Vicki
That sounds like a great time. Enjoyed the description of the way the kids made the dolls. And Oskar losing a tooth? Too quick. And Cooper had sandles on.
ReplyDeleteeveryone looks like they've grown!!!
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