Rainbow Flow Mandala Weaving!

I have finished the big Mandala weaving!
Its 1meter in diameter, and the truth is that photo can not actually show how big it really is!!


With it also comes the opening of my shop on Blogger, to make it easier for all to just buy right here online and pay via pay-pal!

Artwork by Sarah Morice

Rainbow Flow, Mandala weaving;

 cotton wool and wood. 1m in Diameter.

11colours used, 2000metres of thread used!

Made in Kings Beach, Australia. 2014.

Week 035 to 040 of 325!!!

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In the bath..but washing the bath in more fun!!!

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Having fun at home!

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Posing for my Birthday Dinner Photo!

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Bracelets are Fun!

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Yummmy.....A messy face sure means a yummy treat!

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Raising a Billingual Child - The Parents!

It has now been four years that we have been raising Tullula as a Bilingual child, and so far it has been working out for her!
But how has it been working out for the parents???

So for a little overview of the situation we are in;

• we live in Australia.
• Stephen is Australian, he is a carpenter thus has never had to learn another language living in Australia all his life. He was learning a bit of Spanish when we met, due to the travels he was going to do in Latin America. Reality is that we ended up doing that trip together and with my fluent Spanish his was left aside...Who needs to learn a language when you have your own private translator! But he followed me back to France and realised that being with a French girl in France he better learn French Instead! its true that in the 6 years that we have been together he has learnt more French than he ever would of imagined, but once again; my English is perfect thus we speak English together...
• I am French, and as you see not too bad with languages!!!
• We speak English at home.
• I don't have any Family (French ones) in Australia.

When Tullula was born, we were in the Marquises Islands, and being that they are French Islands, it was natural for me to talk to her in French. I did write a lot about all that in a previous blog post

I still to this day, talk to Tullula in French 100% of the time! I may every now and then slip in an English word when we are in front of someone that's talking to her/us!

Everyone still thinks its such a wonderful thing that I do it, but they are only thinking of Tullula and the skills she is learning...And to be fair they are right!
But I don't think anyone ever actually stops to think what it must be like for me!

Speaking to Tullula all the time in French also means:

• People around us don't understand, thus cant participate.
• People think I don't speak English, so don't really engage with me, and that means I don't make friends very much, or never I could say when I am out and about at parks, birthday parties, toddler activities!
• Some poeple might even make out that I am just rude to do such a thing.
• Some may be intimidated.
• Total Isolation. At home and out.

So reality is that I am in constant isolation, out and about as well as at home...No one ever understands so its just Tullula and I all the time...
I do know another French couple, and it so nice for me to spend time with them, as its the only place where I can be myself-French interact with my child and be social all the while being understood and we become a unit all together!
If I did not have that, it would be a real nightmare...

I have had moments, not long ago where I have felt like its all just too much for me...I get tired of being isolated, of not being understood by the poeple around us, by being left out of social groups!
Knowing that if I was to just switch to English all would be easier at home as well!
Yet, I really love the fact that Tullula is doing so well, and I love the fact that she CAN speak French...And I really want her to be able to live in France later on in life!

So I have to just accept the situation I am in...
In all fact I hate it...The Isolation is not easy to wear.

That's my isolation, but what about Stephens??? He has a home where the two other poeple that live in it, speak French. A language that's hard to learn and goes to fast to understand!!
He cant participate in what we are saying, he does not know what we may be up too...So he switches off...Normal I guess...Sure Tullula talks to him in English and then we are all able to participate in a Family unit, and once the topic is know to all, he is sort of able to understand what I may then have to say in French...But how frustrating it must be at times for him as well?!!!

 Its funny as at times it makes me think that we are sort of like a divided family...
All for the sake of raising a child that will be fluent in both French and English!

I sure hope she will thank us someday!!!

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Feeding the Fish!
This feeding session ended in Tullula telling me not to look!
She had over fed them...

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Relaxing.

At the Markets with me, playing a game that we are all relaxing at the beach!!

Buying shoes at the shops!
But I cant stop laughing, she has rubbed the stamp from her nose onto her nose! Now its all red!
And she is there, pround, happy to be trying on shoes and even swaying her hips to Madonna in the shops speakers! (ok I was singing as well).....

African Handbags!

I am so exited to finally have finished making these bags!
After I was just about to be done I realised that they would be even super duper better with an adjustable strap...So some shopping around...an order placed, and the adjusters finally arrived a couple of days ago...Eagerly I finished sewing them!
In time for the next Market I will be at this coming Sunday
Lucky me...And How lovely they are!
I love them all...How many hand bags can a girl have after all???
Never too many would be my answer.

So They come in 5 different colours and the insides are a one tone cotton lining, and the lining is different every time, some yellow, red, blue or green...All to mix and match the outsides of course!

They close with a magnetic snap button and have an adjustable strap!
I think they really should mark the re-opening of my etsy shop!

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 She was a bit stuck with the wobbly steps today at Gymnastics!

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So silly pose when I go to pick her up from day care!

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What a silly girl she can be at times!
Full of beans and happy as can be to make me laugh!!

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It has been very windy here lately!!

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I know I have said this many times before, but I truly love a sleeping child!!!
Asleep she looks so peaceful, so beautiful and like a little angel come to warm my heart!

Until she wakes up and the nagging starts, the tantrums and demands fill the air with noise that I so desperately wish would stop.
I can admit that I do miss living alone and the peace that there was- or great music playing-once I walked into the small units I lived in!

But when she is asleep, I have that peace and my child asleep in her little bed.
Bliss....

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Some one is having a very lazy morning, or actually was that day??

And it was all of us..Windy, rainy Sunday!!

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Reading a morning story!

What a funny face she has!

"Je peut pas" ....

Unfortunately its not the kind of words I would prefer to be hearing from Tullula...
The reality is she often says it now in frustration and it stops her from talking further at times!

"Oh.....JE PEUT PAS".....its often followed  by a "I can't do it" (exact translation of "je peut pas" actually)
As she might be throwing herself on the ground, giving up as all is too hard!

It has been over 4 months that we are now back from our trip to France and the reality to be expected is that English has once again become Tullula's first language and only having me to practise her French means she is not getting much of it once more...I am still only talking to her in French exclusively, and its been interesting to notice that she will switch to French when addressing me where ever we are...Clearly meaning that she has no problems swapping from one language to the other!
Yet its the vocabulary that's the difficulty, she forgets words in French and it has sort of become a stutter as she tries to find her words and if they don't come she gets frustrated and its all over!

I often tell her to calm down and just say it in English, but she does not...She will ask me how to say this or that and continue...There are times when both languages are mixed and its done in such a natural way that I dot point it out and I don't know if Tullula actually notices!!!

I have noticed myself trying to use a more simple vocabulary, a more simple speech to use with her...But reality is I have to stop, as if I don't use the right words how will she learn?
And after all its good for me too to practise proper French!

The very sad part, and I hate to have to admit this...But I have noticed that Tullula has been also struggling a bit with her English...When she talks she has no problems, her speech is clear and she has all the right vocabulary, but she has a tendency to stay on one word for a bit at times before she moves on...Like a broken disc...And we sit there waiting for to to spit it out, say what she has to say....Its a bit strange...I truly believe that its due to her Bilingualism Brain!

One day when I picked her up from Day Care she ran to me as she does for a hug...then went back to the little girl she was playing with and said to her:
"You want to see my Mummy? Sheeeeeeee's Different!!!"

I sat there thinking what's that supposed to mean?? Now I am different?? What is my daughter trying to insinuate?
And I realised that it was because I speck French to her all the time, not like the other mummy's, making me different from the vast majority!
Ok, I can deal with that!!!

I have mentioned how the Topic of raising a Bilingual child often comes up, and the interesting part is that whats most spoken about is the child!
Well there is a lot that can be said about the parent as well.
But that will be for the next chapter!

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An afternoon treat by the beach..

So yummy and relaxing!

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So apparently the garbage stinks!!

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This is one of the advantages of having a patient child. I can attend my yoga class and she will sit there quitly, entertaining herslef as she waits for me! A whole hour...

021/344.....The Alphabet of a Bilingual Child!

And the learning has started!!

It sure is a bit tricky to be teaching a Bilingual Child the Alphabet!
I have been telling her the Alphabet in French, and of course we often sing the "ABC" song in English...
But its letter recognition that I find a challenge!
As "A" for "Apple" is not "A" for "Pomme" (apple in French)...So I do then say a French "A" word.
I confuse myself so I think my hesitations and pauses must be confusing to her too!
Why is "A" for apple not "A" for pomme the same word in different languages???

We have been having quite a few "Why oh Why" questions, but not too many challenging ones yet, and I am not looking forward to this why one...

Its tempting to maybe just stick to the Alphabet in one language, but then does that mean that I would not be trying to teach her to read in French? Should I be pointing out from now that French and English are very different?
Or maybe it can be held off a bit until she actually has more understanding of what the Alphabet actually means....
I am about to face another challenge in what it takes to raise a Bilingual child!!!

What have you done?
What has worked for you?
Any advise for me?

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All Little girls love their stickers!!

And after a Birthday, there are many stickers...

4th Birthday!

What an afternoon we all had!
It was full of excitement and fun for the 4 little kids that came to Tullula Birthday Party yesterday.
As usual we did it in a local park, and I think we got very luck that the table I had originally in mind was taken, thus we had to migrate under the trees, and what a pretty spot it was!!
How could I ever of wanted a roof when trees are so much more charming.
We set up and after a busy morning non stop preparations we sat to wait for our guests with an Ice coffee in hand...And one by one they came, four in total for a 4th Birthday!

As you may already know, this year we did Christmass for the first time, and I can now say I will be preparinf for Tullula's Birthday way ahead of time...There us little time from the 24th to mid Jan to get orgernised and work and life distractions...And after spending the end of the week baking, and Saturday after work, remaking the main cake, I was out of ideas or too tired to think of games...But we were by the lake so a swim was a must and that's game enough! I had planned the Drawing themselves, and that was fun.
There was also a playground, so the children had a ball!
As for the parents I made sure they ate and ate all the cakes, biscuits, lollies, fruit that was displayed!

Now that its all done and dusted we can start focusing on the rest of the year and relax a bit!
Hmmm...Thats after I have cleaned up that is.....

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OUps Some one has had an accident!

So our Little Tullulita is 4!
"I'm Not Little is what she would say in protest"...
No matter how many times I tell her that she is and always will be my little girl, she has to get a "No, your a big Girl" out of my mouth to be satisfied!
Will celebrate on Sunday afternoon at the park!

It has been 4 years of happiness.

• 16 seasons to wonder.
• 48month to imagine and create.
• 1460 days to play and discover.
• 35 040 hours of experiences to grow...

That's what her life has been since that day on the 15th of January 2010 in the Marquises!

 I think most parents must say this, but I am amazed to think that she is already 4!!

I am amazed at the thought that I have been a mother for 4 years, a partner for 6 and living in one place for 4 years is a massive achievement for me! Its a good time to reflect and for me to realise how much has happend, how much we have done and how lovely the little tiny baby I once could hold in one arm has grown into a "big" girl!
She has been a very lucky girl and in this time has been able to travel to Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji and even Europe...I have done all my best and never stopped talking in French and we can proudly say that she is on a good path to becoming Bilingual...What a challenge that has been!

Tullula goes to day care 4 days a week at the moment and has a weekly swimming lesson at our local pool centre and will be starting once again Kindy Gym when the school term starts...She has Mondays with mommy alone and Saturdays with daddy, as we take turns to work!
I am sure she loves the days with Daddy alone, as he spends so much time playing with her!
Yet I think she tends to be more of a Mommy's girl most of the times, and despite my busy-ness trying to keep the apartment tidy and clean on Mondays, we spend time crafting together, or she watches me as I sew something for her!

I have a full list of the things she has asked me to make for her; How lucky, crafty mommy on demand!!

She is most of the times a good little I mean big girl!
Very shy when we are out, which used to upset me a bit that she would not run around like all the other kids, but pleases me now when she sits there quietly as I have my yoga class or watches us dancing, or in line at the shops!!! She is very patient that's what I think!
She is most grumpy when she is tired, just like me!!!
And when she finally is comfortable with poeple, she is a real little chatter box full of life...Her face pulls all sorts of faces, and she loves to pose for the camera in such a way!
Of course, we then have to pose in the same funny faces for her as she snaps us...Hidden photo's!!!

She can be very stubborn, and has been going through some very strong anger with powerful screaming!
I wonder why so much anger at such a young age? Is it a way of being ones self, independence!
My bed side bible is my bedside bible is "baby and child" by Penelope Leach...better have a look at what she has to say...But so far we have been able to educate Tullula to be a better person with communication, and this past week, banning all screen time! It works...

Now that she is 4 we expect her to wash her teeth every morning and evening, and dress herself, put her shoes on, toys away when needed to clean up and walk...I can no longer carry her, she is just too heavy and big!!! But then I am not very big myself so that does not help much!
I sometimes think that we are maybe being too hard on her, and reality is that 4 is still little, so ok I do give in here and there...and some days all the time!
But that's the great thing about having your own child, you can do what ever you like!!!

The many things she enjoys are:

She likes to bake with me, or maybe that's just because she gets to lick the spoon after?
She likes Spider man for some odd reason...Peppa Pig, Banana's in pyjamas and Play School.
She likes to draw, some really pretty things and then some not so pretty scribbles!!
She Loves playmobil toys...Or maybe that was me and I just made her love it??!!
She loves to play cards...And can sit for hours (if we are able) listening to us read her books!
At bed time she likes to listen to a story or some music on her CD player!
Its hard to really know what her favourite colour is, as somehow they all seem to be!

I have to push her a little to wear dresses, but yet she knows that when its a special occasion, dresses are the code! As for all her other cloths they have to have pockets...As this little girl has a thing for small stones and we are starting to have a bit of a collection now!
Same for flowers, but they never end up in her pockets they get given to her "kids" as she would say, meaning her little friends at day care! I seem to get a flower as well as a way of making me happy when I am grumpy with her!
I get the impression the new collection at the moment is feathers!!

As for us, we are still exhausted, starting to think that maybe that will never change...Its something that comes with becoming a parent!!
We also cant make up our mind if we want to have another baby/child...And this little big girl is keeping us very busy at the moment, plus with work and trying to save money for a better future its hard to think of stopping it all and start all over again in the intensive care unit!

The things we have ahead of us are the million and one questions, of the why of why!
Bicycle riding and learning the Alphabet have already started!
And we hope many more travels and life experiences...

Many hours of fun are to be had with out BIG Girl!