"A frisky spirit makes my trombone sing."

Despite opting to not send Opeie to school this year, I still at times run 'Daddy school' (as Opeie calls it) much like school in regards to the subjects. Outside of the reading, writing and numeracy we cover a lot of science and art, we use museums to cover history and also the cultural side of art galleries and museums to cover geography. PE is covered by all manner of things but mainly the Micro scooters, whizzing around on those is all the exercise we need.

One subject that doesn't get covered though is Music, unless of course you count all the dancing about to Justin Bieber that we do. I was desperate to learn an instrument when I was at school but it just wasn't on my parents list of important experiences for us so it just never happened. I don't want that for the boys and I hope their lives are full of amazing experiences during these important years.

The blog has been amazing for making many of their fun experiences possible and a couple of weeks ago we were asked if we would like to try a product that I probably would never have heard of if it hadn't have been for the email, or unless the boys decided brass instruments were the way forward. The pBone, in their own words is  "the world’s first plastic trombone; it's a lot of fun but also a quality instrument, perfect for beginners and professionals". Now when considering an instrument to learn, the trombone wouldn't have been anywhere near the top of the list for the boys. In fact I probably would have ruled out any instrument from the brass section of the orchestra. The reason being the weight. for a 4 year old and a 9 year old with a muscle condition that affects his hands I imagine a brass instrument wouldn't be the most comfortable to hold up, but this is what is so amazing about pBone as an instrument. The lightweight design opens up the trombone to any age and makes holding this instrument a lot easier for people that would find the brass alternative difficult.

The trombone arrived and we couldn't wait to have a go, I couldn't get a peep out of it but in great Opeie style he picked it up and made a huge sound, I started laughing because I was so shocked. Seth also had a go and after Opeie explained what to do he let out a toot too. Its great seeing the boys have a try because of the size of it, but as I said because of the weight issue being taken care of this instrument is now accessible to anyone, a truly amazing product.

So where are we now? Well we live in a world now where if you want to know how to do something right away you go on Youtube! I have learnt so much over the years from watching video's of tutorials and people doing various things. I made an awesome lamp a few weeks back (which I'll write about soon). With this kind of information readily available to the boys I never want them to feel like they cant do something, they know that if there is something I cant do or need inspiration, that's usually where I turn. The initial induction in to learning to play the Trombone has been no different and Opeie has sat and watched a fair few videos.

The pBone has opened up another fun avenue in the boys development and I really hope that it is something that they stick with as I am interested in learning with them. Since receiving the pBone we have also noticed the pTrumpet too and I wont lie, the thoughts of a possible Gifts from the Pirates brass quartet has come to mind on more than one occasion so watch this space.

"Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed."

YouTube is such a great source of entertainment for a stay at home dad. It's also a great learning platform. If you don't know how to do something, watch a YouTube video. Aside from all the ridiculous unnecessary videos on there of people making idiots of themselves there are loads of great ideas for entertaining your children. I use it a lot for learning craft techniques. While I was on there a few nights back a video popped up of someone making a crossbow using paper, lolly pop sticks and tape so as the boys are having a knights and castles phase at the moment I thought me an Seth could sit down and give it a try.

We sorted out the things that we needed and found the video to use as a tutorial, Seth was very excited when he saw it on the video in action. It fires pencils and yes I know that doesn't sound all that safe but the boys are very careful and I knew they wouldn't use them while I wasn't about.

Its what play tables were made for!!!

 I won't go in to to much detail as I will include the youtube video that I watched at the end of the post. They were pretty easy to make although some of the bending of the thick rolled paper was a pain even for me. The chap on the video used all white paper but we wanted ours to have a little more pizzazz so I chose pink (obviously) and Seth chose Blue. They actually turned out great, Seth's fired a lot better than mine but they both worked great. When we had finished I noticed another video of something I would like us to create but that's more of an outdoors summer activity so stay tuned.

For the full instructions on how to make a paper crossbow here's the video, enjoy...

Gifts from the Pirates in Orlando - Meeting Wreck it Ralph

Opeie is a little to young to understand the concept of a holiday, that didn't stop him getting extremely excited though. On the build up to going he sat with Seth and watched many videos on YouTube about the attractions. Other than the Seuss live show which I have mentioned in my Seuss Landing post the big thing that was fuelling Opeie's excitement (whether he understood it or not) was nine words that we heard every day without fail "were going to meet Wreck it Ralph on holiday!". Opeie loves Wreck it Ralph and when he saw a Youtube video of someone meeting him he was hooked.

So thanks to Visit Orlando on the morning of visiting Disney Hollywood Studios (which I will write about soon) we knew exactly where we were heading first. I didn't expect there to be much of a queue, how naive was I (everywhere in the Disney parks you queue). After 40 minutes of queuing we made it and Opeie was a happy little chap. Being able to meet the characters at the park is so magical for the kids. Although Seth is a pretty serious child it was good to see him as excited, making us realise he's still and will always be our little boy.

"Probably one of the most private things in the world is an egg until it is broken."

In our house we were always lead to believe that Hello Kitty was just a cheap imitation of that well loved rabbit Miffy and that the two were arch nemesis'. Being a huge Dick Bruna fan me and Seth were not even allowed to mention that hussy's name in the house. Turns out though that the arrival of our youngest member of the family would change everything. I'm not sure how it started but Opeie, for quite sometime has become slightly obsessed with she who should not be named. When he first started talking he would just point and say 'cat' if he saw her out and about, but now her name is brought up many times in our daily conversations with Opeie.

Opeie's other obsession is really bizarre but the two go hand in hand. Again I'm really not sure how it started but he loves watching videos on YouTube of people opening surprise eggs, in fact Opeie has become a Youtubeoholic. He could sit and watch one video after another and because of it any shopping trip we have is dominated by Opeie searching for his precious Hello Kitty surprise eggs. Usually I wouldn't waste money on things like this, kinder toys arnt what they used to be and these are much the same but they make Opeie really happy, he gets so excited and who am I to deny him a huge smile!?

As you can imagine we have quite a collection of empty plastic eggs and many mini hello kitty toys, the eggs will come in handy though for future craft ideas. I think that Mrs M is still dubious in regards to the little tarts impact on the family and is protective of her dear Miffy buy i think Hello Kitty has been fully integrated into the family whether she likes it or not. I'll agree I'm not a big fan myself but i do like some of the other Sanrio characters.

When you have children its so easy to mould them at this age into miniature versions of yourself, Ive definitely done it with those two comic book character loving boys of mine and i love it, I get to watch Spider-man cartoons and dress up with them, reliving my own childhood in many ways and although it makes me a little jealous shopping for super hero attire is lots of fun and quite rewarding (if only the made the same things in big boy sizes!!!). It is really great though when they start to find things them self that they really love and what i love about Opeie's love for Hello Kitty is that i think part of the reason for it is all the pink, i think like his dad he's a big fan of the colour (ever since picking those famous Peppa pig wellies of his).

It'll be interesting to see what Opeie gets in to himself next, i find his love of things really interesting and whatever the flavour of the month may be we will always do out best to get involved too.