Not long ago I read a newspaper article that advised parents to give children as many dollars a week of pocketmoney as their age. Four dollars seemed to me an awful lot to hand to Boo at once every Saturday, and I didn't like the idea of 'money for nothing'.
Boo is generally happy to help around the house, and I expect him to pick up his room, put his dirty cups, plates and cutlery away, and help me make beds (he takes great pride is arranging the pillows 'just so'). But now we have added one more task -- emptying the clean dishwasher in the mornings, and it is this job which we have decided to pay for.
Emptying the dishwasher properly takes a small boy at least 10 full minutes. I expect all items (within reason) to be properly stacked and put away, even if that means Boo needs to pull over a chair and stand on it to reach high cupboards. If he does the job with no complaints and asks for minimal help, I pay a premium. I also pay each day once the job has been completed to my safisfaction. And, as a further part of the deal, his earned money can be spent on anything he wishes (even sweets, but only reasonable quantities of those, or some are put away for another day).
So far, this system has worked wonders. Boo's work is actually an enormous help to me, as the job is done well and with pride, and I have time to complete other housework while he is busy. He generally decides to save his money, and last weekend was able to buy a brand new PowerRangers suit (at half price) from Kmart entirely out of his savings.
He's even started asking Granny and Papa if they have any paid jobs for him!
PS In the picture above Lexa stayed the night, and in the morning Boo allowed her to help with his job (he loved explaining just what to do, and directed her very effectively), then they shared the payment.
Granny and Boo had a rather fabulous pumpkin harvest this year -- especially since these were all self-seeded. We think they're the Queensland Blue variety, which means they'll make great eating -- especially in soups.
As Boo grows, I'm discovering that I believe in the concept of 'readiness' for children. 
Aren't they all getting big? And to think, we all met when we had only our first babies -- now what a crowd there is.
The recent deluge of rain has created puddles, lakes and streams all over the garden -- perfect for children to explore on a rain walk.
While the exhibits were fairly low-key, there was plenty of hands-on fun, and a surprising amount for little people to experiment with.
The highlight of the day was the "liquid Nitrogen" show, which was fairly spectacular, even for adults. Jars exploded, balloons burst, plastic smashed, and eerie waves of cold mist boiled over the floor. Boo and Lexa both loved it!
We'll definately be back -- and since we bought a season pass, this might well become our "rainy-day" place. Better still, the pass also entitles us to a year's free entry at the Maritime and Powerhouse museums in Sydney, so trips to town have just gained another drawcard!
Not long ago I read a newspaper article that advised parents to give children as many dollars a week of pocketmoney as their age. Four dollars seemed to me an awful lot to hand to Boo at once every Saturday, and I didn't like the idea of 'money for nothing'.
Boo and I woke early on Wednesday morning to bake butterfly cakes -- which meant that a certain someone's breakfast consisted almost entirely of licking the whisk and cleaning out the mixing bowl with his tongue! But never mind -- I figure there are enough good things in homemade batter to count towards a 'balanced breakfast', at least occasionally.
Boo and I love it!
After storytime at the library on Wednesday we took his scooter down the path to the sea, and dared the waves to reach over the seawall to drench us.
Boo came home from his 'first day' at preschool on Tuesday absolutely bubbling with excitement. It was the "best day ever", and he wanted to know if he could I go tomorrow again?
The food was delicious -- everyone brought a speciality (date scones from Cecily, savoury muffins from my mum-in-law, and homemade bread and shortbread from me), and there was plenty of fresh fruit and juice, tea and coffee, and as much sausages and bacon as the children could eat.
After bruch (and before a late lunch of leftovers, as it turned out) the kids swam for hours, slid on the waterslide, and rambled through the garden to take scraps to the chickens. The men went snorkelling for a few hours, while us ladies drank tea and went for strolls, then cooled off with a quick dip in the sparkling pool.
