Her Royal Highness

zoom doesn't work on my camera - believe me we could see more clearly than the photo shows

Did you miss me? My computer was out of action for a week! Heck I missed me!

so I got a bunch of stuff to catch up with.


First of all we'll start with The Queen.

I don't watch or read much news.

I didn't even know the Queen was coming to Australia till the day she arrived. I didn't know she was coming to pretty much my house till the day before.

So I hummed and harrrred and decided I would brave the crowds and go check her out. After The Mr told me I MUST GO cause HE was going in his work lunch break! (closet royalist remember?)

Then I heard they were telling people its was ok if you wanted to take your kids out of school to see the Queen.

well now, any excuse to ditch school.

So I took the older girls out of school and we went to see the Queen

It seemed a doable crowd at first, I just wished we knew exactly when and where the Queen would walk so we could get a perfect spot, but I just didn't know. We checked out where she was to first arrive and walk down and that crowd was huge easily 30 people deep in all directions.  I felt so bummed because I knew all we would see in that crowd would be the person in front of us armpits.

We back tracked and found a spot only 3 people deep about 20 metres away from the dock she was to arrive at. It seemed 'the best spot' we were gonna get so just took our chances.

It was fun to wait and chat and be with the crowd. Holding tight to the Mr in pressing crowds is also fun. A lady kindly let my older girls sit on the wall of the river. In the end we had an uninterrupted perfect view of the Queen as she sailed by on the yacht. She was only 15 metres away!

After the crowds dispersed I was smiling big and fist pumping.. the Mr laughed at me and said

'Enjoy yourself did you?'

Heck yeah..... I achieved what I came down for... even if I don't care for the royals that much.

I felt it was important for our girls because:

Our family history on both sides is nearly purely English

The Mr and I believe in instilling a sense of respect and pride in our girls (even though we aren't opposed in any way to becoming a republic, while Australia has a Queen/monachy we will show the correct respect)

It was probably the last time The Queen will visit Australia

It was a fun thing to add onto a list of 'things I've done in my life'



and that was the day that I saw The Queen! yipeee!

Chicken Soup Anniversary

You wanna know my secret to winning The Mr over?

Chicken Soup.

Oh yes. And not even the homemade variety.

From August - October 1998 The Mr and I were passing silly emails every couple of days.

Then one day he got sick. Sick enough to stay home in bed.

He sent a long email about being sick and signed it - virtually yours *sniffle*


Well that was my opening. And looky now, we are celebrating our 13th chicken soup anniversary!



From: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au
Sent:  Wednesday 21 October
To: TheMr@bit.net.au
subject: RE: Help me!

Oh my dearest darling!
Are you feeling any better? I do hope you are. I hate to hear that my sweetie pie is not feeling the best... I  hope you are well enough to come see me at institute tonight... thank you for your long email... wasnt I just complaining the other day that they weren't long enough... well I have nothing to complain about now... oh you just are perfect arent you? I bet you treat all the girls like this. I am just one of the many that you have on a string, sending emails to..... Oh why, why does it have to be this way... Is there more to life, or will it just be a life full of cold and unloving computers, with no real touch or affection?

Be well... just think of me... oh no that could make you more sick!!!!

This girl loves to talk xx

I dropped the hint atleast 3 times that night at institute (he got himself off his sick bed on the chance to catch me there) that I could visit him after my university class the next day as he was taking a sick day home. Took 3 big hint drops for him to say sure come on over. (our first date? First time alone? and he was sick and didn't even know it... poor guy didn't know what hit him ;)

So I came bearing soup and chocolate.

We still have the can of soup!!  It's starting to rust now after 13 years of sitting with the food storage. I should have preserved it better. Also looking at the gastly nikko I used to inscribe our names... I wish scrapbooking had been around then... I could make an awesome soup can cover  now ;)

I'm thinking we should totally celebrate this special day with Chicken Soup every year. Strictly speaking canned soup would be more authentic but now that I'm older and wiser (and a much better cook) I'm thinking homemade soup is the way to go. Plus we never ate that Can soup for a reason.. yick.

So in years to come when the kids ask "Why do we eat Chicken Soup on the 21st October"

The Mr and I can wink at eachother and reminise.

On the First Day of Christmas...

A *kind* friend mentioned on facebook how many weeks till Christmas....

then someone left a comment like..
'yeah but how many paychecks do you have between now and then!?!'

YIKES!

Some years I am very organised - starting in June or July. Other years I'm scrambling last minute.

Most years I start around October.

If you're like us and have lots of traditions and things you like to do for the Christmas Season you'll have plenty of lists and things to start on! (I'm already thinking its too late, and I'm going to have to let go of some of the plans I have. OH WELL. I'm always glad that Christmas comes every year, because there's always next year to do that project I wanted to do!)

So did you know its only 10 weeks till christmas? Pefect time to start my Christmas posts

my true love gave to me

Personalized Ornaments for the Tree...

These were hard to photograph, they're much cuter in real life :)

I actually started these back in September. If I want  annual personalized decorations for everyone I better start early I thought! However I enjoyed making these and it took me about a week or two (slowly) I saw the pattern in Handmade magazine. Basically it is a Circle of material embroidered with a name and a wreath. Then using a bit of padding and a circle of cardboard smaller than the embroidered circle you stitch around the edge of the embroidered circle and pull tight. It will then encase the cardboard and padding. Using some christmas material do the same again and you create two circles. Sew some ric rac around one of the circles. Place some ribbon to be able to hang then glue both circles together. To make sure the circles are neat and tight invisible stitch around the edge of the circle.

Previous years Personalized Ornaments found here  here  and here

I'm so excited to start the season! wahoooooo.....



Clover

I don't have much reason to head down the side of my house
(even though thats where the clothes line is :)

so the other day I was surprised to see it was a SEA of clover.

But I love clover (almost as much as dandelions remember? ) such a lover of weeds I am.

Or Bee food as I like to call it and we all know bees need all the help they can get.

We've made daisy chains a few times before but it's been a while.

Maybe this could be a spring  tradition?

Twice yesterday I sat on the ground with the girls and made clover headbands, bracelets, anklets and rings.

So relaxing.

We even spent some time photographing our bee friends.

I'm sure there are more indepth, neater ways to make daisy chains but basically I just use my thumb nail to put a slit in the middle of a clover stem. Then thread another clover through the hole. Then make a slit in the new attached clover and continue on till desired length.


Our neighbourhood is full of clover so go and enjoy laying in the grass making chains.

Vigilance

Parenthood seems to be a constant realigning.

Otherwise those kids get away with anything.

When they are little you cant wait for the day they are a little bit more independant in doing things for themselves. Oh and then that day comes and they don't wanna do anything..

I know I wrote about Chores  and  Family Work not so long ago (and sadly have to admit that my girls are no longer doing the laundry - another thing to get them back to!)  I've realised it's time once again for a little realignment. A bit more of a push. A bit more of reigning the kids back in.

It starts out subtly too. They asked to watch their favourite show after school, after homework - no harm right? yeah that leads to a descent into ' a few more shows', more irritablity and less helpfulness around the house. I hate it when I get caught out in my desire for some peace and quiet and I allow things I shouldn't then I realise how much more hard work I've actually created for myself!

Constant vigilance is hard work isnt it? Just when you think things are hunky dory it doens't take long for them not to be again. I am not very good at backing myself up. oh and dont kids learn THAT quickly. I don't WANT to have to be a person forever following everyone  up to make sure they are doing the things they are meant to be doing. I really struggle with 'splitting myself in 5' to follow everyones schedules. which equals everyone knowing how to get out of doing things.

The part of motherhood I am learning. - It's never going to get better, there will always be some 'phase' that people are going through, don't wish 'for the day when...' as when that day comes it will only be replaced with yet another set of child rearing problems, you must never rest for that is when the adversary can enter your home, consistant and calm directing will always work (if you can be consistent!!) DO NOT ALLOW your 'ideal' family life to flitter away because its too hard to keep up with it.

So this week its back to a schedule. I've tivo'd the girls favourite shows for them to watch at once on Friday/Saturday. Each day we will do a different art/activity. Each girl will cook once a week.

Now pray that I have the endurance to back up my words!


Last night Miss K cooked this recipe from Pioneer Woman. She mastered it with a little help from me. As we sat down to eat she looked everyone squarely in the eye and stated " You WILL love this" To which I laughed my head off and said 'ohhhhh... the tables have turned have they" There's nothing like teaching gratitude by making them the ones to work for the gratitude.

If it goes well perhaps I will start a collection of recipes kids can cook and share them on here. Would you be interested? I would love some easy recipes suggestions from you too!

Mango Mango

I don't know how it came to be... but it's definately another family tradition.

I think four years ago I photographed the girls eating their 'first mango of the season'
see here here here

Now it's like a family tradition!

Don't tell the girls but a few months ago I was at a function and there was mango on the fruit plate!  I was like 'it's early for mango.. this really MUST be some of the first mangoes for the season!'

So apart from my little *ahem* indiscretion....


These are the FIRST MANGOS OF THE SEASON

(for us that is)

and we just love little celebrations like this. Seems a good way to usher in the coming HOT season!


My girls groaned in pleasure, covered their faces, declared Mangoes to be their favourite fruit in the world, ate with such vigour on purpose because they knew I was photographing them. ITs all so funny!


Wishing you as much happiness as a 'first of the season mango feeling.'

Camp

I know my husband loves me because he puts up with my complaints

It's so dusty here
I really don't think we will all fit in this area
There are no toilets down here (it was a looong walk to the loo's)
We should move our campsite
I hope N doesn't fall off the small cliff into the creek (next to our camp)
and more Worries about this and that, that I can't remember now.

I must have complained about several things in the first few mins and he kindly said please don't say another negative thing. Lets just have a good time.

It's not that I don't want to go camping or that I dislike it (I actually like it very much) but my nerves always pick up on the things that I think are going to go wrong. And I just LOVE TO SHARE my thoughts.

It's hard work to take this bunch camping. Hours of packing (and the dreaded unpacking), alot of set up and a lot of physical work. Work work work. I could NEVER do it alone.


The packing, the tieing down the the trailer, the hours of driving, the lifting, putting up our HUGE tarp and poles. I saw The Mr help out three other groups put up their tarps and tents. He constantly collected and cut wood with an ax. Numerous people borrowed our ax, hammer, shovel that he packed to use. Up early Up late. Adjusting tarps for rain and digging trenches. The last to leave camp after helping yet another group tie up their trailer. Going on a three hour hike that he didn't have to be on but felt he should to accompany the young women, Vigourous labour just hours after vomiting.

Now I'm not writing this to tell everyone how awesome my husband is {I'm sure most peoples husbands are awesome} but it is more to tell myself. A sure knowledge for me that I know what a hard worker and honest man he is. One who cares about the wellbeing of so many that he wouldn't even leave camp until the very last group of girls were safely on their way home. One who worked without complaint for four days straight.

Camping makes me love my husband more. A sort of mating call if you will.

Put people in certain circumstance to make them shine. It also kinda makes me realise how not a hard worker I am and what a complainer I am. However, I look after whiney kids. I precooked the food. I pack the clothes, bedding, food. The girls and I put the tent up and put the camp kitchen together. I do realise we are a team and we need eachother. The reason he has more stamina and mental strength and a sure knowledge of doing many things 'just because it is the right thing to do'  is because that is what is needed for me. For ME! His strengths are gifts to me. I'm crying as I realise this. Like an offering divine, my weaknesses are paid for by this strengths. It is truly a gift to realise that I can be forever carried by someone else.

and camping makes me realise this.

We had a day and half of family camping then we were joined by about 100 other people for girls camp. Luckily we were only looking after 10 of those girls.

It turned our small family camp alot busier with people everywhere but it was great in a different way to our usual camps. The lack of quiet and family time was made up by chatter, giggling, older role models for my girls to follow around and play with. Girls platting hair, making wool headbands for my girls, sharing and snuggling in camp chairs, scary stories around the campfire, games of 44 home and ghost in the graveyard, smores, glowsticks, sparklers.

I was super impressed with the young women at girls camp. Our YW did everything they were asked without complaining. They were helpful and friendly. They looked out for eachother and didn't mind looking after and befriending our girls. What wonderful examples they were. There was not a single problem or fight the entire time. Seriously- PERFECTION!

Well this camp turned out great and not much more could have gone wrong!

While we set up fine, the day everyone else arrived it was raining. The Mr spend half the day  helping other people set up and wore wet clothes all day. That dust turned into mud and the girls were filthy and there was only one shower in this whole camp ground {I've become very good at bathing the girls with a pot of boiled water and a cloth!}I woke up with the worst headache ever { I dont think I should partake in marshmallows and hot chocolate but who can resist while camping!} Miss N got what I think was a tick on her head (but I pulled it off pretty early just squished it and blood popped out) Four members of our family had a vomiting bug. {thanks again to miss N who started it all} Then it spread to one of the young women {oh noes! I felt terrible!}It was very hot when the young women and The Mr went on their hike, then it rained during pack up time again.

But hey I don't dwell on the negative. Camp was awesome!

I may have fallen into bed exhausted by 7pm the day we returned home but it was worth it.



animal sightings: wallaby, cows, possums, goanna, red parrots, rainbow lorikeet, spiders

favourite things: hayrides in the back of the trailer, going down to the river, playing in the mud for hours, making homemade swings out of rope, fires, glowsticks and sparklers



want a camp cleanup technique?

Place your kids on top of the car with a mattress. Our stayed up there about 1-2 hours while we packed up our stuff and helped other people. genius.

Bloom

Sometimes it feels like there are no drastic changes in season here.
There aren't really. It's green all year round.


I think I'm lucky to live somewhere warm most of the year but it can get a bit samey.

I've realised I just need to look closer.{I always do, but look even closer}

Just as in winter I rejoice in the few deciduous trees, rejoice in owning a fireplace, spend time snuggled in blankets, love my rice heat bag to bits, rejoice in staying home and staying warm.

However Spring is here now and I have been spying it.

The revered Jacaranda has started to show itself! The totally bare trees are now sporting purple tops. Just hinting at what is to come - purple everywhere!

I wish I knew the names of trees/flowers because I have quiet a few in the local area that are blooming.

Its been fun to photograph some of my favourite blooming trees - mostly on the side of the road and in empty lots and shopping carparks and at daycare. I've gotten a few strange looks.

But hey Its Spring!

Lazy Communication

Usually The Mr and I go to bed at the same time or I retire earlier than he {often}

It is a rare event that he is in bed before me.

However he is trying to get more shut eye and it has happened a couple of times lately.



The other night in the dark I was banging into furniture trying to manoever my way to bed.

I grumbled 'you could have left a light on for me'

This woke the Mr up and so I kept going with my grumbles and said

'All the times I go to bed before you - I always leave the ensuite light on or your bedside lamp on so you can see when you come to bed!!!  Why can't you do the same for me? where's the love?'

To which the Mr replyed

'OH!.. I thought you were just Lazy!'

And I laughed to myself. Years of leaving a light on so my dear husband wont bang his shins/toes and be able to see to find his PJ's, bedside things. An offering of pure love and devotion to him and he thinks it was because I was too lazy to get out of bed and turn the lights off!?!

OKAY so to be fair I am kinda lazy. Not in a 'never get off the couch lazy' (I rarely sit down at all during the day) but in a "I never finish anything 100% due to my lack of attention span" so its to be expected that I'd hop into bed and be too lazy to get back out to turn off a light. Like how I wash dishes every night but never put them away or since I sweep what feels like 10 times a day I leave the pile of dust/crap/crumbs next to the bin instead of getting the dust pan out to sweep it up as I just know I'll be adding to the pile in a few hours. (I do sweep it up each day and put in the bin!) Or how I leave the ensuite door ajar because as a constantly pregnant/breastfeeding mother I knew I would be in and out of that room several times each night and its just become habit now. Or how I move from room to room cleaning not ever staying in one spot to finish it all in one go (I blame children! Internet! Having to break to cook! so many distractions :)


I thought of communication. How often are things lost in translation? I ponder because I like to think we have pretty good communication. I was reminded about honing this skill at our recent adults session conference. What things do you do to have and keep good relationships?  At Mothers Group this morning we were discussing the importance of having regular family council meetings or being better at ensuring Date Night happens as a means to have some time to actually talk and think and be alone together.

Let your people know you love them.

They may just think you're lazy.

Dr Who

It was hard to take super straight short fringe and try to boof and curl it..

My striped shirts and jackets have been raided.
The Mr's one bowtie has been taken.

These things equal Dr Who outfits.

Perfect for playing Dr Who with the neighbour (who has long hair so is relegated to be Amy :) and Perfect for the school disco when asked to dress as your favourite character.

When she saw all her friends dressed as Vampires and Zombies and Princesses and Super hero's she was a bit bashful to be dressed as Dr Who but she pulled it off. Nearly all the teachers and a couple of kids knew who she was dressed as even if her friends had no idea.

A while back it was a bit of a debate between Harry Potter and Dr Who. Important things like who is better looking, who is smarter, who is cooler (lol so funny, it's fight between the nerds ;)


Who would have thought I might have need for those bow tie tutorials I see around the internet.

Simple and Important

Pulling in my sheets from line drying in the hot spring sun. I'm so glad I force myself to line dry most things when I would rather be lazy and put everything in the dryer. I can literally smell the sunshine on those sheets ♥

Finally getting around to making Strawberry Pie when it is almost the end of Strawberry Season

Eating German Chocolate Cake made by The MR!

Cleansing the girls bedroom for their Spring/Summer Wardrobe

Popcorn for movie night

Finishing my first personalized family Christmas decorations for the season :)

A quick impromptu visit to the beach yesterday still has me smiling

A big house clean to give us a clean slate for the school holiday

Riding bikes everyday taking advantage of beautiful weather



Remembering the SIMPLE things helps me focus on the IMPORTANT things

Dear House

This Post over at Apartment Therapy caught my eye this week.

5 Completely free ways to make your house a home.


Even though I do most things on that list I really felt that I needed reminding to LOVE MY HOME.


I complain the house is too small
I don't really have a laundry so there is always laundry ALL OVER MY DECK
I have four girls who share one room so it is always messed up
The house is not insulated AT ALL so is usually either freezing cold or boiling hot


I realised that these things dont really matter. And I shouldn't constantly make excuses on how embarrassed I am over it. There is nothing wrong with the house (it could be cleaner ;)

It's the feeling one gets. When strangers enter my home they usually comment on how lovely it is
The feelings created in a home are so much more important than how it is. If you treat it with the love and respect it deserves the home will fill with those positive vibes - they will be etched in the walls.

To appreciate what you do have - that you actually have shelter while so many are homeless
To remember home is not a collection of things - but a reflection of who you are
Hopefully people are coming to visit you not your home so relax and have people over more.

Once when K was having four friends over for a sleep over I told the girls they had to be good as our house is very small and there  is not much to do. One girl stepped in and was all like "WOW your house is SO BIG and BEAUTIFUL!! {she lived in a very small apartment I found out after} And one should always take advice from children. They are usually right.


Dear house

I love you very much. I love your cute little cottage face. When I come down the street to look at you, you make me smile. You look very happy.  I love your high ceilings and coloured glass windows. I love that you cover this family and provide us with safety. I love that you are small and quick to clean. I love your deck and outside areas that make it easy for me to entertain and invite others over. I love your large spacious kitchen that allows me to cook/bake numerous times a day. I love your fun fireplace that allows us family time toasting marshmallows. I love your green hedges that we cannot kill no matter how badly we treat them. I love your crampedness cozyness that allows us to be always together even when we might not want to. You are helping to make us a close family.

You complete me xx

Windows and Grass

Old photo that has nothing to do with this post except that it's the window I speak of.

Another love of the girls - climbing out of the windows and walking along the fence ;)

I love windows

The window in our lounge room next to the computer is of the most used.

Today (Last friday) the rain was pouring and I had a little captivated girl peering out the window.

We had a big truck and digger parked right next to our house all day with lots of workmen coming and going. Sitting next to the window watching the rain/work was our major activity today.

The light was soft and gentle and it seriously almost bought tears to my eyes. The cool rain was making for a cozy feel, my heart leapt. There is just something about windows, rain and soft light.

I love when these gentle moments remind me that I am right in being home with these little ones. I am right to take things slow. I only wish I was better and more patient and understood better what really matters in life. I feel like I achieve very little in the relms of being with my children and *doing* things with them that will improve them knowledgably, spiritually, emotionally, physically. Sometimes I feel like I'm already too late. Too much  talking at, directing, cleaning, ignoring seems to happen. How does one repair this?

I have been feeling lately that time is fleeting. I've been a stay at home mum for 10 years and I feel its flown by and I can barely remember what it was like when K was a baby. It makes my heart break. I wish I could remember. I wish I could remember all the times I've peered out the window with a intrigued tot. I wish I could remember soft filtered light kissing the pink soft skin of a child.

A wish for a window to my soul.

***

The very next day after the crazy rain storm was blue blue sky and blustery wind.

A perfect day for flying a kite.

If only my kids could do things without the yelling, directing, squealing and fighting that comes with them doing an activity together. {sigh} Once their bossing eachother around was sorted it was lovely.{and I'm sure the people who live near the park rejoiced that the screaming session was over!}

I laid down on the grass and my body seemed to release unknown tension.

I thought when was the last time I laid down in the grass? A month? or more?

There is just something about connecting with the real world. It centres a person.

I googled some reasons on why this is:

If a building or appliance is “grounded” that means that its electricity can be transferred to the earth in order to prevent an electrical buildup and the damage that can come along with power surges.

All living things have low levels of electrical activity running through them, so this concept is applied to our own bodies as well. When we step onto the ground without the insulating factor of shoes, our free radicals (those bad things that promote aging by scooting around in your body and causing damage to cells) can diffuse out into the earth and we can gain a flow of healing electrons in return – instantly giving your body a healthy boost.

Don’t tell me you don’t feel less stressed and more balanced after a day at the beach or a barefoot twirl across the lawn! I know I do. I’ve been taking barefoot walks through the forest lately, and I have to say – it feels amazing. The connection to the trees and bushes and mother earth around me feels acute and beautiful. It would be a certain challenge to feel stressed in this situation ♥

Barefooting gives a better contact to nature because life-force energy called Chi (also called Qi or Prana) can only be absorbed through the soles of the feet. Ground Chi is absorbed automatically and unconsciously when walking barefoot, which may be one of the reasons why it’s so relaxing to walk without shoes on and why exercises geared toward strengthening the body and relaxing the mind (yoga, tai chi, martial arts) are also typically practiced barefoot..

I shall have to resolve to roll in the grass more.

 The simple things I learnt last week.

Hearts

I wont tell you how long it took to scroll through my thousands of photos looking for some heart ones. I obviously need a 'heart photo's' folder....

I have a secret hobby.


Taking photos of random found heart shapes.

I've been doing it for quite a few years. I almost squealed when design mom blogged about someone who does similar at Boy Sees Hearts. Through its popularity he started World Sees Hearts where you can submit your heart photos.

I've taken photos of heart shaped leaves, rocks, clouds, shadows, mushrooms, cracks in the cement, tomatoes, potatoes, rain patches. Hearts are to be seen in so many places. I see them quite often.

You know you have a problem when your child looks a oil stain in a grimy carpark and yells MUM - A Heart! for you! Take a photo! (see they know me!)

This last few weeks alone I've found more.

Can you imagine my joy when I opened my butter and found this:

and I love butter so double joy!

or when I was at the Ekka and noticed this nice pattern on a cow.

Doesn't it totally look like a teddy bear and a heart?



Hearts are everywhere people.

You can't escape the love.

Welcome Spring

Due to the rhythmic season following over at SouleMama and Welcome summer party ideas of NieNie I've been drawn to wanting the same. We are pretty mindful of special occasions here and will pretty much celebrate anything. However I've never been organized enough to have seasonal parties. I decided I wanted a welcome Spring Party this year. Yay! Winter is over! (though I did try really hard this year to love winter and I think it worked, but it's time to move on winter!)

Saturday was chosen as it was only the 3rd of the month, near Fathers day and we would have fireworks to end the night courtesy of Riverfire. Lots of reasons to party.

Menu:

Camembert and Brie
Strawberry and french vanilla almond salad
Lasagna
Zucchini Slice
French Stick

Blondies
Cherry Pavlova

We started the morning with our Fathers day celebration. It was such a good idea! Sunday Mornings can be pretty hectic around here, so we chose for a more leisurely start on Saturday with breakfast for Daddy and opening all his gifts. It also gave him time to spend learning to fly the new helicopter he got.


It was gift day for me to! I've wanted a white tablecloth for a while and have just never splurged to get one. Flowers were a must for a spring party and I scored a half off bunch. My mother found a bargain cake plate for me and even delivered it en route to a weekend away (I've wanted a cake plate for years but have just never found the right one at the right price, I've scoured many an op shop to find one but have never seen one in an opshop... they must get snapped up quick??)

Of course you have to dress spring like too, except that it was cold! what's with that! It's been colder the last few weeks than when it was in July! crazy! my green and butterfly dress was only worn half the day till I got too cold :(    but I was feeling the spring - y - ness!

A wonderful late lunch/early dinner with family and friends. Then off up the street to watch the fireworks.. Back home for more dessert and chatting

Welcome welcome spring...

Fathers Day

Fathers day 2011

As I moved all coy like in front of my husband and gave him a wink and said

Well you have me to thank for Fathers day in your life thankyouverymuch...

he looked at me and said

No I think that woman was a lot younger looking...

ouch! Touche!

Which of course he backed up with "But you're still beautiful of course"....

He's a cheeky one that man in our life.

Only a very special guy could live with 6 women (my sister lives with us at the moment)

I'm so very grateful I get to spend this parenting ride with such an awesome guy. I sometimes feel I've been let in on a big secret and I'm the only one who knows the real him. {which I secretly love}


The last couple of years I found some Fathers Day questionaires online. I love to see the girls answers about their dad. Here are their answers. I've combined the three older girls answers below

My Dad is how old?
16
48
39

His hair is_____ and his eyes are:
black and bluey green
black and bluey green
black and blue

My dad likes to wear:
Ties and white shirts
His super cleanup shirt and pants (ie His Blue work overalls!! lol)
anything

He loves to eat:
Soup and chocolate
A big bowl of chocolate Icecream
Chocolate Icecream
(they all say this because anytime a child whinges about something -ie hourly/daily - Daddy's answer is always "And I want a big bowl of chocolate icecream... but am I getting it?")

He is smart because he knows:
Everything
Everything
Everything

My dad works hard at:
Work
Fixing computers
Computers

Daddy always tells me:
Secrets
He loves me
He loves me

It makes daddy happy when:
I do good things
I help mum clean up
I help  him

If he could go on a trip he would go ___ and he would take:
To the beach and take us all to the island
Camping and he would take a torch and a tent and me
To the beach and he would take everyone

I really love it when my dad:
Puts me on his shoulders and pushes me super high on the swing
Helps me and gives me hugs
Plays board games with me

If I could give my dad anything it would be:
Lollies
Things we wants and a long hug
A hug

My favourite thing about dad is:
I love my dad because he lets me go on the roof
He is funny
He is funny

This year he got lots of gifts. We decided to move our fathers day to saturday. So we could have a longer slower breakfast and enjoy the gifts.That was such a good idea (next blog will be about our fathers day, spring party and fireworks)

He got a remote controlled helicopter! Arent we awesome!
Socks
Whittakers chocolate bars
car cleaning kit
Big Bright torch thingy


I'm super grateful for the fathers in our lives. I'm lucky to have a wonderful father too!

Happy Fathers Day.

Spring is Here

On the first day of Spring we had a little visitor to provide us with much joy and happiness.

It's a ladybug if you can't tell :)

Spring is Here!

I'm also making these flowers for a little family Spring dinner with fireworks for Saturday.

And menu planning for it. What does one eat for spring?? Lamb? lol.

Wet Saturday

It's a rare thing to have a free saturday.
We even recheck our calendar to make sure we have it correct {we have forgotten things before}

Except that on Saturday it was pouring with rain.

But it seems we like to do crazy things in the rain.

If it's raining, might as well get wet right?

{And if you're planning to get wet, then it makes planning the cleanup easier
 - by packing towels, blankets, change of clothes and  hot chocolate after}

IN the grey terrible weather we headed to the beach and had a terrific time.

It was seriously like the clouds parted just for us. Rain all morning and afteroon. There was foggy rain on both sides as far as the eye could see, but where we were was only very lightly pattering.

I *know* families all around the world spend time together. I've done many a family activity myself over the last 10 years. However its been on The Mr and mines minds lately and we are trying to be more thoughtful in our distribution of time. Telling ourselves and reminding ourselves {and the kids}how special it is to be out as a family. How important it is.

How important it is to plan upcoming activities and outings, to have things to look forward to.
Knowing this time as a close knit, small, nuclear family is but a short time
Life is to be lived, we don't want to have regrets of things we 'never got around to doing'


Sometimes I can feel guilt over the lack of extra curricular activities I can give my children. Be it cost, time,  and not being able to split myself into 4, many activites are not possible for this family. But the other day I read an awesome comment over at SouleMama that said
"Being in a large family IS a sport" oh and that it is!

I don't really like the beach in summer. Too hot, sand burns your feet, I hate suncream and sand sticking to it. I really like going to the beach in winter. A sunny day is even better, but we had lots of fun regardless.  I also like to go on low tide. When the waters high, what good is that? Low tide is where all the fun is at. We can explore, walk, find and run in the marine wilderness that is low tide.

As it was low tide we were also able to walk out to nearby King Island. We found a jelly fish on the way that provided much entertainment {dear jellyfish, if you weren't dead when we found you, I'm sorry for the way you were treated} we also found half a catfish, watched a gorgeous sea hawk flying and diving, found crabs and lots of shells.

We were alone on the island and we felt like Nim's Island. We dreamed and explored and laughed and shook our heads at eachothers crazy ways. Squeals of begging sisters to 'come and look at what I found' to squeals of pretending to be blown away by the umbrella in the wind, to hiding spots, to poking jelly fish, to collecting pockets of shells and hermit crabs, to removing shoes to let little toes feel the ground and squelch in the water. Nature is one of the few activities all ages can do without any competition or feelings of inadequacy.

These lessons are what my children need. Life lessons

Outings are starting to become easier for us. With small girls all grown up, not needing our constant vigilance it gave The Mr and I time to stroll and hold hands and talk and kiss. Each time we stopped for a quick kiss Miss G would run up to us and draw a heart  in the sand at our feet. 'for love' she would say. Sometimes we were too quick and she would yell 'wait wait' and make us stand there until she had drawn our heart.

These lessons are what my children need. Life lessons.

And it's important to me.

Oh and these wet outings remind me to work on our wet weather gear. We basically don't own anything waterproof. Such is the joy of living in a sunny place :)

A garden! A garden!

We've never been a green thumb family.

Most stuff gets killed by us. I remember being excited about winning a flower pot (full of flowers) at a church activity, praying that the flowers would live. Well it wasn't long before they were all dead :(

We've always known the importance of having a garden but just haven't been able to achieve it, which always makes me sad. There is many a life lesson to be learnt by the law of the harvest. Let alone the money savings, and environmental savings ( growing plants in home gardens uses less water, pesticides, less energy miles - delivery of foods from far away cost more in energy than the food gives etc so if everyone grew more of their own food less of the world would be destroyed)

About 7 years ago we decided that WE WILL have a vegetable garden. The Mr went and bought wood to make the large boxes, cane mulch, dirt, seeds etc etc. We made a garden that took a bit of work and cost a pretty penny. Of course nothing grew. NOT A THING!! heartbreaking it was.

Actually, I lie,  something DID grow -  one beautiful tomato plant that we DIDN'T PLANT.... it grew out of the compost bin next to the garden. Everytime we ate one of the  tomatoes that grew on it, I would say "I hope you're enjoying that $10 tomato!"

That ended our escapades as gardeners. We didn't try again on a big scale and just knew that gardening wasn't for us. We just didn't have green thumbs, didn't have the knowledge, didn't have the money to throw away on attempting to grow food that might not grow,  I don't know but we just didn't have whatever IT is to be good gardeners. And then we moved to the city to a house with no garden, so that helped us calm our guilt for about 5 years.

Earlier this year I borrowed THIS BOOK from the library. It was upbeat, positive and simple to follow with great little handdrawn garden plot maps eg a salad garden, a stirfry garden, a curry garden. It inspired me to want to try again and be successful.

After reading this article with several quotes about the importance of having a garden I knew that we should attempt a garden again. But as with most things it takes The Mr to be on board for them to actually happen :) (ie I wrangle babies while everyone else works )

We crazily planted this year in April, just before the start of winter hoping to catch the last of autumn.

And guess what?? STUFF GREW!

I was so excited.


Not everything grew but enough did to give us the gardening bug. I have not had to buy a single lettuce in months! We just pick a leaf or two as we need it and we only planted five lettuces! Though our pea's didnt grow abundantly the pods that did grow were snatched up by the kids and eaten while still in the garden. They taste like mint! one child exclaimed. Kids that don't eat many vegetables happily eat raw ones that they've plucked off a vine or from out of the ground. Interesting.


We have just redug the garden and are looking forward to growing our Spring Garden.

Fingers crossed things will grow again. *pretty please*


Tell me your gardening advice.....

Email Month

The ball - we both attended with dates, yet ended up embracing at the end of the night ;)

A disclaimer before I start these. These emails were completely ridiculous and meant to be silly. We were trying to oneup eachother. We didn't even know we were interested in eachother and our 7 year age gap made us purely acquaintances through friends :) now you can all see what a silly flirt I was.

From:Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Date: Thursday 10 September 1998

To: TheMr@bit.net.au

Subject:

Hey Darling....

Hope you have a fantastic day at work....

I have a speech to do at uni..... arrrgggg..... I'm scared. Oh what do I have to be scared of? I can talk under water!

Well I'll be thinking of you all day....

Hey... when am I moving in? I have my bed ready.

Ystyn said he thinks it is a good idea... I could really brighten up your dull household!!

Well love and mush

This girl loves to Talk

From: TheMr@bit.net.au

Date: Thursday 10 September 1998

To: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Subject: RE:

Hey babe

I will have a fantastic day at work, especially when I get emails from sexy women.

Little does Ystyn know that once you move in he and Peter and Phillip would all have to go ;)

You 'n' me babe, all the way

Virtually Yours

The Mr

 

Ha! I am totally pyschic! I actually DID end up moving into their house 5 months later! (Married to The Mr of course) And the MR was wrong, because the boys didnt move out... I just moved in to their 5 bedroom house!  (yes a very funny arrangement I know, but we were all poor uni students and the house was in a good central area and it helped us afford to live etc and they guys were awesome)

From:TheMr@bit.net.au

Date: Monday 14 September 1998

To:Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Subject: Only You

"I cant get enough of your love baby!"

email #1

Cheers

The Mr

From: TheMr@bit.net.au

Date: Tuesday 15 September 1998

To: Thisgirllovestotalk.qut.edu.au

Subject: Email 2

"sometimes when we touch, the honesty's too much (blah blah blah), the fear in me subsides"

Virtually yours

The MR

From: TheMr@bit.net.au

Date: Wednesday 16 September 1998

To: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Subject: Email 3

"Shake your groove thing baby!"

"I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want"

Cheers

The Mr

From: TheMr@bit.net.au

Date: Thursday 17 September 1998

To: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Subject: Only You

When God created Adam and Eve he was thinking of you. He knew that although they were created immortal, then became mortal, our forefathers were working to create you. All of history was designed and crafted to create you - the whole world exists for you... that means I'm virtually yours.

The Mr

From: TheMr@bit.net.au

Sent: Friday 18 September 1998

To: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Subject: How goes it..this is number 5

So this week I have confessed my undying virtual love for my dear and yet she still rejects me. Oh well there are plenty of other fish in the sea.... Except they are all whales...

You have a good week? Mine sucked except I went and saw Mulan at the movies (on a date!)

Have you been asked to the Ball?

virtually yours

The Mr

From: Thisgirllovestotalk@qut.edu.au

Sent: Friday 18 September 1998

To: TheMr@bit.net.au

Subject: RE: How goes it..this is number 5

Hey babe

When did I reject you?

You know I love you!

So you went on a date.... Have you been cheating on me!!... sob sob sob.. tears are welling up in my eyes and its all your fault!

I saw Mulan on Tuesday night with William. It was good hey?

Yes I am going to the ball.... so I will see you there in all your refinery... watch out for me... the hot babe in the dark purple dress... I'll be waiting in line just to have a dance with the Infamous Mr... I think I will have to fight off the other girls.... but I am tough... I can do it!!!!

So till tonight... mmmwah!

This girl loves to Talk.



and yet we still weren't dating or talking.....

only a few more weeks of these crazy emails before it all fell into place ;)