Whimsical

Just when you think you have it all in the bag, out come the questions that are hard to answer. 'Will I always be a girl mum?' 'Why don't you go to work?' 'Where do you go when you die?' This last one opened up a heart wrenching conversation about stars and loved ones, and my bright little button seemed happy with the idea of heaven, where there are many people who love her so much. Sometimes I feel like I have lost touch with the daily grind of life, and miss the 'grown up' things that are serious and work-like, but then my little ones open my heart to something I was never expecting!xx

No Preschool!

Well after making such a fuss about bakpak -says eva- and lunchbox, hat and wearing a wool kilt during summer- becasue its a school skirt- Eva has given away preschool. I am never sure how to discuss this with fellow mothers as I explain she kicked up such a fuss, and wanted to stay at home with Pip and I, so why not? I fade away the end of conversation as I realise their 3 year old probably kicks and screams every time they go, but they have a job to go to.... mmm don't you love how having children then teaches you how to be a grown-up, not the other way around.
So now we have our Mondays back together, and they are both so tired from being dragged to various dinners and parties that its nice to just chill at home and watch ...of course...maria! sound of music.
Have done my ankle again, and Eva thinks I walk like a penguin. It makes me think how crazy things must get if mummy breaks her arm/ leg snowboarding. I remember now why i didnt attempt the pro-jump at Nordpark last time we were there with Eva. Eva now wants to go to Salzburg and visit Maria, so hopefully can take her there soon.

Can I just say, the difference between my girls is never so apparent as when they are tired. Eva becomes very- even more- precious and surprisingly uncoordinated. The combination usually ends in tears and at least now she doesnt hold her breath and pass out, even though it appears she is trying at times. A tease from her Daddy- 'you can't swim without your floaties' is often enough to set her off. Little Pip, at least at this stage is a little different. At the end of a long day she enjoys spinning on the spot, running in circles, then cracking up. As she is getting dressed in jammies i will tickle her to hear that belly giggle, and she will also jab herself in the big belly and crack herself up. And as I take her towards her cot she will almost arch herself out of your arms as she then curls up and puts fingers in mouth, even though I want to cuddle before i put her down. The loving Eva on the other hand will fall asleep most definately when lying next to you in your bed, but if in her bed will last an hour or 2 and then come into your bed to fall asleep under your arm. I am so blessed.

MISSPIP WALKS!!

Such an amazing milestone to witness. Steve was working from home, so it was equally nice to see his excitement and the euphoria on little Pips face. She has not crawled since and loves to play chase with her sister up and down the hall. So many crashes though!! Poor little pumpkin! she has a few more bumps and bruises to go before she perfects her walk from a very wobbly zombie at the moment till shes striding out.

Had a great break down at the lovely Broulee -sounds like a yummy dessert- and is all that and more with river flats and 100mtrs from the beach. We stopped in Sydney for the night to go to the Zoo. Fabbie day out, ferries, picnics, seal show, loved it! Down at the beach house there was a nice group of friends to share mexican food, mojitos and marshmellows on the campfire. Had a small nightmare on the return leg as stayed in nice hotel, eva wet the bed, so i bundled everything up to be cleaned and left early the next morning, mmm could have should have said something. After resting at home a few days, and seeing steve after his return from SA, i have thrown myself into the house renos again. I cant wait for it all to start, but want to make sure nothing is left to chance and dodged up by builders. Thinking of blowing the flower photo up for prime wall position...

Musicals

As the von trapp family gets another work out on a rainy afternoon, i must steal away to record the latest evaisms. After a good run of Mary Poppins over the summer, 'spit spot' is a favourite term. Today; Me- 'Spit spot Eva in the shower' Eva- 'I am spit spotting', Me- 'well come on', Eva- 'I have spit spotted'. She has a real talent for playing with the crazy English language at 3.

Happy New Year

Goodbye 0 nine- the nine key on this keyboard has been missing for a good year now, '10 will be so much easier... what a year! first birthdays, new homes, new community, - all in a happy and healthy year we have had. Trip to Capetown, Thailand, discovery of a wonderful 3 yr old girl who makes her large personality known to all that pause long enough. And the amazement of watching a newborn become a 1yr old character, with stronger opinions and feelings than most adults, so comfortable in her ways of communicating that only she understands, but still continually communicating with unwavering conviction. Watching her strong, healthy and very ticklish body grow has even been fast for me who sees her every minute. The emo hair is also too cute for words.

to travel

I look at these beautiful slides taken by my father as he and my mum traveled through Morocco, Zaire, and through many wonderful countries on their journey to South Africa. It was only last night as steve and i sat by the bbq cooked our yummy steaks, talking of all the amazing places we have travelled to. Our favourite last night, as it always changes, was Samuc Champay -not sure of spelling- but it is a little town in the hills of Eastern Guatamala, as has become a tourist spot because of this rare formation of sandstone rock that has been worn away by a raging river so the river now goes underground, and above is the mineral rick water that seeps through the limestone and creates aqua blue, tiered pools that are surrounded by cool rainforest walks. The backpackers there was memorable. It was about then that we started to talk about opening up our own.. It was run on a volunteer basis, so plenty of people feeling very important, but still very organised. You put your name down for the vego meal each night, and as the dinner bell rang you sat and ate a beautiful set meal. The rooms were funky and the river ran straight past the backpakers and ran really fast, so that all they had put there was a rope to hang onto or you could catch a ride upstream and hire a tube. Hence the need for the rope as we soon found out you quickly get sucked into a very low bridge downstream..My favourite memory is the fireflys. At dusk there were hundreds of them in the grass. Absolutley amazing! A warm night, some local rum and to sit and watch the fire flys that just fascinated me makes me smile.

And while I am on the random subject of my travels, another favourite shot of mine, that makes me smile from the tips of my bare feet to the top of my sunburnt head.

Ahh Carisbrooke

What a few relaxing days we have had. It helps that the car has been broken and will take a week or 2 to repair. Lots of swimming, making chain decorations, catching up on cooking and planning the very fancy christmas dinner that is creeping up on me. Have found pleasure in sitting outside at the finish of the day, listening to the galahs and watching the bush turkeys eat steves grass seed that he so lovingly put down on the weekend. mm fat bush turkeys but no grass to replace the patch of weeds.