evaism

Eva has such an interest in words. Not the rude ones, I am very lucky. She did ask her nana waht the F word was one day and then accepted that she was not to say it. At the moment, she has been asking 'how to use' words such as 'certainly' 'serious' and purely. Eva now is quite chuffed as she injects these into her daily, not stop chatter. Are you ok? Its serious!, I am certain that you didnt know i was hiding there! It was purely funny- this one was a good one.

Pip is now the biggest fan of books. Her favourites are the 'sheep book' -'where is the green sheep' and the 'big sheep book' 'Go to sleep'- ahhh Mem fox. At one point in the book the fish holds its breath and makes a wish- Eva' Why does a fish need to hold it's breath?' Then we talked about wishing for something really hard and holding your breath to help it come true. The next day when opening a difficuylt jar of olives, eva convieniently showed me how to hold your breath and bite your bottom lip to help open difficult jars...

There is not a word Pip wont attempt now. Crocodile is the latest one and lavender, which both make me giggle as she accentuates the 'L' by poking her tounge out. She gets things done around the place, what a different world it must become- 'mum you get', 'You stay', 'wait', 'don'tlike', 'bed, mankey and book' which means she just wants to curl up, sleep and grow. not too fast!!

Flying time

Well so much has been happening around here. An extended trip overseas being one of them. Had a great time catching up with the scottish rellies in Glasgow for Alison and Lucas's wedding. Found out about Aunt L's growing belly, and nothing more could have topped a big family party. we stayed in an old manor/ estate house with beautiful gardens and a pool! so the girls were happy. They were a little jetlagged over the weekend, but they are such troopers and seem to travel well. The only difference (with the beauty of hindsite) travelling with toddlers on your own over 24 hours of flying is that you dont get bored. There is nothing else to worry about except the next walk up and down the ailse, trip to the toilet is a big one, so is hunting down stewards for biscuits. Eva is a truely accomplished traveller now and enjoys putting her own Dora the explorer backpack on the security machines, holding her own boarding pass, and looks forward to the meal trays where everything is in small boxes.

The travelling continued when we flew to Italy and the beautiful Lake Garda. The real fun started when we picked up our 'house on wheels' and drove off to the nearest pizza bar for beer, pizza and gelato. Gelateria quickly became eva's first Italian word.

This one is for you

When speaking to my lovely next door neighbour, whos youngest is the same age as my eldest, and she has said she has trouble remembering the first words, the old favourites, quirky habits, especially as Phillipa is changing into a person larger than life day-by-day. As I finish my conversation with my next door neighbour, I turn to Pip- 'Is that right Pip?', 'What!' Now my little one says 'what' to anyone that calls her name, but you must imagine the tone as more like middle-aged cranky teacher rather than cute as a button 1 year old..
Pip also loves a cuddle, big strong chubby armed cuddle, but at the moment she has found her run. So dont dare pick her up if you need to, and be prepared for the little noisy one to protest and wriggle free. On the call of 'on your marks ..go! she will race, usually in the direction of her older sister who will race anyone anytime. This has been an amusing way to get a wriggle on out of a shop, down the street ect..
And then there is Eva, oh sweet Eva. She sits at her desk alot and makes the most marvelous sculptures, drawings, presents for everyone. Today she made presents to drop off to her new favourite people, the kids next door, but as they were'nt home, left them in the post box. She slides down the baulestrades singing 'a spoon ful of sugar' she yells 'yipppee' when she finds a good climbing tree- they are everywhere apparently. She proudly tells me that she has been a good girl with 'no tantrums today', loves to come and watch me play netball, will mimic reading books all the time reading the story out loud from memory, out of the blue she would pick out all the numbers and letters she can read on signs, will only wash and put 'hairditioner' in her beauiful hair on Wednesdays. She is so full of love and kindness it makes me feel mean and stupid when I loose my cool with her, and it is always interesting when she repeats things I say..' no, i can't go out with Lyndsay today as I have alot of work to do, I have all my drawings..'

I love my girls so much, Eva gave me a medal for mother's day for me to hang around my neck, and a beautiful card which she can now write mum and eva awwwww. She also drew a picture of herself, but no room for Pip on the card apparently. xx

road trip

A fabbie weekend in Canberra. So much fun merry-go-rounds, masters exhibition, yum-cha, all new experiences for the little ones, farmers markets and book fairs, how much can one squeeze into a weekend? did i mention valuable, cooking, drinking and table-tennis playing with the sister!
ok, so we are back home now to my favourite weather of the year. Lots of bushwalking and general hanging outside.
This afternoon hanging on the couch after chasing rice- eva made shakers- we had a special conversation.
I love you eva
how much do you love me mum?
to the moon and back again
but no, nana loves me that much, you have to love me more.
pause...
i love you to africa and back
no, tommy loves me that much.
ok, i love you more than all the houses on our street.
no, lighting-the neighbours dog- loves me that much.
ok, i love you more than anyone else, even pip, and she loves you alot!
i love you too mum

Easter Holidays

Great camping, early cold starts and lots of bushwalking. And i think the easter eggs are still going! Was our first family camping where both girls where exploring the creek, cooking marshmellows by the fire, ahhh what fun.
Note:the red boots where Steves when he was a wee lad in Glasgow..

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.