Smile, breathe and go slowly

Girls weekend away

2011-08-29T21:21:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks back, Ruby and I escaped to Byron Bay. There are many wonderful reasons to visit Byron, but we went down for the Children's Day at the Byron Bay Writers' Festival. It was a great adventure.

After a big lunch on Saturday, we thought we'd eat in on Saturday night. Dinner was Ruby's idea, she made me do it. Ice cream and red wine for me. Ice cream and a milkshake for my beautiful girl.

We did a bit of shopping, a bit of eating, a bit of pottering around and a lot of reading and laughing and listening to some super fabulous children's authors. Hurrah for talented writers and illustrators who invest their talents in stories for children. I was grateful for their energy, enthusiasm, joy, passion and kindness.

It was a delight to listen to Cate McQuillan (Dirt Girl writer, illustrator), Alison Lester (children's author extraordinaire), Edrei Cullen, Wendy Harmer and more. There were some very intense, but heart-warming, conversations between the children and the authors - all showed extraordinary respect for children. As they deserve.

Alison Lester

Cate McQuillan

She loved it :)

To my delight, on this glorious Sunday in Byron Bay, when I thought the day would be as perfect as it could be, it got even better - there was a sculpture display in the grounds of the Writers Festival. Sigh. I love sculptures. Here are some of our faves.

Gorgeous anodised kitchenware

Lighthouse project - write messages of hope on red ribbons

Magnificent tile/ceramic sculptures

A tower of encyclopaedias!

Hanging lanterns - without light ;) Made from pages of novels

It was a magical weekend. My precious Ruby was wonderful company. Can't wait to escape with her again sometime soon.

Wishing you peace and love xxxx

Ethel Carrick Fox and other glorious Sunday treats

2011-07-31T20:30:00.000+10:00

There's a glorious exhibition on at the Queensland Art Gallery: Art, Love and Life - Ethel Carrick Fox and E. Phillip Fox. Until next Sunday, you can see beauties like these. I prefer Ethel's paintings to those of her hubby. Her love of sunshine and use of light through flowers and foliage is joyous.

Image from QAG

Image of this magnificent painting is from QTIX

We ducked into the Gallery Cafe for afternoon tea, which looked a little bit like this and that:

Ruby and Max are kind and generous. But they're still kids. Their tolerance is pretty low for walking around an art gallery looking at paintings that are 100+ years old. Sadly. So we made a quick visit to the Queensland Museum. It's always a hit. And with good reason. As Ruby explained "they know kids. They know stuff kids like. They make it interesting".

Despite the critics, I enjoyed the Gallery today. The kids enjoyed the Museum. Win/win.

On our way back, we talked about the Louvre. Not really a fair comparison for the QAG, but they were asking for it when they installed a glass pyramid......

There were lots of peace signs being used today. Max kinda lost the plot at the end and started doing this :O

We had a fun afternoon. Mark was madly pre-occupied doing census collection work. Shame he couldn't join us. Maybe on our next adventure.

We're enjoying this gloriously sunny, fabulous Queensland winter.

Hope you're finding a little patch of sunshine too.

peace and love

xxxx

World's best. Right here in Wynnum.

2011-07-26T19:26:00.000+10:00

We bought an after school treat at a favourite bakery yesterday.

As we were leaving, with 'the most fabulous carrot cake ever', Max said to the dear old lady (who maybe owns the bakery) "your bakery is the best bakery in the whole wide world. Not just Wynnum. The world".

She was best pleased. Beaming with smiles.

He was happy. Carrot cake clenched tightly in his sticky, sweaty little hand.

And I am grateful for a kind and thoughtful boy who likes other people to know how special they are.

Rainbow inspired....

2011-07-12T21:13:00.002+10:00

I can never choose just one favourite. Certainly not just one favourite colour. I love rainbows, the beautiful co-existence of colours.

I've been super-inspired by Rett's colourful catalogue of holiday photos. So starting soon'ish, I'll start posting some photos from our holiday (I promise they'll be ones you haven't seen before). Tricky thing is that, on our *winter* holiday there was a LOT of grey and I'm going to have to search hard to find photos for each colour. There weren't too many opportunities to take photos like these.....

But what a blessing that I got to take these! Before the snooty woman came and told me to stop taking photos. What a cracker. You'll never guess where we were.......

peace and love and rainbows to you xxxx

We have a resident artist

2011-07-10T22:43:00.002+10:00

Our Ruby is a creative little soul. She loves to paint and draw and doodle and create. Here's a sampling of her works.

This first is her most recent canvas, created in a school holiday workshop at The Art Shed. There's a common theme through Ruby's art. See if you can pick it ;)

Her art teacher isn't teaching locally anymore and we're on the lookout for someone new. If you know of a fabulous art teacher in the Wynnum/Manly area, let me know!

Wishing you peace, love and a healthy surge of creativity this week.

xxxx

A lazy Sunday morning

2011-07-10T11:57:00.004+10:00

Lazy Sunday mornings are my favourite type of morning. Pottering around the house in jarmies, reading the paper, drinking cups of tea - perfect.

It's nice to live at a slower pace, even if only just for a few hours.

I'm not the only one who loves Sunday mornings. Here's the miss listening (and singing loudly along) to her new itunes purchases while she trawls through monsoon kids clothing online :o. Mr Max is playing the DS. Again.

Mum and Lloyd have been visiting us this past week. And spoiling us. And doing lots of jobs at our house. Very pleased about the new power points in the laundry. And super excited that before they left this morning that Lloyd put my sweet ducks up (from The Collective Store). I stalked the store for about 3 months waiting for ducks in the perfect fabric. I love these ones. They're flying north. Of course.

I hope you're enjoying a gloriously slow and peaceful Sunday too.

Peace and love from us to you.

xxxx

About a boy

2011-07-03T21:44:00.003+10:00

About Max.

My boy. He's kind. Loving. Adoring. Generous. Thoughtful. Passionate. Intense. Suffocating. Infuriating. Possessive. Relentless. The king of what's fair and just. Very competitive. But only when he knows he can win. A mass of contradictions. Highs and lows. He can bring great, great, great joy one moment and mind-numbing frustration the next.

He's a fast thinker, a smooth talker and a master negotiator. He knows it and he works it well.

Here he is below cunningly disguised as a regular 6 year old boy.

He's kind, sweet and loyal and his love is fierce. As nutty as he is, I couldn't ask for a better boy-child.

peace and love to you and the boys in your life

xxxx

p.s. I know he reads this blog :) Hi Max. I love you. x

2011-07-02T16:43:00.001+10:00

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Palm Island

2011-07-01T09:46:00.006+10:00

I went to Palm Island recently. Naturally, a magnificent lush tropical island. Anthropologically, it was deeply troubling. I didn't take a single photo while I was on Palm because it felt like it would have been disrespectful to do so.

I went there for work. We're setting up a centre for families with young children and I was grateful for the opportunity to talk to mothers, teachers and some very passionate and committed community and government workers. The issues on Palm Island are complex, layer upon layer upon layer.

This photo is from abc.net.au It shows the airstrip which runs across the full length of the island. On the day I was there, once I arrived I was told all flights off the island were cancelled (no reason was given) and there's not really any accommodation available. The small motel, in a compound surrounded by a high wire fence, was booked out. I was able to get a seat on a small chartered flight - a 4 seater - back to Townsville.

I was only there for a day but I know that what I learned, felt and saw while I was there will stay with me for a lifetime.

For more about Palm Island, visit here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Island,_Queensland

peace and love xxxx

I'm back

2011-06-30T13:28:00.005+10:00

It's been a while between posts but I think I have mustered the energy to start again.

Life is good for us. Always chaotic. Often overwhelming. Happy. And good.

We've had some marvellous adventures these past 18months (since my last blog post). One of the greatest was our big trip to France, the UK, Italy and Sicily. A happy adventure. This photo, taken in Palermo near the very end of our trip is one of my faves. We were relaxed, happy and enjoying ourselves. Food was a highlight and in Sicily it was fabulous. We never knew if we were going to get what we'd thought we'd ordered! The people at this restaurant treated us like family, they were generous and thoughtful and very kind to us. We enjoyed it so much that we went there for dinner every night we were in Palermo.

We're super excited that we're planning our next trip - to Spain, England and Ireland in May/June next year. Lots going on in our lives, but I'll be back soon.

peace and love

xxxx

A list for Sunday

2009-11-01T16:42:00.004+10:00

Nablopomo's theme for November is: there is no theme. Quirky. :)

1. I miss my camera.
2. Watched Cat in the Hat today. Not once, but twice.
3. Heavy rain was very surprising.
4. I'm grateful Mark went to the shops.
5. 2009 has been a tough year.
6. Eight cups of tea today. And counting.
7. I really need a coffee.
8. It's confirmed - I don't like poo jokes. To Max's dismay.
9. Loving our big comfy lounge.
10. Do not want to go to work tomorrow. Weekends should be 3 days long.
11. Happy to have stayed home all day today. A rare treat.
12. Wishing we had less 'stuff' at our house.
13. Searching, searching, searching for a Christmas Day dress for Ruby. Showed her about 97 dresses online today, none are right.
14. I love Etsy.
15. Cannot believe it's November already.
16. Just sent Mark out to the charity bin with 2 boxes and 5 big bags of 'stuff'. Just a scratch on the surface here, but it's a start.
17. Making curried sausages - Ruby's choice for dinner.
18. Sounds I can hear - Ruby and Max squealing and laughing; lawnmower from neighbour at the back; neighbour across the street playing the saxophone. Lovely.
19. Kids and I spent some time drawing pictures for our Christmas card. Not sure we'll use the ones from today though, they're a bit dark. Inspired by Halloween no doubt :)
20. Loving the smell of summer in the evening.

a pic I love from November 2004 :)

Remember this

2009-10-04T17:11:00.003+10:00

Here's my precious girl in her first ever bikini. She chose it herself :)

Remember this beautiful photo because she'll be famous one day.

School holidays were exhausting. None of us are ready for school to start back this week. It's a busy week: 2 birthdays, a day trip to Adelaide (yes I am mad) and a birthday party with about a gazillion kids coming. It looks like I have to make 4 birthday cakes (1 for Mark and 3 for Max - for daycare, kindy and his party). Send me wishes for lots of energy this week. I know I'll need it.

peace and love to you
xxxx

For Mark

2009-09-20T15:12:00.003+10:00

Father's Day - with all kids, big and small. It was a lovely day. :)

xxxx

The search is over

2009-06-28T16:15:00.008+10:00

I've been searching for perfect red boots for a while now - probably most of my life ;)

Found them today in the Valley in a Doc Martens store. Sadly the store was closed. *sigh*

Now the challenge will be to get back there in daylight hours when they're open - and before winter ends!

Yum Cha, Valley markets, good coffee and lots of sunshine. A good Sunday.

peace and love

xxxx

Well done Ruby

2009-06-21T15:52:00.004+10:00

This is a post about Ruby :)

I went along to Ruby's parent-teacher-student interview on Thursday morning. It was lovely. Of course.

From Ruby's report card:

Teacher comments
Ruby is a very diligent student who always puts an enormous amount of effort into the presentation of her work. She has made exceptional progress in reading, achieving considerably higher than the expected level. During recount writing Ruby is able to identify most of the sounds when spelling phonetically and can read back her own writing with ease. She is beginning to experiment with full stops and will usually begin her writing with a capital letter. Ruby has also achieved excellent results in Early Mathematical Understanding and can confidently apply the concepts covered this semester. Time management with regards to desk tasks not being finished in the given time framew and speaking clearly at carpet times are two goals Ruby could work on next semester. Ruby uses a very loud voice during free play and needs to carry this volume over when delivering responses at carpet time. Ruby is a very sensible and trustworthy member of our class and continues to be an excellent role model for her peers. Well done Ruby on a very successful semester.

Student comments
I really enjoy coming to school because it is lots of fun playing with my friends and doing handwriting. This semester I have enjoyed learning the sounds, doing sums and doing Art. I am good at Go Maths, Soundwaves and Art. I would like to improve my handwriting because I would like to be neater. I prefer to work on my own because it is quieter and I can focus. I get along well with people in the playground because everyone is friendly. My favourite thing about Year One is free time. I am proud of the friendships I have at school. Next semester I am looking forward to having more fun.

As she did so well we decided she could have a treat. I thought she'd ask for a DS or a camera, as they are high on the wish list. But she asked for a Beanie Kid. Hooray!

Well done Ruby.

In other Ruby news:

she's preparing for her first ballet exam on Wednesday afternoon. I wonder how much pressure is too much pressure when you're just 6 years old. The little ballerinas are being pushed towards little ballerina perfection. I've decided not to do the bun, but to outsource to Miss Annette (who's a bit like Miss Lily in Angelina Ballerina). Every bit counts.
Ruby announced this morning that "this Barbie couldn't go to her marriage because she had to go to work". Cripes. What does that mean? I wasn't brave enough to ask.
I watched one of the boys at school give Ruby a kiss on the cheek (while she was happily doing something else) on Thursday morning. I asked her if he kissed her often. Her reply "that wasn't a kiss. That was just Z putting his lips on my face. He does that every day". Oh dear. He is a very sweet boy though.
she's currently obsessed with Beanie Kids, Masterchef, Darcy Bussell Ballerina books, rainbows and other fabulous things.

wishing you peace xxxx

Artists at work

2009-05-23T09:19:00.008+10:00

There was a bit of scrapbooking action here last weekend. Ruby and Max have found their mojo. They proved they really are dedicated artists by spending hours rifling through mummy's photos and precious supplies in search of the most perfect, most glittery, most sparkly adornments. It was worth the drama.

Both children have shown great interest in glitter. Ruby has created a new technique called "lipgloss on a page" and has a penchant for butterflies while Max's specialty technique is cutting butterflies in half to edge the page. Beautiful work.

On this cold, wet and windy day - there are sure to be more beautiful creations coming soon.

peace and love

xxxx

A bit of this and a bit of that

2009-05-19T22:00:00.006+10:00

We had a very quiet and lazy weekend, but we did a bit of this:

and a bit of that:

As you do ;)

Our quiet weekend was a treat. Maybe we should plan more of them. Who knows what other beautiful creatures might visit.

peace and love

xxxx

On this day

2009-05-17T14:59:00.002+10:00

I've been looking through lots of old photos today. I found this little treasure from 20 May 2005. We were in Sydney to meet up with lots of other families we had come to know and love from an online parenting forum. I'm pretty sure Ruby and Max were the most beautiful kids there ;)

lots of love
xxxxx

A good list

2009-05-16T09:34:00.003+10:00

I love lists. I've received this one 3 times this week, so I thought the universe was sending me a message to read it and pay attention. It's a good strong list. Love it.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye..

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT.. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely..

TEN... In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN.. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! ... When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN.. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN.. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Been lots happening here. Promise to post something more meaningful sometime soon.
xxxx

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T15:49:00.005+10:00

We've had a wet and weird Easter. But of course there was chocolate galore to appease the chocolate monster within all of us.

A couple of weeks ago Ruby wrote a letter to Easter Bunny. It was really more of a letter of demand. This is a girl who has not eaten a single chocolate egg collected in Easter hunts for 4 long years. I don't blame her for writing a demand note. Easter Bunny needs to pay more attention. In this life, you need to clearly state what you want. Ruby learned that young.

I asked her to add in "please". She did, and laughed. And then drew a few sweet pictures that Easter Bunny might like, including one of Jesus getting down off the cross with the use of a ladder. Can you see the little red man just to the left of the big green bunny? Max drew a picture on the page too - a bunny in a bath tub. Just to the right of the word "blak" you'll see it. But only if you look at the pic upside down!

Happy quirky Easter to you and your family.

xxxx

Super conscientious and super cute

2009-03-22T13:39:00.003+10:00

A few weeks ago Ruby's class decided what their 'class focus' would be for the year and invited parents along to hear about it. It was a really delightful mix of songs, poetry and declarations of intent. Ruby declared she "would work hard so she can learn more". Of course there's no time for slacking off when you're in Year 1. ;)

She's super conscientious.

Love you Rubes.

xxxx

Real life. Right here, right now.

2009-03-08T16:18:00.003+10:00

I love the Shutter Sisters. And I love their challenges, like this one:

http://shuttersisters.com/home/2009/3/3/tag-youre-it.html

So here's "the real me, right here, right now". Note that: Sundays are NOT my best days......

Tag. You're it! xxxx

43 things to do before I turn 44

2009-02-23T20:49:00.004+10:00

I think this list may be slow to build. I sat down to write the list but only thought of a few things. In a year where I want to go slow, that's probably a good thing. Right?

1. Host a tea party. A grown up one with pretty frocks, ribbon sandwiches and champagne.

2. Sew the curtains for Ruby's bedroom.

3. Take Ruby and Max on an aeroplane.

4. Plant out the front garden.

5. Read a new author every month.

6. Try a new recipe a month - to expand (my fairly limited) cooking repertoire.

This will be me by the end of the year....

well maybe not, but perhaps my family will be more interested in dinner.

That's as far as I've got. I'll keep adding.

Weekend happiness

2009-02-22T22:23:00.004+10:00

I bought a new lens. An insanely fabulous 85 mm lens. I'm loving it. Desperately need to get out and about more to take pics.

I know there are many people blogging "a photo a day" projects, I'll try for a photo a week.

From this weekend, our beautiful chooks:

Last weekend, Jan and I had a brief photographic adventure in the parkland under the Story Bridge. A glorious couple of hours.

Have a happy week.

peace and love, k xxxx

A list

2009-02-12T20:04:00.005+10:00

Life has been chaotic. So of course I'm back obsessively writing lists to regain some sense of control, or at least the illusion of control - which is sometimes just as good :)

A list of things for today:

prepare for the new job (news: I got the job I desperately wanted. I'm very pleased).

frantically finish everything at current job so I can leave in 2 weeks time :)

make practical plans for getting to work on Monday in the rail strike. Bob help me.

find the school shirt we borrowed from Emily (I know it's here somewhere)

remember to polish school shoes

find library books and missing Roary car (no chance)

collect toiletries to send to Victoria - a friend's sister who's a Red Cross volunteer says there's plenty of food and blankets and clothes and toys, but a shortage of toiletry items.

remember to write down the stories that Ruby and Max tell me....for example: I was thinking today about when we were at Noosa. Ruby and I made 3 trips to a shoe shop. Ruby eventually decided on a pair of Birkenstock sandals. By the 3rd visit, the shop assistant knew our names and most of our life story - Ruby became very animated and chatty in the presence of comfortable shoes. She even helped to sell some shoes, praising the virtues of Birkenstocks (a bit like an evangelist) to everyone who walked within a 50 metre radius of the shop door. When we left the shop and were walking back along the Noosa River foreshore, Ruby was wearing her Birki's and chose to stop everyone we saw - who was wearing Birki's (and there were a lot of them) - to ask them how they liked their shoes. She was a cracker. When we got back to the unit and were having afternoon tea she said "when I'm a grown woman I won't do work like mummy - because it's boring. I will have a shoe shop and I will only sell Birkenstocks". I suggested that she might like to have a bookshop because she loves books so much. She quickly changed her mind and declared that she would have "a shoe shop and a book shop and a small place for mummies to have cups of tea". Sounds like a divine place, I can't wait to go. Max, meanwhile, can't decide if he wants to be a champion racing car driver or a firefighter. Both noble aspirations.

Other snippets from today:

Ruby has been working on her "vision for learning this year". The teacher didn't seem to know about this when I asked her this morning so it might be something Ruby has started for herself. Where does she get this stuff? Anyway, her vision so far is: "to work hard so I get more free play time". And she wants to practice a virtue. She's chosen "peacefulness". I suggested she does peacefulness very well and she might want to choose something else, but she's determined. So be it.

And a quote from Max: "why does school start so early? Do they know ABC kids is still on?"

wishing for some peace and calm.

Incomprehensible

2009-02-09T10:36:00.002+10:00

The tragedy across Australia today is heartbreaking.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/our-darkest-day-20090208-810q.html

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25024363-3102,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25024236-3102,00.html

I can't imagine how the families impacted by this horrific weekend are going to rebuild their lives - but I hope they find the strength, courage and support they need for the days, weeks and months ahead.

sending peace and love, x

Flourish - fabulous, elegant, so pretty and now open

2009-02-01T13:11:00.009+10:00

It was our very great pleasure to go along to the opening night of a beautiful store which is a new business venture for our dear friends Jan and Ruth. Flourish is a scrapbooking store with flair. Beautifully decorated, thoughtfully stocked with delicious products and with incredibly fabulous creative souls in charge of their classes and design (Lorna and Briohny). I can feel the promise of many happy and creative days spent there with these beautiful, kind, warm and generous women.

Megan took some amazing photos on the opening night.

the tres chic entrance area:

some lovely products (and one of my fave photos):

beautiful Bazzill (row after delightful row of it):

the glamour girls (Briohny, Ruth, Lorna, Jan):

some lovely guests and super scrapbookers/photographers - Rachel Richter, Leanne Stamatellos and Michelle Jamieson:Ruth and Jan with super talented and super fabulous Ngaire Bartlam - looking very much like a formal and fancy pic with the Queen :) : and lastly, a pic I like because if you look really hard you'll see a photo of me and my love :)
If you live in Brisbane, you should pop in to Flourish - it's at 3/12 Kenrose St in Carina. Jan and Ruth will make you very welcome.

wishing you peace and love, k xxxx

And so it begins.....

2009-02-01T12:27:00.004+10:00

Ruby started back at school on Wednesday. Max started at a new kindy on Friday. It's been a week of excitement, drama, tears and joy.

Ruby was happy to get back to school and her friends and to continue her relentless pursuit of knowledge. She was anxious about starting Year 1 because she can't spell "investigate". Not quite sure why it was such a big hurdle for her, but when I told her there are probably some grown ups who can't spell "investigate" she felt a lot better about starting Year 1.

After dropping Ruby off at school I took Max to kindy. The very same kindy he's been going to for 3 years now. He sobbed and ranted and clung to my leg. "I need Ruby, I need Ruby, I need Ruby". Oh dear. I wasn't expecting this to happen. Then he realised that all his friends (he only has a few close ones) have started school this year. More drama. It was a tough job convincing him to stay.

Then on Friday, Max started at his new kindy (Wynnum Manly C+K) where he'll go every Thursday/Friday from now on. He was excited about starting, but collapsed in tears when we actually got there. "They don't know me, no one will like me......." and on and on and on. I wasn't expecting it to be quite the drama it turned out to be, but then that's Max. After he questioned the teachers endlessly about why he had to call them "Mrs..." and what they would be doing at specific times of the day and what kind of toys they had and what programs were on the computer and whether the teacher actually really liked little boys or if girls were their favourite......and more, he began to cut them some slack. When I left he was sitting on Mrs O'Shea's lap snuggling into her neck - all part of his cunning plan to make them love him so he never gets in trouble for doing crazy naughty things.

At the end of the day Max declared that it was "the best kindy ever" and that he loved everything. He has happily agreed to go back next week. Thank heavens.

There's been a whole lot of other stuff happening this week which has been completely exhuasting. Looking forward to a better week ahead.....

sending you peace and love

kath xxxx

A week in Noosa

2009-01-23T16:50:00.007+10:00

I had almost convinced myself that I wouldn't enjoy going back to exactly the same unit in exactly the same town for 2 years in a row. Of course I was wrong.

We've just got back from a very fabulous and restful holiday in Noosa. Going somewhere familiar, was just what we needed. Ruby and Max enjoy feeling connected to a place and to people, so they loved visiting the same places around Noosa, doing the same activities (going to the beach, going out in a boat, swimming in the pool, going to the movies) and catching up again with Frank (resort manager) and his little dog Buddy.

We were all feeling very calm and zen when we got home last week. So much so, that we've already booked 2 holidays for this year - to Melbourne in March and Yamba in December. :)

peace, k x

One word for 2009

2009-01-01T18:23:00.006+10:00

Welcome 2009.

For the last few years, I've chosen one word for the year. A word to focus on, a word to shape my efforts and push me along in a direction I'm hoping to go.

Last year my word was Believe. This year, my word is BREATHE. It's not too fancy, not too aspirational, but just what I need. Less chaos, less panic, more resilience, more mindful breathing.

I feel a bit guilty that my word isn't ambitious, but I think I'm exhausted by my own ambitious expectations. I'm now looking for a quiet patch and am hoping 2009 is the year for it. But honestly, 4 days in and it doesn't appear to be shaping up that way. Let's see how it unfolds.

''Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.'' Oprah

wishing you peace for the year ahead.
xxxx

Ready to leap into 2009

2008-12-31T16:29:00.004+10:00

2008 has been tricky. Challenging, confronting, annoying, frantic and just plain tricky. Of course, there were some fabulous days, but mostly it's been a very long, emotional and exhausting slog.

I'm now (finally) realistic enough to know that 2009 may bring more of the same, but I'm hopeful it will also bring more understanding, compassion, patience, thoughtfulness, contentment, peace and love.

I'm thankful this year ends today. I believe you get a fresh start at new year's. We're ready to leap into it.

Be happy and safe tonight.
xxxx

Happy everything - from us to you

2008-12-30T07:57:00.002+10:00

I've always enjoyed the days between Christmas and New Year. A time for calm reflection, playing with new toys, reading new books and just quiet pottering around the house. In theory anyway ;)

Our quiet pottering was interspersed with quiet cursing yesterday while we put up the new trampoline.

So as the season for wearing funny hats comes to an end, happy everything from us to you.

peace and love, k, m, r, m xxxx

Peace and love

2008-12-29T09:43:00.003+10:00

After many years of wishing and sending peace and love, here they are. These sweet little poppets arrived from Canberra, made by my very dear and talented friend Cindy. Thanks Cin, I love them. xx

peace and love, k x

I made a pavlova!

2008-12-29T00:10:00.004+10:00

It was on last year's list :)

We came home today. I like coming home. Ruby does too. The boys seem to be wishing they were still somewhere else.

wishing you peace and calm.

Time to play

2008-12-23T15:43:00.002+10:00

I'm looking forward to playing lots of games with Ruby and Max through the school holidays. We're big players - well Ruby, Max and I are - Mark, not so much.

I was very *very* very pleased that Ruby has figured out how to play Scrabble. I LOVE Scrabble. And she's competitive. She played really well. I don't like to lose and it looks like she might be tough to beat as she gets older.

This was our first ever family Scrabble game. :)

Can't wait to play the other games after Christmas!

xxxx

p.s. Max was pleased that he got to spell out "poo" :O

Thankful for traditions - new and old

2008-12-22T09:50:00.002+10:00

I love Christmas trees. LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

Each year we make or buy new decorations, it's one of the things we do each Christmas. Ruby and Max have made MANY decorations for the tree this year. Our dear old tree is groaning under the strain of bazillions of lovingly made 'gifts for the tree'.

How do you decorate your tree - with sentimental stuff or designer flair?

peace and love to you xxxx

The big list

2008-12-12T22:08:00.002+10:00

I don't think I've been a super achiever against the list this last year. I think I put too many life goals on the list. Realistically I should have known that I wouldn't have the $$ or the time to do ALL of the things on the list. So the next list will be more achievable. Maybe. Or maybe it won't be. I am always an optimist. Always setting challenges that I can't possibly achieve. So be it. But I LOVE trying.

So what did I do?

1. see a platypus in the wild - well no.
2. run for 6kms without stopping and without collapsing - well no. But I did make 3kms.
3. lose 6 kgs - well no. But I lost 2 - 3kgs.
4. re-read "The Art of Happiness" YES. Done
5. learn about Catholic religious practices so I understand what Ruby's doing at school. YES. Done
6. help with reading in Ruby's class for a morning every 6 weeks or so - Ah, no.
7. write a card or a letter each week - well not each week, but I did write at least 1 a month.
8. sew my own skirts. Yes. Well I made 1.
9. take Ruby and Max to Canberra. I took myself to Canberra (but only for work). Did not take the kids anywhere out of Queensland this year. :(
10. read 5 new authors. YES! Sure did.
11. order Moo cards. No. I didn't because I changed my mind.
12. make a pavlova. No. But I ate a lot of meringues. Surely that counts.
13. have a holiday in Sydney. *sigh* No.
14. hire a kayak every now and then. Only once. Not often enough really.
15. buy a Max ring. Yes. Maybe. I got a cheap ring (gorgeous black rose) and Max has said it will be a Max ring until we can afford diamonds.
16. do a photo session every month. Yes. I have taken a lot of pics this year.
17. learn how to use the different functions on my camera properly YES! I did a fantastic photography course and am booked in for another one in a couple of months time.
18. use the treadmill at least 4x every week. ah, no. I did it for a couple of months, but it didn't last.
19. ride my bike! Yes. But only once. :)
20. organise play dates for Ruby and Max. Yes, they had a few.
21. print all of Ruby and Max's baby photos. YES.
22. buy a new suit. I'll get another one in winter. YES.
23. have a pedicure. YES.
24. reconnect with Rod and Donna. Sadly no.
25. take a Pilates class. No.
26. learn how to use CUBA (work thing). YES!
27. take Ruby and Max bushwalking. YES
28. read the newspaper. More than just on the weekends that is. YES. Not every day but regularly.
29. subscribe to Crikey. YES (and no). My dear friend Sam sent me her subscription very regularly. Thanks Sam. xx
30. blog at least once a week. I'm going to say YES. It was close.
31. practice compassion everyday. I've really focused on this. So YES.
32. write to Souerng often. No, not often enough.
33. stretch every day. No.
34. download fave songs/albums from the internet. Um, no. How did this get on my list?
35. make time to escape every month or so. YES, I believe I have.
36. write my "I believe" manifesto. YES.
37. back up my digital photos. YES. I've started, just recently.
38. surprise Mark. Maybe.
39. replant the front garden. Nope.
40. stick with natural medicines to improve my health. Yes, mostly.
41. spend a day with Mark every month or so. Only a few days this year.
42. buy some gorgeous new perfume. YES! Of course.

So in the last 12 months I've done 23 out of 43 things on the list. I think that's OK. My next list might be a wee bit less ambitious but I'm happy with 23 things.

peace and love, k xxxx

A happy day. Lots to be thankful for around here.

2008-12-11T22:28:00.002+10:00

It was my birthday yesterday. I forget how old I am now. Sadly the kids remember the number very clearly. It's a number somewhere between 0 and 100. :)

Things that I loved about my birthday:

It was a happy happy day. It started with a phone call from Mum before any of us were awake. And then Max (in our bed) rolling over sleepily and saying "do you know it's your birthday today?" before he even woke up properly. And then a big hug. Ruby was close behind with sleepy but intense and sincere birthday wishes.
Cake and chocolates were prepared before breakfast but it was decided (not by me) to save them until dinner time because someone thought 7am was too early to be peeling and scoffing white Lindor balls. *sigh*
I received lots of beautiful wishes yesterday from family and friends - thanks so much for thinking of me. xx
We tripped up to the Eumundi markets for a family day out (thanks to Mark for taking the day off work x) - it was hot and humid and we were all sweaty and stinky by lunchtime. Lurvely.
I had a fabulouso coffee and a stroll around Berkelouw bookshop (which I LOVE). Only bought one book for me (a stephanie Dowrick one cause I'm in *that* frame of mind). 4 for Ruby and 1 for Max.
We ate deliciously healthy market foods - organic vegie meals and frozen mango juice ice blocks. Yum.
I had a big long and high swing. I love to swing, so invigorating, wish I did it more often!
We came home, sat on the front verandah, drank beer and ordered Indian takeaway for tea - yum yum yum butter chicken and naan. I don't think it gets any better than that.

It was a perfect day. Here's some pics:

I was very spoiled this year. Tickets to Billy Joel (it was a seriously brilliant concert), a new tripod (hooray!), a book, a Billy Joel DVD, some cutlery that Max chose for me to take to work and more. I also got Wes' single CD! I love Wes, but I think we only played the CD about 37 times yesterday, not nearly enough really. ;)

peace and love xxxx

The theme is thanks

2008-12-09T06:58:00.003+10:00

I stumbled across nablopomo this morning. I like it. Every month there's a theme. This month's them is 'thanks'. I love having a theme, a word, something to focus on.

I'm feeling very thankful today. I've got a good home, I'm well loved and we're pretty safe and secure in as many ways as we can be.

I'm thankful for an afternoon of pottering and dithering yesterday with Jan and Ruth.

I'm thankful for the friendship and kindness of the lovely Bernadette who makes the best coffee in Wynnum and who happily dispenses medical/relationship/parenting advice with her coffee.

I'm thankful for a week off work to get organised before Christmas.

I'm thankful for the support of good people in my local community. A quick visit to the local shops yesterday turned into more than 2 hours of chatting with people here and there.

I'm thankful as always for Ruby and Max and their generous love. Ruby came home yesterday with her little craft creations, including many, many love notes for me and her daddy. She writes about her love. Max talks about it. He gushes with love and describes his feelings beautifully.

And today, I'm also thankful to Rachel for pics like this one from a recent session:

what are you thankful for?

sending you peace and love xxxx

Not a preppie anymore

2008-12-08T19:14:00.002+10:00

Ruby finished Prep last Friday. She's excited about being a Year 1 kid next year. And I'm super excited that Mrs McConnon will be her teacher again next year.

Ruby's had a big, positive and fabulous first year of school. Thank heavens! Her end of year report card is lovely:

Teacher comments:
Ruby's commitment to work and her exceptional behaviour have contributed to a very successful year. Interactions with peers are always peaceful as she has the ability to negotiate and compromise in a calm and quiet manner. Independence with learning is demonstrated when she orgaises her materials and work space efficiently and effectively without assistance. Ruby has made exceptional progress this semester with her reading and writing. Her ability to spell phonetically is very accurate and she is able to confidently read back her own writing. During handwriting tasks, Ruby is still using 2 fingers with her thumb to support the pencil. Ruby has established a very sound bank of sight words and is reading books confidently. In the area of Early Mathematical Understandings, Ruby has grasped the concepts covered this semester. Ruby has also made sound progress in the area of Active Learning Processes. This was especially evident during discussions and activities on our Bay Unit. Ruby has been a fantastic role model for her peers and it is wonderful to see the amount of effort Ruby puts into her work. Well done Ruby.

Student comments:
At school I enjoy drawing, the sandpit, collage, writing, seeing our buddies and going to Drama. My friends are Emily, Macey and Meika. This semester I have learnt how to write the right way and how to look after our Bay by not putting rubbish in drains. I have learnt about fairies and how to look after our Nazareth House buddies. My buddy has helped me with Healthy Harold activities. I need to work on writing. I am good at reading and drawing.

I love how they ask the kids for their assessment of their own progress. Beautiful. It's been a good year.

Day One

2008-12-01T20:55:00.006+10:00

Day 1 of summer. I love summer. For the first day of this beautiful season, a quote:

"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air". Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I really would loved to have met RWE, many of his words inspire me.

And day 1 of the advent season. I've joined up for Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class. I'll get many, many prompts between now and 6 January to get me thinking (and writing and photographing) about what I love the most about Christmas. I'm excited!

Our tree is up, we're tinselled out.

Can't have a post without a photo, so here's a pic from 1 December 2004:

and from 1 December 2005:

and from 1 December 2007:

I'll try and post often during December. No guarantees of course, but I'll try.

wishing you peace and calm

k xxxx

Random things

2008-11-12T19:38:00.010+10:00

I love lists. So here's a list of some random things about our lives from the last couple of weeks:

We have been *addicted* to Australian Idol this season. We've never really watched it before, but this year we fell for it completely. Max loved Teale, Kath and Ruby loved Wes (and Luke) and Mark loved all the girls (of course) but especially Sophie and Roshani (oh blergh). We all had 1 vote each every week, although sometimes I snuck in 2 ;) There was some quiet sobbing when Teale left. Max was shattered. He kept saying, very quietly: "I voted for him you know. I loved him very much". Yes, we know Max. But hooray for Wes! We're not sure quite what we'll do on Sunday nights now.
Ruby's end of year school performance was today. I was in a mad rush to get there from work and forgot my camera. *sigh* One of the other mums took some pics for me. It was fabulous - lots of energetic singing and dancing to Wiggles songs. Cute.
School finishes at lunchtime on Friday next week. Good grief, how did that come around so fast?
Ruby and Max have prepared their lists for Santa. Max has asked for a trampoline, a Roary racing track, a Hot Wheels racing track, any kind of racing track that's available really, a Spiderman motorbike, a Roary DVD, any Roary stuff really and a lot of things that he says he can't remember but Santa knows about. Ruby has asked Santa to bring her a surprise present.
There's been a little bit of drama at school with a boy (who has special needs) attaching himself to Ruby. He was pinching and hitting and pushing her over every day at lunch time but she didn't say anything because she didn't want him to get in trouble. It seems to be mostly sorted now, but it was tricky for a week or so while Ruby worked out how she could talk to the boy about being her friend and not hurting her. He has since written her a beautiful card saying he won't hurt her, that he wants to be her friend and that he really likes her lunchbox. I'm super impressed by how Ruby has handled this.
Max took up soccer. It lasted for one week. The boy has no staying power.

Max got accepted into an incredible local kindy. We put his name down quite late, so were very grateful to get a call offering him a place on the days we'd hoped for. He starts on January 30th and he cannot wait. He's got the t-shirts, the hat and the library bag and he's ready to go.
I've thrown myself into the world of C+K with great gusto. I'm always committed to doing volunteer work in the community so I've been thinking about being how I could be involved in Max's new kindy. So last night at the AGM, in a moment of madness, I offered to be the President. Looks like the year ahead will be challenging but fun. I'm looking forward to building even stronger connections with local families and the community.
Ruby was the prayer monitor at school last week - it was a responsibility she took very seriously. We talked about what she could pray for and what she should place on the prayer mat each day. She thanked God for jacaranda trees and the rain we received (although she may have overdone the prayers for rain) and her friends and her family and rainbows and other random things. Beautiful.
Jan and I took R, M, E and H for a quick (and chaotic) photo shoot a couple of weeks ago when the jacarandas were flowering. I really want to get out and about more taking pics. Here's a couple:

I went to Kylie Johnson's Christmas show last weekend, with my dear friend Jan. I've loved Paper Boat Press things for a few years now, but this years treasures are gorgeous. I bought some of these:

pic from www.biome.com.au

I've been on a ticket buying frenzy the last couple of days. We've got tickets to The Awfully Big Adventures of Peter Pan in January; Tina Arena in March and Spaced Out Santa next weekend. I'll probably take a breath and stop ticket shopping for a little while.....
We're getting ready for Christmas. Hoo haa, we love Christmas. We'll be decking the halls of Chez Thompson this weekend.

and to finish this marathon post, a couple of random quotes:

Max "I like daddy lions best. You know, the ones with beards". heehee

"I don't think Max has turned his brain on today"

"mummy - is the Santa that comes to our house different to the Santa that goes to other people's houses?" "no." "mmmmm, well then why does Santa put fruit and toothbrushes and apple juice in our Santa bags? Emily and Sarah and Meika and Macey don't get fruit or other stuff like that. They just get toys".

"Mummy, did you know that the Tooth Fairy pays $20 for a tooth?" What???! "Yes mummy, that's the amount he pays. it's a fact".

"Mummy I love you so much more than you love me. I don't think anyone else loves you so much" oh dear.

Sending you peace and love,

k, m, r, m xxxx

Intense, emotional, loving, passionate, perfect

2008-11-05T21:55:00.004+10:00

November 2005: November 2008:
*sigh*
We love him.

2005 pic taken by Rachel Richter

We love Rachel

2008-11-01T18:51:00.002+10:00

She is amazing.

We had some photos taken today with Rachel. Have a look at what she's done. Look here. Beautiful.

Love these pics. Can't wait to see the rest.

Promise to be back with a real post soon. :)

"Will I still be your baby when I'm a poppy?"

2008-10-16T21:56:00.002+10:00

The big boy - our baby boy - is 4. Good grief. He didn't want to be 4. Although he was pretty keen to get presents and cake. Just didn't want to be a big boy. I think he was worried he wouldn't be my baby anymore. After telling him he would "always be my baby", the questions started: "when I'm 14 will I be your baby?" - yes Max; "when I'm 40 will I be your baby?" - yes Max; "will I still be your baby when I'm a poppy?" - yes Max - and then lots of rolling around laughing.

So this fabulous boy......

grew from this amazing baby......

Don't be freaked out by the caesar photo - it's one of my fave pics of all time!

Happy Birthday baby Max. We love you.

peace and love, k, m, r, m xxxx

Searching for the perfect birthday cake......

2008-09-21T16:54:00.003+10:00

Max's birthday is in 2 weeks time. Which is a short time for me, but a long time to wait for Max. This afternoon we've been looking at birthday cakes on Flickr. Max is very keen to have a Cars cake. The current fave is Mack (picture #8). It took a bit of influencing but he's sold. Thankfully because it's probably the only one I could make!

Wow, there are some INCREDIBLE birthday cakes on Flickr.

1. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Hunting, 2. Cars, 3. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= from cars, 4. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= mcqueen, 5. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= 5, 6. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= mcqueen cake, 7. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=, The Tow Truck, 8. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= truck and the rice krispie cake, 9. http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= GT

peace and love

kath and max

xxxx

May peace prevail

2008-09-21T14:47:00.005+10:00

Today is International Day Of Peace. This day was declared by the United Nations in 1982 and it was suggested that:

"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

International Peace Day is about "peacebuilding". Peacebuilding is different from "peacemaking" and "peacekeeping" in that it focuses on creating a long-term culture of peace, rather than solving existing conflicts or preventing old ones from re-occurring. Peacebuilding activities aim at building understanding and tolerance between individuals, communities and societies and establishing new structures of cooperation. Peacebuilding activities range in scale from personal acts of kindness toward others to global inter-governmental programs.

What can you do to build peace in your community, your home, your heart?

May peace prevail.

k, m, r, m xxxx

Questions that I can't answer

2008-09-17T17:23:00.004+10:00

Question One: Today, Max and I went along to a "Celebration of Learning" in Ruby's class. The very beautiful and very smart teacher, Mrs McConnon, gushed enthusiastically about Ruby's talents - her reading, writing, drawing and work with numbers - and then asked: "Is Max as bright as Ruby?"

Good grief. That wasn't a question I was prepared for. He's a good boy. He's good with numbers, he's legendary for his table setting skills, he loves reading, he's a patient drawer, he can unpack the dishwasher without breaking stuff and his colouring in talents are second to none. So, of course I said "yes, I think he is" and listed his many talents. But I'm not sure. Although I think he probably is. Do I have to know the answer to this tricky question? Does it mean that Mrs McConnon (who is a fabulous teacher) would want him in her class if he's as good a student as Ruby? Or not? Personally, I have doubts over Max's ability to sit straight on the carpet, to be serious and respectful when they're saying prayers, to concentrate and just generally do what he's asked to do for 6 hours each day. I didn't say that. Thank heavens she didn't ask me about that.

Question Two: I was reading a magazine -so I really should know better than seriously contemplating this - and the question was asked: "if you were in a life threatening situation and could only save yourself and one member of your family, who would it be?" I've probably spent 2 days or more thinking about this question and whipping myself with guilt if I start to settle on a name. God help me, I don't even need to think about this. What a useless and annoying question.

Question Three: How much weight do you think you could lose before the end of October? Oh dear. What an awful question. I am very committed to losing some weight, but how much and in what timeframe? I seriously have no idea. However, if I was really pushed to answer I might commit to 1kg cause I think I could achieve that ;)

Question Four: Again, asked today by Mrs McConnon - super smart and beautiful teacher. She's really messed with my head this afternoon. "Do you think Max will be OK in Prep without experience in Kindy?" While in my head I believe he will be, in my heart it feels like my kids have missed out on some great adventure because they didn't have a C+K experience. This is mad! But my maternal guilt kicked in and I drove directly to the kindy Mrs McConnon recommended and put my smart, well socialised and well adjusted darling boy's name on the waiting list. He's #12 on the wait list so chances are he'll get a run at kindy next year sometime.

I really wish I didn't overthink everything. Oh well.

Fairy Funday Sunday

2008-09-14T12:47:00.002+10:00

Guess what we did this morning?

We had a glorious start to our Sunday.

This morning we went to "Fairy Funday Sunday" at our favourite local bookshop for their launch of the Music Fairies series of Rainbow Magic Fairies. Of course, Ruby dressed as Ruby the Red Fairy - for the second time this week! Max was Heather the Violet Fairy (his wings were violet coloured).

Three beautiful musical fairies played flutes and clarinets for the little fairies as they played musical statues, swirled to classical music, listened to a fairy story and did a Fairy fashion parade. It was a very special morning. Max fell in love with one of the "big girl fairies", thanking her at the end of the music and telling her "you are a very beautiful blue fairy and I love your music". The beautiful blue fairy (a 14yo girl from Cannon Hill Anglican College) blushed, swooned and gave Max a little hug. He was very pleased. Meanwhile I was swooning a wee bit for the Music Fairy Director, Mr Christensen. Gorgeous.

We bought books and coffee and love heart shaped cookies. A good morning.

Happy Sunday to you.

xxxx

Happy Father's Day

2008-09-13T14:00:00.003+10:00

to daddy. Of course, it was a big daddy love fest here last weekend. But it seems like a daddy love fest most days now. Ruby is besotted with daddy and even Max is warming up to the idea. Finally.

Ruby made a puzzle and a very beautiful card with lots of love hearts and declarations of love.

Max made an amazing bowl (papier mache and fabric) and a fabulous thumb printed card.

We took daddy (and Poppy Woods) out to lunch at Redcliffe. Followed up by some rollicking fun at the park.

Mark's a good daddy, he deserves a special day.

peace and love
xxxx

Term 3 is a busy term

2008-09-13T13:18:00.003+10:00

We received a letter from school a few weeks ago saying "Term 3 is a busy term". No kidding. It's been insane. In the last couple of weeks, Ruby has had a full schedule with

her first ever sports carnival. It was fabulous. Ruby threw herself into all of the activities with a sense of adventure and excitement. The day was all about fun, not competition. Everyone got stickers and cheers and rewards. It was a really positive experience for the kids. Here are some pics of our big beautiful girl in the sprint (with her friend Emily), on the obstacle course and having some rest with her good buddy Madeline.

the preppies have also recently visited Nazareth House (a retirement home) again. Ruby has a new buddy at Nazareth House, but can't remember her name. Her previous buddy - Vera - who she's visited a few times before, isn't there anymore. It's possible that Vera died, but of course we're not going to talk about that.
the big school Fete was 2 weeks ago. Ruby practiced a dance routine for weeks and weeks to perform at the Fete, but then sprained her foot pretty badly the day before and couldn't do it. I had cake stall duties from 7.30am and Mark had a massage stand from 10 - 2 at the Fete, so we didn't miss out completely. :)
Book Parade this week. We didn't really have enough time to be very creative with costumes, but Ruby was pretty happy to go as "Ruby the Red Fairy". She was a beautiful and very red, red fairy. She was excited that she got to lead the Book Parade at school assembly with Chelsea (her big buddy from Year 6). No photos because neither Mark nor I could go. Sadly.
a big all day marine adventure excursion yesterday out on a catamaran and then down to Wellington Point to an environmental centre to study marine life in Moreton Bay. Sounds like it was an incredible day. Ruby's class has been studying environmental issues of Moreton Bay all semester.

Next Wednesday the class is hosting a "Celebration of Learning" presentation where they'll show their discoveries. I'm going to that. :)

The school offers an amazing range of stimulating and engaging activities for the kids. We're really grateful for that.

peace and love

xxxx

Weekend at nanny and poppy's

2008-08-14T16:32:00.003+10:00

We trekked out to mum's last weekend for birthday celebrations.

It was a fun but freezing cold and exhausting weekend.

Max found Gruffalo tracks. Unbelievable. But true. He even found some food that the Gruffalo had chewed up and spat out. Very scary experience.

There was some tractor driving.

And a birthday dinner with family.

Happy birthday nanny and poppy Lloyd.

xxxx

Recent conversations

2008-08-14T16:22:00.003+10:00

With Ruby

R: (walking up the stairs) "I've got sand in my shoes"
K: "better shake it out before you go inside then"
R: (stands outside the back door BUT leans over to shake the sand out inside the house) !!
K: (gives R the cranky stare and arm waving gesture in disbelief)
R: *sigh* "well then - do it, I'm waiting"
K: "do what?"
R: "you know......the shouting thing"
K: "OK. Jesus Rube what were you thinking....?"
R: "do you love Jesus mummy? I love Jesus. He's very special"
K: *sigh*

With Ruby and Max
K - wearing a jarmie shirt that says "Dag"
R - "are you a dag mummy?"
K - "maybe. do you know what a dag is?"
R - "I think dag means you are crazy and silly but still very fabulous"
M - "no it just means you're shouty and naughty - like a mummy"
K: *sigh*

Random things about our lives

2008-08-04T20:10:00.003+10:00

Ruby announced this afternoon that there was a very special visitor at school today. Mary MacKillop. When I suggested Mary MacKillop had been dead a long time, Ruby insisted it was "the REAL Mary MacKillop and she wasn't dead." Apparently Mary likes "helping people, being kind, talking to kids, throwing stones and playing hopscotch". All good things. Although she has been dead for 99 years! Yes, I googled.

Max has saved all his goodnight kisses "in his pocket". Ruby says she keeps her kisses "in her heart".

Max has finally admitted to having a friend - who is a boy - at kindy. Orlando is the lucky boy. But Max has also said "I only like him sometimes. I like McKinley ALL the time."

We had a big, fun weekend. Ballet, shopping at Paddington, playing with friends and a BIG day out Byron Bay. Byron Bay was crazy and chaotic. Especially as the Splendour in the Grass festival was in full swing. The markets were not the main attraction for Byron this weekend so they were quiet'ish. Market highlights for our happy little family included: bungee bouncing, merry go rounding, eating falafel, getting hair braids, delicious (but ugly) green smoothies, watching the drummers, enjoying the very warm winter sun. A beautiful day.

We pick up our new car this Friday. Max is having buyer's remorse. On one hand he loves that the car is "a bit sporty" and he's looking forward to driving fast and hanging on tight. But on the other hand, he's pretty upset about the size of the "fin". He lies in bed flapping around moaning about the 'fin' not being big enough and wishing we'd got a real 'fin' and not just a 'wing'. He's talking about the size of the spoiler. God help us. Who'd have thought we were the kind of people to ever own a car with a spoiler of any size!

Kath's pre Christmas panic has started early - after waking up in a cold sweat too many times from a dream that it's late on Christmas Eve and we don't have a single present. Not that our lives would end if that was the case......but there would be some explaining to do. So our Christmas shopping has started early. Santa has already got a good stash.

Ruby has 'show and share' this Thursday. The theme is "God's creation". She's thinking of talking about love. Of course. Apparently her show and share will involve love hearts, love letters and Barbie dolls hugging. eek.

Here's some pics from the weekend:

peace and love and splendour xxx

What's that there, can you see?

2008-07-29T19:37:00.002+10:00

We had a fantastic adventure today. We skipped school (:o) and went to a very colourful, very energetic, very fabulous concert.

Thanks Justine, we love you.

peace and love xxxx

p.s. am I the only one who thinks Justine is the "Kasey Chambers wannabe chick" of Playschool? Although she may be more kooky than country.

Love is a tune you hum-de-hum-hum

2008-07-16T20:24:00.003+10:00

Oh Bang! A boom-a-boomerang is love.

We're having a BIG ABBA festival around here lately. The DVD is playing endlessly :)

Ruby is love obsessed so of course her fave ABBA song is Bang-a-boomerang. Her fave ABBA chick is Agnetha - of course, because she looks like a princess. Max (who can never decide) loves all the songs and all of the "ABBA people".

I wish I could remember all the ABBA dance moves - *sigh*.

In other - non ABBA news - Max believes he "will be a man when he's 5" and that he accidentally ate a monster while he was asleep last night. Scary stuff. Ruby believes that daddy gives the "best hugs ever" and that she knows all there is possibly to know about money. She's pleased to have "5 pieces of money". She might have a bit more to learn yet. ;)

We've also bought a new car which we'll pick up in early August.

I'm back at work now after a short but super fabulous break for school holidays.

Be happy and well.
xxxx

The photo is from www.abbasite.com

I'm wearing purple today :)

2008-07-13T16:16:00.001+10:00

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

I think this was written by Jenny Joseph.
I wish I had a red hat.
xxxx

Thursday, Thursday

2008-07-11T16:19:00.004+10:00

I knew I couldn't keep with a post a day every day for a week. But I have taken a few photos every day :)

Thursday:

We went to New Farm Park. Hooray! It was on the holiday list so it was a must do. Both declared it is probably the "favourite park" now. It is rather fabulous. And on the river, so glorious. And with a most magnificent rose garden. And when we visited, there was an orchestra playing (so Ruby said), but it was really just a handful of people with instruments, including wild drums, who sounded amazing.

We ate canoli in Italy. Well at Cibo anyway -which is an Italian cafe, so it's almost the same.

We went to a gorgeous bookshop and looked and looked and looked. When R+M realised it was not a library, they became a lot more focused on the task of choosing. Lying on your tummy reading books in the middle of a bookshop is probably not bookshop etiquette but that was before the discovery that Mary Ryan's is not actually a library. We came home with a very small but greatly treasured box of Kung Fu Panda books and a glittery, sparkly book about a rabbit who becomes a fairy. Of course.

The only high drama in our fabulous day was Max showing off at the playground. Seeing me coming towards him he started going crazy on the fort, then threw himself at a "sliding down pole" only to cop a whack to the head and land on his stomach, because he forgot to hold on and slide.

I'm loving school holidays. I wish I could have 13 weeks off every year........*sigh*

peace and love xxxx

p.s. I need to add - Ruby has started styling her own hair. Her favoured look is one low pony. It takes her about 15 - 20 minutes to get it looking exactly how she wants it - as shown above. :) Not my style of choice, but so be it, she's her own girl.

Wynnum Plaza - we love you

2008-07-09T16:05:00.004+10:00

It's a cold and windy wintry day in Wynnum. Too cold to go to Italy. Or even to go to New Farm Park. Our plans of catching the Citycat across to the park were quickly discarded when we realised how freakin' cold it is today. So we went to the place we love to go for treats - Wynnum Plaza.

We came home with donuts (!), a fire engine, a teensie eensie Lightning Macqueen and some new Barbie clothes, including a wedding dress (complete with veil, shoes and a bouquet). Since we've been home Barbie has married Chelsea and had a post wedding ride in the fire truck. Happy days. All the wedding guests dressed up for the occasion, including the cars. Sadly, the wedding photographer missed the action because she was having a hot cup of tea.

And for something else. It's 14 years today since Mark and I met. 9 July 1994 was a special day. This photo isn't from then, but it wasn't long after. 14 happy years. We're hoping for many more. :)

peace and love

xxxx

A list for today

2008-07-08T18:42:00.008+10:00

I like the name "Sunday Rose". Even though she may be called "Sunday roast". Poor wee poppet.
I'd like some sunny days now for the rest of the school holidays. Rainy days are tedious.
Today we went to Spotlight. I think they purposefully recruit the most gnarly, growly, child hating, unemployable people ever. It certainly seemed like that today.
We bought rugs and fabric for curtains today. Hooray.
We had an afternoon tea picnic with day old cupcakes - it was fabulous.
Ruby is insisting I call her "Elizabeth" and Max wants to be "Mary".
Ruby has been on the phone calling all her friends to a party she's hosting for herself (Elizabeth) and her brother (Mary).
Elizabeth and Mary are having a birthday party today. We've just sang happy birthday for both of them.
Elizabeth is Mary's mother. I'm Elizabeth's mother. We live in Japan. Elizabeth has another mummy who lives in England. She likes to call her "mother". Elizabeth's husband is dead. He was eaten by a monster, a sad way to go.
The jonquils I bought last Friday are still deliciously fragrant and divine. I miss buying flowers every week. It was a "pre kids" weekly treat that I greatly enjoyed.
We've danced to the ABBA DVD again today - good fun. Ruby thinks ABBA may possibly be better than the Bee Gees, although she's still deciding.
Oven baked pumpkin risotto tastes so much better when you load it up with fetta. Elizabeth says it's "famous".
Max has not yet overcome his fear of hairdressers. Both had haircuts (well trims really) today. It was dramatic. *sigh*
Ruby has reluctantly conceded to having some purple in her room to save us from pink pandemonium. Thankfully. Because there wasn't enough pink twill curtain fabric at Spotlight today. The lilac twill is beautiful.
Today was the first day of my serious diet. I refuse to cut out my daily coffee though. And my glass of wine. And and and. Perhaps it's not a "serious" diet afterall.
I'm angry about what's happening with Dennis Ferguson. I wish the judge had tried him. It's going to cost a lot more to supervise him in the community than it would have in gaol.
Tomorrow we're going "to Italy for a day to eat canoli". I think Italy is in New Farm. I expect that New Farm Park is probably part of Italy too.
I'm loving time off work. I'm especially loving sleeping in till 7.00am and sitting around in my jarmies in the morning drinking cups of tea. Heaven.
In the last couple of weeks I've read Geraldine Brooks 2 most recent books: "March" and "People of the Book" - both magnificent. I was anxious about reading them because I loved "Year of Wonders" so very much and thought I'd be disappointed with her subsequent books. But I think her writing is getting even better. If that's possible.
There was an intensely beautiful sunset tonight. Magical even.

And some pics from our day:

Blogger is being dysfunctional today and I cannot move the sunset from the top to the bottom. I'm OK (well OK'ish) with the day not being perfectly chronological. Hope you are too.

peace and love, xxxx

Week 2 of the school holidays

2008-07-07T20:01:00.006+10:00

Day One.

Today we:
* ate strawberries for breakfast.
* saw Kung Fu Panda. Scary for Ruby. "Not scary enough" for Max. So he said.
* played with Madeline. We looked for bugs, but only found a grasshopper. Ruby quickly threw it into the chickens who devoured it with delight.
* baked banana cupcakes. R, M and M decorated 4 each - colourful butterflies and flowers and pigs and some just plain sprinkly ones. Beautiful. And delicious.

A perfect day.

peace out.

xxxx

Happy Birthday Jan

2008-07-07T14:53:00.003+10:00

Our dear and beautiful Jan celebrated her 40th birthday last Thursday. Saturday night was the birthday bash - we had a fantastico time at a gorgeously grown up cocktail party.

Happy Birthday party girl, we love you. xx

It's been a long while since Mark and I sipped on cocktails all night. I know Jan would say that she was disappointed I didn't drink the cocktail list with her (and maybe I did have a few soft drinks and a lot of water) but the bartender's list was 400 cocktails long - apparently. Too much for me! Although I was brave enough to drink the cocktail that no one else would drink - and I loved it.

It was a good fun night. Thanks Jan and Col.

xxxx

Ruby's first report card :)

2008-06-17T20:08:00.002+10:00

We had our first ever parent/teacher/student interview this evening. It confirmed our beliefs about Ruby. Yes, it's true - she's fabulous.

From the report card (summary of achievement):

Teacher comments
Ruby is a very quiet and gentle member of our class and despite her shyness has made a very smooth transition into Prep. Socially, Ruby limits her interactions with just one or two peers however as Ruby's confidence continues to develop, so to will her ability to interact with a range of peers. Reading, writing and number recognition are areas where Ruby is achieving commendable results. Ruby thoroughly enjoys writing and allocates a lot of her class time to write for personal purposes. Fine and gross motor skills are continuing to develop with increasing strength and control. Three goals in these areas for Ruby to work on next semester include improving upper body strength, balls skills and cutting with more accuracy and control. Ruby is a very cooperative student who is always willing to try new experiences. Well done Ruby.

Student comments
My favourite thing about Prep is doing work. I like to do drawing, puzzles, play with my friends and go to Sport, Music and Drama. This semester I have enjoyed learning how to write properly and how to look after chickens. Next semester I would like to learn more about writing and how to build houses. My friends at Prep are Emily and Madeline and I like to play 'catch the hat' with them. I am really good at knowing my letters and sitting on the carpet. I would like to get better at hopping and spelling words.

She's an amazing kid. Beautiful, kind and amazing. Well done Ruby.

xxxx

Mackay

2008-06-15T20:52:00.002+10:00

We went for a long drive last weekend to attend my eldest nephew's wedding. Weddings are very special and it was worth the drive to witness Nathan and Sally's celebration. But it was exhausting. I'm not sure we would drive 12 hours straight each way again. Not in a hurry anyway. Ruby and Max were great but I was hopelessly bored in the car, even when I was driving.

Anyhoo, here's some pics from the day:

Nathan and Sally with Greg, Wendy, Chloe and Jamie

Nathan with his girls

Aunty Pat, Aunty Gail, Mum and Wendy

The boy who wouldn't smile

The boy who wouldn't smile with the girl who would barely look at the camera

Me and my darling who keeps me sane. I know we are both looking a bit worse for wear, but it was a long drive and we probably need a holiday!

Hope you are happy and well.

peace and love to you

xxxx

ps. I bought a new camera lens in Mackay. I couldn't hold out a day more!

A visit from Alf, Mother's Day, a broken camera drama and more

2008-06-01T19:50:00.002+10:00

What a busy time it's been here around here. I think our lives will be chaotic for a long while to come - and I'm kind of OK with that. For now. We're all happy in the chaos which is a good thing.
Snapshot update from us:

Max started ballet 3 weeks ago. He did 2 lessons with Miss Trudy - who is absolutely delightful, very ballerina'ish and very kind to little boys who don't fully engage in the whole ballet experience. Yesterday morning as we were rushing around to get out the door to the 9.15 am Saturday ballet class, Max announced that he had finished ballet and he wasn't going again. This was 6 short days after we'd bought the ballet slippers. *sigh*

I started ballet too. It is *exhausting*. So physical. And I've stretched more muscles than I thought I had. The sad news is that I was the tubbiest ballerina in the class.

Mark is busy at work with end of financial year stuff. And he's doing the odd massage through the week and on weekends.

Ruby's been invited to "many" birthday parties for kids from school lately. Last weekend we experienced our first "birthday disco" - it was scary and overwhelming. For me anyway. It was a combined birthday for a 5 yo boy and his 8 yo sister. Every kid from both their classes was invited. So there was about 50 odd kids at the disco. It was insane with lots of big boys and girls running around screaming and squealing, dressed like mini adults. Ruby was a bit daunted but threw herself into the madness after a short time clinging to me.

Max is his usual intense, clingy, neurotic little self. He was very happy to host a little birthday party last weekend for his dear friend McKinley who turned 3.

Ruby's reading and writing is booming. Mrs McConnon (princessy and smart teacher) was very surprised when she realised Ruby is a good little reader. So R is now doing a "sight words" program and is loving the challenge.

We enjoyed the company of "Alf" (do you remember Alf?) a couple of weeks ago. He is the class 'pet' and he is fortunate to stay with a different family every weekend for love and care. Alf was Ruby's constant companion for the weekend.

I've not travelled very much for work lately (which has been a blessing), but am off to Melbourne this week for a couple of days. Ho hum.

We've all been sick with colds, ear infections, sinus infections and the like. 2/4 of us have been on antibiotics. All a bit blergh these last couple of weeks.
Mother's Day was a deliciously quiet day at home. Mark rushed out and bought croissants and latte and we enjoyed breakfast on the front verandah with the Sunday papers. I got some fabulous handmade treasures and some snuggly warm pj's and slippers from my darlings. A perfect day. However, the Mother's Day celebration at school was probably a highlight for me - don't tell Max. All the class mums were invited in for a special celebration on Thursday before MD. There were gifts, performances, massages, kisses, cake and cups of tea. It was a very precious occasion - Ruby is such a beautiful, kind and loving little person. She went OTT this MD to make me feel special. And I did. :)

My camera is still broken. :( With the fright of ever increasing interest rates, I haven't been in to spend the $$ needed to get it sorted out. I expect I'll just have to buy a new lens. I haven't taken any pics for a long while now. I apologise if you've seen these ones before.....

peace and love

xxxx

"He's my boyfriend and his name is Oscar..."

2008-04-25T17:26:00.002+10:00

oh dear. It's starting. There's been a bit of talking about boyfriends lately. Apparently, to have a boyfriend you need to wear lipgloss and hair clips; know how to read and write and understand birthday party etiquette. Apparently.

Fortunately today Oscar is a caterpillar she found in the garden. He is being entertained like a celebrity in our home though.......*sigh*

School holidays

2008-04-11T21:25:00.002+10:00

Ruby's been on school holidays this week. School holidays are a tricky concept to get your head around when you associate the word "holiday" with a week at the beach. Not a week at home with daddy and a crazy little brother.

So in the spirit of a "holiday", Ruby and Max and Mark wrote a (fairly ambitious) 'holiday list':

Go to the beach (done)
Go swimming (not yet)
Go bike riding at the waterfront (done)
Play soccer (not yet)
Play games at home (done)
Have lunch in town with mummy (not yet)
Max and daddy have a haircut (done)
Go to O'Reilly's (done)
Play with Emily (done)

Ruby is determined to do everything on the list and there's only one day of holiday left, Monday. It will be a busy day.

We went to O'Reilly's (Lamington National Park) yesterday and even though it was raining we had a great time and did a short bushwalk. We even did the Treetops walk - which was amazing, but very, very high up in the top of the rainforest. It was very beautiful. We were happy to see some wildlife - including a wallaby, some young kangaroos and lots of beautiful birds. We even fed the noisy king parrots, crimson rosellas and brush turkeys!

Today we went to the beach at Caloundra. Ruby declared the beach as her "favourite place in the whole wide world". We had a fabulous day building sandcastles, splashing in the sea, sitting in the sun, eating icecream and just hanging out at the beach.

The school holidays have been good fun.

peace and love to you from us

xxxx

The List

2008-04-11T21:07:00.004+10:00

I find lists to be very motivating. I'm a list junkie, I *love* lists. I usually write a couple of lists every day. And when I'm very, very stressed I have been known to write lists of my lists. Cause that's what I need when I'm stressed, detailed cross referencing of all the things I haven't yet achieved :)

Anyhoo, back to the big list that matters. I've been quietly working my way through the list and I'm pretty chuffed about that.

I can tick off 4, 26 and 28. I've made good progress on 5, 7, 8, 10, 18, 20, 27, 35 and 41. Hooray.

It might be a while before I make progress with 16 and 17 because I damaged my camera today. Actually I dropped it and the glass (over the lens) broke. I don't know if I can just get the glass replaced or if I need to buy a whole new lens. *sigh* Maybe I need to write a list of things I can sell so I can justify buying a new lens.

"smile, breathe and go slowly"

2008-03-29T15:53:00.002+10:00

I found this quote (or is it a mantra?) on one of my fave websites today: Zen Habits

As my word for the year, 'believe' doesn't seem to be working out too well. I'm not sure why because I know it's a word I need to focus on. But 'breathe' seems to resonate more. SO, I've decided to have 2 words this year. Breathe and believe.

I'm off to "smile, breathe and go slowly" while I frantically tear around the house tidying up and getting ready to go out tonight for our celebration of 11 years of marriage.

Here are some old pics of that happy day in 1997:

xxxx

What does 'meme' mean anyway?

2008-03-27T19:50:00.003+10:00

I've been tagged for a 'meme' by a few lovely friends - Em, Sharon and Maria. I don't really know what 'meme' means, so I'll just follow the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My life is sometimes random and sometimes weird, so this should be easy'ish....even if a bit boring for you. Sorry about that.

1. I think I'm becoming addicted to Berocca. I *need* to have one every morning. Has to be the red one, I don't like the others.

2. I sometimes have panic attacks for crazy little things, even though I can deal with big dramas pretty easily. Or maybe I'm delusional and I don't deal very well with anything. Don't give me feedback about this, it's probably best.

3. I don't like driving across bridges or low level crossings - they make me anxious.

4. I bought a pattern for a skirt today - I want to sew it this weekend.

5. I took my first (and probably only) sickie in 1989. I spent the day in the Sydney Botanic Gardens with a new boyfriend. It was Spring. The very next day our photo was in the Sydney morning paper with a story about getting outdoors in the glorious Spring weather. Good grief!

6. I wish I worked part-time.

7. The pile of books on the floor on my side of the bed is about 2 feet high. I've read most of the books and just couldn't be bothered putting them away.

I'm not going to do rules 3+4, but if you have read this far and feel like sharing seven random things about yourself on your blog, knock yourself out. I'd love to read them. xxxx

What's new?

2008-03-25T20:27:00.002+10:00

I didn't go to Adelaide today. I'd be very happy about that if I didn't feel so unwell.

The latest from the land of Thompson:

* we went to Nanny and Poppy's a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Ruby's birthday with extended family. There was a party, with cake and bubbles and pass the parcel and lots of cousins to hang out with - good fun.

* Ruby turned 5 - it was Crazy Hair Day at school, mumma baked a bazillion sparkly pink cupcakes for a birthday celebration at school and we had Chinese takeaway for dinner as a special treat.

* Easter Bunny found us out an Nanny and Poppy's place - much to Max's surprise. Mummy expertly fielded many questions about how Easter Bunny carries eggs, where he rests on Easter Sunday, how many eggs he leaves for every child, why he doesn't like to come inside, why he feels compelled to hide eggs and more...... Max was very competitive on the egg hunt. Scarily competitive. He kept checking how many eggs Ruby had. And he was convinced that Easter Bunny was still around, most likely leaving more eggs - ha! So he was always on the lookout for him.

* Ruby - for the second year in a row - defied all logic and refused to eat a single chocolate. She just doesn't seem to like chocolate. Crazy but true. Next year we might have to ask EB for some candy eggs or meringue eggs or maybe even cheese eggs!

* Ruby has learned a lot about Easter and has been happy to describe Jesus' death and resurrection to anyone who might be interested. Today she came home all pumped up with stories about "new life". I love her enthusiasm for this new aspect of her life - it's a joy

* We've just about done the 25,000kms we need to do for the the car lease. Only 350kms to do in this last week - easy peasy, we'll go for an adventure on the weekend.

* I'm feeling very old. Today is my 20 year anniversary of working in Government. I remember the day I started as a base grade recruit in Veterans Affairs' Sydney office. Feels like it was many lifetimes ago. I'm not celebrating this anniversary because it just makes me feel like a dinosaur!

* It's our wedding anniversary this weekend - we're trying to decide what to do/where to go on our child-free night out.

Hope your little corner of the world is happy, sunlit and enjoying "new life". :)

xxxx

Easter blessings from us to you

2008-03-24T21:47:00.003+10:00

We've had a happy Easter. We hope you did too.

Lots has been happening around here the last few weeks. I'll post some stories and pics when I get back from Adelaide later this week.

For now, here's a pic of our 'beautiful and now 5 years old' girl. There was some very serious puppy lovin' happening yesterday. Coming home from our weekend away today she asked me if I thought Lily (our 14 year old) cat might still be alive when we got home. She knows there'll be no dogs in this house while Lily is here. :O

peace and love,

k, m, r, m

edited to add: this is NOT our new puppy. Ruby just pretended that he belonged to her for a day. :)

There'll be an explosion of Max's in the world

2008-03-02T15:38:00.004+10:00

We did our best to give our kids names that are not too common and not too weird. We thought we'd done OK with Ruby and Max. Good solid everyday names but maybe not as everyday as Kathryn and Mark. :)

But in the last few weeks, Christina Aguilera (is that how you spell it?) and Jennifer Lopez have both named their new baby boys: Max. Oh dear. I reckon there'll be more Max's than Jack's and Lachlan's before the year is out. Sorry Maxie. We did try.

Beautiful bohemian Bangalow

2008-03-01T15:55:00.002+10:00

Last Sunday we went to Bangalow (North Coast NSW) for a day out. It's a beautiful little town. We specifically went for the markets, but all we bought (other than lunch and snacks) was Bungee balls - balloons (kind of like yo-yo's) filled with rice attached to a long piece of elastic and made to look like things. Ruby chose a butterfly, Max got a fish and Mark and I got Santa Bungee balls cause they were free!

We pottered and snacked and laughed and watched buskers and ate icecreams and sat under big shady trees watching the world go by.

Highlights of our day out:

organic chicken hot dogs - delish

face painting

by Amber and Heather - 2 of the rainbow fairies. Of course Ruby told them all about "Ruby the red fairy", "Amber the orange fairy" and "Heather the violet fairy" because they had no idea about their fame or magical powers. This is Amber:

Ruby's butterfly face painting was spectacular.

Max asked for a piggy. Heather masterfully painted her first ever piggy face. Before he got off the chair Max whispered to me to "take it off". So Heather happily (??) washed off her first ever face painting.

afternoon tea

We had afternoon tea at a funky little cafe in the main street. Good coffee,brilliant cakes - yum.

Hope you can find a calm and beautiful spot this weekend.

peace and love

xxxx

Note to self: stop cursing in front of Max

2008-03-01T11:47:00.003+10:00

Thursday evening:

We walk in the back door to see a bazillion ants traipsing through our kitchen. Max rushes in. And says:

"where the bloody hell did those bloody ants come from?"

Mark says to me: "where did Max get that from? And what are you going to do about it?

I say: "bloody hell. I'll probably do nuthin' "

*sigh*

42 things to do before I'm 43

2008-02-23T13:55:00.002+10:00

1. see a platypus in the wild - this is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. It's been on my "must do" list forever. This is the year. I might go to Tasmania.
2. run for 6kms without stopping and without collapsing - I can do this, I know I can.
3. lose 6 kgs - I've made a start. I've lost 2kgs since I wrote the list. Hooray for me.
4. re-read "The Art of Happiness" - to help me re-focus. Thanks to Ruth for making think about this book again.
5. learn about Catholic religious practices so I understand what Ruby's doing at school - in just a couple of weeks, she's already learned so much by being thrust in to Lent at the start of the year
6. help with reading in Ruby's class for a morning every 6 weeks or so - I can do this, just need to book some dates in.
7. write a card or a letter each week - they'll be written on a train or a plane for sure, so forgive the scrawl when I write to you
8. sew my own skirts. I'm feeling motivated to sew and of course I have tonnes of fabric.
9. take Ruby and Max to Canberra.
10. read 5 new authors.
11. order Moo cards. I do love them and I want some.
12. make a pavlova. I feel like I can't really live too many more years saying "oh no, I've never made a pav". This might be the year it gets done.
13. have a holiday in Sydney - the kids are old enough to really love Sydney now. Ruby often pretends that she lives in an apartment at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. :)
14. hire a kayak every now and then. I love kayaking but don't do it often enough. Actually, it happens pretty bloody rarely these days and I want that to change.
15. buy a Max ring. It's a long story. But basically Max wants me to have a "Max" ring to celebrate his birth because I have a "Ruby" ring. Max has started putting money in his piggy bank but it could be a while before I get one if I wait for the coins to accumulate.
16. do a photo session every month
17. learn how to use the different functions on my camera properly
18. use the treadmill at least 4x every week. I'm on track for this.
19. ride my bike!
20. organise play dates for Ruby and Max
21. print all of Ruby and Max's baby photos. I can't believe I haven't done this.
22. buy a new suit. I'll get another one in winter.
23. have a pedicure. I love them and it's been a long while since I had one.
24. reconnect with Rod and Donna. I miss them.
25. take a Pilates class.
26. learn how to use CUBA. It's a work thing.
27. take Ruby and Max bushwalking. So many beautiful places to go and I'm pretty sure they could both walk for a few k's now without shouting to be carried.
28. read the newspaper. More than just on the weekends that is.
29. subscribe to Crikey. I've got a lot of value out of the free trial.
30. blog at least once a week. I'll try harder I promise.
31. practice compassion everyday. I'm doing OK with this I think.
32. write to Souerng often. Souerng is our 5 year old sponsor child who lives in Cambodia. Ruby and Max tell people she's their sister.
33. stretch every day. I want more strength and less pain.
34. download fave songs/albums from the internet.
35. make time to escape every month or so. There are so many good places to run away to.
36. write my "I believe" manifesto.
37. back up my digital photos. I can't believe I haven't done this very well. I have saved some photos to CD, but I'm not very conscientious with this. And I have got an external hard drive sitting right here beside me.
38. surprise Mark.
39. replant the front garden. We need to do this soon or our neighbours will force us out of the street.
40. stick with natural medicines to improve my health.
41. spend a day with Mark every month or so. We've had 2 days together without kids so far this year. It's a very good thing.
42. buy some gorgeous new perfume. It's been a long time since I last bought myself perfume that I loved/must have.

I'll try my best to do these things before my birthday.
So what's on your list?

and then my heart melts just a little bit more

2008-02-11T20:17:00.000+10:00

Tonight, this boy, the boy that pooed and weed his way through 4 pairs of undies and countless pullups yesterday, melted my heart just a little bit more.

Every night there are endless declarations of love. Tonight he called me his "scrummy honey". Many, many times. I love that. I love his very intense affection. Sometimes it can be a wee bit suffocating, but mostly it is very, very precious.

peace and love
xxxx

this photo was taken on Max's first day of being an "upstairs boy" at kindy. "Upstairs" is the big kids room at kindy, it's a big deal. He didn't want to go.

School photos and some news

2008-02-05T19:53:00.000+10:00

Here she is - the smallest, and without doubt the cutest, child in class P/1M:

with the biggest backpack ever carried by a 4 year old child (surely it is, it's huge):

and here's the big schoolie with her crazy mumma and nearly hysterical baby brother Max:

* Ruby's religious education has begun in earnest. She understands that baby Jesus was born at Christmas but is convinced that *baby* Jesus will be dying in a few weeks time just after he delivers chocolate across the world. This story hasn't changed for a couple of years now, but I was hoping a Catholic education might be able to set her straight.

* Ruby has learned a new prayer: "in the end of the Father, the Son and the Holy syrup (!). Thankyou God for this new day. Thankyou God for the games we play. God is the King of the Jungle (roar!), God is the King of the Sea (bubble, bubble), God is the King of the Universe and God is the King of me". It's beautiful and it has actions. Very very precious. We asked her to say it about 12 times tonight and she was very gracious to say it over and over and over. I did record it but it's dark and fuzzy, so will need to ask her to perform again.

* I missed the first ever information session at school tonight. I completely forgot about it and was just leaving work when it was starting. Oops. That "Mother of the Year" nomination is looking more unlikely every day.

* Our new house cleaner started yesterday. We came home last evening to a sparklingly clean and lovely house. Heaven. We spent at least 20 minutes admiring Donna's work. I talked to Ruby and Max about how we have to keep the house neat now that it's clean because Donna will be coming every week. Ruby asked "are people coming to stay". I said "no" and she said "so why did Donna clean our house?". I explained that it's nice to have a clean house all the time and she said "yeah, like everyone else's house". *sigh* Anyway, I'm looking forward to Donna's weekly visit.

Yesterday was a calm day. Today has been chaotic. As "C" appears to be the letter of the week, I'm hoping tomorrow is cool and composed and not cantankerous and challenging.

peace and love
xxxx

Beautiful fairies in our home

2008-02-03T11:23:00.000+10:00

1. Wear beautiful fairy dresses (not ever to be called princess dresses).
2. Carry a beautiful fairy wand (not ever to be called a swirly straw)
3. Fill a basket with fairy dust (not ever to be called confetti)
4. Cast beautiful spells on mummy - who so far has been an angel, a frog, a swimming pool (!), a butterfly, a piggy and Barbie.

A beautiful morning.

Walk on a rainbow trail...

2008-02-03T10:55:00.000+10:00

"Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail." Virginia Woolf

Feeling calmer today. Thank heavens for rainbows, there have been a few about this morning after some really heavy rain.

Thanks too for your calls and kind thoughts and wishes this week, I never ceased to be amazed by the generosity of spirit of many people we know. I'm grateful for that.

I'll post some'first day of school' photos later today. :) It's been a BIG week.

peace and love

xxxx

rainbow pic is from Wikipedia

Random questions

2008-01-29T21:30:00.000+10:00

Why am I trying to pretend that I'm not in a whole lot of pain? What's that about? Why can't I just say to people "yeah dammit my back IS really really sore". nb. I was in a pretty awful car accident on the Freeway in Melbourne last week.
Why are taxi drivers freakin' lunatics? With the exception of my special cab guy (Carl), why is it that cab drivers everywhere sense that I'm a nervous passenger and try their best to terrify me with their erratic and reckless driving behaviour?
Why can't work be straightforward and predictable for a week? Why can't there be more calm and less chaos just for one week? Surely that's possible.
Why is Max so dead set against making friends with boys? *sigh*
Why doesn't Max want to be a "big boy"? Why does he fight so hard against going to the toilet, giving up his dummy and today - moving up to the big kids room at kindy?
Will Ruby always stutter in times of big stress? I'm hoping the answer is 'no'.
Will Ruby thrive at school? Will she love it? Will I be happy or sad tomorrow when she starts?
How many more years do we have to be on a car lease? And is it possible to do 10,000kms in 64 days without going completely mental?
Will our house ever be presentable every day? Will Ruby, Max AND Mark ever learn to pick up after themselves? AND will Donna (who starts next Monday) be the perfect house cleaner? I hope so.
Why am I blogging when I'm in a cranky mood? I know the answer to this one - because life's not always perfect and I don't ever want to fool myself into pretending that it is.

This is the thunderstorm, I'm waiting for the rainbow.

We believe

2008-01-16T21:05:00.000+10:00

It's important to *believe* in something, to state it boldly and throw your beliefs out into the world.

I love Jonathon's manifesto. I think I'll start working on my own manifesto.

I'm having fun with "believe". :)

xxxx
image is from jonathon adler's website

'There are 3 billion women...

2008-01-14T20:44:00.000+10:00

who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.'

In 1998, The Body Shop debuted a self-esteem campaign, featuring a generously proportioned, rubenesque, doll called "Ruby." I fell in love with Ruby when I saw her in a Body Shop store. She's beautiful. The message, and of course the name, stuck with me.

I want my Ruby to grow up confident, believing she's as beautiful and fabulous as she is. The recent mini drama about Jennifer Love Hewitt being "fat" was ridiculous and infuriating. I wish there was more reality and less hype in the world.

"I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul" Savage Garden

peace and love
xxxx

1, 2, 3 days of photos!

2008-01-03T20:52:00.000+10:00

I've taken some more photos today. Amazing.

Here are some pics from today: crazy bucket boy and then some little mini books I created while we were at Noosa. They're just waiting for me to get photos printed now. I'll try to do that this weekend.

peace and love to you today

xxxx

What happened on Christmas Day?

2008-01-02T21:15:00.000+10:00

It was a big day. Fun, funny, calm, chaotic, peaceful, panicked, relaxing, relentless. Good times. It was a good day.

xxxx

Hooray!

2008-01-02T19:16:00.001+10:00

Hooray for taking photos 2 days in a row. Here are some random pics from around the house this evening. I'm not sure if I can take pics every day for 365 days straigth but I'm feeling pretty chuffed I managed it for 2 consecutive days. :)

Hooray for a Christmas present from Auntie Julie and Uncle Paul arriving today.
Hooray for leftovers.
Hooray for Fifth Leg Chardonnay on sale at Jim Murphy's.
Hooray for the return of my blogging mojo.
Hooray for a reasonably quiet day at work.

About believe: "Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be". George Sheehan. Thanks George

peace and love
k xxxx

ps there will be Christmas photos soon, I promise. Although you could check them out on my Flickr page - they're up already. xxxx

New Year blessings and new beginnings

2008-01-01T21:05:00.001+10:00

Peace be with you.

May 2008 bring you more calm than chaos. More laughter than lassitude. And more love. Lots more love.

I'm feeling quite positive about 2008. I usually feel quite sad and reflective at New Year's but this year feels different. I feel a buzz. A change is coming.

During 2007, my 'one word' was peace. After considerable dithering, my word for 2008 is 'believe'. It's a compelling word for me right now, so I think it will be a good fit. Other contenders were 'challenge', 'dare' and 'leap'.

I'm not sure that I'm quite ready to abandon 'peace' yet though. Perhaps I can just collect words each year, progressively adding one at a time, without ever actually letting any go. Sounds like a good plan.

We talked about our 'one word' over dinner tonight. Ruby quickly settled on 'learn' - which is a good choice given she starts school in 29 short days time. fingers in ears la-la-la. Mark is not decided yet but his one word may be either 'contemplate' or 'productive'. Or possibly both. Max suggested that his could be 'not being naughty'. Ha! Like that would ever happen. So we talked about positive framing yada yada and he's thinking about 'good' or 'try' or maybe even 'toilet'. I should admit that Max was heavily influenced by the rest of us.

I discovered this site earlier today and fell in love with it. I always want to take more photos but am too lazy to lug the camera around with me. But this site has inspired me. I love the photo a day idea. I'll give it a try. Maybe I should just keep the small cam in my bag.

I took a couple of photos today.

a Bangladeshi toran I bought in Eumundi :)

my kitchen word. :) it used to be H-O-M-E, but I've revamped for a new year.

Enjoy 2008. Know that - "there are years that ask questions and years that answer. " - Zora Neale Hurston. Which will it be for you?

peace and love
xxxx

Feeling grateful and reflective

2007-12-29T17:06:00.000+10:00

I'm not whingeing today. phew. Thank heavens the 'woe is me it's raining too much' episode was short lived. I'm not very tolerant of myself when I'm in a mood. Good thing my family is *very* tolerant - or blissfully ignorant ;) which is much more likely.

Been thinking today about what my 'one word' for 2008 might be. "Peace" has served me well in 2007, even though I don't think I've tried very hard with it. There are a few new words in contention, but unless I'm struck by a flash of inspiration in the next couple of days I may well stick with 'peace' for another year.

The end of a year always makes me think hard. Here are some quotes that resonate for me today, from a new site I've discovered.... http://www.inspirationpeak.com/

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good." Author Unknown

"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." Dawna Markova

peace and love
xxxx

ps we're heading home tomorrow so there will be photos soon :)

Noosa

2007-12-28T16:31:00.000+10:00

is not as much fun when it's raining non stop. The really sad thing is I'm probably the only one going stir crazy. Mark, Ruby and Max are relaxed and chilled and still swimming every day.

We've had Christmas at Noosa - a rare Christmas adventure on our own. It's been peaceful and quiet, just what we wanted.

On Christmas Day we had long and leisurely lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant - it was perfect. The food was delish and the views up and down the river were beautiful. We all had a really lovely time and Ruby and Max were pleased to be able to take a few special toys from Santa with them so they could play between courses.

Even though it's been raining every day, and is progressively getting more and more set in as the cyclone is building up off the coast :O, we've been out and about quite a bit this week - to the movies (we loved the Bee Movie), to the river, to UnderwaterWorld......specifically to see the Crawly Creatures exhibit. There's a lot of hype about this exhibit but there's really very little to it. The most impressive of the crawly creatures were the BIG spider crabs. They were incredible. Ruby's favourite animals at Underwater World was the seals and the hermit crabs and Max's faves were the clownfish and the spiders (even though we didn't actually see spiders). My faves were the spider crabs and Mark's were the otters. I don't think the otters looked very happy though. Their enclosure was small and grubby.

We braved the shops today. Mad but true. I really wanted to buy some new runners so we all tripped down to Sportsco and I happily bought the most expensive shoes on the 40% off table. They were a good buy and are unbelievably comfortable. If they weren't so ugly, like all runners are, I'd wear them all the time.

I've taken a *lot* of pics but can't download them to the laptop, but will definitely post some when we're home in a day or two.

Hope your Christmas was happy and sane.
xxxx

Christmas in the city

2007-12-16T07:18:00.000+10:00

We made our annual Christmas pilgrimage to the city yesterday to look at the big tree, the beautiful lights, the Myer Christmas windows and to ride the Santa Express. It's a good tradition that Mark and I started the year of Ruby's first Christmas. The kids love it. I love it too. We went with our good friends Jan, Col, Ella and Huddy and another dear little boy called Nathan. It was nice to have dinner together in the Queen St Mall as all the lights were coming on around us. The kids had a great time running around, going a wee bit mad and crashing into people who were walking through the Mall.

I think the green heart is a new addition to the tree. I love it. I wonder who thought to add it. It's a lovely touch.

My fave decorations are the reindeer. They look best at night time when they are all lit up and glowing. Beautiful.

Christmas seems more frantic than ever this year. Sadly. I'd love some moments of quiet through the madness but I can't see it coming for a while yet.
We're off to the shops this morning to buy a few more gifts and then this afternoon, we're all excited about going to see The Wiggles.

peace and love to you
xxxx

The answer to the big question

2007-12-11T20:41:00.000+10:00

....did you watch Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy? If you did, you'll know that the answer is 42. But maybe you don't know the question. I don't think Arthur ever found it.

Anyway, it was my birthday yesterday. And this year, as I'm now 42 (sob), I'm expecting some great revelations about the meaning of life, the universe and everything. I didn't find it today, but I know I have another 365 days (cause it's a leap year) to discover it. If you find the meaning of life, I'd be happy for you to tell me so I don't have to keep looking. ;)

I had a good birthday for a work day. We went out for dinner on Sunday night - to Mt Cootha. Lovely. And dear Jan made a cake for me that we had at the park Sunday lunchtime. Thanks Jan. And happy birthday to Ruth who has also just had a birthday. x Mark finally put my treadmill together and I used it last night for the first time - hooray for me. Feeling all fit and self righteous now even though I know I'm still porky.

R+M were very excited about my birthday and told me constantly that "it's very special" and "you're very special mama". Loved that. Max was calling me "big birthday girl" - loved that too. :)

Anyway, here's some pics from yesterday:

looking a bit shabby here, but it's the end of the day and I'm allowed to look shabby, cause I'm 42!

me with my cake-lovin' mates.

I got some great pressies this year - the treadmill :O; a pedometer, some gorgeous stuff from Perfect Potion, jarmies, a new teacup, books.......and.....a pair of thongs. A work mate couldn't believe I didn't have thongs, so he bought me a pair - just gorgeous. Or maybe not. Perhaps I don't wear thongs because I have *ugly* feet! You know, they're actually pretty comfy to wear. Don't tell.

these 2 are up for a party any time of day or night.

see - ugly ugly toes. Blergh.

Every year, I buy the Courier Mail on my birthday so I can get the special birthday report for the year ahead. This year, it says: "Because the new moon falls today, this will be a year of firsts. You will make discoveries about yourself and about life. A year when you dare to be different and accept any challenge you meet. Life will change." Oh dear, that sounds big.

Here's to the year ahead and new beginnings.

peace and love to you

xxxx

End of year ballet finale

2007-12-08T22:29:00.000+10:00

Wowsers, what a production. Ruby's end of year ballet concert was spectacular and she loved every single minute of it.

Mark, Max and I went to both concerts and our friends Jan and Ella came along to watch as well. During the first concert we sat in the front row which was great cause Ruby could see us and squeal and wave. During the second concert we were in the middle of the audience. This wasn't so great. Ruby was distracted because she kept looking for us in the crowd. Towards the end of their dance Ruby stopped dancing and just stood looking out into the crowd. The other koalas kept dancing. The other koalas exited stage left. After what felt like a very long time watching her stand out on the stage on her own, Ruby realised she should have left the stage. She tippie toe ran to the exit stage right. Oh dear. She realised she'd gone off the wrong side and then tippie toe ran back across the stage to exit on the other side. Everyone thought it was choreographed. Phew.

We've had a fun year of ballet.

peace and love

xxxx

Cannot get enough of Mika

2007-10-28T19:06:00.000+10:00

surprising really, cause he's super nerdy, but I LOVE him. Love, love, love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsyOr71F-0w

love love me
xxxx

Red lippie and a hair bun make a ballerina beautiful

2007-10-21T20:25:00.000+10:00

Apparently.

We cannot believe the LISTS (and lists and lists) OF RULES that continue to come home from ballet each week - all in preparation for the end of year ballet concert. For a first time ballet family, it's overwhelming. We have about 16 separate pages of instructions that we continue to refer to and cross reference, just to make sure we're doing the right thing on the right day in the right order. The consequences are severe. Apparently ;). The wrath of Miss Jill or Miss Annette could be crippling. We don't want that. So we're towing the ballet party line. With scary consequences.

For example: who'd have thought we would ever slap handfuls of hair gel into Ruby's hair? Or search the shops for a hair bun that exactly matched her hair colour? OR specifically buy a brand new bright red lipstick for our 4 year old daughter? Not me. But that's all happened this weekend.

Today was the first of many rehearsals for Ruby's end of year ballet concert. It was an exciting day. Ruby - and 7 other little 3 and 4 year old girls - have been practising for weeks. Dressed in koala costumes, they climbed the stairs to the stage today full of excitement and nerves. They waved and jumped and jiggled and even did a little bit of ballet on the stage. It was fantastic.

Ruby looked amazing and she loved every single second of it. Thank heavens. I was stressing out - considerably - that the bun would completely fall apart at a crucial time during the "Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees" performance. Realistically though, I sprayed enough hair lacquer to keep that bun in place until she turns 30.

Here are some before pics of the first ever full face of makeup of our precious girl.

Just beautiful.

peace and love to you from us.

xxxx

Max and his girls

2007-10-17T20:17:00.000+10:00

Max loves girls. He loves Huddy too, but he *really* loves girls. These photos make me wonder what kind of havoc he's going to wreak on young girls' hearts and lives in about 10 years time:

yikes.

peace and love to you from us

xxxx

He's a big boy now

2007-10-14T21:51:00.000+10:00

....or so he says. He's still our baby though.

Here's a quick pic of the happy smiling boy at his party last weekend. It's been a very full couple of weeks, so I'll post more pics soon - of the party, Australia Zoo, the wedding...........

peace and love
xxxx

I can't believe it

2007-09-30T21:35:00.000+10:00

I can't believe that in just one short week's time this beautiful baby boy:

- my beautiful baby boy - who now looks like this:

will be 3 years old. Baby days are gone. Just big kids 'round here now. *sob*

Other news:

I'm feeling as free as a bird this week - I've packed in my study. The guilt is gone. I don't have the time, the money or the motivation to keep studying. The reality is I will never be a teacher - so I was relieved to give it away. I started doing Education because I felt like I had no options. Those days are gone. I'm feeling fabulous with the decision.
We've decided to spend Christmas at Noosa. We've booked a week at a 'family friendly resort'. God help us.
Max has decided on a Wiggles' party for next weekend. He's also announced that daddy will be making the birthday cake - which must be blue and must feature all of the main Wiggles characters. The cake making will be fun to watch. ;) Mark's never made a cake.
I'm heading to Wollongong and Canberra for work this week. Amazingly, I haven't travelled for nearly 7 or 8 weeks.
It's Mark's birthday this week too. We're planning something special because for the last few years his birthday has been overshadowed by Max's - which is just 2 days later.
Ruby has become *very* observant of body flaws. Big bottoms, baldness, fatness, skinniness, double chins, moustaches on women.......nothing escapes her critical attention. Sadly. Mark and I haven't fared too well under the spotlight. :(
I've lost 3 kilos! Hooray for me. Only 7 to go and I might look a bit more like the person I was before I had babies.

Be happy and calm. peace and love to you. xxxx

"I don't want you to choke and die.....

2007-09-23T15:42:00.000+10:00

cause you're my best friend" said Ruby to Max today. Phew, good thing.

Hope you're enjoying the beautiful Spring weather as much as we are.
peace and love
xxxx

Today we....

2007-09-11T20:53:00.000+10:00

went for an adventure to Daisy Hill Koala Centre.

We saw 3 koalas. 2 were sleeping and the other one was madly jumping from tree to tree. Ruby and Max were impressed.

There were some fun things to explore,

Lots of space for running and playing

And we made some new friends.

Max was convinced the baby wallaby wanted his dummy so he left it in my bag. Ruby wasn't convinced the baby animals might want to suck her thumb. ;)

We'll definitely go back - next time we'll take a picnic.

peace and love
xxxx

Anticipation

2007-09-06T16:29:00.000+10:00

Anticipation is a crazy emotion. I usually feel sick to the stomach when I'm really working myself up for something - whether it be good or bad.

On a single day last week, there were 2 separate events I'd been anticipating:

1. reading Hemingway's "The Old Man and The Sea" and
2. going to the dentist for root canal therapy.

I had been meaning to read Hemingway for a very long time, so finally put it on hold at the library. When I got the notice it was at the library, it was 5 days before I could pick it up. I thought about it a lot - I love reading and "The Old Man and The Sea" is a classic, isn't it? Classic schmassic. I was bored witless reading it. All that anticipated pleasure quickly disappeared.

And the dentist. Well that was anticipated pain. Apparently the everyday dental anaesthesia isn't strong enough for me. Little wonder I've always found visits to the dentist excruciating. But it seemed doubly so when the dentist was working on the nerve in a tooth. Anyway, after 6 visits to the dentist in 8 days the team of dentists at the clinic finally figured it out and I was booked in for root canal. I was terrified. I anticipated unbearable pain. I expected to tough it out to just fix the bloody tooth. I anticipated fainting. I took Mark with me to share all this. But the dentist worked some magic (6 different lots of anaesthetic) and there was no pain. Unbelievable.

Apparently anticipation is a basic emotion in psycho evolutionary theory. I believe it. It's amazing how we (or is it just me?) can build things up in our mind to be far bigger and much greater than they are in real life.

peace and love
xxxx

Smile, breathe and go slowly

Girls weekend away

Ethel Carrick Fox and other glorious Sunday treats

World's best. Right here in Wynnum.

Rainbow inspired....

We have a resident artist

A lazy Sunday morning

About a boy

Palm Island

I'm back

A list for Sunday

Remember this

For Mark

The search is over

Well done Ruby

Artists at work

A bit of this and a bit of that

On this day

A good list

Happy Easter

Super conscientious and super cute

Real life. Right here, right now.

43 things to do before I turn 44

Weekend happiness

A list

Incomprehensible

Flourish - fabulous, elegant, so pretty and now open

And so it begins.....

A week in Noosa

One word for 2009

Ready to leap into 2009

Happy everything - from us to you

Peace and love

I made a pavlova!

Time to play

Thankful for traditions - new and old

The big list

A happy day. Lots to be thankful for around here.

The theme is thanks

Not a preppie anymore

Day One

Random things

Intense, emotional, loving, passionate, perfect

We *love* Rachel

"Will I still be your baby when I'm a poppy?"

Searching for the perfect birthday cake......

May peace prevail

Questions that I can't answer

Fairy Funday Sunday

Happy Father's Day

Term 3 is a busy term

Weekend at nanny and poppy's

Recent conversations

Random things about our lives

What's that there, can you see?

Love is a tune you hum-de-hum-hum

I'm wearing purple today :)

Thursday, Thursday

Wynnum Plaza - we love you

A list for today

Week 2 of the school holidays

Happy Birthday Jan

Ruby's first report card :)

Mackay

A visit from Alf, Mother's Day, a broken camera drama and more

"He's my boyfriend and his name is Oscar..."

School holidays

The List

"smile, breathe and go slowly"

What does 'meme' mean anyway?

What's new?

Easter blessings from us to you

There'll be an explosion of Max's in the world

Beautiful bohemian Bangalow

Note to self: stop cursing in front of Max

42 things to do before I'm 43

and then my heart melts just a little bit more

School photos and some news

Beautiful fairies in our home

Walk on a rainbow trail...

We love Rachel