Time flies

I have sat down three times over the last couple of days to try and put a new post together. And each time, I’ve realised that I needed to get on with something else that didn’t involve the computer. So hopefully I will get 10 minutes to send out a stream of consiousness that is remotely sane before I remember I need to do something like bake some chocolate chip biscuits, or return so and so’s call from yesterday. Life eh?!

So something crafty to begin with. My card for Di’s sketch this week:

I went along for my Ultrasound yesterday. The results need to be discussed further with my GP so it’s still up in the air a bit. but it looks like I have a reason for the pain etc: there are some gallstones. It fitted (for once!) with what I was beginning to suspect and it’s good to know that it is most likely something relatively common and fixable. I’ll know more after speaking with the GP.

This weekend I’m off with some girlfriends for a weekend of fun and relaxation up on the coast. We have been looking forward to this so much – crazy laughter, a bit of wine, good company. There is one blip about it – our 4th buddy has had to stay here in town to do a pippins activity. The next weekend away will have barbed wire or something all around the date to ensure that she gets away with us next time.

Day 29 of 29

Wow! I made it!! 29 Days of taking photos of stuff. The stuff of my life. I’m so thrilled with that. Mainly because it was a challenge to just pick up the camera and get some everyday moments documented. And because the camera was always around this month, there were times when instead of just pointing and shooting, I was thinking about the shot more. There are a couple of the photos from the month that I am super pleased with how they turned out. Where instead of leaving the camera on auto, I got brave a little bit out of my comfort zone and used other settings, like Macro. Who knows, one day I might actually be able to take two great shots in a row! Anyway, thanks for putting up with my little photographic journey this month.

Today’s photo is of a new system we are putting in place for Mr 3. Funnily enough, Mr 6 thinks he’s missing out and is finding stuff to do in order to take part too. Mr 3 has been toiletted now for about six months or so. Most of it has been very independently done. Something that began to be noticed through the Christmas holidays was an increasing demand for Mum or Dad to come help. “Help” often was in the form of just standing and watching. I had my suspicions that it was some form of demands for our attention – as Mr 6 has the personality which ensures he gets a great deal and Mr 3 may have worked out his own little strategy on this one. However, his strategy was getting more and more frustrating: running up and down the hallway, insisting he could not go on his own. And then a couple of “accidents”. And then a little conversation with the teachers at kindy. Yep, the grand demands were being made on them too.

This all wound up with the conclusion we needed to re-direct Mr 3 and get him feeling confident with his independence once more. Gosh that sounds like a lot of PC twaddle doesn’t it??! Basically, neither myself or the teachers really wanted to be dragged to the bathroom when Mr 3 was more than capable of doing what he needed to do without help or an audience. So with a bit of thought, I decided to just steal one of Widdleshamrock’s ideas outright. A jellybean for every time Mr 3 wipes his own nose or bum on his own. Yes, I am completely unashamed to admit I resorted to bribery positive reinforcement.

Mr 3 thought this was a grand plan.

We spoke with the teachers the following morning. We all congratulated me on this winning formula. Mr 3 got a stamp on each hand that morning: one for his nose, and one for his bum, indicating entitlement to two jellybeans. And since that day, there has scarcely been a demand upon me for the former motherly duties to be performed.

Why am I left with the feeling I’ve been duped??!

Day 29:

Pure Bribery

Day 28 of 29

One more day to go!

Day 28:

Mr 6 & Lou

Ok – you’ll need to forgive me – this one was taken way earlier in the month and I forgot to use it. Darn it all! Mr 6 is just cleaning Lou’s face up after the picnic lunch we’d finished. He just loves his dogs to bits. Awwwww.

Day 25 of 29

Just a few more days left of this wee challenge set by Janine. So far we’ve hung in there! Today’s photo is Mr 6 – looking particularly mischievious I might say. We’re not doing anything in particular – just playing with the timer on the camera.

Day 25:

Pure energy

I would like to find his source of energy. Just being around him will often leave me dazed and drained. I’ve tried to find his off switch – but no luck so far. To be honest, perhaps I need to hook myself up with some intravenous dark chocolate energy. That would do it, I’m sure!

A deluge of Photos is upon us!!

That would be because I have been MIA in posting my random pics over the weekend. C’est la vie! Here’s a catch up.

Friday afternoon I popped across to my neighbour’s house. We have had regular catch ups for quite some time up until Christmas. And usually over a quick, cold drink. A wee beer, or a couple of vinos. It was a great way to unwind. Then something happened in my life – and in hers too. Her news was way more exciting: she’s expecting #4… albeit unexpectedly. So the wee unwinding sessions had fallen by the wayside a little. Catching up at swimming lessons on Thursday, we were bemoaning this fact and decided we should catch up the following day. So we did. I brought a bottle of grapejuice. And it really was as pleasant a way to relax and chat as usual. We both wondered at the therapeutic and pyschological effects of holding a wine glass itself… at least with grapejuice it sorta felt like wine. Not so sure it would work with just water somehow! So, in honour of great friendship and our little ritual, I took a picture below. I swear to you all, the bluriness is not at all related to the content of said bottles!

Day 22:

Great Rituals

Saturday dawned as hot and muggy as it has been for a while. Relentless almost. I don’t know about anyone else, but it sure zaps the energy out of you. Great excuse to have a truly relaxed-don’t-get-much-done kinda day. And because you all know how I am the Queen of Procrastination, I waited until after the Mr’s were in bed before I decided to actually start the project I needed to have done. That would be one costume for the party the next day. Luckily it was decided a Wizard’s cape was the way to go.

It was loved! Mr 3 is no ordinary Sparkly Wizard. Noooo. He is a Bat Wizard! Notice the batlike way he wraps the cloak around him. Now, to find somewhere to hang him upside down…..

Day 23:

The BatWizard at home

And finally today. Well, having had a “day off” so to speak yesterday, I decided it wasn’t a good look to waste away yet another day. So housework was done attempted, party was attended and some scrapbooking was completed. I also cooked what is becoming a traditional Sunday lunch for us at present. Pancakes! Yummmm!! The recipe in the Edmonds book does not lend itself to fluffy and light pancakes sadly. My ones are enjoyed and I am told that they all like them. Still, feel free to link me to fool-proof light and fluffy recipes if you know of them! Luckily noone noticed that I have no idea of how to wield a melon baller either.

Day 24:

Welcome to Mama’s Cafe Special

I also got a bit of blog hopping and notice there are a lot of Saturday Smiley posts out there. It got me thinking – and also because Hannah tagged me waaaaay back when to name those things I am grateful for. So I’ve made a mental note to myself to ensure I get that done sometime this week.

I’ve also noticed that I have captured Mr 3 alot in these random pics. That is because he is the one at home in the afternoons when I typically have been snapping away. I’ve mentally resolved to randonly capture a couple more of Mr 6… if I can!

Oh, and by the way… I did go on my own little cicada hunt – and here is one of my little noisemakers. I won’t mention the creepy way they like to hang out one our back wall in the late evening sun – and make a din!

The Sounds of Summer

At least one of the sounds of summer is still in full swing in our little neck of the woods. For some reason I never even thought about it to date this summer. But the last couple of days, it has gotten soooo noisey, it reminds me that yes, indeed, it is that time of year.

I’m talking Cicadas.

I’m truly grateful that they are not so loud this year as they were last summer. Yet. Last summer, you needed earplugs – even with your doors and windows closed. This year, I can hear them fine inside, but different rooms will lessen the sound. For those of you that don’t have a cicada population near you, can you let me know? I want to move there for the next few weeks. Alternatively, listen here and you can see what you are missing. Once this sound reaches a certain volume, it’s like you have it inside your head and you hear it even when you are asleep.

My mission today was to try and get a photo of one – there are at least 50 Billion-Trillion in my backyard alone (don’t forget, my greater backyard is bush reserve). I know they are there: I hear them! But do you think I could get a look at a single one??! While trying to direct my ears to a likely spot, I could make out the different clicking, and frequencies these little blighters are transmitting at. Or else, they are just determined to drive me insane as I imagine I’m hearing differences!

So today’s picture is one I’ve pulled directly from Wikipedia – and I hope to get one of my own. I feel the beast that invades my senses so much deserves to be recognised on my February page after all.

Day 21 Stand-in:

…and they are jolly ugly too!

Day 20 of 29

One of the many reasons I love Summer is the pure simplicity it brings to life. This would be one of my {many} favourite simple things of summer.

Day 20:

Afternoon tea in Summer 

And for dinner we are having burritos. Simple. Love it.

Days 18 and 19 of 29

Still with the lack of uploading pics… still taking them.

Noticed I haven’t taken many sneak peeks of my circle journals of late. I keep forgetting to take photos before they get bagged up and out the door. The one I have just received is a gorgeous circle album for TanyaLeigh – who wants to find out about our scrap spaces. Have to say, I’m very jealous of all the entries so far! Some really lovely spaces the girls have got.

Monday was the start of a new school week – Mr 6 was looking forward to getting back especially. We’d just gotten news that he got a place in piano lessons through the school. He’s been wanting to start learning for over a year now. He has said he wants to learn to play a brass instrument just like dad, but until he gets enough adult teeth through, that’s not advisable. In the interests of keeping his interest in music up, we did a music skills class last year and this year tried to find a spot in keyboard lessons. So I was thrilled to get the place via school. He came home from school and spent teh afternoon practicing on and off – and then it was the first thing he did after breakfast on the Tuesday. Now, I know the novelty will wear off, but I love the enthusiasm shown so far.

Day 18:

Piano Boy

Yesterday was a glorious day up our way – I just love the sky when it is like this. Blue – sunny – cloudless. I would love it just a tad more if the cicada song wasn’t there. The song of summer? And at least so far they are not as loud as they were last summer.

For those that may be interested: that’s Widdleshamrock’s place – the teensy bit of white you see are their tanks… I reckon we could do the flying fox thing. From her kitchen to our office

Day 19:

My ever changing picture window

Day 17 of 29 – and a Random Winner

Gosh, can’t quite believe I’ve managed to find something to point the camera at everyday! I think having a goal in mind is helping.

Day 17:

Brass in the Park

The band was taking part in the regional Brass in the Park day. Titan got to play at Eastbourne for the second year running. It’s always nice to go and listen to them play there. It’s sunny, and there are a good bunch of people enjoying the music provided. Some of the bands move from venue to venue. Just before Titan’s slot, Kapiti Brass were playing. The Mr’s had a great time – recognising “Bob the Builder”, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” and the song from Little Einsteins which I should know because I’ve heard it enough but I can never remember I think it was by Bizet (Hubby will correct the details for me once he has read this… )

Now a quick drum roll please…….

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2008-02-17 21:16:40 UTC

… and # 7 was Janine aka MummyMoo who guessed correctly that I do indeed support the Crusaders. And it was a good game to watch the other night too… I particularly liked the score! I’ll be popping a little something in the post to you during the week, Janine.

And now for a bonus… because this was just too darn cute not to show someone! How long could you sleep like this? Talk about sleeping where you fall! Mr 3 remained in this position for a hour before I woke him up

Bonus pic:

Pooped!

Day 16 of 29

Mr 3 has been invited to the first birthday party of the year. It’s for a new kindy friend that is turning 5. It makes me laugh because he did the same thing when he started at afternoon kindy last year: made friends with the kid that was about to move on to the next stage! Oh well.

The little friend is having a costume party – we’ve been asked to come dressed up as a knight, a wizard, a dragon or a princess. When I asked him what kind of costume he would like, the first response was a vehment “Euw – not a princess!!”. Guess that means my days of idlely wondering if I could actually get away with putting that seriously gorgeous and definitely very girly dress at the shop on him are over. Most definitely.

the choice was narrowed down to a knight or a wizard. Mainly because I am quite confident that I can pull something together easily enough for either of those. While the Mr’s were taken by their dad to teh park to have a bike ride in the rain (that intermittent, heavy drizzle but not amounting to much kind), I took myself off to spotlight. I know, I know. I promise myself again and again I will never set foot inside that store again. But after looking around the local fabric shop and deciding I would not pay $19 for a metre of silver sequins (think “chain mail”) I thought it might be worth teh trip. Well, sure enough: no silver sequins were to be found.

But – I almost fainted: there was a woman there who was actually helpful. I described what I was attempting to do and as there were no silver sequin fabric, could she recommend anything. She knew just the thing and we went on a hunt. It couldn’t be found ANYwhere. Nevermind, I thought, I’ll just grab a silvery other kind of fabric. I continued to hunt for other bits and pieces and my helpful lady returns. “Here you go,” she says. “I found it in the trolley to be put back – and look someone’s mistakenly put a sale sticker on it – make sure it doesn’t fall off.”

Day 16:

 

Medievel party time

I thought briefly I might have been dreaming all of that. But no, I have a spotlight bag full of fabric.

I still don’t know which costume I will make for the party. I bought something for both. They’ll both end up in the dress-up bin so either will get used in the future. Now I just need a hour or so to make them up. Lucky I have a week left!