The day my heart broke a little ...

...and grew a lot.

This big boy here had trouble deciding what to eat for breakfast this morning. He ran back and jumped on his bed. I asked if he was excited about the day ahead or nervous. He answered, "A little nervous, a little excited". I assured him that I felt the same way. Then, "Will you cry Mummy?". "I'll try my best not to," I replied, too scared to commit to something I doubted I could fulfill. I added that if I did, it would only be because I'm so proud of him. I asked if he thought he would cry and he told me softly, "I'm not sure".  I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his shoulder, so that he couldn't see the tears punching at my eyelids. I must have disguised my pain well enough for a breakfast choice to be made.

His appetite was small, mine non-existent.

All the while I was worrying, "Is he prepared well enough?", "What pitfalls lay before him?", "How can I be doing this to him?". And then I forced a deep breath and chanted, "It'll all be okay", over and over again as I fed children, brushed teeth and hair, double-checked his enormous backpack, until I almost half-believed it.

We arrived in perfect time and climbed the stairs to his first classroom. You may know the familiar and stomach-churning sensation of farewelling a loved one at the airport.  That's what it was like.

My big boy clutched my hand, in silence, as we found the place to put his bag and chose an activity. I pointed out the children he already knew and he began to relax, a little.  I think this photo really sums it up though. I suspect my face looked the same.  Brows slightly furrowed, stiff smile, tense knuckles.

I kissed him, "on the forehead Mummy". And bravely left him in the, I'm sure, very capable care of his new teacher.  Shoulders back, head held high I walked out and left him there...  I am not really sure how I did.

 I could easily have been sick.

I managed to make it to the very thoughtfully organised, Tea & Sympathy morning, in the park, across the road and every now and then wondered how my beautiful son was coping.  In my heart of hearts I knew he would be fine. 

This is really just about me not coping well.  He's been my constant buddy for 5 years now, you know? 

I passed my time with the dreaded ironing pile while Woo slept and was thrilled to see the long hand tick closer and closer to 12.30 pm before happily putting the baby in the car and driving back to collect him.

Now the feeling in my tummy is of joy flipping in excited anticipation.  You know, the one of waiting in the arrival hall for a loved one who you've been separated from for too long?

  And there is my handsome, clever, brave and well prepared big boy.  Backpack swinging, smiley face, happy to kiss me on the lips this time.  Ah, the relief!  I think I inhaled properly for the first time all day. 

We did it.  My boy and me.  We both managed, him admirably, and I'm sure tomorrow will be easier for everyone.

By the way did you know "Spot goes to school.  I go to school"?  Or so his little ticked worksheet tells me! 

E x - exhausted and overwhelmed.

pi'lo

One of my absolutely fave blogs is pi'lo by Canadian, Heather Shaw.

vintage grosgrain ribbon

She has the most extraordinarily simple and beautiful style and creates glorious homewares, children's treasures and 'things' from mostly creamy white linen and felt and other vintage materials.

felt loot pail

 There is something so serene and inviting about Heather's blog, house and homewares.  No wild colour clashes here, which is something I've been trying to harness myself. 

vintage napkins

I would say my natural inclination is to stay with a 'clean' palette although some of the fabrics I fall for just send it all awry.  Although I know this is perfectly acceptable and that I can have whatever colours I like it does upset my preferred style.  Funny though that I like to wear brigher colours than I would ever have in my house! 

pleated scarves

My aim this year is to whittle the stash down to a more calm colour wheel.

Poppytalk is hosting an annual contest to find the best of design and pi'lo has been nominated for the 'favourite handmade housewares'.  I placed a vote for Heather today and if you'd like to help her out please pop over here and click on pi'lo.  Easy!  I'm sure she'd be pleased!

all images from pi'lo

happy australia day

My Goofy Australian Kids - please excuse the terrible photo I'm afraid my little camera is ill.

I celebrated our beautiful country and our great state Victoria, the Garden State, with a long walk with friends and Tiggy.  Near Av's house there are a number of linked parks, walkways and thoroughfares that  weave through the gracious houses of Glen Iris. The three boys had fun on their scooters and each other and Av and I were able to chat, almost uninterupted for an hour and a half. What joy!

Lunch with Flossy a very casual affair, fun!

Family dinner with the most delicious fish tacos. They were scrumptious and I highly recommend them. All four of us enjoyed them, well at least some portion anyway. Woo ate a tortilla, Tiggy a tortilla with fish and sour cream and Greg and I stacked it all on and gobbled it all up! YUM.

this little star made me smile

Now, where did I hide that apple and blueberry crumble?

Mmmm!  That was good.

E x

dear God

We've had unseasonably wet and cold weather today. Last week we reached 43C and today we got to 19C. There's snow on the hills! It's summer down here!!!

I sat eating my breakfast thrilled to see the pouring rain beating our windows, leaves swirling and trees buffetted. Hoping it was reaching our reservoirs. As Tiggy sat in front of the window I overheard him softly praying to God for the sun would come out. At that very moment one little boy's prayer was answered and the house became filled with the glow of sunshine funnelled down between the heavy grey blanket that surrounded our little house. He looked up at me beaming and said gently in complete belief, "God heard me Mummy". Breakfast unfinished, I dashed outside in the then, thankfully, easing rain, clambered inelegantly onto the table, dressing gown flapping in the gale, the hems of my pj's soaked and shot this pic whilst balancing precariously - quite a feat for Miss Clumsy! Tigs danced at my feet, excited to be outside in his 'jammies and Uggs, in the rain, to have his answer to prayer documented.

rock star

My beautiful boy and his big boy haircut. 

His long locks were left on the salon floor - sniff. 

Tiggy is frequently referred to as a 'she' and although he never minds, I finally braced myself, took him to The Barber Club, and asked for his hair to be more boyish.  So I went in with my pretty boy and left with the ROCK-STAR. 

He's so pleased that he has 'product' now.  And whenever his haircut is mentioned, nonchalantly sweeps his fringe across his forehead.  It's very cute. 

Thanks Mel, for the groovy new do!

happy birthday Momo

Last weekend (I know I said it again!) we celebrated Momo's birthday with a yummy meal from our new super cool, compact and brilliant barbeque. 

Hope you had a lovely day Momo. We love you.
x

number two ...

Oh these were yummy. Little choc chip cookies. I didn't quite have enough chocolate so I added a good couple of handfuls of super special Mildura grown sultanas. A great way to reduce the calories and to increase the flavour. Small confession here - on Thursday night I ate 6 for supper and a cup of tea. Don't tell the children.

Number 2 stole the cookies from the cookie jar!

She stalked me as I took these pics and every second one has Woo desperately trying to gain access to the tasty nibbles. Cheeky Woo Woo - we do love you.

a real gem

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I came upon Christopher Marley's uh-mazing work today via unruly things.  These are real insects.  Look carefully, no two are identical.  Our family has an entomological leaning, and they are certainly some of his most colourful pieces, but Christopher also works with fossils, urchins (a personal fave), crabs amongst numerous other themes. 

He's incredibly talented, don't you agree?








E x

woo's shoes

 In answer to Tena's question, Woo was with us during yesterday's outing!! She sat like an angel in her stroller and watched on as shoes were tried on, as temper tantrums errupted and tempers became freyed!

She's had such fun with the new "Shoooce".  She clomps around the house (only when Tiggy's not around, not watching or not interested, of course) feeling so proud of herself.  The shoes are big but she really looks like a dot - doesn't she?

that's better

At long last Tiggy's temperature has dropped to within normal range. It was over 39C for a week. So sad to see him so unwell and such a relief to see him better again. He's been left with the most horrible cough but we can deal with.

Look how shiny they are in the shop. 

We went for our first outing in a week yesterday to get my big boy his new school shoes. Shall I mention his bad temper in the middle of Country Road ?  No, better not - don't want to ruin the illusion... I was not best pleased and that's probably all I can say on the matter!

He's already been polishing his Clarks Lesson's and is wearing them again today with white socks pulled up to his knees, cut off jeans and a very cute tee-shirt. All are fine, but not together.  Actually white socks to the knees are never good but that's the way he likes them.

I am hopeful that today is better for Tigs and his mood...

We're in for another hot day today.  Glad I've already done the shopping and can hunker down with the air-con.

E x

pocket rocket

17 months and still so tiny.   At least her hair is beginning to grow.  Cruel Mummy for putting it in such little sprouts!

She still wears clothes for 6-12 month olds, she has almost 4 teeth and a couple more promising to appear. Anyone would believe she's well under one except she can talk for Australia!  She's even trying to put two words together now - 'Aw-gon' for All Gone, with those dear little hands of hers open, palms up and her pretty head tilted to the side.

Today's lunch - while I chatted to a friend.

I took Woo to the Maternal and Child Health Centre yesterday only to find out not only is she a little on the skinny side but she also has Chicken Pox!! Actually, I'm sure she doesn't and will double check with the GP tomorrow. She hardly has any spots and they don't look like the Pox to me. Plus she's healthier than she's been in weeks, eating better than she has in weeks and is just full of beans. Anyway I did come away riddled with Mother Guilt. Particularly as the nurse went from, "Oh what a sweetie!" to "I can't touch her!".

Tell me are these the acts of an unwell child?

Look what she grabbed from the kitchen bench when I removed the fruit puree!  It's okay it was Green & Black'sMaya Gold Organic Chocolate ...

And this is the last naughty for the day.  She was, as you can plainly see, ready for bed and had already her shower.  I went to get Tiggy's jim-jams and returned to find her back in the 'shaaa', much to Tiggy's and her delight! 

Her 'naughties' for the day were really pretty funny.  I'm sure you agree!

Tigs on the other hand has had a fever for 5 days now and my heart is just breaking for him. He's perky only when he's on pain relief and the rest of the time he's quitely slinking around the house after me and flopping in a heap on his 'blankie'.  His temperature is so high and his body feels like a radiator but he says he's so cold and lays on the paving outside desperately trying to warm up. My boy is the least fussy ill child I know so to have him being so needy of being held and comforted saddens me.  I will speak to the Doc again tomorrow. He is in a bad way, please spare a thought for him or a prayer if you do. He's worrying me ...

Ex - off to snuggle my little man.

11 years

Happy Anniversary Baby! 

Eleven reasons to love him - even though he's pulling a goofy face!

*1 He compliments every single meal I make him (just like Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle)

*2 He loves terrible comedy movies, like me, and we laugh until we weep & wheeze and have to reverse so we can catch up with the part we missed from laughing too hard.

*3 He's a super handy man and we don't have to call help in on any home maintenance or renovation.

*4 He's a risk taker (I'm the opposite so it's quite scary at times).

*5 He's rarely predictable - which has it's good and bad points - today it was very good and thoughtful and kind - breakfast in bed, children fed, dressed and a HUGE luxury coming my way.  A very nice gift voucher.

*6 He was prepared to go on the most harrowing (and ultimately rewarding) journey with me to fulfill our dreams of becoming parents.

*7 He's absolutely adored by his children.

*8 He is completely accepting of Flossy's and my closeness and is always happy to see us together.

*9 He vacuums really, really well - when he does it!

*10 He's still as handsome as he was the day I met him 18 years ago.

*11 He loves me!