illustration friday

5yob: butterfly for Mumma

pieces of today or reminders of why I love being home with my kids

our own little cake decorator

Every year the children have an idea for their birthday cake and I have tried my best to come up with the goods. As they've got older their ideas have become more complicated than just the simple 'fire engine' or 'castle' cake to themes like mermadia or garden cake. Last year our eldest was into birds at the time and wanted a bird inspired cake. He was quite specific with the details so I invited him to do his own cake which he was very excited about.He made a nest using fimo and added little bird figurines and the result was wonderful. This year he was throwing ideas around like Exoforce (lego) cake and a jungle theme so once again I suggested he might do a better job of the cake himself. So we brainstormed and problem solved and after a bit of stress he decorated yet another b'day cake. A jungle with cave and animals. He had a couple of very proud siblings oohing and ahhing after he had finished. And most importantly he himself was happy and satisfied with what he had made.

I had a quick look for last years cake but couldn't find it in my very disorganised iphoto. Another job to get to.

sunday breakfast

Oh my!! We have reached the stage where our eldest children are wanting to cook us breakfast and make tea. Tea. That means lighting the stove. We don't have a electric kettle we boil the water on the stove top ...flames...boiling water..ughhh.
So this morning they had organised to wake each other up and one was on the tea and the other was on the eggs. I was called out and this is what I saw ..a pretty tablecloth, a lovely teacup and even some chocolate almonds all at 6:50am. I can't stomach much these days before 8 but I happily ate these beautiful offerings. Well not the chocolate almonds I promised to have those later. 

illustration friday

7yog: I found this little drawing amidst other bits on her desk. I loved the label 'hole' and the squirel on the trunk.
5yob: I took the children to Southbank one morning and after a swim we sat and had sushi under these beautiful trees full of yellow leaves. 5yo had his arms and his sisters arms full of sticks and leaves to bring home for the nature table. When we got home he found the string and got to work making this mobile. I don't think he knew what he was making until he had finished. He was so proud when I hung it above my desk. I love it.

the newest member of the family

the faces when we brought in the birthday present:

he named her Missy:
She's a four and a half month old chocolate Labrador puppy and a big sook. She has already made her way into our hearts. She is where she belongs. She is saturated in love and attention and its exhausting for a young pup...she spends a large part of the day like this...despite the enthusiastic attempts to get her to play.

nine

my heart longed for you long before I knew you
my body carried you into this world

your coming changed me forever
and lead me on a journey that I never could have imagined
the joy, the pain, the love, the wonder
I thought I would teach you and yet you are teaching me
I am the one with so much to learn
acceptance patience love forgiveness creativity individuality
you have just passed from eight to nine
and you are unique and full of knowing and yet so thirsty to know
i am better for knowing you
when you wake we give you gifts
but I know that you are the gift