312 + 208 Weeks

Another fun week just passed - flew by really.  Arley had a bit of a bad run, but I think we have been getting him to bed just a little too late.  He went down half an hour earlier last night, and he is quite a bit better today.  That didn't stop him from running away from me in the bush today, at least five times, but he is sitting here with me now safe and sound and that is all that matters.  We just got home from a really fun morning with our homeschool crew.  We took the kids down to the big cave at Burrill.  It's an aboriginal site, so we did rock art down there.  The kids also ran around like mad, and spent quite a long time trying to make a fire to keep us warm.  The fire didn't eventuate, but they still had fun trying.  There were nine kids in all - a really fun group of lovely kids, and as I said, Arley only ran away into the bush about five times :)  Afterwards, the kids and I ate our picnic lunch down at the harbour and then went and bought ice creams.  Carmie promptly dropped hers right out of the cone and onto the floor of the ice cream shop (so typical!) and had to get a second one.

The kids also went to Arley's little mate Dusty's birthday party.  It was Star Wars themed, and we whipped costumes together 15 minutes before we had to leave.  They were so cute.  The party was at Funland, and the kids had so much fun, as did the adults.  An hour of free games for all of us :)  Funland really was fun this time!

The kids' friend Loki came over for a play on Sunday, and he and Arley got along really well.  It was nice to see Arley actually sharing his toys!  On Monday Carmie went to her last Montessori day (she is not doing it next term), and Arley and I went to Mollymook Beach.  He wanted to see the construction equipment working on the new park down there.  Then we played at the beach and had a cupcake picnic.  On Tuesday the kids and I took Bella for a much-needed exploration of Collers Beach.  It was time she had a good run around.  The kids and I did writing in the sand, and Carmie and I created a game where I had to give her words to spell, and when she got them right, I had to do whatever she asked me to.  I did quite a few silly beach dances that morning.

Wednesday was spent at home.  If we don't give Carmie at least one day to just lounge around at home so she can read, she gets upset.  I think she read for about six hours that day.  I couldn't even get her to sit and draw with me and Arley.  She is such a book worm.  We did get out into the back yard though, for some trampolining and climbing on the wall.

So, my plan this week is to get Arley to bed at the right time every night without fail and to get Carmie to pick up a pen every day.  Wish me luck.

Making "black lollipops" - chocolate covered frozen bananas

My princess warrior and my Jedi.

 My little rock climber

 Arley in his new "big boy" car seat

 At Collers Beach

 I love how Bella is making sure he is OK (even though he is relentlessly mean to her!)

 Carmie turned Jeff's shape into an octopus.  Doesn't everyone know that an octopus has three hearts?

At the large cave at Burrill

 Stripes for power

 Our aboriginal art class for the homies

 Arley painted his whole ant blue with a stick :)  Mr Particular

 The crew

 Lunch at the harbour

311 + 207 Weeks

This week Jeffrey and I had a much-needed night off while the kids went to the farm.  We had drinks with our friend Mark while Carmie and Arley got spoiled rotten by their grandparents.  The kids also had a daddy-day while I was at the gallery.  On the Monday while Carmie was at her Montessori day, Arley and I went to Narrawallee Beach for some rock jumping, rockpool exploring and letter writing in the sand.  Arley loves the ono-on-one time with me - not that this improves his behaviour very much!  He hasn't been too bad though.  We get a lot of, "Well, then I'm going to hit you in the butt" and statements like that.  He did have a few meltdowns this week - a massive one this morning, because his routine was changed up and he just wasn't having any of it.  Anyway, nothing I can't handle, even though sometimes I do shed a few tears of frustration of my own.  

We had a playdate with Arley's new friend Finn on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how their friendship blossoms.  It ended up being a four-hour park play for us, as the kids ate their picnic lunch and then didn't want to leave.  The park emptied out and it was all theirs.  

I am getting ready to register Carmie for homeschooling, as I am supposed to do it before she turns six.  Tonight I compiled a list of all of the chapter books and non-fiction books that Carmie has read since she started fully reading.  The list doesn't include the hundreds of picture books she has read, just novels and her science books.  In total so far, she has read 142 books, cover to cover, and those are only the ones that I have a record of.  She is a total bookworm!  Tonight she was sulking at the dinner table because she had been too busy to read all day.

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, and even though we were a day late, this morning we met up with our homeschool buddies to walk a winter spiral.  It was such a lovely experience, and something I hope to do every year.  Afterwards all of the kids had a long play under the big fig tree.  They made little 'bedrooms' for themselves in all the nooks and crannies, and it was very sweet.  After their play, the kids and I made another trip up to the farm, as it has now been sold and Lolo and Dida are in the process of clearing it out.  Arley helped Dida load the farm truck so he could light a fire for burn off.  Arley is going to miss the farm so much!  The kids have not known life without the farm :(

He loves to ride his car on the trampoline

 I found this picture and many more like it on my phone!

At Narrawallee

 4 hour park day

 Winter spiral morning

 Carmie lighting her candle

Carmie being put to bed by Winny

 Arley the farmhand.

310 + 206 Weeks

This week was rather lovely.  Last week we reorganised our family room so that the kids would use it more, and it has been really successful - with a new table in there, more shelving so we could display the kids' art supplies and other toys, and a large comfy futon instead of our retro lounges.  They use it so much more.  Arley has gotten back into his train track building, and he seems happier.  He is well and truly over his cold, and for the last few days I have found him having his usual aggression, but then within seconds, coming and saying, "Sorry Mummy, sorry!" and giving me a cuddle.  I can handle this behaviour!

Carmie went up a level in swimming on Friday.  She is a little fish.  After swimming they had their usual play swim with the other homeschool kids, and then they left to go to Carmie's friend Ness' birthday party.  Carmie saw some of her old school buddies and had a blast, while Arley made a new friend, a little boy his same age and with a similar temperament.  On Saturday we went to a family tea party for the kids' cousin Zach's birthday.  We also had a couple of home days this week, even though the weather was absolutely amazing and Monday was the Queen's birthday so a public holiday.  The kids have turned into little home bodies.  We made a trip to the library, and Carmie is in book heaven right now - she has her nose in a book every spare minute.  And then today we met up with the kids' homeschool buddies for a picnic at Collers Beach.  The kids had so much fun - we saw dolphins, and crabs, and a surfer also got out of the water and told us there was a 5 - 6 foot hammerhead shark swimming around there in the water!  I love our little homeschool group - every single kid is such an individual, so kind, quirky and fun, and they make such a good mix.

I'm hoping that next week is as pleasant as this one - it is starting out well with a sleepover for the kids at the farm tomorrow.  We don't often get a night off - can't wait!

The kids' new playroom

 Carmie's swimming certificate

 Carmie and Ness

 My two princesses

 Carmie and her library spoils

 At Collers Beach

 Homeschool fun :)