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