So, little sweet angelic Carmie got me really good this week, with a doozy. Here's what happened. I was in the front yard gardening and the kids were playing in the cul-de-sac. Carmie told me she wanted to go on an adventure and asked if she could walk down the hill to the bottom of our street (literally four houses away). I said sure. When she came back, she played for a little longer, then told me that wasn't much of an adventure. I told her she could go across the road to the other side of the cul-de-sac to the vacant lot to explore and pick flowers (its just a 1000 square meter block of land that is going to be built on). The only access is from the front opposite our house, unless you want to climb through two metres of bramble at the end of the lot, and it backs onto a road that leads to our neighbourhood park. Arley then told me he was thirsty, so I walked up to our house to open the front door for him. When I turned around, I saw a flash of colour through the brambles of the lot, and no Carmen anywhere. So I ran over there and called for her. Nothing. I called some more. Nothing. I climbed through the brambles and started hollering her name. Still nothing. That's when the panic set in. I started calling for her as loudly as I could. I thought there was no way she couldn't hear me, and so of course I thought someone had taken her. That's pretty much when the world started spinning. I started back to the house, screaming out through the neighbourhood. Arley came out of our house and I asked him if Carmie was there, he said no. Jeff came out and asked where Carmie was, and to his horror I had to tell him that she was gone. He started calling for her, and headed towards the neighbourhood park. It's not like Carmie is ever disobedient, so of course I assumed she had gone to the lot, and then minutes later, disappeared. I ran inside to find the phone, couldn't find it and instead had an asthma attack. I found Jeff's phone and called the police. I went outside and ran down the lawn, on the phone to emergency, when up the road trotted Carmen, followed by a neighbour in her car. Apparently our lovely neighbour had jumped in her car and joined the hunt, and had found Carmie three blocks away (in a completely different direction), walking to our local swimming pool. I fell to my knees, and Carmie asked me what is wrong and told me that she just wanted to get some exercise. I had to send the neighbour in her car to go find Jeff who was still out searching for her. It was honestly the worst seven or so minutes of my life. The rising panic as time ticked on was unbelievable. Jeff said he was walking through the neighbourhood thinking he was going to be one of those poor dads on tv with a missing daughter. And do you know what Carmie said to me that night? "Mum, did you learn a lesson today?" I said, "ME learn a lesson?!? What lesson is that?" She said, "That I can go for a walk and come home and be OK!" Five years old. Such a scallywag!!
Apart from that drama, the week has been pretty good. Arley is being a bit of a ratbag again, but honestly, what's new? I just keep thinking that all will be well again when he turns four. Four year olds can be reasoned with, right? Is it a four year old's first impulse to scream, "NO!" whenever you ask him a question or to do something (or not do something, for that matter?) Hopefully not!
We have found a lovely place to take the kids out with the dog - tons of rock pools and pretty safe. I think our dog is going to permanently smell like the sea from now on. We have had quite a bit of rain this week, so lots of home time (although I still can't find the time to get all the things done with the kids that I want). On Tuesday night the kids had a sleepover at the farm with Lolo and Dida, so that Jeff and I could head up to Bungendore on Wednesday to hang my paintings for my show. The exhibition is on for two months, and the opening is on Saturday, so the kids will get another sleep over, and we will actually get a night away!
Today we went to another homeschooler's house (it was definitely more like a beautiful farm) so that the kids could meet and have a play. Arley was very into their chickens, and spent half the time chasing them around with a giant toy sponge rocket. Carmie saw their kitten and now wants a kitten of her own (this is not a new wish, it just got amped up as of this afternoon). I have my doubts that she will get one any time soon, as I don't think that Arley would be very nice to a cat. We are lucky to have a very kind and patient dog for him to pick on!
Getting ready to make pancakes for breakfast
Callers Beach with the kids and Bella
Backyard play
At the farm
Counting rocks
Here is the boy who freaks out if he spills a drop of liquid on his hands. Go figure.
Chicken chaser!
