a great balancing act

Project 366 - April

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and emails about our Bella girl. We are getting used to the emptiness of the backyard now, but still feels strange sometimes when I go to call her inside and then it hits me.

I can't believe April has been and gone and we are fast heading towards Winter! I had planned to go out and do a mini shoot in the autumn leaves, but I think I missed that chance. Looking back at these photos makes me realise we are already missing the warm afternoons, and I'm remembering why the daily photo project I started in 2010 came to an abrupt end in winter... there is only so many blurry and grainy photos I can take inside the house. Might be time to invest in a better camera or a flash unit soon...

Here is our April, in images:

Bella

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:53:00 +0000

Six and half years ago the Fireman and I bought a house, moved in together and got engaged.One of the first things we did together in our new house was look for a dog. So just five weeks after moving in we bought home Bella, a mischievous chocolate brown labrador. She set about tearing down the ugly lattice work on our deck and we set about trying to train her! We prepared ourselves for an evergrowing list of destroyed items but we were pleased to discover that pulling down that lattice work was obviously an aesthetic decision for Bella, as she didn't really destroy any other furniture or timber work the whole time had her. Balls and dog beds on the other hand, well they never lasted long around her.

My mother in law was fond of telling us that Hugh Wirth said labs didn't 'grow up' and calm down till they were five, and chocolate ones were the craziest of all. That pretty much held true - it took 5 years for her to understand that going for a walk did not have to involve her pulling us along, and a similar amount of time for to develop the ability to sit still when there visitors around.

That said, she was gentle and careful with the boys - their biggest danger was getting knocked over by an exuberant loving nudge or being squashed by a 30 kilo labrador who wanted to sit on your lap if you sat on the ground. She barely blinked an eye when a two year old tried a wrestling move on her, or when bikes and scooters were raced past her nose.

For 6 and a half years she entertained us, kept me company when the Fireman was away for work or working nights and waited excitedly at the gate whenever we got home.

A week ago we sadly lost our beautiful girl. RIP Bella. We miss you. The backyard is empty without your presence, and I think even the cat misses teasing you. My Photo a Day project won't be quite the same without you photo bombing every chance you get!

Day 100

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Day 100 of Project 366.

This week we have been re-reading 'The Gruffalo's Child' in anticipation of watching the animation of it on ABC2 this afternoon. Unfortunately, I had to work today and didn't make it home in time/remember to remind the Fireman that it was on.

'The Gruffalo' and the sequel 'The Gruffalo's Child' by Julia Donaldson are some of our favourite books and the animations are lovely as well. We have 'The Gruffalo' on DVD and watch it regularly so I was really looking forward to catching The Gruffalo's Child today.

Luckily it was available on ABC iView so after dinner we watched it on computer. Not quite the same as on the 'big screen' - but they made themselves comfortable anyway!

Now we are looking forward to seeing 'The Gruffalo's Child' live on stage when it comes to Melbourne next month. I'm sure this video will be watched a few times over the next week or two that it stays on iView.

{this moment}

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 05:51:00 +0000

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

And some more, because I can't help myself.

grateful for silence

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:08:00 +0000

Bron posted recently about her loud house and I commented in sympathy (with a sigh). Silence (and some time in the house by myself to enjoy it) is the thing I miss most about life before children.

My house is loud. Wooden floorboards, simple blinds (no curtains), no rugs and an attempt to keep to fairly clean lines in our teeny tiny house means no noise absorption. Two energetic, enthusiastic and very chatty little boys means lots of noise production.

Some days (okay most days) it all feels overwhelming to me and I long for bedtime just to get some quiet time. Thursday last week I had one of those very rare days where I got to stay home alone, all by myself. On my way home from childcare I braved the supermarket and the crazy Easter shoppers (seriously people, the shops were only shut for one day. You do NOT need two weeks worth of rations!). Afterwards I contemplated sitting at a cafe and enjoying a coffee and cake, but instead I headed home to savour a chocolate hot cross bun and coffee at home, in silence.

By lunchtime I was ready for some background music and as I folded clothes I relished the chance to turn the music up without competing with Fireman Sam (the children) or Game of Thrones (the Fireman).

So this week I am grateful for:

1. The house to myself for some me-time (sorry Bron, couldn't resist...)

2. The 8-tracks app (thanks Caroline for the recommendation!) and discovering some new music

3. Chocolate chip hot cross buns. Toasted. With butter. (In hindsight it's probably good for my heart and my thighs that the boys fed four to the dog...)

at Maxabella Loves

Project 366 - March

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:21:00 +0000

Sorry I've been missing in action for the last week or so - my computer is SO slow at the moment that all I'm managing to do on it is edit each day's photo for my Project 366 and upload it to facebook. I've started posting the photos on the blog's facebook page as I go (daily or 2nd daily) so feel free to 'like' me on facebook if you want to follow along!

I'm proud to say I didn't miss a day in March, though there are one or two days where I gave in and picked two photos because I just couldn't choose between two favourites.

Scroll on down for some photo overload!

this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:20:00 +0000

This weekend I have to say a big thank you to my wonderful parents for having the boys for a sleepover on Saturday night. The boys had lots of fun making pizza, staying up late and playing with their grandparents, and the Fireman and I had a great night with friends.

I'm so grateful that through random good luck I met some wonderful people through mother's group. We had a lovely dinner on Saturday - plenty of good food, great conversation, and no interruptions from children!

I'm looking forward to another busy week of teaching, but also glad that it's only one more week till school holidays!

I'll be visiting blogs but might not have much time to comment - especially if you have word verification turned on as I just can't get through it on the phone or iPad. Please, consider turning it off. Bron has a post on how to get rid of those crazy words over here. Have a read of it, and while you are there check out some of the other blogs linking up in the Grateful Linkup (especially those late posters like me!).

snap it | old

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:58:00 +0000

Suddenly, he seems so much older. Four and four months and he's blossoming in to a big kinder boy.

He's writing me letters, attempting to read, riding down the big hill in our backyard, swinging upside down from the swings, jumping into the pool without a second thought and swimming across the pool to me {huge change from the tears last term}.

You might have already seen this on instagram or facebook {yes, I'm a social media addict and just a wee bit proud of my boy}, but every time I look at this drawing I feel grateful to have this loving boy in my life. He's full of enthusiasm, energy and love - I'm storing up all the "I love you"s {he called it out 3 times in swimming alone... } for when he becomes a moody teen!

I'm joining in with Snap It | 'Old' over at Sarah's place.

autumn afternoons

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:57:00 +0000

We've really been enjoying these lovely autumn afternoons; I love that is warm enough to play outside in the evening, yet cool enough to sleep.

I'm grateful that we can head outside and let off some energy at that crazy time of the day when dinner needs to be cooked, children are getting grumpy and I'm running out of patience!

Fingers crossed this lovely weather lasts for the next few weeks - I'll be looking forward to those evenings over the next two weeks. I'm going to be teaching fulltime for a week and half (my first solo teaching other than 2 lessons with prep last week) - so wish me luck, and don't be surprised if this space is a little quiet until school holidays!

Joining up (very late to the party!) with the lovely Bron at Maxabella Loves and KidSpot.

{this moment} waiting

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:04:00 +0000

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

do your thoughts play tag?

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:24:00 +0000

Tonight, when my four year old was having trouble getting to sleep (he's very overtired) I lay down with him for a cuddle. Once he had calmed down and stopped crying about his urgent need to do a drawing and write a letter 'right now' he snuggled into me and told me "I can't sleep because inside my brain my thoughts are playing tag, 'tag you're it, tag you're it!' and they keep me awake".

We tried a little guided relaxation which helped him a bit and he enjoyed it, even if he did have trouble stopping his mouth and his mind! Eventually he dozed off to sleep in my arms (a rare event) and I was able to exctricate myself and leave. Once asleep he is completely out, [we can turn the lights on, change the bed, carry him to the toilet and he doesn't wake] so at least there weren't any flashbacks as I stepped on that one creaky floorboard that always caught me when he was a baby!

I do know exactly what he means about the thoughts flying around his head though, he must get that problem from me because his dad has the ability to drop off to sleep in minutes!

Do you have a little one who needs some help switching off at the end of the day? Other than a regular bed time routine is there something else you have found that has helped them learn how to wind themselves down? (I think I need tips for me as well!).

snap it | love

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:28:00 +0000

Snap it | LOVE and Wordless Wednesday

Love these two boys. They light up my life.

Happy Wednesday! We're off to look at the local primary school... can't quite get my head around the idea that we are up to this stage already!

How did you make the big decision about where to send your children for school? Did you find it as difficult a decision as I seem to be making it? If you are an experienced school mum then please, share your tips on how to choose a school... I'm lost!

grateful for health

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:41:00 +0000

Some days, most days, I take it for granted, but today I was reminded that being able to take my health for granted is something to be grateful for. There are many, many other families who don't have that luxury. I meet them all the time, it's part of my job - but some days it hits a bit closer to home.

Today was one of those days when reality [work related] hit me square in the chest and left me feeling shaken.

I'm going to go give these boys a big hug as I tuck them in to bed. Have a lovely weekend, especially if you are having a long one!

Join in with Maxabella here:

this moment

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:25:00 +0000

{this moment} - Inspired by SouleMama. A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

point and shoot

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:51:00 +0000

I'm meant to be writing my CV and Key Selection Criteria, so this is just a quick diversion {don't tell the Fireman, oh wait - he reads this blog...} from the fun that is trying to condense 12 years of experience in one field into something that will get me a job in another field! [For the new visitors - I completed a Postgrad Diploma of Education last year after ten years in the health field. I'm looking for part time work as a Primary Teacher now if anyone knows of any going!]

It's painstaking business trying to reword things to make them relevant to something new, and time consuming since I'm basically starting the document fresh rather than just updating and refreshing as I have previously.

I've also never had to write KSC before, so I'm struggling with getting my thoughts down today. Probably doesn't help that I'm tackling it after a busy three days of work!

Anyway, here's some snaps from our weekend to link up with Lou in the regular Point + Shoot linky.. The boys spent Sunday outside cleaning up the backyard some more - it's just about done now, at least until we save a bit more to add some more plants and a shade sail for next summer. The Fireman has done a spectacular job - it is a real joy to go out and enjoy our backyard now.

Hope you had a lovely weekend, and I'm thinking of all those are currently evacuated, facing evacuation or returning to their houses to assess the damage in the latest lot of flooding.

xx

I've also linked up with Sonia over here sharing our Wonderful Weekends!

February - Project 366

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:57:00 +0000

Another month in to my Project 366 and I'm still enjoying it. I missed one day along the way when my back was really sore and I could hardly hold the camera let alone think of taking a photo, but otherwise I've captured something I've been happy with every day. Some of those everyday moments, some of those 'firsts' I want to remember, and some just gorgeous photos of my boys.

So here is our month, in images:

Thanks for looking! I know it was photo overload... but I couldn't pick favourites!

summer rain

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:09:00 +0000

After our hot weekend the skies opened up and down came the rain!

I'm linking up to Wordless Wednesday and playing along with Sarah's Snap It linkup.

Snap It | Sky

splash

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +0000

Today, while I sit here listening to a summer storm that is (thankfully) cooling the house down, I'm grateful for:

- my wonderful husband who has worked hard this week on our garden while I rested my sore back
- time to watch those beautiful boys enjoy simple things - water, a paint brush, dancing in your undies
- painkillers and knowing how to treat my own back!

I'm also linking up to the gorgeous Lou at Sunny & Scout for another dose of Point & Shoot fun.

This moment

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:35:00 +0000

{this moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Linking up with SouleMama.

snap it | colour

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:56:00 +0000

The day we moved the Bear into his own room and took the side off his cot I found him (when he eventually slept) with this abacus in his bed. I put it away the next day, and again at sleep time it was back in his bed. It's stayed there ever since and seems to have replaced 'tedda' as the comfort toy of choice at sleeptime.

Linking up with Snap It and Wordless Wednesday

monday morning

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:10:00 +0000

The Fireman has been on holidays for a just over a week now and the garden is looking a lot emptier... never let a man loose with a chainsaw!

It's opened the yard right up and let a lot more light into our loungeroom - now I'm going to need new blinds though, there is always something that needs doing around the house isn't there.

I'm very grateful to my father in law who assisted the Fireman in his tree pruning slog and helped create the massive pile of branches that is currently blocking our driveway. Now we just have to figure out what to do with them... Skip? Tip? Hire a mulcher?

I'm also grateful to the poor man who rents a room next door to use as office space. Last week he had to listen to the chainsaw buzzing half the day, and whenever there was a moment's peace from that it was filled with other noise:

- the Monkey and his little friend singing "We are the King and Queen because we are" as they paraded around the backyard

- the sound of five boys running around with drills stuck in the front of their pants making 'pow pow' noises as they 'caught the bad guys' {clearly the 'no gun' rule is kind of pointless...}

- the squealing of a rather overtired two year who is resisting day sleeps but is tired by 10am

point + shoot

yes, that was a stick thrown at me... i dodged it luckily

the royal couple

wordless wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:08:00 +0000

The Fireman is on holidays and the big backyard clean up is in full swing:

The best thing the flood did was get rid of a lot of the vines that were slowly pulling our fences down - and they got taken away by the fencing guys (yay!). We are getting there in the clean up - we still have a lot of gravel to scrape up off the grass and driveway; but we have fences (yay!), a chicken run (yay) and we've cleared away a few of the dead trees (yay).

Wordless Wednesday is over at My Little Drummer Boy - link up and play along!

Melbourne Museum winner

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:12:00 +0000

Congratulations Brenda! You are the winner of the Melbourne Museum giveaway - you've won two passes to the Melbourne Museum. Contact me via email and I'll get those passes straight out to you.

point + shoot - the lizard edition

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:57:00 +0000

The Fireman found a little nest of skink eggs in the garden when he was moving rocks on the weekend. He carefully relocated them but as he did so one egg cracked open and out popped a tiny little skink. It apparently looked around for a few seconds then started devouring some nearby ants - you don't get to be a helpless newborn for long in lizard land!

Get your camera out and play along with point + shoot with Lou at the always beautiful sunny + scout and Sonia at Life, Love and Hiccups

52 weeks of grateful - six

noreply@blogger.com (melissa) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

For those who thought my blog painted a picture of calm parenting, tidy rooms and carefully planned activities, here's the reality:

We had a busy week; I worked from Friday to Thursday with one day off and with the boys starting childcare and the proper kinder program we all ended up and bit tired and grumpy! So, this week I'm grateful to:

- a friend for a good chat, a couple of cups of tea and a chance to get the boys out and jumping on her trampoline (and the Monkey is grateful for the strawberry milkshake that was "better than the cafe one").

- a wonderful neighbour who offered to have the Monkey over to play with her three beautiful boys when I was feeling a little fragile and frustrated with my two very overtired ones (skipping naps, waking early and delaying bedtime will do that to you!). Another cup of tea and some quiet time with the Bear helped us get through to dinner without too many tears!

- a glass of cold ginger beer, an easy cook meal (mmm pizza!) and a movie for when they finally went to sleep last night.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend. I'll be back tomorrow to announce the winner of the Melbourne Museum giveaway.

linking up with Maxabella Loves