Earth moving

With the sun shining, it was a great day to spend in the backyard today. Even Isaac helped out by moving some rocks with his dump truck.

Spontaneous visit

The plan was to just have a day at home with Noah today but during his mid-morning nap I realised I was bored, that I'd been at home most of the week and would be at home most of the weekend. Mum works in a display home village and is by herself most days so we decided to bring her some lunch and company for a few hours.

We'll be back for another visit soon because Isaac will love seeing nanna's work and playing the big snakes and ladders game on the road in the village.

Wandering the streets

Weather permitting I've been trying to get out for a walk a few times a week. Not only does it get us out of the house doing a bit of exercise, it's also a free activity that usually keeps the boys occupied for a while. Today it was just Noah and I strolling along the streets while the cleaners did their thing back at the house.

Plentiful platter

It was our turn to bring morning tea to playtime at the school today. I prepared a platter of fruit and cheese and we headed off to the school. Turns out the teachers strike today meant that there was only one child and one teacher at the whole school. Needless to say, playgroup was not on.

We were already out of the house and the sun was shining so we took our platter down to the park instead.

Colour me happy

It's been a cold, wet day and while I could've been doing any one of the hundreds of jobs around the house I couldn't be bothered with any of it today. Instead I chose to do a spot of colouring in with Isaac. It was quite therapeutic actually.

Under the weather

We were kept up last night with a few vomiting episodes from Isaac so today he spent much of the day curled up on the lounge watching DVDs.

His very first experience with vomiting when he was younger was when he had a cough, he was coughing so hard that he threw up. "Oh no, I dropped a cough" he said. It's something that's stuck now, we've called it dropping a cough ever since. Makes something fairly yuck quite cute.

Jubilee high tea

Today was a bit la-de-da with high tea at the Queen Victoria Building. It was a treat for a friend's birthday and was made extra nice with the exclusion of our expanding number of children. It was a lovely way to spend a girly morning sipping tea and nibbling on petit fours in an historic setting.

Chipping away

With the new garden bed taking shape I thought I'd spend some time outside today cleaning up the recycled bricks we have accumulated over the last few months. Darren bought this nifty little tool to help with the job and once I got the hang of it the cement was falling away. I don't think I got as many done as Darren might have liked but it's something I think we'll just have to chip away at. Get it? Chip?

Another nail biter

The Swans do it to me again.

Darren and I went to watch the Swans take on the Cats tonight. After they were out to a handy lead in the first quarter I reminded Darren not to be complacent because it's not a Swans game unless your heart is in your mouth in the last quarter. For some reason they are notorious for some very close finishes and tonight was no exception. They were leading all night but with only minutes to go the Cats hit the front and it was only in the very last minute that the Swans pulled back into the lead. They eventually won by 6 points. 

As stressful as it can be I wouldn't have it any other way. It makes going to the football lots of fun and hearing that crowd at the SCG chanting "Sydney" is magic.

Kindness of strangers

In an effort to curb our spending lately, I've been trying to do more of our grocery shopping at Aldi. It seems that if I go to either of the big supermarkets for a couple of items I walk out $100 lighter somehow.

I knew that at Aldi I needed to pay for a shopping trolley but I thought I could use any gold coin. I had Noah all strapped into the baby seat of the pram when I realised that it only took $2 coins. I rummaged through my purse and managed to come up with $2 in various coins. On my way into the shop to get it changed to a $2 coin I remembered that I used to have one of those little tags that you can buy in Aldi for the trolleys. So with Noah on hip I went back to the car to look for it. No luck. I then went back into the shop to wait at the register for change. A gentleman saw me counting my money again and offered me a $2 coin but would not take my change in return. He probably saw this crazy woman walking back and forth with a baby on her hip and thought I could use some help. Regardless, he was very kind and I hope the kindness is returned to him one day.

He was an older man too so it got me thinking about doing good deeds for strangers and whether it's something that has been lost on younger generations. I certainly hope not. It's something that I hope to encourage my boys to do as they get older and one of the best ways to do that is to lead by example. Today was a good reminder to be that example.

I am woman...watch me dig

Isaac and I were tasked with planting some vegetables in our newly constructed veggie patch this week.

I went to the nursery yesterday to pick up the plants and seeds and today was earmarked for the planting. Isaac had been asking all morning when we were going to get started and I explained (numerous times) that it would be best to wait until after lunch when Noah has his biggest sleep.

Unfortunately Isaac fell asleep while I was finishing the dishes from lunch and there was no way I was going to plant the veggies without him - although it would've been a lot quicker, I didn't want to deal with an upset four year old for the rest of the afternoon.

Instead I decided to get started on clearing the area around our lemon tree to make a proper garden bed. We're planning on using recycled bricks level with the grass for the edging so I needed to dig a hole to accommodate the depth of the bricks. I didn't realise digging a hole would be such hard work and that grass roots we're so strong. I contemplated giving up after only a few attempts at breaking the ground but with the right tools and a bit of force we now have the beginnings of a garden bed. There's still a bit of work to do but it's a start at least. And I also have a new appreciation for the work Darren does in the yard regularly - he makes it look easy.

 

Sleep tight

On the nightly check of the boys before we go to bed it's always lovely to see them so peaceful. It's also interesting to see what position Isaac might have himself in. Tonight he was pretty good but usually he's balanced right on the edge of the bed - for some reason he prefers the hard bed frame over the soft mattress.

Fresh air

After too many days of rain we are finally seeing some beautiful sunshine. I decided to make the most of it and spend the day outside at the park. We also had a lot of bread that was ideal for feeding ducks with.

I knew the perfect place to go - there's a playground at Sydney Olympic Park that has a big sandpit and a lake nearby with lots of birds. We packed the car with the bike, dump trucks and snacks and headed off.

It was a lovely day playing, relaxing on the picnic blanket and feeding the birds. We weren't the only ones enjoying the sunshine either. There were lots of other parents and kids there, no doubt just as grateful as us to finally get out of the house and into the fresh air.

Suburbia

We attended a house warming party today for some friends who have moved from a small inner city apartment to a three bedroom house a little further out in the suburbs. The area is somewhere we looked at when we bought our suburban house and if it wasn't for the fact it was a little too far away from our family I'm sure we would now be neighbours.

The house is great with a lot of room both inside and out and lots of opportunity for them to put their own stamp on it. I'm looking forward to seeing the transformation over the coming years.

Puddles

What a great day to give the gumboots a good workout.

Outdoorsy type

Noah loves being outside. The only way I seem to be able to get him to have any floor time is on a picnic blanket on the grass. This afternoon I took advantage of the sun and let him have a kick and roll around in the fresh air. He was one happy bub which makes me a happy mum.

Action!

I decided to take Noah down for a bit of a walk by the river this afternoon. On our way there I noticed a lot of people and cameras around one of the local cafes. I parked the car by the river and went for a stroll, eventually arriving at the cafe I'd driven past. I asked another girl nearby what was happening and she told me they were filming Underbelly.

When I heard them call action I stood at a bus stop to watch the scene unfold. After about a minute someone from inside the restaurant yells "Gun!" and two police cars with sirens blaring come screeching to a halt outside.

At this point another lady at the bus stop looked to me with terror showing on her face and asked what was happening. I told her about the filming and with her hand to her heart she said "Oh my god!" The poor thing thought it was a real crime scene and nearly had a heart attack.

Boredom

After a busy morning at preschool playtime I just needed 10 minutes or so to collect myself before the lunch procession began. Requests for Isaac to go and play with the gazillion toys in his room fell on deaf ears so I thought I'd get out some of the stickers and colouring supplies from the craft box. He was so excited when I laid them out on the table for him. "That should keep him busy for I while" I thought.

Not even two minutes later he was back complaining he was bored. Arrrggghhh. A mum can only try.

Looking on

Noah watches his big brother during his swimming lessons. We'll get you into the water soon little man.

Having a ball

It's been raining for a few days so I decided to take Isaac to a play centre today for a bit of a run around. There were two big jumping castles with slides which he enjoyed but he seemed to have most fun swimming around in the ball pit.

Toastie warm

All rugged up with slipper socks and blanket tonight in front of the tv. It's been a cold one but made bearable by a yummy feast with the family.

Oh what a night!

Well, what do I say? A night at the lingerie football league wasn't the most romantic date night I've ever had but it was definitely interesting.

I have very mixed feelings about it all.

As a woman, I don't find it offensive as such but more intriguing. Firstly, I wonder what motivates the girls to choose to do it. I know there's challenges in getting people interested in women's sport but is this a genuine attempt at getting people interested or just pure titillation?

Secondly, and most eye opening, was the crowd. I can't say I was surprised. I knew there'd be a lot of men there ogling the on-field antics but at the same time I was a little overwhelmed by some of the behaviour. Obscene comments and gestures, blow up dolls and just general stupidity (e.g. large numbers of plastic cups being thrown down from the seats above - not all of them empty).

It's left me thinking does this stuff only happen when men get together in large numbers around half naked women or would I find the same disturbing things happening during a hen's night at Wildboys Afloat? Either way it's not very endearing.

Finger food

We were looking through some old photos of Isaac the other day and realized he was having sandwiches at around 7-8 months old. With Noah becoming much better at controlling his hands in the last week I thought we'd try him with one today. I took the crusts off and cut it into 'soldiers' so it would be easier for him to handle. He did really well and seemed to enjoy it. Might make lunch times a bit easier from now on.

You know you're getting older when...

you wake up to a beautiful, clear blue sky and your first thought is "it's a great day for washing".

Over the rainbow

I noticed this wonderful rainbow in the sky this morning while we were looking up for the transit of Venus. Rainbows are certainly more common than the transit of Venus but they're defintely easier to photograph.

Babyccino face

After swimming lessons we usually head down to one of the cafes for a coffee and a babyccino. As you can see, Isaac decided that today he wanted one with colourful sprinkles.

Technology

We needed a change of scenery today so the boys and I visited Nanna for the afternoon. 

She'd just bought Happy Feet 2 in 3D so Isaac got to wear the 'silly glasses' while he watched the movie. It was the first time he has seen anything 3D and I think he was impressed. As expected, he didn't last the whole movie though and complained he was feeling a bit sick. I don't blame him, I'm a bit the same whenever I watch anything in 3D.

I'm always amazed at the technology that this generation of children will grow up with. All the technology around us these days seemed unimaginable to us only 15-20 years ago and often we're still in awe of just what is possible (although we're also very quick to complain when the technology doesn't work). But for them it's just how it has always been. I've seen Isaac try to touch computer monitors to get things to happen because, for him, isn't every surface a touch screen? 

My mind boggles at what advances they might see in their lifetimes.

Old traditions

Before we had the boys a typical Saturday and Sunday afternoon was spent watching football while devouring a cheese plate. It became our little tradition in the winter months (and probably the source of a few too many kilos).

SInce the kids have come along this is something that has fallen by the wayside. For some reason it's just not as relaxing when there's cars and trucks being run across the coffee table (or up your arms) at the same time.

This weekend we caught a glimpse of what once was and could be again when the boys are a bit older. There was cheese consumed and football viewed but just not simultaneously.

Still, I'll happily take Brie anytime, football or not.

Road worthy

It's that time of year again, registration is due. Yuck! Nothing positive to say really only that, after today, it's something I don't have to worry about again for a while.

Allen key not required

I've been getting a bit frustrated lately with the amount of stuff we have around the house. It's mostly related to Isaac leaving his toys lying around but also because things don't always seem to have a proper 'home'. We only have a small place so I need to get clever about storage. What's the first place I think of when I think storage? Ikea.

This place is so much quieter and more bearable during the week. The weekends can be a nightmare trying to work your way through the sea of people and overstuffed trolleys. We used to live right across the road before the boys were born and Darren and I would enjoy watching from our balcony as people tried to squeeze queen size mattresses or 20 flat packs into their little two door hatchbacks.

I was able to have a leisurely browse through the displays and picked up some ideas for future projects but today I came home with some boxes to help sort Isaac's drawers and some small shelves to display his expanding book collection.

No flat packs on this trip, yay!