Measures of Success

 For me, it has never been about how much money I earn,

or how flash the car, or even how fancy the clothes.

Let's face it.

I've never earnt good money, my cars have just been cars

and I am far more comfortable in work boots and jeans than anything else.

I used to measure success at work by teaching the kids

useful social skills - catching the bus,

learning their phone number. Safe sex.

How things have changed.

Just now, I was making my bed.

It is quite possibly the fifth time I have done it today.

I realized that these days I measure success

by keeping up with the washing,

leaving the house with all beds made,

not yelling too many times in a day,

getting at least some fruit and veggies into the kids.

Today was pretty successful by these standards.

We got to kinder almost on time.

I did 2 loads of washing.

The house is clean and beds are made.(For now.)

I cut apple into "apple chips" so it was eaten.

We are going to a reptile birthday party soon.

Life is getting back into the swing of things.

With the last few weeks of upheaval,

I've realized that I really like my boring old

kinder, swimming lesson, ballet class Mum routine.

Trauma Nurse

 After the disasterous couple of weeks we have had I decided to go by the theory
'If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
The last thing I wanted to do was to get all philosophical and try to find meaning and discuss inner strength. Best just let it go unblogged.

I was thinking today however, that I could have done with one of those funny little trauma teddies they give kids in hospital.
So I got on to Ric Rac Softie Tutorial and made myself a little Trauma Nurse Puppet.
Pip says it is hers and I will let her think that, but really, Nurse Pinky is mine.

It's Exhausting Being This Cute.

At ballet, it is important to listen to Miss Brigit.

It is vital to twirl.

 You must point your toes.

Chocolate cake feet and plie`.

 Listen to the music to see how it makes you feel.

Is it any wonder I get so tired?

Out With The Old. In With The New.

Soon the old abalone sheds and slipway are going to be removed.

A multi-million dollar, state of the art amphitheatre is going to be built in its place.

A place where visitors can sit behind glass and watch the giant stingrays feed.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Whilst I am not anti-progress, I am nostalgic.

I admit I had trouble with the thought of the old 'creek'

being upgraded into the pristine harbour that it is now.

Then again, I am there at least twice a week. 

We take the kids for walks there, eat icecreams and drink coffee,

 climb the tower and look at the boats, we have even gone fishing.

I can't say I would have done the same in its old state of dilapidation.

I hope there will still be places around to explore that are not perfect,

places of rough and rugged beauty.

I can't help but like dilapidation.

I'm attracted to rust and old timbers and peeling paint.



I want the kids to connect to the towns history and its stories.

To enjoy the wonders of nature and the freedom to interact within it.

To take chances sometimes and risk a fall or two.

.

 Get their feet wet, clothes grubby and get stuck into it.

I just want happy, healthy, fun loving kids...

...and I've got them.

Colours In Our Garden

 

 

Don't Push Me

"Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge.

I'm trying not to lose my head.

Ah huh, Ah Huh!"

Grandmaster Flash (1982)

Sam (often!)

Kids Say The Darndest Things...

At ballet the other morning one of the Mums said to me,

"Don't kids say they darndest things?"

Apart from thinking we were in an American sitcom and wanting to reply,

"Why, they sure do Little Missy!"

It got me thinking about some of the funny things my 2 have said over the years.

Luckily for me, I have an obssessed Granny who writes them down...here's a few.

Jack did this painting of me a kinder on Monday and told the teacher,

"This is my Mum in her bra, you can see her belly button and her penis."

At almost 3, a lady in the library asked him how old he was, Jack replied "22 past 6."

I heard snickers from behind the book shelves.

After getting my hair cut short I asked Jack if he liked it, he replied,

"I guess I'll have to."

Ben gave him a guitar when he was 3.

He said his band was called 'The Old Rockin' Bandio.'

He made up a song called 'The Old Green Guitar," and sang it in a country accent.

Pip at 2 1/2 called Magpies 'Piegam"

'Pol Pol' for icypoles.  

When given tonic water to drink, asked with a screwed up face

"What's dis Tony Walker?"

She wears 'short boards' instead of board shorts. 

Gets bitten by 'scooters' instead of mosquitoes.

For 'both of us' will say, 'two both-ers.'

One day she told me that she did not want to got to Grannys.

I asked her why and she said "Because Granny has a big stick."

"Does she hit you with it?" I replied.

"Yes and she pokes me in the eye with the stick and then she throws rabbit bunnies at me!"