Day 84 - lovely feet

I had another appointment this morning. Fortunately Angus is quite happy to remain strapped in the pram, not for too long, and as long as he can see me. His lovely little feet are quite amusing to him.

Day 83 - our baby feeds herself cereal

She's two and a half, and well, I guess she's growing up...she sleeps with a pillow now too. Yesterday we accepted a one-day-a-week placement at a local daycare centre. She's terribly excited about it and calls it 'school'. I'm glad she'll have more structure and time with other kids in her week. I'm also glad of the time I'll have to spend with Angus, as well as being freed up to get more done on that day.

Day 82 - Tuesday - Ian chats to widows

He was due to give a talk to the Widow's club today in his role as a Legatee and delivered an interesting little story about the bloke who was his father's Legatee, but died back in 1973 - when I was one! Ian's Dad had mentioned this man on Saturday in his birthday speech, and his father's experience of losing his Dad early at 13 and finding support in Legacy is the reason Ian joined.

Day 81 - Monday - marking student work

This is what a pile of Year 9 students' assignments looks like - marked. Lovely! Helping my sister out with her 4 week teaching contract.

This is what I see on my way to bed. We don't get up in the night as often now for crying babies but we like to keep the lamp on.

Day 80 - Sunday - afternoon

Hoping Mum may come every Sunday to hang out with us and stay for tea.

Day 79 - Saturday - Keith's 80th

I was asked to be the "official" photographer for my father-in-law's birthday party, which I was happy to do. In fact, I loved it. I'm wondering if photography is something I could pursue - have lots to learn yet.

Day 78 - Friday - spider web

We were rushing out the door into the rain this morning to get to an appointment when i saw this darling spider web glistening with rain drops.

Day 77 - Thursday - mummy's little helper

Like every other day, Tassie needs lots of activity to keep herself occupied and her mood calm and happy. So while Angus was napping in the morning, we did dishes together and baked. This is a new recipe for banana bread without egg in it, in the hopes Angus will eat it.
then while Tassie napped, Angus decided to practise his walking around the room. I even took some video which I am pretty happy with, though it's mostly out of focus! (taken on my digital SLR).

Day 76 - Wednesday - playground pick-me-up

Angus had a great time at the playground. He got to go down this big slide, and another yellow one. We went on lots of different equipment and spent well over an hour playing, despite my terrible headache. When it was time to go, Tasmin did her usual tantrum, even screaming at the top of her lungs. It's remarkable though what a bit of fresh air can do. I felt so much better by the end of the day. Plus I found my keys (missing for two weeks) nestled comfortably in my camera bag.

Day 75 - Tuesday - yucky

No mojo. Bring on tomorrow.

Day 74 - Monday - two kids in a boat

We enjoyed lunch and a play out on the deck today, with Gandy visiting for the day. Angus popped into his little 'boat' to play and when I turned around again, Tasmin hopped in too!

Angus had four 'firsts' today:
1. Today you drank half a bottle of water and liked it
2. You sipped banana milkshake from a straw like Tasmin
3. You sat STILL through a whole story this afternoon. A whole story. Then you toddled off to the table, reached up high for a second book, and brought it over to read!
4. You stood up on the bench in the bathroom for Daddy to dry you after your bath.
You adorable, sweet little boy. We love you.

Day 73 - Sunday - family art

My great uncle Percy painted this. Stunning and inspiring.

Day 72 - perfect Saturday

The return of our beloved Night Garden on DVD. Angus was so excited, he punched the air with his fists and quivered all over! Tassie was excited too.

Lovely sunny skies and warm day. We enjoyed going swimming together again, and bought fresh bread on the way home for lunch. Perfect Saturday!

Dinner - spaghetti bolognaiseAnd there it is. The curse of Vort strikes again!

Day 71 again

I have been learning more about Photoshop Elements at Ella Publishing's post by Noel Cuthbertson on brightening and sharpening photos to make them 'pop'. I also found some handy tips on colour in this month's issue of Scrapbooking Memories mag so decided to stay up a bit late last night and have a go. I'm so pleased with the results I decided to re post the photos from yesterday which were a little dull and shadowy. Check this out:


Very very happy with the results. And yes, photoshopping - like photography and scrapbooking - is addictive.

Day 71 - Friday - Billie at the clothesline

Billie, my precious little companion for 15 years, has this funny little habit. She likes to trot over as quick as her furry little legs will carry her to me when she sees me outside, and always at the clothesline. She meows until I tickle her tummy and under her chin. Love this cat!

Day 70 - Thursday - it's all about the fruit

Tasmin and Angus love fruit for breakfast. It's the one thing they'll eat with no problem.

day 69 - wednesday - happy meal

So glad to have a more relaxing day after yesterday. With Mum along, I was able to pick up my sewing machine, pop into spotlight to spend my $10 voucher (on a scallop circle punch) and drop off the DVD (the one angus threw on the ground one too many times) for repair. And there was even time for a coffee. What's not to like?

Day 68 - tuesday - calm before the storm

Just another ordinary day really. This is angus being pensive...

Now he's excited about having his photo taken. A dream child, really!

It can take many shots to get one like this of Tassie, though...

The new plan is to put Angus down for his morning nap at 10.30 or so and wake him after an hour. Then he can return for an afternoon nap after 2pm, whenever Tassie goes down, so Mummy can have a break. It's actually working, on day 4 so far.

This morning after Angus woke, we rushed into town to get to the toy library before closing time, only all the car spaces were taken (apparently it's when the kindy finishes for the morning). So I had to park much further up the street, haul the kids into the pram, and push it up the slope. Then at the library, we borrowed toys, book and DVDs but then Tassie had a tantrum when it was time to go. She's been like this a lot the last few days. I went to the chemist to get more makeup only they had run out (again) of my foundation so we left, but across the road I realised I'd left a large bag with a library toy in it and had to return. Then back to the car, off to the shops, out again to get nappies - four boxes, on sale ( I saved $35 so hopefully worth the effort). I was exhausted when I got back. That pram weighs about 25kilos fully loaded.

I'm almost too scared to take these pictures of Tasmin, but it feels important to have a record of what our lives are really like.

At least I had a scrapbook mag from the library to relax with ;-)

Days 65,66,67 - long, wet weekend

Monday - making water bottle dogs like on playschool.

Sunday - Daddy working on the computer

The boys tussle on the floor, which is sort of comfortable for Daddy

Sunday afternoon: Manda dropped round with some laundry (their washing machine is stuffed), chatted about her 4 week school contract and enjoyed the 365-album with Tassie to explain the photos.

Sunday morning. Tassie loves crafts. Daddy made the binoculars.

Saturday night. Aah, dinner, spaghetti bolognaise made by Daddy.

I returned Saturday afternoon after some Mummy-only shopping, finding the perfect dress for a cousin's wedding later this month. Tasmin wore my favourite beads for just a few minutes before breaking them...again....Mummy never learns!

We all went for the babies' swimming lessons together Saturday morning

Saturday breakfast. Gandy joined us for pancakes after staying Friday night, which allowed ian and I to get away to see "Shutter Island", an exciting thriller, and have dinner.