growing up

tonight when Nicholas went to bed, he called out for me to come to his room. he said:

"mama, i don't want to go to school two weeks (meaning two days). i want to go to school one week (meaning one day) because i don't see you very much. i wait all day until you come."

i know what he means... day by day my time with him has become less and less. preschool is still new and exciting though - he loves craft and proudly brings his work home, displays it and hugs me tight around my neck "that's for you mama!"

yesterday David surprised me with some French General fabric. Nicholas saw me kiss, hug and thank David. (i was touched that David knew what i would like!!)

Nicholas then took a piece of paper from our printer and wandered off to his room and closed the door. in a while he came out smiling and passed the paper to me. it was covered in various colours. "it's a blanket i made you!" (Nicholas knows i am currently making a patchwork blanket.) "both me and da gave you surprises today!"

i love watching my children grow, and sometimes if i pause to think about it, i remember holding them close to my breast, and already i wonder where the time has gone.

my piece of dirt

last week i watched a movie and in one scene a grown woman visits her mother, who is digging in her garden. in conversation, she says to her daughter:

"You know why I love it out here?

All I am responsible for is this piece of dirt.

No more saving the world, no more fighting injustices.

Just me and my kids."

and that is really where i am at in life these days. there are many things that still occupy my mind, but i don't let them stay there for long. and it feels right. it feels good.

meanwhile, i am gaining inspiration from many beautiful things. although i don't think David would let me use wallpaper!

i made this useful sewing tool wallet - based on the crayon wallets i made the kids at Christmas.i jsut can't get enough of the French general fabric!

back to one

it seems odd, only having one running around the house. i think she is enjoying stepping up to the mark though. taking over collecting the eggs, having the trampoline all to herself and total control of all tv viewing choices. today is Nicholas' first "long" day at preschool. and what to do with too many zucchinis?? make a zucchini chocolate cake: 1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups plain flour
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 easpoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated zucchini

1. cream butter and sugar. Beat the eggs.
2. Add milk and vanilla and sifted dry ingredients.
3. Stir in zucchini.
4. Pour into a greased 23 cm x 30 cm tin and bake at 160 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

a very moist cake. so if anyone needs a zucchini, let me know! speaking of food - we had a wonderful dinner at Senso to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. and i ate SNAILS!!

a special day

last night i read a book to Nicholas about going to preschool. it was an old Ladybird book - perfect. he asked questions about his school and what it will have there, what news he could tell and where he could put his bag.

so today was day number one. and there were no tears. at one point i could have almost let a couple of tears fall as i walked out the gate without him. but we are so excited for him - we know he is going to love preschool. it is such a special time.

winter

i cannot stress how much i LOVE winter. i have always been a winter girl. i am more comfortable in winter. i love dressing for winter. the food in winter.

this beautiful rain has got me yearning for winter even more. crispy cold mornings. boots and coats. scarves! i love scarves. maybe even a beanie this year.

yes, i cannot wait.

i got to work yesterday and turned my desk calendar over. 3 February. oh! i picked up the telephone and called David at work. "Happy Anniversary!" "oh, yeah - happy aniversary!"he repplied. :)

it isn't as bad as it sounds. we both remembered on Tuesday. but the morning rush of getting ready for work, loading kids and bags and bikes into the car to go to their grandmothers... well it wasn't on our mind. we are having a lovely night out on Saturday night, the kids sleeping at mum's and being cooked for by a two star michelin star chef. so we will celebrate 9 years then.

this boy

today was his orientation day at preschool. he was a little shy, but loved the play equipment. while we were talking to his teacher he played in the puzzle corner. then he moved to various tables, playing with the toys on them. he selected a tile with a picture of a lion as the place to hang his hand towel.

on the way home he asked me: "mama, how do i make friends?". i told him just to talk to the children that he is sitting with.

after his bath at night he likes me to wrap his towel tightly around him and carry him to his room. last night he said "mama, don't pick me up because i am a big preschool boy now."

it is exciting to see him growing. i still think i will cry when we leave him on his first day though. and this isn't even "big" school!