Tuesday

I am home, with the worst head cold/flu I can remember.  Maggie has been having a long sleep, which of course would have been the perfect opportunity to go to bed myself.  It is what my body told me to do.  Instead I was able to tidy up, make beds, pick things up from various rooms and put them where they belong.  I have made dinner for tonight and chocolate chip biscuits for after school(having some dough in the freezer has really been a bonus.)  I feel productive anyway. And so now I can write.

This morning saw Audrey defiantly stay a good distance behind me walking to school.  She didn't want to go.  "But school takes a long time..."

I looked behind to make sure she was close enough and able to cross the roads safely.  As we approached the school she ran to me and hugged me from behind.  She gave me a flower she had picked and cried that she didn't want me to leave.  So begins the term.

Admittedly, I wasn't keen for school to commence.  Even in spite of the occasional sibling squabble, it was nice just to make our way out of the house at leisure.  Or not if we chose.  Unusually for us we had a few things during the holidays.  We saw movies, went to Monkey Mania, the new trampoline park, play dates with friends, bowling and my favourites, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and also driving the Pajero over the Brindabella Mountains to visit my cousin in Tumut. 

At my cousins I saw a framed quote.  "Take note of the little things, because one day you will realise they were the big things".  This spoke so clearly to me.

 

My mind is spinning with the things I'd like to sew... I am conscious that in only a matter of weeks I will be back at work, and initially at 4 days per week, I imagine my time for anything of my own pleasure will be less than it is now.

I am inspired to sew so many things.  I think I need to make "the list".   A priority is Audrey's swimming bag.  I want to make Nicholas a quilt.  Something that is his, made by me, that always reminds him I love him.  I can't believe he will be nine this year.  Time marches on.  In my minds eye he is this little boy. 

I am proud of him. 

For Maggie, a little pillow for her cot.  Should she ever choose to sleep in it... and some clothes.

And I have finally joined the masses who seem to be watching this.  My former Director sent me an email the other day and said she thinks I'll love it.  Season 1 is on its way.  Looks like the perfect winter, stay inside viewing.

Tuesday

I have been enjoying a little bit of sewing... I love my new machine.  It is so lovely to use - quiet and smooth.  The other day we were going out for both lunch and dinner, so after breakfast I whipped up a cute little drawstring bag so we could easily carry half a dozen small toys for Maggie, along with her play mat I made her for Christmas last year.

Last night I made Nicholas a tote bag for his piano books.  He chose the fabric from my stash, and I was glad he selected some I had bought when he was a toddler.

I saw a photograph on instagram of a family having a picnic, with bunting hanging in the trees above them.  I decided that's what we needed to add to our picnic supplies, so made one after morning tea this morning.  I took a French General charm pack from the fabric cupboard.  I was going to do triangles, but thought it wouldn't leave much fabric for the bunting, so thought maybe I'd just round the bottom corners.  Then I wondered why I'd make more work for myself, so just used the charm pack squares, joining two back to back before sewing it together with bias binding.

Wednesday

Mentors.  We look back and see people that have crossed our paths and truly made a difference.  By chance the other day I found out that a friend from long ago had passed away.  Elise was already in her 70's when I met her during my first year at university. 
I joined Amnesty International, and with an interest in the former Soviet Union I joined the newly formed Russia Co-group.  Our focus was the abolition of the death penalty in Russia.  We were an effective group, the contact for letter writers around Australia and translating letters received from parliamentarians and prisoners alike from Russia.  I travelled to Amsterdam to represent Australia and share our materials and work.
Elise, and her husband John, were great friends with an active interest in politics, art and music.  They had a beautiful home with a large library.  I house sat for them often in my 20's. I will forever be grateful that I knew her and that she demonstrated the importance of caring, and wanting to make a difference, no matter how small and showed me the joys of remaining mentally active in older years!

Sometimes it takes the passing of someone for us to look back at moments in the our life and see how we have grown. 

* * * * * * *

Lately I have managed to steal a few moments to sew (I love my new machine).  Simple things, but sewing nevertheless.  Of course this means that my beautiful machine is a semi-permanent fixture on our dining room table for when the quiet moments present themselves.  It shares the space with a number of textbooks and piles of assorted papers, pens and pencils, as the dining table also doubles as David's desk during the university semester.

I am waiting on an adorable Japanese sewing book that I saw last week to arrive.  My heart literally began to beat faster when I saw the clothes inside.  They are exactly what I would love to dress my girls in.  Children's clothing stores, like ladies fashion, only sell what we are told is fashionable for that season, not lovely timeless pieces.  So I intend to put my sewing (and my Japanese) to the test and work my way though the book when it arrives.  Lucky for me I have found a blogger who assists with pattern translations and common terms.  And there is Audrey's Japanese teacher or my colleagues' Japanese wife to fall back on if I am really stuck.  :)

Maggie is asleep and I have been madly rushing around and taking the next little while to unpack and repack the dishwasher, make the beds and put clothes away.  But pausing for a moment at the computer it is perfect rainy weather to sit, looking out the window behind the computer and put a few thoughts down... music quietly in the background.  Then to make a cup of coffee and tackle the ironing...



David and I have been talking lately about the benefits (for all of us) in having less screen time.  Television, computers, iPads, iPhones.  It is something we want to try for term time - when school is on, we limit, at least Monday-Friday, our time on screens.

After our discussion I read this article.  I like the sound of "unplugged" but now with winter around the corner, calling for hot chocolates and heat packs, I really want a microwave!  Ours finally died about a month ago and now that Maggie has started solids remembering to defrost her pureed food at times is frustrating.  ;)

ps: I am SO glad it is the last day of term tomorrow.  Truth be told, if it wasn't for their schooling-conscious dad, my kids would have already been on holidays.

Wednesday

Time in the sun with my girls.  Today was perfect weather to sit in the garden with Maggie.  her hair is thickening, and in the sunlight has a tinge of red.  I am conscious of the time passing quickly.  And I am feeling the pressure a bit, with Maggie still sleeping in our bed and not taking a bottle yet.  I must be feeling my age, as I am more inclined to take the easier options...

 

How I seem to be spending my days.  Maggie has hit an ultra clingy stage, and is most happy when I am holding her.

 

 
And puréeing food....

Lately I have been desperate for more time with Audrey.  We went for "coffee" on Saturday and then to the library.  I promised Nicholas that his turn will be next week.  It seems difficult to find quality time alone with Nicholas and Audrey.  There always seems to be something on, or something that needs "doing".

Tuesday

I haven't updated about me for a while.  I wonder if I can post an update without it being about my kids...

I've said before, I like those nosy articles like "what is in your handbag" "what book are you reading" etc etc.  So I particularly enjoyed this interview.  (Even if it is somewhat rehearsed.)



And can I just state the obvious... I would LOVE a townhouse in New York!

On my bedside table at the moment are two books.  Madonnas of Leningrad and My Invented Country.  I am sure they have appeared on this blog (and my bedside table) before.  Hopefully I get them read in one hit, as I also am dipping into books on parenting and health/women's interest.

On my birthday I had a driving lesson for my sewing machine.  It can do so much!  It is quiet, and smooth.  Beautiful.  So far I have only made a bandana for Audrey to wear on Harmony Day. 

 

And look at this~ bliss.  I am in love with this shed.

 
You can see a tour here.  

I think this teething rattle is gorgeous , handmade by a woman from Latvia.

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Speaking of teething and other things baby, I have decided to start weening Maggie.  I feel a tiny knot of anxiety in my stomach when I think about it.  Probably because she is my last baby.  Did I feel this way when I thought Audrey was my last baby??

I had started weening Nicholas and Audrey before this as they started childcare when they were Maggie's age.  She hasn't taken to a bottle at all, and (understandably) will not let anyone else settle her.  At the moment she is very "aware".  When other people hold her, she keeps me in sight.  twice in the past week, when someone else has held her, she looks at me and her bottom lip drops in the cutest way, and she cries.  But I have less than three months before I return to work, and I want to be sure she will be fine when I go back to work.  We are also trying to get her used to sleeping in her cot, in her own little nursery.  At 7 months she is very used to co-sleeping.  She has forgotten to suck her thumb, so also gone is the self-settling. 

This song has been playing in my head today.



Nicholas read Dr Seuss, 'Oh, the Places You'll Go' tonight for the Chief Ministers Reading Challenge.  It is a great story for young minds, and the encouragement Nicholas needs at the moment.  Me too as it turns out.  The following resonated with me:

"You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And then the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done."

Nicholas' favourite part was more cheery and positive thankfully:

"Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry.  Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too."

[and no, I cannot update my blog without mentioning the kids]

Wednesday

 

 

 

 

I love these three!

 

Sunday