Eric to Grandma

"Go on, smell my teeth".
Grandma obliged. The woman deserves a sainthood!

Funny Baby

I've never met such a gloriously cheerful baby. He wakes up wriggling with excitement, and chuckles unfailingly when you tickle him. The children love him -- he's like a big squeaky toy for them!

As Maggie describes it: "He'd smile under six feet of wet cement".

And even when he's exhausted, he's shiny eyed and ready with a grin until he drops off -- whether being hauled about the museum in a pram, at a park on a picnic blanket, or in his crib.

Sunshine Flowers

We arrived home from our mini-holiday at Maggie's to find this beautiful sight.

Eric is so proud of his lovely tall sunflowers, which he planted not long before Daddy left to go to Africa. They'll be a perfect surprise for the travellers when they return on Friday and Saturday. We'll have so much to tell them, and can't wait to hear all about their adventures.

Life has been busy without them, and I've neglected my blogging and photographing as I strive to keep up with everyday tasks. That said, Grandma has been an angel -- cheerful, kind, hard-working, patient with us all, and generous with her time. Without her, I'm sure this last month would have been an ordeal, rather than a pleasure.

And this week we have to fit in gymnastics, doctor's appointments and shopping for school supplies between baking and preparing for the yearly agricultural show. Show days are Friday and Saturday, and there'll be visitors aplenty -- Rach and Tilda are coming to stay, as well as visits by family, cousins, aunts and uncles.

I'll need quite a stretch of peaceful days to recover from these holidays, which have been marvellous but very busy. And hopefully blogging and documenting the rhymthm of our days will again become a routine part of my evenings.

Frog Weather

We're halfway through school holidays and the warm rain is tumbling down through humid clouds in torrents. There are only so many ideas I can think of to keep an energetic little boy busy indoors -- so yesterday we donned gumboots and raincoats, put a plastic cover over the pram, and set out for a rain walk.

Jumping in puddles is endless fun, and sending bark boats down newly-discovered rivers can keep a small person occupied for ages.

And then there's the delight of a bath, hot chocolate, and a long bedtime story read by Grandma while you curl up in bed under the turning fans.

For Life

Big ...

and little ...

together ...

They're so precious to each other already.

I hope they will have a lifelong friendship, and love each other long after Geoff and I are gone.

Afternoon Tea Gift

Afternoon tea at Cecily's -- homemade scones, shortbread and other dainties, washed down with copious quantities of milky tea.

Eric quietly and industriously built a town with blocks and lego, while Adam rolled and kicked and bounced enthusiastically on my lap. He moaned and shouted so loudly that at times he drowned out the conversation! I do wonder what sort of little person we have here!

Luxury

Eric and I had the luxury of a morning out to see a movie together (the Pixar animated superhero-spoof, Megamind, which was enormous fun for both adults and children). We had such a lovely, companionable time together, with plenty of lttle treats, including choc-top icecreams in the theatre.

I didn't worry once about Adam -- as you can see, he spent the morning in luxury, too. When we arrived home he was snuggled in a warm, safe, loving arms of Grandma, who was singing to him as they swayed together in the rocking chair.

Happy Harvest

Our first giant cucumber from the vegie patch -- crisp, fresh and juicy!

Lovely Things (201-220)

#201 Gum blossom bursting into flower.

#202 Small hands searching for splashes of scarlet.

#203 Trees laden with fruit (even if these are inedible Moreton Bay Figs).

#204 Bounty from the garden.

#205 A baby wide-eyed with delight and astonishment each time he discovers a new taste. Adam's been on solids for almost a week now, and he becomes frantic with excitement once his bib goes on! Granny splurged and bought dozens of little tins of Heinz baby food, so he's discovered the joys of banana custard, lamb and vegetable dinner, and apple and oatmeal. He croons and coos between gobbling laden spoonfuls, and shoves as many fingers into his mouth as he can fit in along with the spoon. It's messy, but very rewarding, as he's obviously enjoying himself so much.

#206 Water play with cousins on a hot day.

#207 A Granny and a Grandma having tea together in the cottage. We farewelled Gran, Papa, and the two boys with a meat-pie dinner this evening, as they'll be away at 5am tomorrow. I'm so grateful to have Grandma staying here with me while the rest of the family is away!

#208 Children who help with chores (although to them feeding the chickens counts as fun).

#209 Tame tigers.

#210 Mulberries ripening in the sunshine.

#211 A smart trowel for Christmas from my thoughtful little boy (paid for out of his own money -- with a bit of help from Papa's wallet).

#212 New gardening gloves.

#213 Sunlight on straw.

#214 Front flips done safely on the netted trampoline.

#215 'Holiday money' for Eric from Gran and Papa. He'll spend his on an all-day gymnastics course (which I wouldn't have been generous enough to pay for), and a trip to the movies.

#216 Composting -- waste becomes a treasure.

#217 A boy who singlehandedly replaced the batteries in his electric toothbrush. A love of fixing things and competency with tools is a marvellous quality for life.

#218 A baby who wants to stand on fat, ramrod straight little legs.

#219 Adolescent chicks -- not handsome, but it's lovely to see them growing strong and healthy.

#220 Chicks that we suspect will grow into three hens and a rooster. Which means there's only one for the pot, when with less luck it could easily have been all four.

Away

My Daddy has to go away,

but he'll be back most any day.

At any moment I may see

my Daddy coming home to me!

(a pathetic but apt little poem from a Shirley Temple movie)

On New Year's Day Jumps left us ... to spend a month on holiday in Africa and Hong Kong!

He and my eldest nephew are travelling together, and on the 6th my parents and the two younger boys will join them. Together the six will spend time visiting relatives, sightseeing, and exploring the game parks.

Eric, Adam and I are staying home in our cosy cottage. After much consideration I came to the conclusion that travelling in a hot, malaria-prone and insecure country with two tiny people would be a mistake. While I did have a pang of jealousy as I waved my hubby goodbye, I have no desire to spend thousands on airfares only to spend three weeks desperately trying to find a park for children to play in on the other side of the world. Besides, I have been to Africa, and know that Jumps will fall in love with it, while I have a hankering for cooler climes.

I still think I deserve the 'good wife' award.

However, all is not lost.

We have ... Grandma staying with us! (This was the marvellous woman at 6am this morning, cheerfully welcoming all the kiddies into bed with her ... while I went back to sleep.)

It won't be all bad!

A Year in Headers