The last few weeks have been hectic. Lately, life has been run by schedules, measured week by week, term by term. It is not unusual for us all to be on the road by 7am. The boys run in a club at school or go to the school library for study. Afternoons are busy but we still manage (most nights) to eat our evening meal together. Sitting around a candle, chatting and listening to each others daily news. Once dishes are done, my boys are usually stuck in front of their computers - doing homework for a good couple of hours.
It's funny how life turns out. My life certainly feels like it has done a turn around, since the days of my boys primary school years, when they attended a quiet little Steiner school. But to be honest, these boys of mine are thriving and love the challenge of a academic and sporty high school. For me, I can only trust that they have had the grounding and gentleness of a peaceful childhood which will enable them to handle this new pace.
On the flip side, my days between school hours are balanced with my little one and I doing as little as possible outside of our home. Apart from a small mama's group that meets fortnightly, the little one and I keep life pretty simple. There are no plans for her to attend any kind of kindy or childcare. I totally respect what other parents choose, I really do and for some parents I know there is no option but, to go back to work. I think every family has to work out what is right for them and this is what is right for us. Having two teenagers has reminded me how quickly this time goes and it is just too precious to miss out on.
Our days between 8 and 3 are filled with little bits of craft, lots of imaginative play, walks around our neighbourhood, cooking and preparing meals for the evenings and to burst my bubble, a few two year old tantrums are thrown in there too.
On another note, I like the idea of summarising what is alive in me each month. My new little idea (which I am sure other bloggers may do) is to note a few of my months happenings. So here is May.....
May has been
. finding my needles again and catching the knitting bug
. exploring new recipes and juicing every morning
. reading this
book and being inspired by it's beauty and simplicity for early childhood
. watching and listening to my boys play their violins in concerts and quartets
. taking steps towards studying a course at home.
Loving this quote:
'A hundred years from now,
it will not matter what my bank account was,
the sort of home I lived in,
or the kind of car I drove;
but the world may be different
because
I was important to the life of a child. '
Anonymous
Our beautiful gold coast beaches - simply the best
This beautiful bride is Whyatt's old Steiner teacher Skye. She taught, nourished and dedicated 3 years to him and his class and was married last weekend. Both of my boys played the violin as she walked down the aisle.
After many years of my children making bread - they still find joy in it!
You were born the last child of three. You had a strict upbringing but not a fairy-tale one. You were determined to do the opposite when you had children. To allow us to be free individuals. You always let us choose our own clothes to wear. You let us co-sleep with you until we could not all fit in the bed any longer -Dad worked most nights making this possible. You never complained when we built cubby houses all through the house or when we had your favourite sheets all tied in knots and hanging out the window. When we dug holes as big as swimming pools in the back yard. You were giving - the times when we had foster children staying with us. Taking your friends young son under your wing when his mother died of cancer. A young boy that would end up staying with us on and off for many years. You even wallpapered and gave him his own room. You were the Mum that everyone loved.
Life was not easy for you with our Dad, you never complained- you were like a single parent raising three very strong willed girls! You were always a hard worker, working in less than desirable jobs to put food on the table. You would often say that you felt like you didn't do enough for us .... but throughout the hard times we always knew you loved us. You never smothered us, you always let us express ourselves. Yes, we all learnt how to stand on our own two feet from an early age. That has made us who we are.
Today you have three daughters who are caring, giving, loving and happy individuals - we are the essence of you and you of us.
Thank you Mum
some crafty projects....
a little bit of weaving inspired by a book a friend lent me. I found this gorgeous bamboo/cotton blend yarn from spotlight of all places. I will post the completed item up when I decide what it will be!
and a half completed crown. I remember making the boys a kings crown each when they were in kindy.
Last night I set up a little Easter table for Grace. She was so excited to see the table with the felt bunnies and wrapped books. For decoration I placed 3 little pink chocolate eggs on the table too. I foolishly thought she would not know what they were....
This Easter fell on the weekend that the boys go to their Dads house. So of course a trip to visit them was a must. Chocolate eggs were hidden all over the house just waiting to be found. Grace watched with amusement as the boys raced around looking for these secretly placed eggs.
By the time all the little chocolate delights were found and being consumed, Grace wanted to be part of it all! So after some tug of war, we gave in and let her have some chocolate.
I hope yours was a lovely Easter too.
since our wedding day, a wonderful, special, emotional and very rainy day! my..... how five years has flown. How grateful I am to have a wonderful man who I not only call my husband but also my best friend....happy anniversary - my love.
oh that's right ..... having 3 children back at home makes for very busy days. That is one of the reasons for my long overdue post! Well, the boys had a wonderful time in europe and my days have been filled with hearing about their adventures... we are already back into the swing of routines as of last week (when school returned). I am trying not to think about our busy year ahead with violin, soccer, martial arts and orchestra and did I mention a very curious toddler. Ah, I will just keep reminding myself to breath and stay present. I do hope to find some kind of rhythm soon ...
it's only 8 more sleeps till my boys return home... I can't help but feel a little empty without them . There is something comforting about having all your family together and safe under one roof. Oh, only 8 more sleeps.
