First for the year

The fireplace was not an "extra" but a "essential" on our renovation list. There is something so wonderful about the ritual of collecting the sticks, chopping the wood, and building the fire, and having no sounds or lights on except the crackling fire.

Anzac day birthday

It was Nanna's birthday, and the team had banded together to buy her an iPad. We have already face timed successfully - now to get her onto Johnny Jetpack... The celebration itself was lovely - perfect weather, lots of family and friends, delicious ham - just everything we all wanted.

Bronte did hit the wall and need a Binny cuddle.

Fun at the Chase house

A casual idea of a play in a park turned into a wonderful lunch and afternoon play at the Chase house - filled with creek stomps, painting, puzzling, jumping and flying fox zooming.

Celebration for Granddad

A big birthday milestone for Granddad. Zach's present to his Granddad was to insist that he do everything he (Zach) wanted. Of course Granddad obliged, and having a grandson who so obviously adores you (along with three granddaughters who think the same) is a pretty special present indeed.

World weary

Star Moon

Zeta bought this dress for Bronte from Bali - the second of her Star Moon outfits, and she (and we) are a huge fan of both. Not an easy feat with an almost-four year old.

Water play at Nanna's

About 5 hours of water play was just barely enough.

Into... EVERYTHING

This is classic Zach - climbing and into everything. And always working out the best way to climb higher.

14 months

Favourite Zach things: putting his plate / food on his head when he is finished eating, climbing (including now onto the dining table), yelling, riding with dad, being outside, playing with granddad, drawing/painting/taking lids off every single pen, and dancing. His receptive language astounds us - but probably because time slips by so much faster with number two. Less talking this month, and a lot more very fast walking. His loudest protests come not from his numerous tumbles, but for when you try and stop him doing what he wants (like climbing up stools backwards to get onto the kitchen bench - hmmm). He is a lot happier in childcare, and instead of crying when he sees me at the end of the day is just keen on showing me what he has done at school.

Busted

Bronte and I were watching a movie, when I heard some rustling in the kitchen. Turning around, we saw this. Zach had pulled the chair out, and climbed up to the table to get the bunny, then climbed down (umm, I was supervising). Very busted, but he still got to eat chocolate while I took the photo.

3 years 11 months

This has been a bit of a tough month, with some regression in behaviour linked closely to sleep deprivation as well as flow-on effects to kindy and to a grumpy mum and dad. Solution 1: the bunk bed. This has helped the getting to sleep quite substantially - with Bronte feeling safe in her "house". Solution 2: the magic of the reward chart. Solution 3: a very big deep breath from mum and dad, and a focus on the positives. It has been a good reminder about how to be a parent. On another note, her whistling is getting very good, and she wrote her name for the first time this month. AND she can start her bike by herself, and do u-turns. Just the braking to go.

The train

Zach and Bronte have now jumped to the next level of interaction, with Zach leading the mischief. He loves giving his sister cuddles, and also playing trains (pushing) her around the house.

The boy can ride

The new routine - Dad and Zach ride down to Banneton Bakery for a morning brioche while mum and Bronte sleep. It is a win, win, win, win situation. This was the very first try with the new seat, so yes, Tony normally wears a helmet, and Zach's normally fits him. A huge thanks to Roger for the day of bike maintenance.

Nanna comes to stay!

Nanna stayed with us over Easter, which we all hated of course! Bronte and Nanna were inseparable, hanging out playing cards on the deck. And eating Shingle Inn bunnies. We cooked all the favourite meals in a blatant attempt to bribe her to stay more often.

Where's Bronte?

Zach's new trick for when you ask "where's Bronte?". He will then go hunting for her around the corridors. Very cute.

Escape to the park

The cure for a cranky house due to sleepless nights from Zach's tonsillitis? An afternoon play in the park with friends. Oh, and antibiotics also help. Chelsea and Zach are now running around with the others, and Jack is super fast.