A park for them, a park for us

A double park afternoon as we abandoned Zach's sleep in preference for Dora and Boots, and the Delectables festival.

Fun with GG

Zach would not let granddad stop playing with him for an instant - claiming he was owed 5 weeks worth of attention.

A Scarlett Party

Party in the park with Scarlett from kindy. Pinata, pass the parcel and face painting. Bronte, like the rest of the girls, decided on a princess design.

The little master chef

I was making pancakes, with Zach helping, when Bronte indicated(by some screaming and hitting) that she wanted a time-out. So, while I was dealing with that, Zach thought he would continue the cooking process. I came out to a very proud boy, who had cracked his egg into the bowl (including some shell, but not too bad), tipped out some flour, dropped the milk on the floor, and was adding some pinches of sugar.

Back - at last

Grandma and Granddad finally returned from their OS trip. The whole house missed them very very much. Amongst other things, Bronte got a very cool "chick on bike" shirt from Sweden, and Zach got a T-rex (instantly loved) from the Natural History Museum.

First night away

I spent my first night away from Zach on a girls' weekend over at Straddie. We all survived, and dad had a glimpse into my regular schedule at night (which is up every hour at the moment - hmmm).

Sunny boy

Races

I didn't think it was the greatest idea, but it certainly looked like a lot of fun. And even when Zach stuck his head out at the wrong moment and smacked into a corner (they were doing circuits around the kitchen bench) he protested the loudest when I suggested that they stop.

The other kids

Today I had my three other "kids" graduate - my first three PhD students.

As academic staff, we also get to dress up, and lead the procession down the isle. I love a bit of tradition, and some harry potter style robes. These are my work buddies, Dr Lawler and Dr Reeves.

17 months: words and wees

The month has seen a rapid advance on both sign language and real words from Zach, including his first string of words (bye bye mamma). He is has starting doing his wees on the potty - though is also keen on tipping them straight out afterwards. Zach and Bronte are ramping up their sibling play, with Bronte having one wonderful morning of reading to Zach while we slept in. He has become "the king" at school - in a room mostly of younger girls, he is very much the boss, and loving it. At home the bossiness continues - with very loud yells until he gets his own way (mum, I wanted to sit in that chair and have my own plate and that water glass and you to sit there and, and, and...). And, just like his sister, he has mastered the "rock and roll" fist pump, as well as a verbal (ro-n-roll). But perhaps most exciting, he now says "Bronte!" (Bubee).

Superhero Saturday

Joe from kindy did the "whole of kindy" invite for his superhero party - CRAZY fun!

What's the time Mr Wolf?

Cake time!

Balloon dance time

4.2 The appearance of Coral

This month, Coral has come into our lives. She is not around very often, and Bronte does know she is an imaginary friend, but it does generate some interesting conversations. From discussions with her Kindy teacher, friendship groups are mixing and changing. The learning of resilience now will be invaluable for when she hits grade 9.

What the?!

Zach did a wee on the potty on Monday morning! Not only that, he then actually said the word "wee" in the afternoon and repeated the act. And then went AGAIN in the morning. He runs to go get his potty, sits on it, and does a wee. Sure - not every time, but enough to make you think he knows what he is doing. Of course, the potty cannot be used as a helmet anymore...

At the fence

Toe tickles

Lots and lots of giggles on the couch with Nanny

Badman's Birthday Bash

On the weekend we headed down to Lennox head / Lake Ainsworth for a relaxing weekend intermingled with a little bit of frisbee. You literally stay on the fields - so to fill up your water bottle, you can just pop into the kitchen. The ocean is a 100m walk, as is the lake. It is a pretty awesome spot.

The wonderful Princess Jess - who voluntarily entertained the many kids there, and never required it to be the "last time".

Yet another change

After wee (pj 1), then vomit (pj2), I am now up to pjs number three in under an hour. Sigh.

Me!

Zach said a new word today - me!
When asked "who wants cake?" he puts his hand up and says "me!"
The same does not apply for " who wants to go to sleep now?"