You Capture - Colour ...

So, being that it is not quite so bleak over here at this time of year - but really wanting to participate in Beth's photo challenge each week. I mean, it's only been three weeks since I started so I can't give up yet - I thought I would photograph things that I love after it has rained here because everything seems to ooze vibrancy and growth after a good soaking.

Here a are a few pics of the storm rolling through. It has happened two afternoons in a row here.

And here are a few things from around the house indoors and out. :)

AJ's Kite - would have been the

perfect flying weather too

Bottle brush tree

Yucca at our front door

The door to the sandpit = FUN!!!

Flowers blooming on a tree that

is sort of, well, a weed, but

I love it just the same!

And can I just say I'm particularly looking forward to next week's challenge!!!

Who's Got Talent ???

Ukraine. And more particularly this girl. That's who.

I was sent this video this morning and the girls and I watched in amazement!

Enjoy!

Turning It Around ...

Since Australia Day I have been in a rut. I felt it coming and I've tried to ride it out without causing too much of a stir and I refrained from mentioning what tipped me over with all of the self control left in me. I really did.

So, after not being able to get my computer to work with me rather than against me and having to wait until tonight to finish my work from last night, I decided there was no more downhill this week. You know when it starts and things just seem to go from worse to worser (hehe! Is so a word!)?

I was speaking to a friend on facebook this morning and it all just poured out. Poor thing probably didn't know what hit her and, to be honest, I had no idea it was hiding there, waiting to pounce like that. Said friend and I have reunited over facebook and I am so glad to have found her and super excited that I will be meeting up with her next weekend when I go on my little holiday!!!

After all was said and done I made a conscious decision to get out today and catch up with friends I hadn't seen over the school holidays and friends I was worried I may lose by moving schools. Text sent and the replies all positive for coffee and a chat!

So, first stop was to drop AJ at school and a quick word with the teacher has given me that little bit of relief that I was hoping for yesterday.

Then off for coffee and. although it was none too relaxing because we have four toddlers between us and one 4 year old, it was great to have that get together and make plans for many more!

And what better way to end the day than an iceblock and/or some fudge on the mountain!

Oh and a quick desperate dash to save one of the friends from this morning whose car had broken down at the school and her twins were screaming for food!

I have to say I'm ready to kiss stagnant January goodbye with all its post holiday blues and the dragging back to work feeling. Bring on February I say!!!

For Those Playing Along At Home ...

So, I'm sitting here waiting, watching the clock and it's only about 40 minutes before I can walk out the door and pick up Miss AJ.

Luckily I got a bit of work and some visitors to pass the time and my little miss slept for 2.5 hours! Must have been all the fresh mountain air when we walked AJ to school. See? The mountain = relaxing!

Anyway, I thought to myself "Why not? Haven't delved into this website much lately." Not since the last big one which I think (well I know now that I've gone back and linked it) was even way back with Schmooey! And look how that turned out!

So I decided to turn, once again to the ever reliant - I really do say that a little tongue in cheek just for those of you who don't know me well - African Tarot Deck! It's my preferred deck you know? I love the colours.

And this is what it said.

Long-term Potential: Six of Swords Main (positional) meaning | General | Position Acknowledge that your intellectual and intuitive gifts are among your most valuable assets. The card in the Long-term Potential position points to unknowns still taking shape. It is the "wild card" yet to be played. With the Six of Swords in this position, the potential is to realize, possibly for the first time, that you have a very sharp mind coupled with a high degree of intuitive sensitivity. The combination may even approach a special streak of genius that is a scarce resource in your community or workplace. You have taken this acuity for granted, yet it's one of your most valuable attributes. Look for situations where quick assessment and good decision making followed by assertive action toward the good is rewarded. You will earn great acknowledgment as well as more tangible forms of compensation. Ascertain the market value of your gifts, and find ways you can be paid for some of the talents you now use for enjoyment. It may be sensible to do some specialized studying so others respect your credentials as well as your gift. When you are ambitious enough to present your talents to the world in a more professional manner, your position will undoubtedly advance.

So, I'm running with it. I can actually see K nodding her head thinking "Well I could have told her that!" And I know it. I really do in a sort of, not so sure, doubting kind of way.

I also particularly resonate with the general meaning of the card.

The Six of this suit has generally been associated with the objectivity of scientific method, employed through the generations to sift fact from superstition, build facts into theories, and theories into Laws which we can trust and use to improve our lives. One early title for this card was The Navigator -- one who has learned enough about the relation between the Earth and the Heavens to be able to set a course across trackless oceans and arrive at a chosen spot on distant shores.

At the time of the first Tarot decks, this skill was considered akin to magic, so few were the individuals who understood the principles involved. So the person who draws this card is being typified as a person with special knowledge, an insight into sophisticated techniques that may be powerful enough to effect a rescue in a dangerous time. Other related titles that are common to this card are The Path (out of danger) and The Way Through.

I'm sure this plays into other things and not just the schooling decision but it has made me go "Okay, I think I'm on the right track here!"

Nothing like a bit of back up when you truly need it huh?

First Picture ...

And just to make me feel better...

We've done this with all three girls although AJ's is in a frame and not on canvas but they have all done a painting at around the same age. It's just taken me a while to actually remember to blog about it.

I love the way they have turned out and they all are that little bit different in style which reflects that each of them have their very own way of doing things.

She decided to sample the paint not long after this shot!

So How Did She Go???

She went fine. Apparently stood up in front of the class, all confident-like, and told them she loved painting and dancing and drawing and the class welcomed her with that unconditional mateship that only 6 year old's can.

And me? I cried. Like a baby. I was, on the one hand, so happy that she ended up in the class with her new friend - and it might have been just me but she didn't look overly excited to see AJ. Maybe it's just the mother in me worrying that they might not end up being such good friends - but a little disappointed that she wasn't in the 2/3 class as promised/suggested back at the enrolment interview.

*sigh*

BUT, I am going to leave it as most things change by Day 8 with new enrolments and kids leaving so we'll see what happens. I know I'm expecting a lot out of a first day to make me feel secure in my decision and I know I have to just wait now and see how things go up there and I know this could be more me than the education system.

Time will tell.

On a brighter note. Here are the photos I promised earlier.

Before the tears

Miss Schmoo, her usual happy self,

grazed face and all after a

forward somersault into the

pool turned bad and she met with

the wall.

Sisterly love*

Notice poor Schmoo trying

for a cuddle and AJ trying

to get away. :(

The Wee One must have known I'd need some time this morning as she fell asleep on the way home and is having a snooze. Perfect time for me to grab a cuppa and just chill. And count down the hours until 2.45 when I can pick AJ up again.

We're ready ...

The girls have had their breakfast, the Wee One is dressed and crying as usual, the girls are dressed, one in her brand new uniform complete with hat and the other in her favourite clothes for her new preschool class, the lunches are made and the bags are packed!

And they are wanting to go. And I'm stalling. Just a little longer. But I know we have to go.

So we're heading out the door. Wish us luck!!!

I'll be back with photos 'cos they're taking too long to upload this morning.

Byeeeeeee....

Oh and PS ...

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!!!

image source

It means vegemite, swimming in the pool, having barbeques, drinking with friends, eating pavlova, complaining about the heat, wearing thongs (the feet kind for all the non-Australians reading ;p), jumping on the trampoline, more swimming, more eating, more hanging out with friends and chatting until the sun goes down.

Pretty much happens here most weekends and we wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Sending thanks to all our friends for making our Australia Day awesome!!!

Just in case you

were wondering

;p (image source)

About 12 Hours From Now ...

My little girl will start her new school. After all the to'ing and fro'ing and complaining last year, we're finally here. Ready to start on this new journey.

Last Friday saw us buying new uniforms and making sure we had everything prepared for tomorrow. School books covered and labelled, new lunch box and drink bottle, new shoes and socks, even a new haircut.

She is swaying between excitement and anxiety. She knows she will be okay but she's wondering how she will cope if her new friend - she has met a sweet little girl who is in the same year as her and they have had a couple of play dates together. I am so grateful to her mother for taking the time for me/for us, complete strangers requesting friendship - isn't in the same class and she has to make some new ones.

And, although I know kids are adaptable and I am quietly confident that this is the right choice for her, there's that little voice saying "What if it's all for nothing?" Not that we will know that by tomorrow. Obviously it will take a little time.

But tomorrow I will put a big smile on my face and be totally excited - even if I have to fake it just a little bit - that this is a new start for her and the best thing for her future.

So to my little girl I say this. You are sweet and funny and smart and pretty and you will make a whole bunch of new friends and share new experiences and learn loads of stuff and have lots of fun!!! And that's only in the first day!!!

Good luck tomorrow AJ!!!

The Mould ...

We are forever being told by people how much the girls look the same and have often been questioned as to whether we perhaps saved a few embies for future use. Yes, it's true the question has been asked on more than one occasion.

Then answer is no and sometimes, because I am looking at them as they are now and seeing them for who they are, I often forget how much they do resemble each other at the same age.

And then I get to looking back through our 7 years of photos of the girls and it astounds me at how much they all look alike, right down to that little piece of hair on the left that flicks out over their ear and how the hair on the right is so neatly contoured to their heads.

So I guess we can never coin the phrase "we broke the mould once we had you". Well, maybe for the Wee One being that she is the last. ; p

But, then again, when you're on a good thing and they look like this why would you change the formula?

The Performer ...

AJ is an avid song writer. She started singing her own songs at about three and has really never stopped. While we were away one year visiting friends in Sydney she sang the most amazing song, complete with bridge and chorus, and she wasn't even four!

Regrettably I never did get a recording of it in any way, shape or form but I do remember all four adults in the room being amazed that such a deep, well thought out song came from the mind of such a young girl.

Last night AJ came into the office to sing me a new song for her band "The Britneys" - which she also informed me may be "The Britney" soon because Schmoo is refusing to participate and follow orders - and I have to say, again, CJ and I were quite impressed. So, I am hoping to capture it on film, tape or something this time around.

Then, of course, we have the Wee One who is great at performing a tantrum any time, any place! I have never had a child behave like this before and I'm not really sure what to do about it. So, I'm blaming the stars. She is a Scorpio after all. ; p

High School ...

Musical 2, that is!

Our local Arts centre is showing this musical performed by the summer school students at the moment and the girls just had to go and see it. They are High School Musical fans through and through and, fortunately for them, my older brother has some connections in the industry and managed to grab us some tickets - freebies too!

On the way there, the girls in their excitement, just started talking all things random. Eventually it got to breaking point with CJ and I in the front rolling our eyes and begging for some quiet. Once we hit the discussion on blue trains, of which there are none around, and where we could find some, CJ simply sang "No, no, no!"

This is actually from High School

Musical 1 but it is a firm favourite

Thinking he was all that and a bag of chips, he turned and winked at me once the girls broke into song and said "I'll show you how to erase blue trains from the record."

Into about the 12th rendition of the song - and when I say song, I mean the one chorus over and over and over and ... you get the picture right? - I turned to him and said "Great idea, sparky! Sure you don't want to bring the blue trains back up for discussion? "

Thank goodness by this stage we were almost at the Arts Centre.

Now, apart from Schmoo asking a million questions throughout the show like "Where's Sharpay gone? Will she be back? What happened to her?" - and can I just say that when CJ calls her The Nanny he's not too far off the mark at the moment - and us constantly having to shush her we all thought the musical was fantastic.

Full of energy, great music and a few laughs thrown in for good measure, it made me want to go and join a performing arts group all over again and relive my late teenage years of performing in musicals.

They did a really great job and the two lead girls had fantastic voices. The boys let the team down a little in the singing department but as far as amateur productions go, it was thoroughly enjoyable!

The girls were beaming as we left and skipping out to the car. It was such a great family treat!

And can I just say, the majority of patrons yesterday were little girls! So cute!!!!

Little Things ...

Was cleaning up my office last night and finally got a chance to really look at the pictures and song AJ had made for me. For ME!

All too often we get so busy that when one of the girls brings me something I politely say thank you and put it to the side without really seeing it.

So it's here as a reminder that when you have kids, your heart is wandering around outside your body. And, when you get stuff like this back, it makes you proud that this is a reflection of who you are too instead of always feeling guilty about the bad stuff.

My song

Loving the typo

instead of hoot hoot!

She really is such a sweet soul that one! So very lucky she's mine.

One should also note the artist's intention of the paper towel for drawing these days instead of photocopy paper. I feel so bad now for making such a big deal about "wasting" paper. All about perspective really.

You Capture Love ...

Capturing love around my home is easy. The hard part was not putting up hundreds of photos of all the things that bring me joy here. From my guitar to the endless books on dusty book shelves to the kids bouncing on the trampoline or jumping in the pool to my hammock to my bed to the girls first pieces of artwork that hang in our lounge room - actually AJ's is hanging on the wall. Schmoo's and the Wee One's are sitting on the bookshelf waiting! And of course my kids but I figure with this challenge the kids would be a fairly obvious joy (well, most days).

So I narrowed it right down and tried to get a little creative with the photos. Bearing in mind that I have a teensy little camera and no photo shop to play with. Here are a few photos from around our home.

Calendars. I LOVE calendars. I love the start of a new year with a crisp fresh calendar all clear of messy little notes here and there. BUT I also love the way that calendar fills up. I love being organised (not that I'm really very good at it right now but I will be!). Just as an aside. I went into a stationery shop tonight while late night shopping and I went all giddy at all the lovely stationery available this year. The recipe book really caught my eye this evening and is going on my wish list! Love, love, love stationery!

This painting was done by my bestest ever friend. We have been friends since we were 13. We have been through a lot together. She had a picture similar to this above her bed for years and I was always admiring it and wishing that one day she might do one for me. I think I only had to wait about 10 years! But it was well worth the wait and is still quite possibly my favourite piece of artwork. I just love this hanging above our bed. Something about the pencil/paint/masked flowers is such a lovely combination. I just love this and it always reminds me how fortunate I am to have an artist friend who can capture anything! So much talent!

This is a print I bought last year after successfully (well that is open to debate I suppose) breastfeeding the Wee One to my goal of six months. As a matter of fact I think I wasn't far off seven months! I really struggled with feeding her but struggled more with the thought of weaning her. I came across this print after our final feed and thought it was so aptly named that I just had to buy it. "Letting Go" sits on a shelf in my office above my computer and I gaze at it often thinking of the Wee One and our accomplishment.

My hammock. Situated in my back yard looking out toward the pool area. Yes. You can all be jealous now! I have waited and waited to hang this. I can't tell you how many years ago I was given this as a gift and decided to wait until our deck in the pool area was done. And then. I got sick of waiting and this summer decided it had to go up. Best idea ever!

And I just couldn't resist. What would a You Capture Love be without a photo of them? My girls. Especially when they are sleeping. I could watch them for hours. This - and watching them all play together - makes me so warm and fuzzy inside and fills my heart until I think it might just explode! I love that they are there for each other and hope with all my heart that it continues throughout the years. I truly believe sisters have such a special bond and I hope my three experience just that.

I'm sure there will be so many other great posts over here in the next few days and can't wait to have a snoop at what others are sharing!

When Did She Get To Here ...

The before shot courtesy of Schmooey*

And have opinions and ideas on how she'd like to dress or have her hair?

My oldest decided to get her cut really short today. So proud of her for making such a huge decision and being really happy with it - well until this evening when she then decided she loved it but wasn't sure it suited her face? - but could have cried when she asked for it all to be chopped off and a fringe.

And after

Now if it was just the fringe with long hair or the shorter hair with no fringe I think I would have coped a whole lot better but the double whammy just blows me away (that and the fact that I'm not a fan of fringes but don't tell her that).

I guess we could run with the whole new school, new identity but I have to admit to being a little bit sad, well okay, a lot sad that she has cut off that lovely head of hair. I know it will grow back but, with the sighting of her first six year old molar and the fact that her baby teeth are going to start falling out soon and be replaced with adult teeth that will undoubtedly change the shape of her face, it makes me panic to think how quickly the years are flying by.

And more to the point how I could possibly be the mother of an almost seven year old.

And now my middle child is sitting here, talking on an unplugged phone, doing all things secretarial and it won't be long before I can't talk her into keeping her hair long if she doesn't want to either.

STOP. Growing up so fast!!!

*I have another photo as my screensaver on my phone at the moment that is even better but can't download it at the moment but you get the picture.

Girly Day ...

I am not technically a girly girl. Although, now having three little girls of my own, it is becoming increasingly harder not to be.

I have always loved the idea of being a girly girl but always felt there were so many other things I could be doing rather than waiting for polish to dry on my nails.

So, days like today come around very rarely and the one thing it does remind me is that it is important to take time for myself.

So I coloured my hair and watched a bit of TV before rinsing it out. The Wee One was down for her nap so the girls and I had our weekly "foot spring" - foot spa for those playing at home without a three year old Schmoo translator - and painted our nails.

Not as relaxing as the first one shared with just the Schmooey and I - the girls seem to dip their feet in to soak for .01 of a second and then say "okay we're done" - but I really love looking after my feet. I think that making this foot spring a weekly ritual is the best idea EVER and I love how my feet feel after being pampered.

So, now I'm going to have a cuppa and a quick relax before the Wee One wakes up and then it will be time to do hair and makeup for our friends' engagement party this evening.

I am so looking forward to getting all dressed up and heading out with my husband, just the two of us. And the fact that I have had a girly day with my girls just makes it all the more sweeter!

Saved...

So after this entry we took Schmoo off to kindy and then headed out to the shops to get all of AJ's school book list requirements - never again will I be running around looking for bargains let me tell you! I will be just ordering through the school from hereon in. Lesson learned - and grab a coffee and donuts. When all else fails donuts, milkshakes and coffees will always make just about any day better.

I even managed to find a bargain dress for an engagement party tomorrow night and, although I was totally crushed to find out it was a maternity dress, it's such a simple little black dress that I couldn't not buy it.

We headed home with the still very cranky baby and not so cranky tweenie - can you believe I am over half way to having a teen in my house because I am reeling from the realisation that she is well on her way to teenagerdom - and while I was battling with the Wee One on the sleep front our friends arrived, instantly calming me down with the thought of having another grown up here to help out if required.

The Wee One finally settled and I had a lovely few hours of chatting and laughing and then my friend offered to take the Wee One for the night so that we could grab a decent night's sleep and so that I didn't have to drag the poor little tike all around the countryside today.

So here I am. Feeling like something is missing but so thankful for the impromptu break.

And a little excited that today we will go for a play date at a park and I can, for the most part, sit and chat without having a baby to tend to constantly. And even more excited and a little relieved that our trip to Movie World this afternoon will be far less stressful and I can go on some rides and have some real fun with the girls. We are meeting up with some good friends of ours - the ones we went horse riding with the other day - and the girls can't wait to see the older kids and hang out with them.

And then, we will go and pick the Wee One up and head out for dinner with friends. Could today get any better?

I am so very grateful for having such good friends in my life!

And now, I'm outta here. Today is going to be hectic, crazy and so much fun!!!

You Capture Winter ...

Now seeings as though it's not Winter here, not even a smidge and the closest we even get to winter is to put on some warmer, long sleeved clothing, I'm not sure what to do with this new challenge I've taken up.

I could have taken the easy way out and waited until next week's challenge but because I need more stuff to do in my day I thought, "Why not try this and see how I go". I'm also trying to ignore the baby that won't go to sleep and the six year old that is crying at the other computer for attention but won't come and get me. She is just sitting there making ridiculous noises in the hope that I will ask what is wrong. She would be wrong!

So, I have cheated a little in that these photos were taken in our Winter of 2009 but at least it's a start and will get me into the swing of things. I promise to take photos for the next challenge providing I'm not faced with another opposite side of the world disadvantage!

June - a beautiful winter sunset

Okay, so winter here. Hmmmm, well for us it means no swimming in the pool. It does get cool. It never gets below 0, heck it's probably lucky to get under 10 for the most part.

July - this is about as

rugged up as we get and that

was early morning.

It really is summer here all year round. The real difference is our gorgeous winter days without that heavy humidity that summer brings. The skies are the bluest of blue and the temperature just perfect.

August - okay so it was still

coolish and so very windy but this

didn't stop them.

So, it is probably hard to believe that these photos are, in fact, our winter photos. I actually searched back through the years so sure that other years were so much colder but I didn't find any proof.

So, not sure how I'll go with these weekly challenges but thought it might be a bit of fun and give me another excuse to get the camera out in an attempt to capture more beautiful moments and memories.

Hoping It Turns Around ...

So I have been up for 50 minutes and the Wee One has had four tantrums so far and has been awake most of the night.

AJ most certainly has woken up on the wrong side of MY bed - didn't I say I was worried about getting the Wee One out should she start? Never mind that, there's no room for her with AJ coming in the past two nights. And my word she's a heavy breather. She's one of those sleepers that verges on snoring but never does it. CJ actually put a little love heart postie note on her this morning that said Lord Vader! - and won't even mutter a simple good morning to her sisters. I am a little concerned that, as the new school year approaches, her anxiety levels are rising so am trying to stay calm and patient with her in the hope of riding this out.

And Schmoo is happy. One out of three but unfortunately the one that is off to kindy today so I'm left behind with the two grumps. I wonder if I can book myself in to kindy today. I'd love a day to play with Schmoo - although I suspect she would ditch me for her friends - and have a nap!

Thankfully, I think (hope) we have friends coming to visit today because I can already feel the pressure rising and I don't want today to turn into one of those days where I end up feeling like this.

I can do this!

That Kinda Kid ...

The Wee One is still not sleeping through the night and it is starting to seem more and more like she is suffering purely from separation anxiety after we ruled out the idea that I might be starving her of course. Such a fussy eater - and was even when being breastfed as a baby - that when she refuses food I assume she's not hungry. How was I to know that she wanted to be fed from a spoon rather than given a piece of fruit to eat by herself?

I put my theory to the test on Sunday night - the separation anxiety not the starving theory - and, yep, she slept the whole night, no bottle required but I have never had a baby toss and turn so much as this one does. It really is no wonder she wakes herself up all night. She must bang on the cot bars constantly the little wriggler.

Now, I have at some stage or another slept with all of my children, ignoring the advice of well meaning "they sayers" who were forever telling me that I would have children sleeping in my bed with me until they were 20. Not so. Both AJ and Schmoo were very easily transitioned.

So you would think it would be that easy to just make the decision to co-sleep with the Wee One. But, for some reason, I just can't do it. I don't sleep well with her in bed with me although I do love the closeness of her and, well, truth be told, I just think she's going to be the one we can NEVER get back out of our bed once we start!

So, last night saw me lying on her bedroom floor for half an hour just prior to midnight with her peeking over the cot every 10 minutes to make sure I was still there.

She finally stopped getting up and fell asleep and I snuck out of the room - must have looked quite amusing me trying to slither out of her room for fear of her seeing me. You know you've all done something like it - and she slept through until 6.45 this morning!!!

I do have to say that the funniest thing about the Wee One sleeping with me was first thing in the morning when she woke up, she sat up in bed and farted, looked at me and laughed her little heart out. It was so bloody funny!!!

She is just so cute that kid!

Decade In Review ...

I've "borrowed" this idea from a couple of my blogging friends so thought I'd give it a go and see where I've been. Ready to tag along?

2000 - living with CJ and our two "babies" (our dogs Dodge & Hemi. Yes, he's a Dodge man my husband!). My second nephew was born.

2001 - got married, bought a block of land, started our fight with council to build on said block of land, went to Fiji in November and found out I was pregnant just before Christmas.

2002 - suffered my first miscarriage, welcomed my first niece and third nephew, won our battle with council, CJ's father passed away then his Nan, quit my job and did a floristry course, found out a few days before my 29th birthday that I was pregnant again, took a road trip to Melbourne with our two dogs for Christmas.

2003 - sold our block of land and renovated CJ's home, welcomed our first daughter who made a screaming entrance into this world and didn't stop for a whole year, found out I was pregnant again and cried for two days, visited friends in Perth, miscarried just before Christmas, started some part time work.

2004 - bought my first florist shop. Yep. That's it except for reigniting my addiction to diet coke!

2005 - sold my first florist shop, CJ's grandad passed away, fell pregnant again but lost the baby, started working again part time as a purchasing officer, decided I was done with my baby journey but my husband asked to try one more time, thought we would wait until Christmas to start trying but found out I was pregnant again in October, hired a doppler, grandma got sick, went to Darwin for Christmas.

2006 - Started my second florist shop with my best friend, welcomed our second daughter into the world, continued fighting for my grandmother's wellbeing.

2007 - Sold out of florist shop and became a SAHM (stay at home mum). Used modern cloth for the first time, became a body shop consultant. Wanted desperately to have another baby, went to Fiji for a week.

2008 - CJ's grandmother passed away, saw my first daughter start school, fell pregnant and welcomed our third daughter. Started working from home.

2009 - My beautiful grandma passed away a month before she turned 99. Still working from home.

And scattered through those years are some friendships that formed with some amazing women who I am so grateful are part of my life.

There you go. Here's to the last decade for shaping me into the person I have become today.

*clink*

So Ya Like Horses Hay ...

I know. Any excuse for a pun. LOL

Well, Wednesday just gone saw us head out to the farm of some very dear friends of ours. They are animal trainers and Z is a trick rider. Amazing people with the most generous, caring natures.

About to leave home

It was discussed on Monday how much our Schmooey loves horses and agreed that they should go for a horse ride out on the farm while our friends are home - they don't stick around for long these days sadly - so off we headed, the girls all dressed and ready for their big adventure.

Ready to ride

AJ decided that she was brave enough to ride solo so Schmoo got to go riding with daddy - thank heavens that daddy can ride a horse because there is NO way you're getting me on one - and Z and her son, C, led the way on their horse.

I took the Wee One down to their house and just watched a bit of TV but, for some reason, I was being drawn back outside. I could see them off yonder and Schmoo being put off the horse for a quick wee stop and went back into the house.

Wee stop

Still again, I was drawn back to where they had left us so I decided to take the Wee One back up for a walk. The Wee One was throwing yet another tantrum on the grass so I left her there feeling an urgency to get back up to the stables. Then I heard AJ screaming.

And the next thing I see is Z's horse galloping past sans the two riders previously on his back. And then of course, the screams from my poor miss AJ - Z had been leading AJ's horse - commanding the horse to stop and yelling for daddy to come and save her. CJ came next trying to catch up to AJ's horse and pluck her off.

My first instinct was to worry about Z and her son being that they were the ones off their horse and then I saw Z walking up the hill with both Schmoo and C. Apparently Z's horse had got spooked and started bucking so Z - thank goodness she is a trick rider is all I can say - thought quickly and bundled up C and rolled off the horse, taking the impact of the fall on her shoulder and side but protecting her son the whole time.

AJ and Avatar getting

along just fine before the event

Apparently, AJ's horse then took off so CJ, also thinking quick, dropped Schmoo off the side of his horse - good thing he's got some long arms on him - so that he could catch up to AJ and grab her. Poor old Schmooey rolled down the hill and was rescued by Z and C.

AJ's horse finally slowed down just as Z's husband came around the front on the quad bike and CJ was alongside AJ managing to grab her and put on the horse with him.

Luckily nobody was injured and Z's husband grabbed the runaway horse and rode him back to the stables. Poor horse looked like he knew he'd done the wrong thing. Everybody was a little shaken and I think even Z managed to get away with just a couple of bruises.

The brave kids coming back up the hill

But what amazes me even more than the adults and their quick thinking and staying calm in a crisis was the fact that all three kids got back on their horses and kept riding! I am in awe of their bravery. There is NO way I would be getting back on a horse after that.

The Wee One thinks horse

riding's not so bad with Daddy

Then on Thursday night I asked Schmoo if she wanted to go riding with Z again and she replied, ever so casually, "Yeah, but I really want to stand on a horse like C did in that photo!"

I'm guessing she's not giving up on her horse obsession any time soon which makes me so grateful that we have so many friends with horses because I'm not buying one any time soon.

Schmoo on Tokolosh

the cranky Shetland

So very proud of those kids!!!

This Is What I'm Dealing With ...

The Wee One, it seems, is really perfecting the art of tantrums*.

We would deal with these at least two to three times a day and that's on a good day. Most of the time there is very little reasoning behind said tantrum except that she feels like it.

So I decided to capture it on film. And, as any good mother would do, when the Wee One sat up before I took the photo I said "Ah-ah" sending her into yet another tirade of "didididididi's" - which I have come to suspect is the Wee One's version of giving you a mouthful - so I could achieve my goal.

To make matters worse for my poor little monkey my husband then decided that he would give it a go, And bingo, off she went again. Poor little kid. But, you know, sometimes you just have to find the "umour" in these things.

How much do you think therapy will cost in the year 2025?

*She is now getting so good at it that she actually puts her hands over her ears whilst performing said tantrum just to let you know that she really doesn't want to listen to a word you say!

Time Poor...

I am so time poor this week that I have literally saved three titles as drafts to remind me of what I wanted to write about when I finally get the chance.

I do love being this busy but it means neglecting here, the place I love to come and write.

BUT now I have to go and spend some QT with the husband or we may not find a chance to see each other for another week.

Stay tuned ...

More Of ...

... the following things in 2010.

More one on one time with each of the girls.

More me time.

More healthy foods.

More weekend getaways.

More fun times with good friends.

More time for us.