mum to the power of four

I think I might have the best job in the world.

happy mothers day!

the birthdays of march

it seems that march has become a hectic time in this house, we celebrated willow's 10th birthday last week and yesterday little daisy turned one! It's funny how alike these two are in personality and looks, and with birthdays only eight days apart. They share the same relaxed disposition as well as the blonde hair and blue eyes. It's almost as if we have two sets of twins only they were all born years apart. Weird.
happy birthday sweet little people.

oh, hello autumn

we got off to a rocky start with three days of torrential rain, but today is total autumn perfection. Blue skies, sunshine and a sweet little breeze. It always amazes me how the autumn rain comes and washes the summer away. Everything feels clean and fresh and I can breathe again.
It's been a long absence once again, I'm so bad at keeping up with things. But this little thing is something I think I will always come back to, time and again. Our life is full and also a bit confusing at the moment. We're back in the burbs, and whilst that in itself is ok, aspects of it clearly are not. We came back for high school. Yes, high school. The big unknown. I wanted to make sure the biggest boy settled in without the added pressure of extra travel. And it turns out that high school is great, no problems there whatsoever. He's totally cool with it. The others are back at the big (primary) school, and adjusting to that is not going so smoothly, for them or for me. There are so many things that a school of nearly 900 cannot offer...it's not their fault, just the way it is. We miss the little school desperately, not to mention the open space and animals.
So, we will take it one day at a time and see where we end up. In the meantime, my little friend and I are enjoying slow, quiet days together whilst the others go about their business.

this could end badly

so, it's been at least three years since I've updated the appearance of this blog (probably longer, actually), and I'm thinking it's about time I did some work on it. Just becasue I'd like a fresh start, it being a new year and all. The truth of the matter is, my computer skills are pretty rusty, I do a lot of internet browsing and not much else. Thank goodness for google, I say, in helping me navigate through problems such as how to download new fonts and actually be able to use them, how to get around blogger glitches like not being able to upload photos (switch to html, in case you're wondering too), and lots of other little things that I would never be able to work out on my own. So, with only a small amount of trepidation, I will try to make a few changes here, and hopefully come up with something new and good. Or, it could all just disappear, in which case I will probably throw the computer out the window and end up with a different kind of "fresh start".

a christmassy, new yearish kind of birthday

 still getting over christmas, barely noticed the arrival of the new year and hey, now the littlest boy is five. There weren't many birthday requests, much like last year it was turning a new number that was most exciting. Apple juice, brocolli, some lollies and a chocolate cake with a love heart would be nice too.
I'm just so happy that I'm finally five, he told me this morning. So am I, little man, so am I. Just in time for big school, where all of your questions will be answered and all of your energy put to good use. There's no denying that 4.5 to 5 is the most trying time of all, so much going on in that little head.
The happy birthday bunting that's been on my to-do list for a few years now finally happened, so I can cross that one off. Just need to make everyone else's names when their birthdays come round, because you know, they need birthday bunting.  I'm sure they'll thank me for all this one day, when I'm hanging bunting at their 21st birthday parties. I think I'd better make the most of it now, while I can.

surfing with children

it's ridiculous how much is going on in our lives right now...the end of year is always a trying time as kids become tired and christmas approaches, but this year is extra crazy. We are sending one boy off to high school next year, another one starts primary school, and throw in a year fiver and a baby as well and you have one big busy family. And one very emotional mama. Lots of changes going on around me, I feel like we're on a giant wave being pushed along, and there's no getting off. You just have to go with it and try to keep your head above water. And try not to panic.
The pre-teen is handling the whole thing with so much maturity (more than me, I have to admit). He did us proud at presentation night, taking out the academic achievement...a lovely way to finish off primary school. He blitzed it in maths, willow took home the poetry award. Chalk and cheese. And now we begin the whole cycle again, with jasper just starting. We'll be riding this wave for many years yet.

twenty four weeks

 it's been six months since we brought this tiny wee babe home. Yes, really. And she's not quite the tiny wee babe anymore. Not so snoozy now, awake more and more and calling mama more often. Watching all that goes on around her (and that's a lot), biding her time till she can join in the fun. Gooing and gaaing and trying to roll (not quite all the way over yet) and straining to sit up and see what's going on.

(jasper's vintage) bassinette served her well, it was just so cosy in there for the winter. But when little hands started banging on the sides I had to concede that it was time to move into the cot, still next to mama though. I really can't imagine throwing her in with the boys just yet.

Six months, and now we're onto food. It's bittersweet, knowing she needs more than just me now. Exciting too though, as we all crowd round her and watch her little face as she tries the new stuff. You'd think that after four kids the novelty would have worn off, but it hasn't. Every little thing is still just as fun, just as special as it was with the first. Maybe it's knowing that this is the last that makes it all the more so.