Cherub Part II

The Cherub was very happy to get out of the car and be at home. She was given her present from Grandma - a cool Fairies flip-out sofa. She fits perfectly!


Her loving big brother had arrived home from Little School. He had a great day and was ready to join in with the presents. He gave Cherub a soft pink My Little Pony. Very cute.



Cherub like her My Little Pony very much.

Afternoon tea was caramel slice, citrus tart with hot coffee. We adjourned to the backyard for a few wheelies and burnouts. Only joking! We don't want to dirty the clean white tyres on the first day!

Cherub played High Five with Grandma, and went for a stroll over to the swing.



Cherub *loves* to go high on the swing. The wind picks up her little curls, her eyes light up and the smile is amazing. Pure fun.

Warm home-made lasagne for dinner, followed by a sweet ripe banana. Mummy, Grandma, Caleb and Cherub went for a quick drive to get fuel, check the post box and pick up some hot chippies. Cherub was tired and didn't want to drive. When we got home Aunty Sheree, Uncle David, Campbell and Finn had arrived. Kisses for all, bath time for Cherub.

In our quiet, softly lit bedroom Cherub had some warm sweet milk and a chillout. She nodded off to sleep and enjoyed the familiarity and comfort of her cot.

Goodnight sweet Cherub. We love you dearly.

Princess for a Week

Well, I think it will take about a week to share all the photos from Zali's extended celebrations for her first birthday. I will commence this story on Friday, 10 August 2007. Her actual birthday.

Once upon a time, there lived a sweet little cherub. After a 6am-ish feed, she continuued to sleep until 10am (holy cow batman!). Which was fantastic as her mother could get her brother ready and on the school bus, on time! The mother was extremely proud of her son, who she carried onto the bus, where he sat calmly in his seat, having his seat belt fastened. There was a kiss goodbye and I love you. No tears, no upset-ness. It was all good. Again, very proud of her little boy.

When the little cherub awoke, she joined Mummy and Mel downstairs. Mummy wheeled out her first present. A rockin' cool pink/blue/white trike! Complete with tassles and basket! She loved this from the minute she saw it. Thanks Nan, Pop, Uncle Kelly, Aunty Teagan and Uncle Alex.
A quick breakfast of Weetbix, sipper cup filled with water.
Everyone dressed and ready to go out. Cherub gives Mel a cuddle (awww, how sweet!), and the three ladies head off to Westfield Chermside for a little shopping.
Kikki-K was very nice. *Very* nice. Cherub starts getting restless, wanting some milk, lunch, and maybe a little time out of her chariot.

The Cherub gets her wish, drinks her milk in a private child's area, and adjourns for her main meal to the foodcourt. She sticky-beaks, eats hot chippies, vegemite sandwiches, banana and completes the sitting with room temperature water.
Mummy and Mel continue to browse the shops, and at a stop in Borders (mmm, nice), Cherub decides this to be a good time to nap. After some napping, more browsing, and some sore & tired feet (and bodies - hey, I ain't no spring chicken!), we load up the car and start to head home.
Car ride seems to take forever. You know, coming from the other side of the earth back to civilisation called The South Side. Cherub is getting a little fed up driving, she wants some cuddles, some attention (obviously some more presents!) and to roam free like a lion.
As your eyes start to feel heavy and tired, you see that it is very late. While this story is extremely interesting and exciting, you decide to read the next chapter tomorrow night.

The Big Oh-One

That is right. My tiny little baby has matured into a little girl, who turned one today! Listen to me, matured, hmpf. Though she has changed and grown and developed and is now a real little cheeky character. We had a lovely day. She slept till about 10am, then we shopped and shopped and dropped. Us three girls (our lovely friend Mel included) took an adventure holiday all the way over to the north side and the little corner shop called Westfield Chermside. Holy cow, Batman! As a first time visitor, a little overwhelming.

Anyhoo, just a gorgeous kissey, cuddley birthday wish for my little cutie patootie Zali. Will talk more about her with my post after her small 'do' on Sunday.

Off to bed, big weekend ahead. Love to all.

Is That It?

Is that the bus? Nope, just a car. Caleb was so excited that the bus was coming. We were all ready for little school. We went out to the driveway with the carseat, monkey, new Thomas backpack and the official photographer had her camera.

Wednesday. 8 August 2007. First day on the school bus. Mummy's heart was racing and a little scared. Caleb waited, excitedly.



Caleb got a new Thomas backpack to celebrate this big step. Plus it had the lunchpack hinged to the front, easy to keep together. Can you see how weighted down the huge bag is on his little body? The bag is near empty, his lunchpack is chockas with food.

Anyway, the bus turns up, the close it got up the driveway, the more Caleb started to worry. I helped the driver, lovely lass called Lynette, install the carseat. When it was time for Thomas backpack and monkey to get on the bus, Caleb decided this was a bad idea and turned and headed for the house. Uh-oh.

I carried (he cuddled) him and we got on the bus together. By this stage I realised I was a damn idiot to think I could actually get decent photos of this new adventure. My heart started to melt as I had to hold him in his seat to do up the belt. He was unsure of what was happening, new people were in the bus, hadn't met the driver or carer before, all too much for a little boy. I said I would wait beside the bus and wave and gave him monkey to cuddle. He sat right next to the window and would have had a great view. I love you Caleb, and off I went to wave. Ok, I had to leave because I was about to burst into tears and didn't want him to see me upset. I wanted him to know that this was all good and fun and a new adventure. I stood and waved, tears welling. Bye bye bus. Bye Caleb, have a nice day at little school.

I walked inside, and sobbed so hard. I felt I couldn't cry hard enough for the mixed feelings I had inside. Tears and snot were flowing fast, my body shook and I felt sick. Have I done the right thing. Adrian gave me big hug and said he would be right, he is a big boy. Noooo, he is only threeeeeeee I sobbed.

I had these similar doubts and feelings of guilt and agony, missing my child and wanting to hold him again, when he had his first day of little school. His tears makes it harder for me, my only want is for my children to be happy and loved and safe. It took 2 weeks of little school for my boy to do a 180 and love it. He has started to run inside to see the teachers and his new friends. I think the same will happen with the bus. I need to give it time, for his sake and for mine.

His teacher rang me about 8.45am. They are very nice and very caring, and knew I was feeling a little hesitant and protective and scared. I was given an update: he settled down well on the bus, the carer sat next to him the entire way. When he got to little school, he was happy to see his teacher. They meet downstairs where the bus comes in and the teacher takes them to their class room. He was happy in his room and had a wonderful day. He didn't show any signs of anxiety about returning to the bus. All very nice news to hear.

Zali and I waited on the front lawn for the bus to come home. I was so excited to hear the bus (if I could have taken my own photo of excitedly waiting for the bus, like Caleb was this morning, I woulda!) and waved. The windows are very darkly tinted, however I thought there was little movement from his seat and wondered if he was asleep. Yep. His teacher put him on the bus, and sat with him while they loaded up the other children. He was asleep shortly after the journey began.

He was relieved to see me, but a little cranky cause he was woken up. We sat together and had some cuddles and watched Hi-5.

For the entire day I felt sick and had a killer headache. It is tough being a parent, but I love my job thoroughly.

Tonight when I read Caleb his stories in bed, we talked about the bus trip in the morning to little school. He seemed happy. Fingers crossed it is a smidge bit easier than yesterday. Adrian is away for work, so I will have no soft place to fall when I melt again. I will try and be strong.

RIP

My mother-in-law loves to cook. She loves to make food for our parties. It is wonderful and we really appreciate her time and effort. We will be having a party soon for our little girl. Debbie made little girl biscuits. The plan included me, I was going to decorate the little girls. Debbie arranged a courier to ship our 'fragile' little girls to me in Brisbane.

This is how the little girls turned up this morning at 7.50am at our front door.

Broken.

Heads and arms. Heads. Skirts. Crushed skirts. There were only three little girls, of which Caleb grabbed one and broke in half. Two little girls remained. Uh-oh.

I call Debbie. 'How many little girls did you make?'

'Don't know, it was a double batch'

'Hmm, well, only two little girls are safe and in one piece'

'Oh. I will make more tonight'.

What? She is a woman of *steel* I tell you! I would have said, well, bugger that, not making any more.

The box said Fragile all over it. Adrian said that really means 'Kick Me!'

Rest in Peace you broken little girls.

Jimmies

I spent the entire day in my jimmies. I didn't get much of a chance to have a shower and put some clothes on, or when I did get a mere 30 milliseconds, I was trying to organise our tax return. Eck!

Wasn't real hard, just one of those awful jobs that you delay for as long as possible. I can't delay it any longer though, cause I want to know what our return will be. Have made an appointment to go to the accountant tomorrow afternoon, cause Adrian is away most of the week again for work. Doh!

That means Mummy has to bath the angels! Doh! They laugh too much, they splash too much, they move too much, they enjoy it too much. I am a miserable old grump aren't I! Zali does her ballet practice while waiting for the bath. Holding on to the bathtub, she raises up on her tippies, and down. Up on tippies, and down. In the bath, she holds on to the tap and drops down to crouch, and up. Drops down to crouch, and up. Oh to be young and agile!

Afternoon tea today was mandarin and banana. I cut up the banana into nice bite-size pieces. I skinned the mandarin, removed all white frilly stuff and cut the large slices in half. (*Note: I do not peel grapes!) C and Z each had a bowl. Zali was like a vacuum with the banana, Caleb said 'no banana' and quickly removed all trace of the little yellow delight. Caleb was like a vacuum with the juicy mandarin, Zali had a tiny piece and was red and splotchy in milliseconds. Oops, no nice juicy mandarin for that sensitive little woman.

Need some water, will leave you with this cool photo of Caleb playing in the water at Wellington Point (late May 2007). Chow.

Jumpy

First up I headed over to Taringa to talk to the dressmaker about our bridesmaid's dresses with Mel (the bride) and Sonia (the other bridesmaid). Mum was my taxi driver. Cause Adrian took the kids to a party . . . .

For Mr Riley! He turned three on Wednesday, but we all visited today to help him celebrate. It was a lovely day, Kerry and Damo did a great job. Thanks for having us!
Kerry made his '3' cake as a little race track with cool cars. The cars were *not* edible, but Zali tried anyway.
Here is the happy little family, they are cute.
Guess what? They had a little jumping castle! The kids absolutely loved it. Round and round and jump and jump and round and bang and crash and push and tackles. Trying to get a nice photo of four three year olds? Have a go at that Mission: Impossible, Mr Bond! From left: Oscar, Quinn, Riley and Caleb.

The jumping castle had jumpy on one side, and a slide on the other. Weeeeeeeeeeeee.
We played games. And ate chocolate frogs! Caleb was lucky and scored the first unwrapping and scored a frog . . . which he kindly handed over to his little sister. Awww, how sweet! He must have known what was happening and waited till his turn came around again and scored a Furry Friend!
When going home we were given a little take home box full of goodies. See . . .

(oh, can you also see a little thief coming in to grab a box while I busy taking the shot?)

Right now I am sitting here drinking a hot cup of coffee and eating chocolate frogs. Noice. They go together. Like Steak and Diane, or mince and spaghetti, or Fred and Ginger.

Anyway, after the party this morning, we came home and had a small lunch of vegemite sandwiches and banana. And slept. Caleb, Zali and I had a *big* sleep. It was Grrrrreat!

Have run out of coffee and run out of chocolate frogs. Must be off then, need to play with some scrapping and try and have an early night. Sunday morning means markets and early out of bed! Good night.

The Master Tradesman

This morning while Zali was eating her Weetbix, Caleb was fixing Grandma's esky. By the way, the esky wasn't broke, must have needed a service. Luckily he got a wonderful power tool set for this birthday, and had the equipment for the job. He is very safety conscious and always wears his protective goggles. Even at times when he has no power tool or job to do, just cause.

And seeing him in these goggles makes me laugh.



This one makes me laugh out loud, the crooked goggles makes him look like a little pig. He does try very hard to put them on, adjust or move them with his one hand. I really think goggles are a two handed item, but we will work on that.

Kids do funny things, with such intent and honesty, it is very sweet. Zali looked at him doing his handywork like he was a twit, but she was entertained while consuming her Weeties.

Little School today and Caleb had a very good day. The teacher said he was behaving wonderful and doing everything as per the routine. The poor little bugger would rather get up and play and run around and *do* things, and has been struggling a little with sit-down-quietly-and-sing-a-song-together-time. All good, he is getting used to the quieter times, and probably makes up for it at other play times. He was so knackered, we all were tired on this Friday afternoon. Busy tiring week. Adrian flies back in sometime around 9pm after being away for a few days with work. Big days for him so he will be tired also. Fingers crossed for lots of sleeping in this little house on the prairie tonight.

Buzz

Don't you just *love* when you are buying something new. It scans at the register. It comes up cheaper than what you expected. Do you get a little buzz, like you scored big time?

I wanted to get a new pair of cot sheets for Zali to take to kindy, I wanted basic and cheap. Checked out KMart (was in the vicinity) and found a plain pink set for $17.99. Cool. Should do the trick. Scans at $14.99. Wahoo!

Honestly. My days are exciting aren't they!

Zali has a spot starting next Thursday at kindy in the babies room. It came up very fast, since Caleb is enroled we get preference for an empty spot. It sort of freaked me out. A big step. For both of us. Funny, even though I am used to Caleb going to kindy and little school, this is like starting again. This is Zali. She is always with me, very attached and loves her Mummy. We have one week to prepare ourselves.

Happy Birthday x 2!

Happy Birthday to David!! My brother in law, who was treated to me and Mum singing happy birthday to you at 6.30am this morning. Don't worry, he was already working - but wouldn't that have been charming to wake up too!! He had a nice dinner at his sister's place, and toblerone cheesecake for birthday cake. Sounds pretty flash to me.


Hip-hip hooray and happy birthday to a big three year old, Riley! Riley is Caleb's 'bestie' and he had a wonderful day with family. We are going to help him celebrate his birthday at his party on Saturday. That should rock. Caleb will go crazy going to play at his house, he loves to visit.

And lastly, happy birthday to all horses. Neigh.

Currently working on a little boardbook album about my sister and her family. Cruising through it, loving it. Back to it now, great seeing the little pages complete.

Chow.