A day of handiwork

Well, after deciding to not go to playcentre today and realising that I was craving a bit of grounding with our homelife and some reconnection, we all went out to the garden and did a bit of weeding, pulled up the old tomatoes plants and tidied up the herb garden while just quietly pottering around. Nathan declared "I love having our own garden".

The kids then found some chalks on the front porch and started to do some drawings.


Danielle went through her drawer with special things in it and decided to adorn herself (excuse the mismatched jammies lol).

Nathan got out his lasso that grampie had lent us and had fun catching my arm (and note the rubber bands in the background that Danielle spent ages playing and sorting).

We went and played with friends this afternoon for a few hours.

While eating their dinner, I read some more Little House to the kids. After reading about Laura and Mary finding some beads, Nathan wanted to get out our beads and do some threading before heading off to get ready for bed.

Reflections...

We decided to not go to playcentre again today. Too many things to do and so little time! I actually feel we don't have enough "just being" time. I pinpointed where that feeling came from. Over summer we had 6wks off from playcentre and loved the easy flowing, spontaneous days. There was no pressure to fit into others schedules or our own. We had our relaxed routine happening and just enjoyed it. The kids got out of the habit of expecting full on action all the time and really started enjoy living in the moment.

However, since the school term started up again and we were back into the routine of playcentre twice a week (which the kids really do enjoy) I had noticed that I was starting to have conflicting feelings about lack of time, always on the go, biding time until x,y,z happened, trying to fit in all our playdates that we enjoy, and then missing having the down time which is when the kids play together for big lengths of time, make discoveries and get creative. And I was starting to feel that our homebase and all that we've been working towards for the past year was all out of kilter.

So, playcentre is now down to one day a week which satisfies that side of things (and the kids are just as happy with one day as two). And, I also realised that the Satisfying Journey wasn't slipping away - just that we're there and living it! I'm not heading somewhere anymore, but I'm right there and found the space I've been seeking (for now lol)! The above little shake up has just balanced things out again.

Another numbers and writing day

My day started with a sheet of paper and pencil being thrust into my face while I was still in bed. Nathan wanted me to write a list of things we would do today. We don't usually work to a list, but he does like a bit of predictability and I suspect because it wasn't a playcentre day that he wanted to know what we were up to.

So he dictated, and I wrote. He wanted to go down to the toy shop this morning as well, so that made it onto the list. He then wrote a few things down himself including feeding the dog. We ticked them off as we went.

While the kids ate breakfast, then watched a little TV, Nathan was inspired to make a paper boat which he designed and I aided in taping together. Danielle wanted in too, so I made her one too and they spent a while floating them in the handbasin.


After the usual morning routine, Nathan and I had sat down to work out how much pocket money he had accumulated since he wanted to buy something. We have only just started with pocket money this year and I don't actually give him coins to save, but I run a log of how much I owe him and when he's spent it. I hadn't written on the log for about 6wks, so he'd accumulated a little since the last spend up.

So after locating several items in the toy shop that he could afford, he made his choice of a small lego box with a train which was then played with for a few hours after lunch.

I hung out the washing and Danielle came to help me. I took the opportunity to help her work on speaking and using verbs as per the speech language therapists advice.

Nathan then asked to go down to one of the local parks for a run around. Both kids had heaps of fun playing in the paddling pool down there, Nathan rode his bike, walking around the miniature train tracks and playing on the equipment. Danielle got the courage to go up to the top of the structure and come down the long windy tunnel - it's been interesting seeing her over the past few months getting further and further towards that goal.

All throughout the day Nathan asked me random "numbers" type questions. I'd hear him chanting away counting to himself (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 20-11, 28, 29). This morning he asked me to write out numbers 1-100. Then this afternoon he asked me to count up from 1-100 and then down from 100-1 (don't think I've ever done that before lol). This morning he wanted to draw out a new calendar month (the last one we did at his request was for December with the count down to Christmas), but we didn't get around to it with everything else that came up.

After Danielle had gone to bed, Nathan set up his "restaurant" and was asking me what I wanted on the menu and he'd cook it up for me.


At bedtime, Nathan pulled out his Dick and Jane reading book and I read that to him - he read out a few words that he recognised.

A low-key day

Well, after our busy weekend, we just plodded around today. We did start off with Playcentre and then this afternoon was just a cruisey one at home.

While Nathan was still eating his dinner I read him some Little House and he was very interested in the cowboys with their lasso's and wanted me to make one for him. So once dad got home, he found a bit of rope in the garage and I gooogled tying a lasso knot. And dad was told off for modelling his lassoing techniques by slinging it around Nathan's head....hmmmmm.

The kids got their energy back after dinner (both helped chop the veges for the soup) and we headed down for bouncing on the tramp and swinging in the hammock together while eating apples we picked off our tree.

After Danielle had gone to bed Nathan got out his soccer ball and he and I kicked it around a bit. He then headed off to do some drawing and writing for a while before wanting to go to bed.

Climbing at grampies

How many grampies have their own climbing frame in the backyard that's this big?

Grampy uses this to do training with caving club members and any visitors who want to have a new experience. This was Nathan (and Simon's) first go on it.

Grampy harnessing him up

Do the comfort test

Halfway up...

Up there at last...and loving every moment

Danielle observing - covered by a nearby towel from the mozzies and sandflies and the chilly air.

And making her own fun in the late-afternoon warmth of the autumn sun

A full-on social day

Sunday was busy from the start till the end.

We started off by visiting friends who had just moved into a new house before heading off to catch up with the lovely Sharon and her family. The kids instantly made themselves at home and then spent ages in the cul-de-sac riding around on bikes and ride ons. We then headed back home to have dinner with nannie and grampy and the kids uncle and aunty and cousin.

A few cuties

Yesterday Nathan reached out and touched my nose which made me go cross-eyed. I did the same back and took a pic for him.

Danielle dragged out her duvet and pillow for a nap on the couch - it didn't actually happen but she had a little rest anyway.