Lost

"I just need a few more minutes to put your sister to sleep PLEASE"! Felix grabs his "Thomas" novel and matches down the hall to the lounge, waiting for me to read him his beloved book. 10 minutes later I exit the bedroom looking for Felix. moments later I am frantic. I can not see him anywhere. I search outside- no sign. every hiding place- no Felix. I grab the phone- do I call the police or my husband. Think think think. I glance down- I see a small hand holding tight to a Thomas book under the doona pile- I breath, smile and laugh.

Basket

My inner child wants beautiful objects for my children. I feel a sense of peace when I enter a play space that does not use cheap plastic toys that spoil the beauty of the space let alone the enveloped warmth of play. An old basket catches my attention- it has history, it has a thousand uses- not limited by a materialist driven toy business. A boat, an island, a bed, storage for play clothes, my mind has been limited but my children will find 100 more uses. It is ours. A welcome addition to our beautiful play room- a haven for the child at heart.

A boy and his dog

A unsuspecting Felix lights up as Michael arrives. Quickly he realises that his best friend Gus is absent from the car. He wails. No eye contact for Michael, no hello, only a wail for Gusy- my friend Gusy. A promise of fishing silences the wail and dries the tears. If Gus is spoken about in conversation a scow will cross Felix's face.

Fishing Inspectors and Ice Cream

The bike zoomed down the hill towards the waiting lake. Briskly walking, I tried to keep up. Other children tried to catch fish into the shallows, A fish covered car captures our interest as fishermen are booked from illegal catches. Matilda just tried to stay upright. One icecream is never enough and devastation reigns when it is discovered that there is none of Matilda's left for a try. We head back up the hill- slowly until the homeward hill where Felix is gone in a cloud of dust.

Family Friends Drop by

A random phone call from Beata, "we are in Orbost, can we drop over?" 2 hours later we are beach combing being blown to pieces. Children don't notice and playfully splash in the waves. Time to go tears and cries of "please don't go" I assure Felix we will see them again and this reminds him to smile.

What to get with Christmas Money?

What will you buy with your money from Christmas? Enthusiastically Felix states, "A big long car with a boat". Trying to encourage realism I say, "But $30 won't really get you a big car maybe only a small one". "Thanks ok I will get a long small car for the driveway" comes the thoughtful reply and smile.

New Years Day

With pants on backwards felix heading off with Jane and Pecki for a sail. Late night bags still lingered as we lay down for a midday rest. Hot air mixed with the sea breeze as we struggled to relax.