Names for those important people..........

I love the budding of language you witness with a toddler. Gracie is almost 2 and is talking in sentences and using the names of her siblings and cousin Sophie with various success;

Ambrose is AMEE with an occasional B slipped in. Gracie is particularly in love with Amby  and as they are playmates and needing to communicate is essential to the smooth transition of objects of interest.

Matilda is TILDY and this acquisition has been very very competitive (in the eyes of her sister). Matilda has been caught privately schooling her when no one is looking! Matilda had hoped to be the first name but as Mama and Tata sneaked typically into spot 1 &2 and BABA and DjaDja into 3&4 it was time to get this toddler to say a sibling name. Matilda could accept Ambrose would be said first but there was no leaving it to chance if the next name was Matilda or Felix- the race was on. persistence and competition has won out!

Felix is still yet to develop! A hard name for a toddler that even for Felix even took 3 years to say. Even without a name Gracie is able  to communicate very clearly her love excitement and admiration for the BIG BIG brother which is equality reciprocated!

Sophie is DODO. This is the most entertaining rendition for a name so far. After having recently spent four days away with her cousin who lavishes love attention and yet does not bid for parental resource at home. A cousin relationship is like all the best bits of a sibling relationship! Gracie will see pictures of Sophie on my phone or on the wall near the dining table and announce with gusto DODO!

Time to begin blogging again.....

Life is mad but I have decided to make an effort to start our family blogging again. A conversation with a great friend the other day reminded me it is ok to forget all sorts of things as a parent but so lovely to remember those moments too! So lets try!......

Family Update

The New Year has begun and we take an "easy" holiday period ito prepare for the busy year that 2015 is likely to be.

 Gracie has recently returned to creche after a months break and is a joy to her carers as she toddles confidently about the center and is very social to children and adults alike. She is also so very confident around water which has promped me to book her into swimming lessons. 

Ambrose has begun the kinder year at a steiner kinder and depending on his confidence he may be ther for 2015 and 2016 before heading to school. Ambrose is very independent but also incredibly sensitive and hense finding transisitons particularly around our work commitments challenging. When comfortable with his surroundings he is entirely at ease the idea of swim lessons is horrendous but upon starting he is a fish in water. 

Matilda has settled after a big 2014 year. She shared a lovely morning tea with her teacher at home which has given her a huge confidence in school boost and I must say we have some of the most dedicated teachers I have ever heard of! She will continue to swim, play viola, dance ballet and take part in scouts for 2015 as well as being a tremendous  big sister who is so patient and such a good "teacher".

Felix is dedicated to ballet as well as his music studies continuing with cello and adding piano to his "load". He is a pasionate student and guess what?????? He reads!! He now sets his clock to 5:30am so he can get an hour of two of his current novel Eragon. We had to ban him taking his book to scout camp recently as it was likely he would rea his book in preference to sleep;)

Michael has recently changed work and is finding it amazingly inspirational. He is also a dedecated scout leader, pens new songs for a number of "birthday" celebrations and will reach an age milestone for 2015. 

I am continuing to teach at an inspirational independant school and will be taking a VCE Chemistry class. This will be in balance with family, sport and hoping to write a book during the 2015 year.

As a family we head off to Bright for our annual camping trip and hope to ride fish and bond for the Australia Day weekend before school blasts off for 2015.....

Festive season disaster #1

"Mama I have made a huge mistake" Matilda sadly said and started to sob  

"Oh no what is it?! I asked trying to console her 

"Well...." she breaths deeply " i started to draw a donkey he was red and before I realised it he turned into a blue dragon." 

"Do you need new piece of paper?" I responded seriously without laughing out loud 

"Yes" she said with a small smile. We hug and head off to get a new piece of paper. 

These are moments when I know that being a parent is the best thing to do in this universe for me. I love you Tilda and your blue dragon dramas. 

Bonds

A long time between blogs. If I thought I was busy with three children I am not sure what the term for busy with four actually is. After a holiday away as a solo mum I am renewed and refreshed and in love with my children more than ever. I watched hours of free play and sibling bonds that I am thankful for every day. I have over the past year given birth at home, tandem fed a baby and toddler, started work helped my children forge independence including non adult commute to and from school on bike, bus and train, gone camping, rode bikes and gone on a date! I hope to continue much of this over the next year while getting fitter and getting a little more organized. I had never pictured a life with four children but now I have four I can imagine my life any other way. As "G" enters toddlerhood each of her siblings continue to bond with her and each other in such unique ways. "A" sees his older brother as a physical bouncing mate, elder sister as a second mother and you get sister as his baby who is rapidly becoming a challenge as she want what he has.  As we ready yourselves to celebrate "G" first birthday we reflect on the year that has past the joy our baby brings into our life. It is amazing how a baby bonds you with family and friends and we continue to enjoy sharing the parenting journey. I love watching her connect with her grandparents and uncle regularly and build a strong and extra parent type relationship. 

Balancing act

 My life is definitely attuned to that of a wave. Ups downs and flats. I want to spend quality time with each of children, be an amazing mother aunt daughter granddaughter and wife, get cracking professionally and there is this amazing list I dare not mention. It's wonderful, emotional, tiring like today after a low wave of work challenges all day my day became bright and high waved with the giggle from a baby, joke from my blond lovely, smile and chat with my big girl, bike ride with my big boy and lovely chats with my best friend. I am reminding myself lately of the challenging year we had last year and see on the horizon such amazing adventures to be had.

The little kids