Wordless Wednesday - homemade cookies & tea please...

Wordless Wednesday (she says laughing, I am never wordless!), So I will be showing you rather than telling you what we have been up to... nom nom nom & besides, I am off to enjoy the sunshine, ummmm sunshine, has it gone already? I best just do the dishes...

Mama xx

Off the Cuff...

Just like most other Sunday evenings, I was bathing bubba & Tully, when some giggling rounded the corner of the bathroom. To my surprise & disbelief (oh crap was the initial instinct) Claye & Lillie came to proudly show me that Claye had been caught & was now in cuffs!!!! Cuffs..... um yes Cuffs (explain that one to your Mother!) So he shows me his hands all smiling and happy, for now...

If you were suspecting that things were about to change, you would have assumed correct. I said, "Mate, are they from Dad's drawer?" (I will explain later, so stop your mind racing) At this point he looked a tad worried at the fact that he may have been getting into things (literally) that perhaps did not concern him. It was then that I continued, " we do not have a key for those, so how did you intend to get them off?" As I suspected, silence!

OK, so the happy boy turned to worried boy, & then teary boy, & then panicked,worried, teary boy!!! I too was a tad worried at this point, but a naked, wet Dusty & Tully had to be tended to first....

Lillie was trying to calm her brother, because he had gone into full fledged panic mode!! But every time he pulled on the cuffs, they grew tighter, so there was no hope that they were coming off over his hands.

Then I started on the mission of attempting to poke all small key shaped objects into the keyhole.... Nup, nothing was budging those shiny metal cuffs. It's really not like on 'Home & Away' folks, you can't just wiggle a hairpin in them and ta da they open. I tried and tried...

Did I mention that my husband was on night shift??? Arghhhhh what to do, what to do?

Begin plan A;
I call my husbands work, because he will know, of course he will know, oh goodness he had better know!!
So I ask to speak with said husband, only to be told that he was out in the yard and would be back in later.....hmmmmm later, did I have until later????? I quite calmly informed his supervisor, that I had a small situation at home, and required his call as soon as he could possibly make it.

Oh dear, he has been in cuffs for about 1 hour now... so as you can imagine, he is not a happy camper, so I needed a plan B;
I call upon a neighbour, & luckily a very close friend, to see if her darling husband had any tools that perhaps would free my boy of his slight mishap. He obliges and will be round in about 15... Phew, another adult to ease the stress & hopefully remove said cuffs!!!

Plan A calls back, "Is everything OK?", well darling husband everything would be OK, if Claye had not locked himself into a set of handcuffs found in your top drawer (he giggles) (stop it!!! I will explain later)... Then Plan B knocks on the front door with 2 excited kids in toe & a large set of bolt cutters.... Ohhhh how I love that set of bolt cutters!

I explain to darling husband that help has possibly arrived & that I will speak soon.

So the cuffs were fairly tight & I could tell that Mr bolt cutters was nervous being so close to boys veins!!!! I was feeling a tad the same to be honest... but once one hand was free, we knew that the chaos was almost over!!

So I guess you have all conjured up some raunchy story about the said cuffs & I don't blame you, because I know that I would be doing the same... but really honestly truthfully, they were left over from my hens night as a bit of a gag, and every time we have moved house we mention that we should throw them away & "where are the keys".... But I guess there will be no more need for that now... So believe or not believe, I will leave that up to you (she smirks).

So with the situation averted & all my babies fast asleep, I think I'll make a hard earned cuppa, probably need a stiff drink!! but a cuppa will be suffice... Should make for an interesting conversation at darling husband's work tonight, not to mention man with bolt cutters household!! Bet Mrs bolt cutter is still giggling...

The culprit that made Sunday evening a little chaotic, pic taken after Mr Bolt cutter had his way with them!...

GGrrrrrrrrrr Baby!

Mama xx



'Dusty Elroy' 15th September 2010...

Firstly, a Happy 1st Birthday to the sweetest 1yo we know...
One year ago today, we were deliriously celebrating the arrival of our darling 3rd son. He came into the world contented and healthy & for that we feel very blessed! He was born with a small amount of light brown hair & blue eyes, chubby arms and legs and the sweetest cheeks and toes just made for kissing. He stayed with Mama for at least 72 hours only separating to take the odd, well actually the frequent nature call. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time when a baby is born, so heartfelt & nurturing for both. I would have to say that this is probably the only time that I truly like feeling so very needed.

He is named 'Dusty Elroy', he weighed 9lb 4oz & was 56cm in length, not that all the details other than his name really mean that much, but hey, now you have all the goss. I am sure you will agree that he was such a splendid looking bubs and still is...

Doesn't it just take you back to the most amazing time in a parents life? I know it sure does for me, and I think about the birth of all my babies, and it really is something you will never forget. I can recall each & every moment, well maybe not when I was slightly delirious with exhaustion, but I would have to say 99%.

Today we will celebrate the last of our babies 1st Birthdays, with some fun & lovin', we will eat, play, love, laugh & enjoy the time we have together. (It's not always so joyous), but for today, we will be celebrating the good times...

Enjoy our visual delights from our day so far...

Tee Pee made by Mama with Love... Will tell you all about that later.

I am off to play!!

Peace & Love

MHxx



the buds of spring at home...

Our Garden, or lack there of is only new. We started with a blank canvas about 5 months ago when we moved into our first ever brand new home. We have been planning and thinking and planning on how we will lay out the landscape to feature all the thing we desire for our growing little family.

As you have read, the list was, and still is long, but we are working to the time we have spare, & of course to a budget...

We have a few trees & shrubs planted already to try to get some greenery around us & to help with the general layout. It's trickier than you may think.

One of my most favourite trees that we have already planted is the Forest Pansy or Cercis canadensis. It is stunning against all the green of the gum trees & bushland that surrounds us, and I have been eagerly watching it's growth as the months have past and I would love to show you it's beauty so far...

If you like what you see, check out more about it here or over at this wonderful blog I just stumbled upon.

These images are of one of ours, we have 2 planted as feature plants beside some steps up to the higher side of the garden.

Aren't you just loving it??? I think it is my current favourite to date.

Watch this space & I will keep you updated with it's visual beauty!

Grab yourself a cuppa *smile*

MHxx

what's one more...

I am going to write this now, because I never ever thought that I would feel this way after birthing, loving, nurturing (occasionally ranting & raving too) four, hang on "FOUR", that's better, children! So I have "FOUR" adorable children, what?, well they are right at this minute, because they are all fast asleep...

Anyway, you see our baby is turning one! I am almost sad that he is turning one, and I know I should be celebrating his journey so far, but I would like him to stay my gorgeous little bubba forever... Snugly in my arms or perched on my hip, as heavy as he gets, I love the time you get to share with your babes at this tender innocent age. I have loved it with all my children.

I have always been told by older Mama's, how fast it goes and to enjoy those tender early years, & I can honestly say I have! If there was ever a piece of advice that I have taken on board, it's been that... So thank you for your pearls of wisdom!

Those that know me personally know that we were quite content with three children, but were blessed ( I can say that now as a survivor!) with darling no. 4! WE LOVE HIM UNDENIABLY TO THE MOON & BACK & BACK AGAIN!!!!!!!!!
Just had to let you know, because it can seem that a surprise pregnancy can look as though that child was unwanted, but that is certainly not the case! I was shocked & possibly suffering from some denial at first when finding out of his pending arrival, but we fast become attached to our bubba growing in my belly *love*.

I guess my initial fear was just like any Mama's;

How will I cope?

What if I am no good at juggling 4 little ones lives?

Will I ever sleep again?

Will I be able to spread my arms & lovin' around them all, & darling husband?

How will darling husband cope with "FOUR" (ba ha ha ha... thought he would never have children - *fail*)?

Will my hair ever be washed again?

I think you can see where we were at during the walk down this road. Probably like the story of many expectant parents...

So where are we now? Well, darling husband, is happy and contented with his larger than expected brood, and so is Mama. BUT.... here it comes... Well the other day, I saw a newborn!!!!! ARRRGGGGHHHH I was smitten, I had this undeniable urge to be there again.. we have 4, so what's 5? Well there will be no No. 5 from me, but it made me realise that I will probably be eternally clucky and in love with that new baby phase. It also made me want to slow down the spinning of this universe, so that I can enjoy my babies, each & every minute & moment with them all... I have been guilty of being impatient, cranky & all the things that come with being Mama, but I try my best to be the best!

Today from here on in... I am going to take longer deep breathes when I feel uptight or frustrated at the goings on around me & try to make all of our moments & minutes my 'best'... I do not want to miss a minute with our darling children, they are almost 9 & 7yrs and 4 & 1yr, in 6 more sleeps...

For now, I will suppress the urge to have more babies, because I have so many special things to cherish with & about the "FOUR" we are so very blessed to have!

I am off to watch them sleep...

Mama xx

it's daddafied baby...

Most of us nickname our babes in Utero, so I do not see that as anything too odd. I seems weird calling your gorgeous growing Lovely "It", I totally get that.

For our family, the nickname did not stop there, and I don't mean normal, well maybe it is, but when people that do not know us hear us call the kids, I can see them look on in righteous horror!!

For darling husband, he takes great honor in naming his offspring with crazy odd names...

So our gorgeous girl, commonly named "Lillie/Lilla", has had her name evolve over the years from 'Lilsten', 'Lilberg', 'Lilstenberg', 'Undertow', to the all time, 'Undertowerest of them all' !! I do not know, or even begin to understand how his mind works, but he is most of the time a sane Dadda. Can you imagine it at the park "Undertow", she does not even miss a beat, and answers just like it was the name she was born with...

So our eldest darling boy is commonly named "Claye", to which I believe to be completely normal, although we did get some unnecessary comments upon naming him... Anywhooo! So he went from 'Claye', to 'Goggle', 'Gogs', to 'Clog'!! Which is somewhere in between Claye & Goggle. Interesting to say the least!

Of course the 2nd born son would need a nickname. He was named from birth "Tully". As a clumsy toddler he was named 'Clunk' but from there he received the all time name of  'so many too many'.... What on earth was he thinking??? He offers him a choice at times, and asks, "Are you so many? or Too many?", then they play the game of so many too many... I know what you may be thinking, but really, we are quite normal folks... *twitch twitch*

Lucky last son was born and named "Dusty"... Gorgeous name I think, but with now quite a few kids in the house, darling husband referred to him, from very early on, as 'Little One', which of course soon became, 'Little', 'Lids', 'Little by Little' and ending up with 'Bylids'... He is too young to really know, but I swear he thinks that is his name... Naaaaw poor Dusty...

For the mental well being of the human race, we will be doing no further breeding!

What's your crazy nickname, because as weird as they are, I have a sneaking suspicion that we are not alone??

Ny Ny
Mama Hick xx

i would like a piece of quiet...

Most of the time, we have a beautiful, snuggly, and kind hearted just turned 4 years old boy that lives in our home!! But over the last week, maybe more, he has disappeared, well not in the literall sense, but his behaviour has gone slightly pear shaped! He told me to leave the room because he needed a piece of quiet, (your not alone there buddy) to which I obliged, because we all need some alone time at some point.

So whilst I am out of the room, his baby brother crawls in to check out the goings on... He pops him somwhere safe and heads to the treadmill. So maybe his idea of safe and mine are slightly differing, but the thought was there I guess...

Enjoy MH xx

Well I am sure he would make for some very interesting reading...

I guess he was not too worried about being stored away like a magazine!!

And of course the picture would not be complete without a snap of the culprit! Complete with homemade hair product, which I am guessing by the state of the bathroom is a mixture of toothpaste, gel & hairspray, with some water for good measure ~ Love

MHxx

spring in my step...

Nothing beats being woken up to the sound of Currawongs warbling outside your window. Well maybe some other things do beat it, but not this morning. There are already streams of sunlight filtering through the house, and other than this flu virus that seems to have taken us all captive, it is delightful... so on that note!!!

Welcome Sun Shiny SPRING!! It seriously feels better already now that the sun is sticking around for longer and the ground is warming up... The trees are showing off their fast blooming buds, there are lambs frolicking in the paddocks, and people are generally in a better mood & it's only day 3...  Well I would have posted this earlier but had a few Internet issues.... hmmmm

Ooooh the things to come...

Well I have decided to perhaps make a little list of all the things that require doing on my To Do List, my husband would be so proud, No, folks, I am not placing him on the list *she smirks*. He just loves a good list!!

• Wow it has bullet points, now that's an impressive list!
• i will stay more focused on the job *2nd smirk*
• there will be more time for reading, big & small kids included
• i will sew that quilt as a wedding gift for my beloved friends
• other sewing project will happen
• pirate ship will be finished off
• pirate ship will at least be started *3rd smirk*
• fruit trees will be sourced
• and planted
• mulching mulching mulching
• make a start on the new chicken enclosure
• agree on a design with darling husband regarding said chicken coupe *that would be 4*
• watch the grass grow
• do more exercise
• do less eating
• smile a lot
• laugh loudly

So the experts tell me, early spring is a good time to plant perennial food plants such as asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, waterchestnuts, ginger & turmeric. Potatoes can also be planted into well-mulched beds, but they say that you should only use certified seed potatoes to avoid introducing damaging virus diseases to your garden. So I must check out the seed packets, when I am purchasing...

It is also about the time to sow vegetable seeds, such as broccoli, celery, Asian vegetables, cabbage, lettuce, peas, spinach, silverbeet, radish, coriander (not in your life will you find me growing this one), beetroot, rocket, turnips and spring onions. Not that I have tried them, but apparently Japanese turnips are sweeter than common turnips and very hardy. I am hoping to get some carrot, tomato, cucumber, pumpkin, corn and parsnips seeds planted also! I may even pop in a few Sugar Snap peas! I think there is way more of a science to all the planting of fruits and veggies, something about the earth being about 20° C to germinate the seeds, but I am so excited that I am going to give it a shot anyway... This sun must have already gone to my head.


Maybe I am a little over ambitious, but a gal's gotta dream right?


Well I guess this girl had better get her rest to be able to make it through that TO DO List... I'm off to enjoy a caffeine fix, and to watch my grass grow!

Happy Sunning
Mama xx