First Day at School

Dear Peeps,

Today was Lillys first day at school - and for you Mr Morgan a new classroom and teacher as you go up into junior school to year 2.

Gosh - I can't explain how proud I was with both of you - how you Morgan looked after your little sister and did everything you could to make sure she was calm before we went.   Thank you too for breaking the rules ( I know you shouldn't have - but you were concerned about your sister) and going into the lower junior area and finding Lilly for morning tea and making sure she knew how to open her lunch box and had someone to sit with. 

Thanks for following all the things we talked about - making sure you rlunchboxes were taken out of your bag and water bottles refilled and getting out of your school uniforms without being asked.  It makes my life so much more easier.

Your enthusiasm about school is infectious - both of you - and I delight in hearing you talk about your friends and what you learnt or saw.

I wonder if I spent enough time wiht you both before you were set off into the education system, was I a good enough mum, did enough craft or skills, read to you enough?

I was ok until Miss Lillys teacher gave me a small plastic bag -  Inside the bag was  teabag, a cottonwool bud and a tissue and a note:
"Here is a little gift for you as you leave your precious one with us on the first day of school. As you hold this cotton ball in your hand, the softness will help you remember the gentle spirit of your child.  After you 've gone home and dried your tears, make yourself a cup of tea.  Put your feet  up and relax. remember that together we will work for you child to be the best we can be."


I had to say good bye quickly and go outside and cry.


I think I have done the best I can - but was it and is it enough?


love always Mummy.

AFL season - well nearly!

Dear Peeps,

Well - today heralds the beginning of the AFL season - well nearly anyway. I am so proud of the way both of you were so keen to get in and learn new skills  - despite it being hot and heaps of other kids there.

It was pure joy to watch both of you practicing and trying out the things the coaches were telling you. I was also delighted to hear you were very keen on what the Lions players were saying as well.  I have been impressed with the Brisbane Lions and their marketing and today was no different. Their season tickets are so tempting, but perhaps we might wait another year and drop big hints to family about buying them for Christmas this year huh?

I am looking forward to you, Morgan playing fixtures. Your willingness to do whatever it takes for the team will make you such a asset - you really do understand the value of team - rather than prima donnas and the limelight.

I am also very proud of you, Miss Lilly and your tenacity and focus.  I think you will surprise us all with your game.  Thank you for looking after Xander when he was so unsure with all those children about.  Your kind spirit and beautiful nature is such a blessing to me.

The photo was taken as the groups of children went to thier different stations.  Lilly is holding Xanders hand and helping him find the place.  Morgan is in the green shirt with a blue cap on in the distance and waiting ot be told where his age group is to meet.

Cold Winter Walks

Write from Karen is hosting a photo competition again this quarter. This time the theme surrounds "Winter."  

Its mid summer here - so I have riffled round my June photos from last year and found this.  Morgan and Lilly are having a bit of a rest on one of our famous - half hour walks  when we go camping... the half hour sort of stretches to several hours - but we always see great things, wildlife and get to talk alot!

I remember this walk was really cold - sub zero - thus the get up the kids have on.

Thanks kids for just tagging along, not complaining (too much) and just enjoying the beauty we discover on our walks.

Competitions - who wins?

Dear Peeps, I am so proud of you both and for different reasons.

Firstly, Congratulations Miss Lilly!

We always enter lots of colouring competitions and both of you have been so lucky this year to be recognized in one and getting a prize each.

Yesterday Miss Lilly won her age groups colouring in comp at the local mall.

When Mummy got the call about it , she was so torn as what to say. Morgan had put in such alot of work with his entry and although its not to say Lilly didn't either - his heart was set on winning the big toys prize. With Lilly at 4 years old, she was still in the youngest category, Mr Morgan has bumped up into the bigger ages and competing with much older children.

Mummy decided that it would do no good, nor benifit to either of you to pad it down - or pretend this sort of thing doesn't happen all of the time. Sadly - not everyone can be a winner and Mummy doesn't agree with the whole philosophy of giving every entrant a prize. ( don't get her started on the pass the parcel fiasco)

Mummy is so proud of you Morgan, and of you Lilly. Lilys first reaction was to put her hand on Morgans and say - "I'll share all my toys and lollies with you."

Although a split second on sadness crossed your face, Morgan, you were congratulating Lilly and excited for her.

Daddy took time to talk about how competitions run and sometimes the best person - in one person mind - doens't always win - its up to the judge and what happens at the time. Its just the way of the world and its a good lesson to learn early.

Dissappointment is so hard to handle - and I am so proud of both of you for meeting it with grace and love.

Here is a picture of Miss Lilly and her Prize.

The Best Day Ever

Dear Peeps,

What a wonderful reminder on what is important.. really in our busy lives. I was so touched at your announcement that today was the best day ever in your whole Life Morgan - I just had to share it.

Lovely big sleep in - in the morning - unrushed waking and snuggles in bed. We then went to the local shopping precinct where there was a colouring and craft station with Ben 10 things to do. Meeting Ben was such a thrill for you both! Heres the photo of Morgan and one of Lilly meeting him.

We then went over to Donut King, a place we literally NEVER go to as its just full of evil sugar and food colourings; but its Christmas.. and they had a special promotion where you guys could decorate your own donut.. Mummy got over her guilt and thought why the heck not? Matched with a (supposedly) fruit slushy, Mummy ignored the fluorescent fruit content and you guys just soaked up the sugar rush.

When you were given Free Balloons - the shiny faces! What joy a balloon on a stick will give a child - a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life.

A few sushi rolls cut into pieces and shared at the food court and you two were in heaven......

Just to completely top off the day - we went to see "Where the Wild Things Are", but I don't think it would have mattered what we saw - snuggled up in the soft cinema seats, with a paperbag of sweets packed at home and a shared chco top icecream; the two of you were blissed out ( and completely fueled with sugar)

Our evening was completed with a drive around our suburb, window wound down so we could shout out "Merry Xmas" to people sitting on their lawns or having BBQs and Christmas carols twittering the background of the car.

simple things - stuff that doesn't really cost that much - but shared times and experiences.

Huckleberry Kids

I’m so proud of you Morgan and Lilly! Today, you caught your first fish.

We visited some dear friends Margie and Mike on their gorgeous hinterland block in the mountains today. After a delicious lunch - all sourced from their garden or swapped with neighbors, we wandered down to their dam, a picturesque waterhole edged with purple lillies and large stone blocks.

Mike had put in several generations of fingerlings in the last few years so knew it would be teaming with fish - but whether they would bite is an entirely different thing.

Morgan and Lilly have had fishing rod kits for a few months - but never had the chance to use them. Mike was very patient in teaching Morgan to cast out and gave him a number of tips about where to cast and what to avoid in the dam ( the weeds!) After setting everyone up with rods and using only fresh bread as bait, we stood and watched the burley ( a few slices of bread thrown at different parts of the dam) They fairly quickly were attacked with some ferocity from underneath the muddy surface.

Morgans line was the first hit and with a calmness I am sure I couldn’t muster in the delight of such a momentous occasion, he reeled the fish in by himself. Although not a legal size, it was a good sized fish and gave a good fight on the way in.

Lilly was overcome with squeals and delight when her bait was taken soon afterwards. Daddy helped a bit when the line started to get tangled up when she forgot to reel it a

nd tried pulling it in physically. After gaining some composure, she reeled her first fish in and then proceeded to wave it round the bank, the poor thing getting flung about like a rag doll.

Even though Lilly then went on to catch another fish, sh

e was most put out that fish didn’t leap onto her rod every few mins and kept asking -” when will a fish come onto my rod?” ahh patience dear grasshopper!!

IT was a leisurely way to spend a sunday and one I know the kids won’t forget easily. It was so special to have shared the first fish moment with Mike - as he had promised in Morgans Blessing Book to teach him to fish.

Well done Morgan and Lilly - so proud of you!

Bookworms

Been a while since I put in an entry -not for lack of things to say or be grateful for - just been so busy with work and stuff!!

Heres a little photo and entry from Total Learning I sent in a while back - just showing hwo you love your books and love to share with one another.

thanks for beings such great kids and getting along ( mostly!!)