Lunch with Claudia

Today is a glorious spring day, and Claudia wanted to eat her lunch outside.  I took it out to her, fully ready to give it to her, and head back inside to get on with some jobs.  But I changed my mind at the last minute, and sat with my sweet nearly 3 year old, in the middle of the trampoline.  We didn't say much, I just watched her as she ate the different bits of her lunch.  I was so tempted to hop up and grab the camera from inside, to capture the moment, but I didn't want to disturb her as she methodically ate her way through her most favourite bits, to her least favourite.  And so as I watched her, I tried to sear her beauty into my memory.  The way she sat in her undies and t-shirt, soft chubby legs gently crossed in front of her.  Her wild, golden curly hair, escaping from underneath the silver Santa hat (she calls it her 'wake up Emma' hat) that she insists on wearing everywhere at the moment.  Her cheeks, flushed from climbing the cubby house in the sun earlier.  The way she was completely absorbed in the simple task of eating her lunch, blissfully unaware of the adoring scrutiny of her mother.

Snow video

Kids using their snow paddles from Holland.  So much fun!

 

Fun at the snow

Some photos from our trip to Falls Creek yesterday:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Report time

Report time has always had particular significance in our family, being a family with two teachers.  Last year it took on a new significance, as we started receiving reports for Holly.  Out of everything on her report, I find the general comment the most interesting.  I feel like Holly's teacher was really spot on in what she said about Holly this year.  This is an excerpt from it:

"Holly always works diligently on tasks and can sometimes over strive towards perfection resulting in failure to meet time deadlines.  Her desire and motivation towards improvement can occasionally create tension. Finding ways to simplify her own expectations and set achievable goals will help her manage her time effectively.  She shows talent in art, dance, drama and sport and possesses enormous academic potential.  It is a pleasure to teach such a talented and enthusiastic student."

Our daughter is a perfectionist!!  But I love that her teacher describes it in an encouraging way.  I imagine that throughout Holly's school career, we will be helping her to "simplify her own expectations" many times.

A new skill

A few weeks ago, Zac couldn't skip.  He kept asking Holly and I to show him, and then he'd give it a go, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get going, he couldn't get that second leg to hop after the step.  And then one day, he got it!  He was so excited, he kept showing me over and over again, asking - is this skipping?  Am I doing it?

And now, he can't stop skipping!  Instead of walking around the house/garden, he'll skip.  Every time it makes me smile.  Firstly because he persevered and taught himself a new skill, and secondly, it is just so sweet to see a little boy happily and unselfconsciously skipping around.

Bushwalking

A few Saturday mornings this year our family has gone on a bushwalk together.  It's completely free, it involves exercise, the kids love it and it tires them out so they have a big rest! ;)  Wins all round.  Here's some photos:

Play-doh

We love making play-doh.  I've been doing it for years with the kids, but they still find it enjoyable.  Here's some photos of us making our most recent batch.

Reading

Over the last 6 or so months, Holly has really flourished in her reading ability.  She is now able to read most books she picks up without much trouble, and regularly brings home chapter books from her school library.  It is so lovely to see how much she enjoys reading.  She'll now quite often just take herself off to read her book, a sight which always fills me with joy.  She also reads to her brother and sister quite often.  Another beautiful sight. :)

 

Cockington Green

On our way home from Sydney last time, we met some friends at Cockington Green in Canberra.  Unfortunately Holly was a bit sick that day, but other than that, we had a lovely time and the kids really enjoyed seeing the miniature displays.  Here's a few photos.

Five kids transfixed by the fairy garden 

A grumpy little girl... but to be fair, she wasn't feeling great! 

Zac was pretty fascinated 

Our two crazies

A little insight into the crazy but sweet relationship between Zac and Claudia

Ballet

Holly has started doing ballet this year, and absolutely loves it.  It's such a joy to watch her.  She's so graceful, and such a natural.

Blogging and baking

A few days ago I spent some time reading some old posts I'd written about Holly and Zac when they were little.  I enjoyed it so much, and was reminded of things I had otherwise forgotten.  So, that prompted me to get back into blogging about my  family (if only for my own record of their lives... and for my mum :) ).

Recently Zac asked if he could do some baking (not an unusual request from him) but this time he wanted to make up his own recipe.  I was reluctant to say the least.  My dear patient husband suggested that I should let our son have a go.  Zac pleaded, and said he wanted to make something with nuts in it for Holly.  Sweet child.  I took a deep breath, and agreed.  Zac selected all the ingredients, and I gave him a rough idea of how much of each one he might like to use.  Holly pretty soon joined in the fun.

The resulting cookies apparently were quite nice!  I was so glad I let Zac go ahead and do it.  I love his love for baking, his love for his sisters and his initiative.  I love the way Zac and Holly worked together, and actually encouraged each other.  A happy mummy moment.

Autumn

These are some photos I put in a post last May, and just realised I never published them.