kurrabi kid: January 2013

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Same, same ... but different

People always say our kids are so alike. I don't see them as all that similar, but occasionally when I pull out pictures of them at parallel ages, well, yes, peas in a pod.

E at 3 and 1/4

T at 3 and 1/4 (how DO you flip a gif file?!)

Monday, January 28, 2013

After the fire comes the rain.

I normally find very rainy days a bit grim but today was a bit different. Not deterred by the drizzle, I went for a run this morning. It was damp and squishy, especially in the shoe department, but still pleasant to get out and have the track all to myself.

Later, we dressed the kids in their rain gear and let them splash in puddles. Oh, they had a ball! I'd been feeling a little guilty that school holidays are over this week and we haven't 'done' much. By that, I mean I haven't taken E to any plays or performances or had many play dates (well, he had 2-3) or even been to the swimming pool all that much.

My kids are real homebodies. They are so happy to stay at home, kicking around on the couch with a book or a toy. And yet I am forever struggling with this feeling that I *should* be taking them somewhere or doing something organised with them.

Today I had an 'aha' moment where I realised that I needn't worry. The simple act of running about in the pouring rain had them completely entertained and deliriously happy. No expensive outing required.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Last year - July to December

OK, where was I in my dodgy 'the year in captions' recap?! ...

JULY

My biggest turned seven.

My littlest decided she needed piggytails.

AUGUST


TT takes a ferry.

Backyard soccer was played.

SEPTEMBER

Thea turned 3. Here she is doing one of her favourite things: collecting rocks.

We took the kids camping, which was all fun and games until someone - not mentioning any names - cried all night because he hated being constricted in his sleeping bag!

In the Snowy Mountains.

After Ewan's ear surgery. When we got him home Ewan had day sleeps for a few days so the pair of them slept in middle of the day. Was weirdly quiet in the house!

OCTOBER

We had to bury Ellie in the backyard after the poor old cat's kidneys packed in (she was nearly 14).

Ewan and Shaun made a hideout in the garden, which Ewan painted enthusiastically.

NOVEMBER

TT in fireman dress-up gear - on the day she actually DID alert me to a fire that had started in our garden (long story). She was my hero that day!

Took kids to a wildlife park. This guy enjoyed it; his sister was petrified by the koalas (screaming) but loved the snakes. Very, very strange!

DECEMBER

TT helps hang the Christmas decorations.

Backyard cricket in session.

Mince pies are made - one of MANY delicious batches!

Thea flies her new kite on Christmas Day.

Cousins/besties having a Christmas Day cuddle.

You know, I've only just realised something: I've been sitting here doing this for a couple of hours (exciting Saturday nights in these parts!) and I think that my doing this now is some kind of subconscious reaction to the bushfires.

I'm so heartbroken for the members of my family who have lost everything they own, but especially heartbroken for their loss of the precious, irreplacable things like photos and drawings and school reports.

So, in that sobering light, maybe keeping my blog up to date with pictures isn't such a bad idea?

Last year - Jan to June

It's funny, I think of myself as someone who likes to record the things going on in my life, but in actual fact I didn't spend much time on this blog at all in 2012. Oops!

So here I am, mid January, deciding I'd better do a quick catch-up. 2013 has not got off to a good start, with my home town of Coonabarabran being embroiled in the most horrific bushfire disaster so let's focus on last year, shall we?!

JANUARY