second verse same as the first........

I know!! What the heck? 26 days go by and not even a little hello from me, what a slacker. Or is that, busy? Meh.

Sooo many things have happened in the last few weeks, children's comments, places we have visited, new foods tried and hated.

One in particular I have enjoyed is seeing the other side of the state we live in. It has been so much fun to find new places, playgrounds for the children of course, and food, always food, sigh.

One of the recent weekends we went to an Island that is now very close to us. We drove there and visited a tourist stop. A huge building, with one side entirely glass, so you can eat your overpriced food and drink and watch the ocean. Not that the children cared about the view, oh no, not when there is an indoor play area to conquer.

When we were leaving we decided to have a look around near the beach. I am still laughing. The wind was so strong it was literally blowing children over. And what did I do as a loving, caring, protective parent? You might be thinking help the children. Wrong. I was laughing so hard my sides were hurting. Thankfully some of the children thought it was funny too. One cried when sand stung their eyes and face.

We made it back to the car safely, with our freshly wind and sand blown exfoliated faces.
We also stopped off for home made chocolates, apparently made from the finest Belgian chocolate. The kids were happy to eat theirs, but hub and I agreed we are quite the chocolate snobs, and have a taste for only what we like. We also agreed not to venture outside the chocolate bubble we love.
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Two days later this post is still sitting here, sigh. As you can imagine I am interrupted a lot, and have to keep coming back to write.
Today we visited a book store, that also has art and crafts. After what seemed like forever with children changing their minds, we finally all settles on what we wanted and headed to the counter.
As the woman checked all the books, she pointed to the toddler in the stroller "And that book too?" I looked down. Cap. The toddler was chomping on a book about animal health.
I groaned. "No, that was not meant to be included"
Well, tough luck woman, that will be fifteen dollars on top of what you have already. I grumbled as I handed over my card.

As we hopped into the car, the toddler was smiling her big, cheesy smile. Ah well. It really could have been worse. She could have grabbed on the 80 dollar books that were sitting at child height.

I have now put a call out to friends, if they want the book. I am sending it free of charge. I have no animals, and clearly no need for an animal health book!

All the colours of the Rainbow

Here is our little ray of sunshine asleep on Daddy. The tie dyed all in one is from a very special friend.
The tights I found a couple of weeks ago, and loved them. They go perfectly with her top and a gorgeous knitted dress same very special friend made for her :)

Our youngest, at the moment, has grown so much in the last couple of months in particular. She is saying new words every day, and is very much into the 'My Mummy' and 'My Daddy' stage. The older kids think it is hilarious. She will be happy playing and they will come to one of us and loudly say 'My Mummy' and she will look over, see what is happening, come running over, pushing them out of the way and cling to me and squeal 'Myyyyy Mummy, My Mummyyyyy'

At 19 months she is now helping put away toys, put things in the rubbish bin, and help with dinner. She loves to 'help' even though it makes jobs take twice as long. I embrace as I know too soon, when she can actually do the jobs, she more than likely won't want to.

She simply adores her older siblings, and they her. The oldest boys give her piggy back rides and walk around the house trying to catch the other children. She squeals so loud with happiness, it is so lovely to watch.

She will walk up to one of her older brothers, arms outstretched and say "Up" and they always do it and say "Ok bubba, where do you want to go" and she will point around the house and they will walk her there, then stop ask where to now, and she points again, laughing. She thinks it is a hilarious game.

They keep going for her, even if they get tired. Her laughter is infectious, and heart warming to hear.

She brings so much joy and happiness into all our lives. No doubt the next, and last baby will do the same.

Where have you been?

So, How are you? How have you been? What's new?

Here, well, life has been happening. We finished the house, put it on the market and spent 2 weeks like crazy people keeping it clean. I was tempted to keep the kids outside in tents, so the house would stay neat. So I looked up tents online, meh. Just a little tempted.

In our strong desire to move on, we had a one month settlement. Most people thought we were

nuts, but hey, we were the ones moving, it was our house. In the end this was perfect. It forced us to get the last things organised, find a rental and get the hell out.

Amongst all this we had 2 of the children's birthdays. Our eldest and our 3rd.

Let's not the forget the little matter of a wee belly babe growing inside me. My belly is huge!! But that is me, we have big bubbas, I'm used it now.

Bellyfruit has been increasing in strength and movements over the last month. It is quite bittersweet, this being our last baby. I am enjoying and embracing pregnancy, but also content that this really is our last.

I never before, in the other pregnancies had 'that feeling' The we are done feeling.

This time, I have felt it from the start and it has stayed.

I feel content and happy about it.

What else has been going on. We looked at several properties to buy, but none of them fitted us. None grabbed us. Then after yet another awesome episode of Grand Designs, we realised the only way we were going to get the house that fitted and suited us, was to build it.

So now we are looking at land.

Fun and crazy times can always be had with us.

We are closer to settling in here. A few more boxes to unpack, and the rest of the many books we have to put on shelves and we are done.

The kids are enjoying playing in the vacant block near our house. Lots of messy fun to be had.

Schooling is almost back on track, getting there slowly. Adding more resources as I find them which is always exciting.

The boys love science, and even though I don't, in any way shape or form, I am diving in. Their education is about them, not me. So, a science hunting we go!

I have subscribed to a magazine for them. It is a science magazine for kids.

We also have our first Home Ed camp to look forward to next year. Lots of activities for all the children, which they are very excited about.

So much more has happened , all small, everyday things. Here are some pics of the last couple of months to help tell the story.

Having fun with fake moustache. Always a great pastime.

Here we have oldest and youngest(for now) peaking over from behind the table, being used as a barrier, while Hub was painting the kitchen.

I promise you will not have to wait as long for the next entry!

Pictures in lieu of words

I blinked and he turned 3. Three!! You love it when I whinge about time flying, but it is!

The girl who sleeps anywhere, anytime. Snuggled up with her biggest brother. Nawwww

When you are the youngest of several children, anything can happen when you are not looking.

In this case bubs wanted to be pushed around in the stroller. Her older brother pushed her round the house a few times and realised she had fallen asleep.

He put her near the couch, where her older sister thought it would be a good idea to put a blanket on her to keep her warm, and also some sunnies so the lights were not too bright for her.

Very sweet, and quite funny too.

Close up of Little miss warm and cozy.

And just so you can see how she looks awake!!

(Note the newly laid floor in the background. We are ever so closer to being out of here! Some painting and hanging of curtains to go, woohoo)(And of course someone to buy the house, which always helps)

Bitch, whinge, moan and groan

I am over this pregnancy now, I'd like to get off thank you very much.

I feel craaaap!!

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The above was written 3 days ago. Since then the queasiness has slowed right down, thank goodness. I noticed yesterday I had felt better after half the day had flown by. I stopped and thought, something isn't right. I couldn't figure it out. Then I realised, I don't feel crap!
Then last night before tea my tummy felt a tad icky, but then as soon as I ate it was ok again.

I am very nervous to say I have turned the corner. I don't want to jinx myself.

In other news Hub did a superb job on the dining/kitchen/laundry floor. We have a floor again!! He laid the sub-floor all Friday night, Saturday, and night again. Poor thing banged he thumb far too many times.
Then he had the fun job of laying the floor on top. The kids had a ball sliding all over it. The novelty has worn off a little now though, which is good.

Last night he painted two doors in the garage. Once they are done we can hang them, and then one more door to paint and hang.
After that there is painting the kitchen ceiling, which is the most horrible stucko colour, ick.
Theeennnn.....I can hung the last curtain and call up the estate agents.

In my dream world the house is sold in 2 weeks and we move out a month later. Yes, a dream, a lovely dream.
It could happen.
Maybe.

I am very keen to be settled into the next house before bubs chooses his or her birthday.
I told hub I will be looking at each house at the potential places to put the birth pool, while he will be looking at whether there is a garage for his bike.
Constant hot water would be a bonus too. I get very exciting thinking about our last birth, our 3rd homebirth.

The children are also excited. Talking about names and whether bubs will be a girl or a boy. It is the most wonderful surprise, to see for the first time, snuggling your new baby.
The children are also very keen to call people and tell them the news of when baby is born. I figure hub and I have done it 5 times now, this time the children can do it.

I am still quite tired, hence the lack in posting, but hoping I start to get more energy soon and post more.

It's the little things....

So the first bit of news for today..... we are pregnant! and we are all very excited in our house. The children are talking already about when the baby will come, if we are having a boy or a girl.
My 4 year old was extra excited, and said "Is the baby coming tomorrow?" Uh, no darling, quite a few months to go yet. Which, of course is years and years to her.

So far I am feeling very tired, and very queasy all day and all night. I am constantly reminded there is a wee baby growing inside me.

Another lit bit of, well, not news, but it certainly made my heart swell. The other night I went to bed early, as I was feeling quite unwell. Hubs was bathing bubs and my 4 year old was ready for bed and wanted me to read the next chapter of her book. We read every night.
I asked her if it was ok if we saved it for the next night. Before she could answer my oldest Son bounced in and said I'll read it for you!
So of they went. He tucked her in and read to her. It was lovely to hear.

Whose body is it anyway?

This morning I was greeted by children running in my room, climbing all over the bed and jumping and squealing. As usual one is telling another off, or what to do, what not to do. Sigh.
My 4 year old saying in her very, very loud annoying high pitch squeal who is and who is NOT the boss.
Someone said Mummy and Daddy.
To which she quickly replied "I am the boss of MY body"

I laughed, and agreed, saying yes, that is right hun you are.

I love that my children not only know this, but make damn certain all and sundry know too. It is very important for Hub and I our children know that just because they are smaller, does not mean other who are bigger can touch them in any way. Even to tickle them in fun. If they say no, it means no!! They are the boss of their body.
By instilling in them as youngsters we hope for them to carry this on through adulthood.
I am confident.