Sunday 20 July 2014

:: 29 : 52 ::


"A portrait of our children once a week, every week, in 2014."






I treated my girls to a new set of colouring pens this week seeing as they spend so much time drawing and their little collection had dwindled to only a couple. I did get a little over enthusiastic with a newly received printer shortly afterwards, though, and printed them out a pile of colouring-in pages of their favourite characters (i.e. Veggietales, Winnie the Pooh and Friends and Frozen) which meant that they were being coloured in rapid succession. Next time we'll ration them! But it is fun to see how they're both developing quite distinct ways of drawing. I can tell who has done which one just from these differences. One draws in squiggles and loops and the other tries very hard to colour in each different section. Very cute!

A: I love all the colours you use and your descriptions of what you've created. And this being one of your very favourite "friends" at the moment is worth capturing as a memory for time to come.

E: Your attention to detail is impressive. I always smile to myself and show Papa your creations and remark on how you've made sure you colour each section in. Your imagination is quite wild, too. It makes for some interesting drawings, like when I'm requested to draw you a monkey holding a turtle with a bottle of sun cream ;o)

T: It's not uncommon to see you trooping around with something in your mouth. Either a coloured wooden peg or a Duplo man. Your buddy Oska is off to a new home this week and I know you'll miss him, especially since you now say your own version of his name and love to watch his every movement. I'm thinking, though, that Oska will be quite relieved to be out of your collar-pulling clutches!

As a little extra I had a wee moment out in the garden the other day during one of our three-in-a-row beautiful, clear, sunny days this past week. The camelias caught my eye, as well as these berries on bare branches. A little Auckland winterscape ;o)

Have a great week out there!

Monday 14 July 2014

:: 28 : 52 ::


"A portrait of our children once a week, every week, in 2014."






We went for a stretch of almost 10 days without going off the property during the last couple of weeks, thanks to a couple of mystery rashes that appeared, then days of galeforce winds followed by a couple of days of solid rain! Unlike last year, this winter has treated us to some pretty enforced-stay-at-home days, which also means that clothes don't often replace the pyjamas until near lunch time and there is a lot of playing happening. Not a bad thing at all! During the first part of this last week the girls entered a colouring competition. As soon as I saw that it featured their current favourites - the Veggietales - I knew it was something they'd enjoy doing. They didn't quite understand the concept of having to send their completed pictures in, understandably, and while working away with crayons, pens, stickers, glue, glitter, and eyes, kept changing their minds about who they were going to give them to. I had to gently convince them that we were going to send them to the bookstore because they just might receive a pretty cool Veggietales prize. They love everything creative and are often found writing letters, making birthday cards or drawing pictures for various family members. 

Another current creative venture is constructing all sorts of things with their Duplo. Duplo has won me over since realising that the little guy can't choke on any of the pieces, as he is also a big fan at the moment. Though his creative use is more along the lines of crawling around with a Duplo man in his mouth or making "Brrrrrmmmmm!!" noises while pushing the car along. There have been several protest calls for help to keep him away from precious creations and vows that he can "never ever" touch the play kitchen or Duplo. Poor little guy! I often have to do a little negotiating on his and their behalf, and on the whole we come to a happy outcome ;o)

A: It's always fun watching you and your sister create, as it is seeing how your drawing/creating is developing. You took great care with this picture and the running commentary throughout the whole process was quite funny and priceless!

E: We're growing out your fringes at the moment, and several times I've been so close to sending a message to our favourite hair"cutter" to book an appointment because I do love them and you can hardly see when the hairclips and ties slip out! But we will persevere for a few weeks yet. You've had a great time building all sorts of fun constructions with your toys this week. Your little brother is not always a welcome companion during these times, though he quite admires your efforts and would love to grab a hold of them! 

T: These days you're either constantly on the move, trying to get to the laundry or toilet, or occupied with an interesting object you've spotted, pulling yourself up to your feet, often with an enthusiastic goal to reach Oska. This development of being able to stand up has foiled Oska's ability to get out of your reach, so I have to be extra vigiliant to come to his rescue now. As good as he is with children, Oska really doesn't appreciate his tags being pulled as much as you enjoy pulling on them. "No" has been a very recently introduced concept to you, our very adventurous and determined little explorer! 


Linking in with Jodi

Saturday 5 July 2014

:: 27 : 52 ::


"A portrait of our children once a week, every week, in 2014."




It's been an interesting week around here. Unpacking boxes, getting used to not living near my parents and now my sister and her little family, and the wintery weather (albeit Auckland style) has stayed with us through-out. I'd rather have my family and/or their new beautiful, sunny wintery locations! Anyway, we're adjusting. The girls made the comment today "When Superma and Megapop come back from holiday..." to which I had to remind them that it's not a holiday - they are now living in another house quite far away from us. Thankfully we have an upcoming visit from Superma, and then not long afterwards we'll have my sister and co. here with us too. And we have a quickly-approaching and much-anticipated trip to Switzerland. So while life has changed a lot here lately and there can be much to feel a bit sad and unsure about, there is still a lot to enjoy and a lot to look forward to :o) 

A: You appeared in our bed in the middle of last night with a very hot temperature, which reappeared during the day today, but both times you insisted you felt ok. Hopefully that will pass quickly! After a long afternoon nap you enjoyed spending some time with the little bunnies we're caring for, who were having fun jumping in and out of the boxes in the lounge!

E: You're not as much of a sleeper as your sister - you never really have been. More and more frequently lately that means you don't last too long in your room for after-lunch rest time before you appear asking if you can get up again. It's clear that you love this one-on-one time with us and we enjoy your company and chatter. You had fun today helping Papa move the bunnies' hutch to longer grass, then helping him bring them up to have some time inside while the wind blew gales. 

T: This is most-often the scene we see when we leave you for a nap. As soon as you are laid down, you quickly get right up again, pull yourself up to your feet and chew on the edge of the cot. Several times I go in to get you after your sleep and see paint flecks on your face. I hope and trust it is all baby-safe because right along the top of the side of your cot you have been chewing! You are now 11 months old, which means that very soon you'll be one! Wow, this year has flown by, but on the other hand I can't clearly remember what life was like without you. There are grandparents counting down the days on the other side of the world to spend time with you after saying goodbye when you were only a week old. How you have changed in the time since then!

Oska: Our fourth child for another few weeks before you (unknowingly) embark on a new life in Tauranga...where you will undoubtedly be much loved and spoilt! In the meantime you spend most of your days sleeping somewhere warm, and bundled up in your winter jersey. Tonight's location in front of the fire was a great one until a certain little crawling fan of yours wouldn't leave you in peace! 


Linking in with Jodi