Impatience

Impatience
Originally uploaded by Dusty Jo

Yellow

I wrote a song for you, and all the things you do, and it was called Yellow. And so I took my turn, oh what a thing to have done, and it was all yellow.

Another Animoto Love'em.

I could make these vids all day long.

bed time

Dad's away. When Dad's away I become super efficient and get the kids in bed earlier than ever. I keep the house tidier and neater than ever, the washing is up to date there is no clutter, no mess, no crumbs. I don't know why. It's like I have to keep every thing in complete order in case things start to fall apart because if things go slightly out of kilter I know it can fall apart in seconds. 

Geordie is ill, a cold, plus teething, plus nappy rash, plus HUGE blue egg on his head from a stumble at a late night school function Asha insisted we go on last night. Busy doesn't cover it. But we soldier on. 

Had to pull Asha out of school early today, the weather in Melbourne is divine this week, sunny mild days, stunning autumn landscapes .. she had a dental appointment, not good news .. but .. we soldier on. 

We spent the afternoon in the backyard while I cleared clutter in the studio. Lulu built a great course, first you have to kick this ball, then run around the olive tree, then do pretend laps of freestyle on the grass using the kickboard, then a loop of the outdoor setting on the scooter. All good until a bike fell on top of Geordie. More bruising. 

On a lighter note, I so enjoyed watching Lulu decorate her bedhead tonight. Two simple pictures yet say so much about her. 

Don't argue with Mr T

Happy  Mother's Day everyone.  I am one happy mama today (despite being unwell) as I see my family, such a gorgeous crazy bunch, enjoying spoiling me and lavishing me with love. 

 

Easter In Coffs

brideandgroom
Originally uploaded by Dusty Jo

And what an Easter it was. Brettoh and Dalloh were hitched,  friends were reunited .. there was too much rain, too much alcohol, too much chocolate, and too much surgery (poor Alby). Police were called x3 (too many times, clearly) and yet fun was had by all.

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say? Holy Hell - book me straight into the Funny Farm. Do not pass Go do not collect $200. 

2. Do you trust all of your friends? No, there are some I trust more than I used to though. I know that every human is fallible and often things can happen under pressure that mean words are said or stories are told that shouldn't be. I'm pretty independent and rarely feel the need to rely on anyone 100%. 

3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love? Yes indeed. Love to travel, love to move, however the stability we need for the children now is more of an overriding force putting a bit of a halt on our travelling. Have plenty of places in the world I would love to/plan to live one day. 

4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? No but I'm definitely a fatalist, and believe in accepting the things that happen and do not feel that you can control everything. Making the best of what life serves up and being thankful for the good things in our lives. Oh and also that you MAKE your own luck a lot of the time, don't sit back and wait for life to come to you, reach out and grab it and make things happen. 

5. Can you make a dollar in change right now? Probably not.

6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor? Crikey. Someone pedantic, smart and compassionate. Hmmm ... don't know if I know someone with those three qualities!

7. Are you afraid of falling in love? Not at all. I love love. 

9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times? My mind is a ball of fuzz, if they did I wouldn't remember five minutes later. 

10. Whats your most favorite scar? Don't have many .. one on my hand from my bike. 

11. When was the last time you flew in a plane? Two weeks ago back from Coffs Harbour. Better trip home than trip away let me tell you. 

12. What did the last text message you sent say? Are you on your way home?

13. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex? Humour. Height. Generosity (of heart, mind, empathy, and worldly goods!). 

14. Fill in the blank. I love:  change.  and exploring. 

15. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?  Clean up the bungalow. 

16. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call? Clearly Bevo. 

17. How many kids do you want? 3 always wanted 3, have 3 and am happy. 

18. Would you make a good parent? Good most of the time, shrill harpy parent the rest of the time. 

19. Where was your profile picture taken? In my bedroom. Hot aren't I?

20. Whats your middle name? Jo. 

21. Honestly, whats on your mind right now? When will I feel well again?

22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be? No regrets. 

23. Who was or will be the maid of honour/ best man in your wedding? None, no bridal party just my fella and me. 

24. What are you wearing right now?  Gorman Anglers and a Smock top. 

25. Righty or Lefty? Right. 

26. Best place to eat? The couch. 

27. Favorite jeans? My Anglers, the most comfy jeans of all time. 

28. Favorite animal? Baby turtles. Leopard Tortoises to be precise ;)

29. Favorite juice? Apple? Not a juice drinker. 

30. Have you had the chicken pox? Maybe. 

31. Have you had a sore throat? Many

32. Ever had a bar fight? Close but no cigar. Thankfully. 

33. Who knows you the best?  My darling huzzzband. 

34. Shoe size? 39

35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses? Both alternatively. 

36. Ever been in a fight with your pet? A few scratches in the past. 

37. Been to Mexico? No and not planning on it with Swine Flu at hand! Prefer to eat Mexican. 

38. Did you buy something today?  Bananas, kids books, black paper, pre-paid satchel, rice cakes, chicken, diced peaches. 

39. Did you get sick today? Have been sick for weeks. 

40. Do you miss someone today?  Not really. 

41. Did you get in a fight with someone today? Only Asha when I said it was time to leave the park. 

42. When is the last time you had a massage? Lulu gave me a five minuter the other day. Otherwise probably when I was pregnant. With which child I can't recall. Probably Asha. 

43. Last person to lay in your bed? Me too, though this morning I had Matt, Geordie, Lulu, then Asha .. then I gave up and left them all there. 

44. Last person to see you cry? Probably Matt?

45. Who made you cry? Not telling. 

46. What was the last TV show you watched? Masterchef.

47. What are your plans for the weekend? Blythe exhibition, drink with a friend, Blythe meetup, house cleaning, relaxing.

48. Who do you think will re-post this? No-one. 

49. Who was the last person you hung out with? Matt. 

50. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say? Wot, AGAIN? Okay .

My boy and me.

As a photographer it's always weird seeing a photo of myself. The first thing I do is ask the nearest person, 'Does this look like me?' .. then I go ahead and check, oh yes, one eye is bigger than the other, it must be me. I'm so dang critical. My hair, my chin, my teeth, my eyes, but hey. Look at that little boy next to me, that vision of perfection, seriously, who's looking at me anyway?

Am loving seeing this image of me with my baby boy, my baby who is turning one next week, this baby who I adore, who i tell/ask daily to be my friend forever.

Oldie but goodie

Blythe much?

Blythe much?
Originally uploaded by Dusty Jo

Found this today at Big W ... it is cute ... but another cheap Blythe rip off I guess.
Melissa race off and get one for Lola, it was $7 :)

The End

I'm going to tie this blog up now that we're back in Melbourne and start a new one that is more me less kids :) will let you know where it is when it's up and running. 

Thanks for reading along and the comments I've loved loved LOVED sharing our happenings with you all and following along on yours. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Remind you of anyone?

I love this photograph. Mum sent it to me a few weeks ago, the girls are Mum's two half sisters, this photo was taken some time in the 1920s. Does the girl on the left remind you of anyone? 

One month on ..

We're back in our house, it's been tidied up with thanks to Matt's parents in the garden, huge effort from them as well as Matt and myself and the girls! Geordie has been a fabulous Site Manager/Cheer Squad. The garden is back to a neat condition at the front and basically a flat dry wasteland out the back, ready to be worked on! 

Asha is happily settled at her new school, she's found her feet so quickly thanks to identifying with three of the children in her class, Alice, Rupert and Hannah who I'd told her she had known as a baby, amazing how connected she feels to them. I've also reconnected with their families which has been really lovely. 

Lulu has started Kindy down our street two afternoons a week and is in her element there, instantly happy. The kids understand the history of the house and the places around and have settled in amazingly. 

Geordie has been incredible, he's really a chilled out little man, a smile for everyone who gives him one and such a sweetness about him. Just need to work a little on the night waking though really we're dealing with it just fine. He's just moved into his tiny little room last night, went well, I coped better than I thought I would. Could be the start of some longer sleeps from him. 

Matt has the next week off work and has been putting an amazing effort into the house, project managing the renovations, and we've been bouncing ideas off each other and it's coming together well. I forsee a very comfortable home by the end of the week if we keep the momentum up, will be so great to have Matt home so that both he and I are able to get the things we need to done while the children are run around and cared for!

I need to find a new hairdresser, priorities priorities! Trini is going to help me with some design ideas, new blinds, light fittings etc. which desperately need updating. But one step at a time, we've already done so much in a few weeks, don't want to burn out! 

Trini and Mark helped out a lot today unpacking books (Trini), lifting heavy objects (Mark!) all while being madly and viciously loved by their neices and nephew. Thank you guys. XX

So there is the round up for now wow, it's so HOT! And DRY and DUSTY, we're really having a culture shock with the weather and environment, but jeez do I love the drying time on the old Hills Hoist!

A random photo added - Matt and Geordie yesterday at Spensley Street Primary School's Tempting Fete yesterday, we used to go every year Geordie was having a ball boogying to the band, and you should have seen Lulu!  .. will hopefully be back around more often now that I have laptop (though battery still broken) and broadband!

Lulu's last day

Bear Park has been a huge rock in our life from the very first week we arrived in New Zealand. We have made great connections with the staff and our children have benefitted strongly from the amazing programs and curriculum at the centre. We would not have had such a great experience here if it were not for this place, it was one of my saddest goodbyes leaving there today. 

** note I am having an horrific time adding pix to blogger lately and have just given up will try again later this week. XX

Happy Last Day (x3)

Today has been a huge massive enormous gigantic astronomical day of tears and goodbyes, oh and add into that Geordie's needles, house inspections, goodbye parties times three and some microdermabrasion (don't ask). 

A 5am start has meant that we were able to fit a lot into it .. and now Matt and I finally have a couple of hours of peace with our last episode of Outrageous Fortune and a glass of NZ bubbles thanks to our friend Simonne. 

Here are some pics of the girl's last days today. Lots of sadness today but lots of happiness to come, tomorrow will be a huge day of change. 

It's been a big few days

But the worst of it all is that our internet connection has gone down so I can't post pics of it easily!

I'm on Matt's laptop on dialup and will attempt a photo or two now but will make up for it when I get some wireless broadband access again for my Macbook.

Firstly Friday was Asha's Rainbow Fish production, she was the star of the show and performed in front of the entire school, gee proud much? She did a brilliant job.

Friday after school was the school disco, much fun and dancing - Lulu had a ball too.

Saturday morning the last soccer game of the year and Lulu even played the first half!

Later that morning was Lulu's big party - here at home, Coach Adam came and played ball games with the kids which was a hoot. It was so nice to have a great party in our beautiful backyard - the sun shining, the magnolia still in flower, it was great. Octopus and baby seals cake - TICK. Cow pinata - TICK. Was nice to give Lulu a special day with all her Bear Park friends - plus her special friend Alexander, who partook enthusiastically and happily - what a fantastic kid.

Last night Matt and I finally had our 'fancy' night out at Partingtons (will add a link later!) which was amazing.

Then today we started packing - oh and for those who missed it, yes we are heading back to Melbourne permanently - in TEN days time. Scary stuff.

Asha had a party - a Leggo party - what a hoot, she had a ball, then a play at Anna's house.

So a crazy few days, and we're moving out of here in three more sleeps. Life won't be stopping or slowing down for a while I'd say.

First Goodbyes

They're starting. Yesterday was Annabel. Of course I cried, she's so staunch, typical Kiwi teenager, but she's brilliant, so cool under pressure, just so cool. 

Annabel was our afternoon babysitter, she'd come by and play with the girls while I did the supermarket shopping with Geordie, that sort of thing. She was completely interactive with Asha and Lulu, let them boss her around (to a degree) but read to them, played Musical Statues with them, did drawings, played teachers, and watched Charlie and Lola. 

She'll go far that girl. 

End of Season

The soccer season is over. So sad that it was cut so short after the ongoing torrential rain which flooded Madill's Farm for 5 (maybe 6?) weeks mid season. Our great friends Paul and Ali put so much effort into the team and there was an end of season BBQ at their house last Saturday where Asha got a trophy for best passer and most improved, yay!

Here is the team, could they be any blonder? Gorgeous looking little guys and a little bit well known for having so many girls, fantastic, so proud of them!

ps: as usual, click pic to see larger, Asha is on far right

Kai Time

13 days short of six months and Geordie is on solids. We started this morning with pear which he thought was okay, then tonight kumara and corn .. now THAT was a hit! 

Asha did most of the feeding tonight, which was fantastic, she did very well, not too much mess and Geordie swallowed most of it, brilliant!

Now hopefully I can get some sleep tonight!

(apologies for yukky flash photograph)

Cool Jumper

Trying pic in a new post ... blogger .. ARGH!

Thanks Di and Grampi

Some photos now of the G-Man for his grandparents .. G's latest pleasure is whacking himself and me with his rattle, so cute, so hard! He's got the whole hang of holding onto stuff now and loving shaking it all about. 

Also thanks Di for this awesome jumper, it's so soft and stretchy and the wool is brilliant - a great sheepy smell to it too. Comments from everyone who sees it. Stunning!

For Mish - Look! Goldie Hawn! Hahahahahaha!

What a spectacle!

X-posted everywhere!

Darling wee Lulu picked up her glasses today (and another handful of Hershey kisses) and does she look cute in them or WHAT! It is very odd to see her wearing them as it all happened very quickly but she looks super super cute in them and is enjoying all the accessories and being 'special'. 

Gingerbread Girl

Asha had her school cross country today, basically a run around the field for the juniors, the weather was threatening (der!) and of course the wind and rain started only while the Room 12 girls did their race poor kids! But they were off and had huge grins all the way around the field. 

Asha (yellow tee, black legs) had come first in the practice yesterday so hopes were high but she came in a very respectable fourth after her three great friends Anna (green), Molly (red) and Sophie(obscured). Well done to all!

Five months of Geordie.

Our beloved Geordie is five months old today. It is all going so fast, we just love him so much and I'm wondering if there are ways to stunt his growth and keep him small forever. At the same time we are so excited to watch him become a little boy. He's a total doll. He's slept for 7 hours straight the last two nights, tonight won't be so great as we've got him to bed a bit too early but still things are looking up. I found all the night waking/feeding hard but to be honest I'm happy to give him a cuddle any time of day or night so it's been fine, I just love my little boy. He's the light of our lives. So loved.

Just Like Mum

Well we had some big news for Lulu yesterday, after some initial testing at Plunket she was referred on a specialist and yesterday we found that she will be needing to wear glasses full time, mainly due to astigmatism, which hopefully will correct itself over the next few years (crossing everything). Great that we caught it early.

We spent the afternoon trying on frames and we came to a decision finally, she has a pink pair with lavender arms coming later in the week. Today she's wearing mine for laughs and she's feeling good about it and seems happy to wear them, she seems to understand what it will mean. And they look super cute on her. Will post a pic when we pick them up this week. 

So proud of my Big Girl (click on the pic)

Today was a special day for our Asha. Her lovely teacher Miss Crabb emailed me yesterday to let me know that Asha was up for a Principal's award at today's school assembly so we all got ready this morning and trooped in, Matt included to watch her receive it. It was for being a role model for all the children in her class. *sigh* she's a great kid. 

 

Our Leading Lady

News today, Asha has the lead in her class's assembly production of the Rainbow Fish. Yes, Asha is *the* Rainbow Fish. I am so incredibly proud. 

Di - get the sewing machine out ;)

Lookalikes

Asha was giving Geordie a cuddle on the couch the other day when I noticed how similar they look. I'm not good at noticing this usually and I couldn't say what it was particularly but took a pic to share anyway. Asha looks soft and young in this photo. I like it. 

Drowned Rat

Asha finally had a soccer game this morning, it has been cancelled for the last SIX weeks due to flooding and rain, last night the website said 'It's on!' and sure enough we woke up this morning to driving rain and off went Matt and Asha (I convinced Lulu to stay with me) and they played! Only four kids turned up, all girls, courageous or silly? Tough!

Asha arrived home soaked through with purple hands and covered in mud but SO happy!