March Update

Life is so busy! At the beginning of February I started working 3 days instead of 2. That extra day makes a world of difference to my time. I thought I was busy before, now I'm truly busy. Its taken some adjustment but we are getting there. We bought another freezer so that I can cook meals ahead of time which is really helpful. Coen is so exhausted by the time I pick him up from daycare, that he won't be put down. So we arrive home at 4:45pm, I feed him, bath both kids and put him to bed the minute Nick gets home at 6. While feeding and bathing I also cook our dinner so that we can eat at 6:15 so that Kaisha can be in bed around 7. Yes, its very time managed but as long as we stick to the schedule than everyone stays happy. I'm learning to have dinners organised and as pre-cooked as possible. Although I don't like winter I am looking forward to crock-pot meals and casseroles. Anyway below are some of our doings in the last month.

Home-made watermelon & peach ice blocks

Ohh that's a bit cold

Ahh hah I got your phone

Gorgeous girl

A few Saturdays ago we went in to South Bank for a swim. Nick and some of the boys did a bike ride early and the ladies and kids met them later for a swim.

Stop taking photos and lets go swimming!

Stormy skies but beautiful warm temps.

Mmmm sand

The next weekend Anna, Laura and I took the kids down to the Gold Coast for the day. It was gorgeous and the kids LOVED it.

Beautiful beaches

Happy boy

Siblings

Eating more sand no doubt.

Snuggles and milk with bunny

Cheesy grin

This last weekend we went Camping with Anna and Geoff to Mudjimba. The camp ground was great but the weather was awful. It rained the whole time. Torrential rain for the last 12 hours. We lasted till Saturday night when we discovered that our beds were wet so we packed the muddy, exhausted kids up and went home for the night (it is only an hour away). Then in the morning Nick went back to pack up with the help of a very soggy Anna and Geoff.

Coen slept for 2 hrs on Granddad

Spot the kookaburra

Under the tarp.

Jumping in muddy puddles

Outdoor Games

I don't usually use the backyard much. We have biting green ants, lizards and the occasionally snake (harmless usually) which puts me off. I'm more of an indoors girl I guess, or a sun lounger by the pool girl. But since we left the shade up from Coen's party we have been going out there more. The kids love playing and so far no one has been bitten. Below are a few pic's of playing on the new slide.

Climbing up the slide.

Climbing up the stairs

Meeting at the top

Wheee down we go.

And down she goes, always head first.

"Mama I'm belaxing"

This monkey wants to do nothing but walk.

Usually we find something for him to push.

Kaisha has been saying the funniest things lately. On Sunday someone told her she was very smart and her immediate reply was "that's cause I eat smarties". Tonight she asked Nick if she could marry Coen. When Nick asked why, she said "so I can wear a ring".

Coen turns 1

Coen turned one this past week. We had his birthday party on Saturday. After throwing a few kids birthdays I'm learning how to do it so that I get to enjoy the party too. Coen at one is a happy boy who is in to everything. He likes to tease his sister and play with power points and cords. He has a few tricks (clapping, waving, blowing kisses) but only does them when he feels like it. He has a sweet tooth and loves fruit. He only really says Mumum but is very close to walking. His favourite thing to do at the moment is hold our hands and walk. He has 7 teeth and weighs just over 10kg (in the 50th percentile).

Setting up

Laughing boy

Farm themed birthday

Table all set up

popcorn

jelly

vanilla pudding

The spread

Singing happy birthday

Hip hip hooray

With mum and dad (Kaisha refused)

Enjoying a cupcake

Present opening

All the kids 'helping'

New slide from Nana and Grandad

Wheeee

What's on my head??

All the kids minus Dexter and Tommy

Christmas

We had a family birthday for Kaisha on the Saturday before Christmas as most of the family were around.

Opening presents

Blowing out candles

Eating the icing off the cupcakes

Christmas was a huge deal this year. Kaisha got right into it. We have started a tradition that the kids get to open a present the night before and it will always be PJ's. Someday I might even get around to sewing them myself. Someday.

Discovering Santa's gifts.

Hooray Santa got me an apple!

Spotting the trampoline

A quiet moment amongst the chaos

Hello handsome

yet more presents

Kaisha & Delta pulling a cracker

Andrea and Kaisha

Coen started pulling himself up on things for the first time on Christmas day. This photo captures my reaction perfectly. Kaisha is a cautious child and doesn't stray far, but Coen is going to teach me to let go of my hovering helicopter mum instincts!

A delicious Christmas dessert.