Catching up

Do you ever have that feeling that the world is moving really fast, and that all you can do is attempt to keep up? That's how I feel at the moment.

It's been a really huge, very busy week here at our place and I knew I was at risk of falling off the grid again, but somehow running, organising, and keeping things going was more important. A few things that we have been up to this week?

Miss Ruth had her first comp for the calisthenics season. Her team did really well, and we are all very proud of their amazing efforts.

I finished that beanie I started a few weeks ago.

I cast on, and started a pair of fingerless mittens for myself. I am really enjoying knitting and it is slowly becoming quite an obsession. I told you I would become a good knitter!!

Finally, I spent lots of time studying as it is the end of the study period and there are plenty of assignments due. I cleaned off my desk, and then 10 minutes later this is what it looked like again...

What have you been up to this week?

still smiling

I need to remind myself to smile sometimes.

Our washing machine broke yesterday, right in the midst of a no underwear crisis, and also in a holy crap there are a lot of bills due this week crisis! It's hard to smile in the middle of the first world problems that we find ourselves in, but last night I decided that there is still positivity in the world and a broken washing machine is not something to get fetal about! So today I am going to be thankful for all of the things that are making me smile, so here is the list...

I have not had arthritis pain for 2 days due to stronger core muscles and warmer weather.

I am healthy, I have a place to live and food to eat.

I have a beautiful family.

Cuddles and kisses, because they make everything feel better.

I have crazy, hilarious children.

And there are lots of laundromats.

I think it's important to remember that there is always something to make me smile, because happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.

What are you smiling about today?

head down...

 
...bum up. That is what I am at the moment. Working hard on uni work whilst trying to entertain 2 kids on holidays.

Don't get me wrong. I have loved the holidays, but I am ready for the routine to return. I am also ready for my few short hours a week that I get to myself when Ruth is at school and Oliver at kindergarten.

We have had a marvelous time relaxing, watching movies, playing superheros and many other activities. I guess this is what holidays are for - so you realise how wonderful normal life is. It is not very easy studying full time and looking after two children that is for sure!! For now, I am content sitting in my bed with the kids beside me, whilst I study away and get some work done.

Have you had a wonderful school holidays?
Are you as ready for Monday morning as I am?

they're here!

The school holidays that is! We are super excited about being on school holidays after an 11 week term at school. Oliver was so excited about school holidays that he did a little dance. The first thing that we generally do for school holidays is sleep in. But today we had to head out to the airport bright and early so that Ruth could head off on a plane to visit her dad. What an adventure!

Oliver was less than enthused about losing his play mate for the week; but we made promises of playing games together, going to the library lots and having plenty of cuddles. Plus, the planes started taking off which was very exciting.

You'll have to excuse the photo quality - I only had my phone with me and he was wriggling like a maniac. We did have fun taking photos and pulling funny faces while we were waiting though.

Gosh I love this kid - well both of my kids - they are so beautiful, funny and cuddly. Now, we have some serious fun to be having so until tomorrow....

not going to be little for long

Something that is really important to me is making time for my kids. I study full time, which is a huge job with a house and a family to look after, but taking time with each of my kids individually is a big deal to me. They won't be little for long (if you ask them, they already aren't little anymore) and I want to cherish the time that we have together before I am too uncool to hang out with.

My little man Oliver is getting so big so fast. He is so excited about starting school next year and it is still six months away! He loves to count and do sums. He is also learning to read on reading eggs now which he thinks is just ace. I think it is exciting that he is filling his mind with understandings about the way the world works. He thinks so too. 

Thursday is our day. Usually, Oliver and I head out to do the grocery shopping, but today we opted for a pyjama day, cleaning the house, changing the beds and walking to get Ruth from school in the afternoon. 

To Oliver, walking to the school is a grand adventure. He makes up stories that we are walking through the jungle and where the path has cracked and there is a deep hole to jump over or else we will fall in. The roads can be raging rivers that we have to pretend to swim over. Everything is full of monsters and danger and adventure. I love it.

We will take time to sit on the benches along the path because we need to re-charge our compasses (the strings on the beanie that point the way). And when it's time to go again there is a spring in our step and a smile on our face.

We do our exercises on the equipment that is set up along the path. Usually this is because we have been challenged by a evil king and we need to do the exercises or they will keep our princess captive.

Best of all, we hold hands most of the way and that reminds me that one day I will be too uncool to hold hands with. For now I am cool enough though, and it makes me feel so proud to have such a gorgeous, caring, intelligent boy holding my hand as we go on our adventures. This just makes my day.