Woodland Antics

The first day went great.  I had called and made arrangements with the principal to go into the classroom earlier than the rest of the kids to ease Reed's anxiety.  It worked like a charm. When I left them they were both happily playing with playdoh waiting for their classmates to arrive. According to Reed's teacher he did very well and didn't hold his ears at all. (Reed's on the autism spectrum and copes with stress by cupping his ears)  This is huge in our world.  Fiona's teacher reported that she's  a beautiful little girl.  She told me a story about how helpful she was in class.  She confirmed what we already knew, Fiona is artistically talented.  She get this from her dad, who whipped up these  designs for their chair backs. When we got home they both read the books they received at school to us several times, getting their homework out of the way.  Success!! ######################################### Do you h...

Tomorrow is a big day for me and my babies   toddlers     preschoolers school-aged children. They are both off  to prep (prep is the equivalent to kindergarten) in the morning.  They've been to school before but never have they been  away from me "full-time".  We're releasing them to the world, simultaneously my heart is breaking and rejoicing. Fiona has been waiting for this day since she was born.  She's my social butterfly always anxious to be released.  We've been counting sleeps for the past two weeks, each day we get closer she cheers and howls with delight.  Reed fusses proclaiming he "doesn't want to go to school".  For this very reason I know he must leave the nest  and discover for himself how wonderful school can be.  I'm excited for this year of growth for him. Perhaps this is more difficult for me because they both are leaving me at the same time.  Until recently I thought I'd have ...

I remember long ago when Girls Night Out was a few drinks, maybe some dancing and an after party 'til early hours of the morning. How times have changed.  Sunday night Fiona and I had a Girls Night Out which consisted of  carnival rides, getting hopped up on cotton candy/fairy floss and arriving home before seven.  Indeed life is different now and not a bone in my body wishes it to be anything but what it is .  You know you have a gem when in the middle of the night you start talking about trimming your daughters bangs and he wakes up to listen.  You know he's a keeper when you go on and on about all the reasons you no longer want to grow them out and he humors you with polite responses. Did you notice Fiona's bangs have been trimmed? While we were out the boys stayed home and did boy stuff that I can't even begin to understand.

We put the kids to bed only to wake them up a couple hours later and surprise them with a trip to view a fireworks display. It was Fiona's first time seeing fireworks... it was worth the wait. Happy Australia Day !

I've gotten several emails inquiring when our issue of Ecology will be published.  The uncertain answer is, Monday or Tuesday.  I've also had some request to see my photograph ahead of time.  Once I got the good news I decided not to look at it again until it's published. It's my attempt to add to the excitement and not obsess over how it could have been better. {I didn't edit it at all}  Ryan on the other hand has it as the background image for his work computer.  So if you would like to see it you'll have to go through him.  I just want you to know I am waiting in anticipation with the rest of you. In the mean time here are some cover photos from the past year of Ecology .  They make me want to visit foreign lands and see new things. Aren't they fantastic?  They make me wonder how mine was ever chosen. Which makes me wonder why I have such low self-confidence.  This is the ultimate confirmation and still I doubt myself.  I t...

We shuffled on over to Royal Botanic Gardens this past weekend for a picnic.  I've become a huge fan of picnics.  It's such a fun way to share a meal.  There are no manners or rules to stress over.  Between bites the little ones run around while Ryan and I lounge and enjoy the moment.  On the practical side we save a lot of dinero and time by not eating at local cafes. between bites...  in Reeds case mid-bite The Woodland kids have been refining their storytelling skills.  I'm not certain why but they think making up and sharing tales is best done in the shade of a tree.  They blow me away with their creativity and vocabulary, another reminder that the time has come to release them into the world.  In the heavenly scented herb garden the boys  listen to Fiona's story ~ me and my sweet pea The gardens are home to a historic collection of trees from around the world.  If you know our kids you know they are skillful...