Yay for Home!

5 Things about having 3 girls I never want said to me again

2012-01-31T21:50:00.002+11:00

It is true that I have been blessed with 3 children. Three beautiful, amazing children. It's also true that they all have a vulva. Another sad truth that goes with having 3 kids who share the same set of genitals is that people love to make misguided and often stupid comments about it.

Stop it OK? It's annoying and sometimes offensive.

Here are my top 5 comments that need never be said to me again

1. Oh THREE girls! Your poor husband without a son. Really? That assumes that my husband cannot relate to his own kids based on their genitals and that they will never like the same things he does thus never being able to share a special bond. What a load of shit. Maybe fictional son would have been into techno and had my taste in films thus only having a penis in common with his Dad.

2.Oh THREE girls! Lucky you! Your house must be far less messy/loud/rough than if you had boys. HAHAHAHA no. Don't stereotype boys and girls into boxes of being one way or the other because that makes it hard for everyone.

3.Oh THREE girls! But who will carry on the family name? What is this 1950? Who says they will all get married, or take their partners name. Also, who cares. A family history is far more that a surname.

4. Oh THREE girls! Nevermind, that one has short hair/likes Buzz Lightyear/kicks a ball. SHE can be your boy. People actually say shit like this.

5. Oh THREE girls! At least you know what to do and they all like the same thing. Is there a particular way to parent either sex? I parent and relate to each of my kids differently because THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT. And I am often out of my depth on what to do. Having a vulva doesn't mean I have a subliminal understanding of other humans who share the same.

Raising kids is the same for all families regardless of the amount of kids or ratio of penis to vulva. Each child is a wonderfully unique being and the other unique relationships in that unique family mean that you cannot make assumptions based on the sexes of the kids. I feel sad that our culture is boxing in gender so much that we feel like we have to be a certain way and our kids have to be a certain way based on their genitals. It's all bullshit. So you have 4 boys and your house is indeed messy and loud-you know some families of girls are the same, as are some with 2 of each. Not all girls are into pretty things and not all boys like football.

And the next time you see a mother with 3 daughters (or sons) say "Oh THREE girls(or boys)! Oh the possibilities!"

Let the wild rumpus begin!

2012-01-27T08:45:00.001+11:00

This time in 10 weeks it will be moving day. I will be dispatching the kids, packing the final boxes and bossing around the people who have come to help. And there will be large amounts of coffee involved.

But before I am running around and throwing all of our worldly belongings into a trailer I have the most ridiculous 10 weeks ahead of me.

Good ridiculous though. Just busy, crazy busy.

In 3 weeks I'm off to the Gold Coast with the kiddos to catch up with our family and friends up there. I love going home for holidays and it's a great time of year to go. I'm planning on 2 and a half weeks of building sandcastles and paddling at the beach with a couple of theme parks thrown in. And eating all my favorite meals that my Mum will be cooking.

A few days after we get back we are planning on taking the new camper for her maiden voyage (to us) down to our favorite home educators camp for a week. Love hanging out with other school-free families and playing at the amazing park across the road from the campsite. Tannah is getting big enough now that I imagine she will be off with her friends on their scooters a lot of the time.

10 days after we got back it's Harper's birthday. She wants a Buzz Lightyear party.

2 days after Harper's birthday is the Digital Parents Conference. Which I'm speaking at. And staying in the city for.

Which leaves about 5 days from when I get home until moving day. Which is the week before Tannah's birthday.

Not to mention all of the regular stuff we have going on. Tannah is back to piano and Willow to ballet in the next couple of weeks. Home ed groups and birthday parties for friends and family. And no house move in complete without a trip to Ikea.

But it's all going to be awesome.In the down times I'm going to pack and declutter like a demon. I'm going to enjoy all of the holiday time we have coming up. I'm going to celebrate the birth of both my first and lastborn on their special day. I'm going to rock the conference-both the speaking and the after party.

And I'm going to look forward to our new home, with more space for all of us to stretch out in and a new garden to grow food in. The house my girls will live in until they move out on their own.

Big breath. Let's do this.

When routine came to town

2012-01-24T10:56:00.001+11:00

I've blogged about my Harper Bliss before and how I love her just as she is. We are trying to make life a little easier for our little firecracker by putting some predictable routines in place.

Harper really struggles with changing from one thing to the next and unexpected setbacks can send her into a rage. It's taken me a long tome to realize this and I need to get better at being predictable and giving her plenty of warning before we move onto the next thing.

For example, last night's hour long screaming rage may have been avoided if I had gone outside and told Harper face to face that we were putting our pj's on and leaving our friend's place in 5 minutes rather than just shouting it from the back window to everyone. Lesson learned.

We have started a morning and evening routine. Routine and structure is not something that comes naturally to me, but these times of day are the worst for everyone so we are giving it a go. Harper seems to be MUCH happier to wash her face and get dressed if she knows it's coming. I'm hoping some visual cue cards might help even more.

Can this structure fit into a free-range life? I think it can. I think part of being a good parent is realizing that all of your kids are different and may need different things and systems. We may have a deliberate rhythm but we are still not watching the clock and free time for play still dominates our day.

As for me I'm reading some books on spirited kids, chatting with people who's opinion I value and taking kid free time to recharge when I can!

Skipping The Supermarket.

2012-01-22T14:06:00.000+11:00

One of my favorite blogs is Little Eco Footprints. I was reading about her commitment to skipping the supermarket this year and it got me thinking about how much I enjoy sourcing our food.

Just yesterday I dropped in on my friends Nina and Ben who run Taranaki Farm to pick up some eggs. I also got my weekly supply of local, raw milk from Nature's Garden. Mark, the owner of the store who I chat with regularly when I'm there, asked after Willow who had taken a tumble on the footpath a few days previous. I went to the local farmers market where we are on a first name basis with the woman that does the face painting. My kids played with the other kids at the market, both old friends and new, climbing trees and eating sausages.

Last week when I went to choose my monthly lot of meat Udi already had the rump steaks out, knowing they are a family favorite. I delight in seeing my kids faces light up when there is an abundance of their favorite fruit or vegetable at the market. We sometimes catch up with friends for a play and a coffee at Ceres before grabbing supplies.The staff at Fruit Peddlers ,where we get our groceries, are always welcoming to my girls and carry my boxes out to the car.

I love shopping outside in the weather. It's real and keeps us connected to the seasons. Gumboots and coats in winter and dresses and hats in summer. We eagerly await the strawberry stalls as the season for berries begins-and they taste even sweeter when we first get to eat them each year. I love that I can combine shopping with friends. I don't thing pushing a trolley up an aisle would be a place I would like to meet a friend but to wander the market stalls and have a coffee afterwards while the kids play is lovely. I love that I am on first name basis with the farmers who produce my meat, milk and eggs. I like paying them what they are worth so they can treat the animals well.

But mostly I love seeing my kids connect with food. It is something that is grown and harvested. It is seasonal. Rea food and businesses that support it are worthy of our support.

Skip the supermarket? Sure. I'm in.

Things I Know

2012-01-20T06:36:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday everyone! I'm joining in with The Good, The Bad & The Unnecessary for Things I Know and you should too!

This week I know-

-when you are woken up at 1am by your crying 6 year old your brain will be in denial of the cause. Meaning you will stand in the doorway, half asleep, and stare at the enormous power spew that covers seemingly half the room and your child for ages before it registers what you are actually looking at.

-planning to move house is fun! Arranging the furniture in your mind, writing Ikea lists and planning a housewarming are all good times. Try to hold onto this as long as possible until the actual reality of moving house sets in.

-coming across old pics of your kids when looking for something else always gets a smile

-my love of the show "American Pickers" makes me feel old

-my knowledge of all the words to LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" tries to counteract the old feeling

-getting up before the kids and going for a walk and getting started on he day makes a huge difference to how my day rolls. But trying to go to bed early is tough!

So what do you know?

Reveiw of some kid friendly movies at IMAX Melbourne

2012-01-17T06:57:00.001+11:00

We've been to see a couple of movies at IMAX Melbourne museum these holidays. Going to the cinema is a rare treat for us as we have kids who can be pretty sensitive to noise and themes in movies so we tend to go to the drive in or wait for DVD. The added bonus of it being at the museum was that Harper & Willow got to hang out with someone else and have a fun day while Tannah and I saw a movie.

IMAX Melbourne boasts the 3rd largest screen in the world and the biggest 3D experience in Australia. I'm a recent convert to 3D after rolling my eyes at it for a while-now I love it! The kids love the extra novelty of the glasses too

I cannot say enough nice things about the staff either. When we went to see Happy Feet 2 it was Willow's first cinema movie. She is particularly sensitive to visual and audio stuff and gets overwhelmed and frightened very easily. I kept Luke on stand-by at the museum to see how she coped. About 10 minutes in she was asking to go and be with him. I took both girls outside to the foyer and called him. I had 2 lovely young staff members come and ask if we were OK and offered Willow a drink of water. Though she wasn't upset they fussed over her and when she was safely off with her dad they opened the back door and showed us back to our seats. When we went and saw Born To Be Wild we were running a bit late and they let me take 3 kids in the disabled entry as to not disturb anyone and to make my life easy.

The first film we saw was Happy feet 2

Tannah and I both really enjoyed this film. It's easily as good as the original with the same entertaining all singing and dancing fun with conservation undertones. Robin William and Elijah Wood appear again with Pink now playing the role of Gloria-which Tannah was stoked about. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon voice "Bill and Will Krill" who are hilarious and really make the movie. Hank Azaria is perfect as "The Mighty Sven".
The movie was not scary for little ones and the singing and dancing would hold their attention and there is enough in the story and comic relief for the adults. Highly recommended!

The second film we saw was Born To Be Wild

I cannot recommend this touching and inspiring documentary enough! It is only showing at IMAX 3D but well worth making the effort to see. Morgan Freeman narrates the film about orphaned elephant and orangutan babies being rescued and raised to be released back into the wild. For Tannah, who is very concerned about endangered animals and the effect things like palm oil and poaching is having on them this documentary kept her spellbound. I also had the pleasure of taking the 2 oldest Picklebums with us and at 8 years old they enjoyed it too. The 3D was amazing! At one stage I was sitting next to 3 girls who were all trying to reach out and touch the orangutan that seemed to be only inches away. This film did keep me misty eyed and a bit teary but also reminded me why we do try to boycott palm oil products.

So if you need something to do or want to escape the heat why not go to IMAX and see a movie?

Disclaimer-I was given complimentary tickets to see both of these movies courtesy of IMAX Melbourne but was not paid for this post and all views and opinions are my own

Slowly, slowly

2012-01-16T07:12:00.000+11:00

I'm back. I know you've missed me. Right? RIGHT?

I've been having such a lazy summer break. Luke only just went back to work today.

Sure lot's has happened. New years, a new campervan, a new house waiting for us to move into, my 33rd birthday complete with rock star party, movies at IMAX, drinks, friends, outings and so on.

But mostly it's been family time together, sleep ins and "marital relations".

Forgive me if I just ease back into life a little bit slower than normal.

New Years Revolution

2011-12-31T09:44:00.000+11:00

Resolutions abound! Can I have your attention for just a little minute? I want to share some good ones.

-Feed your body. Feed it real, healthy food that makes you feel vibrant and well.

-Move your body. Find a way to exercise that you enjoy be it jogging, yoga, weights, equestrian or whatever.

-Clothe your body. Find great clothes that are comfortable that you like to wear.

-Go to the beach more, ask out the person you like, have lots of sex, shave your head, get a tattoo, apply for a new job or whatever it is that you have been putting off.

Now what if you take weight loss out of the equation? Because most of these resolutions are related to people wanting to drop weight. What if you could do all these things and be a healthy, happy person at the weight you are now? The weight cycling industry makes billions of dollars out of diets and shakes and plans and frozen meals and pills every year. And they create repeat business because after losing the weight there is a 95% chance you will put it back on-with interest!

Imagine the revolution we could start if we opted out of all of that? If we saved the money and cut out the body snark and policing.

Those points above can still be your goals. And they can be free from shame and weigh ins and failure. You could just treat your body like a temple and feel awesome.

Things I Know about xmas at my place

2011-12-24T17:42:00.001+11:00

Happy Friday! I'm joining in with Kellie at The Good, The Bad and The Unnecessary for Things I Know. I know you should too.

This week I'm telling you what I know about Xmas at our place. I've talked about how we love xmas at my place before and the Things I know about xmas at our place this year are-

-the leg of ham gets lovingly carried around from the fridge to the table often, and also gets patted like a baby

-my last minute decision to buy the girls a dolls house for their Barbies was not met with joy from Luke who had to put it together and hide it

-having a house around the corner with AMAZING xmas lights means lots of late night family walks with Daisy to see them

-very warm weather and outdoor catch ups with dear friends makes me homesick. As does the song *sob*

-the excitement of counting down until xmas day affects everyone at our place.

-the kids have already asked and been told the truth about santa claus. But they still love playing the game and pretending that it's all real. And I love playing along.

I'm hoping that you all have a great time over these holidays and however you celebrate or not is enjoyed by all!

Next year

2011-12-19T14:35:00.002+11:00

There is something about next year that feels more like a new beginning than normal. I have no idea what it is but I'm sure there will be an astrology sort of person who can tell me why. In light of this I have a desire to write a list of resolutions for next year-which is not really my deal but I'm going to go with it.

So my goals for 2012 are

Get the kids outside more.
I can't deny that we all benefit in a number of ways from getting back to nature and using our bodies more. I just need to commit to doing it with more regularity.

Use a diary-the whole year
I'm one of those people who buys a diary every year and stops using it around February and then spends the next ten months in a fluster of things forgotten and double bookings. I shouted myself this pretty one in an effort to encourage me to use it.

Take another road trip-all the way to the Gold Coast
The fun of this year's road trip has nor been forgotten and the girls and I are planning another epic trip. We think we might go away for about a month and take our time up the east coast. I think we will become regular road trippers!

Less talk about exercise and more actual exercising
I have been putting my time to exercise last on my list of priorities and I want to stop doing it. No excuses.

Move house
The plan is to be in a new place with more room and a big backyard that is closer to the city by the middle of next year. Also planning to be walking distance from public transport so we can use the trains more

And the last one is to give more thought to where we spend our money and what sort of companies we are supporting with our dollars. But I think that is a whole other post for another day....

Do you have any resolutions for next year?

Things I know.

2011-12-16T07:53:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday Know-it-alls and welcome to the last time I host Things I Know *sob*. If you want to join in just write your own Things I know post, including a link back to me, and link it up below. Still have lot of stuff you know that you want to share? Never fear. The lovely Kellie from The Good, The Bad and The Unnecessary is taking over from next week! I know you're all going to go and support her by linking up there from next week

Let me take a second to say a massive Thank-you to all of you who have made this meme a success. I have truly loved reading the blogs that have linked up as well as appreciated the support, comments and shares. I will still be joining in-I just won't need to be so organized and be first. And of course Yay For Home! isn't going anywhere, hosting this meme had just run it's course for me.

So what is the topic for the my last host of Things I Know? In honor of my successor I'm telling you the Things I Know that are Good, Bad and Unnecessary. Genius right?

The Things I Know this week are-

THE GOOD-
-I am speaking at the Digital Parents Conference next year! I'm on the My blog, My story panel which was one of my favorite parts of the Aussie Bloggers Conference last year. Not only are there some other amazing bloggers speaking, I am now on a list with Problogger. This is all dangerous for my ego.

-Tannah lost another tooth. Her big front and centre one. This makes for more adorable xmas day photos. I am aware this makes me shallow to be delighted about this.

-speaking of xmas, all my shopping is done and wrapped. The smugness, it burns.

THE BAD-
-Luke's pay got stuffed up this week leaving us massively underpaid until next week. Perfect time of year for it right?

-it's been almost a year since I've been up to the Gold Coast to visit my family. I've seen my parents and brother down here a few times but I miss my nieces and nephew and so many more people from up there. Planning the road trip take 2 for February and it really can't come soon enough.

-fighting siblings. It may be the death of me. I wish I knew nothing about it.

THE UNNECESSARY -
-I have a huge pimple on the inside of my thigh. Crap spot for it and rather uncomfortable.

-I'm getting excited that Lampoons Christmas Vacation will be on TV soon. Now you know how my sense of humor rolls.

-my need to sing in the car has reached chronic levels. My poor kids and their ears.

So what do you know?

Putting the phone down

2011-12-13T21:24:00.001+11:00

I had a pretty big reality check last week.

Tannah and Willow were playing a game where Willow was the Mum and Tannah was her baby. Tannah said "Mama! Mama! I need you to come and help me!" and Willow replied with "not now! I'm busy with my phone."

I started to listen more closely as the game went on and it was basically Tannah trying to get Willow's attention and she kept blowing her off with "In a minute" or "when I finish my jobs" and the killer line was "Ugh! Can't you see I'm busy with my phone and don't want to play with you"

Ouch.

Harper has been really intense the last few weeks and I actually burst into tears at unschool group last week as I was talking about it. I'm exhausted with all of the tantrums and tears and anger and said it felt like I was being bullied by her. One of the wise women there said that it may be true-but what most bullies are really after is some extra attention and affection.

These things together made me realize that I have been running from the kids a bit lately. And it hasn't made mine or their lives any easier. Whilst I need some space at times, playing on my phone all day is not healthy for any of us. And it's not working.

I have been choosing to put my kids first every time they ask me for something when I am on my phone or the computer. I have been putting the phone away for large portions of the day and instead of running from the kids I'm trying to run to them.

It will surprise no one that not only am I getting lots done around the house (hello-I'm up to date on the washing!) but I have been so engaged with the kids these last few days and we are all gaining lots. My kids are awesome-it can be easy to forget how much when you are only half-present. Harper has been a little easier on me and the overall fighting seems to be less. I'm not saying we have turned into The brady bunch. This morning sucked and it was hard not to just switch off and run to twitter (which I did a little) but I have noticed a change in the attention seeking-as they have my attention.

I am reminding myself of one of my favorite quotes that "you are not managing an inconvenience, you are raising a human being".

I'm choosing to stay engaged and present, put the phone down and dive into the time I have with my kids.

Sunday Selections. The soggy christmas carols edition.

2011-12-11T16:41:00.001+11:00

Last night we trekked an hour to the other side of the city to see christmas carols that were going to feature Yo Gabba Gabba. Being a favorite of all three kids and being free we decided it sounded fun. The weather looked crap but we packed our sense of adventure and set off.

The rain started 5 minutes before the carols were due to start.

Many of the families packed up, scowling and chastising their kids for getting wet while cursing the weather.

I had a moment where I realized that I had a choice. I could choose to be all pissed off at making the trip and missing the show (it was cancelled due to safety issues)or I could choose to make the best of the situation and have fun anyway.

I chose the latter. And it was such a fun night, for all of us.

Even though the photos are only iPhone quality they captured the mood of our evening so well I decided to link up with Frogpondsrock Sunday Selections.

And although we all got drenched there were so many laughs had and it was so much fun.

Things I know about Things I know

2011-12-09T07:13:00.002+11:00

Hi all and welcome to the Things I know link up. It's not too late to play along! Write your own Things I Know post and include a link back to me and link it up below. It's what all the cool kids are doing.

In this second last week of hosting the Things I know link up I'm going talk about the linkup itself.

The Things I know about Things I know are-

-Things I Know will live on! Next week I will host it for the last time and then the lovely Kellie from The Good, The Bad and The Unnecessary will take it over. I'll probably still link up most weeks!

-people have loved writing for an open ended meme. I have read all manner of topics and styles of posts that have linked up

-I have laughed and cried and even rolled my eyes at posts on occasion.

-the most popular Things I know post ever was the one about Harper. Probably because she makes cool faces like this.

-sometimes I write the posts well in advance or have topics carefully planned out and other times (like this morning) I wake up and go SHIT IT'S FRIDAY and quickly bang a post together.

-I love that hosting this has led me to awesome blogs I may not have read otherwise

So what do you know?

Things I Know

2011-12-02T07:44:00.002+11:00

Good morning Know-it-alls and happy Friday! If you want to play along write your own Things I Know post, include a link back to me and link it up below.

This linkup has almost run it's course for me so after this week I'm only hosting two more then I'm going to put this baby to bed. So make sure you get involved in these last three Things I Know linkups! It's been awesome to have so many people who have supported this and so many awesome posts linked up. I'll miss it but it's time.

Anyhoo the Things I Know this week are-

-sometimes your body forgets that you are 32 and gives you a big PMS pimple break out. It is not a welcome occurrence.

-when your child is passionate about a topic and wants to find out more you will soon also become an expert on said topic.

-a raspberry vine in fruit right alongside the washing line is a big distraction and makes hanging out the washing a much more delicious job

-kids make playscenes anywhere they can

-nothing makes me more homesick than wearing a jumper on the first day of summer

-never underestimate the super powers of a good coffee

So what do you know?

Feeling thankful and giving back

2011-12-01T19:03:00.002+11:00

We put up the tree over the weekend. I know, we jumped the gun. But Luke is not off again until Sunday and we make it a family affair.

Watching my girls squeal and delight in seeing the decorations again and see their excitement actually got me all choked up. I felt suddenly overwhelmed and so incredibly grateful for all that we have. We are all healthy and happy and loved. There is a roof over our heads and food in the fridge and a regular amount of money coming into the bank.

I have known times without these blessings.

One of my most vivid memories as a child is that of my Mother crying her eyes out as we drove away from the house the bank took back. The house my parents built and loved. Luke and I also have a house that we bought in our early days together that was sold by the bank when we couldn't pay the mortgage anymore. There was a time when Willow was a baby where every dollar was hard fought and accounted for.

I remember when Harper was so sick and I wasn't sure if she was going to make the night, let alone the next December. I will never forget the greeny-grey colour of my Dad's face as he was being loaded into the ambulance after his heart attack. There have been times with both my parents and Luke's that hurtful things have been said from all parties that have taken time to forgive.

These are some of the reasons are why I'm involved with Community Blogging. I am so blessed in my life and am fortunate enough to be able to use what voice and time I have to be helpful to others. I am excited about our upcoming Christmas event(there are a few tickets left if you want to get involved!)and look forward to working with not-for-profit organizations, bloggers and companies to make a difference. You can get involved too.

This Christmas I'm really taking the time to be thankful and acknowledge where we have come from and how lucky we are. It's Christmas and I'm thankful.

Linking up with Kate says Stuff for Thankful Thursday

Learning need not be linear

2011-11-28T11:35:00.002+11:00

Tannah has always loved animals. She has a particular fondness for reptiles and horses. Not to mention her recent African wild dog obsession.

She loves watching animal documentaries and talks about David(Attenborough) and Steve
(Irwin) like they are her mates. And Bindi. Who can forget her favorite and best Bindi Irwin. Every time we go to the library we have to check out the non-fiction section for animal books.

She is pretty knowledgeable about animals. She knows the difference between mammal, reptile, bird and monotreme. She can usually tell by teeth and claws whether an animal is a carnivore or not and she is good at deducting whether an animal is nocturnal or diurnal by their ears and eyes.

She has recently been moved by the endangered status of some animals-including her beloved wild dog-to become more aware of how to tread more lightly on the earth and what she can do to help. We have spent many hours online together recently doing research on this topic and have learned lots as well as been inspired.

What an amazing 6 year old right? I'm pretty sure her knowledge on animals and conservation would impress many adults.

And then many would worry about her "falling behind" to learn that she turns 7 in April and doesn't read.

One of my favorite parts of unschooling is that learning need not be linear. There is no order to the steps that my children must learn and they can follow their passions and interests. I also love that we have the time to devote to topics of particular interest as well as being able to explore them in not so traditional ways.

It really feels like we are free to learn

I'm joining in with Owlet for Unschool Monday

Things I Know-the chook edition

2011-11-24T23:12:00.003+11:00

Happy Friday and welcome to the Things I Know link up. Want to join in? Easy-write your own Things I Know post and link it up below. Yay!

Tonight I'm feeling a bit PMSy/tired/emo/homesick/in need of a few beers and a dance and instead of saying the Things I Know are wah wah wah boo hoo I'm going to tell you what I know about my ladies.

No, I don't call my boobs my ladies! I'm talking about my chooks.

The Things I Know about my chooks are

-the kiddos named them and when I say all of the names together I kind of feel like I'm doing a roll call at an escort place. The ladies are Ginger, Amber, Honey, Blackie, Rachel and Rosepetal.

-the make the cutest sound when they are roosting in at night.

-their shit stinks more than you think it should

-the dog wants to eat them, despite the fact that they are twice as big as her.

-we are all growing ever more excited and impatient in the anticipation of the first egg. ANY DAY NOW.

-they all have little personalities. Ginger and Rachel are currently in a battle for the head hen role while Honey is last in the pecking order. Amber is the friendliest and Rosepetal seems to be the dumbest. Blackie seems the most content.

-don't assume that a flock of chooks won't come walking into your house if you leave the back door open. And shit everywhere.

-that they make me happy with their bok boking and scratching around the place. I could become a crazy chook lady.

So what do you know?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T12:58:00.003+11:00

Willow is now gluten-free and almost no grain or sugar. A trial of some spelt bread that ended in tears sealed the deal.

But we want to see less of this face when her "body doesn't feel good"

And more of this one when she's feeling all vital and full of energy

I've got lots to say on the food issue at the moment-I'll save it for another post.

Routines and outsourcing

2011-11-22T12:28:00.004+11:00

Since Luke has gone to day shift there have been some pretty big changes. When he worked afternoon shift he was always home until 1pm, giving me some time in the morning to get stuff done and giving him some time with the kids. We ate our main meal at lunchtime and I got some quiet time after the kiddos went to bed.

Now he is gone before the girls get up and he gets home at dinnertime most days. I have the kids with me all day, all week and he only gets Sundays off. My quiet time does not exist and the kids are going to be later so they can spend some time with Luke.

Instead of being a martyr to these changes I've decided to tweak my routine so that we all get what we need. It's become clear that the fly by the seat of our pants approach is not working for us at the moment and I feel it's time to adopt a bit of flexible structure. It's going to require some commitment on my behalf to stick to a daily rhythm and weekly routine, but I know that after an initial adjustment period I'll be fine.

Here are some of my ideas

-get up at 5am with Luke. This means I can take the dog for a walk before he leaves and then get my computer and quiet time before the kids wake up. This will leave our nights free for all of us to hang out.

-Outsource some childcare. Tannah, Willow and Harper are now spending Monday mornings with their Granny and it's a big win for everyone. The girl love spending time with their grandparents and Granny enjoys her time alone with them-and I get about4-5 hours to run errands/go to the gym/do computer stuff alone and without guilt. I'm also going to give our local occasional care a go for 1 hour a week so I can go to the gym. The o.c is at the leisure center where my gym is and they take kids up to 10 years old. I'm pretty sure the girls will love doing some new art and playing on the playground. My plan is to pick them up and then we can all have a swim at the center's pool afterwards.

-get a cleaner. With Luke gone for 6 long days a week I've really been struggling to get the week to week housework jobs done like the shower and the floors. I hate wasting our precious family time juggling kids and housework so we decided a cleaner would be a great option.

-keep to the same weekly menu plan. It will simplify both shopping and cooking. Also keep to the same shopping day and place each week-and write a list!

-schedule in Luke's time with his mates

-use a diary and the wall planner as well as the week to week whiteboard. Every year I start failing on the dairy front in about March and spend the rest of the year double booking myself and getting flustered when I forget things. NOT THIS YEAR.

-keep the kids activities flexible. I've written in the week to week things that we aim to do but it's not essential that we always get there. Sometimes a PJ day and a few DVDs are in order. I've got some designated home time scheduled in as well as a few meet ups that we can see how we travel on the day as to whether we attend or not.

So that is my plan of attack at running the household, being available to the kids and their needs, seeing my husband and getting some time to myself.

I'm feeling optimistic.

Any wisdom you'd like to share?

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday and welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you haven't joined in then it's about time you did. Write you own things I know and then link up below. I know, why haven't you done it before?

This week I'm getting all lovey dovey because it's Luke's and my 7th wedding anniversary on Sunday. This week I'm telling you what I know about us.

The Things I know about Luke and I are-

-he is as cautious as I am impulsive

-he is as Star Wars as I am Harry Potter

-he sleeps like the dead while I get insomnia

-I'm organized chaos but he's just organized

-I'm loud and he's quiet

-he likes to save money and I like to spend it

-he doesn't like to rock the boat while I cause scenes

-I love change and he loves routine

But the thing I know the most is that we work despite the differences.

And I know I love him.

Naaaaaawwwww

So what do you know?

No More Babies

2011-11-17T08:41:00.002+11:00

Tannah

I was tucking Harper into bed last night when I really noticed how bloody big she is. My baby will be THREE in March. I can't seem to fathom where the time has gone and that my baby is so grown up.

It may sound like I'm pining for another baby. While it's true that having a cuddle with this newbie got my cluck-o-meter going I'm surprised at just how OK I feel with not having any more babies.

Willow

I figured that when Harper really started to leave her babyhood behind her (and Miss Independent's babyhood is GONE)I'd start to feel sad and maybe regret that I agreed so readily to Luke having a vasectomy.

But it really doesn't feel like that.

It feels like we have moved on to the next phase of parenting, a whole new phase with different joys and frustrations. Not being sleep deprived and not having a kid hanging off each boob means I can look back at babyhood with rose coloured glasses.

And it feels great to cluck over a new baby and get all nostalgic about when you had a newbie-and not have the desire for it to be you.

A lie I hate

2011-11-15T10:58:00.003+11:00

I've spoken before about how my beautiful 4 year old daughter talks about wanting to live with another Rapunzel rather than marry Flynn Ryder.

When Tannah and Willow play princesses Willow will often come to me and say "I don't want to marry the prince like Tannah, can't I just marry another princess?"

Here is the fucked up part. I lie to her.

I say "of course you can. You can marry whoever you like-it doesn't matter if they are a man or a woman."

And we all know that in most of our sad, bigoted world that is not the truth. In Australia there is no marriage equality. In Australia marriage means only a man and a woman, no exceptions.

But what am I supposed to say to my 4 year old? What am I supposed to tell my beautiful daughter who may or may not have to face this bigotry through her life?

While I am aware that she is only 4 and she may just end up with Flynn Ryder why should I tell her that it's wrong to want to marry Rapunzel? In my eyes it's a non issue and if she does indeed continue to want to marry a woman I don't EVER want her to think that she is doing something wrong.

So I urge the government and the people who say no to marriage equality to take a minute and think of the kids and teens who are growing up gay and the message you are sending them. That their love is worth less than that of their hetero peers and that they are somehow wrong.

Uncool and untrue.

Word To Your Mother

2011-11-14T21:18:00.003+11:00

“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12 - Jesus, did you?”
Stephen King "The Body" Different Seasons (but you might know it from the movie adaptation which is Stand By Me)

This photo was taken when I was about 13 or 14. I'm the one with the kooky plaits and Smashing Pumpkins tee (I wore that shirt until it was a see through rag that actually fell apart). The brunette next to me is Chris, one of my oldest and best friends.
When we were in our early teens we spent practically every day together either at school or sleeping over at each others houses playing music, being silly and discussing the important topics like boys, why our Mothers were ruining our lives and what we were going to be when we grew up. We had matching Doors tee shirts and spent many hours lamenting why we would never get to go to a Doors concert and swoon over Jim Morrison. She made fun of my love for W. Axl Rose and I endured her obsession with Vanilla Ice. We were even on the same netball team. We both acted up at school but she always seemed to get away with it and I would end up at the office or banned from the classroom. I had a major crush on her older brother and cried when he left for uni.

Chris left school at the end of year 11 and moved to Melbourne. I was gutted. She sent postcards and letters and we saw each other when she came back to the Gold Coast to visit her family-I even took a trip to Melbourne and stayed with her when I was 20 and my ex and I were having dramas. When I moved to her city we started catching up more regularly again. For 2 years running a "few quiet Christmas drinks" with Chris turned into an all night party that ended with me waking up on her lounge room floor with an epic hangover and a hazy memory.

Of course having kids has changed how often we catch up. Chris is footloose and fancy free with a busy job and I'm busy with my kids. But when we catch up it's always fun and like no time has passed.

Chris rang a month or so ago and said "Shae, are you sitting down?" Many thoughts ran through my head. She's up the duff, met someone, eloping, moving to the UK etc etc. I nervously waited for her to give me the news.

"I bought us tickets to see Vanilla Ice!"

Wait, what?

So on Friday night I was at the Doncaster Shoppingtown Hotel with my friend who was at the last Vanilla Ice concert 20 years ago (yes that long) and we got to rock out to Ice Ice Baby and get all nostalgic as the DJ played Tone Loc, Salt n Pepa and Sir Mix-a-lot.

We carried on like we were 15 again, did those funky 90's dance moves and amazed ourselves that we still knew all the words to "Gangstas Paradise". Of course we screamed carried on when the Ice Man himself rocked a mic like a vandal but shit got crazy when we were part of a group who danced ONSTAGE. Yes, I danced onstage with Vanilla Ice. I now come with extra cool.

It's not your normal 32 year old mother of three behavior but I'm hardly normal.

But mostly I had a ball with my friend. Just like always. Except now there are iPhone photos to share on Facebook.

Things I Know

2011-11-11T06:07:00.002+11:00

Morning all and welcome to the Things I Know linkup! Have stuff you know too? Well then write your own Things I Know post and link it up below so we can all learn something. Happy Friday!

The Things I Know this week are

-Taking your 6 year old on a pony ride at the fair is not a clever move if it's the day before your kids write their xmas lists. I'm pretty sure we don't have enough room for a pony.

-seeing things on said xmas lists that you have already bought is a ticket to smugsville.

-thinking about taking meat out of the freezer for dinner is not the same as actually taking it out.

-a new and working dishwasher brings much joy

-when the weather swings from a top temp of 16 degrees on Wednesday to a top temp of 32 degrees on Saturday of the same week you know you are living in Melbourne.

-you are not the only one who thinks pageant queens is a good dress up for a "Bad Taste" party.

So what do you know?

10 ways to grow food in a tiny backyard

2011-11-10T06:58:00.003+11:00

1-Stop wishing for a bigger yard. You may be pining for 5 acres but you might be surprised with what you can actually do with the space you have. By all means keep dreaming of your farmlet complete with cow and orchard but there is no reason you can't make the best of the space you have right now.

2-Get your hands on a copy of Jackie French's Backyard Self Sufficiency. It's such a great book for anyone who likes to grow food and keep chooks (her Chook Book is awesome too) but I have found it a great resource for my space poor garden.

3-Only grow food your family likes to eat. If you don't have lots of space to experiment then keep the prime real estate for food that won't go to waste. No point devoting room to eggplant which no one in your house likes to eat if you could chuck in another strawberry plant.

4-Consider how big that tiny seedling will grow to. Last year we planted pumpkins which took over a garden bed and part of the lawn. If I'd of put them in a different spot and planted less they wouldn't have been such a pest.

5-Use containers. If, like us, you want to devote some of your tiny backyard to lawn for the kids think about containers. Try wine barrels, styrofoam boxes, hanging baskets & pots.

6-Consider a couple of chooks. Not only will they eat your scraps,lay delicious eggs and enthrall the kids-you can put them to work turning over garden beds, eating snails and fertilizing the plants. Consider a bantam breed that is smaller and remember they will eat your seedlings so protect them.

7-Outsource space. Want to grow a heap of garlic/potatoes/watermelon etc but don't know where to put it? Why not ask a friend with a big backyard for a corner of their garden. Or seek a local community garden and take up a plot there as well.

8-Think outside the box. Grow herbs up a wall in a hanging shoe rack, build a retaining wall border of garden beds, grow food on the nature strip or tear up your entire lawn for food. There are some great ideas on Pinterest.

9-Make the best of the space you have. When you pull something up, plant something else. Don't feel like you need to have a perfectly ordered garden in neat rows-fill the gaps!

10-See the benefits to only having limited space. Weeding and pest control are easier, you need less water and your ability to spend more time with less plants can bring great yields. You often find that a confined garden has less problems with frost, heat and wind. Not to mention the fact that you might only have to walk 4 steps to pick tonight's salad for dinner.

I've judged you, and I apologize.

2011-11-07T09:54:00.003+11:00

It's true. I was one of those Hippy-la-las who has rolled their eyes at newborns in prams, gasped at bottle fed babies and cringed at school talk. And what of those poor misguided women who birth in a hospital? Won't someone think of the children?!

Over the last little while I've come to realize that my judgement of women who I know nothing about is far from the supportive Feminist ideal that I would like for myself and my daughters.

This post has been a long time coming because I know it will draw rolled eyes and judgement towards me from others in the Hippy-la-la parenting community. But I read this article yesterday and I agreed.

I still have a whole heap of judgement though. I judge a hospital system that fails so many Mothers, Fathers and babies-a flawed system that sees birth as something which needs to be managed and often takes all the power away from the woman. But I no longer judge the women who use it.

I judge those who write parenting books telling parents to train their kids like dogs, to give them unrealistic goals about sleep and adding so much pressure to be perfect. But I no longer judge the women who read these books.

I judge a hypersexualized society where so much emphasis is placed on work and early separation from their kids that it cannot possibly support breastfeeding, and I feel anger at those "health professionals" who give terrible and outdated advice. But I no longer judge the women who choose the bottle.

And I judge a school system where kids are expected to learn by rote, conform and attain high grades rather than follow their passion. But I no longer judge those who send their kids to school.

I'm passionate in people feeling empowered to know that there is a whole other way to raising your kids rather than the mainstream way of punishment and reward. I want people to know that they could parent where kids will sleep when they are tired, eat when they are hungry and learn when they are ready. I want people to know that birth does not have to be mean intervention.

But just because I say that you could parent this way does not mean that you should.

I'm choosing to let go of all the judgement that goes around in my parenting circles. I'm saying do what works. I'm saying that I'm absolutely pro-choice for a womens body-that means an elective c-section for no other reason other than you want one and a freebirth with only yourself and your partner present. If you want more information go get it. Interested in homebirth, home education or co-sleeping? Speak to someone who knows what they are talking about, probably someone who has done it before. Don't feel boxed in to whatever parenting style or method you have decided to take on.

I'd invite you to also stop judging other parents-you know nothing about them or their lives. Be true to yourself and be true to your kids-enjoy the freedom it brings.

Things I Know-the future Shae edition

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000+11:00

I can't believe it's Friday. Truly. But here we are. So why don't you share what you know this week.

Just write your own Things I Know post including a link back to me and then add your link below. Ready? Set? GO.

This week I'm telling Shae Of The Future some important things that Present Day Shae knows.

Hey Shae Of The Future! Here are some Things I Know-LISTEN.

-if you have to get up early and be out the door on time don't stay up late looking at dumb shit online the night before. Sure, Ugliest Tattoos is hilarious but the time could be better spent sleeping, or getting prepared for the next morning.

-if your dishwasher is ever broken again (dear jeebus don't forsake me with this horror ever again pleeeeaaaase) don't pretend that the piles of dishes in your kitchen will wash themselves. I highly recommend washing up more than once a day.

-if you have an awesome holiday/sleepover/party coming up don't tell the kids until the day of the event. You seem to be pretty slow on the uptake of this one and I'm currently hearing about our visit to Queensland next year that is yet to be finalized. Are we there yet?

-starting any conversation with your husband with "this person on Twitter said" is likely to get a raised eyebrow from him. He doesn't care about twitter. Leave the poor guy alone.

-there is a window of opportunity for kids not hamming it up for most photos. Enjoy it.

-write shopping lists. Or plant a money tree.

-enjoy every moment with those gorgeous kiddos because time really does fly.

So what do you know?

A co-sleeping tale

2011-11-02T08:37:00.002+11:00

Once upon a time there were three kids. Oldest, Middle and Youngest. All three of these kids shared their parents bed from birth until they wanted to sleep in a bed of their own. The three kids parents knew that co-sleeping was safe if you followed some guidelines and so so good for both the parents and the kids so they were happy to co-sleep for as long as all parties were happy. And the parents of the three kids did love having their babies close.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing.

Oldest was too cuddly. As she grew she spent all night being a barnacle on her Mama's back and not letting there be more than 1 centimeter of space between them at any given time. But the Mama got used to it and soon was sleeping soundly with a small person suctioned to her back.

Middle was too pointy. As she grew she slept in the shape of a greater than sign and you either got the pointy bum or the pinchy toes poking you all night. But the parents got used to it and soon all slept soundly with with a blanket tucked between them.

But Youngest was just right. As she grew she slept still and sound and snuggled in a ball without pinching or poking or sticking herself to either of the parents. And the parents were happy and everyone got lots of sleep.

As the years passed Oldest grew and wanted her own room so the parents made her one and she slept in there happily. After more time passed Middle did too and the parents realized that those years with their babies and children co-sleeping was coming to an end. They were both sad that those magic years with small kids had flown so fast and happy because they knew that one day they would get back the whole bedroom to themselves. And also optimistic that the magical and elusive "regular sex life" might return under the right conditions.

But until that day they were happy to share their room with youngest (who now sleeps in a bed of her own right next to the parents bed) and whenever she wanted to climb in-between the parents and sleep they were happy to let her. Not only because they knew that soon she would be too old to share the bed and they would be sad that their last baby was a baby no longer, but also because she wasn't too cuddly or too pointy but she was just right.

I heart my body

2011-10-29T08:32:00.002+11:00

I've seen some of my fave bloggers stripping down for the I Heart My Body campaign over at We Heart Life and I knew I had to join in.

Until recently I pretty much hated my body. I was always too fat, too short and too freckly. I have dieted and gotten into a more "fuckable" weight a number of times. And, as always, as soon as I stop starving myself/freaking out about everything I eat/taking diet pills/drinking diet shakes/exercising excessively the weight crept back on. And always with interest.

But then I discovered Health At Every Size and decided that if I focused on health rather than on being a certain weight then I could be free. I went out and bought clothes that fit and that I liked and started taking care of myself because it feels good to do so-not because I need to be a certain weight.

So here is what 102kg and a size 18-20 looks like-no filter

It's still pretty awesome right?

My amazing body has put up with all this weight cycling crap and abuse and hatred all these years and it still looks after me.

I've grown to term and birthed three babies and I've carried three babies that never saw the light of day. I breastfed for 6 and a half years.

My body has changed since having kids. I now have the "fat apron" of loose skin at the bottom of my belly and I have stretch marks. Not to mention the perkiness of my younger boobs is gone.

But I still marvel at the awesomeness of my body to make and feed a baby.

Sure, I would love to be able to walk into a shop and find cool clothes in my size and not to be constantly bombarded with media telling me my body is wrong and ugly.

But mostly, I feel pretty sexy and like the way I look.

I've just joined the gym with the intention of improving my strength and fitness. The woman who did my assessment was floored that I didn't want to be weighed and measured. So I told her my goal is to look after this body of mine. To feed it healthy foods, without being obsessive, and to keep it fit and strong.

Not to try and fit some societal cookie cutter image of what our culture has deemed beautiful.

This is me. I'm so many things and my body is just one part of that. And thinking that it's beautiful and sexy and treating it with respect encourages others to do the same.

I heart my body

10 Things I know about me-that you wish you didn't

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the Things I Know linkup!

Want to join in? Rules are simple. Write your own Things I Know post including a link back to here and then add your post below. Go on. You know you want to.

This week I'm telling you 10 things about me you didn't want to know. I'm glad Reservoir Dad tagged me because I didn't have a theme for this week-and now I get to talk about myself!

The 10 things I know about me that you don't want to know are-

1-I hate wearing pants to bed. I only do it if guests sleep over and even then only if they are ones I care about seeing me walking around in my undies

2-I'm a really good swimmer. I did years of squad training and can do all 4 strokes with relative ease.

3-Tannah and my boob were on the front cover on the Australian Breastfeeding Association magazine in 2005. My boob and it's nipple pube are cover stars. Here is the photo they used.

4-I played Jan in my high school production of Grease

5-I was a pretty wild child in my late teens/early twenties. I indulged in a lot of risky behavior like drugs, hitchhiking, casual sex, binge drinking etc etc. I don't know how honest I'm going to be with my kids about it all.

6-My favorite film is Pulp Fiction. I can quote most of the movie. I'm a smart motherfucker, that's right.

7-I can do this with my tongue. Only 1 in 10'000 people can. I can also make a bath tub and a 3 leaf clover out of it. I'm special.

8-I've had my tonsils out & all 4 wisdom teeth removed. I've broken my nose, my little finger and my big toe. I once tore the ligaments in my knee at a Something For Kate concert and was on crutches for 8 weeks.

9-I miss smoking and wish it wasn't so deadly and expensive and stinky etc etc

10-I have some weird food issues. I'm scared of aspartame and margarine because of their toxic non-foodness and I drink raw unpasteurized cows milk. It's kind of hard to get but way better for you!

The bike in the garage

2011-10-25T09:28:00.003+11:00

Last Christmas Tannah wanted a bike.

We took her to pick one and she chose a bright pink one with a basket and pictures of unicorns on it.

At Christmas when she opened it she squealed in delight-despite knowing she was getting it.

Since xmas I would guess that she has ridden the bike less than a dozen times.

It sits mostly unused in the garage because Tannah is pretty scared when she is on it and doesn't enjoy riding the bike.

For some reason this majorly pushes my buttons.

My kids have all tried different things like dancing etc and if it's not enjoyable than they don't do it anymore. No pressure. One of the parts about unschooling that draws me to it so much is that there is no set date by which a child needs to learn things and that enjoyment and passion is key.

But the part of me that has learned how kids are "supposed" to be and the things they are "supposed" to do struggles with the fact that my almost 7 year old is scared of riding a bike. I mean all kids ride bikes right??

I keep having to remind myself that she might never like riding bikes. That she may be content to ride her scooter and find other ways that make her happy to be outside and active. I have to stop myself from saying harsh things about "all the other kids riding bikes" and "not being a sook" and ask myself if it really matters if she ever rides a bike at all.

Is it more important that I force her to do something so that she fits a picture of what a child is supposed to look like? Or that she has the freedom to move at her own pace, try out new things for as long as she likes and find activities that she truly enjoys.

For me it's the latter. And I leave the bike in the garage without comment until Tannah thinks she might like to try it again. Or not. And I take a breath and deschool some more.

I'm joining in with Owlet for Unschool Monday

I went to the Problogger training day and all I got was this lousy epiphany.

2011-10-24T14:28:00.002+11:00

Last Friday I attended the Problogger training day. I'm not going to go into all of the blog related wisdom that was shared or the amazing people that I met-to check that out go and see the link-up over at Nobashake. I'm also not going to go into the drunken Karaoke and dancing that continued into the wee hours.

I am going to share with you what happened in my brain yesterday while going over my (very messy) notes.

@chrisgarret weeps at my photography.

I have been talking about being a little more serious about writing this blog for a while now. I've been talking about going self hosted and learning the ways of Wordpress. I've been wanting to connect with more readers, inspire more people, try new things and, I'm not ashamed to say, make a little money.

I've made a lot of excuses about why I have not done these things but I realized yesterday that it pretty much comes down to one thing.

It's a pretty massive fear of failure.

By committing to grow my blog it kind of feels like that year in high school where it became cooler to pretend that you didn't give a shit rather than risk looking like an ass.

I have all of this wonderful information that I gained on Friday and yesterday part of me wanted to just throw away all of my notes and keep doing what I've been doing. That way if my blog never gains another reader and I never fall on another company's PR radar I can say that it wasn't like I tried anyway. Which is supposed to look like I'm far too cool to care.

Even if it would be far away from the truth.

I've decided instead of doing that I'm going to do just the opposite.

I'm going to take the things I've learned and the connections I've made and see where this blog goes. I'm going to stop pretending that I'm too cool to care. I'm going to love on my blog because I love writing it and I love it when people read it.

Want to stick around and see what happens?

Bogan husbands and electric cars

2011-10-21T14:00:00.001+11:00

Sometimes when I'm off doing cool blogging stuff I feel a little sad for Luke. He's often home minding some or all of the kiddos or I get to tell him about delicious food I've eaten, fun places I've been with the kids or nights out partying.

When I was invited to test drive the new Mitsubishi i-MiEV Luke got very sad indeed.

You see, he's a bit of a bogan my husband, and hearing the words "new" and "car" in the same sentence as "test drive" made him very excited indeed. And when he heard that the car was fully electric his eyes lit up.

Could this be a car that could reconcile his bogan side with his new hippy-la-la side??

He had questions.

"How far can you go on one battery?" (about 130kms), "how long does it take to recharge?" (about 7 hours but you can just top up), "is it really silent?" (it is, it really really is) and the main bogan question of "does it have guts?" (I was surprised at just how zippy the car was-I'm pretty sure it's pick up would please my husband).

He was keen for me to drive it for a week so he could have a go too and I could save the $70-$90 I spend on petrol a week but it has 4 seats so our family of 5 don't fit. Sadly because the new fancy Mitsubishi looks way cooler than my old well loved Mitsubishi.

I'm keeping my eye out for bigger models of the electric car to come....And maybe I'll take Luke to test drive that one.

Mitsubishi would like to give away an Eco-friendly hamper to one reader!

Tielka Tea - Earl Grey Royale and China Breakfast (FT, CO, AUS, PF)
· Gunbower Creek – Extra Virgin Olive Oil (O, AUS, PF)
· Heavenly Delights – Lemon Shortbread (O, AUS, PF)
· Port Willunga Fine Foods – Gourmet Snack Pack (O, AUS, PF)
· Lindsay & Edmunds – Sweet Tooth Gift Pack (FT, CO, AUS, PF)
· Sleep Sanctuary - Relaxing Bath Soak (O,AUS, PF)
· Siham Craftlink – Hemp Loufah (O, AUS,PF)
· Mokosh Organic and Fairtrade skin care– 2x bath bombs (FT, CO, AUS, PF)
· Gunbower Creek – Olive handmade packaged soaps (O, AUS, PF)
· Pure and Green Organics – Citrus with Coffee Exfoliate (CO, V, PA, AUS, PF)
· Gunbower Creek – Body Butter (O, AUS,PF)

FT – Fair Trade
CO – Certified Organic
AUS – Australian made and/or owned
PF – Palm Oil Free
O – Organic
V – Vegan Friendly
PA – Planet Ark approved

This giveaway will run from today until November 4th and all you have to do is answer the question-

What would you spend your petrol money on if you had an electric car?

I'll pick the three best answers and they will be sent off to Mitsubishi for the final decision. Full Terms and conditions here.

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang. I test drove a new Mitsubishi i-MiEV and all opinions are my own.

Things I Know

2011-10-21T05:49:00.002+11:00

Morning all and happy Friday!

By the time most of you get up to read this I'll be on my way to the Problogger event training day.

I know that I'm excited.

I know I had plans to do this last night instead of a half assed effort this morning.

I know that didn't happen.

So here we are.

If you want to link up simply write your own Things I Know post including a link back to me and add it below. As my kiddos say-easy peasy lemon squeezy.

So what do you know??

Matching desks and elbow room.

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000+11:00

Having all three girls crammed together in one and a half desks was not working anymore. Harper and Willow are both old enough now to want a little elbow room to create their masterpieces and do their "work" and having 2 desks that were not the same height was proving tricky when they wanted to spread out a large sheet of paper.

So I bit the bullet and bought 2 more desks, identical to the original.

Now everyone has their own space with tools suited to their own age closest but also within easy reach to try out other bits and pieces.

Tannah and Willow are both closest to this. Textas, pencils, rulers, scissors, sticky tape and glue.

I also made Tannah a "writing station" with different types of paper and envelopes to send letters as well as sticky notes and a notepad.

I keep the blank paper-both plain and colored-in the middle so everyone can access it easily.

Harper has her own little caddy with chunky crayons and paint "dotters".

We are having great success with this tale setup! There has been some very industrious creating happening-inspired by their own space and materials. I'm really enjoying putting new bits and bobs into the mix too!

The 80/20 rule

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000+11:00

Imagine you study for a test. You have a goal and you work really hard towards it. The result comes back that you got 80%. You'd feel pretty happy right? You wouldn't quit your course and say you were terrible at it.

What if we applied this to parenting?

Now I have some pretty lofty goals and ideals when it comes to the raising of my kids. But it is not realistic to think that I will be an amazingly perfect parent 100% of the time. Perfect parents do not exist. Sadly parents who berate themselves for not being perfect are in abundance.

I live by the 80/20 rule.

It gives me breathing space to not follow dogmatic parenting styles or advice and to take the bits I like and that suit our family and leave the rest. I means I don't have to take judgement to heart because I know that 80 percent is huge-it's an absolute pass.

And I strive for 100%. I do try to be the best parent I can possibly be all of the time. I don't decide that I can be an asshole to the kids for that 20% because I'll still be winning. But I know that I can forgive myself when I don't meet my ideals.

And I think 80/20 is good for my kids.

It shows them that I'm not perfect, so they don't have to strive for perfection either. It shows them that sometimes we have to be creative or take a different path & work together to get the outcomes that we want. It shows them to forgive themselves and to try harder.

It means not following dogma or parenting through fear.

It is being Perfectly Imperfect.

Head over to Picklebums for more perfect imperfection

Scienceworks Dinosaur day giveaway!

2011-10-15T13:46:00.002+11:00

Do you live in Melbourne and love dinosaurs?

Celebrate Children’s Week at Scienceworks with
Dinosaur Day on October 24 from 10am-3pm. This day will feature special performances
by Jurassic Joe (a dinosaur performer and songwriter),
free entry for adults to the Explore-a-saurus exhibition,
a bubbles show and screenings of the popular
Tycho to the Moon planetarium show.

We've already been to see Expore-a-saurus THREE times. My kids think it's so ace and I'm delighted to be able to offer a giveaway of a family pass (2 adults 2 kids) to Dinosaur Day!

All you need to do is leave a comment and be contactable by email. I'm drawing this on the 18th so be quick to enter and you need to be in Melbourne on 24th October to attend.

And if you see us there be sure to say hello!

Things I Know

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday peeps. You know the drill. Write a Things I Know post. Link back to me. Link up below. Go. You know you want to.

It's late Thursday night and my brain is a little absent. I'm being distracted by The Hangover on the TV and I am finding the random stuff that I know bubbling to the front of my brain.

Here is some random shit I know.

-I'm the zen master of song lyrics. All of the important stuff that used to be in my brain is slowly being replaced with song lyrics.

-cats are opportunistic ovulators. It's the mating that makes them ovulate. Meaning it's get knocked up o'clock for cats ALL THE TIME.

Barbie has camel toe

-I once squirted a business man in the face with breastmilk. I was on a plane with a 4 month old Tannah and she came off mid letdown causing a perfect arc of milk to land on his cheek. I almost died.

-in our house eggs with runny yolks are known as "coo coo k'choo" eggs. This is from Luke and I declaring "I am the eggman! coo coo k'choo!" when we do good eggs.

-when you fart at our place you declare "I am f
Farticus" and then someone else will chime in with "No. I am Farticus". We have trained the kids up since birth to participate in this game.

-my blog is like roulette. Sometimes you get well written/funny/touching posts. Other times you get random shizz like this. Spin the wheel!

So what do you know??

Sharing favorite childhood movies and books-with giveaway!

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000+11:00

At the moment I'm reading Charlotte's Web to the girls. It was one of my very favorite books as a child and I'm really enjoying sharing it with them. There is something special in the nostalgia of watching your children delight in the same things you did.

I know I will be struggling to read the words when Charlotte dies-I still tear up in the movie-and I wonder if my girls will cry like I did the first time I heard the story.

We have only just started reading chapter books and I have been impatient for this time to come as I am such a lover of the written word and I was eager to reread all the classics. I have to remind myself that they are not necessarily going to like the same books I did and just because I want to read all of the Roald Dahl books in a marathon does not mean they want to do the same.

I have only been able to share a few movies. My girls are quite sensitive when it comes to content and they are not yet up for ET, Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal but we have watched the Fox and The Hound, The Aristocats and The Wizard of Oz (which I am surprised didn't scare them!). Luke is being very good about the fact that his children are yet to show an interest in his holy grail of Star Wars.

Recently Tannah and I were lucky enough to see The Lion King in 3D. I remember seeing this when it first came out and I sill know all of the songs. It was pretty special to share one of my childhood favorites on the big screen with my daughter.

Now you have the opportunity to win a Lion King prize pack so you can share it with your family! Thanks to Porter Novelli you can win the pack pictured below that includes a copy of The Lion King on diamond edition Blu-ray and DVD as well as the soundtrack.

All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me which book or movie you have enjoyed sharing or look forward to sharing with your kids.

I will draw a random winner on the 18th on October and I need to be able to contact you by email. Open to Australian readers only. Good luck!

Dino land-in a wine barrel!

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000+11:00

On Sunday I gave you an update on our tiny backyard. We had a spare wine barrel with no plans so I thought it might be fun to make a prehistoric bucket.

We filled the barrel up with some cheap tan bark and found some ace rocks from our next door neighbors rubbish pile (he's just done some landscaping). Luke was pretty happy when the girls recognized his "volcano".

Then we simply put our collection of plastic dinosaurs in the barrel and the fun began.

Rawr!

Why does the boob offend more than the slap?

2011-10-10T09:52:00.004+11:00

The first episode of The Slap aired in Australia last week. I was one of the millions of Aussies who watched it and followed the discussion online.

I was shocked that so many Australians still think that hitting a child is OK.

When I was younger and was on the drink a lot I used to get really mouthy (this is shocking I know) and pick verbal fights with my husband. I was really destructive, often kicking signs over and throwing stuff around & getting into fights. To put it bluntly I was an annoying asshole who was not very fun to be around.

What would you think I said Luke slapped me to let me know that my behavior was not OK? I mean he was doing it out of love and he didn't want me to get hurt or make him look like an idiot in front of everyone else. He just wanted to teach me what sort of behavior was good by punishing the bad. Or what if he just wanted to take out all of the anger and frustrations he felt by my drunken assholery by hurting me to make me sure that I knew how angry he really felt? I'm sure he didn't want to look like a "permissive husband".

Does that sound OK to you?

I'm pretty sure that mos people would class that as domestic violence and Luke would had ended up charged.(FTR he has NEVER hit me)

I find it astonishing that many people still thunk it's OK to treat a child this way.

I outweigh Luke by a good 20kg and it would still upset many people that he slapped me more than if he slapped one of our kids who he is much larger than and who cannot just pack a bag and leave or defend themselves.

When Tannah was a baby we were at a play centre. She was about 2 and a child who was about 3 came up and hit her and then pushed her over. The other child's mother responded by whacking her child across her legs while saying "We. Don't. Hit!"

I responded to the mother with "yes we do" and her and I got into a bit of an argument.

I'm floored that the mother didn't see the irony that to teach her child that it was not OK to hit another child was to use hitting as a punishment.

I'm not going to even go into the fact that most watchers of The Slap were more offended by the fact a 4 year old was being breastfed over the fact said 4 year old was slapped across the face. It makes me quite sad to be honest.

Hitting people is wrong-and children are people too.

Tiny backyard update

2011-10-09T15:06:00.003+11:00

Our tiny backyard and garden have been through some changes since we first started doing it up and we have had a lot of success with growing a whole host of food despite the lack of space.

We have kind of let things slide over winter this year. Not intentionally, just a combination of a lot of rain and not much enthusiasm. But the raspberry canes are loaded with promise for a bumper crop and I thought it might be worth getting my ass into gear to keep out tiny backyard abundant and productive.

Look at all those raspberries waiting to grow and be eaten!

We spent a big deal of last week's spare time weeding, pulling out what is no longer productive, mulching, planting and planning.

We moved the kids outdoor kitchen sink to a better spot and have planted out all of the barrels and raised garden beds with new seedlings. You might be surprised at how much fits into such a small food garden (I recommend reading Jackie French's "Backyard Self Sufficiency") but some of what we have planted is-
beetroot, rainbow chard, tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini,apples, mandarin, about 6 types of lettuce and greens, leek, kiwi fruit, peach, cucumbers, watermelon, snow peas, brocolinni, pak choi, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and about a dozen different herbs. Not to mention out passionfruit bush has gotten busy.

Having all of the garden around the edges really makes a lot of room in the middle for the kids to play and the guinea pig house as well as the dog kennel (which is a re-purposed rabbit hutch) fit in neatly amongst the barrels of food.

The grass has really taken a beating over the wet winter and with a dog ad kids to contend with but I think we might scatter some seed to bring it back. Fingers crossed. We've had to wrap some wire around the barrel because Daisy the puppy has been having some fun in there. We used wire that you can see through and Luke cable tied it large enough so it can slide off when we want to get in there.

We plant flowers in amongst the food not only to attract bees but to give the kids something to pick so they leave the food alone. We have a massive snail problem (they ate 6 seedlings the first night!) so we have resorted to the iron based snail pellets. I'm hoping if we wipe out the first wave then we might have a chance of keeping them at bay by hand.

I'll keep you posted on how much food our tiny backyard garden brings in. I know I get a lot of joy out of pottering out there and the kids do too. They have all planted a giant sunflower seed and are "racing" them.

Happy spring!

Things I Know-the Roar n Snore edition

2011-10-06T22:20:00.005+11:00

Hey hey Know It Alls and happy Friday! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. Want to join in? Easy peasy-write your own Things I Know post and link it up below.

This week I get to gush about the super fun night I had thanks to Porter Novelli and the release of The Lion King onto Blu Ray 3D, Blu Ray and DVD on October 12.

This week I know-

-seeing The Lion King in 3D at the cinema was awesome. Even if I did have to listen to Tannah stage whisper "THIS LOOKS SO REAL" and "WHAT IS THE GIRL LION'S NAME" a number of times

-I still cry in the sad bits.

-Melbourne zoo's Roar 'n' Snore was even better than I imagined. With amazing animals on the night and morning tours, yummy food, cool tents and great guides like Jackie and Michelle it was enjoyed by all who went.

-When the guide asked us to toss the apples in the direction of the elephant Bong Su, I was glad Harper was too young to attend. I imagine a two year old trying to hit an elephant in the head with a flying apple would be frowned upon.

-a Murder Bird is called so because it sounds like a woman screaming. It really does, and scares the crap out of you when it "screams" at 3am.

-after a week of Tannah saying "I hope we see the serval,it's nocturnal" and "do you think we'll get to see the Serval?" I was delighted that we indeed saw a serval.

-Tannah can now add "feeding a giraffe" to the list of awesome things she has done.

-Hanging out with the other ace bloggers and their families from Picklebums, Stuff With Thing, The Diary of Joni and Anya, Planning with Kids, Diary of a Mad Cow and Toushka Lee was great fun and full of laughs as usual.

-the opportunity to hang out with just my biggest girl was nice too.

-a Roar 'n' Snore is totally worth putting on your to-do list. Our family are Friends Of The Zoos members and frequent Melbourne zoo often and I know I found seeing the zoo at night and getting up close to the animals in the morning was a whole new experience for us. And camping is always fun :)

-hearing Tannah singing Hakuna Matata today and banging on (and on and on) about Simba and the whole Roar 'n' snore adventure makes me so grateful for this experience!

-watch this space for an awesome Lion King giveaway from Porter Novelli next week!

(disclosure- Tannah and I were guests of Porter Novelli and attended the Lion King 3D and Roar n Snore at Melbourne Zoo free of charge. All opinions expressed are my own)

So what do you know?

Savings Chart

2011-10-04T09:57:00.003+11:00

Tannah and Willow get pocket money. They get $5 each a week to spend on whatever they like. It's been very successful for all parties involved but we've had some trouble with the girls being able to picture their savings goals.

Tannah has already saved for something that cost $20. It was a lot of her asking how may dollars more she had to save and how many she already had. Not to mention me growing tired of explaining over and over.

Tannah now has her eye on a soft toy dog in a handbag (yes, really). It costs $30 and she has been saving. This time I made her a savings chart.

On her savings chart I put a sticker for each of the dollars she has to save and we have been crossing them out as they add up.

I'm feeling very smug with my genius as it has been working a treat! Tannah is finding it easy to see her goal and how she is moving towards it. While I am finding it easy to refer to the chart when she wants to crunch the numbers.

Yay for systems that work!

Things I Know

2011-09-30T08:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday Know-it-alls and welcome to the Things I Know linkup! Want to tell us what you know? Easy peasy-write your own Things I Know post including a link back to me and add it below.

This week I'm living in the moment-which is actually Thursday night ;) So I'm going to tell you what I know right now.

I know

-I need to remember to put the fucking dishwasher on before I go to sleep because few things shit me more than opening the dishwasher door to get a clean cup to smell last nights dinner still stuck to everything

-I used too much garlic in tonight's dinner and we are going to stink everyone out tomorrow. Sorry world.

-that getting a new purse today wasn't as exciting as I hoped. My old one broke and now I'm forced to do the plethora of cards swap-over before bed.

-that without spellcheck you would all think I couldn't type and/or I was semi literate.

-this depressed fog I've been walking around in is seriously affecting my ability to sleep. Do. Not. Want.

-this picture of Harper is still cracking me up. She absolutely looks like she wants to eat Bok Bok. Mmmm delicious chicken

-I'm can see the pile of washing out of the corner of my eye and I hope it knows I'm just going to leave it there unfolded for playing mind games with me.

-my kids all seem to have grown inches and learned new skills hand over fist lately. I have big kids now:( but Tannah put the TV on for everyone this morning so I could lie in :D

-that I'm stoked every week that so many of you take the time to write and join up with my lil ol linky. I'm so full of my own importance on a Friday night-seriously though. Big thanks :)

This unschooling life

2011-09-29T13:52:00.002+10:00

I haven't really posted a specific "unschooling" post for a while-but then what post hasn't been about it?

Our life IS unschooling and learning happens naturally, sometimes with props and strewing and sometimes all on it's own

I can look around my house on any given moment and find that "lessons" have been happening all over the place. I hear the questions being asked and the pretend play going on and I feel so confident that I couldn't stop them advancing on their own-even if I tried.

Some weeks we have so much going on outside the home I wonder how I ever thought the term "homeschooling" would fit us and it makes the whole socialization fear seem laughable.

And because learning is life it waxes and wanes and sometimes we are so busy that we all end up craving time at home and sometimes one or all of us gets bored and seeks new realms to explore. Sometimes there are so many questions that I wonder how I will ever be able to answer them all and sometimes there are still moments and lazy days on the couch.

I wonder how to blog about unschooling when it seems like there is nothing to say. We live, learning and growing happens on it's own. We enjoy the freedom of living outside the system and we deal with the frustrations of modern life and it's separatism.

Our life is so incredibly boring and so very interesting all at once. Just like life. And I can't think of a better way to live it.

The tale of the kids cake cookbook

2011-09-28T19:52:00.004+10:00

The Womens Weekly Birthday Cake book was a dog eared book at my place when I was a child. My Mum made us many of the cakes featured and my brother and I studied the pages and made suggestions as to what cake to make us for our next birthday. The train? Had that. Mickey Mouse? Done. Dolly Varden? Bitch please, of course.

Eventually the book fell apart and it ended up in the bin.

Fast forward to when Tannah was a baby. This book was yet to be reprinted (you can buy it anywhere now)and I had just made the worlds most joe-kick-ass 1st birthday cakes (yes cakeS. My firstborn had three separate cakes made for separate events by yours truly)and decided I was in need of the old school cake book.

I had a conversation with my Mum who agreed that she was the cake Jedi and I was a promising Padawan who's knowledge would only be enhanced by said book.

Mum was at a market a few weeks later and found it! She found a copy if the cake book in excellent condition and bought it for a few dollars. She then rang to gloat.

It seemed that she decided that she should keep the book and I should find my own copy. The book invoked feelings of nostalgia and a desire to bake cakes for her grandchildren.

I sulked. I pouted. This amused my mother. She dangled the carrot. But she took pity because a few weeks later the book arrived-with this note taped in the front.

You know I still haven't baked a fucking thing out of the book

Things I Know-The kids shoe shopping edition

2011-09-23T07:29:00.004+10:00

Happy Friday Know-it-alls and welcome to the Things I Know link up! If you want to join in write your own Things I Know [ost including a link back to me and link up below-easy!

This week I know about shoe shopping with the kiddos.

Things I Know about that are-

-that Harper and Willow are almost the same size shoe as well as clothes now so maybe I should stop rolling my eyes when people ask if they are twins.

-I feel very uncomfortable about some shoes that are made for children.

-taking all three on my own when they all needed to try stuff on was not the smartest move I have ever made

-thinking it would get done in half an hour is also laughable

-Tannah and Willow are just as excited about the boxes as their Yo Gabba Gabba Vans.

-a shop that has a "buy three get 30% off" is speaking directly to me

-it can be a zen lesson in walking the walk after talking the talk. All of my belief in kids freedom and choice and joy was tested by a pair of platinum sandals that Tannah fell in love with. I personally thunk they are Ugly (capital intended) and despite them ticking all my boxes (easy to put on, comfortable, flexible sole, not made for a 20yo) I tried to sway her choice. It was really hard to let it go and get her the shoes that delighted her rather than the ones I thought were higher on my cool meter.

So thank you ugly sandals for the aha moment and the chance to let Tannah grow up a little more :)

So what do you know this week??

Kids and public spaces

2011-09-17T14:30:00.002+10:00

I was not sure about whether I wanted to post this because I know these posts can attract a group who like to troll blogs-lets call the ch-mild flee-and I'm not up for having my kids being called crotch droppings and all that.

But I am so disappointed in parts of the general public.

Yesterday I took my kids to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform with some members of the Australian Ballet. It was a KIDS performance before anyone gets their panties in a twist-and it was fantastic! I'm so grateful that companies do special performances for children to enjoy.

On our walk back we stopped at the National gallery of Victoria to look at the kids gallery. The entrance to the gallery is a big water wall. It's pretty irresistible to touch-in fact it's inviting. So my kids touched.

Without bothering anyone, without wetting anyone and without hurting anything.

But the LOOKS they got. Oh my. Three kids touched a tactile wall and it was like they were pissing on a war memorial and kicking mud around.

There was a hipster with his wanky beard and ironic jeans taking photos with his DSLR up the other end of the wall. I made sure we weren't in his way but he wanted to move up the wall to where we were. Remember this is a PUBLIC space. But hipsterfetus was huffing and puffing and clicking with displeasure the whole 2 minutes we were there despite me moving the kids out of his constantly changing road.

So to all the snooty types and hipster wankers who gave me and my kids stink eye yesterday while we were enjoying some kid friendly culture in public places I say a big FUCK YOU. I'm sure you are the type who also laments the youth of today and how they are forever in front of a TV screen. How you get shitty about my pram on a train but also bitch about us breeders and how we are fucking up global warming for everyone.

I respect anyone's right not to have kids-I'm absolutely pro-choice-but don't deny my children's right to exist in age appropriate public spaces. And those of you with grown kids who wouldn't have let "this happen in my day" can also remember that a lot has changed in the way of human rights since the invention of electricity.

Just because my children are not adults does not automatically mean they are going to wreck your day if they are sharing your space.

Things I Know

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday Know-it-alls! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup-if you want to join in it's easy. Simply write your own Things I Know post that includes a link back to me and then add your link below.

The Things I Know this week are-

-don't shop when you have a particularly intense case of PMS. You will regret purchases later.

-I'm stoked with the amount of people who are linking up. Keep 'em coming, I love reading them!

-that I handled not coping badly when Tannah was a baby. Pretending that all is OK when it really really isn't is not a sign of strength or capability.

-that it is such relief to be able to say "I'm not OK" and know it's not failing. I don't have to like it though.

-I jinxed myself by offering advice over at Childhood101 on Toilet awareness. TWO of my three have regressed at night and are back in night nappies.

-night nappies are a million times better than changing two wet beds a night

-I am one of those Mamas who dresses their kids in matching outfits from time to time....and I'm starting to look for something for xmas.

You cannot deny this is adorable.

So what do you know this week?

Things I Know-The Harper Edition

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday Know-it-alls! My premature posting last week caused a scandal-it was just one tired Mama hitting the post now button instead of the schedule one. Apologies.

Want to join in? Simply write your own Things I Know post on your blog including a link back to me and add your link below-easy peasy!

This week I'm writing a post about the H-bomb-my Harper Bliss. The stories of her seem to entertain others and who doesn't like hearing about other spirited kids to make them feel like it's all normal?

The Things I Know about Harper are-

-This is her favorite shirt. It is important that I wash it frequently so she can wear it as often as possible. She is wearing it right now.

-never choose her undies for her. Unless you want to see her fall to the floor in a crumpled heap with disappointment and disdain for your poor ability to choose underwear. Same goes for cutlery

-she loves bananas-but only the two bites in the middle.

-she will happily sit and play with the Duplo by her self for ages, making amazing constructions

-she likes to deal with the ass wiping herself. Which would be OK if she didn't smear shit all over herself every time she did it. Which would also be OK if she didn't pretend it didn't happen and just walk around the house until you notice a smell. True story-lots of the house was disinfected that day and I almost put bleach in her bath.

-never call a meal "breakfast" She HATES breakfast! Sher does like to eat food upon rising but it must be called toast/yoghurt/eggs etc

-she once had a tantrum so fierce in front of a group of teenage girls at scienceworks that I feel confident that they will remain virgins until marriage.

-she hates wearing pants. I may release a coffee table photo book at one point called "harper-sans pants"

-she calls things she doesn't like "fsgusting". So now we all use that word. It sounds like "fucking disgusting". I like it.

-she once gave death stares to a hairdresser that unnerved her badly enough that she cut her hair crooked.

-she openly loves Luke the best-telling me so several times a day.

-she is frustrating, clever, funny,fiercely independent, exasperating, wild and amazing bundle of energy-and I love her. Just as she is.

So what do you know this week??

The decades roll on

2011-09-07T20:17:00.003+10:00

I saw somewhere that it was recently the 20 year anniversary of the release of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.

WTF??!! TWENTY years!! But I remember hearing that song for the first time like it was yesterday. It was on Video Hits on a Saturday morning and I was totally hooked with the first listen. I became a huge huge Nirvana fan and was soon a grunge queen who lived in band shirts, op-shopped pants & cardigans & converse.

That song influenced my entire teen years. It shaped my musical taste and style. But it doesn't feel like it was twenty fricken years ago.

And 10 years ago I was a 22 year old pharmacy assistant who had just survived her first Melbourne winter and was enjoying a half day off-and then I turned on the TV and saw the tragedy that the world had woken up to.

Planes had been flown into the World Trade Centers twin towersand they were collapsing. I watched, weeping in absolute horror but was unable to move as they showed that footage again and again of the second plane slamming into the south tower. I remember saying aloud to no one "oh my god is that a PERSON" as I watched a man in a business suit dive out a window to his death, live on TV to the world.
Every time I see or hear about 9/11 I think of that man and how so many people saw what terror and desperation does to a human being. And I've always hoped that none of his family ever saw their father/brother/husband/friend/son in his final leap.
The feeling of being so very far from my Mum and Dad and feeling very small and scared does not feel like it was 10 years ago.

Every so often I will catch my reflection in the mirror and I am reminded that I'm not 20 anymore. Sometimes I have to fill in a form with my age and I think "really? 32? I still feel like I'm 20". Sometimes it feels so surprising to me that I have 3 kids and I have been married for almost 7 years. These are things that grown ups and responsible people do-surely that isnt' me-is it?

It's not that I'm worried about getting older and growing up but I still feel like my age does not match how I feel-and if those last 20 years have flown by so very quickly, what of the next 20?

Lamb and spinach curry

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000+10:00

I'm having a love affair with my cast iron pot. Anything that can be cooked in it is being trialled with some awesome success-and this recipe in particular is a winner.

You need-

750g (or thereabouts) of diced lamb. I get mine either pre diced or I dice it myself off the bone from the top part of the leg. I know you buy grass fed local lamb right?
2 onions, diced
2 crushed cloves of garlic
1/2 a jar of pataks korma paste
1 tin of tomatoes
1 cup of water
1 cup of greek style yoghurt
1 bunch of english spinach leaves
you can fancy up and garnish with fresh coriander if you want to impress

basmati rice to serve
We always eat it with Kate's naan bread

Heat oven to 150 degrees
Heat a bit of oil in the pot (use a big pot!) on the cooktop and brown the lamb and onion.
Add the garlic and cook for a minute and then add the korma paste and cook for another minute or so
add the tomatoes, water and yoghurt and stir to combine. Keep on the flame until it's bubbling
put the lid on and pop in the oven and cook it for about 3 hours stirring about once an hour
(this is where I make the naan bread so it has time to rise)

*note* you could do this on the cooktop in a regular pot. You would keep the temperature very low and cook for at least an hour and stir more frequently. You could also do this in the slow cooker.

Take it out of the oven and stir in the spinach and leave it for about 10 minutes with the lid on but out of the oven to wilt.

Voila! It serves 4-6 depending on serving size.

Eat it up and make sure there is enough left for hubby to take to work for smoko the next day!

Saying YES

2011-09-05T13:59:00.002+10:00

I saw THIS great post over at Hobo Mama recently and was reminded of my own YES project that I undertook almost a year ago.

It is something I need reminding of.

I can be so easy to fall back into the habits of worry about mess and not wanting to leave twitter etc to help set up a cubby. I have found myself falling into the old trap of feeling bossed around rather than seeing myself as helping.

I'm forgetting to see and feel the joy that comes with watching my girls grow and learn and am only seeing the mess or inconvenience.

So I've decided to find my YES again. I'm making an effort to reconnect with my girls and find the joy. Why don't you join me?

I'm joining in with Owlet for Unschool Monday

The winner of the Dan Murphys voucher is...

2011-09-04T09:14:00.002+10:00

Super Sarah!

Congrats and I'll get it out to you in the post ASAP

Things I Know

2011-09-01T21:53:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the Things I Know linkup!

Want to join in? Write your own Things I Know post on your blog, including a link back to this post, and add it to the linky below. Easy peasy bosom squeezy.

This week I know-

-I know I was slack last week and didn't read all of the posts you linked up last week. Apologies Know-it-alls but my parents were here and we were busy busy busy.

Photo of Willow by Little Red Photography

-I've been super busy over the last 2 weeks and I'm looking forward to some down time. Except I don't know when that will actually happen.

-a loaf of bread and a tub of peanut butter will do as a days worth of snacks to take to the park when you haven't been shopping

-maccas actually does fix hangovers

-there is something so contradictory about making a milo with organic raw milk

-I am shit at jogging but still pretty ace at swimming

-mucking around on twitter does not unpack the dishwasher

-watching my firstborn being so socially confident is heartwarming. Especially as it took her 2 years to even leave my lap.

So what do you know this week?

A moment to remember

2011-08-31T20:11:00.003+10:00

I've been reading some of the great "Cherish Your Cherubs"posts over at Seven Cherubs and this week we're being asked to remember a special moment. I've been inspired to add one about Tannah.

There are so many posts about how easy and beautiful my homebirths were with Harper and Willow and many more posts about the trauma of my experience birthing Tannah.

I'm not sure I've ever shared the magic experience of meeting my firstborn and my own birth into motherhood.

After all of the drugs and passing out and pain and terror the time came to push. I knew that if I didn't get down to business quickly I would be wheeled into theatre because her heart rate was not good and I was unable to move to get her into a better position to be born. I pushed, they pulled.

And then my daughter entered the world.

She was screaming-I mean really howling in pain and distress. And then they handed her to me-all creamy and new and I took her in my arms.

I looked into her eyes and she stopped crying. Just like that. And it was like we had a few seconds of being in a whole other universe together. Just she and I. I can't explain it but I knew her. Like she had always been mine and I had been put on this earth to be her mother. She looked into me, it felt like she was seeing everything.

That moment was so brief as she was taken away for all of the regulation poking and prodding and as soon as she left my arms the screaming started again.

But that probably 30 seconds of holding my firstborn in my arms just after she entered the world is my most powerful memory out of all of the births of my children. My own birth into motherhood and being overwhelmed at that instant feeling of love for my daughter is a memory I will always treasure.

When Tannah was 3 my midwife who was at Harper's birth asked her if she remembered being born and Tannah replied

"It was fast and scary and it hurt a LOT-but then there was Mum, and I knew it was OK"

Seems it might be a memory in her subconscious too.

Cheers to us-with a Dan Murphys giveaway!

2011-08-30T19:22:00.005+10:00

The past week has been awesome.

Luke got a new job which starts the week after this one finishes up. Job sounds ace with good conditions and similar pay. It's day shift but it will be permanent so we can just adjust and get used to it.

I've had an article published in an Ezine! The amazing Christie from Childhood 101 has just released Play-Grow-Learn and it's filled with great articles (including mine of course) and ideas. Check it out HERE

My parents came down to visit for 5 days. This is a HUGE deal as my Mum confronted her phobia of flying to spend time with us. And the time together was enjoyed by all.

I got my disc of pics from Little Red Photography. It is full of beautiful photos like this one.

Luke and I went out with friends for a few drinks at a pub with an 80's cover band on Saturday night. Fun times were had and Jesse's Girl was sung along to.

And Dan Murphys have given me a $50 voucher to give away for Fathers Day! You can find them HERE and on Twitter to check out beer, wine and spirits that you might like to share with your Dad (or not). Or you could just have a cheers to me for having such a great week!

Conditions of entry-
-valid to Australian residents only
-must be over 18
-leave a comment making sure I can get in contact with you either by email or twitter
-winner will be selected by random number generator on Sunday 4th of September

Good Luck! And cheers to everyone having a great week!

Things I Know

2011-08-26T07:00:00.001+10:00

Happy Friday Know-It-Alls! Big thanks to everyone who has been joining in-I'm feeling the love.

If you want to join in the way to play along is to write your own Things I Know post with a link back to me (and grab the button if you want to) and link up below. Easy!

So the Things I Know this week are

-a new laptop makes a happy Shae. After years of having franken-puters and hand me downs we have finally have a brand spanking HP. HURRAH!!

-if you want to avoid a near wardrobe malfunction at the pool don't wear your old pair of nursing swimmers to do laps in. I know I don't have to draw you a picture.

-I have lost hours to Bluntcard (warning-lots and lots of swearing) and Dad Is The Original Hipster

-There is nothing like a day at the beach in the sunshine to make me happy.

-taking the time to reconnect with my girls is important.

-my flying phobic Mum and my Dad flew down to see me and the family today. It's so lovely to see them and I'm so proud of Mum for doing something that terrifies her.

So what do you know this week??

Wordless Wednesday-Spaghetti

2011-08-24T20:42:00.002+10:00

I'm joining in with My Little Drummer Boys for Aussie Wordless Wednesday

Fighter

2011-08-21T19:15:00.002+10:00

I've had this realization lately that I have a lot to thank the trauma of Tannah's birth for.

That day changed who I am as a person and especially as a Mother.

One of the things I struggled so hard with in the aftermath of that day was this terrible feeling of failure. Failure because it all felt so wrong and my instincts were screaming at me to not go along with all of the interventions suggested. I failed to trust myself and instead put my faith in the system-which was not best for us in our case.

When I confronted my trauma I was so angry. Angry at being treated that way and so very angry at myself for being a "good girl" and doing what I was told even when I thought otherwise. But it made me promise myself that I would do the right thing for our kids, even if it meant going against the grain and being a massive pain in the ass to other people.

When I fell pregnant a second time I knew that having a homebirth would make some people uncomfortable-but I kept my promise and didn't back down on what I knew was right for our family. Knowing that it was MY body and MY baby made me feel so much more empowered and able to make rational decisions without taking on outside agenda.

Knowing that I could choose to say a big "fuck you" to the mainstream model of parenting made it easier to make decisions regarding how we bring up our daughters. It means I know that I don't have to answer to anyone but my kids, my husband and myself. It means I am free to trust my instincts and back them up with information and support from like minded parents.

It has been especially helpful when the time came to make the decision to unschool. When I was pregnant with Willow we decided that the hospital system wasn't going to work for us so we chose not to be a part of it. The same felt right of school. The school system is not going to work for us and we could choose to opt out. So we did. I know it is a path less traveled but it is the best choice for us.

I have wondered if I had an OK birth experience if I would have just plodded along and done what was expected. If I had had nothing to prove if we would not have this amazing freedom in our lives. Would my instincts have seemed so important? So to the experience of birth trauma. I want to say thank-you

I heard this song on the radio and the chorus pretty much sums it up.

'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

Things I Know-or I don't know

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday everyone!! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup.

Ya'll know the drill-write a Things I Know post on your blog including a link back to me and link up below. Easy peasy. Then you should go and Flog Yo Blog over at Glowless.

This week it's gonna be a little different. There are some Things I DON'T Know and need answers for and becasue you Things I Know-it-alls leave lots of comments here I want ANSWERS dammit.

So here is what I DON'T know-

-what to make my kids for dinner anymore dammit. Their food repertoire is getting smaller and smaller and they will soon be living on raw milk smoothies and roast chicken.

-why Twitter cannot do something about all the spam. IT'S ANNOYING.

-First world problems here today. whether to keep my hair short, maybe even shaving it off again

or grow it out ala 2001 (truly, I was hot right?)

-why people who have "Embarrassing Bodies" are too scared to go to the doctor in private but will have their labia/scrotum/enormous haemorrhoids filmed for worldwide TV. And why can I not look away??

-why I sit up until midnight when I could be sleeping

-why I can't get out the door before 8:30 without us eating breakfast in the car. Hmmm point above might be to blame....

So. What do you know or not this week??

A day in the life...

2011-08-17T21:20:00.003+10:00

I often get asked how we unschool? What does a day look like? Yesterday was a pretty usual sort of day for us when we don't have outside plans with friends so I decided to write it down.

About 7:30-Tannah wakes and comes in to me. This is early for us so snuggle her in with me for some extra sleep.
8:00 we're out of bed. Willow too. Kids watch some ABC kids while I get a jump on the housework. After a while Harper wakes and Luke is up at around 9. I'd like to say we have a very lovely steiner inspired breakfast complete with a verse but the reality is that we all have a different way of doing breakfast. Cereal or toast after about an hour for Tannah, cereal pretty much straight after waking for Willow and Harper starts with a snack as her feet hit the floor like nuts or yoghurt. I make a smoothie at the end of breakfast for us all to share.

10am-kids have been engrossed in lots of play. TV is on but no one is watching it. There is a game involving princes and princesses, including dress ups and some stuffed animals and plastic animals are also attending a vet clinic. There is also some art side projects going on that involve people shaped cut outs and flower stickers.I NEED to mop the floors so Luke takes the kids to the park with the puppy for an hour or so. When they get back the kids help Luke feed and water the guinea pigs and chickens and play outside in the mud kitchen.

12pm-Everyone washes up and we sit down to our main meal before Luke heads off to work. After lunch Harper watches a movie for some quiet time (I hope she'll fall asleep but she doesn't) and the big 2 pick up the vet clinic game, using bandaids. I jump on the computer for a bit. After a while the bigs come and find me and we sit up in bed and look at you tube clips of sea animals for a while. Harper joins us. Kids try and fail to get dog involved in vet game.

3pm-it occurs to me that we haven't been to the library in ages (I'm scared of the fines lol) so I ask the kids if they want to go. Resounding YES. Pick books and DVD's at the library including some ones about birds because the movie Rio has sparked their interest and a dolphin book from watching You Tube. Kids ask to stop at a different park on the way home so we do. Play until it gets freezing.

5:30pm-I start dinner for me and the girls. Kids check out their new library books and then decide to play fairies with the new stuff Willow got for her birthday. They ditch that pretty quickly and get out the puzzles and drawing stuff.

6pm-eat and the get into pjs. Put a DVD from the library on while I pack up. Harper falls asleep on the couch. After the movie finishes I sit down with Tannah and Willow and we read some books. Tannah has just discovered early readers and she reads us one as well. Tuck the bigs into bed and read from the new Rainbow Fairy book.

9pm-All kids asleep. I faff around on the computer for a while and pretend the mountain of washing isn't there. Check plans for the rest of the week-seeing another home ed family in the afternoon tomorrow, 2 separate catch ups with friends and their kids at either ends of town Thursday and have an unschooling meet up planned for Friday afternoon! Feel glad we had an easy day today.

11pm-Mama goes to bed!

That's a fairly typical plan free day for us-what does it look like at your place?

Indoor gardening ideas for kids

2011-08-16T14:09:00.005+10:00

Today's guest post was written by Caroline Roberts: Mum to an inquisitive toddler and the owner of Gardening 4 Kids. As an environmental educator and gardening specialist she is passionate about educating children about a healthy lifestyle and a sustainable future. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook. As I have a tiny backyard I always appreciate ideas on ways to make more room for gardening and getting the kids involved is a bonus!

Indoor Gardening Ideas for Kids

With such cold, wet and gloomy weather lately, it can be hard to feel motivated to take the kids outdoors for some time in the garden. There are plenty of indoor gardening activities though that kids can be involved in that can help keep them engaged until the weather starts to improve.

Here are 10 indoor gardening ideas to keep your little green thumbs busy:

1. Get ready for spring by planting seeds in seed raising mix and leave them to sprout on a warm window sill.

2. Grow an indoor herb garden.

3. Decorate gardening pots with paint and beads.

4. Make a cress head.

5. Put together a feely box or bag with a range of items found in the garden – gumnuts, feathers, banksia cones, leaves, flowers, small rocks etc. Have your child close their eyes, place one of the items inside the box or bag and, using their senses, get them to guess what object they can feel.

6. Harvest some winter veggies from the garden and do some cooking.

7. Make a grass head.

8. Use some old seeds to make collages or mosaic pieces.

9. Grow some sprouts. All you need is a jar, a stocking, a rubber band and some seeds.

10. Read a book about gardens and gardening like Graeme Base’s Uno’s Garden

Happy gardening!

Caroline

Unsure

2011-08-15T20:22:00.003+10:00

There is a bit of uncertainty in the Yay For Homestead at the moment. And I don't like it.

Luke's work contract is up soon and while we know he has 5 more weeks of work we don't know what will happen after. He may get moved to another similar job, or he might not. He might get some interstate work and fly in and out for a while or he might not. He might take a couple of weeks off between jobs and we might pack up the tent and have a mini holiday. Or he might go straight from one job to the new one.

He has done afternoon shift for a long time. We like afternoon shift. He gets to spend some time with the girls when they are at their best and he is home at a reasonable enough hour that his day and night doesn't get mixed up. And he gets penalty rate for working it. And we are all used to it and have a system going that we all like. That finishes in 2 weeks and I have no idea if he will have the option of that shift at the next job.

I'm an optimist. And terribly impulsive. I'm not worried that he won't find work. And I'm also open to the prospect of packing up and hitting the road for a while. I know that we as a family and a couple can do anything and that we always land on our feet.

But I hate not knowing. And I know Luke hates it more.

Watch this space for how it pans out....

Things I Know-the amuse me edition

2011-08-12T07:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the Things I Know linkup!

I'm just going to take a little minute to go over the house rules of linking up here.
-write your own Things I Know post on your blog
-include a link back to this post, feel free to include the button ;)
-add your link below
-it's not a rule but it's good manners to at least check out a couple of the others who link up :)

And posts that are not a Things I Know post or do not contain a linkback will be deleted.
I'm drunk with power and like being the boss so there. It's my linkup and I'll do what I want to.
We cool? Cool.

Anyhoo this week I'm telling you what I know amuses me. Funny stuff is my favorite.

Things I Know amuse me are

-plankng. Yes I'm one of those people who think people lying face down on tourist attractions etc is hilarious. Ahem.

-swearing. I find swearing makes things funnier. And check out these Beautiful Swear Words.

Biatch!
-Duck face. It's even funnier when I'm drunk. See any photo of me from Blogopolis.

-Finishing anything slightly dodgy sounding with the sentence "not a euphemism". For instance- "I need a sausage to put in my bread" not a euphemism.

-low brow humor movies. Anything with Will Ferrell or Seth Rogan rate highly. And the Hangover movies. And The Simpsons.

-my family. My kids and husband are forever cracking me up. We're a pretty hilarious family

-and the now thing that I think I will amuse myself with from time to time is "Barbie-rolling" it's like Rick-rolling but with those hideously earwormy Barbie songs. Like so.

So what do you know this week?

Unfit

2011-08-08T08:57:00.004+10:00

I am probably at the most unfit I have ever been-and I miss being fit.

When I was a kid I was a swimmer. I used to do squad training and I was pretty good at it too. I also played netball and was always out on the roller blades.

When going out to the pub as a young adult became more important than sport I still went for a daily walk and dip in the ocean. And I used to do yoga and even had a personal trainer at the gym there for a while.

We had dogs to walk after Tannah was born and lived near the beach after Willow was born so i was always walking with a baby or two in the pram.

None of this made me thin-much to my then dismay. But I was fit.

Now that I don't diet (this post over at Fat Heffalump seems to be channeling my life and explains why) and am more interested in my health than my weight I am feeling freer to seek fitness without the goal of being some magical weight or to look a certain way.

I have found it difficult to exercise since becoming a mother to three. It's more people than I have pram seats for and my life has been pretty busy. But I have really been missing that feeling of fitness.

So I'm making my fitness part of the family to-do list and making time for me. I'm going to get back into both swimming and yoga and I'm even going to give the C25K a go.

Strength and fitness again ahoy!

Things I Know-my mentally sexy husband edition

2011-08-05T08:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the Things I Know linkup! If you want to join in write your own Things I Know post including a link back to me and add your link below.

This week I'm talking up my husband Luke who I've nominated as a Most mentally Sexy Dad over at Reservoir Dad.

Here is what I know about my hubster

-he's a Star Wars geek. He is longing for the day that our three sensitive to movie content girls are not terrified at the mere thought of Darth Vader. Until then he has to be content with shooing them away from his set of figurines

-he still pretends that zucchinis/rolls of foil/rulers etc are penises at the shops. And it never fails to get a laugh out of me.

-he loves spending time with his kids. When he is parenting solo he looks for fun stuff to do with the girls and genuinely enjoys their time together.

-he's handy! I come up with all sorts of DIY projects for around the house (like the kids outdoor kitchen!) and leave him to build them with little extra assistance. And then I often change my mind or have another project in the wings.

-he may have siphoned the birth pool with his mouth but he drew the line at watching me eat a bit of Harper's placenta.

- he's a self confessed bogan. He's a tradie who's favorite band is Metallica and loves cars. Not to mention his love of black jeans. And I hope he never changes.

-he's a great Dad. He is a parent to the girls as much as I am. He is a part of their lives in every way, from the decision making to the bum wiping. He's not scared of housework either, his love of the Dyson is unholy.

-he's my rock and I couldn't do it without him.

-if you know a mentally Sexy Dad why not nominate him? The competition closes on August 21.
Or you could always go and vote for Luke :)

My little pixie is four

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000+10:00

When we got to see some of the photos Little Red Photography took last week I was particularly thrilled with this one. It looks so much like Willow is.

She has always been kind of ethereal and pixie like. She is such a delicate flower that absorbs all the stuff going on around her-good and bad. I often refer to her as my little eco system. But she is also a firecracker who can be so stubborn that it blows my mind. She has charisma that draws everyone in and is so affectionate.

Willow was born at home, in the water, peacefully & easily as the sun was rising on a Friday morning. Her arrival into the world bought such delight and joy.

She still has that effect on people.

Don't ever change babe xoxo

Happy Birthday kiddo

Feeling brave

2011-08-02T13:52:00.003+10:00

I'm doing something tomorrow that is huge for me. Something that probably isn't a huge deal for most other people. I wasn't going to post about it today in case tomorrow I fail. Again.

I developed PTSD from Tannah's birth. It has been pretty well under control for a while now, though it is never far. But I haven't had a pap smear since before I was pregnant the first time.

Until recently, every time a pap smear has been suggested to me I have had all my usual PTSD stuff happen. I can't breathe properly, I feel panicked and I start having flashbacks.

All of a sudden I feel like I'm flat on my back, passing in and out of consciousness while people are screaming and shaking me awake and telling me to PUSH while I can see an OB, with their foot on the table for leverage, pulling my baby's head so hard that I feel like it's going to come off and then seeing the vacuum with a bit of her scalp attached. All the time while I'm saying "please stop, please you're hurting me, please don't hurt my baby, wait, stop" and being ignored.

So you see my dilemma? A pap smear puts me in a similar position and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this without wigging out. This is the first time I've made an appointment with any intention of showing up. And I plan to do this. There may be tears but I've spoken to my GP and I know the headspace I'm in right now and I'm feeling confident.

And tomorrow Willow turns 4. Four years since I had that amazing empowering birth that made me feel like I was in control and that I was safe.

I can do this right?

Things I Know-the Blogopolis edition

2011-08-01T10:47:00.004+10:00

So I'm home and Blogopolis is now the weekend that was. I'm going to do my wrap up as a Things I Know-and ya'll know you can come link up with your own Things I Know post on a Friday right??

me-Sunday morning.

-figuring out how far you hotel is from Flinders st station is advisable before deciding to walk there with your bags, dragging interstate VIP sleepover buddy Childhood 101 behind you.

-when you ask for a double Jack Daniels and coke and the barman mutters something at you and you go yeahsurewhatever check he wasn't telling you that they only had single malt or you may be drinking a $30 drink.

-Madonna's Vogue will never be the same again after dancing with Miscmum, Magneto Bold Too and Toushka Lee

-I'm not the only blogger who still has a Blogspot blog! And techies are like a dog with a fucking bone on hating on blogger.

-There were so many ace bloggers that I wanted to meet or at least say more than Hi to but the pesky conference itself got in the way of all of the sober daytime socializing.

-the Aussie blogging community contains some of the coolest, most genuine and clever people around.

-I need someone to supervise me when there are free drinks or there may be table dancing & self portrait upskirt pics taken. I pray for everyone's sake that these photos never make the interwebs.

-There was lots of great info and speakers at the conference. Looking forward to seeing lots of notes and wrap ups. I already like these one at Writing Out Loud and GoodGoog

-The weekend has been brought to you by the words overshare, not a euphemism, HOLLA, cuntbiscuit and blog.

-Go and check out the wrap up at Where's My Glow. The photo montage is hilarious, contains way too many drunken pics of yours truly including one where Reservoir Dad and I are crowned best photo. The lovely Glowless was my roomie and she will now always be my friend-she knows too much and has photo evidence.

-the conference reaffirmed that MY blog is MY space and that there is room for everyone on the internet.

-going away is super fun and I loved every minute but my heart swelled to see my family at the train stop when I got home.

Big thanks to Nuffnang for an excellent conference and Eco Toys for sponsoring me to go. Big hugs to all of my blogging peeps near and far and apologies to anyone who I may have drunk-talked at or overshared with. And if I missed you it was unintentional-too many bloggers not enough time! Bring on next year :)

Things I Know is on holidays at daisy's blog...

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

Still know stuff this week? The very lovely Daisy, Roo & Too is hosting it for me while I party it up at Blogopolis!

Why not head over and link up?

Working with.

2011-07-27T17:52:00.003+10:00

When I was in labor with Willow and it came to the pointy end my mindset shifted. I felt that bulge of the head about to be born (there is always that moment for me where I think "NO WAY is THAT going to fit out THERE"-but it always does) and I started resisting. The whole labor I felt like I was able to work with my body but in this moment (and it only was a moment but it felt like so much longer than that) I fought it. Suddenly I felt panic and then pain. My midwife and doula were able to talk me off a ledge (I actually had my hand over Willows crown going nononononono) and I started to work with my body again. I started to push. And it felt good. Even though there was << pain, oh the pain and impossible feeling of being stretched and ooooopen and she is going to come out my bum owowowowow my buuuuummmmm>> but it felt somehow good and right and easier than trying to hold her head in.

Sometimes I feel like that with parenting. I feel like I resist and try to swim upstream. I start getting into battles of the wills with my kids and start working against them rather than working with. And like labor sometimes it is fucking hard to keep my head and look to the bigger picture. And even though it is not all rainbows and unicorns there is something that just feels right when we are on the same side.

And like labor there is good in the difficult and reward in the work. Sometimes you need reminding of how not to resist and how freaking out gets you nowhere fun.

And it's nice to remember that the child you are wanting to control or punish was once a wee babe in your arms and you counted their fingers and toes as your heart swelled with love and you felt grateful that such a precious creature was trusted to you for safekeeping.

Writing practice with Masterchef

2011-07-27T10:18:00.002+10:00

Tannah is eager to write. She is writing lists and copying words that she knows.

Tannah is also a devotee of Masterchef. And we all know how I feel about following your cgild's interests.

So I made Tannah her very own Masterchef book out of one of the magazines complete with the names of her favorite contestants and judges to copy.

Sometimes she copies onto another piece of paper.

Sometimes she copies directly into the book

And her favorites names are getting very well practiced

It was such and easy and cheap project for me and it has been very well received.

Not my a-Gender

2011-07-25T11:09:00.005+10:00

When Harper stopped wearing nappies she was initiated into our tradition of going to Target and picking a packet or two of whatever cool licensed undies you fancy. She chose a packet of Rio ones and a packet of Lightening McQueen jocks.

Now at 2 years old the pouch at the front for the anatomical differences is small so I was completely cool with her choice. Harper is a HUGE cars fan. We went up to the counter and Harper very proudly handed her choices over to the checkout child (truly she looked about 11) and said "dese my new undies. I wear undies. I dot litnin akeen!"

The reply was "oh you can't get these! These are boys undies! That movie is for boys!"

I watched my 2 year old's face drop and I reassured Harper that the undies were for whoever wanted them and there is no such thing as a boys movie. Then I may have ranted just a bit at the checkout child. We took Harper's choices home and I have seethed about it every time I have watched my child run to the drawer and pick her fave "litnin akeen" jocks with a huge grin on her face.

Harper's bed Lightening McQueen and faeries!

I have three daughters so I am growing tired of all of the gender assumptions and stereotyping. There are so many phrases I would be delighted if I never heard again like "ooh she's rough-she can be your boy" and "it must be so nice to not have any messy, noisy boys" (truly-messy and noisy? come to my house at about 5pm). I'm tired of hearing my girls being praised for being "pretty" or that something is a "boys toy" that they would have no interest in. The recent Toy catalogs that were divided into boys and girls sections made my eyes roll to the back of my head. Glowless recently posted about how her son was told he was "too cute to be a boy". Truly.

On the flip side I'm a little concerned about the backlash. Banning pink or avoiding the stereotyped toys altogether even though a child may be interested is, in my opinion, not helpful either.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few "girls toys" that I just will not allow in my house like sexualized fashion dolls, anything that tells my kids that beauty is the most important asset a woman can have and the movie "The Little Mermaid" (give away your special talent and leave your loving family to stalk a man you have never met? No thanks)-but I feel the same way about some of the "boys toys" too. We don't have any guns you shoot at each other or toys based on violent M rated movies like Transformers or Batman.

I try to follow my girls lead. We have a lot of Barbie dolls, Polly Pockets and Ponyville at the moment. We also have a Hot Wheels track, duplo and a train set that get a lot of love. The movie Cars is equally as enjoyed as Tangled. When they play dress ups they often choose the faerie dresses and they sometimes choose the construction helmet and goggles. Pink is just another colour with no more attention payed to it than blue or black or yellow. We have Buzz Lightyear and Tinkerbell pjs.

I want my daughters to know that the world is their oyster and any choice is OK. I don't want them to feel like they are denying their desires towards toys and clothes (with the exception of those I strongly object to regardless of gender) and I want to absolutely discourage the idea that something is either in camp boy or camp girl.

I think there are real differences between the sexes-but I don't think it's up to us to pre define what those things are.

Things I Know-one week until Blogopolis!

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the Things I Know linkup! I know I'm really enjoying reading through all of the links each week-big thanks to everyone who joins in, especially my regulars :) If you want to link up just write your own Things I Know post on your blog with a link back to this post and then add it below.

This week my post is all about the upcoming Blogopolis which is in my fair city next weekend

Here is what I know-

-Catching up with other people who use the internet to communicate is never going to be good for the amount of time I spend online

-I'm hoping to maybe be in photographs looking a little less drunk and red faced from dancing than Ausblogcon

-No one is going to stop reading your blog or unfollow you on Twitter because your ass is too fat or you don't have a million dollar outfit. I hope people going realize this and don't let themselves be worried.

-Staying in town away from my kiddos for 2 nights makes me both excited and nervous

-staying somewhere plush like Oaks On Lonsdale makes it a bit easier

-Eco Toys are awesome for sponsoring me to go! You should totally go and buy your kids some beautiful toys from them. You could even visit their shop while you are in Melbourne.

-I'm so excited about catching up with so many bloggers! Some I've met before and some I haven't

-I'm completely not shy so please come up and say hello. If my kids have their way I'll be there looking like this

-I also know that I'm not going to be available to host this link up next Friday as I'll be busy networking (going WOOOOO!! at people). So Things I Know will be back in a fortnight.....

so what do you know?

-

For Kristie

2011-07-21T18:02:00.003+10:00

I write this post with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart for a woman whom I have met in the flesh only briefly. But the internet is a community that many underestimate the power of. For I have known this woman and her family online for years. I have watched her beautiful daughter grow, I was sad to hear when a baby stayed in her womb only a short time and I, like many others, followed her long journey to conceive again. I am one of many who were delighted to know that a baby grew in her body and was happily anticipating the birth.

And my heart, like many others, broke for her when I heard that her much longed for baby boy was born still.

I write this (and you can read other tributes HERE) so that Kristie might feel the support of those of us who know her online. So that she, her partner Ally and their Daughter Tara know that they are in so many people's thoughts. That there have been many candles lit for your sweet boy Avery.

Sending you so much love and strength Kristie xoxo

Messy art with multi aged kids

2011-07-20T08:21:00.003+10:00

For us, having three kids and no outside school means that sometimes I have to adapt an art activity for one or more of my girls so they can all join in. Making art and mess are things that both rate highly on the fun scale at our place and no matter what else is happening if I get the paints out I can be pretty sure all three will come running. Because there is around 2 years between each of my children there are some pretty big developmental differences-not to mention they each have their own way of liking to create!

6 year old Tannah is very organized and has clear ideas of what she is setting out to create

For 2 year old Harper it's more about the sensory play

Here are some strategies I use so that everyone is happy at messy art time.

-make sure everyone is in clothes that we don't mind get messy or put art smocks on. This means I can be focused on helping rather than caring about mess.

-SUPERVISE. Reminding myself here. It might only be 10 minutes before Harper loses interest but if I get distracted *ahemiphoneahem* She can upset the big girls by trying to "help" them with their art or get frustrated when I'm not close by to help. Not to mention paint the walls/floor/her hair.

-make sure there is enough equipment. Each child has a pair of scissors, a few paint brushes etc. Fights breaking out because there is only one of something is not fun for anyone.

-keep a much younger child at a separate table. For younger children messy art is mainly sensory so they will not pay attention to an older child's creation that they may have worked very hard on. It's not fair to expect a younger child to be aware or an older child to be understanding.

-don't compare artwork! Age is not the only difference. Personality, idea etc etc means that getting out the same materials does not mean similar results. Even in kids the same age. Comparing can be very discouraging-ask questions and make observations.

-if everyone finishes at the same time clean them up in order of age. The older the child the more understanding they will have of waiting and staying put. And remember everything can be cleaned! I'm a big fan of having a bath/wet cloths/towels etc ready to go beforehand if there is going to be a lot of mess

-don't assume that an activity is "too old" or "too young" for a particular child. Set it up and let them have a go if they want to. You might be surprised and they might surprise them selves by mastering something or really enjoying themselves.

Picky-eaters pink smoothie

2011-07-18T20:52:00.004+10:00

Willow has recently decided to give living on mainly air and love a go. It's not my favorite especially since she is sensitive to preservatives, colours and wheat so her food choices are limited from the get go. She has even given up hommus which has been like a food group in this house.

Thing is that she is hungry. And she tells me so. But she struggles to find things that she both enjoys and don't upset her delicate little system. Knowing how her body loves protein I have come up with this smoothie. Which my girls have dubbed "Pink Milk" ala Charlie and Lola.

This is enough to serve 3 kids and two adults.

1 litre of milk
two handfuls of frozen raspberries
tblsp raw honey
1/2 cup of yoghurt (get decent yoghurt!)
1 tblsp raw coconut oil
2 raw egg yolks-these are optional but they really add a tummy filling punch. Use fresh, organic, free range eggs for maximum benefit and safety.

If I have some spinach I add a few leaves as well. You cannot taste them and it changes the milk to greenish which is almost as exciting as pink.

Chuck it all in the blender and WHIZZ

My kids are offended by pips in smoothies so I strain it

And there you have it! A very easy and delicious way of bulking up a fussy eater's diet.

Serve it cold and chuck all the blender bits in the dishwasher :)

I'm joining in with Kate says Stuff for her Menu Planning Monday

Helping kids nurture their friendships

2011-07-18T10:02:00.003+10:00

Chances are you are like me. You made some friends when your firstborn was a baby through mothers group or parenting groups. Your friendship with these parents has meant your children have probably formed some firm friendships with the children of these parents as well.

In my case when some of Tannah's best friends went to school last year I was worried that their long term firm friendship would start to fade. This worried me for two reasons. mainly because I didn't want my child to feel like everyone was going to school and leaving her behind and that school = I won't be your friend (I'm not anti school just pro unschooling) and I also didn't want my best friend (their Mother) and I to grow apart because our kids didn't want to spend time together.

The same is true for many of my other friends. Our kids enjoy each others company and I value my friendship with their mothers and I didn't want school to automatically mean that Tannah and I lost friends. This scenario would also be relevant for kids going to different schools or starting school in different years.

The Lovely Katepickle's twinadoes have been in school for a year and a half and I'm pleased to say that her kids and my kids friendships-as well as Kate's and mine-are as strong as ever.

Here are some tips to nurturing those friendships.

-Know each others schedules. I am particularly crap at this but it has always helped when I know when kinder/extra curricular activities etc is on so I can make regular plans when the other family is busy.

-Don't assume that families don't ever want to catch up after school. We have caught up with many of our schooled friends in the afternoons. I wouldn't recommend dropping in unannounced but don't discount an after school visit or an early dinner on a week night.

-Make exciting plans for the school holidays. We had a sleepover last school holidays with 4 of her friends and Tannah slept over at her friends house this holidays. I know some of my first mothers group still go away together despite the kids going to different schools.

-Do an out of school activity together. If you live close by and your kids have a mutual love of dance/music/auskick why not do it together?

-Make a standing regular catch up. Kate and I have dinner almost every Friday night with all of our kids. They come straight from school and stay until lateish. You could do a Sunday breakfast, a play in the park after school or monthly family dinner.

-Once kids get older they can use social media and skype to stay in touch.

-Invite a mix of kids to birthday parties and the like. Tannah and Willow had a great time at the Zoe and Izzy's Rainbow party and I know that her schooled friends have enjoyed parties with our home educated friends. Don't assume that kids won't get along unless they are all in the same class.

-Make time to catch up with your friend with only some of the kids or without kids at all! Your friendships are important too.

And a point I feel is really important-don't feel that you need to put up with friends that are disrespectful to the choices you have made. Be they home educating or choosing a expensive/huge public school it's not worth it. You and your children deserve friends that make you feel supported, not judged. It's absolutely possible to be friends with a family who send their child to school when you don't-as long as you are still have things in common and are respectful and supportive of the other families choice.

Time flies.

2011-07-17T16:45:00.004+10:00

When Tannah was still a belly babe my Mum passed on a jewel of wisdom. She said that no matter how hard it was and how tired I got that before I knew it my kids would be all grown up and I would wonder where the time went.

I have been really feeling this lately and it's no secret that I'm an emo Mama who gets all misty eyed about my lovely kiddos, but so much has happened lately to make me see that my years of parenting babies is over. And it's bittersweet.

Harper no longer wears nappies-day or night. She no longer breastfeeds and she slept in her sister's bedroom last night at her request. My last baby has been my baby for the shortest time of all. I must admit to shedding some tears at all of these things.

Willow is about to turn FOUR. And after all these years of her being teeny tiny she is catching up in the height stakes.

I took this photo this morning and something about makes me see what she is going to look like as a teenager. It made me feel very aware of the swiftness of time indeed.

I love being a Mother. I have loved having my babies close to me in bed, at my breast and in a sling. I will miss the quiet milky moments in the middle of the night. I will miss feeling a small persons weight on my back in a carrier. There are many things I feel a little pang of sadness about in the knowledge that those days are over.

But I'm also very excited for this new phase of my life. The road trip we took recently would have been something I would not have done even six months before. I love seeing Tannah writing me notes and being so interested in the hows and whys of the world around her. I love seeing Willow's joy when she masters something. I love seeing Harper's personality develop and her awareness grow. There is a certain amount more freedom that comes with having older children. There is a certain amount less intensity-at times. I am still a Mother and I am learning all the time.

But forgive this emo Mama if she is feeling all reflective and sentimental as she ponders her babies as they grow up.

Things I Know

2011-07-14T20:55:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday everyone!! I know it's technically Thursday night but I'm out the door tomorrow morning so let's pretend this went up Friday morning. Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you want to play along write your own Things I Know post, include a link to this post and add you link below-easy! A few comments on the other blogs who link up wouldn't go astray either ;)

Here is what I know this week

-coughing for three weeks has reduced my pelvic floor to jelly.

-a full day of play looks like this

-TWO WEEKS TO BLOGOPOLIS

-I don't know how to stop myself cracking up every time my 2 year old says "what the heck!"

-30 people linked up last week!! Record breaking!

-I am a hopeless Harry Potter fan. I was at the midnight screening this week crying my eyes out with all of the teens.

-being at the above screening made me feel OLD.

-don't forget to link up and Flog Yo Blog over at Where's My Glow

So what do you know this week?

-

Hairy Maclary

2011-07-12T16:50:00.003+10:00

I'm one of THOSE "dirty hippies". One of those women who chooses not to shave her body hair. Au naturale if you like.

When I was pregnant with Willow I got to the big round belly part of the pregnancy and I just couldn't reach my legs anymore. It was winter so I thought society could cut a woman a break if I wore long pants. After my babe was earthside and I could touch my toes again I started thinking about just why it was that I needed to shave my legs anyway. It was a part of my "maintenance" that I had hated for years. Apart from the societal pressure to have smooth legs it just seemed silly to me. So I stopped.

I got a few negative comments initially from a few places. It felt brave and kind of radical to fly in the face of the beauty ideals I had followed for so long. Then it became no big deal. It is just hair after all.

A couple of years later myself with my hairy legs and smooth armpits were having a deep and meaningful chat with some other women. Some of whom chose to forgo shaving all together. One of them bought up the fact that she went through puberty-why should she continue to pretend to be a girl when she was a woman?

It really got me thinking.

She was so right. The cleanliness factor is such a crock. If men are not filthy for having underarm hair then why are women? What of soap and deodorant? Why was I continuing to remove hair that I really didn't have a problem with? It suddenly felt important to me for my daughters to know that their post pubescent bodies were not dirty or ugly and that they didn't need to remain looking like a child after they became an adult.

So I stopped shaving all together.

And of course I have had some delightful comments, but they are few and far between. The first time I went out, all dressed up, in a sleeveless dress I felt very self conscious, but now I barely even think about it. I have given birth to three children so it might not come as a shock to you that I have gone through puberty and the hair just comes with the territory.

But now it's no big deal. It's just hair after all.

Things I Know

2011-07-08T07:48:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you want to join in write a Things I Know on your blog including a link back to this post an then add your link below-easy!

Here is what I know this week-

-sometimes trips to the supermarket with all three kids have me wanting to shout out netspeak. "OMFG!! FML!! Y U No stop touching stuff??"

-sometimes said trips to the stupidmarket means wine shows up magically on the shopping list

-ducks must wish that people would just bring a bag of something else other than stale bread already

-it is almost impossible for me to just fold one load of washing. Instead I seem only to be able to to wait until a weeks worth of clean clothes take over the lounge room.

-new puppies are at risk of being cuddled to death

-Glowless is hilarious. Check out her video parody on this week's Flog Yo Blog Friday-and link up too!

So what do you know this week?

Slow cooker chicken stock and old-school chicken soup

2011-07-05T10:12:00.002+10:00

There is nothing like eating hearty, home-cooked comfort food when you are unwell. My Old-School chicken soup is not fancy or hard to make but it's very nourishing. It's my take on my grandmothers recipe and it's easy to add a little extra punch or pizazz if you want to but I know it's been enjoyed as it is in my family for at least three generations.

An important element of a good soup is a good stock. I make my stock in the slow cooker after our roast chook on a Sunday night. I throw the carcass and ingredients in after dinner and wake up Monday morning to a pot of stock.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stock

1 free-range chicken carcass
1 brown onion
1 whole leek
1 carrot
1 celery stick
1 bay leaf
splash of vinegar
salt and pepper

Put all of these things in your slow cooker and cover with water. I chop the onion in half and cut the leek so it fits but that's about it. Put the slow cooker onto low and leave overnight or for about 10-12 hours. Allow to cool and strain the big bits out by tipping the liquid into another container through a colander. Then strain the liquid again through a very fine mesh sieve.

And that's it! Chicken stock! Freeze into whatever portions you like or use for the soup.

Old-School Chicken Soup

8 free range chicken legs-poached, cooled and meat removed
2L chicken stock
1 leek, white part only finely chopped
1 large carrot finely chopped
1 large potato finely chopped (I'm partial to dutch creams)
1 handful of rice
salt and pepper
tablespoon of butter

Melt butter in a large pot and add the leek and cook until transparent. Add the carrot and potato and coat in the leek and butter mix. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the chicken, salt and pepper to taste and cook for 10 minutes. Add the handful of rice and cook for a further 5-10 minutes over low heat until the rice and vegetables are tender. Serve piping hot with a buttery roll-add a tablespoon of cream if you wish.

Enjoy!

evolution of me

2011-07-04T09:23:00.003+10:00

Sometimes it's hard for me to think about that first year of motherhood.

For me, it was hard. Incredibly hard. The violence that was Tannah's birth left me with PTSD and the injury that she sustained from being dragged out by her scalp left her in a lot of pain. There were lots of tears. Hers and mine. It only occurred to me about a year ago that maybe sobbing in the shower and while I drove around in the car every day is not what's considered in the realm of coping. I felt like a constant failure. I used to lie on the floor with my baby and watch the clock until Luke got home. I was not expecting Motherhood to be so damn HARD. I never knew it was possible to be awake for that long without amphetamines. I still remember trying to make a speech at Tannah's first birthday and crying so hard I couldn't speak. Everyone thought I was moved by emotion but truthfully I was so exhilarated that I'd made it a year-I was alive!

And I'll admit a big part of my grief was for my old life. And feeling bad that I was grieving.

I have had times over the years where it has felt like I have given up too much. Times when I have yearned for spontaneity, sleep ins, my body to be my own, silence and sex.

But recently I have discovered that you don't really give up these things. You just shelve some of them for a while.

Last week, when I had the flu, I took cold and flu medication. This might seem like a little thing but after 7 years of being pregnant and/or breastfeeding it was nice to have that option back on the table. After years of being awake for large periods of time every night I am now only being woken briefly a couple of times-and sometimes I get 8 hours unbroken sleep. True! The girls are big enough for a bit more spontaneity. It may take me an extra 20 minutes to pack a bag but I know that we can shoot off to the other side of town with an hours notice. And as for sex....well that's slowly but surely making a comeback too.

I can honestly say that my old life doesn't feel gone anymore. It just feels different. New and improved even. Rather than feeling like my old life died and wallowing in grief for how things were I feel like my life evolved and I have become better for it. It has only been in the last few months that I have not felt regularly overwhelmed by the enormity of raising my amazing girls-and raising them well. Having 3 children (and 2 miscarriages) in 4 years has certainly tested me in ways that have, at times, been exhausting, frustrating and just plain hard. I have had times where I felt like I have lost myself and wished for daycare and full time employment.

But the secret is that I was here all along. Growing and evolving and sometimes waiting in the wings-but always there. I think sometimes the challenge of being a great parent can make us grow so much that we seem like a different person with a whole other life.

Kelly at Be A Fun Mum has written on the same topic today and her quote sums it up better that I could
So, if you’re in the midst of raising little kids, feeling weary and my story rings true to you, I’m telling you from the other side: What you are doing is vital, even when no one notices. It’s an investment, so keep on keeping on and keep on loving the moment. While it may not be clear now, you’ll look back and see all the moments for what they are: pieces of a beautiful masterpiece.

Things I Know

2011-07-01T08:24:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you want to join in write a Things I Know on your blog including a link back to this post an then add your link below-easy!

Here is what I know this week-

-parents find lots of positive words to describe their quirky kids. I'm choosing to call Harper "creative"

-the flu can go suck it. What a waste of a week.

-my kids are emotionally involved in the outcome of Masterchef

-turning on the computer ensures that there will be a fight, injury, empty belly or wet pants within five minutes.

-everyone loves a great op-shop find

-the noise guinea pigs make at you when they are hungry is 2 parts "aww how cute" and 1 part "shut-up! I'm coming!"

-Looking at all of the gorgeous Waldorf inspired classrooms on Pinterest makes me want to throw out every plastic toy we own

-You can Flog Yo Blog over with Glowless as Where's My Glow? She totally knows stuff this week.

Winner of the Museum vic membership..

2011-06-28T11:28:00.001+10:00

Is AmandaB! Congrats :D

Parenting when you wre unwell

2011-06-28T10:15:00.003+10:00

I'm sick. I have the flu, not just a cold but the flu. Yesterday I told my husband I was going to have a "nap" and I woke up almost 5 hours later. I've been feverish, had terrible sinus pressure, a sore throat and am as weak as a kitten. I'm lucky that Luke gets carers days and he took one yesterday but her has to go back to work today and I don't have any grandparents available (my parents live in another state and Luke's work pretty much full time) so I'm on my own.

It's a situation I've been in before so I thought I'd share some tips with you for being the parent when you are sick.

-Movies. Everyone knows the babysitting powers of the TV right? Try your local library or DVD hire place for something new and exciting. Bonus points if it's a family movie that you can curl up on the couch and enjoy as well.

-Art that is easy to clean up. My kids are massive fans of art in all its forms but it gets pretty messy. Our art cupboard has a lock so I get out the things that are easy for me to tidy up and pack away the messy stuff. Some examples of what I have out-
*whiteboard markers
*magna doodle
*stickers
*stencils
*paint brush pens
*colouring books
*plain and coloured paper
*placticine

-make a "Picky Platter" that the kids can graze off all day. Make sure water bottles are full and in an easy place that everyone can reach.

-If you are going to be on your own at dinnertime & if you can afford it, order dinner that can be delivered. Otherwise think eggs on toast and a smoothie.

-I always have a couple of toys in my secret stash for emergencies. Today I'll be pulling out a hot wheels raceway I picked up in a clearance bin about a month ago.

-Accept that the house will be messy. I usually do a couple of quick clean ups during the day which are not going to happen for a few days. Emptying and filling the dishwasher and clearing a path is about as far as it's going to get. Luke can do the rest when he is home.

-Explain to the kids that you are sick. They might only need to be reminded that you need help and that you won't be taking them to the park if they get a heads up first. They might just surprise you with their empathy.

-Help yourself. Drink lots. Take vitamin C and any other natural immunity builders you can find. If you are not breastfeeding take cold and flu tablets to ease your symptoms. Rest as much as possible. Call your Mum and get a virtual "ooh there there" from her.

There might be more tips but my brain is all fuzzy from the cold and flu tablets. I'd like to know more tips so tell me, so what sre your tips for coping with being the parent when you are unwell?

Things I Know

2011-06-23T22:53:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you want to join in write a Things I Know on your blog including a link back to this post an then add your link below-easy!

Here is what I know this week-

-seeing my Things I Know button pop up in all sorts of places in my reader makes me happy.

-that all of my iPhone angst is forgiven now I have a shiny new iPhone4 and am on a different network.

-Pinterest is the epitome of time wasting and awesomeness at the same time

-cool photo apps amuse my children

-don't try to slow the fall of your laptop with your foot or you may just chip a bit of the bone off. Ask me how I know this. OUCH.

-the SBS's doco "Go back Where You Came From" has contained some of the most upsetting footage I have ever seen. I urge every human being to watch it and do something about the plight of asylum seekers.

-a two year old gaining toilet awareness is both exciting and frustrating-especially for Harper.

-Waking up in our family bedroom is lovely. Love being the first one awake and hearing everyone else swim up out of slumber.

-You can Flog Yo Blog over at Where's My Glow? And next Friday there is gonna be a mashup. Things I Flog? Flog Yo Things? I Know Yo Flog?

So what do you know?

When acronyms take over.

2011-06-23T14:09:00.002+10:00

I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It sucks.

I live in a part of Australia that is well known for it's brutal winters complete with short days and bleak weather. Not helpful. By June I'm normally struggling to get through the days and finding exhaustion playing a big part in my coping skills. Last year I also had a few panic attacks thrown in for shits and giggles, I'm grateful that it hasn't gotten to that this year and hope it stays that way. Homesickness is inevitable. I'll start to pine for Queensland and my family. PMS makes it worse.

I had a moment this week where I was feeling anxious about my online life. Suddenly there were too many people, too many items unread, too many tweets unanswered and so much unwritten etiquette I was failing at. I pulled Willow out of the ballet concert because I found looking at the lists of things needed to be done and rehearsals to attend completely overwhelmed me.

But yesterday was the winter solstice. Which means the days are going to get longer again. And my brand new niece slipped into the world, born in her caul. And, while it made the homesickness so much worse, I can't help but smile.

Explore-a-saurus!

2011-06-20T14:08:00.003+10:00

The dino roaring in my house has hit fever pitch. It really does feel like a tribe of little T-rexs are running through my house some days. So last week I took the kiddos to Scienceworks to see the new Explore-a-saurus exhibit. It was a huge hit! As with all things Scienceworks it was very hands on and easy to navigate.

Tannah took a while to warm up because there was quite a bit of dinosaur noise-she finally came around after trying out some roaring of her own.

There were bones to look at and touch

Big robotic dinosaurs to get up close to

And pipes to make dinosaur sounds out of

And that's not even half of what we did! Apart from the noise factor (which you might want to consider if you have a child who is sensitive to noisy places) we had a great time. Tannah is already asking to go back-which is likely because we are members of the Melbourne Museum and we go to both the Museum and Scienceworks very regularly.

And I have a Museums Victoria membership to give away!

It includes entry to Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum. All of the other benefits of what a Museums Victoria membership has to offer is HERE.

This is such a great prize Melbournites!

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment telling me that you would like to win and the winner will be chosen by random number generator next Monday.

Good luck!

Lazy Sunday

2011-06-19T15:55:00.003+10:00

I have done pretty much nothing today. Luke had some work on and Willow was a little unwell so we canceled plans and have just hung around the house and done not much at all.

There has been a lot of computer time (I'm on Pinterest now against warnings that it was addictive!) and DVD's watched. Dress ups and naps.

It can be easy to think that we have wasted a day. But I think that we are all busy resting and recuperating and touching base.

Necessary and important work.

Things I Know

2011-06-17T10:59:00.002+10:00

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Things I Know linkup. If you want to join in write a Things I Know on your blog including a link back to this post an then add your link below-easy!

Here is what I know this week-

-there are no rules for blogging and being a part of the social media community. The world will not stop turning if I put my family first and detach myself from my iPhone for large periods of the day.

-frustrated toddler is frustrated

-every time the phone rings I think it's my brother telling me that my niece has been born. Any day!!

-a wheat free and preservative/colour free diet really makes a difference to Willow and Harper. We are almost a week meltdown free and there is sleep happening!

-there is only so much of the game "Mum I'm a dinosaur, listen to me roar ROAAARRRRRR" I can handle

-Even six year olds can get star struck by their favorite entertainer

-great friends put up with your intoxicated singstar performances and don't put it on the internet. Best friends do all that and then listen to your drunken rambling on the car ride home

-Croque Monsieurs fix hangovers

-The Safety Dance in the catchiest song of all time-boo to you Reservoir Dad.

You're welcome.

Sing it!

2011-06-16T19:36:00.002+10:00

I was driving along today and listening to Alanis Morisette's classic Jagged Little Pill album when "Hand In My Pocket" came on. You ever have that moment when you are sure the song was written just for you at that moment?? Well I had one of those. So I listened to it again. And again. By this time I was singing right along and probably making the other drivers laugh their asses off.

Here are the lyrics-
_____
I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah

I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I'm sober
I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah

I care but I'm restless
I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry, baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be quite alright
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette

And what it all comes down to
Is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving the peace sign

I'm free but I'm focused
I'm green but I'm wise
I'm hard but I'm friendly, baby

I'm sad but I'm laughing
I'm brave but I'm chicken shit
I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby

And what it all boils down to
Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing a piano

And what it all comes down to my dear friends, yeah
Is that everything is just fine fine fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxi cab
_______

I must say the line "I'm free but I'm focused, I'm green but I'm wise" especially resonates with me :)

Is there a particular song that resonates for you right now?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-15T15:02:00.004+10:00

You ever wonder what a bedroom would look like if three kids all wanted to share a bedroom with their parents but each wanted their own bed? Wonder no longer...

I'm playing along with My Little Drummer Boys for Aussie wordless Wednesday. Why not come and join in too?