oh autumn light!

This autumn has been warm. The rich, warm light floods the kitchen and family room in the mornings and then we head out into the golden hour after school, for kite flying and bike riding, until the sun falls behind the trees to close another day.

gee, you young mothers do such a great job

We made a quick trip to the shops this morning. After leaving the supermarket we stopped at a large square bench seat to unwrap lollipops following some excellent behaviour at the doctors. A bright faced, well groomed elderly gentleman was sitting next to us and I could feel him watching. He leaned over and commented on how often he is out at the shops and thinks to himself gee, you young mothers do such a great job with the kids. I smiled, genuinely, and said thankyou very much - my brain making sure my mouth closed before a less flattering comment came out dulling down my ability and conviction as a mother. In my mind I said to myself - Yes. Yes we DO do a great job. He was so kind, he went on to say you're very welcome - I know men couldn't do it, that's for sure! We laughed together before we bid him farewell and I felt him watch us leave; a knowing smile on his face.

In that moment, I thought how it would have looked like I had it all together. I was fresh from the shower that I raced into half an hour earlier when I booked the doctor's appointment 45 minutes before we had to be at a kindy interview. My make up was barely 20 minutes old and the kids hadn't had time to get dirty. Well groomed children, following along compliantly because it was still mid morning and they usually wait until at least after lunch to lose their shit.

Yeah, I totally have it together like this all the time.

stills / a weekly collection

I lie. They're really just weekend stills because it would appear as though I hardly picked up my camera during the week and what I did snap, was fairly uninteresting.

This weekend isn't even over yet. Like many, we get four days off with school and kindy closed today for report writing and our Melbourne Cup holiday tomorrow. We're certainly making the most of it. Everything just feels better when you know you've got four days off ahead of you!

I took the kids to the show on Saturday and left the poor overworked husband to a quiet house and some rest. I was all gung ho, YEAH! THIS WILL BE GREAT! The sun was shining, the sky was the bluest of blues. It was the weekend. What could go wrong?!

Overwhelmed children not sure whether to run first to the rides, show bags, face painting, pony riding, ice cream van, animal nursery.. took every ounce of my patience to contain. Being in public totally helps. Because if we were at home my head would have blown off and all ended in tears. Instead I breathed and spoke calmly and explained that we cannot physically, POSSIBLY do EVERYTHING all at ONCE. With the glaring. The eye glaring to punctuate the IMPORTANT bits. Yep. I am SO my mother.

Once we passed through the rides - fairly unscathed - things were much smoother. We had a lovely day together. A very exhausting day, but a lovely one indeed. The main reason we decided to go was to see some artwork Ruby had done in art class at school, which had been chosen to be shown in the children's art gallery. Given the size of the gallery I am surprised we even found it! But we did, and we also found a Very Highly Commended award stapled to her Symmetrical Butterfly. She was quite chuffed. Me? I think I was even more chuffed. That silly parent heart swelling thing.

Linking up with gorgeous Em for the first time in a very looong time

things. people. family. animals.

His drawings have finally become THINGS. And not just any kind of things. People. Family. Animals. He's been writing his own name, sometimes the right way, sometimes perfectly backwards, which I just love at this age. He's showing all the enthusiasm and initiative which used to come from his big sister. He would only draw if she asked him to join her. Now he doesn't need to be prompted.

As soon as he gets up in the morning - Mum, I want to draw!

I just LOVE it.

four

Four seems so big. So much bigger than three. I swear he looked taller and wiser as he snuggled next to me and whispered, Is it morning? Is it really my birthday?

Remembering his day..

:: obligatory birthday crown
:: presents opened in record time
:: riding his new bike round and round the kitchen
:: he chose a day at the zoo to celebrate
:: 25 degree autumn day in shorts and tees
:: chief map readers
:: picnicing, ice creams, carousel, playground
:: mid afternoon meltdowns, sleepy car ride home
:: birthday boy's choice for dinner shared with wonderful family
:: valuable lesson learned - check gel colour stash to make sure you still have black to make fondant road because chances are your local supplier will have sold out too and your Route 66 will have to be a very unauthentic brown..
:: full tummies and late night movie
:: cuss, what a magnificent day