Spell With Flickr
P.S Someone special I know just found out they are pregnant.... CONGRATULATIONS!
♥
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Resolutions, no. Word, Yes!
I have to say I wasn't ready for New Year this year I spent so much time making the lead-up to Christmas something exciting and memorable that I didn't really think past the 27th. I don't make resolutions but like many people I normally turn over a new leaf as the calendar turns to January. I make sure all my Christmas junk food has been scoffed so I can start the new year with my good health in focus, there are exercise and weight loss goals on the agenda and for the past three years I have chosen a 'word' for the year a la Ali Edwards as well. This year I just wasn't ready. I had narrowed my word list down (although the word I have settled on wasn't on the short list) but that's as far as I had got. And with the kids rooms and other stuff to do around the house I wasn't prepared to stop and look inward. As January went on I didn't feel like it- I was on holiday, I was away, I had other priorities, I had Will, and my new year hadn't really started. In fact it never really does till school goes back that's when I feel like it all starts back. So I waited till now. That's a good thing because I'm not sure I would have gone with the word I have chosen if I hadn't had time to grow comfy with it.
In 2008 My word was Focus (because I am always pulling myself in multiple directions with my mind racing off on tangents and side bars). In 2009 my word was Healthy and I set 9 goals in three different areas of my life. Now is as good a time as any to review those.
Part 1: Me
1. Eat Right. Some of the time, not always, not enough. Fail
2. Drink More. Yes I did. I drank more Fraps and more coke than ever before. Fail
3. Move Daily. Um nope. Fail
Part 2: Home
1. Organised and Tidy. Still working on it but YES! Pass
2. Clean(er). No change. Fail
3. Comforting. Improved 6.5/10 Pass.
Part 3: Money
1. Spend Wisely. Nope, but I do have a much better awareness of which dark holes swallow up our cash. Not a total Fail.
2. Repay Debt. Yes and No. We did put actions in place to speed up some dept repayment. But we also got more debt. So: Fail.
3. Save for the future. Wah-hahahahaha. Fail.
2 and a bit out of 9 sounds fairly crap but it's better than zero and I'm pretty sure we've had years like that.
So this year? My word is
I think this is really appropriate considering the year ahead-
We're going to start small. For February;
In 2008 My word was Focus (because I am always pulling myself in multiple directions with my mind racing off on tangents and side bars). In 2009 my word was Healthy and I set 9 goals in three different areas of my life. Now is as good a time as any to review those.
Part 1: Me
1. Eat Right. Some of the time, not always, not enough. Fail
2. Drink More. Yes I did. I drank more Fraps and more coke than ever before. Fail
3. Move Daily. Um nope. Fail
Part 2: Home
1. Organised and Tidy. Still working on it but YES! Pass
2. Clean(er). No change. Fail
3. Comforting. Improved 6.5/10 Pass.
Part 3: Money
1. Spend Wisely. Nope, but I do have a much better awareness of which dark holes swallow up our cash. Not a total Fail.
2. Repay Debt. Yes and No. We did put actions in place to speed up some dept repayment. But we also got more debt. So: Fail.
3. Save for the future. Wah-hahahahaha. Fail.
2 and a bit out of 9 sounds fairly crap but it's better than zero and I'm pretty sure we've had years like that.
So this year? My word is
'Brilliant'
I learnt a new way of looking at my word recently I was ready a blog post which talked about choosing a being word rather than a doing word. The post suggested that if you practice being the thing you want to be then the things you want to have will come to you. Rather than the opposite i.e. if I Do things to be healthy then I will have a better body, a healthy bank account and a healthy home and I will be happy/content etc.
So I'm going to be brilliant and as a result of being brilliant I'll have some cool stuff and I'll be doing things that I want and need to do... I haven't explained it really well and I can't find the link right now so hopefully you get the idea... or perhaps you think it's a bunch a baloney. Anyway this way of thinking was what brought me to the word 'brilliant'. To be honest I thought it was a bit audacious- kind of cocky and arrogant. But it stayed with me, coming back into mind every so often to the point where is now feels comfy and pretty much worn in.
Brilliant. I am Brilliant. I'm going to have a Brilliant life from here on in. That is Brilliant.
I decided among other things that I would try and create one brilliant thing every month (more if I can) not just one of my standard scrapbook pages but something that I really put some time and effort into- where I pay attention to details, maybe try some new technique(s) and out-do myself.
I also chose a sub-word for our family...
And that's what I am going to be.
I learnt a new way of looking at my word recently I was ready a blog post which talked about choosing a being word rather than a doing word. The post suggested that if you practice being the thing you want to be then the things you want to have will come to you. Rather than the opposite i.e. if I Do things to be healthy then I will have a better body, a healthy bank account and a healthy home and I will be happy/content etc.
So I'm going to be brilliant and as a result of being brilliant I'll have some cool stuff and I'll be doing things that I want and need to do... I haven't explained it really well and I can't find the link right now so hopefully you get the idea... or perhaps you think it's a bunch a baloney. Anyway this way of thinking was what brought me to the word 'brilliant'. To be honest I thought it was a bit audacious- kind of cocky and arrogant. But it stayed with me, coming back into mind every so often to the point where is now feels comfy and pretty much worn in.
Brilliant. I am Brilliant. I'm going to have a Brilliant life from here on in. That is Brilliant.
I decided among other things that I would try and create one brilliant thing every month (more if I can) not just one of my standard scrapbook pages but something that I really put some time and effort into- where I pay attention to details, maybe try some new technique(s) and out-do myself.
I also chose a sub-word for our family...
'Thrive'
I think this is really appropriate considering the year ahead-
- Kieran's last year at Primary School and a year in which he will take a trip with his rugby club to Japan for 10 days (with no family in sight).
- Merenia's first year in home school.
- Another year of important growing and learning for Will.
- We will also have another small person in our midst a friend's baby, Jake, whom I hope will also thrive in our care.
- It's time for Les and I to thrive as well. More than just survive and make it through.. really live well.
We're going to start small. For February;
- From today not a carbonated drink, nor alcohol will pass the front door of our home. Nor will Les and I partake out side of home. Les has already given up Fraps and I have severely cut back.
- Merenia and I are going to walk daily with the littlies along for the ride to get fresh air and observe the world.
- I'm going to look after my teeth a lot better.
- We're going to let Merenia ease into home school.
- And I'm going to turn off the computer during the day so I can really focus on the wee guys.
♥
Yum-o! Ham and cheese sticks.
You need to use smaller chunks of cheese than Les did but I can tell you that these were seriously yum. It's just a cherry tomato, basil leaf, cube of cheese, cube of ham (repeated twice) on a kebab stick. Then fried or BBQ'ed till the cheese gets all melty and the ham and tomato get a little brown, then eat!
♥Monday, February 1, 2010
Home is where the Heart is
This is the second last post for the Holidays in Hand series prompts and as I intend making the complete album sometime soon (I have started) I am finishing the journaling so that it's all done... I have to say my heart isn't really in it for this post.
So the prompt; Significance of home for the holidays- I'm not sure we actually have much significance for our home for Christmas. I guess if we were actually 'going home' for Christmas it might be different, but as we simply stay home it's not such a big deal.
When we look at our options for Christmas each year we consider 3/4 options (the first two of which is money dependent).
Short of some serious financial good fortune I can't see that happening in Kieran's time at home and perhaps not even Merenia's. And when I really think about that I am ok with it. We've made a trade, if we had a mortgage I can see a bunch of items from my 130 list that wouldn't have happened- no doubt we would have still had the single most important thing- being together. But it's quite possible with a mortgage we wouldn't have the second most important thing on the list and that's being here at home to raise our kids ourselves. I'm fairly certain that when they are grown our children won't be saying "Gee I wish you had've gone out and worked Mum so we could have a house now". The trade off for some land and building materials to call our own vs. being a stay-at-home mum just isn't worth it. And then there's the extras with a mortgage Kieran's trip to Japan this year wouldn't be happening, Merenia would be heading off to school this year and much of our fun stuff would be no more.
So yeah I'm cool with no home of our own- I think it really is about people and not places. And when our kids are grown and have their own people we're not tied to feeling like we need/have to have Christmas in any particular place.
We are home, Les and I we are home for our children and Christmas can be where ever we are together and that's pretty darn significant.
So the prompt; Significance of home for the holidays- I'm not sure we actually have much significance for our home for Christmas. I guess if we were actually 'going home' for Christmas it might be different, but as we simply stay home it's not such a big deal.
When we look at our options for Christmas each year we consider 3/4 options (the first two of which is money dependent).
- Traveling South to Christchurch; I never grew up in Christchurch so going there for Christmas is not like coming home as such and it's more about people than place- it doesn't feel like home.
- Traveling South to Dunedin for Christmas; The last time we had a a Dunedin Christmas was at my uncle Mikes and though I remember one other Christmas there when Caity was not quite one it's not home either likewise a Christmas Day at Nana's Crib once again it's about people not place.
- Traveling not so far south to Te Aroha for Christmas. Since Les' Dad died the divisions in Les' family have been a lot more apparent and on top of that there have been births and divorces which splinter the family even more. Christmas in Te Aroha is a juggling act of catching up with the various sections of the family. And it feels a lot more like duty than fun. Plus once again with Les' Mum having moved house since he left Te Aroha we're still not going home.
- The final option is staying home in our home. On a good day I remember that we are incredibly lucky to have this place. It may not be what we would choose. But it is cheap, warm, has a great garden/yard and is just enough for our family of five. We live in an ok neighbourhood and are lucky to live close enough to some cool things and places. On a bad day it's too small, too dirty and mouldy and exposed to all and sundry. But it is our home and I think our family is happy to call it home. And often times at Christmas it's the best choice for us.
Short of some serious financial good fortune I can't see that happening in Kieran's time at home and perhaps not even Merenia's. And when I really think about that I am ok with it. We've made a trade, if we had a mortgage I can see a bunch of items from my 130 list that wouldn't have happened- no doubt we would have still had the single most important thing- being together. But it's quite possible with a mortgage we wouldn't have the second most important thing on the list and that's being here at home to raise our kids ourselves. I'm fairly certain that when they are grown our children won't be saying "Gee I wish you had've gone out and worked Mum so we could have a house now". The trade off for some land and building materials to call our own vs. being a stay-at-home mum just isn't worth it. And then there's the extras with a mortgage Kieran's trip to Japan this year wouldn't be happening, Merenia would be heading off to school this year and much of our fun stuff would be no more.
So yeah I'm cool with no home of our own- I think it really is about people and not places. And when our kids are grown and have their own people we're not tied to feeling like we need/have to have Christmas in any particular place.
We are home, Les and I we are home for our children and Christmas can be where ever we are together and that's pretty darn significant.
♥
Round-up- January 2010
On our bookshelf this month....
Creating Keepsakes, Healthy Food Guide, 8 Next Magazines! The Creative Family.
Loving on the box....
The new series of House. Hell's Kitchen, Survivor Samoa, Glee, Dr Who, ER. Watched Death at a Funeral, Sydney White and 27 Dresses on DVD in Chistchurch.
For you...For me?
No pressies this month, we missed Shannon's Birthday because we were away in Christchurch and I owe Caitlin a present but she is busy soaking up the rays in Western Australia and Bali.
Germs and bugs and botherations....
Today was good today was fun, tomorrow is another one...
5 days in Christchurch, 6 Sqn Family Day, Pie Day Celebrations, Alyssa and Merenia went to Alvin and the Chipmunks the squealquel, Les, Kieran, Jake and Brody went to Avatar. Wendy, Ashley and Vienna came by to visit. We enjoyed the pool and the sandpit. Les and the kids had a big day out including visiting the museum. Singstar night in Christchurch. Avatar with Grandad, Sam and Finn. A day of scrapbooking and half a day of shopping.
Yum, yum, yum....
We got the bread maker going- Yum. Kieran was appointed Chief breadmaker.
'It was on sale'....
NZ Scrapbook had a 50% off voucher on a single item so I got a new punch. Had some sweet scores at the Sally Army store and discovered a discounted book store in Rosedale.
Bugger!
The holidays went too fast. Not getting the exemption on the first try.
Hooray!
Having a suberb flight around the sky tower and back. Wills first flight on an aircraft (RNZAF Boeing727) Will finally meeting Sam and Finn. Paul and Helen had their baby on the 29th- Petra and Tony have a little brother called Hamish
Etc...
The kids both spent a few nights at some friends places: Jakes, Courtney's and Ashlyns. Kieran and Merenia swapped rooms and Will moved out of our room and dropped his morning 'booby' now only two remain. We applied for Merenia's exemption from school.
You know who's good idea this was? Katie The Scrapbook Lady. Go check out her list of tasks to do at the end of each month as well.
♥
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Forgotten
I never did get around to posting Will's 9:38am photo from January. So here for posterity...
♥2009: The Good Stuff
Or: 130 Reasons Why We Are Incredibly Fortunate.
I'll most likely do a scrapbook page about this or something and it is also one of the last of 3 posts to finish up for 'Holidays in Hand". Here are the great, cool, good and simply awesome parts of 2009 (Each colour change represents a month change and the pink is a general category)
I'll most likely do a scrapbook page about this or something and it is also one of the last of 3 posts to finish up for 'Holidays in Hand". Here are the great, cool, good and simply awesome parts of 2009 (Each colour change represents a month change and the pink is a general category)
- Catching up with Caitlin J.
- Going out to Oratia with Ma and Kieley
- Shakespeare Beach with the Brinkmans/Casbolts.
- Valentines Lunch with Les at Waimauku.
- BBQ with Tara and Family
- Having a Day up at Scrapcamp.
- Finding out some Shannon and Lisa were expecting
- Getting flowers from the Nielson Girls
- Attending Logan and Trudy's wedding together.
- Nana Coming to stay and going up to Waiwera with her.
- School Camp at MERC
- Les completing the Mud Run
- Hearing the news that Miss Wendy and Ashley were expecting.
- Easter with the Raes
- Kieran started playing Rugby
- Will stared walking
- Les went to Blenheim for Flt Sgt's Qual
- I read Artemis Fowl 1-3
- Discovered the blog 'Living Oprah'
- Merenia got Player of the Day for Netball
- Converted my scrap organisation to colour based
- Kieran won a PS2 and appeared on Sticky TV
- Our neighbours moved out.
- The Cheifs made the finals and we watched the Semi at Dave L's with good food and good friends
- We visited with Miss Lily and Miss Mannington
- Machi and Camo came up and stopped by for a visit
- Starbucks brought out Cinnamon Dolce Frappucinos
- We got new vinyl in the kitchen
- Friday night scrapbooking
- Official St Johns Induction
- Pyjama Party at home
- Les got glasses (who knew he could be even hotter!)
- I read all the lemony snicket books
- The kids had Stage Challenge
- Merenia played Rippa
- We watched AB's Vs. France with the Raes.
- Had Morning tea with Caitlin H, Natalia and Glenys
- Merenia scored her first (two) goals in a match at netball
- Les painted a Sea Sprite on the hangar doors
- Les and Merenia went to the Thermal Thaw
- Granny and Kieley took Merenia and Alyssa to the Mystics
- Merenia started Mind Labs
- Kieran started Correspondence Maths
- Kieran represented the school at the Sci quiz and Hockey Interzones
- Merenia and Alyssa saved our house from fire
- We got all our stored stuff organised in plastic boxes
- Got an A1 mat for my craft table
- Watched a Mystics training with my netball girls
- Kieran went to the transformers movie
- Celebrated Les' birthday
- Merenia went to the Hannah Montana movie
- Watched Waikato play for free at Massey RFC
- Kieran went to the All Blacks Road show
- Les got his long-service medal
- Three people we care for announced they were expecting babies in Feb 2010
- Les went flying in Matamata and got 2nd place
- Got an email from an old friend
- Scored some cool stuff via trade me, the sally army store and scrapbook outlet
- Scrapped 26 pages in a weekend
- Miss Wendy brought us cupcakes
- Had a great day out with Aneil at Mt Vic and Devonport
- Granny and Kieley took Merenia to see the Silver Fern's Vs. The World
- Kieran represented the school for Cross-country
- Friday night scrapbooking
- Grey's Anatomy Quiz Night with Lyn and Daniella
- Had a neat Starbucks trip with Daniella
- Celebrated Merenia's Birthday
- Celebrated 11 years married to the loves of our life
- Got a lovely bunch of flowers from my netball girls
- Read all the Harry Potter books
- The kids went to Christchurch for the holidays
- K and M got great Maths reports
- Merenia improved her Cross-country placing by 3
- Kieran's rugby team got the Club Sportsmanship award
- Kieran got ideal player for his team
- Merenia got third in her first St Johns Comp
- The Clematis flowered for the first time
- Kieran invented YUMMY baked potatoes
- Made a cool book for Les for fathers day
- Finished collecting the years Power Play cards
- I completed our 2009 Week In The Life Album pages
- We got a new DVD recorder
- Aneil brought us steak for dinner
- I celebrated my birthday
- Les cooked me a yummy meal
- Put in a new raised garden bed
- Brunch with the Corsans
- Trip to the Takapuna Markets
- Went to Ambury Park Farm Day
- Kieran went to an AB's Training session
- Enjoyed some cool movies on DVD
- Tiny (Vienna) arrived
- Ehren arrived
- Got some cool stuff on Ebay thanks to an opportunity from Jan and Joe
- Scored some cool stuff at Hasbro, Sally Army and Spotlight
- Celebrated Kieran's Birthday
- Kieran had a patrols trip to Rainbows End
- Spent three cool weekends with the Dawson kids
- Les went to Cambridge for Armistice and was then winched out of a Seasprite at Waitakere Stadium
- Had dinner with the Carringtons
- Kieran went to a couple of movies
- Les had a weekend of glider flying
- Merenia spent a week at Timatanga
- Will got a prize in a colouring competition
- Merenia got a basket of goodies in another colouring competition
- I got some starbucks Christmas decos from two super ladies and some vouchers from one of them as well
- We set up our paddling pool for the summer
- Met Baby Jake
- Celebrated Will's Birthday
- Got a great big sandpit to enjoy
- Got a new photo printer and a set of tiny deer
- Had yummy summer food; ice creams, gucamole and fruit salad
- Watched Elliot read his speech at Graduation
- Celebrated Sally and Kevin's wedding
- AucklandSoar BBQ
- BBQ at Aneils place with friends
- Trip to Kiwi Valley for Merenia
- Merenia participated in the Kumeu Christmas Parade
- Heaps of cool stuff in the lead up to Christmas
- Merenia had what will hopefully be her last day of primary school
- Celebrated Christmas
- And enjoyed the school holidays
- Completed a 365 album
- Enjoyed the companionship of some great family, friends and neighbours
- Enjoyed a truly abundant life
- Got to raise, enjoy and love 3 of the most incredible children who ever lived
- Spent countless hours in the company of each other
- Ate well
- Laughed often
- Loved much
♥
Vegetable Garden Progress
Some neighbours over the back moved out toward the end of last year leaving behind a raised garden bed. I rang housing and asked if we could have it on the proviso we left their lawn looking as good as new and they said yes.
The garden bed was 2 tiers high and with a plan in mind we split it into two.
We wheel barrowed the soil over from next door as well.
And the kids sorted it out (clothing is optional for gardening at our place).
Will spent some time sorting out the soil.
And then we planted....
A variety of seedlings in late November (too late really)....
And later in December some seed tape.... how cool is this stuff??
You can just see the seeds in there- perfectly spaced.
This was the day Merenia planted the seed tape. Our swan plants are under that white net curtain cover. We were trying to let them grow large before the Monarch delivered the 'motherload'.
We also intended to put the cover back on once the eggs had been laid so we didn't get over run by caterpillars like we did last year.
But we had a little BIG problem with our plants and pests....
And despite some natural predators we have yet to have a caterpillar grow to any great size.
We have been reaping the rewards of gardening though. Lettuce, Rocket, Basil, Radishes and strawberries. The tomatoes went in so late they are only just starting to get big let alone ripen. And the capsicum got so over run by the lettuce they got lost and so are still very small. The Spring onions and carrots from the seed tapes are just starting to happen now.
Will especially loves popping out to grab a red ripe strawberry every so often though.
♥
The garden bed was 2 tiers high and with a plan in mind we split it into two.
We wheel barrowed the soil over from next door as well.
And the kids sorted it out (clothing is optional for gardening at our place).
Will spent some time sorting out the soil.
And then we planted....
A variety of seedlings in late November (too late really)....
And later in December some seed tape.... how cool is this stuff??
You can just see the seeds in there- perfectly spaced.
This was the day Merenia planted the seed tape. Our swan plants are under that white net curtain cover. We were trying to let them grow large before the Monarch delivered the 'motherload'.
We also intended to put the cover back on once the eggs had been laid so we didn't get over run by caterpillars like we did last year.
But we had a little BIG problem with our plants and pests....
And despite some natural predators we have yet to have a caterpillar grow to any great size.
We have been reaping the rewards of gardening though. Lettuce, Rocket, Basil, Radishes and strawberries. The tomatoes went in so late they are only just starting to get big let alone ripen. And the capsicum got so over run by the lettuce they got lost and so are still very small. The Spring onions and carrots from the seed tapes are just starting to happen now.
Will especially loves popping out to grab a red ripe strawberry every so often though.
♥Saturday, January 30, 2010
So much to say....
I have 101 stories to tell and so many photos to share 2010 has started out on a real high, we've really been flying and I've got the video to prove it! (Make sure you check out the rotors- freaky huh??)
Do you like my new header? I took the photo myself. :-)
More soon I promise!
♥
Do you like my new header? I took the photo myself. :-)
More soon I promise!♥
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Good Food
Been meaning to post these pics for a while now. Holidays and summer make for great meals....
Steak with Chunky Kumara and Potato Chips, Fresh Asparagus and onions and mushrooms cooked on the BBQ.
More Steak BBQ's with Garlic and Mushrooms, the same chunky chips and a GREAT 'Les'Green Salad with Cashews, Blue Cheese, Avocado drizzled with balsamic vinegarette and Puhoi Cheese Factory curry dressing.
Um..... YUM!
♥
Bagels with cream cheese, Bacon and Poached Eggs with Hollandaise Sauce.
Steak with Chunky Kumara and Potato Chips, Fresh Asparagus and onions and mushrooms cooked on the BBQ.
More Steak BBQ's with Garlic and Mushrooms, the same chunky chips and a GREAT 'Les'Green Salad with Cashews, Blue Cheese, Avocado drizzled with balsamic vinegarette and Puhoi Cheese Factory curry dressing.
Um..... YUM!
♥
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
You Need To Know!
Pie's are BIG in our house.
At one time Pies were so big that I thought I might explode if I heard; "I like Pie" (a la flight of the conchords) one more time. So I banned the word Pie and for a long time after Pie's were known as 'Tasty Pastry Dishes'.
Kieran likes to sing "I'm too full for broccoli, but I still have room for some Pie"
Today may be Friday but tomorrow (according to my little brothers Simpsons calendar) is Pie Day.
We are ready.
We have 28 pies in our house. 6 different brands and something like 13 different flavours.
It's going to be a pie-rific pie-o-rama.
At one time Pies were so big that I thought I might explode if I heard; "I like Pie" (a la flight of the conchords) one more time. So I banned the word Pie and for a long time after Pie's were known as 'Tasty Pastry Dishes'.
Kieran likes to sing "I'm too full for broccoli, but I still have room for some Pie"
Today may be Friday but tomorrow (according to my little brothers Simpsons calendar) is Pie Day.
We are ready.
We have 28 pies in our house. 6 different brands and something like 13 different flavours.
It's going to be a pie-rific pie-o-rama.
♥
Fruit Salad Yummy, Yummy!
The best thing about summer......
Kiwifruit, Strawberries, Blueberries,
Nectarines, Peaches, Apricots
Mangoes, Oranges, Plums, Grapes
Cherries, Pineapple and a sprinkling of Raspberries when served.
Douse it in fruit juice and enjoy.
Fresh Fruit!
Kiwifruit, Strawberries, Blueberries,
Nectarines, Peaches, Apricots
Mangoes, Oranges, Plums, Grapes
Cherries, Pineapple and a sprinkling of Raspberries when served.
Douse it in fruit juice and enjoy.
♥
Thursday, January 21, 2010
This years Roses
It's a little known fact that I take too many photos of the roses in our garden. But why the heck wouldn't I when they look so good??!!
♥
♥Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Some things are harder and easier than you may expect.
For the first time in two years and one month on Monday Les and I slept together, alone. When I say alone I mean it was just the two of us in the bedroom.
Will has shared a room with one or both of us since his very beginning. I thought that he would find it quite hard to make the transition to sharing with Merenia. I expected there to be, as they say, tears before bedtime, and in fact tears after bedtime as well. But in fact there were none at all. He went down calmly and happily as his sister watched on from her top bunk perch. The next morning, as is his custom, he woke too early and Merenia did as instructed; “It’s still sleeping time Will go back to sleep buddy.” And he did. There were no tears or drama when he eventually awoke again. He did not miss his morning drink and all was well in his 25 month old world. I’m not sure if I should feel elated or in fact offended.
I had thought that for us it would be nothing but sweet relief, but it wasn’t nearly as easy as that. Having Will next to us has never really had much of a downside- he sleeps through most of our noises and if we wanted to we probably could have turned on lights and telly while he slept with no hassles. The upside was that we had a bunch of routines that we will now miss dearly. The quiet moments when we kissed him good night, put on his music (“Pop goes the Eagle”), wished him a good sleep and reminded him that we’d be there in the morning for a cuddle, a booby and then a death roll. (When Will is done with his first of the morning snack he’ll turn his attention to Les getting his head as close as physically possible to Les’ face and then roll, crocodile-with-prey-like, 3 or so times till he is sufficiently comfortable). This routine has on many occasions provided us with the luxury of one sometimes two or more hours extra sleep past Will’s personal 6:30am alarm.
Sharing with Will has also meant that many a time I have heard him talk in his sleep about all sorts of things from playing outside to Daddy and Kieran and on one particularly fraught occasions some issue with the Playstation. He has also laughed, giggled, snuffled and even clapped in his sleep.
He is not at all a tidy or quiet sleeper. Never staying for long under his blankets and forgoing the convention of sleeping with his head at any particular end of the bed around the time he was strong enough to wriggle his cute little body to all points in the cot. He often kicks, thumps and crashes around like a pro-wrestler in the ring and the absence of this noise is practically audible above the din from the other side of the bed. But perhaps the thing I miss most is the fact his head was often right beside mine and on coming to bed I would reach through the bars of the cot stoke his invariably sweaty head and hold his little warm and clammy hand until I nodded off or he rolled over.
♥
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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