Wow!

What an amazing reception I've had regarding the shopping. Thanks so much for sharing all your great ideas! They are all so different and varied but all helpful in varying ways.

I've been thinking lots about it, have spoken to Stu about what he thinks will best suit our family at this time, and I've decided to stick with Woolies and the markets. I'll be shopping on Monday evenings, straight after dinner- and taking Saraya with me. Today was the test drive. The children and I sat down this afternoon and they helped me plan the meals for the coming week. We then looked at a few recipes and put together a shopping list. And my sweet helper tonight was in her element- all Mama's attention, out at night time, chatting her little heart out. :) It was good, good time with her. We talked about many things, naturally and incidentally covering such topics as buying in bulk, comparing products in dollars per kilogram, aisle contents, brand comparison, organic foods, what brand of yoghurt we buy and why (Janla, by the way), etc. etc. AND she wanted to help me bring it all in and unpack it when we got home. Which was by 7:30pm. She was in bed and asleep by 8pm. And Stu put the boys to bed (a nice time for them too, apparently), and cleaned up from dinner. All in all? I think it's going to work beautifullly! The shops were quiet, the children were involved (though the littler ones didn't have to come), it didn't eat into our daytime routine or William's nap time, and I had help with the unpacking.

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This past weekend was great. Friday had been a long, emotional and tiring day for me- I sang at a funeral for a man from our church who we were quite close to; Stu was unable to come so I was there with all 3 children on my own which had some challenges. Thankfully my beautiful friend Desiree (my dance teacher extraordinaire) cared for Will while I sang and generally just helped me out when I needed it. A sad morning.

So when Stuart took the children out for 4 hours on Saturday, doing wonderfully fun things including shopping for new shoes for Will (that boy is growing fast!), pine-cone collecting for the fireplace, lunch in town, a big run and some "fun maths" at Woocoo (the wildlife reserve just out of town)... I was SO happy. :) I cleaned the house from top to bottom (now a Saturday job, just trialing that change), did a few loads of washing, had a nap, read, planned, gardened and pondered. Wonderful.

I am grateful to have such a dedicated husband and father to our children. He has also been getting more involved in the homeschooling which I really appreciate..... hence the "fun maths" after some tears from Saraya during the week over her math work! He's stepping in more which is good for all of us. So good.

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Today we have launched into a new week, and with it some basic changes to our routines. I can't believe how much I learnt during last week about what works and what doesn't! When we're a bit more settled into it, I'll post more about that. Day one Week two went smoothly. :)

Yesterday Stuart did a few things in the yard, including weeding what we affectionately term our "roof garden" (in other words, cleaning out the gutters.....) and cutting back the offending trees overhanging them. This pile of branches was the result, and Stu hauled them all into the middle of the yard for a temporary tree cubby for the children. They had a great time in it today!

I hope everyone's had a nice Monday.

Thanks again for your responses to my last post, I really appreciate it.

Our morning

Our morning thus far.....

I have fed, washed and dressed myself and the children, and fed the chickens.  Made beds, brushed 3 lots of hair and 4 lots of teeth. :)  Tidied up a bit.  Put on a load of washing.

I have read a few stories to Elijah and worked on handwriting and subtraction with Saraya.  We have played with William, and the two older children have also played with a big tub of split peas (works like sand, just cleaner!) and little animals and cars/diggers.

Right now everyone's eating apples and sultanas and watching a program about growing / harvesting / using apples!  After this is a great music program which the children love........ we'll follow this up by playing a few music games and singing some action songs / playing instruments, then onto some more housework and reading before lunch.  Geography this afternoon. :)

Sorry this isn't really very interesting.... I just felt like writing something ........ I get like this sometimes!!  Oooo, I need to say that dance class was SO great last night - I am finally feeling like I am 'getting' the choreography after 5 weeks of work!  After working through the dance a few times we did it full fledge with the music just before we came home- and I can only describe it as an adrenelin rush!!!!  I got it!!  I did it!!!  I LOVED it, and came home on such a high!

Back to reality today. :)  I still have the 'dance energy' running through me though- very helpful! And so nice to have a little break and some couple time doing something we are learning to love, every Wednesday.  

I have loved reading through everyone's comments on my last post. :)  Don't forget to add your bit if you haven't already!

Hope everyone's having a great day!

A day in my life - April.

Well, I missed the 14th yet again yesterday- but I'm doing it a day late rather than missing another month of day-logging!

My Day - Wednesday 15th April 2009

5:50am - Got up with a bright-eyed William.  Fed him his bottle by lamplight while reading my book (yes, it's still dark at that time!).  Checked for a Stellan update. :)

Got the washing out of the dryer, searched for some clean clothes for Will.  Changed his nappy and dressed him.  Got dressed myself and did my hair etc.

7am- Other children awake and straight into a game in their room!  Went and said good morning.  Made everyone fruit toast and milos for breakfast- a treat :)  

7:30- Ate my breakfast while feeding William grapes and toast.

Cleaned up, washed dishes etc.  Gave the living areas a quick vacuum with my new "stand on the stand to recharge cordless vacuum" love gift from Mum; it is SO handy and keeps the floors presentable until housework day!

Watched the kids play and chatted to Stu who was awake by now ;) while he ate breakfast.  

Made the beds and did the kids teeth and hair.

Loaded the dryer with more washing (yes, rain still hanging around).  Heard someone across the street playing the piano, got inspired to play, and asked Saraya to "mummy" William for me for 10 minutes so I could play!  She obliged nicely and I so enjoyed that time.

9:15am - Put on ABCKids for the children, and they watched while munching apples.

Stu and I talked and ended up some deep discussions.......... which I won't go into.  Ups and downs, but we're up again tonight which is good!

Put William down for a nap 10am.  Got the children ready to go out with Stuart (Eli to prep with Stu to do some work, Saraya to be dropped off for a play with Chloe), talked on the phone with a friend, put the chickens (who had go out somehow) away again.  

10:30 - said goodbye to everyone, sat down to read my book for a bit.

10:45- William up and hungry!  Why does he have short naps when I'd love him to have long ones, and vica versa?????! Gave him his bottle then shared some watermelon and crackers at the table together.  Had a read while we were eating. :)

Took William outside for a play.  Phoned a friend and talked for quite awhile while Will played.  Stu rang.

12:30 - Played inside with William, our new "walking game" (have you watched the video below? he is now very officially a walker!).  Checked a few blogs.

1pm - Went outside again.  Very quiet here without the older 2 chilren!  Got the washing off the line (which had been there for nearly a week what with all this crazy rain) and folded it.  Mum rang, and well- we talked for a long time while Will played, got incredibly dirty, and I took him in and bathed him while Mum and I still chatted. :)  Very nice!

2pm - realised we had missed lunch; ate some yoghurt and a mandarin.

2:30 - gave WIlliam a bottle and yes, read again. :)  Put Will to bed.  Friend Cathy rang, talkd to her while I lay on my bed.  Then Stu rang.  Will woke up.

3:15 - Played with William then set him up with some containers on the kitchen floor, I washed the dishes.  Let the chickens out to free range.

3:45 - Everyone home!!  William VERY happy. :)

4pm - Our real estate agent arrived.  Yes, we are 'toying' with the idea of moving house and wanted to discuss some things with him.  Let's just say the last couple of years have been difficult, and maybe a fresh start in a new home would be a good thing?  Still thinking/praying about this.  Set up the children with playdough and spent time with Stuart and the agent.

4:45 - Ran a bath, prepared dinner.  My friend Nina rang (I really spent a LOT of time on the phone today!).

5:15 - Left Stu to bath the children and keep an eye on the potatoes, and took William out in the stroller for a walk.  Nice.  Beautiful sunset.

5:45 - Home again, served out dinner.  Had Saraya help me.  I had made a 'sausage potato salad' with left over chopped sausages from yesterday's barbeque, it was simple but quite tasty.

6pm - We had dinner.  The children and I cleared up while Stu bathed Will.  I washed the dishes and did the kids teeth etc.

7pm- Read Saraya her chapter book while Stu read to Elijah.  Tucked Saraya in, prayed with her and sang.

7:30 - Played with William in the living room, looked through a Target catalogue, talked to Stuart.

8pm - Went out to lock up the chickens (woops) and get us icecreams from the freezer. :)  A treat for the bbq yesterday which we didn't eat, yay!

8:30 - Well, it's now 8:30 and here I am, blogging.  Stu is giving William his nightime bottle and soon I am sure he will be in bed.  Then we will drink tea, and maybe watch a movie.  Stuart's keen to, we'll see if I can keep my eyes open!

So that's it.  Not an entirely interesting day and not entirely normal as we are still on holidays.  Plus it's rare for me to be home alone with William.  

We are going to the markets in the morning and having the rest of the day at home - I think.  

Please keep praying for Stellan and click on "The Copland's Blog" on my side bar to see their beautiful new baby Isaac.  Welcome Isaac!