Friendship!

One of the things Saraya really struggled with while we were homeschooling was a lack of little girls to play with and share life with. Most of the homeschooling families in our area have lots of little boys! And of course she has two younger brothers.

For Saraya, one of the best things about going to school this year has been making friends. She is a fairly shy little girl who certainly loves to bury her head in a book (and tells me she still visits the library to read quite often at lunch times), but she has connected with several like-minded little ladies who love to have fun and enjoy somewhat grown up, thoughtful conversation. :) Saraya's beautiful friend Suliana is one of them!

Last night Suliana came for a sleepover and the girls sat up to watch "A Little Princess", one of Saraya's favourite movies. I love it because the main character Sarah is such a model of courage and kindness, despite all she has to endure throughout the story. Then there were lots of games of hide and seek, drawing, reading and general girly giggling. They had a great time!

I'm so grateful for friendships, both for myself and my children.

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Thanks to those who have already commented on this post. Please, if you ever drop in and read my blog, if you are a long-term follower or a brand new reader, I want to hear from you! It's a chance for me to discover who is out there, and for you to let me know what you enjoy reading here or have always wanted to know! :)

Creative Opportunities for Elijah

Elijah Samuel is such a dynamic, creative little guy. No matter where he is..... playground, bathroom, dining table eating dinner..... he is bopping and grooving. He just has music in his veins, and he's seriously been like that since birth! He is still tiny for his age and I think of him as my little pocket rocket. ;)

He is studying jazz dancing this year in the best dance school in town. His teacher is amazing, very strict and expects a lot from the children - but they rise to meet the challenge. And he is loving it. A lady who came over recently asked Elijah "So what are you into Elijah? What do you enjoy?" His answer was "Dancing, suits and top hats". !

Recently at Prep, the two classes combined to perform a story dance to Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Woah. Amazing stuff. It's worth seeing this for the costumes alone! I'm hoping a recording will be online at some stage so I can share it with you. The kids were divided into four groups - Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Elijah is part of Summer - he is the "Storm Master" who rises majestically out of a painted cardboard box, and brings thunder and lightning to the stage. His facial expressions were priceless! This is him in only part of his costume.

And with the little girl who played the bee in Spring. :) She too is a little dancer and they are great friends! So nice to see my boy coming out of himself more at Prep, happy to just be who he is and to have opportunities to grow and perform in the area he loves.

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Thanks to those who have already commented on this post. Please, if you ever drop in and read my blog, if you are a long-term follower or a brand new reader, I want to hear from you! It's a chance for me to discover who is out there, and for you to let me know what you enjoy reading here or have always wanted to know! :)

Happy Children

It's what we all strive for, isn't it? Happy children? A peaceful home? Laughter? Contentment?

I am blessed to tell you that I have happy children this week. And lots of laughter, contentment, and a peaceful home to boot!

I can assure you it isn't always the case, but right now, things are beautiful. My little bubbly wonder is playing and growing and being adorable. His two-year-old chubby cuddles are my delight. My middle boy has found joy in Prep! He was awarded 'Student of the Week' this week for exceptional behaviour and helpfulness in his classroom. He thanks me all the time for letting him go to school! And my big girl is just so settled at the moment. She is calm, and helpful, and happy. She reached the big '10 sticker' mark in her sticker book at school yesterday, and chose a blueberry scented eraser to bring home. :) She was thrilled! She too adds to her prayers most nights "thank you for school".

Thanking God for happy children and His incredible blessings over us this week.

Some Books to Share

I recently finished reading my novel from under the Christmas Tree, "The Distant Hours" by Australian author Kate Morton.

"I've lived in this book for the last three days. Every time I've put it down, I've done so with regret; regret that I couldn't read more, regret that the world I'm living in is not the world portrayed in the book. This story appealed to me on so many levels, from taking influences from books such as Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Wuthering Heights to providing drama on such a perfectly, laid out scale.

..and honestly, how can you go wrong with a story centered around a crazy old man and his daughters, with quirky names suchas Persephone, Seraphina and Juniper?

I've struggled with how to write this review and not reveal anything - and it is a struggle because all I want to do is talk about the story. This was not a light, comfort read - but I don't turn to Kate Morton for that sort of read. I picked this tome up.. (and at nearly 700 pages, it's a doozy) expecting an interesting book with well-developed characters. What I got was the following:

- Well developed characters, I particularly loved the evolving relationship between one of the main characters, Edie, and her parents.

- A perfect setting. Morton did a beautiful job of describing the castle - decaying it was.. and I could practically smell the mold, hear the leaves crunching and see the bathing pool as she describes it.

- A haunting mystery. I actually was disappointed about halfway through the book because I knew I had it all figured out. Did I? Well... you tell me once you've read the book.. did YOU?

- The "Chill Factor". I got chills so many times while reading this book I lost count. Also, I didn't sleep the first night with my light off after reading the opening of the book. I get spooked easily.. and this book qualifies as "spooky" - much like Jane Eyre does.

The Distant Hours is, simply put, fantastic. One of the best books I've read this year and my battered ARC can testify to how much handling it has had over the past few days. I liked Kate Morton after The Forgotten Garden, but The Distant Hours has made me a firm fan and I can't wait to see what she writes next."by Lydia Presley

I found this review and thought I would include it as it sums up exactly how I feel about this wonderful book. It's a big read - it took me a full month to get through it - but it is worth every page. "The Forgotten Garden" is still my favourite of Kate's novels, but this one comes close. ;) And any nearby friends are welcome to borrow my copy if you like!______________________________________
Saraya too had a great month of reading in January. I admit I was a little concerned her reading would slow down once she started attending school, but to my relief it hasn't. Her teacher includes a half hour of quiet independent reading time every afternoon at school, so she gets a good few chapters in then. :) And once home, it isn't long before she has a book in her hands again. In bed at night she gets another half hour to read, and she often reads in bed before rising for the day as well. Plenty of time!
People ask me all the time for book recommendations for their similarly aged children (you guys all know I'm pretty picky!), so I'll share the list of books Saraya read last month. Sorry I didn't include all the authors in my list - just google them or check your local library if you want to track them down.
The Boxcar Children books, numbers 10 and 11
Susan Leads the Way
Ten Girls Who Made History (which she read twice, she loved it! - a great non-fiction book)
Stories For You by Enid Blyton (again, she read this twice)
Stories to Remember (a book of short stories, would be great for boys too)
Raggedy Ann and Andy Treasury
Mary Poppins
The Careless Astronaut (another book of short stories)
Dream Team Mission 1 : Flying Solo
The Adventures of Pip by Enid Blyton
The Thief in the Library
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Understood Betsy (excellent, though very tiny font!)
The Adventures of Pinnochio
Laura Ingalls Christmas Stories
The Enchanted Wood by E Blyton
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (contemporary fiction, amazing book, I had to read it myself it looked SO interesting - it's the journey of a china rabbit)
The Book of Fairies by E Blyton
Tomboy Terry
Children of Cherry Tree Farm by E Blyton
More Adventures on Willow Farm by E Blyton
A doozy of a list, I know!! As you can see, she went on an Enid Blyton spree this month. ;) We found a few in the library she hadn't read, as well as a couple in a second hand book store.
Saraya is doing much better settling at school in the mornings - I am leaving her with her Papa in the morning as he works there in Prep, and he walks her over to her classroom - and she has discovered the School Library. More Enid Blyton than you can poke a stick at!! So that has made her very happy. Her reading level was ascertained last week, and she's on Level 30, the highest level possible (which hasn't exactly surprised me) - but the great thing is this means she gets to chose a lot of her own reading material, and her teacher is really encouraging this aspect of her education.
I'm happy this week. :) We are madly rehearsing and learning lines around here, and there are books and smiling children.......... and well, it's a happy home.
Blessings friends!

Adjustments

It has been a week of adjustments in our little house.

Saraya and William have both been distressed when I have left them this week.

Their tears break my heart.

Then just when I wonder if things will get easier, miracles happen.

Teachers understand. Children smile. Friends are made. Afternoons spent at the park hanging upside down on swings bring laughter. Cuddles at night time. Reassuring words shared.

Motherhood is a journey not for the faint hearted, that's for sure. :)

So, we go on. We are all adjusting to the changes, and considering how numerous they are, we are doing well. God is amazing.

First Day of School 2011

Saraya

She is delighted with school! She adores her teacher, and has already made a couple of friends. She got to do craft and other fun activities ("we are having a whole week of that Mama!"), ate all her lunch, got to read her own book from home during their afternoon "rest time" (big floor cushions and everything, hooray!), then finished her book after a celebratory afternoon tea once we got home. Fruit cake, watermelon and strawberries. We chatted in bed tonight about why boys are often silly about girls. I imagine this won't be the last time we talk about this! Anyway, she's gone to sleep one happy girl. :)

Elijah

Elijah surprised me this morning by being up at 6:15am, and standing by the door, fully clothed, all chores done, backpack on his back, by 6:45am! It was a long wait for him until it was time to go. :) He enjoyed his first day, popping his bag in his locker, sitting on the carpet with Mr Fern and all the kids and getting stuck into some play. He says he didn't talk to any other children, so I'm praying he will make some friends soon. He's such a quiet little boy, but I think school will ease him out of his shell a little more. His favourite time of the day today was Music Class. :)

William

Today was the first day ever that William and I have spent alone together. He enjoyed playing at Prep this morning, but was happy enough to head off with me into town. We went to his swimming lesson, dropped some forms off at his kindy (and had a little visit!), delivered some mail, picked up a second pair of school shorts for Saraya, had sandwiches at a cafe in town, did the grocery shopping and came home. We barely had time to unpack and hang some washing before heading out to pick the kids up!! Tomorrow will be quieter. :) He is delightful company and I know we will treasure this time together.

Thanks so much to you all for your encouragement and support during this time of change. It's been challenging, that's for sure. None of our children have ever been to child care, day care, kindergarten, preschool, or Prep before. Saraya did a year of grade 1 and a term of grade 2, but that is all we've encountered before in the way of out of home care.

One of the big upsides for me is that Thursdays and Fridays (Will's kindy days) will be my first real break from full time mothering in 8 and a half years.

I must admit, I'm excited!

Thankful For This Man

Today, as we simply spent time together at home and at the park, I marvelled at how much I truly love my husband.

He is such a devoted and kind man.

He always makes time for little William, even when he is being his most demanding self. "Play with me Papa!"

And he is so much fun to be around!

All the best to all the little ones (and their Mama's) who are going off to school tomorrow. Mine are asleep early, good food in their bellies, uniforms laid out ready. May tomorrow be filled with wonder, excitement, and new beginnings.

Thank You

Thank you all for your encouraging thoughts this past week. I have savoured and appreciated every single word. :)

We are having a happy weekend. A little singing lesson for both Stuart and I with our Music Man vocal coach this morning, then an afternoon spent in play and relaxation, a bit of exercise here and there, and a movie night tonight with our little princess. We watched The Little Princess! Such a story of imagination, of courage and bravery, of determination. Saraya was inspired. :)

We had a delightful afternoon at the children's school yesterday. The school invited all the students to come and meet their teachers, pop their books into their desks (all that covering and labelling is finally at an end, hoorah!), and just hang out for a little while with one another. Saraya met her new teacher and already adores her. She is kind, gentle, softly spoken, interested, enthusiastic about teaching, calm......... everything I could have hoped for. Saraya's class just happens to have 16 girls and only 7 boys, so she is sure she will find a few kindred spirit friends among all those girls! Elijah and William played in the Prep room with lots of Preppies and the dashing Prep teacher ;) (for new readers, he is my husband.) Elijah is still feeling a little overwhelmed, but I trust that once the year gets under way and routines established, friendships formed, new things learned (he is just dying to read!), he will be happier.

My babies are growing up. I am going to be brave and begin to release them a little. I will pray, and watch, and listen, and be there for them every single day in all the ways I can. I am accepting this new season.

It's a wonderful life.

My Life Now

Sorry I've been a slack blogger lately. Life has been very full of wonderful summer holiday things! With the flood seemingly over and behind us, lots of other things have been keeping us busy.

We've had trips to the pool and the water park and the indoor playcentre, we've been school shoe shopping and school book covering, pencil labelling, etc. - and I even had a spontaneous trip by train last weekend for my little brother's engagement party! We are meant to be travelling to the city again next weekend to see the musical Wicked, but it may be cancelled due to the recent flooding. We know up until the Friday night performance is cancelled - but Saturday is still yet to be announced. I'm not giving up hope yet!

The children start school next week so we've been talking lots about that, praying, preparing, etc. I think we're all feeling a combination of excitement and nerves.

But mostly my life right now has been full of this:

Remember this post? Well, Marian is slowing entering my subconscious as I learn all my lines and music and try to get my head fully around this rather complex character!

Our first rehearsal was on Monday night. The whole cast was together for the first time and we worked on a chorus number. I'm not in many of the chorus scenes, so won't be required Monday nights again for the next few weeks. Wednesday nights are Principal rehearsals (SO excited for tonight!), and Saturday mornings are purely singing with our vocal coach for the show. I've had to shift three of my own piano students to lesson times through the week. Life is certainly going to be full for awhile. Once we get into February and March, rehearsals will be Monday and Wednesday nights, plus Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Final couple of weeks before we open we need to be available to go in every night of the week. Eeek! With no family in town, this is an enormous challenge for me. Thankfully Stuart and I can tag-team quite a bit as we're mostly in different scenes - but once we start doing full runs of the show, our wonderful babysitter Hayley and a couple of special friends will be caring for our little ones at night time. It will be a whole team effort! :)

I am so excited about this opportunity, and am going to be working very hard to ensure life stays as calm and smooth for the children as possible for the next 8 weeks........ until it's all over. Theatre is my passion, and it's so good for my spirit to be working on a project like this one. While the children are at school, William and I will be busy keeping all the cogs of home life turning. :) And he will be in care two days a week in a fantastic day care centre here in town. He is calling it "Kindy" and is beyond excited about going! We went to visit last week and I just feel a huge sense of peace about it. I will use that time for piano teaching (I've got three, maybe four students to fit in on weekday afternoons), housework, cooking, appointments, shopping, singing practice, exercise, etc etc. And maybe a bit of rest here and there. ;)

Last year was quite a harrowing year in many ways. Health problems were the main concern. Then there were issues within our family - things that just weren't working well. We are all feeling quietly hopeful that 2011 will be a year of balance for all of us. Balance for good physical and mental health, balance of work and play and rest. Balance of time at home and time 'out in the world'. :) Time to read and time to delve into scripture, intentional time for prayer and spiritual growth. I just want to draw closer to my Saviour this year and trust and rely on Him more than ever before.

Wishing you all a balanced, happy and healthy year too my friends! Oh, and thank you for listening to my rambles.

Trying Contract Sheets

With one more term of homeschooling to go before summer break, I am trying something new with Saraya. I am writing her a Contract Sheet full of activities, and giving her five days in which to complete them. It will be very interesting to see how she spaces her work. :) I am hoping this will be a less stressful way of schooling her for the remainder of the year. It gives her a little more control over what she does when, whilst still complying with the work I set her. With all my sickness lately I just don't have the stamina / endurance / patience I have always had - and it's very frustrating! I'm booked in to see the cardiologist in the city on the 14th October, and am hoping and praying for answers and treatment options there. I am feeling okay today, but still not usual self.

Here is Saraya's Contract for this week (only 3 days to complete these as it's already Wednesday)...

And what do you think she chose to do first??

Yep, that's right. Bake the cake. :) Thankfully this is a recipe she can do independently!

Saraya seems pretty enthusiastic about this idea, and I am too. Of course these activities are only part of how time gets filled around here.... there is copious amounts of independent reading going on, as well as creative play and art and craft and outdoor play and trips to town. Right now all three kids have built a house on our trampoline, complete with a sheet for a roof and our little plastic table and chair set to eat at! They've taken their pillows out as well. For Elijah, we are starting "Teaching Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" this week. Just gently and quietly together, to help him cement his letters and sounds before starting Prep next year. He enjoys the cuddles and one on one time with me.

My new-look school day!

Okay, life is seriously going to be different around home during the school days from now on.

Starting this morning, Saraya is catching the bus to and from school which means no more school drop off and no more school pick up.  This is HUGE!!!!  

First, let me explain that the bus is only a 12-seater (more like a large van), with about 10 students from Saraya's school, and only from the junior school. Second, it picks her up and drops her off right at our front gate.  Third, the driver is the school chaplain, also known as a member of our church and a good family friend.  Forth, it costs approximately the same amount as we're currently spending on petrol doing the drive out to school and back twice a day.  Brilliant!!

Saraya is so excited about this little bit of independence (as if she needs more- isn't going to school enough in itself?), and she couldn't wait to try it out this morning.  THis makes me very happy.  It also makes life SO much easier for me.  Of course, I've never minded doing the drive- it comes with the job description of motherhood!  And I will miss seeing my friends out there too...... but that can be fixed with a phone call in the day or a visit.  Elijah is thrilled because it gives him more independent playtime, plus playtime with me, plus he doesn't need to sit in his carseat for half an hour or so each day.  William will finally be able to sleep when he wants to.... this morning he went down happily (he is loving his cot and self-settling so well, hooray!) and slept for 1 1/2 hours.  Generally he times his sleeps for mid-morning and mid-afternoon, right when we're normally driving and hopping in/ out of the car. This has always been tricky.

And I am happy because they're all happy.  And because it's less going in-and-out of the house- something I never enjoy!  Also, including the driving, parking, walking in, chatting, etc. etc. I'll be saving nearly 2 hours a day which means a slower, more calm life in general.  The boys and I still have the car sitting there and can plan to have outings/ do jobs in town or whatever, when it suits us all to do so.  Oh boy, am I excited!

I wanted to attach a photo of Saraya getting onto the bus with her beaming smile this morning, but someone has borrowed my camera (hmmmm, Stuart, I need it back!  can't blog without photos.....)  I'll try to take one tomorrow.

It will be quite surreal to have her arrive home this afternoon and to be able to have afternoon tea made and set out on the table, all ready to go.  I'm hoping it will be a blessing to her to be able to come home to a happy house that's just bursting to see her after her long day (not that the bus adds much more time- only 20 minutes in the morning).  I found this quote yesterday and loved it:

"It was the policy of the good old gentleman to make his children feel that home was the happiest place in the world;

and I value this delicious home-feeling as one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow."  

Washington Irving

I pray I can bestow this gift to each of my children, as they go off into the world, and come home again to safety and comfort, peace and belonging.

One proud Mamma!

1 Corinthians 1:30-31  "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord".

Well, today I'm boasting in the Lord.  I'm feeling ever so thankful for the beautiful girl that is Saraya!!

Here is some photos I took on Tuesday, her first day of Year 2.  Isn't she gorgeous?  (oh, and Elijah too :))  I did a little photo shoot in front of our lavender bushes, which is the same spot we used last year on the first day of school- and I may just make a tradition of it!  Saraya is settling in really well this week.  She is loving Mr Bentley as a teacher and comes home each day with something new to rave about.........  "Mr Bentley says we can take a toy to school the whole first week!" (hence Kahn is in these pictures, yes he went along too ;)), "Mr Bentley keeps music playing in the classroom- it's lovely",  "Mr Bentley says we can take off our shoes and just wear our socks while we do our work!",  and "We don't have any homework this whole week!".   So it goes on.  I'm just happy she's so happy!   She's seated right near two of her good friends, and aside from wanting me to walk her in each morning and stay for a few minutes, she's settling in so well.

Then there's Wizard of Oz.  She's had two rehearsals so far, and is LOVING it!!!!!  Some nights she cries (real tears) because it's "so long" until the next rehearsal!  Oh, dear- I remember doing the same as a little girl. :)  Yes, she does take after me in that regard.  Yesterday I sat in the audience of the theatre with Elijah and Will, and watched this cute little girl with curly blonde hair flying, thinking "I can't believe that's really MY girl!!!"  I am so proud of her!  She is overcoming the obstacle of shyness in a way I admire and respect.  She is now not only thinking "I really want to give that a try", but she's thinking it then going for it.  Ahhhh.  Then comes the sweet bliss of realising that truly, "I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!"  Saraya is loving this verse this week, as am I.

Go Saraya!!!  I love watching you grow, and I'm so glad to be your Mamma!

Hoilday "school" & a new dress

I thought I'd share photos of Saraya's new dress.  I bought this one off Ebay and managed to wrap it small enough to fit inside her Christmas stocking. :)  It's very Victorian.  I absolutely love it.  We have a friend getting married this year, so at least one of us has a wedding outfit sorted!

I just love the back!!

Well, with the holidays winding down and Stuart spending a lot of time either at Wizard of Oz rehearsals or out at school getting ready for the new term......... the kids and I are together, looking for new projects to work on.  We've been busy in the garden (more on that later in the week!), and finding things to do inside through the heat of the day too.

Yesterday Saraya found one of her unfinished workbooks from Year 1 and decided to do some work in it.  Elijah was given a Preschool workbook for Christmas from his Aunty, so he was up at the table working away too.

Later in the day they both played with the playdough we had made together that morning.  A batch of blue and a batch of pink....... and well, for sure we'll wind up with a batch of purple. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Our little star, with the junior choir last week on Awards Night.