Familienzeit

(Family time)

We had a wonderful day yesterday, the Adelaide Cup Day holiday. With C working 6 days/week, and us needing to spend time on the seventh day seeing family, and working around the house, we find it difficult to allocate time to spend together as a foursome. Yesterday, though, we trekked to Hahndorf to explore, eat and just spend some quality familienzeit.

First things first, we stopped at the German Cake Shop to fill hungry tummies



We then went for a walk up and down the main street





calling into the Taste of Hahndorf shop (I don't like the meats, but C and Josh looooove them), and stopping at the Fairy Village for a fairy hunt in the garden



and a wish in the wishing well.



Finally, what trip to Hahndorf would be complete without a visit to





Then we headed happily home, with two sleeping boys in the back seat and some rare peace and quiet.

The week that was... goodbye summer

We've come to the end of a season, and the beginning of another. I love summer, and like autumn, but I am so not looking forward to winter.

We've had a lovely week, been quite busy but with enough down time to keep us all sane. C was away for the majority of the working week, so it was just me and the boys. We managed better than I thought we might, although Josh missed his daddy fiercely.

Friday a brief moment of sibling camaraderie



Saturday recreating one of my favourite childhood memories





Sunday visiting the local duckpond





Monday playing chasey



Tuesday helping to pot some plants



Wednesday playing tea party



Thursday playground trip - Pirates ahoy!



Next week brings the beginning of autumnal weather, and (if you believe the forecasters!) RAIN!

The week that was... beautiful sunshine

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...
John Denver

What a week of beautiful weather. We've done a lot less on the organised acitivites front, and a lot more dabbling, and digging, and running, and playing outside. It's been lovely - sunshiny, warm (not hot!) weather always puts everyone in this house in a cheery mood.

Friday early morning out in the garden, watering and weeding



Saturday family playground trip





Sunday a trip to C's brother's to meet their new Dorper sheep - two ewes, two lambs and a ram - who have joined the alpacas.



Monday and Tuesday we spent the majority of these days playing outside





Wednesday we met some friends at a playground





Thursday paddling pool fun



In other news this week, check out the herb garden!



We're also trialling growing a butternut pumpkin in a big pot so will have to see if we have any luck. Fingers crossed!

The week that was...fun, frolicking and laughter

Sorry, these posts seem to be getting later and later! Will try to improve on that next week.

Friday Riley and I had to pick a gift certificate up from Windy Point - the view up there is amazing



Saturday trains with Daddy on the floor



Sunday (Valentine's Day if you go in for it!) C and I went to a wedding



Monday Josh went to the playground with C for some Daddy-son time while lucky Riley got to stay home and help me with chores - is it scary that he already loads clothes into and out of the washing machine?





Tuesday Josh drew a picture of his great grandma (Greatyma) and wanted to send it to her, so we did the envelope and stamp thing and popped it in the post



Tuesday not a photo... but a shameless mummy brag :) Riley performing his latest trick




Wednesday we made a zoo with a set of wooden animals we borrowed from the toy library



Thursday the boys had a tonne of fun (and made a lot of mess!) fingerpainting with home made gloop



A fun, laid-back, happy week. The best kind.

The week that was... a quiet one

We've had a quiet week, with not a lot going on, mostly because Riley's been ill with a cold. It's been nice to spend lots of time chilling at home especially with the sleep deprivation that comes with a sick little man!

Friday love this picture



Saturday we went to our local primary school for a play on the equipment. I discovered that Riley can climb half a dozen steps without a worry. Unfortunately he tries to go down face first - have to work on that!







Sunday we went to visit C's brother and our SIL, who live on an acreage with alpacas and soon to be sheep also. Josh loves the quad bike.





Monday we did some drawing




(the bottom one is Josh's drawing of 'toast man')

Tuesday with the biggest zucchini I've ever seen



Josh and I made some zucchini slice (I also used it in 2 casseroles, a risotto and cooked and froze some for Riley!)



Wednesday we went to the toy library and borrowed some new toys - great resource for a mum who isn't organised enough to rotate toys!



Thursday Josh is learning to dress himself. Apparently this is not uncomfortable in the slightest.



Hope your week was pleasant, and not too hot.

The week that was... the days get longer

Well, not really longer - but they feel it! Josh has just given up his day sleep and the time between C going to work and coming home again feels like it's been extended by two hours. I'm coping a lot better than I thought I would though.

Friday Riley and I spent some time reading and looking at books. I often feel guilty that I haven't made the time to read to Riley as much as I did to Josh at the same age, and often the books he does hear are Josh's, rather than baby-appropriate. He loves the 'That's not my...' series though.



Saturday we covered the lounge room floor in puzzles





Sunday some Daddy/son time on the floor on Daddy's one day off for the week


(excuse the dress ups and toys all over the floor!)

Monday we played dress-ups, and from there graduated to playing pirates, which meant a lot of treasure 'burying' and hunting - until Riley stole all the treasure! Josh loves hiding/seeking games at the moment, be it the traditional hide and seek in the backyard or hunting for something hidden indoors.





Tuesday some relief from the heat and humidity



Wednesday we met some good friends at the local playcentre for coffees, babychinos and a play





and in the afternoon, Josh painted some pasta (and ate plenty too!) and we strung it together to make a necklace





Thursday everyone was a little tired and cranky. We sat down together and attempted an amicable game of skittles... we were somewhat successful.





In other news this week, Riley has decided that being spoon fed is for babies, of which he's obviously not one (according to him...). This means that the following is what he now looks like after every meal.



Next week will bring some cooking, as we attempt to use up the biggest zucchini I have ever seen. Pics to come!