the best

Gently warmed by the afternoon sun, these New Zealand strawberries were perfectly ripe and delicious, straight from the field.

naked time

I've included this (naked) photo just as a bit of a marker of a big milestone of Tim's: toilet training.  It was Tim's sudden penchant for being naked whenever possible that lead him naturally and easily into using the potty.  I was (of course) very glad that we got through this process relatively painlessly.  But there it is - the real and final final end of his babyhood.  He's definitely a big little boy now.

warm day, cool drink

I'm trying to keep pace with documenting Tim's favourite drinks as we head into summer.  Recently he has most often been requesting a 'pink smoothie' (that's a smoothie made with berries and bananas).

I'm also trying to get myself (and my camera) used to the low light situation in our new home.  I tell myself it's not gloomy, it's shady, cool and dim. And calm.

play ground

This has been the summer of playgrounds.  We've found that Tim naps better, and sleeps better and is generally much happier with not one but at least TWO visits to the playground each day.  We built our summer days around it - especially on the really hot days, when we would head out to the slides and swings as early as possible (6:30am? 7am?) to get in a good play before the day got too hot.

Now that the weather is starting to cool, we're finding a new rhythm with lots of lovely crafty play inside.  But I didn't want to forget our summer days in the playground.

australia day weekend, 2013

slow gardening

Just documenting the (slow) progress of our Veggie Box Garden.  Despite conscientious watering, the carrots and tomatoes have not grown very much.

As we're going away for ten days or so (for Christmas), I'm wondering should I just pull up the carrots now, to show Tim what's been growing underground?  There may not be anything at all to come back to if the weather's hot while we are away.

Gosh, gardening is so much fun to do, but so boring to talk about!  I wonder why that is?

playgroup

Yesterday, Tim was playing outside completely naked when I realised that if we didn't leave right that second, we were going to be late for playgroup.  I approached him with a nappy, shorts and a t-shirt in hand, but he wasn't having a bar of it.

Me:  do you want to put some clothes on?
Tim: [shakes head No]
Me:  if you don't put clothes on, we won't be able to go to playgroup.  Do you want to go to playgroup?
Tim:  [big nod Yes]
Me:  do you want to put on clothes?
Tim:  [shakes head No]

But:

I only had to repeat the bit about how we can't go to playgroup without clothes once or perhaps twice more. Then, avoiding all the tears and screaming tantrums I had anticipated, he let me dress him and we got into the car.

He does love that playgroup.

[nb, playgroup shown here without all the other children who make it what it is.]

Sound of Summer

The Summer Lil, originally uploaded by &Naomi.

Can't you just hear the low drawl of the cricket commentary in this photo?

Hayden and Lily are in it for the long haul.

keeping cool inside

keeping cool inside, originally uploaded by &Naomi.

Unravelling course has finished, so unfortunately we're back to photos of the cat.

Here she is, helping me keep cool inside while outside the sun beats down on the dry and dying grass.

This is the spot from which I hope to do all my Christmas shopping this year.

Peace at Christmas

Peace at Christmas, originally uploaded by &Naomi.

It was our first hot weekend of the summer, and it put me in the mind and mood for Christmas.

Each year I think it's not going to happen ... then I find myself getting inspired about Christmas decorations, about Christmas food and treats and, yes, even sometimes about Christmas gifts (for others! not just for myself). Even this year, when we're not going anywhere and no-one is coming to visit us, I still felt compelled to arrange this tiny understated Christmas blessing on our house and on our lives ... or perhaps it is more of a request?

Wish I was ...

Look at that flat stomach! Not that I ever thought of it that way before. But these days I'm only that lithe, flexible and comfortable (on my back anyway) in my dreams. Each morning I wake up refreshed, with silly thoughts such as "I know! I'll take up fencing!" or "Yes! We'll hire canoes and paddle down the river!" (actually, I think the paddling would be OK, but as for hoisting a canoe onto the roof of a car ... well, forget it).

But the days are definitely warmer and, out of the habit of old associations, my mind turns down its well-worn track towards summertime fun. I remember our honeymoon on Hinchinbrook Island (April 2008) and wish I could be there again.