Wow, it's been ages since I wrote anything. My baby started Kindy a few weeks ago and is loving it. I had some mixed feelings leaving him for the day but it helped that his teacher is a very dear friend and also one of the best educators I have ever come across. He is going to have a ball this year. I now get a day with Elliot which will be great. I am planning on taking him to story time at the library and maybe to the pools. It will just be nice to be with him alone, without the constant competition of an older brother. I think it has just hit me what an incredible important job us teachers do. It is really hard to leave my child in the care of someone else for the entire day but that is what I expect of parents all the time. What a responsibility. I am teaching music with the juniors this year and I really like it. It is tiring and a little monotonous sometimes but so much easier than classroom teaching. We get to sing and dance and be generally silly which suits me down to the ground. Lastly, I have decided to shave my head for The Worlds Greatest Shave this year. It's something I have always been meaning to get involved in so this year I have taken the plunge and signed up. I hope to raise at least $1000 for cancer research. Better start looking for some cool hats.

Well, I've hurt my back again. I have continuing trouble with my back and have done for the past 15 years or so. This time I seem to have damaged a disc but nothing too serious, just inconvenient. It is amazing how much harder everything is when you can't bend over. My house is a mess but I can't do anything about it which is quite liberating really. I am currently writing this on the couch while Sam watches a DVD for rest time. A friend gave us a stack of DVD's her Dad had recorded for her girls. They are full of Play School and Bananas in Pyjamas and a few other shows. Playschool is great. I love it, possibly more than Sam. I love that the presenters enjoy themselves so much and nothing is too polished. All the craft is made from old cereal boxes and masking tape and there's not an american accent to be heard. Quality children's programmes are few and far between and I am generally opposed to TV for kids altogether but I'll make an exception for Play School. After all, I know all the songs now and it would be a shame to deny my son the pleasure of hearing me sing along.

Corey has been sick for the past week and unable to get out of bed. It was awful. I hate to admit it but he obviously does more around here than I give him credit for because I was lost without him. It's funny how much to come to rely on the people around you even if you're like me and stubborn and independent. I like to think I can handle pretty much everthing on my own but in reality I would fall apart by myself. I'm so glad that I married the right guy and that he puts up with my bossy, first born nature. He's a good man and I'm so glad of that.

My Youngest Son

You are the smiliest, happiest, funniest little man.

You are a thinker.

You are soft and smooth and perfect.

How amazing that you are mine. My own son! My youngest. My little one. My heart.

Elliot James, I love you.

Last weekend Corey and I headed off to Melbourne for a suprise trip. We loved it and had a great time but forgot the camera so no photos. I missed the children immensely and was very glad to get home and see them again. This week has been busy with kindy morning at our place on Tuesday, Mops on Wednesday, shopping on Thursday and work on Friday. Today we took the children to fly Sam's new kite, although Corey and I had more fun than them I think. Elliot hasn't been well and Sam is a little fragile at the moment and falls apart at the first sign of trouble. The kite took a while to get started but then flew beautifully. I had a kite as a child and have vivid memories of flying it with my Dad. I lost one once, it got caught in a tree, and cried for hours. My parents bought me a new one but it wasn't the same and I don't think I ever flew a kite again, until today that is! Tomorrow we'll be off to church and then the week starts over again. My goal is to spend more time with the people I love.

This was Father's Day 2009. I gave Corey three shirts with Sam and Elliot's handprints so they would all match. A little lame, I know. We never celebrated Father's Day in my family so I'm never quite sure what to get. Mother's Day on the other hand is easy - chocolate everytime.

Way back in April, my Godson Michael came to live with us. I have to admit that I was very nervous about having a teenager in the house at first but it turned out that he's still the same old Michael (hairier than I remember!). I remember that Corey and I were very uncertain at first and went from 'no he can't possibly stay here' to 'of course he has to stay with us' overnight. It seemed impossible at first but God made it happen and now it's like he's always been here. Funny how scared I am of change, I am hesitant to try new things and upset the status quo. Most of the major changes in my life have been very positive so I don't know why? Anyway, things have worked out well with Michael. Wonder what's in store for us next...

Here's my boys playing with snails. Corey challenged Michael to find something to do that didn't involve any technology and this is what he came up with. It was super cute to hear Sam talking to the snails who they named Roger and Penelope! We even had to take them in the car when we went for a drive later that day. Elliot wasn't so sure and preferred to keep his distance. Thankfully they are now free to roam the garden although Sam still calls for them occasionally.