Here’s the plan for what we’re eating this week.
Monday: Chicken & Vegetables
Tuesday: Omelette, steak & toast
Wednesday: Chicken caesar salad
Thursday: Felafel and salad
Friday: Hearty Chicken Casserole
Saturday: Fish & Vegetables
Sunday: Roast Lamb and Vegetables
We love it so much!
Although Jos decided that sleeping is not the done thing, so we ended coming home a little earlier than we originally intended. I didn’t have the camera as an extension of my body this time either, was very light on with the happy snappy. These first few photos are compliments of Brett.
When a boy’s got a dad who likes fire, and a mum who likes fire, what chance has he got?
And not only did they build the fire outside, but inside the wood stove needs to be lit for hot water, so it’s a constant source of amusement. For Elisha, and dad, and mum!
While I stayed home with Cayley and Jos after lunch, Brett and Elisha went for a bushwalk. On Sunday Aunty Cathy joined them, as she came for a brief visit. Lots to be explored and discovered. On Saturday they found a scorpion, but it wasn’t out on Sunday when they went to look. But plenty of other exciting things…
… a termite mound built over a dead branch
… isn’t this amazing?! I wonder what made it like that?
… would love to identify this fellow, but couldn’t
… he didn’t have to climb over the fence, he found a kangaroo hole
… enjoying the fresh air and sunshine with Aunty Cathy.
When Jos was suitably awake (Cayley decided not to sleep), we took another walk, but this time not quite so far. We went to the shearing shed.
Aunty Cathy kindly took some family photos for us.
We strolled round the ‘front’ and spend some time in the climbing trees.
A bit of mucking around in the gullies (from run off… or washouts or something) and then some of us had had enough and it was time to head back to the house.
And pack up to go home.
Bye farm, ’til next time!
On Friday Elisha turned six.
He is not an early-riser by nature, even on his birthday, and we had to be at school on time because it was photo day, and his class was first cab off the rank.
We made it, and with time to spare… even after present opening and special breakfast.
Immediately after school was his birthday party.
It was “Where’s Wally?” themed.
I had lots of fun preparing for the party (but more about that later).
He was sure he ‘looked bigger’ having turned six.
I’d say he’s grown a fair bit in six years, wouldn’t you?!
He can even make himself toast for breakfast. That is, if I get the toaster out of the cupboard and the bread out of the freezer.
Six things I love about Elisha at six:
* His new laugh (might have to try and catch it on video to share with you).
* Tonight he came out with a new word – confocus.
* Watching him be a great big brother. Today he had some great moments running around and wrestling with Jos.
* Reading recipe books is a favourite pastime.
* That he loves his new socks and pulls them up as high as they’ll go.
* His ability to give issues deep thought.
Dearest Elisha,
It has been an absolute joy to have you in our family. It is my prayer for you that as you continue to grow that you will do so with God as your anchor in all of life. I do my best in my role as your mum, but I often fail. God never will. I love you from the top of my heart, to the bottom of my heart (or as Cayley says, “All the way up to Jesus”), God loves you infinitely more than you or I will ever be able to conceive in this lifetime. May your heart’s desire be to know him, please him and enjoy him forever. There are so many things I wish for you, but this is the one that I hope above all else – that you grow to be a godly man.
Hugs and kisses (and maybe a sock wrestle thrown in for good measure), Mummy xxxxxx
These holidays have had a much better start than the last. Last term Brett, Cayley and Jos were been sick for almost the entire first week of the holidays. Which put my plan for a busy, out of the house, lots of catching up with people holiday out of action. So we made it a fun, at home, just us holiday instead.
Cabin fever was rife, so I decided we’d do lunch out. I asked Elisha and Cayley what they’d like for lunch fully excpecting the answer to be chips and nuggets from McDonald’s. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. Elisha wanted nutella and Cayley wanted jam.
I realise that they most likely misunderstood my question, but it was nice that they were excited about something so simple. And yet I knew that I would have been happy to give them something they would have been even more excited about. How often we come to our heavenly Father with requests so much smaller than He’d be willing and able to fulfill.
My favourite thing about the holidays is the lack of rush to get out of the house in the morning.
Until recently getting Elisha dressed has been a real issue.
Yes, that does read until recently.
You see, recently, I told Elisha that I expected him to be ready for school when it was time to go, and if he wasn’t he would be going to school in whatever state he was in. I offered plenty of prompts, but no direct repetition of instruction to get ready.
Turned out that state was school pants, pyjama top, no socks or shoes. I had offered plenty of prompts, but no direct repetition of instruction to get ready. I did even give him two or three chances to put the shoes and socks on because it was quite a cold morning, but he turned the chance down.
To put it mildly he was not happy.
I had a change of clothes in a bag for him and let him get changed as soon as we got to school.
He’s been dressed and ready to go every morning since then.
And while I hope he enjoys the holidays and staying in pyjamas as much as I do, I hope he doesn’t forget the lesson of getting ready on time.
Actions have consequences. And so does lack of action.
I have a feeling this happened on the same day…
I walked past Jos. He’d obviously paid a visit to the en-suite cupboard as he was carrying a bottle of Detol. I had arms full of something. Went to put it away and come back and take the Detol off him. On the way I walked past Cayley.
She smelled.
“My mouth hurts Mummy!”
She smelled of Detol!!!
Straight on the phone to the Poisons Information Line.
Thankfully she had not ingested much at all, and the follow up was relatively easy and painless.
I don’t buy Detol, this bottle must have snuck in with some samples from when Jos was born I think. It obviously got shoved in the cupboard along with everything else, and I’ve not thought of it since.
Actions have consequences. And so does lack of action.
I learned a lesson too. And I don’t plan to forget it.
Friday night Elisha cooked dinner! With just a little bit of help from me.
Tinned spaghetti, toast and fried eggs.
Although he’s not too sure himself…
Hmmmm, thinking about it…
Yeah, he LIKES being pretty!
