Yesterday afternoon was not the most calm and tranquil afternoon our family has seen.

There has been painting going on, and that has meant some disruption to ‘normalcy’.

I decided a walk down to the shops to pick up afternoon tea would be a good diversion for Cayley, Jos and myself.   Elisha was visiting a school friend.  I announced my intentions to Cayley.  She asked if she could ride her bike.  I wanted to say yes, but felt that while pushing Jos in his pram, keeping Cayley safe on her bike was going to be a bit too much for me to manage.  The compromise I came to was that I would ride my bike, with Cayley and Jos in the bike trailer.

I moved the car out of the way of the gate, so I could bring the bike and trailer through.  I hauled the trailer up the steps.  Oh.  Flat tyres.  No worries, go and get the pump from the back room.  Oh, wrong attachment… no more bits there.  Can’t pump up the tyres.

By this time Jos has figured out what is going on and is very excitedly ready with his helmet on and waiting to hop in and go.

He’s not happy at all when I try to remove it from his head.

So we go to the shops in the car, Jos with bike helmet on.

And I watch people’s reactions…

She smiles and thinks he’s cute, what a funny helmet.

He thinks, what sort of a parent lets their kid walk around with a bike helmet on.

There’s a look of pity to me, a child so unco-ordinated he has to wear a helmet all day.

Another patronising look, who tries to protect their child with a helmet in public!

Meanwhile I laugh at all their judgements, because I know the truth.  I know that he just wanted to wear his helmet and I let him.  And he thinks it’s great.

And then I realise that I don’t know the truth of what they’re thinking.  I’m judging them, just like I assumed they were judging me.

Two for the price of one today!

Cayley and I were sitting on the bed, having a lovely conversation.  Then out of the blue…

Cayley: Mummy, if you don’t shave your legs, they’ll get a beard.

***

Today is Brett and my tenth wedding anniversary.  I was talking to Elisha and Cayley about it.

Elisha: Uh uh!  That’s not long enough.

Mummy: Well how long do you think we’ve been married.

Elisha: Infinity.

Happy Anniversary Brett, I feel like I’ve known you for infinity, and I love you more than ever, but it doesn’t feel like it’s been infinity.

This morning

church agm

taking minutes?

This morning we had breakfast and our church agm at our place… Cayley brought her laptop out, just like the secretary had.  She didn’t last long.  Her replacement did though!  He was so cute, listening, watching, even nodding his head at some points.  He makes me laugh.

Phone rings.

Cayley answers it: Hello…

It’s Adams, me!

It’s me!

William came to play today.

We jumped on the trampoline.

Do you want to talk to Elisha?

This is my step by step for the Little Scrapbook Shop August Cybercrop challenge 4.

A challenge from Lusi.

Lettuce bowl

Swimming goggles

and cuddles

big apple

crazy family

more goggles

not right

still trying

got it

my hero

Monday: Chicken rolls
Tuesday: Salad plate
Wednesday: Irish Stew
Thursday: Shepherd’s pie
Friday: Chicken and sweet potato casserole
Saturday:
* Breakfast – Super Sonic Brakfast Burrito
* Dinner – Risolles and vegetables
Sunday: Pumpkin soup and rolls

Snacks:
Zucchini slice
Brekky bars
Cheesy vegetable pikelets
Chick nuts
Crackers, veges & dip
Popcorn
French toast

This week’s list #33 – #97.

For Lisa being able to pick Cayley up from kindy so Jos could sleep a little longer
Being able to catch up with Frank, and some of their kiddies
GPS on my phone making it easy to find places.
Playing at the park with Mrs Singleton and Calvin
Having fun on the front lawn waitin gfor Daddy to come home
Cayley’s love of animals
The companionship of Ookie
Bleach for wiping mildew
Prayer calendars for helping and teaching me to pray for my husband and children (03/08/10)
For Cayleyisms – princess camels and growing on your birthday
The way Cayley reminds me of me sometimes and the emotions that brings
Mug brownies
Pictures being hung on our bedroom wall
Checking for my purse before putting fuel in the car
Daisies from the children
Cayley trying hard to stay dry at night (04/08/10)
Elisha showing improvement with his patching
A peaceful family dinner time
Caroline’s cream
Playgroup
Homeplanning file
Back scratches (05/08/10)
For colouring in on the blanket outside
Dean the Bee Man’s honey
Story time before bed
Cayley going for a play at Olivia’s
Jos’ love of his big brother and sister
Brett, my after-work shopper
Op shops (06/08/10)
Jos’ dimples
That Jos looks like a boy, even when he’s wearing girls’ pyjamas
Exercising on the wii fit with the kids
Being able to see the McGlue’s before they leave
Visiting nan
Jos and Cayley enjoying a bath at Nan & Pop’s
Good talks with Brett
New jumper from Target
Boondies
Watching the boys enjoy DS together at Riley’s
Cayley getting tiny teddy bears wrapped up in a huge bandage and carrying them around everywhere
Jos’ obsession with his socks and shoes (07/08/10)
Having fun watching a movie with Brett last night
Church family, that it’s okay to cry in front of them and they love me anyway
Having a dvd afternoon with Elisha and Cayley while Jos slept.  Where’s Wally and Little House on the Fairy
Forgiveness, can’t imagine life without it (08/08/10)

See the full list at my One Thousand Gifts page

And it’s all about my family this month!

Yesterday, Brett was working at Curtin’s Open day.  Aafter lunch is always rest time.  Yesterday was rest time with a twist.  We watched some DVDs.

Dadddy: What did you watch?

Cayley: Where’s Wally and Little House on the Fairy.

Brett remarked to me later that it would have to be a very little house indeed!