Chloe at school

DEAR - Drop Everything And Read

Chloe's teacher (Daddy) presenting her with this month's star award. No favouritsm - about a dozen recipients in her class. Chloe is always genuinely amazed that she gets one - "But I don't do anything different, Mummy"; "I don't try"... :)

Laura's toys

Reminder to self - no Laura didn't have toys in the cot to sleep; this is only for supervised, interactive play!

Family Bible Verses

I've been delaying this memorisation for a while, purely because I didn't know where to start. Then I found "Our Together - Time Bible" by Gwen Ellis which has 52 Bible devotions, with verses, activities, discussion and a short prayer for each. So we've started at the beginning:

After we learnt this one, we went to explore the animals and birds at a local nursery -but most had left:( Still, we enjoyed the time together!

To celebrate learning this verse, I taught Chloe and Declan how to do handpainted chocolates. I use to do these as gifts when I was in upper primary and highschool and still have a lot of moulds; 'though some have become quite brittle with age. We only used white chocolate and gel colours which Mum gifted me with recently (thanks again, Mum). (I can easily leave white chocolate;)!)
The verses are proving to be a bit long for Declan, so I use the devotion and discussion that goes with them for him, while Chloe and I keep each other accountable for learning the verse and reference. Gary's a bit snowed under at present, but I'm sure he'll join in as soon as he can - it was a joint decision to hide God's Word in our family's hearts.

This was a helpful verse for our third week, especially with Christmas around the corner. We have a certain 5 year old who is quite preoccupied with gifts this year - the receiving of predominantly. He has now come up with an idea of a gift to GIVE his older sister. Also, the kids are being encouraged at kids' time to share their pocket money to raise $15 for a pair of crtches for an overseas child who can't walk - they're nearly there:) Chloe is really excited at this - perhaps we could persue this with "Gifts of Compassion" or something similar.
We're going to celebrate by doing some more chocolates; the kids can eat 2 and give the rest away.

Ah, bliss.

Sucking on fingers and a dummy,
ear on Mummy's chest,
held snuggly in the sling;
sound asleep.

Happiness is...

talking to friends in the swing - ladybeetle, monkey, giraffe...

lots of things to watch...

bubbles to blow and let drip down your chin...

feeling fresh air on your skin after a big spill of Mummy milk:)

Giggles

Froggy friends from Ferns' dam - Declan

After play fun - yes, more fun at the Ferns'

I had to ask, "Why are you still there if you're that cold?" The answer came in her next action: oh, of course, as an act of service:)

I'm proud of you wet one / cold Chloe!! Always looking out for the little and the vulnerable!

Pirate buddies contributing dinner

Jacob, Declan, Elijah

Exploring at the Ferns' new bush retreat November 2009

Prep orientation day - Declan

While Mrs Croxon and Mr Fern led the group in dancing for morning exercise, Declan, like the rest of our family,

was a great deal more reserved. Song actions, groovy dance moves and rock band music playing and singing is fine for the family to see but it's harder to show that side in a public setting - even if you DO know the teacher this year... I wonder how long it will take him to be exuberant here. Please teachers be gentle with my bouncy, eager-to-please, sensitive, pretending-to-be-tough, thinking-about-God-when-he's-sad, seeking-to-know-what-it-is-to-be-a-boy boy...

Declan with his "Doggie"

Declan playing at Prep - magnets are a real hit with him this year.

Prep group orientation day

Amby Baby Hammock

Laura is spending a little more sleeptime here, especially when skin-on-skin means we're dripping in the heat! Most nights, I'll put her down after the other 2 are asleep (when the house is quiet enough) and she'll sleep here until 11pm or just after midnight. Sometimes, she'll have 40 winks during the day, too (a 20 minute nap). One morning, she slept here for 4 hours - I kept checking!!

Thankyou Mum for hiring it for us - it's lovely. Laura can lie on her side and I can sleep reassured!

Photos = November 5th