Creating and Renovating

First things first Grandad (from Geraldton) arrives tomorrow. In fact he is on the plane as we speak. The boys are so excited - so we made him a welcome banner. So we've been bust trying to fix a few things up and do a little cleaning. As you can imagine the boys have been a tremendous "help". Cleaning windows in Grandads room dressed as pirates! May I add the one spot is very clean. AS for the rest well....

WE have also finished the boys room makeover. I felt it needed a little original art. The boys were as always happy to don the art smock and get to work. I did the red base. The boys the rest. Mum's selection of colours to choose from and one coat at a time, drying in between, helped Mum to avoid the mixed up messy brown combination that usually persists.

SO here you have Jake - refusing to use a smaller brush and not really tall enough to get over the big brush we have a kind of whimsical feel.

Master Harry seems to be into blocks of colour.

But I reckon they look great up on their wall. Check them out in the Bedroom pics.

Onto renos. This is our Laundry before: Yuck.

And after. Cute little curtains with owls and birdys cover the cupboards. Fresh and Clean. Much more me.

The boys room before: Lilac just the colour for my boys and check out the gross carpet.

And after. Original art on the wall.

And while I was at it thought it was time to have a small makeover of me. Short hair! Amazing what a couple of kid free hours in a salon can do for your spirits.

Anyway, just thought I should let you know we are alive and well. Work is great, I'm enjoying the challenge. Boys are good. Now Granda will be here for 2 weeks and we are planning some daytrips about the place. Fun times ahead.

And to leave you the latest in disobedient boys.

Dear son no 1 seems to be having a hard time obeying any (and I mean ANY) instruction of late. in total frustration today I picked him up , took him to the location of the thing he was meant to do and looked him in the eye. Meanwhile I firmly placed my two hands either side of his ears and pretended to "turn them on". Now you will hear me. to which he promptly placed his hands back there turned them the other way looked me in the eye and told me "well I turned my ears off". I marched him to his room, shut the door and cracked up laughing all the way to tell Dad!

SO it true as they get smarter in some things, so too the others. BUGGER!

Anyway, take care

Love Mel xo

Kids at play....gotta laugh.

Does anyone else wonder at the mind of a four year old? What are they thinking and how on earth did they come to that conclusion? Sometimes its quite obvious - other times nothing less than bizzare. Leave it to Harry and he will find a valid reason to continue to use the umbrella despite the absence of rain.

Mum: " Harry, you don't need the umbrella, come on put it away before you break it."

Harry: "but Mum I NEED it, it is protecting my head from the sun while I weed the driveway"

Obviously last weeks sunscreen phase is over and umbrellas are in! I might add, digging the weeds in the driveway was his own doing and no child labour was enforced.

He has become sooo helpful lately. Whether its transferring the spuds from the bench by spoon to the pot ("Good teamwork Mum, I love helping"), weeding the driveway, putting shopping away, hanging out the washing (my OCD struggling with this but coping), or getting it in.....

Sometimes its not too dry (or clean after being on the ground) but he loves to do anything to help. Long may it continue into the teenage years....

We took the boys to the Agriculture show this weekend. The face painting was free and they did a fantastic job don't you think? Very funny.... Jake gets up first what does he want - Spiderman, Harry - PINK! (Hmmm I might add at our first dental nurse appointment he also wanted a pink balloon and Strawberry Shortcake sticker!!!) Given Dad was there we negotiated and got a tiger face.

As for Master Jake he continues to amaze me with his conversations. SO much so I forget he really is only 2.5yrs. He's quite relaxed having a chat on the phone..

We go to Playcafe at a local church on aTues am. Its fantastic. He woke up excited he could again be Superman (costumes with capes!!!). AS we arrived one of the other wee boys who also usually dresses up for the duration arrived. "Look Mum its the other Superman!!" So cute. They played so well together. This morning he woke up. "Mum, who will I play Superman wars with today" I like playing with ....." Crazy making up games.

Jake : " Oh look theres a fire, (picking up a pretend phone) quick I'll call Fireman Sam. Fireman Sam there's a fire, come quick and bring the hose!"

Harry: (hiding in the hall also phone to his ear) Okay, you've got a fire, I'm on my way with the hose" "Weeeooooo Weeeeooooo Weeeeeoooo" (as he runs into the living room)

Both boys now have pretend hoses aimed together "Whoosh shshshshhshshsh"

They make my day light. Who can't smile and laugh when they can be so adorable.

Harry is now in Morning Kindy. Jake asked to pick Harry up 3 times the first morning only once today. I'm still looking out for two kids everywhere we go but I am getting better. Harry - well he is loving it.

We have started (and actually finished) the first minor make over. The boys room is now painted (Huka Falls colour) do you like it? The carpet layer came this am and I've just started a couple of canvases for the boys to do to complete their room. So heres a sneak. (Actually photo isn't really that close to the real colour. Will post more when everything back in place.

First night shift in 5 years starts tomorrow night. So as you are wrapped up in your wee bed think of me eating from the 4 main food groups (chocolate, biscuits, chips and lollies) and staying awake all night. Aaagh - I loved casual. You never know the night may fly.

So love to you all, sorry its been a while between posts. Sadly no crafting to show:( Hopefully life will settle down shortly as work hours decrease.

Love Mel