that's a lot of tree...

...in our backyard.

We recently found out that a venerable old gum tree, growing right next to the house, was full of dry rot. Before we knew what was happening, it was time to say goodbye. Then, there was this:

And a lot more sun.

The kookaburras had a feast of witchetty grubs and then hung around the garden like beady-eyed sentinels, hoping for more. We climbed around and over the logs, marvelling at the spongy soft bits threaded right through, then chopped most of them for the upcoming winter's firewood. And we saved some larger ones for cameo roles in the mystery children's playspace we're planning soon.

the beginning

Poppy started 'little kinder' at the local Steiner school this year.

She is only going to two sessions a week, but it feels like the beginning of a big big thing. The start of all of those years of school, the terms, the holidays, friendships, animosities, learning, joy, heartache. And at the end of it all, she'll be grown. It is going to be quick! I want to hold it in my hands, feel the time trickle through - not let it happen without noticing.

First day went off without a hitch - I left within 20 minutes of arriving, she was fine! I shed a quick tear in the carpark, and at playgroup when I got there with Leo. Arrived to pick her up a little early, so waited in the car...good mum, not too eager. And went in: she was awash, crying on her teacher's lap. Apparently they had finished early. And I was not the first mum in when the door opened. Suddenly she missed me very very much and thought I wasn't coming.

So, a penance applies: I am to arrive 15 minutes early every time, and listen to the story in circle time, so that she knows I'm there. I'm sure that this will wear off. And I happen to like a story as much as anyone.

Anyway, I made her a bag to take, as prescribed: drawstring, big enough for a change of clothes, hat, coat, slippers. And assorted friends who are under strict instructions to stay in the bag (blue bunny; that means you!).

found!

Blue bunny has been found!! (oh joy, oh relief. Bedtime will be so much easier.)

After a day of retracing our steps, ringing offices, searching, lecturing.
Found: on the floor, under the doona, between it and the mattress...

...he is under strict instructions not to go adventuring again.

detectoring

Tomorrow we are going to play at being detectives.

Poppy's beloved Blue Bunny has gone adventuring, and we must find said bunny before another bedtime of tears. (3 hours of tears...)
Blue Bunny is in danger of garnering a reputation for being a free spirit, not to be tied down, wary of the commitment involved in being a Blue Bunny of distinction, especially when that distinction entails necessary confinement to the grasp and bed of a 3 year old.

Blue Bunny has made it back by post once already...
Hopefully Blue Bunny is just hiding, laughing at us running about with torches, looking in cars, under beds. Hopefully we haven't left Blue Bunny somewhere in our travels. Please, no.

FF#2

Too hot for anything but this:

And this:

February Funk #1

Sitting, waiting while wildpapa went on a reconnaisance to find friends, who were sitting and looking at this:

I find that even though it is Summer here, it still takes me a lot of effort to leave the house and go somewhere. Anywhere. So this time I've taken pictures so that I remember just how good it was, and how much fun was had by many certain someones in the water and sand. And all just 10 minutes away!

peg out

Why is it that whenever a new member is added to a family no-one ever tells you to buy more pegs? It's just a small thing, but oh-so-significant when the nappies hit the line, not to mention the tiny clothes.

Our newest little person (Leo, 7 months) more than doubles the peg numbers needed, yet I persist in believing that because the clothes are so small, they don't really count in terms of clothes-line and laundry real-estate. How can this be? I have often remarked that the amount of washing has expanded exponentially, yet I do not expect peg numbers to have to increase. In fact, I resent running out of them, and go to outlandish lengths not to have to augment their numbers...but I may be a little strange about my washing.

As you can see, pegs are preferably wooden, and I use Wildpapa's patented diagonal hanging clothes method to conserve line space. And lovely colour arrangement doesn't hurt, either.

...for the rest of this month, I'm playing February Funk, as started by Soulemama. And perhaps I'll post a bit, too. We'll see.