Saturday, January 16, 2016

Bird-Baby


Giggle-Bear with Nana and Grandpa's pigeons. And I know she's not a baby anymore, she's not even a toddler - she's sturdy on those little legs now, and determined, but as I tell Adventure Boy, they'll always be my little babies. 

Friday, January 15, 2016

Kitten-Love







Because... kitten. And he's growing up so quickly (like the rest of the family) that soon he won't be a kitten anymore but a lanky cat-ager. (Cat-teen? Kit-at? I'm not sure what the teenager word for a cat is.)
He's already worked out the rules of the house. He runs from the kids, puts up with being thouroughly licked by the Wolfen-Pup (often with a firm paw keeping him still) and in quiet times comes and sits on Beloveds' or my chest and purrs and purrs and purrs.
He has a truce with my in-laws dog, Sheba, (as seen above) and they happily study each other and sit beside each other.
But... that look in the top photo? I have a terribly feeling it is betrayal. You brought me where? Here, with the savages? I hope you feel guilty... He is loved well, but perhaps not wisely. 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

evening light





Most evenings finds us over at Nana and Grandpa's, where we revel in the air-con and have water-fights with the hose. The power of the hose has gone to Giggle-Bear's head. It's got one of those caps where you pull the trigger and shoot, and Giggle Bear has spent a long time giggling like a super-villain and shooting whoever comes close. Luckily, with the heat, we dry off quickly.
The Extravaganza has told me, vey seriously, that Grandpa gets mad if you spray his pigeons. Poor pigeons. I believe they've only been doused once.
I wonder if Giggle-Bear will remember these times when she's older, remember when she had her own green and shady kingdom, where the pigeons constantly cooed and she was master of the hose and the very serous business of moving her toys to and fro.
I hope so, but I doubt it.
Childhood, it just goes so fast.



Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Holiday Snaps









Aren't these holidays lasting forever? They just seem to go on. And on. And on. This could be because they're my first long holidays that Beloved hasn't had a uni break.

We've been to beaches, swimming pools, forests, playgrounds, museums and legionnaire training.( It was an activity at the Abbey Museum near us, they battled with wooden swords and shields and painted other shields and swords, took their turns at archery and heavily doctored 'digs'.)

The kids have really just wanted to be locked up in a dark room playing Minecraft and watching Labrats. I have really just wanted to be locked up in a dark room (air conditioned) with quite a lot of wine.

I could also be feeling particularly negative as last night while chasing recalcitrant rapscallions (who have been grounded for the rest of their lives) I slipped on puppy pee and my legs went whoop, right up towards the sky and my skull and neck and back went thwack, right down in the pee, and the headache is still pounding.

But hey. I love looking at the holiday photos. These are from my favourite walk at Maleny. The Mary Cairncross Reserve - my holiday staple.

The Extravaganza whined the entire walk. "All I need is a nap! Why don't you give me a nap and carry me? My feet ache! All my bones ache. I'm exhausted! Why do you make me do this? How far is it? We always do what you want to do." Ad infinitum. Folks, it was a half hour walk/gentle stroll. We saw bats. And pademelon. And lizards. Giant trees. There was the possibility of snakes.

Giggle-Bear wanted nothing more than to escape the pusher (and my watchful eye) and run away, giggling madly and looking over her shoulder. Come and get me! 

Adventure Boy was brilliant. No doubt to throw the behaviour of the others into sharper relief. I love it how they take it in turns. He glowed with goodness and concern.

Anyway, twelve more days of holidays and then it's just me and the adorable one. All day long.

Until then, lots of photos, not a lot of words. 

Friday, January 1, 2016

Our (not so angelic) angel & kittens


She looks like butter couldn't melt in her mouth, doesn't she? All big eyes and blonde hair.
And she does have her angelic moments, when she runs towards us, arms outstretched, face lit up, after we've been out, when she gives big hugs, with comforting back pats.
But this photo was taken when she'd climbed up onto the dining room table (again) and was busy throwing all the Christmas tree baubles on the floor.
These photos are more indicative of her frame of mind. The difference a few seconds makes, hm.



Folks, I do believe we've hit the terrible twos a few months early. It's a bit of a shock, as the other two skipped them. At two both the older two were little cherubs, all the better to lull me into a false sense of smug security.
Giggle-Bear is leaving us in no doubt of her true colours - the glaring, flashing neon of danger, mischief ahead. In no time at all she will be joining her siblings in painting the living room - and kitchen - in potions of red cordial (no, I didn't buy it, do I look like a masochist to you? that was Beloved) salt, and chilli sauce.
 While I take a deep gulp and prepare for the year ahead, let me leave you with some stills from Christmas. And kittens. All is peaceful, all is joy, for a kitten resides in the house, busily purring, and curling up to sleep in various poses of cuteness.

 Henry Thoreau and Jane Austin Candles. Mmm.

playing in a wonderful cafe up in the hinterlands at Maleny - the best kiddy play area - with many toys, high chairs and complete kiddy corner.

 with Aunty Bec

Nativity

Master of his own Destiny. No doubt scanning the horizon for fish.