May. 16, 2009 - This is what we’ve been doing

A friend has commented (fairly bluntly) that my blog has been a bit light on lately and they don’t have a clue what we’ve been doing so here is a summary of life at our place over the last month or so.

Easter – we picked up Peter’s folks from the airport – they were staying for nearly 3 weeks to look after the kids while I went to Sydney.  While I was gone they worked in the garden, pulling down dead palm fronds, pruning a few trees and getting rid of dead wood in our garden.    The result of all their hard work is shown here in this huge bonfire.  It will be a lot of fun the night we decide to light it.

Also over the few days of Easter Peter, grandfather and the kids began a second layer to our cubby – this time a ridgy-didge tree house – way up in the trees.  And I mean way up!  Swiss Family Robinson has had some influence here.  It isn’t quite finished yet – it needs some rails.

Then I went to Sydney.  I was away for 8 days, which is a long time to be away from your family.  I have blogged about the conference and it was a good conference – I am still pondering some of the things that were taught there.  The reason I went over east was to release my book – now, this is something I haven’t said much about but here is a bit about it:

Heart Focus Parenting is about creating the atmosphere in our homes where our children’s hearts are turned towards God.  I touch on many of the parenting “techniques” that you probably already practice – but look at how they affect our children’s hearts.

I will have Heart Focus Parenting available on my website shortly.

The other reason I went to the Growing Families Australia National Conference was to re-launch a mum’s support magazine – Facets.  I have taken over the editor role for Facets though it is published by GFA.  The current edition, #17, had a ‘top end’ flavour with contributors from the north of Australia.  Facets is available from Growing Families Australia office.

Since I got back we have had a super busy social life.

Daniel’s birthday – Daniel turns 10.  And yes, I am sorry I have been slack in not posting about Daniel on his special day – that post is still to come.  We had a family birthday party in the afternoon.  Jessica organised the party from whoa to go.  Nomi helped her out with the games.   A week later he had a friend over for a sleepover – they played with Lego and train tracks for hours.

Then before you know it – it is Joshua’s birthday as well.  Josh turned 16 – and yes, no post about him either!!    Because life has been so hectic Joshua’s celebrations are a bit stretched out over time as well.  Peter was home for a family breakfast (which he cooked) though he had to head off to work later in the day.  We picked up one of Joshua’s friends and he stayed the night.  They played war games – both computer and board game variety – for most of the time though they did head outside for some archery.

Next week we will have a family bbq with a couple of other families.  This will be pretty low key (as is Josh about most things) – BBQ and campfire and see what happens kind of night.

Not only have we had our own boys parties but our friends are all having parties too.  The kids went to a Spy party and a Medieval party, then we had our homeschool co-op which was a drama day (pretty much like a party!).   

Black Beauty

Captain Haddock, from Tin Tin

In between all this we’ve had friends drop in for coffee, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, piano lessons, homeschool lessons and homeschool mum meetings. We’ve also got a ‘houseguest’ as a friend needed a place to live for a few weeks.  He comes and goes as his work and commitments need and joins in with our family the rest of the time.  We’ve planted our veggie garden – I’ve got broccoli still to plant. 

The kids have started netball and cricket.  Jess was unsure if there would be a netball season for her this year as there weren’t many girls interested.  But they have made it happen so that is good.  It isn’t really a competition but rather learning the skills and practicing.  I think last week they played a ½ court ‘game’.  The boys are doing cricket and there isn’t anything for Joshua’s age – so he is helping out with the junior boys.  He is with Daniel’s group.  It is a good opportunity for him to give back to something that he has enjoyed for so many years.

So there you have it - It has been an exhausting time!