Its technically still winter until midnight tonight but last night at 11pm it was a beautiful 21 degrees!. Today of course is windy, wet and freezing but I am sure the weather will change again before long.
Enjoy your day whatever the weather.
Helen xxx
Wow, over 500 visits to my blog already! Thanks everyone for stopping by and dont forget to leave a comment so I know who you are.
Helen xxx
WOW after the clouds finally cleared it was a pretty amazing sight. Steve set up a tripod for me (eventually after a comedy of errors) which made taking pictures ALOT easier. I am having alot of fun playing with my camera at the moment. I even let Steve have a go!
Apparently the “red glow” is caused by all the pollution in the air.
This is a photo that Steve took. Its amazing how many stars we could pick up even with the street lights etc. The shutter speed was set to 60 seconds on this one. (Hope the Southern Cross does not make you too homesick mum and dad!)
I should really get to bed as I have an exhausting day tomorrow, Kinder Duty. I really dont know how Kinder teachers do it, 2.5 hours is more than enough for me!. I will also have Riley and Matilda helping me help the Kinder teacher so it will be interesting. Steve is also going to Kinder tomorrow for Fathers Night. I am sure he and Declan will have a ball and I know all the kids have been really busy making wonderful gifts for their dads.
Speaking of which I had the boys make Steves fathers day cards today. They did a fantastic job and when they finished I told them they were a secret and not to tell Daddy. Well that lasted for about 30 minutes after Steve was home and then they had to show him where they were hidden ! They were so proud of their handywork.
Take care
Helen xxx
Just sharing my latest LO with you all. The photos are pretty old, have been planning to get this one done for ages now. How little does Declan look!!!.
Helen xxx
Despite the overcast and wet start to the day we decided to head out to Sandown park for Super Chevy Sunday. Our car does not get out of the garage nearly enough so any excuse to go for a drive. We always manage to have a good day there. There are a few awards on the day a guess who won the best 1950’s Chevrolet????? OUR-53!!!!!
Its the second time we have won that award. We were not expecting it at all and were very suprised to find a note on our windscreen stating that we were up for a trophy. Steve didnt even wash it properly yesterday. It just goes to show that you never know!.
A lovely lady running one of the stalls also offered to take our picture so we now have 2 photos of the five of us together.
It was Tillys first car show (the first of many though). She was very well behaved as were the boys. I have stopped breast feeding altogether. I tried to do 50-50 but it was just not working and she was getting very grumpy!. Since starting the formula she is much happier and full of life again. I just hope she starts sleeping through the night as well then I will be really happy. I am still a bit upset about having to stop but what do you do?.
Well theres another weekend almost over. Will try and do a little gardening this afternoon and then tomorrow start the whole kinder/playgroup/speech therapy merry go round again.
Have a good one
Helen xxx
that spring is just around the corner!. As much as I like winter by the end of it I am more than ready for some warmer weather such as we had today. The garden is starting to come to life again . Its so exciting (well it is for a garden lover like me!)
of breastfeeding for me 
. Matilda had her 4 month check up today and we learnt that she has only put on just over 200gms in 2 months. She has been really unsettled for the last few weeks and I have been putting it down to teething. She has been alot worse this week and it was only this morning I was thinking that she is feeding more now during the night than she did as a newborn (every 2 – 3 hours!). The health nurse and I have come to the conclusion that my milk has been declining over the last month. Tonight I fed her both sides and then she took 120ml of formula in a bottle as well. My poor little girl has been starving.
I was planning to feed her for 12 months as I did with Riley but I just dont think its going to happen. The health nurse suggested that I continue feeding her and then top up with formula as well though after tonight I dont think I am even producing enough milk to do that. I am torn between continuing breastfeeding (more for my sake) or putting her on formula so I can definately make sure she is getting enough. My head and heart are just not ready to stop feeding her but my body has other ideas. I feel guilty that she has been going hungry and I have not noticed. I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.
On a different note, Steve has his little “procedure” on Thursday. He was very brave and the doctor even rewarded him with a Freddo Frog for being such a good patient!. He is still feeling pretty uncomfortable at the moment . Hopefully he will improve over the next day or two.
Helen xxx
I am taking part in an online photography challenge and this months theme is Low Light photography Here is a shot I took tonight after much playing with my “basic” camera. Would have taken more but it was just too bloody cold outside!!!. The only light on for this shot was the street light. I set the shutter speed to 60 seconds and thats about as technical as I get. 
Just had to add this super cute picture that Declan drew at Kinder yesterday. Its a spider with lots of legs!.
They also did some paper weaving and Declan was the only one that could do it properly. The teacher said he was even showing the others what to do! She was amazed as she only showed him once and then he went from there. Steve and I already believe he will excel at anything hands on but when it comes to the academic side he will struggle a little.
Still debating the whole school issue. Hope to meet with his speech therapist this week. I have to decided by September 5th as that is the next orientation day and I wont send him if he is not going to school next year. I just keep thinking that 6.75 years is too old to be starting school. Your comments would be much appreciated.
Helen xxx
Honey the Kinder bear is back!. He takes turns visiting all the children at home and we take photos and document his visit in his Diary, which the children take back to Kinder to show the others what Honey has been up to!. Steve and I feel that he is probably the most germ ridden bear ever as he sleeps in everyones beds etc but Honey doesnt seem to mind!. Declan was so excited that he was coming to stay with us again.
Riley the little dare devil has been up to his old tricks. He did a beautiful face plant on the back patio whilst riding his bike yesterday hence the sores on his face. He just doesnt stop!. He has also mastered climbing the back fence so now he can join in Declans chats with the neighbours kids.
We had a great day yesterday catching up on some chores around the house. It was so nice to just get outside and get some work done. All the rain has been wonderful but we did need a couple of days of sunshine just to catch up in the garden. The boys really needed to get outside and burn off some energy as well.
Steve survived his ride on Saturday. He did come back dirty and cold and with a sore knee (again) but he had a ball. They have found a ride which they do around Warburton which includes a stop at the Reefton Hotel for lunch and a beer.
You know that saying “you love your children a little bit more when they are asleep”, well its true!. I didnt think it was really possible but after a couple of weeks of broken sleep again due to teething I love it when Tilly has a good sleep. How cute is she? She is 4 months old this week which means more needles . She is growing up way way way too fast.
Here is my music tip for the week. Check out a band called “Operator Please”. They are a young band from Brisbane ???(I think) and they ROCK!. You may know this song from the Virgin Blue ads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_fIVialLDs
(If the link doesnt work then just visit youtube and type in Operator Please)
They were actually one of the support acts for the Kaiser Cheifs the other week. I so wish I had gone but with Tilly so young It was going to be a bit hard to get there. Might not be your cup of tea but I just love them. I hope to get their EP this week. The boys love them too so that is a good thing as they dictate what music gets played in the car. Luckily they have good taste. Their current thing is the Ramones. Seriously!!!. They sing along and everything (not bad for a 2yo and 5yo). I just thank god they dont want the Wiggles or something on in the car because that would drive me crazy!.
See ya.
Helen xxx
