A special achievement

Don't mention it to Bethany, she is trying to forget about it and gets very cross if you bring it up, but she did the coolest thing on the weekend. Our sleep in/quiet Saturday plans were deferred as Toby had an early soccer game and our family was rostered on the bacon and egg roll stall at the Farmers' Markets for the cycling club.

Andrew did soccer duty and Joss, Bethany and I went to the lagoon at 7.30 to set up. In the past Bethany has taken orders and given change with me, but there were more kid helpers than adults this time, so she was left jobless.

She and the other younger girls used up crusts feeding the ducks, they wandered around, ate polka dot pancakes and then discovered the turtles in the lagoon.

These turtles are best observed at close quarters so Bethany climbed down to the lagoon's edge and perched herself on a rock. You can see where this is going. One of the other girls ran up to tell me that Bethany had fallen in the lagoon and there she was, completely soaked from head to toe. I was angry for a few seconds, she was in her new shoes, but we were all laughing very quickly, much to Bethany's horror.

I tried to convince her that this was very special, that I don't know anyone else who has fallen in the lagoon and she should put it on her resume. She laughed a little, but is now trying to put the whole episode behind her.

I had left my phone at home, but one of the other cycling mums took a quick photo.

 

In other news, Joss has decided (with significant prompting) to start cooking some regular meals. This should minimise the complaining I get from her about what's for dinner. Her first effort last night was veal schnitzel. She isn't one to start simply or cheaply. She did a good job, enjoying the whole flour, eggwash, breadcrumbs business and having her fingers crumbled. We got out the potato ricer for mash and that was fun, too. It was yummy, and perhaps she choose things that make less mess in the future.

Apologies

Sorry Mum and Dad. Good blogging habits are so hard to maintain!

Today is the last day of school and I am so relieved. I have had two strong reasons, recently, to be thankful for the stage my children are at. Firstly, the end of daylight saving meant that we actually got to sleep in for an extra hour. Facebook was full of horror stories about super early starts. Secondly, the holidays mean less work for me, not more. No lunches to make or supervise the making of, no homework, no reminding Bethany that she'll miss the bus if she doesn't get going and no remembering which uniforms and accessories are required for each day.

We have been enjoying proper rainy weather and the landscape has turned green. We have purchased long pants, cardigans and closed in shoes in preparation for our trip to the Blue Mountains next week. It's my favourite time of year, off to Easter Convention!

Bethany and Andrew went to Sydney last weekend to visit Grandad in hospital (he's OK). The weather wasn't good enough for the zoo, so they went ice skating. She got the hang of it in the end, but is still sporting a significant bruise on her cheek! We're hoping for an injury free Easter.

Veggies

Andrew is getting right into gardening. This is our third house and this interest is just kicking in now. I'm enjoying it too, or at least am certainly enjoying the fruits of his labour. We have a large amount of garden to fill, front and back, so it is going to take a long time, but it is coming together.

The latest project, a raised veggie garden! Yesterday afternoon Andrew was teaching Archie the piano while I had coffee with Jane. Jane looked out the window and found Milo digging in the new garden bed, thankfully without veggies at that point. I called his name and he paused, mid scoop, with his bone in his mouth.

After his teaching, Andrew and Bethany planted the veggies and completed a fence! Hopefully, Milo found another spot for his bone.