Jan 31

My big boy had his first day of school today. 

He was a little nervous, a little excited but very ready. 

His highlight: having lunch and playing with his buddy (a grade six student)

The 'worst bit': having to lie down on the floor and have a rest

I can't believe I have a child at school! Where did the time go?

Jan 30

Getting a haircut before he starts school!

(I am so shy about taking my camera out in 'public' so this was a quick shot fired off without any thought for composition. Wish I could relax more and take my time!).

Tomorrow, he starts school. A new adventure begins.

Jan 29

Trying out some low light, (directional light I guess) with W's new "light saver" (light sabre = emergency torch!).

Looks really bad here and on flickr - lots of weird banding around the torch - it's not like that in photoshop so not sure what the issue is?

Jan 28

Off for a camping adventure with his daddy.

Unfortunately, their bush camping plans didn't work out (bushfires...) so they're at a caravan park. But, I'm sure they'll have fun anyway. :)

Jan 27

An attempt at a self portrait.

Of course, the image I like best I've chopped my foot off! 

I should have moved the couch around to get some more light on us - because I had to drop my SS to 80 (with ISO maxed out at 1600). 

Jan 26

My gorgeous, cheeky 3 year old.

He's been having a lot of pain recently with an infection he's been fighting, so it's nice to see him smiling like this.

Jan 25

A rare moment when he agreed to stay still for a photo - and I miss focus! Not completely sure it's entirely my fault, I think my poor old camera and lens are needing a tune-up. 

One day, I dream of a full frame body and nice sharp prime lens. One day.

Jan 24

Looking much too little to be starting school in less than a week...

Jan 23

I love that Mr 3 is now old enough to participate in games with Mr 5.
Sure, there's frustration on both sides but they're both learning different things by playing together.

Plus, it let's me get out of playing the same game over and over!

Jan 22

I love this profile shot of my youngest son. 

His "indie boy" hair, the little dimple at his elbow and that beautiful little face.

Jan 21

After two and a half years at childcare it's time to move on to bigger things.

School starts next week and this little boy can't wait. To be honest, neither can I!

He's going to love it I think.

Jan 20

My biggest boy. Deep in thought.

A rare moment of silence.

He tells me "I've got so many thoughts in my head I just can't stay quiet!"

Jan 19

My beautiful mum with my gorgeous niece. I attempted a mini shoot with my two boys and my niece after work on Saturday. Didn't quite go as planned (ran out of light and my poor little 400D camera just couldn't cope with the low light, combined with 2 three year olds and a five year old in not so cooperative moods), but I love this one of my mum.

Jan 18

After watching a Thomas and Friends movie, both boys requested I get the train tracks out and they've spent days building tracks around the loungeroom floor.

Jan 17

(Hot) Summer nights are no fun, and neither are the grumpy days that follow them!

Jan 16

Another rewind from last week's beach trip. It was the first beach swim for the boys AND the dog. Nym (9 month old labrador) was even less sure about the water than the boys were. She'd only been in water once before (a few days earlier than this) in the shallow creek behind my parent's house and she had no idea what to do!

Jan 15

No photo from Jan 15 because I was sick and didn't have the energy to pick up the camera, let alone think of taking a photo... so here's a rewind to last week's trip to the beach:

Jan 14

I wish I could have captured the beautiful sound of his giggles. 

Will have to be content with this image of his delightful face. 

Jan 13

Back at the off lead dog park, teaching Mr 3 how to use the ball thrower. This place is great, a completely fenced field with a playground right next to it. Even better it's 100 metres from my parents back door. It's a great place to tire out the dog and the kids!

Jan 12

On the way home from the coast.

Our Labrador, Nym, is now 9 months old. She is fantastic with the kids, very calm and gentle. W especially has developed a lovely relationship with her, and I often find them snuggled up together on the couch (despite the 'no dogs on the furniture' rule). I think they're working towards sneaking her onto his bed... But I think I draw the line at dogs on the bed!

Jan 11

First time swimming at the beach for both our boys (three and five). They both enjoyed the sand (Mr 3 is throwing handfuls of it into the water here) but were a little unsure about the water.

It wasn't the ideal beach for a first visit because the waves were breaking at a deep point (I could barely touch) but once you got past that it was shallow again. It meant the boys couldn't wade very far at all before it got deep, and they were too nervous to try when we were out further.

We'll have to try another beach soon.

Jan 10

Cool science: making backyard volcanoes (and mud pies!)

How to: http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/volcano.php (extra messy mud optional!)

Jan 9

Taking advantage of a cooler day (they even have jumpers on!) to use the new trampoline they got for Christmas. Despite the heat they've still managed to get a fair bit of use out of it already so I think we can say it's been worth the price!

Jan 8

We found a blue tongue lizard on the road and rescued it. Mr 5 wanted to keep it ("it can live in my bug house"), but we persuaded him to let it live in the garden.

It's disappeared now. Didn't like our carefully constructed rock garden it seems!

Jan 7

I was ready to pack the duplo away when they pulled it out and started playing with it again. Now it's all over the loungeroom floor again... at least it hurts less than lego!

Jan 6

 

 Flying high on the swings while the dog has a run at the off lead dog park. 

[Shooting into the sun and living dangerously!]

Jan 5

The boys spent the day at home with daddy while I went to work. It was another hot day (without air con) so the three of them went and bought some water pistols and spent the day in the backyard soaking each other.

I'm not sure who had more fun?!

Jan 4

Mr 3. Love his little toddler legs. I can't believe that some day soon those chubby little legs are going to turn into long lanky preschooler legs and my little boy will be that little bit bigger.

Jan 3

This is the first summer we've pulled out the sprinkler for the kids (we've been on water restrictions in previous years so no sprinklers allowed). Mr 5 has been loving it, Mr 3 is not so sure.

Jan 2

This boy is a master at hiding. Found him this day hiding in the shoe box at the front door, completely still and quiet. Not so fun when he does it behind the racks of clothes at the shopping centre...

Jan 1

Why do they never keep the sand in the sandpit? When will I stop finding piles of it in the garden, on the driveway or in the bottom of the shoe basket??