1My brother Chris has been blessed with his first baby! A boy, Tristian Francis, born on Ash Wednesday. Praise the Lord all went well, although poor Chloe was in labour for 30 hours!!. I’m an Aunty again:) We are looking forward to meeting our new little nephew and cousin:) 2I have rather an eclectic pile of books on my beside table at present. One book is the South Beach Diet. I’m reading about good carbs and bad, good fats and bad etc. Learning lots and thinking. 3My darling PC gave me a lovely pile of books for my birthday (last week). I’m quite engrossed in Bringing Up Geeks. I won’t…

1I’ve started a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. I’m not planning on being fanatical but I certainly am being strict with processed cereals, bread and biscuits. I’m feeling more energetic already:) 2I have also started exercising (thanks to my commentators for their support) In a bid of support the Commando and Co are back in my life. They have formed the Yummy Mummy Tummy Builders, complete with cheer chants and the Biggest Loser theme songs. It is all very amusing. 3Changes happen as your children move deeper into their teenager years, you know this theoretically but now we know in practice. Carpenter has started a job; assistant groundsman at a local…

1First week back at lessons this week. Jelly Bean was excited to be officially in Kindergarten!Einstein thoughts on beginning highschool weren’t quite so enthusiastic;) We started rather gently so next week will be the real stretch. 2A couple of lesson logistics will need re-thinking, I’ll also spend time over the weekend writing a clear list of expectations. The children work more productively with defined direction. 3After a break of a couple of years we have started back with swim squad. They are training hard, we are seeing the benefits already. 4The girls swimming lessons start next week. Today I took them to the park to play whilst the older children…

1 Our extensions continue at a rapid pace. The children are planning on moving in as soon as possible. I’m tentatively starting to think about setting up the library in there. Hoping by the Easter holidays. It will be soo exciting to unpack all of our boxes and boxes of books. 2 The boys went on their annual camping trip with their friends. This would be their fifth year. Once upon a time their Dads drove them out, now they drive themselves. They loaded the BBQ up and took it down so they were able to fend for themselves totally.(Fire bans here prohibit open fire cooking) Three days of swimming,…

1I know it has been ages since I have participated in 7 Quick Takes. Life is just so busy at present but in an effort to let you know my brain does contain thoughts other than building, it’s time to jump back in.As I’ve shared before, my Prince Charming likes my 7 Quick Takes; I suspect its a quicker way for him to know just what random thoughts are drifting through my brain than having to listen to me waffle on. 2Advent update – after all my plans, I’m sad to report nothing much is happening:( but I’m trying to be gracefully okay with that, there are seasons to everything.…

1I’ve spent a bit of time this week updating links for Faith Filled Days. I was only a few months behind. (wince) My intention is to try to do better over the next few months, particularly with Advent and Christmas rushing towards us. 2Talking about Faith Filled Days, I have discovered Veronica’s Paper Dali site. Lots of doll history figures and lots of Saint dollies too. Veronica assures me that there will be more to come over Advent/Christmas. 3More on links; I’ve stumbled across My Audio School Each book on My Audio School is broken down, chapter by chapter, so that children can listen to their daily assignments in manageable…

I know I’ve been rather quiet here for a bit; I’ve been experiencing a form of writers block.Anyhow at my husband’s repeated requests for 7 Quick Takes, I’m ‘picking the pen’ back up. 1If you haven’t yet nominated your favourite blogs for the Homeschool Blog Awards, you still have one more day to do so. 2Last week we had a front row seat; all afternoon we watched planes fly over water bombing on the fire over the ridge. They were so low we could easily read their numbers. My friend Rebecca is a 12 minute car drive away but we discovered only 50 secs by plane. (We were on the…

1Our Development Application has been handed in to Council! Processing should take 4 weeks, so all going well, we will start building, November 16th! 2Koala went in for her driver’s license; she passed her written test and now has her Ls!! She’s very excited and we are pretty proud of her:) 3 PC built a super deluxe Chook House! Actually the photo does not really do it justice. Just in time too, as the roof blew off the old Chook Shed this week.*Chook is Australian for Chicken. 4Please continue to Storm heaven for my friend Gae’s house to sell. Its been a long, hard road with no end in sight.…

1We (PC and I) have finally ironed out the kinks in our house building plans, (aka we fought a battle, one was victorious;-). So on the schedule is to get the plans to council this week! 2For my sister and friend a quick google calendar tutorial in importing a liturgical calendar.Obviously you need a google account. From personal settings choose calendar, then head over to Universalis, just follow the instructions there. That simple:) Being so visual, I like to print my calendar out. Finally I am celebrating some feast days because I can ‘see’. A little thing can make a big difference. (Just ask if you need more help) 3My…