Our River Views

We live right near the Brunswick River, but you normally wouldn't know.  Last Wednesday it flooded, and according to locals was the highest it's been since the 'great floods of 1964'.   We've certainly never seen it this high before.  Thankfully it's dropped to near normal levels again, and I don't think caused too much damage around the place.

just a few random recent events around here...

Since it's been a couple months since I last posted, here's some random pics I downloaded today from the camera in no particular order of importance!

1. Dean built a possum home!  I was going to paint nice things on it, but Dean thought the possums mightn't like that :)  Now hopefully we can convince them that our roof is not such a great place to live.  I'm the possum defender in the family, Dean the wannabe possum culler, so this project was quite a compromise for him!  (though neither of us likes them living in our roof space)

2.  Alwyn thought the brocolli were taking too long to grow, so tried taking an early nibble.

 

3.  We planted a persimmon tree.  I have a persimmon addiction (I buy them and don't share them... :) ) so I sure am looking forward to getting some off this tree one day!  Bit of a team effort as you can see, with everyone, even the truck, getting in on the action.

 

4.  Forced Piano lessons.  We start them early around here.... 

5. I've been doing a bit of sewing again, and feeling ambitious, decided to try skinny leg jeans for Clive. I was amazed they turned out looking like jeans (I've never sewed anything quite like this before).  Slight problem though... .they're too small for him.   Note to self: will have to check all the measurements next time and not just rely on height!  Maybe Alwyn can wear them one day....

Make-do

We got Clive one of these 'Make-do' kits a while back.  He was still a little young to do it completely on his own, but I think his Dad had quite a lot of fun helping him put it together. :)  (Though I'm sure the instructions didn't mention anything about needing a drill or jigsaw to complete the project...)

And here he is in his 'car'!  (along with an unwilling passenger)

Some balancing acts

Lots of different types of balancing going on at Cooinda!

Alwyn's been trying the 'look no hands' trick.

Clive was rather proud to discover he can now ride his bike without training wheels. (yes, no helmet, no shoes for any safety people watching... but we are in the country! :))

And us 'grown ups' doing lots of balancing on ladders and scaffolding while we try and paint the outside of the house before winter!  We sure are excited to paint over all that mission brown!

Why dirt is good

I think I took a recent read, "Why Dirt is Good", a little too seriously.

(worth a read by the way.  Unfortunately mine was a library copy, because I thought it would be a great book to have on display in some appropriate area of the house :) )

6 months

Our smallest boy reached the '6 month' milestone a couple days ago. It still seems unbelievable how soon he has gone from a tiny cuddly baby to a exploring, social little man.  He's been working very hard on trying to crawl the last few weeks, and though the legs are doing the right thing, and occasionally the arms, he doesn't have the whole act quite coordinated yet. 

It doesn't help when big brother keeps pushing down on your back!

And speaking of big brother, Clive is onto his 3rd week of kindy - 3 whole days a week, and is really thriving.  We have been so surprised and thankful how well he has settled in.  It was not an easy decision to send him - I was quite happy to have him home for another year, but he was getting very bored at home the last few months and we both felt he needed something more - especially socially.

Clive being gone for the day has answered once and for all which of our two boys take up the most time and energy :)  I didn't know what to do with myself the first few days he was gone - it was so quiet - but am enjoying finding some new projects to fill up all the extra time!

mmm....apriciots!!

It was worth netting them this year - we're pretty excited our first decent crop is ready to pick!