Cheeky - clever possum (Ruminations on motherhood)

My favourite seven-year-old and I were walking along the other day having a lovely chat about things. Where does electricity come from? What's inside lightning? You may also have had these conversations. I realise how little I know of the world when they occur. I also realise what a wonderful mind my little man has, so inquisitive and interested in learning. It's truly pleasurable spending time with him.

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As we walked and chatted, we passed a group of Mums out for coffee. They looked at me with a smile. As we came level, Master 7 suddenly exclaimed: "When can I get my very own mobile phone?"

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All adults gave a little laugh. I was rather astonished, as I am not into technology and children. Once a month he might get ten minutes on the computer, if that.

"When you have a job and can pay for your calls!" I replied.

Master 7 then floored me with: "But you don't have a job Mum and you have a phone?!"

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The mums were laughing hard now, and I was in awe of the mind of the child, and the literal mind of the Aspergers' mind.

I am so grateful that he has an inquiring mind, that he has such a quick mind. I love his sense of humour.

Being a mother has not always been a joyful time for me. I sometimes wonder how I got here. I am certainly aware of the amazing gift that has been given to me, and I adore my kids. But what does it take to be a mother?

Once I knew I was pregnant, I considered myself a mother. I was growing a life. We bonded immediately. The dreams you have as a potential parent begin. You visualise your child, your famil. You long to meet them.

I ache at this time of the year for all the women who have lost a child. Friends who have "angel babies" are also mothers. A local church had a vigil service last night for all women who have had children, lost children, been unable to have children. It was an opportunity to reflect, listen to music, look at artworks, and meditate. I will be lighting a candle tonight for those friends who have carried a life, some brief, some to term, and have had to say goodbye. It's a tough time for them. They are mothers too.

I will not see my mother, as she is in Victoria, however I will call her and try and have a cup 0f tea with her over the phone. She's a great role model and a friend as well as a Mum. I know she will be thinking of her Mum.

I hope to go to a local park tomorrow for a Mothers' Day party in the park with an Abba cover band. Pop in to Glebe Park if you are in Canberra and be a Dancing Queen with me!

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Happy Mothers' Day to you - high five to all mums - we all do our best with the tools that we have. Take care,

J

Mum, I need two cakes! Pleeeeeeeease?

So Master 7 wanted a cake like a seven, but also a Ben 10 (*shudder*) cake. "Like an Omnitrix Mum, you know!" (actually, no, I don't know...!)



The things we do - and although there was disappointment (read Aspergers' meltdown), that there was not an Omnitrix in sight, the Ben 10 cake was later proclaimed "awesome".

Phew. He's now making up for his lack of "stuff" by compiling his list for Santa. Yep, it's March..... How did this happen?????!

j

SEVEN

Seven. Lucky for some. Master Six has now reached that magical number.

I feel humbled by the amount he has grown, what he has achieved, how he blooms every day. He is my perfect little man and he is growing up so fast.

Mr BB took the big day off work so we could marvel that seven years ago we were at the Freemason's watching Nee Naw tap dancing to pass the time in delivery suite. A great way to celebrate the achievements and to mark being parents, together, for 7 years.

Master 7 took lamingtons to school to share with his classmates. Grandparents came to Canberra for the party. He coped with the fuss admirably. We are so proud of him.

Happy Birthday Darling.

xx

Lego hat for Master 6

Master 6 (soon to be Master 7), loves this version we made of the Lego Cap, sighted at Brickvention 09 in Melbourne last month. It took us less than 20 minutes, and is fully interchangeable. The people can be replaced by "mobiles", and despite it fragility, it's quite a hit.

I am thinking it would make a good party craft for the boys later in the month actually...




j

Look Mum, no hands!

I am so, so proud of Master 6. Kids with Aspergers have some motor skills challenges, and my boy also has more anxiety than your average kid. He has a personal goal to try and be off training wheels by his 7th birthday next month. Mr BB and I are sure he can do it!!

Love You baby boy.

x

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa -

Is it true that only good boys and girls get presents? What if there are moments of good in amongst a sea of just trying? Does that count? How about we say that good behaviour is in the eye of the beholder? In relative terms it can be good - it can!

So Santa, can you please help me out? I am on the verge of needing a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down, but can you please, please, please tell me how I can get Agents Lego without paying over $70 in postage and without going near the shops?

Master Six and his list-to-Santa-mark-three has thrown me in a spin...

Lego is the one thing I cannot sew. Or can I??

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Image from here

Image from here

A ring, cuff-links, a flash-drive, a lamp shade, a cuckoo clock, and a sewing machine, all from LEGO! A-ha - maybe I can crochet the lego required?! Felt it?!


Or Not.

J

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Does your Garden Grow?

Master 6 made me a watering can recently during a session of "box construction". Box Construction involves raiding the recycle box and the useful box and coming up with an amazing and unique piece of installation art.


He has begged me to use it... as long as I don't get it wet. I'll do my best honey. X

The garden in the meantime has transformed again. I have previously mentioned the joy of a rental garden, where every season, surprises appear. Every time I stand at the sink, these smile at me. At best, there were over thirty, long-stemmed roses. Perhaps Eiffel Tower, perhaps not. Identifying roses is not my strong suit.


Our veggies have also 'sprouted' forth (he he), with lettuces, tomatoes and basil in particular loving their positions:



The cucumbers are slow, there are no olives on the tree (yet), and the oregano is sprouting. Can you guess what I am concocting?

Hint: Now I just need a goat, to make my own fetta cheese and my salad is complete!

YUM

Welcome to the house of fun...

Master 6 wanted help making biscuits (cookies) on the weekend. When they were cool he iced them.

I boiled the kettle and got ready for a cuppa to go with my bikkie, thinking what a great . That's when I saw this:

The kid who sells his paper planes now sells snacks!


He's sold them all (to me, his dad, and his Grandma), except for the freebies he gifted to Miss 2 ("she's got no money yet Mum!").

Gotta love the little man. The money went towards his latest Lego purchase.

Craft for lazy parents...

"Glue Mummy?"

I found a big bag of peel-off shapes in the cheap shop the other day, and pounced. Noting my kids love craft, and I don't like mess inside (we rent...), Miss 2 grabbed some bands from around yarn I was knitting, to make bracelets. Very clever little lass, peeled off the Christmas shapes and we now have accessories.


Orders taken, she may open a shop...

Master 6 sells his paper planes for $2.50 with a discount to kids who don't get their own pocket money, so her craft may also be put on the market. Master 6 reckons he can sell them at lunchtime to the girls.... Ah, I love my enterprising offspring!!

j

Master 6 in the kitchen

When Master 6 hits the kitchen, some interesting discoveries are made. This weekend we farewelled Winter with a huge batch of buttermilk pancakes. We don't measure anything, but throw in self-raising flour, an egg, and most of a 600ml carton of buttermilk, and if we remember, some vanilla extract. Out with the whisk, and off we go.

He likes it how he likes it, and likes three, with butter and jam. There is never any deviation from this. Never. Until this weekend.

Him: "I want vegemite on mine".

Me: "vegemite isn't really a pancake food honey, maybe just a scrape, just to try".

Him: "Nah, I want lots."

When we say lots, we mean thick.


Bless his heart, he ate it, said he felt sick, and retired to his room. When he emerged, he told us that the experiment didn't work so well...

Back to jam!

Forever Young

I have realised that Asperger's Syndrome does not need to be a negative thing.
I have learned that my son has so many shining qualities, that Asperger's does not need to define him.
I have learned that he can make me cry with joy just when he smiles at me.
I am so lucky to have a beautiful, intelligent, vibrant, loving little man.

I must remember that he needs to be affirmed daily and that he is a gift. He teaches us patience, tolerance, and respect.

Kids and questions...

Master 6 is a Very Clever Kid. He regularly surprises me with his wit and wisdom. Here's his little map of Africa which he has labelled. He keeps it handy in case he has to 'just check' where a country is...

I get quizzed on which countries share borders, and "if we drove from Egypt to Mali, which countries would we go through?" I really need some Atlas time!!!

Miss 2 turns.... 2!

Miss 2 has finally had the birthday, and turned 2! Master 6 had a pyjama party at school that day, hence he is in his jammies at the park! The cake was a cat (no reason, just that it was do-able).


She loved her vintage wooden puzzles and all the attention. She had Granny visiting for the birthday as well which was super-special!

Happy Birthday Bubba!!

x

A grey day

Just a quick post -

I am distracting myself from various draining medical mysteries in my house.

So many lovely things on-line, wish I had the energy to sew, create, etc.

Reading the magnificent new book by Philippa Gregory keeps me going though!

Lovely things happening in blog land though - I can't possibly comment on everyone's, but I AM thinking of you!

Lovely recipe here
Beautiful art here and here
Funny link here
Good inspiration to crochet here
International recognition here (thanks Cam and Kerry-owl for the heads-up!)

My continual inspiration here:

Have a good weekend!

x

This is.....

Today, being Mothers' Day, This Is... is themed appropriately.

So many things remind me of Mum, but the main ones are:
Cups of tea
Garden gloves
Warm house
Roast potatoes
Flowers from the garden
Joy

HMD Mum. xoxoxoxox

Master 6 woke me at 6.10am to give me a beautiful card and a school-made finger puppet - which I love to pieces. He knew I wanted a thimble for my embroidery, and thought this would help. Love him.


He also gave me a Yoda keyring from Coles. Why Yoda? Because "you're old and wise Mummy". Mwah! At least I'm not green and wrinkly too!


x

Snakes and Australia

This is a Brown Snake that met my friend Em at her front door recently when she came home from picking the kids up from school. She lives in South Australia.

I was blown away that she was calm enough to take a picture IN FOCUS with this nearby.

After Master 6's Olive Python, I just had to share!


x

Challenge - are you up for it?

The lovely Curly Pops has suggested that I host a challenge, which is not buying anything unnecessary for a month.

I am definitely going to do this! I am not sure I will last, as I know that the essence of it will not allow "I HAVE to have that button!!"-type need.

Great idea Curly Pops - who will join in?

Just leave a comment and I will add you to the challenge sidebar.


(Totally unrelated photo - Master 6 at his 6th birthday party with an Olive Python - yes it's real - yes, it's in my loungeroom!)

x