Belinda | The Lattimore Acre

What Did Monday Bring?

Q – What did Monday bring? A – A great first day at Pre-Prep!!

I was a little nervous about Ben’s first day at Pre-Prep. Yes, there was tears…. from Ben and Mum. And Ben even screamed out when I was leaving ‘Don’t go Mum!!’. I saved my tears for the drive home when I was away from Ben. But before I even got home the Pre-Prep Teacher called me to say Ben was settled playing blocks on the carpet with a new little friend. What a relief! As an Early Childhood Teacher tears in the first weeks of school is something that I have delt with many many times. But always as a teacher and not as a parent. So when the shoe is on the other foot…. it really pulls at those heart strings.

When I picked Ben up and asked him about his day, he didn’t really give away many details. But he was smiling and happy. His wonderful teacher makes a poster every day with photos and a summary of what the children have done. I just love this!! Over the last few weeks Ben hasn’t really had much to say when you question him about Pre-Prep. He does however spontaneously talk about a story he read or even sing a song he had learnt which is a good sign. His first few weeks have seen him bring home paintings, gluing, and decorated boxes. He gave some of these to his Gamma which she has proudly displayed on her fridge.

So would I go as far as say that Ben loves to go to Pre-Prep…. well maybe. He doesn’t give away much. He isn’t one to take a leap, he stands back and watches before he makes a judgment. But if his spontaneous conversations about Pre-prep are anything to go by….I think it is growing on him!

Best for Breakfast!! “2010 update”

We couldn’t be more impressed with our Isa Brown hens. Penny Penny and Honda are fabulous additions to our family. They are friendly and even enjoy to be picked up and snuggled. They do have a bad reputation as being a bossy bird towards other breeds. But our Silkies and Isa Browns live together very happily. The produce eggs nearly everyday. And good sized eggs….. the best for breakfast!! Their is always discussion in our house over who got the biggest egg for breakfast. On occasion the girls lay enormous eggs – normally a double yolker. This makes an extra special breakfast!! Thanks girls xo.

That is my hand, not Bens!! I am continually surprised how I fuss over the chickens……who would have thought!!

What to do with Broody Chickens??

What do you do with Broody Chickens? We don’t have a rooster and our two Silkies – Woof and Buzz spend their days sitting on the other chickens eggs or sitting on no eggs at all. I feel a little sorry for the girls as the eggs are never going to hatch! I lift the girls out a couple of times a day making sure they drink and eat (I take them down their favorites). I read that they will stop being broody if you get them out and put them in the sun. This doesn’t seem to be working. Does anyone have any tips or will they just stop being broody some day soon?

The Christmas Challenge “2010 update”

We purchased Ben a fort for Christmas 2010. Andrew and I researched and decided on a climbing fort from Pepper Town on the Gold Coast. We chose the Skyfort Clamber Climber with some additions. But there was only one small obstacle….. it was proving to bit of a challenge to build it. It didn’t stop raining. Fortunately for us we have great family and friends and with their help and a tarp to keep off some rain, the fort was built ready for Christmas. We can’t thank Uncle Al, Uncle Phil and the Durringtons enough.

We told Ben it was a new Chicken House but he isn’t stupid and soon informed me that it wasn’t a Chicken House but a Ben Sized Play Fort! We didn’t put the finishing touches on until after Christmas so we could wrap them up and put them under the Christmas Tree. I also convinced Andrew and Dad decorate the fort in the pouring rain on Christmas Eve.

We were so excited to see Ben’s reaction on Christmas day……. but there was only one problem IT WAS STILL RAINING!! I think Andrew and I were more disappointed than Ben about the rain.

Ben still managed a little play between the showers. I think his face says it all. It is a hit!!

Happiness!

Today was a day of joy, happiness and celebration….. a baby shower. My glowing (and growing) Sister-in-law is expecting her little miracle to arrive in the next few months. It was an honor to celebrate with her today. She prepared a little speech for us….. as I looked around the table at her beautiful family and friends there was not a dry eye. We are all moved by Tam and Phil’s journey and are bursting with excitement as we all await the arrival of their bundle of joy xoxoxo.

Patience

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

Nothing really prepares you for having children. Nobody gives you a handbook with fool proof steps for parenting….. if only!!

Today was a tricky day. Ben was tired. I am not 100% well and my patience was put to the test. I could have done better. I am not coping well with the whinging, the nagging and the constant boundary testing. My beautiful boy certainly knows how to push my buttons. But I am working on how to be more patient.

I am not going to say that it is my new years resolution to be more patient…… because that would mean I was destine to fail. I don’t think I have ever kept a new years resolution. I think I will call it my word for the year ‘Patience’. How does one become more patient….. I am not really sure. I might begin with taking a breath, smiling and counting all my wonderful blessings.