Family | The Lattimore Acre

Gentle Encouragement #2

It is birthday central at our house. It’s all about family get togethers, birthday surprises, cards, cake making and lots of cake eating – myself, my Mum, my Dad, Andrew’s Mum, Andrew’s Dad and Andrew all have birthdays within four weeks. Andrew’s Mum and Dad have been touring Europe this year so they celebrated without us!! But my point in all this is that there are many opportunities for Ben to use his lovely new stationary supplies to make cards etc for family.

I think Ben out did himself once again drawing a portrait of Gamma on her birthday card (I know I have my Mummy Goggles on!). If you know my Mum it even looks a little like her!! He wasn’t very keen to make another card I have to say. But he did because he would pretty much do anything for his Gamma. She would and does play Lego with him all day long!!

Next up Andrew’s birthday. What will we do for Daddy?

Gentle Encouragement

Ben loves Star Wars, Lego, Star Wars, Lego and more Star Wars and Lego!! At Pre-Prep and at home Ben will choose to play on the fort over anything some what crafty every time. I took Ben shopping yesterday. We went to the stationary department and I told him he could have whatever he wanted. He looked at me puzzled and informed me that there is no Lego here! I am trying to encourage Ben to experiment with pens and paper. He did enjoy picking things out.

(Note: It’s not like we don’t already have a ton of this at home. I’m an early childhood teacher!! I wanted Ben to have his own special things)

We put them to good use that afternoon by making Grandad a birthday card. Ben was keen to help ………YAY my plan is working.

I’m so proud. He even gave Grandad a moustache !

Linking with – Life Made Lovely Monday

Making Memories

I have fond memories of my Dad when I was little. One of my favorites was standing on his feet and walking with him. Every time I see Ben and Andrew playing this game I am taken back to my childhood. I hope Ben will one day reflect with happiness xo

Ben’s Favorite Things

Ben has been a busy little man the last few weeks. I can’t believe he is four and three months. He used to fit in my arms!! Here are a few of his favorite things:

The Nintendo DS…… playing Star Wars Lego!! (I’m not loving this interest!)

The Flying Fox. He loves it. We can’t go outside at the moment without having a go.

Reading Eggs on the computer. A fun children’s program introducing phonics. Ben is very fond of the letter ‘B’.

Drawing Star Wars Lego men.

Lego, Lego and more Lego. Especially Lego with Light Sabers.

Numbers!! Ben is all about counting and pointing out numerals. He showed me this number 7 (the path) when I picked him up from Kindy last week.

And his very favorite thing is his Anakin Skywalker Pez Dispenser. Oh how he loves it!! I think he is pretty keen of the lollies that go in it too.

There is still a keen interest in Star Wars…… did you notice? The ‘FORCE’ is still strong with this little padawan!!!

Linking with Life Made Lovely Monday

12 Years xo

It’s a bit of a soppy one today……

This week Andrew and I celebrate our 12 year wedding anniversary….

We met when we lived in a small country town in southeast Queensland. Andrew and I went to the same high school. Andrew was a couple of years older and at school he was a bit of a practical joker. I have to say, if anyone had have told me I would have married Andrew, I would have thought they were crazy. He rolled his eyes back in his head for his year twelve photo…..OH DEAR!!

Andrew’s family built a house on the block of land next to ours when Andrew was away at University – we became neighbours. Our families became good friends – even building a path between the two houses. When Andrew came home for holidays, I used to think he was ‘kinda nice’ and we became great friends. We dated for a while when I was in senior high school but we went our separate ways after a short time, although we remained close friends. He always had my heart really. A couple of years later (I recall it like it was yesterday), Andrew began to have eyes for another girl. My heart sank as I realised how foolish I had been those years earlier. So, in February of 1994, we began dating again and have been together ever since.

In 1996 Andrew proposed…. down on one knee with his grandmother’s ring. Of course I said ‘yes’! In July 1999 we married in a fairy-tale wedding. What I remember the most, was the happiness of our special day. I remember saying my vows and both Andrew and I shedding a little happy tear.

I am so blessed to have Andrew as my husband. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been peaches and cream. I am a little fiery at times and Andrew is so laid back. So I am sure that there have been many times he would’ve liked to throw a bucket of water on me and I would’ve liked to light a fire under him!! But, I am thankful that every night one of us always kisses the other goodnight.

These days, I still think he is pretty wonderful. It is now not only the two of us. We have our beautiful boy, Ben. Watching Andrew be a Dad just makes my heart melt. I am sure I have fallen in love with him all over again.

So Honey, I am so glad I married the boy next door…… Happy Anniversary…….. I love you xo

Linking up with The Anderson Crew and Paisley Jade

Random Happenings….

Breakfast Excitement – Do you know how I started my day this morning? My pyjama sleeve caught on fire!!! Nothing like a bit of terror to start the day!!!!! I don’t know what I was thinking – my pyjama sleeve dangling over the gas hot plate when I was cooking Ben some pancakes for breakfast. And how do you think I put it out? My cook top is not even a step away from the sink……. but no I didn’t use the sink. I patted it out with my other hand. What an IDIOT!! Mental Note: Make sure I am fully awake when cooking breakfast!!!

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School Enrollment – Andrew and I finally decided on a school for Ben. I don’t know if it is a difficult decision for all parents but I have been making myself sick over it. Yesterday I finalised it all and found myself trembling. I really hope that I have made the best decision for my son. We have gone with the local Anglican College. I am feeling very anxious!

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What??? – Yesterday I popped into the pet shop to pick up some supplies for Bonnie. I was chatting away to the owner and I did not hear what he said to me. Instead of saying ‘pardon’ I said ‘what?!!’. I didn’t realise what I did at first. Then I stopped talking and asked if I just said ‘What’. The owner laughed and laughed as he saw how embarrassed I was. Wow…… you know I don’t think i even said ‘What’. I think it was more like ‘WHA?’. Mortified…. another Mental Note: Find my Manners!!

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Blog Excitement – Yesterday was a big day for our little blog. I had linked up with Heather from Life Made Lovely Monday. I am very excited to say that I got nearly 200 visits, mostly on the Princess Leia cupcake. The cupcake even got re-posted by Meaghan to Craft Gossip – Edible Crafts. I rang Andrew at work and said ‘I have fourteen comments on the Princess Leia cupcake. It’s gone viral!’. I may have been delirious at the time lol!!! I am sure that today we will be back to ten visits…. most of them family xo

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Loveliness – My beautiful niece Maggie made this for my for my birthday. It arrived in the post on Monday and just took my breath away. It is the teacher in me that gets so excited when children begin writing. I also just adore Maggie’s picture – me with my vegetable patch and chickens….love it. Maggie’s Mum Tina is pretty amazing to remember my birthday this year. What a GEM! So thanks to the Lattimore’s in Chinchilla and all my family and friends for my lovely birthday well wishes xo.