Well, we had a lovely weekend really - just a few minor setbacks and lots of family time.

Friday we went to the one church service in our parish - and met the area's new minister.  He invited us back to the rectory for morning tea, which was nice.  Then we went to a friend's place for an Easter Egg hunt, which the kids really enjoyed.

Mum and Dad flew in in the afternoon from Melbourne, so DH went and picked them up from Canberra (about 1 1/2hr drive) - we thought R would want to see the planes, but NO!  So DH took B and I stayed home with R.  We had Mum and Dad over for dinner, which culminated in DH taking R to hospital (a 45min drive) as he had stuck an olive pip right up his nose and it was causing him great distress.  True to form, once arrived and checked in, it fell out!  So, home they came.

Saturday we had my brothers up for the day and we all had lunch at Mum & Dad's.  That was lovely - even though we don't live too far away from each other (1 1/2-2hrs drive), we don't meet as often as we should.

Sunday we went to our church and then raced to the local retirement village to visit the old people (with a group of friends) - true to form we raced there and arrived just in time to hand out eggs and go.  R was really confused and wouldn't join in and I'm afraid I got cross.  Shame, as it was otehrwise a good day.

The only other excitement was DH's first official call-out for the rural fire brigade, which he joined in January and officially passed his training last week.  A vehicle accident in the nasty weather - gladly nothing too serious, but the kids were a bit bewildered when his pager went off and he was off in about 30seconds.  I guess we'll all get used to it.

Otehrwise we have plodded along, not doing much but spending plenty of time together.  R has been off his food and very grumpy and sleepy - plus quite high temperatures, so we have not been out much since Sunday.  He is getting better but still uses it as an excuse when he doesn't want to do something - typical boy!  Glad he picked up so quickly as in the past he has been to hospital a few times for something minor that has escallated.  Whew!

R has been asking me to bake him something for days.  So, I head to the kitchen to make rock-cakes (moon rocks he likes to think of them).  Then I have a brain-wave - similar ingredients, why not make hot cross buns??  I am in the middle of kneading the dough when in walks B - covered in poo!  She has been outside to do a number 2 and smeared it all over herself.  AAAGH!   I race to the bathroom and put her in the shower - and then I smell it - the rock cakes burning!  Great!  I bet Margaret Fulton or Nigella Lawson never had to deal with this!  

The next few days are busy, so I am getting in early.  Sharing my view:

This is what I see when I sit and Minti - it's not a bad life is it??

Well, who would know it is Autumn?  After a very wet and often cold summer, March has been lovely and warm.  Yesterday was really hot and we have been to the pool twice this week ( a good thing as it closes today).  Today felt more like spring or early summer - beautiful and sunny with a slight breeze.  It was so lovely to sit by the open window, enjoying the sunlight and the breeze, while the kids enjoyed running around and just playing.  That's pretty much all we've done today - great, isn't it!

Last weekend my Best Friend's baby was baptised and I was asked to be godmother. Here are some photos to celebrate. The first is my little clan and her little clan together:

She and I have been friends for about 28 of our 33 years and we were both each other's bridesmaids. Her gorgeous girl has been a long awaited baby, so it was such a joy!

Here is R, fascinated with the cake - he kept wanting to touch it and see what was inside....

Made the effort to get out today and had a lovely morning at a park with some other mums.  It was very refreshing.  I also had a chat to DH and to my best friend about how I've been feeling and it has improved things.  I also have made the effort to go to training this weekend - with the kids, unfortunately, but at least they are prepared for that and will cater for them.  Things are looking up...

The kids have been keeping me busy - trying to clean up and tidy up while they are pulling everything out.  B moves quick and I can't lose sight of her. 

She was out in the yard earlier playing and I suddenly couldn't see her.  Our yard is secure and we live in a quiet country street, so i don't tend to worry too much, but I went to investigate.  She had got the gate open, crossed the road and let herself into a neighbours yard!!!

Heart pounding, I brought her home and held her close, thinking of everything that could have happened.  She just does things you woudl never imagine possible and is so quick. Very firghtening for me but she just shows no fear.  Of course I felt guilty that I had let her out of my sight (though that is one thing I love about this place - it is safe for kids and I can watch them from the house) but so relieved she was safe.  It both compounded my stress and made me think everything I'd been feeling was so minor.  Can I have a stiff drink now?

Last night was a bit of a whinge, but I feel better for having it out of my system.  It was a bit unfair as I know DH has work he has to work everything around, whereas for me it is just the kids and I can occasionally arrange time off (for good behaviour?) with friends. 

However it is true that he seems to find time for hobbies and for his volunteer work, whereas I feel I don't.  Maybe I need to make more effort and push myself more. 

Last night we had a special service on at church to welcome our new minister and DH got a call asking him to come to more Fire Brigade training.  I don't like to push, but when he came and asked me I told him I was sick of family things coming last and so he cancelled and came with us.  I was glad. I don't do that very often, but I felt I had to say what I felt.

We don't go out very often as a family - largely because we are busy and often finances constrain us doing too much, so I think it is important when there is something to make the effort.

Anyway, I still think that while he is a good dad and considers his family important he doesn't think of the kids in the same way I do in terms of it affecting every decision.  Maybe that's because they are my "job" or because I am their main carer and am with them 24hrs, or is it because mum's are more connected having carried them from conception, I don't know...

It struck me tonight how integral being a mum becomes to who you are. 

Just about everything I do is coloured by being a mum - most of my interests, my involvements etc...  When I commit to do something I have to think how it will work with children.

When my husband (who is a great dad) makes commitments to things, he does not have to think about the kids.  Yes, he needs to know that we have nothing on (though sometimes when we do he does his own thing anyway) and his commitments seem to come first.

For example, last year I committed to training to be an ABA counsellor.  In January he decided to train as a volunteer fireman.  He has spent several weekends in training (including this coming one) and has learnt his book backwards.  I have barely glanced at mine and will miss my first training session this weekend as (you guessed it) I have to look after the kids.

Yes, I am getting a bit frustrated - I am a stay at home mum and I have the kids to myself most days and for long period of time.  It would be nice to think of me as me and not mum.

Yet, it is for such a short period they need me so much and I am sure I will miss it.  I guess you don't realise when that baby first appears in your life how much they will become a part of you and every decision you make involves them.

There you go - I never knew that a corset would make me a saner, happier and younger mum - maybe that's what I've been doing wrong......