Summer Daze

I think I have taken a little inspiration from Jodi's Monday summer pick of Che this week, both our boys looking so grown up. I brought myself a new hat and glasses and I didn't even unpack them before he was claiming them as his own. Apparently they turned Caleb into a rock star, which means he has to call everyone dude. He has had those flowing locks chopped since then.

Summer Daze

I am a little late for my Monday Jodi summer update, but I have gone back to work this week and I am adjusting to this job carry on. It seems it only took 2 weeks to get out of sync and Poppy had hidden my camera - that doesn't help either.

Heading off to the park on our Santa supplied wheels, I think that this is the summer in a nutshell for us this year.It was also Caleb's first outing with his new shoes, you can kinda see them if you stand on your head. Not that exciting, I hear you sigh, she doesn't blog forever and then she gives us shoes. These are our new school shoes, from those fancy places where they actually measure your feet. Every day he asks how many more sleeps until big boy school so for the next 30 odd sleeps he has left to go he has to make do with wearing his beloved shoes and you can run really fast in them and if your 5 that is all you need. It is funny how he seems to be grown up all of a sudden and there are times where I catch glimpses of the man he is growing into all a little too quick for his mum. I am happy to admit that I am a little nervous at how he is going to cope with school, as are most parents Asperger's or not, but I am putting on my game face. I am not discouraging his absolute wonder at what school holds for him. This summer break is my time to get him as prepared as I can before Prep and the new challenges that is going to bring for him, but the structure will go a long way to help him cope. I just hope that he is lucky enough to find a couple of good friends that will help him though the first few weeks and that he has the stamina to go 5 days - a big ask as he works hard to keep it together. I know in the quiet times he is thinking about it and smiling, and who am I to try and doubt 5 year old logic - run fast and smile and it will all work out.

Speaking of an infectious smile, this one from the Popster gets me every time.

My Creative Space

So I may be a little late, well perhaps a lot, but in the Christmas spirit - lets not worry too much. So the last week was all about the pirate, I made the hats, sashes, party bags, cake. It was on Thursday and Caleb had a great time so that was the important thing. Poppy had a blast running around as a little pink pirate too, complete with painted on moustache. Unfortunately it rained so lots of the games I had made we couldn't use but after the initial excitement of 20 super excited kids in the lounge room it seemed to calm down a little. Glen as Captain Grumpo helped keep them all in check too. Thankfully we had enough of a break in the rain to get the treasure hunt done, even if we were left with 13 very muddy holes in the yard after everyone dug up there goodies.I have been getting good progress on Poppy's Christmas picnic rug, hopefully finished pictures tomorrow.

More creative people, that have been patiently waiting since last Thursday over at Kirsty's.

Here Come the Clowns

Guess who went to the circus with Dad last week-end. It was a boy only adventure. I think he enjoyed the jumping castle before the circus started the best, but the hula hoop lady in the sparkly outfit seems to of left quite an impression. He only made it to intermission before the sensory overload of lights and sounds but that hardly seems the point with a smile like that.

Note - That is me, not a clown with Caleb sporting a flashing clown nose.

Ta dah - Caleb's Quilt - Finally

There are a few pictures mainly because I am so darn proud of this baby. My quilt photography skills on the other hand could use some refinement. I think I had a little too much light? I did the binding in linen. All the blocks are hand quilted and eventually I want to add circle quilting to the middle square, but I am prepared to do that gradually. I really love the blocks with the pockets on them, and so does Caleb - he is already squirreling his goodies in there. He got to sleep under it last night for the first time and told me that it brought happy sleep.

My absolute favourite part though is the 'sweet dreams beautiful boy' embroider on the binding - it is the last thing I say to him every night. And Caleb absolutely loves it which makes all the time, pulled muscles (who new stitching was exercise) and calloused fingers worthwhile. Did I mention that I have already go the fabric for Poppy's quilt too, but I really have to do some market and summer sewing first.

My Creative Space

It has been all about Caleb's quilt the last few weeks and I have finally got the top finished but since I want to hand quilt it, there is still a long way to go. Sorry the picture isn't the best, hopefully there will be a bit of Spring sun soon.The top got done last night so Caleb had to test run it this morning. He is so excited, he keeps asking when he can have it so that is spurring me on. He loved picking the backing fabric today and chose a great sunny blue. I am really happy with how it turned out so far, I have to say I was rather nervous that it wouldn't come together as I had hoped. Glen chose the brown borders which was such a better option than the linen, just don't let him know that he was right.

His favourite is this panel which has the coolest barrel of monkeys design that is also a secret pocket so that he can take him Ben 10 figurines or his footy cards to bed and tuck them into the little sister proof hidey holes. Sweet!

More creative goodies over at Kirsty's house. I am contemplating another crafty challenge to give her in what is turning into the crafty decathlon. I think with some op shop finds and a dremel she is unstoppable

Two Peas in a Pod and Winners

Poppy just before her birthday decided to climb out of her cot, and not confidently, more ruggedly determined. I was concerned she was going to break a leg in her pursuit for freedom, so into a big girl bed for her. She just got her special big girl princess bed last week, but I was panicked as my little baby keeps growing up so darn quick. During her transition, I said to Caleb that perhaps she would feel better if he kept her company. After 4.5 years of bunking in with us, and on the promise of hot wheels cars, up he went and has been there ever since. My favourite is listening to them when they wake up - they have the funniest conversations. At night Caleb crashes in 5 minutes, and you can still hear Poppy talking to him half an hour later - the joys of a little sister, the benefit of being a heavy sleeper. I have really been enjoying the little bit of quilting and am working up to doing quilts for them, but I am paralysed with choice, I just can't decide what I want to do.

I had a moment when the cot left the house. I am blaming it being compounded by her 2nd birthday. I still can't believe that Caleb is off to school next year. I am super excited that I am still allowed lots of cuddles and am enjoying every moment I get to spend with them. Less hours at work has more than been compensated by more time with Poppy who is growing into a young diva (umm I mean lady) by the day.

Also the winners from the giveaway - Melli can look forward to a special dress and some new pants heading over the waters for Michelle's pirate. Please email me your addresses and sizes and I can send them off to their new homes.

Joy - Brought to you by Caleb

Pip's Words and Pictures for this week is Joy, she is also hosting a week of Special Stuff so I think I will file it away there too. On Sunday I said to Caleb take photos of anything that makes you feel happy because I love it when I can palm off a bit of homework. Drum roll please - presenting Caleb's Ode to Joy.

Making cookies (good fun to cook and eat)

A blurry Mum photo (I am sure Dad would of made it but he was working. I doubt Poppy would of made it, but she was sleeping so best not give the option)

His new Wobbally game,140 wobblying ball tower and you poke the balls with a stick until it falls down (clearly invented by a person who has sat next to an obnoxious child on public transport and wishes to payback every parent on earth with this messy game - If you are out there - it is working, I hope you are happy)

Books, cars, scooter and dog

Stick find

Shoes, because you can't run around or go outside without them - fair enough I guess

Our paint brushes as we have been doing some painting with water

What makes me think that life should be that simple and those great things should be enough make me happy too. Glad I had such a smartie to point it out to me.

Mum I'm in Love with the Lady

I was driving Caleb to Kinder chatting like we normally do and then I hear "Mum, I am in love with the nude lady". I was a little thrown at first, and after a somewhat mild panic attack I discovered he was referring to a billboard. He is 4 years-old and it has started already. So it appears "sultry Sally" has stolen his heart while trying to sell the rest of us potato chips. Thankfully she is not quite naked and a cool pin-up, but I am keeping an eye on him and if he starts to go to kinder in his smokers jacket and pipe he will be in big trouble. No Caleb Hefner thank you.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised if in 15 years he comes home with one of these, this one by Tim Hendricks.