In the midst of days and days of rain and wind we had a glimpse of blue skies and slightly warmer weather on Saturday afternoon. Clark was down for a rather long nap when the clouds cleared and the sun came out. Glenn and I tossed up the options of making it out to the Arboretum before the sun came down. I went back and forth between an Arboretum adventure of just going to the nearest park. In the end we decided to brave the lowering light and make a mad dash to the Arboretum once Clark woke up.
I am so glad we did. The light extended itself and did not end our adventure prematurely. We had a small play at the new Pod Playground, where I have never seen so many children in one place! Clark was a bit intimidated at first and sat high on a slope and surveyed the scene. After he finally had a play, we went for a lovely walk, climbing hills and looking at trees. And Clark's favourite thing? Chasing the magpies. He was relentless, running after them and, oddly, mooing. For how do you scare away something? You moo at it apparantly.
I truly believe that it is when you cannot fathom the idea of upping and heading on an adventure, that you need it the most. I am sure I have said this before, but I mean it. However when it is cold and grey or the week has been long, it can be easy to forget that once we arrive at our destination and get out in the air everything is simply better.
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On another note, and for prosperity sake, this week Clark finally received a mould for his FM. This was something a bit new for Australian Hearing and I am grateful that they extended themselves and were innovative. The FM receiver was not sitting properly in Clark's ear, so the audiologist suggested an ear mould (similar to when he had a hearing aid). It finally arrived and we have had two days of Clark using the FM during group time at childcare, and have had huge success. Besides the obvious outcome of Clark being able to hear his teacher better amongst the noise of the Toddler room, it also really highlights to the teachers how much extra attention Clark needs in order to hear. That although you can have a one on one conversation with him in close proximity, he really struggles at times to hear specific sounds when there are other noises to distract him. This knowledge can only be a good thing and mean that the staff will be more aware of his hearing loss. This is something that Clark will use when he is at big school, so the more we use it now the more used to it he will be down the track. Another positive!
Clark went to his first birthday party today that was for a friend, his best friend Jack. Clark woke this morning and when I asked what he was doing today, he said he was going to Jack's birthday party for cake. A birthday for Clark at the moment is all about the cake. And generally Clark thinks it will be a purple or pink cake, And that presents should be purple or pink. This birthday party also involved Clark learning about present-giving. Yes, he knows we give presents, but this time when he saw what the present was he wanted it for himself. Explaining to him that it was for Jack's birthday, Clark wanted to know if he could share the present. Sweet boy. Thankfully he coped fine once at the party and I feel that that lesson is learnt. He also learnt about lolly bags, and raced inside when we got home to show his daddy 'my bag'. I allowed him a lolly from the bag on the way home (which he decided he did not like) and said he could have the Freddo Frog after his sleep. Of course the first thing he asked for when he woke up from his long nap was "my bag". And happily devoured the Freddo Frog. And that is his first friend birthday party done and dusted!
Just a short note today, as our boy is rugged up on the couch watching Mister Maker (which he finds hilarious) as he has a cold. We are all a bit worse for wear today, so all plans of an afternoon outing have gone out the window and we are just going to hide out in Chez Ware. Lemon and honey tea for me!
This weekend we went to Sydney for a cousin's wedding. We took the opportunity to take a mini-break as a family and although it rained and rained and rained (and rained some more) we had a wonderful time. Three nights away flew by. It is the first time our boy has been to Sydney and he was a bit shell shocked. The crowds threw him, and he was rather off his game in the hustle and bustle. It brought out his rude side, with Clark shouting 'go away' at the strangers that we passed in the street. Unfortunately we missed out on going to the Zoo, which was one of the big reasons we took an extended break away. Clark learnt about disappointment, and thankfully handled it with grace. We did go to the Aquarium and also the Australian Museum, both which caused delight and trepidation in our little man. He was thrilled with the Monorail and I am so happy that he managed to have a ride before they shut it down forever. The whole holiday really was geared around Clark, which of course is how it should be.I have spent my life traveling to and from Sydney, and it was strange not only to not visit my old haunts, but also to visit new ones.
It was really lovely to get to see Clark meet my family that he has not met. Trying to explain to him who people are and how they relate to him, and also feeling incredibly proud of my little family. Yes, Clark was rambunctious at the wedding, however what is one to expect from a two year old? Calling out 'what comes next?' during the wedding reception thankfully had people smiling. Later during the reception, my usually shy boy decided he wanted to play with the older boys running around the dance floor. He had met a little boy (5) who tried to engage with Clark, however Clark ran away and hid. Later when we were sitting down, he asked me about the boy and when asked, said he wanted to play with him. I encouraged him to do so, and he asked me to come. I was terribly proud when upon my answer of 'Mama will sit here and watch you' he got up and ran off to find the boy. He had a ball, and we struggled to convince him to leave the party and head home. I loved seeing him playing with the other children, engaged and happy. I delight so much in seeing him interact with other children, not only because I so want him to make friends, but because I see another side to his personality. This part of him that is separate to me and means that one day he will go off into the world a whole and individual being.
I want to start with 'this is late' however I never seem to blog until about Tuesday it seems. Our weekends are full and by Sunday night I am exhausted. This Monday my brother turned 30 and we went out to dinner to celebrate (Clark and I without Glenn, as Glenn was unwell). Happy Birthday Uncle Ben!
Clark went to his first real movie this week. Well, an extended Dinosaur Train feature, but real movie for him. I took him to the movies when he was a babe in arms to a couple of Reel Mums sessions, however I really do not want to count the Black Swan as his first movie! He loved it! Wide eyed amazement at how big the screen was, sitting up on his seat, eating an apple. I see many more movies in his future.
This is Clark on the way out, ready to go the movie. With his new back pack all the way from England (thanks Uncle Steven) and his new hooded vest... courtesy of me! I started a sewing course a bit over a year ago, and this was my second project. I stopped sewing for many months, but thanks to the new sewing club I have joined (Stitch and Shout seems to be our best name so far) I have finally finished the vest. It is super cute. I hope to finish the pants soon. Thankfully the vest looks super cute with jeans!
This weekend I promise to take more photos. For I only pulled the camera out one morning last week and only took 6 photos. More effort required!
Clark and I went for a morning walk on Sunday to the park. More time was spent on the way to and from the park playing with shadows, rather than at the park itself. Clark is fascinated with shadows at the moment with endless requests at dinner time for his father to create shadow puppets on the wall... more often than not a request for a dinosaur. The light created perfect silhouettes on our walk on Sunday, with Clark running, chasing my shadow and jumping on it after every few steps. Such simple moments that really made our weekend more full.
I just love how Clark can know so many different animals and dinosaurs by name. His language grows daily, with 'asking questions' my focus right now. I do also love how he counts on his fingers as he lists animals or names or people in our family. And when he cannot remember a name he pauses, pointing to the next finger and asks "what comes next?". My very clever boy. My clever boy who bows when we tell him he is a clever boy. One hand on his chest, one hand behind his back... and bow.
What I love most about a long weekend is that we really get to have a weekend. Laundry and housework doesn't seem as urgent as there is an extra-bonus day. That I am at the end of a four day weekend helps too. And of course a four day weekend for me means two three day workdays, which is something I really need right now. We have done a lot of cooking from scratch this week to keep our health levels up including a delicious chicken stock. There is something so calming and satisying about providing your family with food that you know is free from anything nasty and full of everything that is good. Stocking our freezer for winter ensures we have extra meals on hand for those dark cold evenings when Clark has had a long day at the office (and his Mama and Daddy have too).
We spent a lot of time this weekend with our dearest and Clark had an extremely social weekend. He went to the chook show with his Nanna (and saw his Grandad doing what he loves), the library with his Dad and Carlyle and we all went to test out a new park with Cathy. Today once nap time is over we will visit his Nanna Joyce. All of this social activity has had Clark a bit overexcited at times, which really is all the more reason to get outside and brave the foggy grey skies.
It has been cold lately and I have rarely wanted to venture out. Grey foggy skies, brisk winds... winter is upon us. So the last two weeks I have reached Sunday afternoon with the realisation that I have not taken many photos. A few on my iPhone, but that is about it. And of course we end up with indoor photos with rubbish lighting.
So this Sunday afternoon, once Clark was home from seeing his beloved cousin Chelsea for her birthday, I quickly snapped a few photos while Clark played with the balloons he brought home. I was impressed with how big he blew the balloon, and he was quite shocked too. I love the way in this photo that he is holding the balloon so carefully between his fingers. And watching it to see if he is successful in blowing it up.
Anyway, quick post as it is Wednesday and the week is flying by. Happy Wednesday people!
