Growing up fast

It is hard to believe that we are now the parents of 8, 6, 3 and 2 year olds. Where has the time gone?

Seeing that the time goes by so fast we have started taking the kids out for breakfast. One-on-one with either Dave or myself every Saturday morning. We have a roster up on the fridge to see who's turn it is and which parent they are going with. The kids love it. It is giving them some time to talk to us outside the mayhem of family life and also teaching them the social norms of dining out.

For Saska's 8th birthday we also had a very grown up meal out. Saska invited 3 of her friends, plus 2 of their mums, and we went out for dinner to 360 in Labrador. It was great to see how excited the girls were to get dressed up and go out to dinner. Eight is a crazy age for little girls and I think a nice evening out for some beautiful friends is the perfect way to celebrate this coming of age.

From now on it is going to be a whole new world of discovery for Sas as she starts to develop into a lady (did I just say that out loud?). I am very grateful that she has some gorgeous little friends that will be on this journey with her.

It is almost time for the 'talk' and whenever questions arise I do my best to answer honestly. Some questions I have deflected and told her that we will talk about it when we have a dinner out to discuss puberty. A dear friend of mine, and her husband, took her son and daughter (separately) out for dinner and discussed what was about to happen to their bodies. They also invited the kids to ask any questions that they had. Dave and I are going to follow suit and do this with Sas.

Then before we know it, it will be time to have the chat with Hudson as well. I can't believe we are having these discussions when they have only just started losing their teeth. They have both only lost 2 baby teeth and here we are chatting about puberty!!!

I will leave you now and all I have to add is that although it can get crazy and mummy can start screaming like a banshie to get anything done, I love our kids to bits and am proud of the gorgeous little people they are becoming!!

All in a days work

As you can imagine coordinating 4 children can be a tough gig. We squeeze every minute out of our days. Here is a taste of a typical day in our house;

4.00am - Dave and Shell up and have a coffee together
4.30am - Dave gets ready for work, Shell plays Word with Friends
4.45am - Dave goes to work, Shell has a shower
5.00am - Shell folds washing (unless Dave has done it the night before (treasure))
5.15am - Shell studies
6.00am - Shell puts a load of washing on and starts breaky
6.15am - whoever is up has breaky
6.30am - Shell packs her lunch and the babies bags (Macie and Aspen ONLY)
6.45am - everyone up and doing their checklist (dress, make bed, brush teeth, pack bag etc)          (I sneak off now and get dressed too)
7.00am - Hang out load of washing, kids line up for hair and sunscreen
7.15am - Insert panic as everyone tries to get organised after sleeping later than usual
7.30am - Leave the house, drop Big guys (Sas and Hud) as before school care, drop babies at Day Care
8.00am - I'm at work, phew
2.30pm - Leave work and get back to school for kids
3.00pm - Pick up kids and head to gym
3.15pm - Homework with kids at gym
4.00pm - Kids play in Froggies and I go work out
5.00pm - Pick up babies from Day Care
5.30pm - Home, unpack bags, have some dinner
6.00pm - Dave takes kids to tae kwon-do, I stay home and wash dishes, make Dave's lunch and bath babies)
7.15pm - Dave home, Aspen to bed, big guys shower.
7.30pm - Sit down with a cup of tea (or apple cider depending on the day)
8.00pm - Kids lay clothes out for next day, brush teeth and go to bed.
8.30pm - Dave and I fall into bed too

4.00am - Wake up and repeat

For this reason the last two Sunday's we have introduced 'Lazy Sunday's' where we hang around the house watching movies, playing games and not doing much of anything else.

Introduction

So as I put on my 7th load of washing for the day, I sit and type this entry to you. I don't think anyone has any idea what actually goes on in the life of a family of 6. It can be a crazy place. 


I used to write monthly newsletters to my family and friends but as I have become busier I have lost track of time and not been getting to them. 


Not only is this disappointing to my recipients, it is disappointing to me as I love to write and share my crazy experiences with everyone.


So here is our new blog. Aptly names 'Pieces of 6' as we are a family of 6 and pays homage to my love of pirates!!


We had a fabulously crazy weekend with the GC marathon moving into town. Sas and I did the 5.7km walk on Saturday. I have a sore shoulder today as I dragged my little girl along the entire way. At the time I was frustrated with her, but in hindsight it was a massive walk for a 7 year old! Next year she is going to do the 2km kids dash and I will be doing the 10km or 21km, which ever I feel comfortable completing at the time.


My childhood friend Deb come up for the weekend and competed in the 21km 1/2 marathon. We all went down and watched Deb as she ran past the end of our street. She did a personal best of under 1hr 40mins, which we are very proud of. Then we went out later in the day and watched Tina at the 38km mark of her 42km marathon.


These women have inspired me to get serious about my running. It is an easy way to exercise and what a great stress relief and time out from our crazy life.


Stay tuned for more news of our latest adventures.