Happy Birthday Mum x

Happy Birthday Mum! Thanks for everything you do for me and my family.  The past year has been epic, your support and love always makes my life simpler. We miss you and hope to see you in the desert soon.  I had grand plans of posting my first "vlog" (video blog) but both Ace & Sonnny are unwell again.... so instead here are a few pics from the past few months that I thought you might enjoy. We'll catch you on skype in the morning. We love you.  xx

Winners

With no intention, I think we might have touched upon one of Steve's fathering dreams this weekend when he took Ace Go-Karting!  After a grueling week shooting in the desert Steve was somewhat cranky however he came alive at the Go-Kart track and was particularly upbeat during the subsequent rehashing of lap times and how perhaps he might have lost vital seconds waving to the boys each time he went by.  We started slow with Ace, just the single lap.  Our little dude is no daredevil, I think maybe Sonny will have the need for speed. We'll be back at the track next week for a Father's Day treat, this time with the boy/men and perhaps a few more laps with Ace.

xx

Last day (or "yesterday" in Ace speak)

Or alternatively 48 hours of snot, spew and shit.  Sometimes this mothering gig is really bloody average.  On Thursday afternoon Ace was so very naughty... I put it down to no longer having his afternoon nap but when I was treated to the 2am spew later that night I thought perhaps I hadn't failed as a mother but there was more to this behaviour than simply a means to drive me BONKERS!

Meanwhile Sonny's nose hasn't stopped running for a week, then this morning he woke me with a shrieking cry at 5am, which I ignored, only to go to him an hour later to find him happily playing in a pool of vomit. Bad mother!  Needless to say all I have done in the past 2 days is wash in the world's worst washing machine. Who would have thought I would miss my washing machine. I used to be someone!

I ran into some film folk at Slowtown some time back and figured they were in a department I used to frequent (editorial) so I struck up a conversation (desperate!) and told them to say hi to their boss, (Hi Matt). There I was standing with my rug rats and they rather naively (they were 20-something boy-men) asked me what department I was in... cute I thought... like the Department of Sanitation or the Department of Mental Warfare maybe.

I have read two blog posts recently that got me thinking about this mothering caper... I always thought age 2 was supposed to be the tough gig but holy crap this 3 year old business is nuts.  This one had me laughing out loud..  and this one got me thinking about my inevitable return to the workforce one day!

That being said in between the tears, screaming, tantrums and bodily fluids it has been a good week, more sunshine,  trips to the playground, birthday cupcakes, wine & cheese in the arvo & a day with daddy tomorrow.

And before I go... Happy Birthday to Lea, Luca, Alistair, Abby and the mother of all mothers, my mum! x

Finally Sonny has his own posse.

Ace had not ridden on this death trap up until this day at the park.

Sonny playing with Himba boy and Ace being super sweet with Dusty... if only Sonny was so lucky.

He likes to help me with the washing.

Macyn's birthday cupcakes.

"Finally someone reads me a book!"

Wine & cheese arvo.

Busy little dude.

Big news...

.... it has been raining in Swakop.  Ok, I exaggerate, it has been drizzling but there were puddles.  It has been awesome having a rain-less winter, makes the cold days so much more bearable.

Anyhoo, Steve had the whole weekend off and after Rosey's 1st Birthday fun on Saturday we hit the road again and did some sight-seeing, taking a drive down the Swakopmund River through the "moonscape".  I was a little underwhelmed.... if any of you have been to Cappadocia in Turkey, now that's a moonscape!  However it was a pretty cool outing with a bit of 4WD-ing through the sand, a meerkat sighting and the discovery of a real oasis, complete with restaurant, multiple cheesecake choices and kid's playground which was lucky as we had tricked Ace into the car by saying we were go to search for another playground!

Otherwise we are cruising along, I watched zero Olympics as it coincided with us finishing up The Wire and frankly I ain't into it. I worry every day about using up the last of the Vegemite, number one packing fail, should have packed multiple jars of the black gold! I went to the movies last week with Noni and saw the WORST film, so bad it was amusing. Ace finished up swimming lessons for the term and school holidays start next week.  As usual in the film industry we have no bloody idea when we leave Swakop, if we go to Cape Town and when we will be home.... ho hum.

Lastly, Happy 1st Birthday Lucian... may you grow up to be as clever and classy as your mumma and as unreal as your "husband of the year" daddy!

No news is good news.....

There is not much going on over here at the moment.... however if we were home in Australia it would be party season.  So a big big happy birthday to Jo, Di, Steve, Kath, Jade, Leif, Megs, Abi & Lucian. And that just brings us to the end of next week!

Otherwise we have had some bloody hot and some damn cold weather. Sonny is waddling all over the joint and Ace is now getting upset when I arrive to pick him up from pre-school.  Steve is looking forward to a two day weekend this weekend and I am hoping for a sleep in.... dream on!

The Tiger Reef Bar moments before the weather changed.

Saturdays without Daddy.

Sundays with Daddy.

My little munchkin.

The Library and other adventures.

We joined the library this week! I am a big fan of the library, always have been and even more now with the rugrats. We are lucky enough to have a fantastic library/toy library within walking distance back in Sydney.  I can't quite believe it has taken us this long to join up here.  Anyhoo off we trotted during the week and signed up.  It was great but brief!  In Sydney they have made the rather clever decision to not bother to alphabetically file the books but not so in Swakop. The minute I released Sonny from the stroller he began to systematically liberate all the books from their alphabetical perfection!  We chose three books (including a Pamela Allen!), checked them out through the old stamp system, had a quick ride on the vintage rocking horse and escaped before I had to re-file the entire kids section.

The Children's Section

We decided not to borrow this one.

What's with the crazy poses?

Ace went on a excursion to the Snake Park yesterday.  Was great to get another little peak of him amongst his pre-school gang.  Still loves the girls but from what I can gather spends his play time with the boys "shooting things to get them dead".  I had always dreamt of avoiding the whole gun thing but am trying to now take a more zen approach and just hope he grows out of it... yeah right!

In the car with Clarry and Iyaloo

Oh how he loves Heidi!

Am thinking of using the finger on lips technique at home.

Steve is working 6 days these next two weeks (then every second week after that) so it was imperative that yesterday afternoon we indulged in a late arvo, early dinner with Noni, Gus & Tilly. The location varies but it must be outdoor & involve a kid distraction so as to best relax and enjoy our cheap wine. It really takes the edge off our week as film widows!

Sunset ice cream at the colourful, dangerous play-ground.

Now he can walk he wants to scoot!

This week the east wind has blown so while Steve is hammered somewhere in the desert we enjoy some glorious sunshine days in the middle of winter. There are loads of families here now, each week you seem to meet someone new.  It is kinda great, most mornings involve some kind of planned or spontaneous mother's meeting at Slow Town.  Since school finishes at lunchtime it means that usually once a week there is a mass gathering at the playground of mums, kids and babies.  Next Friday night we are having a "girl's night out", my second since arriving.  It would be safe to say life is more social here than at home which I think has a lot to do with everyone being car-less so keeping life local and a genuine understanding of life as a film widow!

And last but certainly not least Sarah had a baby girl a few weeks ago. Hooray, a baby sister for Clarry.  Currently nameless and stateless but sleeping, healthy, growing and adorable!

Dune 7

We finally managed to get out of Swakop this weekend and remind ourselves that we are in Africa and not just a misty European holiday destination.  It was incredible to drive halfa hour out of town and into an entirely different climatic experience.  Dune 7 was beautiful, sandy and fun.  We plan to return with a boogie board next time because all three boys had a ball rolling & sliding down the dune!