Going very gently

Where to start.....

So much has happened since my last post I wondered if I should keep going with this blog. I am almost feeling up to writing some of this down. I will go gently about it and see how I go.

Our family has suffered a terrible loss, someone very dear to us has died suddenly.

Bug and Willow have flown to Scotland to comfort those who need them. JJ and I have been going very gently, grieving together for our loved ones and missing the other half of us.

JJ and I have been watching the clouds float across the sky. We have been marvelling at all of the birds in our garden when we are still enough to notice them. Flying high on the swing, laying on the trampoline watching darkness come. Staying for ages at the park and drinking fresh juice together. We have been laughing, singing and crying. Planting special things in the garden in memory of a very special boy.

JJ wondered where Bug and Willow's shadows were when we were out walking, we miss their shadows.

Wheels!

This morning Bug decided to take the training wheels off her bike (stabilisers in Scotland I think). When we arrived at the park she changed her mind. Dadda and I talked about our first wheeling adventures without training wheels. I remember riding along thinking my Dad was still holding on and turning back and he was miles behind. As soon as I realised he was no longer there I fell off. This seemed to inspire Bug so she decided to give it a go. It was such an adventure for us all watching her gain her balance, trust and confidence. We were all whooping with joy and JJ was yelling "that's it, that's it!" Pure delight!

Vintage Sesame Street and other Madness

We often perch up at night and watch vintage Sesame Street and other such madness on youtube. At the moment the hands down favouite is Orange Sings Carmen. I remember it from my childhood and was delighted to come across it again. I used to wander around the house singing it and am enjoying revisiting it and what it brings up for me. I can actually really feel my childhood watching this. I remember watching every detail as a child, feeling the the textures , smelling the orange. The petal eyelashe are just wonderful.... I can remember how I saw things differently, really looked at things like this without other stuff going on in my mind. Being an adult and watching stuff is so different. It makes me wonder if the way children are so tranfixed by watching something is because they are just totally present with it, enjoying minute details that adults so often miss.... Or zoning out like we often think they are, anyway ramble over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-0_p_yefg

Circus Workshop

We had a circus workshop with one of our homeschool groups today. It was amazing to see how JJ came out of his shell when hanging out with kids he felt safe with. He has not wanted to join in the Saturday classes we attend, yet today he was having a ball. I joined in with the older kids group for some stretching and hope to attend Adult Circus on a Monday night... too much fun to just watch!

Murbah Baby

I have been working late into the night this week trying to finish this in the few day notice I had. I still need to provide some extra images like a teapot, ladybug, dog, flower etc for jazzing up their website.

Fresh spring rolls

Noodles flying and carrot in my eye.... oh the adventure of preparing food. JJ was a reluctant roller but a keen asembler. Bug's fresh spring rolls were very tightly rolled indeed, she took great pride in them and rolled for Big Daddy and me. Well until she went abstract and mad a huge monstrsity of a thing (which she later spotted in the dogs food... I am sure they loved it).

I have a job to make art for a festival and need to have t sorted by Friday so I will have a few late nights this week. They want Mt Warning, river, community feel.... hmmm.

weekend wonderfullness

There have been girls galore here this weekend, sleeping over, hanging out, giggling. Bug also had Hoopla circus yesterday and Nippers presentation today. We know a local homechooling family with 5 girls, so after a play we managed to snaffle one for the night. I am thankful for the space we have outside for the gaggle, while inside I have been drawing and drinking tea :) JJ has been wearing his kilt solidly, only to change into his spiderman suit. He is always hopeful that his outfits are suitably terrifing so he can "ROAR!" at the girls.

Found a printing option!

My dear friend Mel has sourced a printer who provides environmental responsible printing for a remotely affordable cost.

http://www.blackrainbow.com.au/

and here is another finished illustration.

Plumbing and maps

JJ has been facinated with drawing machines and maps. We recently had a plumbing problem (a blocked pipe) and Dada bravely attempted to solve it. This required digging holes and looking at pipes (and heaps of mess). JJ and Bug were right there watching alot of it, getting right in there, touching feeling and exploring. After Dada left for work, problem still unsolved, JJ drew him a map of our plumbing. With the help of the map and alot of holes, hoses and head scratching.. our problem is fixed!

Coming from a place of love

If I had anxiety about Bug learning to read and write without being 'taught' it has left me just now. I am amazed at what can be achieved when one comes from a place of love. Bugsy has never show much interest in writing generally and I have tried to let go of it's importance and relevance in her 5 year old world. This morning though Dada came home from an all night shift nursing and Bug wanted to cuddle him until he fell asleep. When he was settled into sleep she decided he wanted to leave him a note in case he woke up and she had gone. We sat down togther and she composed a letter herself.... "dear dad, I have gone. I might be at a homeschooling meet up when you wake up. I love you. Bug." She had a reason to write something so she did and her motivation was to share her love. Dada has it in his hand now as he sleeps :)

Another Wonderful Place

The title, The Wonderful Place, is also my working title for the picture book I am working on. This book is a celebration of breastfeeding - seen through the eyes of a 3 year old boy :) I am hoping to print on recycled paper and release it in August. I am to be seen at my desk, drawing until late into the night drinking the brush rinse water intead of my drinking water.

Spreading her little wings

Welcome! This is a place to share, record and to reflect. I hope to post about making art, including our family's adventure with unschooling..... and, well anything else that takes my fancy....
I am missing my little bug today. Only 5 and already on her first sleepover. After a homeschool meetup at Durrumbal Hall she decided to play at her friends house. It turned into a second attempt at a sleepover and I expected to see her at bedtime. JJ (who has just turned 3) cried his heart out and demanded we return for his beloved sister on several occasions but we both made it through. With a heart filled with separation and worry I went to bed, a part of me welcoming the spreading of her wings but feeling her absence like a stone inside. I woke up alot during the night, roaming and tossing around. Interestingly I was up at 3 am and 5.30 am which I later discovered were the times she woke up and needed her sleepover family for some support.
I asked her how she felt when she awoke and she said she could feel Mama's love all around her and saw a white light and rainbows around her. :)