Tight Squeeze

Isn't this a great photo of Ella with her baby in the baby's bathtub.

Empty List

Well seeing though Geri is in no rush to come out I have managed to do most of the things on my list.  I say most as there are 2 jobs on there which I can't do. First seal windows (but Andy wants to do that when on daddy leave) and second paint a few interior doors where Pippa has scratched them to pieces when she was scared of thunder one day (but Andy won't let me take them down by myself).  So I have resorted to tasks like cleaning interior of car, finishing sand pit lid (see below) and today's highlight re organising the filing cabinet. Hmmm ... now off to have lunch and do the Sudoku and word puzzle in today's Canberra Times....

Who has the biggest tummy?

As you can see still waiting to pop!

Ladybug Bell

One Friday evening at beers with Andy's work mates, Ella spotted a ladybug bell on a bike.  She was fascinated with the bell for some time because not only did it ding but it's wings could be opened and closed.  The owner of the bike turned out to be one of Andy's work colleagues who thought Ella's reaction was very cute and a few days later presented Ella (via Andy) with her very own ladybug bell. Ella thought this was magical and as a result spent a long time on her bike over the weekend.

 

 

Cool Busker

Our mothers group decide to venture to the local library for storytime.  It was ok except for the librarian who was best described by one of the mothers as having as much personality as a wet blanket. Anyway a change of scenery and time outside is all a toddler needs. 

The cool part of this mornings trip was our encounter with a local busker who was singing and playing his guitar outside the entrance to Woolies. Our first pass (going into Woolies) I thought he was quite a good singer.  The next pass (coming out of woolies and into newsagent) he was chatty saying hello.  On the final pass (coming out of the newsagent) he beckoned us over and said he had a song for Ella. The busker had noticed Ella's elephant which was tucked under her arm and started singing...

heydy, heydy ho
the great big elephant is so slow
he moves his trunk from side to side 
as he takes the children for a ride
heydy , heydy ho 
the great big elephant is so slow...

Ella burst into a big smile and started swaying from side to side in time with the song at which point I decided that the busker had earnt a tip.  At the conclusion of the song I explained to him Ella's elephant name was in fact Heydy.

Ouch

Ella not only has an obsession with buses but also with rocks. Today she found a biggish rock in our back garden and decided to show it off to Nanna and myself.  Meanwhile Pippa thought Ella was carrying around her ball and was about to play fetch with her.  Unfortunately Ella threw the rock up, Pippa tried to catch it in her mouth but missed and the rock landed on her paw resulting in a loud cry from the dog.  On examination of Pippa's paw which was bleeding a little by now, the rock seemed to damaged either the toenail or the skin next to it. Ella suggested we put a band aid on it for as we know band aids fix anything (and do the frozen peas in the freezer!)

Weekend Highlights

Andy spent lots of time orienteering over the weekend as it was the ACT Champs which involved a sprint around The Canberra Institute of Technology and a middle distance at Wild Deer Sands on Saturday, followed by a long race at Geary's Gap on the ridge line above Lake George on Sunday.  I think based on his results his mind often wondered if I had gone into labour yet...no luck there.  

Instead I spent most of my time roaming around and entertaining Ella.  When we were not completing the blue course, Ella mingled with the numerous toddlers and babies many who had travelled from interstate. The highlights from each day are seen below.

Wild Deer Sands

On the blue course Ella decided that she not only had to punch her dibber but also manually punch the pink piece of tape I had tied to the dibber to prevent it from being lost. Her favourite control was on a rather large termite mound.

   

Geary's Gap

The blue course was very challenging today hence the need for a mid course nap.  After finishing and waiting around for Dad to come in, Ella was very proud of herself when she balanced a rock in the fork of the tree!

  

Maternity Leave Starts

First day of maternity leave began today. Hmm feels a little weird not having Ella running around. Wonder how long we have to wait before Geri shows up??

Autumn Colour

 

One of my most favourite things about Canberra is the autumn colours of the many deciduous trees scattered throughout the suburbs and around the lake. Our pistachio tree has put on another fantastic display.  It's not only that the leaves change through an amazing array of yellow, oranges and reds but also when they fall they create a beautiful carpet of colour. And as you can see provide endless fun for a 2 year old.

Happy Mothers Day

Look how much the grevillea has grown (as well as Ella!) This year Ella hand painted a pot and bought a pink cyclamen to go in it as well as making the traditional eggs on toast breakfast. A nice day except for the 5.30am wake up ..... will have to work on that one.

Stage 2a - Double Glazing

All the bedroom windows were converted to double glazing today except for the sash in each window.  We have decided to change the orientation of the opening of the sashes to allow more airflow through the bedrooms.  Hence this means a carpenter needs to change the hinges and windy bit before the double glazing unit can be installed.  Not too sure when stage 2b will be completed.

Hand Art

Look at this piece of art Ella and her friends created to commemorate her 2nd birthday. Not bad hand painting for 1 - 3 yr olds and looks great in her bedroom don't you think?