Slowing Down

I have always admired country towns. They have such a sense of character and community, and it always feels so different to living in the busy city.

Mr M and I took an overnight trip down to the Fleurieu Peninsula on the weekend to visit his family. I organised to leave Master A with my parents for the night (doing a little happy dance) packed up the car and started on the hour and a half drive down south.

Goolwa Beach

When I got there the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous beaches. Much rougher than the beaches where I live, they are surf beaches. Now I have seen Jaws way too many times to go jumping into waters like this, but it was fun and maybe a little romantic to walk along the shore hand in hand, my head on his shoulder... ok so it wasn't like that, but it certainly was nice.

The second thing I noticed when meeting Mr M's family for the first time, was how relaxed they all are. I start every day in full-on-mode. From the moment I wake til the moment I go to bed it is go, go, go.

"Need to make sure that this is done before dinner."

"Have to go to the shops and get this before they close."

"Make sure I don't forget to do this or the whole world might end."

When was the last time I just pottered around the house or garden, having a BBQ with family and friends, taking the dog for a stroll down the beach, just generally enjoying life and having fun?

I'll let you in on a little secret. Now, don't get too shocked, but I am a total stress head. I worry about everything, and I go through life at about 110km an hour. As I watched people go about their daily lives in such relaxed ways it made me realize how much I want that kind of lifestyle, for me and Master A.

It scares me just how much Master A is like me. He's clumsy, loves to talk and definitely has a sweet tooth, all just like his Mummy. One thing that I would rather he didn't inherit from me, would be my stressed out attitude. I want him to take the time to enjoy life, not rush through it like he has to race to the next finish line.

"Why are you rushing everywhere? The world isn't going to close!"

I could not remember where I read that quote if my life depended on it, but it was the very wise words of a child no older than about six. Why is it that we learn to grow up and spend our "down time" rushing around, trying to get everything finished? Why do we spend so much time at the shops, buying things?

One thing I noticed was that at 9pm on Saturday night, the only thing open in the town was one of the few service stations. All of the shops, service stations, Subway were all closed. Yet the McDonalds where I live is open 24 hours.

The people that I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with seemed to take the attitude of "work to live" rather than "live to work". It's all about the family.

The beautiful Horseshoe Bay

I guess my question is, when did we become such a busy and stressed society that can't even take the time to have a lazy breakfast with family on a Sunday morning, and how do I convert my behaviour, in order to save myself and my child from a life of stress, speed and demands?

When was the last time you had a mini-getaway?
Do you rush through life, or take the time to take "romantic" walks along the beach?

Linking up with the ever so fabulous Jess for IBOT

A Trip to the Zoo

On Saturday we made a trip to the Adelaide Zoo. It was the first time I had been in over 10 years, so I think that quite possibly, I was even more excited than Master A about going to see the animals!

Getting a bit freaked out in the children's zoo

Watching the "fish" (sea lions)

A big cuddly looking bear

Our favorite animal, the beautiful giraffe

The Panda bears

Exhausted on the way home, clutching his new crocodile

Linking up for the first time ever for Wordless Wednesdays with Twinkle in the Eye and My Little Drummer Boys.

Yes, I Cheated... And it Feels Terrible!

So Friday night was yet another finals round in the AFL. Being a Port Power supporter, it's been awhile since I have watched a finals game from start to finish. Or even paid attention to who's where on the ladder once the finals rounds start.

Then of course I had to start dating an Adelaide Crows supporter. Not only do I have to listen to jokes about how bad Power played this season (actually and the last couple of seasons!) but I'm expected to tag along to the Crows games and cheer for them.

Now it would be so easy for me to just say "Screw the Power! They're losers! I'm gonna barrack for the winning South Australian team!" but I am loyal and I stand by my boys, no matter how bad they are playing.

Needless to say, going along to my 2nd Crows game felt a little like cheating. I have gone against what feels normal and wanted the Crows to win their last few games, so that I have a happy boyfriend. But expecting me to come to the games is surely asking too much right?

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I went to my first Crows game a little over a month ago. I sat in silence, mostly because I was freezing cold and WAY underdressed (I was in jeans, a long sleeved top, a hoodie and knee high boots!) but also because I just couldn't bring myself to cheer for them. It felt wrong.
I tried to get out of going to the game on Friday, which incidentally was against the same team as the first game I attended but Mr M was hell-bent on me going (something about me being a lucky charm because they won the first game I attended).

I downed a can of Red Bull on the way to AAMI Stadium, thinking of it as a chance to get out of the house for the night. I sat in our undercover seats, this time wearing fleecy track pants and a big thick jacket, and I waited for the game to start. Mr M next to me was, of course, totally excited. His Mum and sister next to us, just as excited.

I made a promise to myself right there and then that I would make an effort to cheer for the Crows that night. I hoped they would win, because I knew that it would make Mr M happy. And of course we all know that a happy man means we all win!

My efforts did not go unnoticed. I was commended (and maybe made fun of just a little bit) for cheering for "the right team". I have to admit though, I felt like I needed to shower when I got home and as though I had done the dirty on my football team! But I had one happy man, and I got some brownie points for making the effort!

Do you ever go against what feels right just to make your man happy?
What AFL team do you support?

It's Tuesday so I'm linking up with Diary of a SAHM for IBOT

Lists, Lists and More Lists!

I have been talking lately about being a little time poor, and having awful not so good time management skills. Well, I have been tackling these issues the last few weeks, and I must say, so far I am pretty proud of my results.

The first thing I did, was start writing lists (oh lists how I love thee!)

I started with a list of what needs to be done on a daily and weekly basis. My daily list included things like meals, exercise, washing, and preparation for the next day. The weekly list included grocery shopping, changing the beds, housework, etc.

After that I mapped out Master A's schedule. He already wakes, naps, has dinner and goes to bed at the same time each day, I just needed to add in a time to make sure we are ready for the day by, and morning and afternoon teas (more info on Master A's food and meals to come in a later post).

I then did a list of Monday to Sunday and scheduled each job that needs to be done (including studying and blogging, which are my real issues right now) into a day. Friday is my housework day, Wednesday I need to do some reading for Tafe and some blogging, etc. I don't have set times for these. With Master A's age, it really is too difficult to schedule my time and jobs around him.

The last lists I made were morning, day and night routines. I have aimed for us to be dressed, ready to face the day by 8:30am. The morning routine tells me what needs to be done for that to happen. I should mention that as of next week, I will be getting up an hour earlier than Master A to get myself dressed, have a healthy breakfast and have his all ready to go for when he wakes.

The day routine consists of things like ensuring a load of washing goes on in the morning, going for a walk after Master A wakes from his nap, or after lunch and making sure dinner is prepared for the night.

The night routine is pretty straight forward. The only things I have changed is to add a quick tidy of Master A's room and unpacking his bag and repacking for the next day.

As you can see I typed these up in word and printed them out for convenience (and just coz they looked prettier!)

I am now trying to tackle my procrastination issues. Not so much of my day spent on Facebook or sitting around watching TV, which I have been so bad for since the renovations started in our kitchen.

I have a plan for the day in my motivation journal - more on this later this week and I make sure I make time for the fun things with Master A.

Do you have routines in your house?
If you are a work at home/study at home mum, how do you balance your time and still get time out?

And of course because it's Friday I am linking up for the first time in a few weeks with the gorgeous Grace over at With Some Grace for Flog Yo Blog Friday...

... And also the beautiful Bree over at Twinkle in the Eye for Flash Blog Friday!

10 Things to do at the Park

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It's no secret that kids love to go to the park or playground. Master A gets giddy every time we drive past a playground, so you can imagine his excitement when we actually pull up and get out of the car!

I am not such a fan of the park. I can usually put up with it for around 15 to 20 minutes before I start getting bored. This, of course is certainly not enough time for Master A to run off the endless amount of energy he seems to have.

I have put together a list of 10 things to do at the park, aside from simply playing on the playground. Some of these require you to take things along, like bikes or balls, others are easy enough to do without anything. Check out the list and try some of these things with your children next time you take them to the park!

1. Take a footy or soccer ball to kick around
2. Take bubbles - bonus being that there's no mess to clean up afterwards (seriously can't just be my child that makes a mess with bubbles!)
3. Play chasey, or hide and seek (provided it's safe to do so at your chosen park)
4. If there is a double slide, have races down the slide
5. Take morning tea or lunch down and have a picnic
6. Take some chalk and play some good old-fashioned Hopscotch!
7. If you have older children, try them with a game of handball
8. Have a treasure hunt! You could bring some toys of your own to hide, like dinosaurs or animals, or use nature and collect sticks, leaves, flowers, etc
9. Bring along their bike, scooter or ride on car. Make an obstacle course out of the play equipment, going around it and weaving in and out. If you live within walking or riding distance, ride bikes to the park.
10. Do some bird watching. Or more so, listening. Can you tell what type of bird is singing? Can you tell what tree it's coming from? Can you see it?

What do you like to do at the park?

Can you think of anything else to add to the list?

Flashing my blog over at Twinkle in the Eye

Windows of Happiness: A Beautiful Life

Just a short little window of happiness today. As I sit and write this post my Munchkin is napping after a great trip to the park with friends, complete with a little morning tea picnic. It has made me realise just how beautiful our lives are. I have the opportunity to create a great life for me and my son.

As we were at the park I watched many families come and go, family bike rides with happy children and healthy snacks. This was their "family day". I love that I can do that with my son. Although it is only him and I now, one day I hope that we have family day with more of us. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to create these moments for us now though.

I work so hard to create balance and routine in our lives to make it easier to enjoy those moments. And today I feel like it is all paying off.

What is making you happy this week?
Have you linked up with Fi at My Mummy Daze for Windows of Happiness?

Windows of Happiness

Today I am linking up with the lovely Fi over at My Mummy Daze for Windows of Happiness. The idea is finding the rays of sunshine in this wintry weather, which is perfect for me, as I write this I am bed-ridden with the flu, only a week after my Munchkin's chest infection. Focusing on the things that make me happy help to get me through it.

So one thing that has made me happy this week is a day out with my Munchkin. We started out with a trip to Kindergym, in which Master A had a ball on the trampoline, among other things.

We then headed to the National Railway Museum for A Day Out with Thomas. Although Master A was a little too young for most of the day, he loved going for a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, and although this picture doesn't show the smile that was plastered on his face most of the day, it was great to see him have so much fun.

Spending a day out with my little Munchkin and friends has been great, especially when winter makes it harder to get out of the house and actually do things outdoors. So even with a nap-deprived toddler this day was perfect, and a great excuse to enjoy winter!

Linking up with Fi from My Mummy Daze for Windows of Happiness

My Sunny Day

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day in Adelaide. It was warm, and I was actually able to get around without a jumper on (no kidding).

I'm sure that most of you know that I've had a rough couple of weeks. I won't dwell on them, but if you missed it, you can read about a few of my struggles lately here.

Any who, I woke up yesterday morning, in Master A's bed, after spending the night in there with him - it was so much easier than arguing in the middle of the night. The morning was cold, like every other morning. But within an hour the sun came out, and it actually stayed out!

I spent the morning catching up on some blog reading while Munchkin watched Toy Story and then ran around the house for a little while. I then looked in the mirror and smiled. The sun was pouring in through the window, and I felt good. For the first time in a month, I felt good.

I decided to take advantage of my re-discovered feel-goodness (that's totally a word) and after Master A's nap, I loaded him in to the pram and off we went to the park. Playgrounds are just about Master A's favorite place in the world. Not so much mine. All that climbing and running after him, my pelvic floor muscles cringe just at the thought of it.

All the same though, we had fun running around the park, going from the swings to the see saw to the slippery dip, and back to the swings again.

I'm a mother that bribes her child. Every time we go to the park, I take a yoghurt or banana or some grapes to coax him back into his pram. After settling him in the pram with his favorite squeezy yoghurt, we started home.

We walk past a nursing home to get home, and quite often you will see the residents walking along the street on that block. We passed an elderly woman with a walking frame and I gave her a big smile. You could tell that it made her day. I can only hope that when I am at that stage in my life I can find someone who is still kind enough to look me in the eye and give me a big smile.

2 weeks ago, I would have passed by the elderly lady, with my head down. Not being rude, I am never rude. I just didn't have the will or the motivation to be overly friendly to strangers like I usually am.

So after a beautiful sunny day, and a huge long blog post to say what I am basically about to sum up in 2 words:

I'm back!

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