Home Girl: May 2007 - Claerwen Leahy Blog - Richard Smallwood - Winter Smallwood

My Goddaughter

Here is gorgeous Manon born on 9th May (she is now nearly 4 weeks). Sam & Lou have asked me to be Godmother! I am thrilled and bursting to get started. I have been itching to get my fingers on a little girl and am already planning outfits and outings.

Her hair is nearly long enough for clips!

Sam and I became friends when we were teenagers. We were both lucky enough to have beach houses at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. We have been on many adventures together both during our summers at the beach and back in town. We were part of a tight gang of cool kids and shared a crush on the dodgy heart-breaker ring-leader! We hung out in bubble/ruffle skirts in underage b-boy clubs, had a brief but memorable fling with the new-romantic scene, then later did some time in the rave scene. We regularly wrote to each other all through school (Sam was at boarding school with my brother and kept an eye on him for me). More recently we both moved to London and shared the problem of being split between two counties. Our adventure continues back home in Aus (Sam is in Sydney) as we undertake the parenting leg of our journey. I am very proud and honoured to be asked to be Manon's Godmother.

Outfits

Thought I'd get Rich to do some photos of my b-day outfits. Im worried that I'm getting too old to pull off these silly fashion looks. Problem I'm addicted to the edge - makes my pulse race!

Cute accessory!

After working the dropped waist here I've moved on to the high waist. Does it work with the struggling toddler?

Rear view

Park

Met up with the Northcote posse yesterday for a sunny but chilly Autum evening frolick.

Baby Bjiorn Buddys Baxter & Hugo above hang'n

Daisy and Winter ran around deleriously as per usual

After all the silliness things got serious with an improptu bike riding session. Daisy had brought her bike and is in the process of graduating from training wheels. She practiced getting her balance (bravely rocketing down grassy hills unaided). Winter has never ridden a bike before so he had his first peddling lesson. Above is a little video of Winter getting into gear. He is very excited about bikes and wants one (maybe with a slightly butcher paint job!).

Romantic

Last night Rich made me dinner

Spoilt!

It was my birthday yesterday. Had been shopping the day before down glorious Brunswick St and managed to do a quick but substantial wardrob boost compliments of Rich. Am wondering how old I will get before I start to go a little more sophistocated with my look, but for the meantime its drop-waisted 80's throwback sweatshirts all the way to the playground! Also on proud display above is some new CD's from Winter and some make-up from mum & dad (who also popped in with some vintage champers).

Gorgeous gerberas arrived in the morning in a massive box that also had choccies and lush rose oil from Kate & Tanc all the way from Spain.

As if that wasn't enough in the afternoon I was gobsmacked when this piece of art arrived from Rich's mum & dad! I felt so special!

Steiner Playgroup

Winter Baxter and I have been regularly going to a Steiner Playgroup. Steiner philosophy creates a warm and magical environment that the kids love and look forward to each week. It is structured so that we do the same things every visit. We start by playing outdoors (its held at Thornbury Primary which has a Steiner stream), then go upstairs to the playgroup room where we sing songs, wash our hands and prepare fruit together, then play & craft, then a story and finish with more songs. Each component becomes like a ritual that the children can anticipate.

The picture shows the candle that is lit before story time. Winter brought the yellow roses on the left for Robyn the leader.

Here is Robyn washing up the dishes. We all bring fruit for the kids to chop up (suposed to be organic) & take it in turns to bake something savory each week. Today we had pumpkin scones. The mums drink camomile tea. Note the prevalence of pinky hues in the room. Steiner wants to create a soft womb-like environment, creating a calm space so childen dont get overwhelmed. There are no lary colours or patterns (I stick out like a sore thumb with my polka dots and red lippy etc!).

This pic shows the craft activity that the mums do each week. I dont get time to participate with this bit as I have my hands full with Baxter.

Knitted fruit (note Winter in the background being busy)

More Steiner Playgroup

Winter playing firetrucks (this was a popular idea and the other boys tried to join in too - they are all still learing how to play together successfully and there is often passionate 'negotiations' overseen by the mums about who gets to have a turn of what).

The toys are all carefully selected to inspire imaginative play, mostly hand carved or knitted.

playing with Baxter is another popular activity (appropriately handcrafted by mum!)

The toys are all thoughfully set out on the shelves when we arrive but most are on the floor by the time we pack up at the end. Winter enthusiastically spends most of his time playing. He is slowly staring to join in on the stories etc, following the lead of the other children. Its a very good exercise for him and its the highlight of our week.

Pitching in

On the weekends we have a good shopping routine going on. We put the boys to bed at lunchtime, then I fly out and tear round the aisles whilst Rich babysits. This means I can concentrate on what we need without juggling the boys. Rich and Baxter then do their bit by bringing in the shopping.

Very helpful with his grabby hands.

Giddyup!

Baxi is nearly 5 mths old. Ready for his first riding lesson!

Must have inherited mum's penchant for the gee gees.

Baxi went riding this morning at local cafe Birdie Num Num's with big boys Benji and Winter

Winter going for a gallop

Magic Moment

I had a special moment yesterday. Rich had to go to Sydney unexpectedly the night before so I was doing the morning shift on my own. This is hard work, a relentless stream of urgent requests for bapple juice, breastfeeds, thunderbirds, looook mum, cuddle mum, punctuated with wipping up bums and weetbix then battles over getting dressed, who's turn it is with anything Baxter has, drawing on the couch, running with a pen in mouth, switching off the washing machine mid cycle and on and on and etc and etc. I was trying to relax and let it all wash over me and reminded myself that it didn't matter if I didn't get dressed we would just get through the morning and try to have fun. I has just put Baxter down for a sleep and was fulfilling Winter's request for honey toast. It was just the two of hanging out in our pj's. He was standing next to me waiting for his toast. He suddenly wrapped himself around my leg with a little jump and said 'I love you mummy!' It was the first time he had said that to me. It was so spontaneous & lovely & unexpected. One of those rewarding parenting moments that make me feel so lucky & get me through.

Idol

Baxter enthralled with Winter's antics

Baxter thinks Winter is the Ant's Pants. He lights up whenever he is around despite the smother cuddles and wresling moves. Winter treated him to a special jumping performance in his bedroom today. Full tilt for a good 20mins featuring plenty of very impressive spinning jumps.