and this...
The boys seemed pretty happy skateboarding down Dog Park Hill and leaving bits of their DNA all over the tarmac in our leafy 'burb so they stayed home with Dad. The two girls and I got out of the way and went to visit with the flairy godmother at the beach.
After Flairy and I caught up on some good late night chin wagging, she went south for a few days whilst the girls and I stayed on in her cosy home to have a good rest. It is the first time I've been away for a significant break with less than three children since all the kafuffle last year and it was sorely needed. I was able to nurture my soul and my girls and look around with fresh eyes.
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| Lala, the card sharp, breaking in a new victim. |
This time there was just the three of us. We are the famous four- Lala, Shorty, Mum and Didi the do-o-o-og.
It was much quieter and gentler with just girl energy. We still walked for miles, fossicked for hours, chased and were chased by the dog, the waves, each other. It was spiritual balm.
We did all the usual stuff but relished every second of it. I actually read a book while the girls played in the playground!!! Imagine! Reading a book during the day! Lala loved not competing with three brothers for some attention although she actually admitted she was missing them half way through the week. Shorty was just happy to be with her besties without a schedule for a week. We went to all our favourite beaches and nooks and crannies and reminisced about when they were babies. It was a lovely reminder of good times past and present. Sometimes you just need that, don't you.
Beautiful photos and yay to a Girls only weekend! Sounds absolutely blissful, Annie. I hope to be able to do that down the track one day, just me and the other female in the family. Funny how the number of kids becomes relative - I've found myself saying things like "I'll just take the 3 boys to the shops...". No doubt the boys had an equally, but different, time at home with Dad too. Mel x
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! I remember being very overwhelmed with the first two when they were tiny but now two is a holiday! Even one out of the equation and the house seems empty somehow!
DeleteSounds glorious Annie. Granny took each of ours for a night each over the hols and it really makes it all seem so much easier with only two kids. Of course the whole 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' works too. Your time away sounds idyllic.
ReplyDeleteI think you just described Nirvana for me Annie. The testosterone levels in our home can become overwhelming at times...lol those renos look good too btw. xx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to just have some girls time! Fun on the beach, super! Bet the boys appreciated you all the more when you got back! :) x
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at the different vibe when one removes various family members. An all-girl troupe sounds divine. Your house is looking lovely too. I send my kids away for a bit every holidays, just for some peace-and-quiet, and the second they're gone I want them back! Lala has some great pins!
ReplyDeleteA lovely beach holiday for you girls.
ReplyDeletex
All sounds just perfect. I'm itching for this wild and wooly weather to be gone so I can hit the beach with my munchkins. After looking at your photos I'm desperate to feel sand between my toes!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely Annie. Much deserved I think. I've always believed that having even one less than your normal team seems like an amazing holiday.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that exposure to Mother Nature revives the drooping soul.
ReplyDeleteThe tragedy is that we can't take more time out to treasure her nurture.
Mothers need a Mother too.
Totally jealous that you read a book and equally delighted that you had some time away with your girls. Sigh. xxx
ReplyDeleteGirl energy is good ... I used to love leaving my boys with their Dad and taking off somewhere with my girls, even if it was only for a day.
ReplyDelete(Spiritual balm ... I could do with some of that just now ... )
Thank you for the girl energy that seemed to resonate within the house for days after. In my testosterone heavy world it was appreciated and felt. Boys softened and big hugs returned as from across the Pacific came the news that we will remain in our beach house, hooray! SO there will be more DeeDee minding required in the future and chin wags, resource chucking & laughter also. Love the coffee rock stained sand & debris image, I wish I had your eye. X
ReplyDeleteOh I am SO pleased. Good friends of many years are rare and precious things.
DeleteI've been feeling quite sad about you going into the void again and strangers in your home. How lovely for DeeDee, Dad, boys and you in every way!
My eye is always busy but it's getting time for my hand to do something about it that's the problem!
I really enjoy your blog because you write about a family that I can appreciate - I don't have such a family, but your family is a joy to read about. You are a wonderful Mum and I'm glad you had a break with the girls. You deserve some down time.
ReplyDeleteYou do a wonderful job.
Sue
So pleased for you Annie that you had some girl time while the boys were at home doing what appears to be tedious tasks involving doors and windows. We alas have not been recharging at our fave beach as we are packing up our entire house in order to take a 5 month holiday in a house two streets away! mel x
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