I want one!

I saw this today while I was looking through a fab blog called Urban Gardens it is apparently made from clay and absorbs moisture with a fabulous shelf below. It is by Swedish designer Mans Salomonsen. I really, really want one! Now to find out where I can get one.

Weather for ducks!

Sydney seems to be getting a lot of rain, while this is good for the garden it is terrible for the boys. After waking up this morning we couldn't face the day inside cooped up with them, so the decision was made, we would take them to Leo's second home "the museum". Off we all went and everyone had a great time, me included! I find the museum a very soothing place, the architecture is beautiful and the displays are very impressive.

This afternoon I decided it would be good time to plant out some seedlings, it is a full moon and the damp soil is just perfect for planting. So fingers crossed my peas, mini cabbages, celery and baby bok choy all like their new home!

So if you are a duck enjoy the wonderful wet weather!

Trees!

I am having a disastrous time growing veggies this winter! I have too much shade and not enough sun! Our next door neighbor has a whopping big camphor laurel tree that hangs over our side of the garden and hence we are only getting 2 hours of sun a day on the veggie patch. Yes the weather is a little warmer in Sydney but not even this is enough to grow veggies in winter. So I have come to a decision, the tree is going, well the bit on our side which equates to 70% of the tree. You see Camphor Laurels are a noxious weed, their leaves drop everywhere they are infact a very toxic plant according to 57 reasons why camphor laurels need to be eradicated. It is also where I want to put the chickens, but the seeds will kill the birds so I have to be patient and play the waiting game. So our dear next door neighbor you will soon find me knocking on your door with news that your tree will be cut down on our side of the fence! It has been a long time coming and it is one tree that I will be happy to see chopped down!

Animals

I was reading Purple Podded Peas Blog and saw this adorable pic of a cat sitting with the egg in the chicken coop. Cats are just adorable and are strange sometimes.



We have just come back from the vets with Milo and Mariah, poor Milo has been in the wars and has to have 2 teeth taken out. For Mariah it was a routine vaccination and the usual "she is a little over weight" chat from the vet......"don't look at me the kids feed her all sorts of fattening treats" I said. Luckily both the boys were there and they admitted straight away to the vet that Mariah loves bickies, and she happened to be covered in porridge from Jack's breakfast that said I rest my case! Love your pets as they give so much for so little in return!

Snakes, Lizards, Crocodiles and turning 4!

On Sunday Leo had his 4th birthday party! It was a wonderful day and well worth all the effort! Dan and I worked so hard to make sure everything was perfect. Cake included!

It is really hard to entertain 18 children so I organised Dr Crunch to come and spend an hour with the kids. This hour entailed lots of cold blooded reptiles being passed around the children and may I say the adults became quite involved too. There was lots of patting and draping of snakes around necks and lets not forget all the munching of party food.

I have a feeling there were a lot of hyperactive children that left our house on Sunday. I must say parties are fun and I can't wait to do the next one!

The snakes did not seem to bother either of my boys, I on the other hand felt a little squeamish. The crocodile was my favourite!

The Story of Bottled Water (2010)

We all have to start saying no to bottled water. The water that comes out of our tap is perfect, it is the best in the world, so lets start drinking it, at home, when we are out and say no to bottled water in restaurants! It is the biggest con of all time and we are no longer going to be conned. Buy yourself a BPA free bottle like Nalgene fill it up from your tap and their you have it! A snazy looking drink bottle, filled with free water and most of all you are not adding any more waste to the massive amounts of landfill that is slowly taki ng over our world.

About Time!

Well it is about time that I should sit down and fill you all in on what has been a very busy few months in the McGrath family household (I will keep it short).

In February Leo and Jack both went off to preschool and daycare. Jack was a little hesitant and a few tears and tantrums were had along the way. Leo loved preschool from the very first day. He has a wonderful special needs teacher who is marvelous with him, she really gets the best out of him and we can see this at home, he is coming along in leaps and bounds.

Late February Jack turned two. Marsie & Parsie timed a visit so they could help celebrate the momentous occasion. (I think he is already starting to act out "the terrible twos") Boy do we have a fun year ahead of us!

March was all about intervention. This year Leo is having weekly home based sessions and this is paying off! He is doing marvelously. I feel that all the hard work is paying off.

April we all jumped in the car and headed North for Easter up to Marsie and Parsies house (dog included). Boy was that a fun car journey! There were lot of toilet stops, and it wasn't for the dog. The Easter Bunny found where Leo and Jack were staying and he left behind lots of chocolate Easter eggs. The weather was fabulous it was the best weather I have experienced up there, so look out Marsie & Parsie it may become an annual visit! The best experience was early one morning while walking up the long sandy beach we spotted a tiny little loggerhead turtle making its way to the water apparently there had been quite a few hatch and make the dangerous and long journey to the ocean. Where ever you are now little turtle we hope you made it past the seagulls and are swimming free.

Well here we are with a very busy week ahead. Leo is having his fourth birthday party with 20 children from preschool coming. Dr Croc is making an appearance (I believe in outsourcing when it comes to kids birthday parties). Dan is turning.....40 Shh... don't tell anyone. So now I am back on track with blogging the next blog will be BIG!