I make it a general rule not to go up to my daughter's top bunk more than is necessary and only if she invites me as it is very much her space and when you share a room with your brother it's very necessary to have some privacy. 

As a result I leave her to it except every couple of weeks when I storm the citadel to change the linen and make sure nothing unseemly is growing up there.  Today was one such days.

WOW!! Is there a lot of stuff up there!!  After throwing armfuls of extra bedding, books, folders, diaries off the bunk to go back in their rightful homes I was left with the most wonderful snap shot of pre-teen life.

Amongst the array of soft toys and fairies there are movie posters, pictures of Katie Perry and Kylie, letters from friends, album covers from the likes of Mylie, jewellery and a million other treasures.  Although it looks insane, when you look closer you realise that everything is immaculately arranged.  I sat up there for ages just taking it all in.  Often when we lie up there to read together she tells me about the stuff and it's significance and it's the most amazing window in to her world.
I am actually rather jealous of her space as when the curtain is drawn and the lamp is on it is the most delicious hide-a-way.

Perhaps I need to incorporate my own nook in to the extension?

Well it's official - I am the mother of TWO school children and as such Surfer Boy seems to think that the house will be immaculate, meals will be prepared, and various home crafts will be completed. He was a little miffed to find that nothing has changed in one day! Little does he know that I headed straight for 'The Corner Shop' cafe and sat around with various lovely ladies until 1.30pm!! There really wasn't much time left after that for chores of any sort. Maybe tomorrow will be different - but I doubt it!
Here's the lovelies off to their first day -

Gidget - year 2

Moondoggie - Prep

(and before you ask - no I wasn't at all sad or sentimental. He was so happy to be there that there didn't seem much point)

.

I got a chance to spend some time in Gidget's classroom the other day as part of Education week. They are doing a unit on science and spent the morning conducting experiments and dressing as scientists. It was great to see what she is up to as I rarely get to see the class in action. In prep you get to spend so much time in the room but I've realised that as she gets older I will get to spend less and lees time being a part of her life. Good and bad at the same time. It's exciting seeing her find her place in the world but a little sad that I am not the center of her universe anymore.
Thank god Moondoggie is still a mummy's boy!
(P.S. hours of hair plaiting went on the night before to ensure hair was suitably crazy - unfortunately you can't even tell in this shot)

My beautiful baby girl turned 6 today.

She is a joy and a blessing, a kind hearted soul who treads softly on the world.

Gidget is my sweet, sweet baby who tries to do her best in everything she does and cares about the feelings of those around her. I am so proud of her and am continually humbled by her presense in my life.

I love you my Gidget.

After a day of doing nothing much and consequently irritating the shit out of each other, I came into the living room to find Gidget and Moondoggie watching tele like this!

They really do love each other after all.

(Mind you I give it about 5 minutes before one of them screams out 'Muuuuum!' in that high pitched whiny voice I love so much.)