Cross country

Briar Rose made it onto the school cross country team this year, and spent this morning at her first zone carnival.

The girls took their pre-run briefing very seriously. It's just a shame somebody forgot to pack the Size S athletic tops! As you can see, Briar Rose's top is pretty much knee-length.

Warm ups were absolutely essential as it was ridiculously cold down by the lake. The children were quite happy in their athletics gear, but the watching parents were wearing serious winter clothing!

I'm missing my camera, but was so excited to see Briar Rose in the first bunch of runners home that I probably would have forgotten to point and shoot anyway! She came a very respectable 5th place, so we'll be off to the State Cross Country sometime later in the season. To my embarrassment, I didn't think she would be running so well and couldn't quite believe it was her until she was almost past me!

I've been tagged...

The Crone and One Busy Mama have tagged me :).

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was an elected member of local government and facilitating a regional communications initiative, living in a small country city with just two children and a third on the way.

2. What were five things on my "to-do" list today?

Take a child to the chiropractor then the zone cross country carnival.
Dig a bit more of the lemon tree hole.
Change the sheets on the girls' bunk bed.
Declutter a bit more of the kitchen.
Make a really nice afternoon tea for the children.

3. Snacks I enjoy

Fruit salad, avocado, almost anything with dark chocolate

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire

I'd invest in sustainable technologies, particularly permaculture and solar technologies. I'd also invest in a whole lot of domestic help, and would pack up the family for a round-the-world exploration (homeschooling all the way!).

5. Places I have lived

I've not yet succumbed to wanderlust, so it's a small list! Sydney (NSW), Port Lincoln (SA) and Canberra (ACT).

6. People I've tagged

Mrs T
Little Aussie Husker
Caring is not for Wimps
Going Feral
The Wild Backyard

A picnic without Dad

Dh is in Fiji for another five days, so couldn't join us on a trip to Uriarra Crossing. Sadly, my camera is also Fiji, but it's given me the incentive to learn how to use my phone-camera. The photos aren't as crisp, but I think they get the general idea across...

Possum practiced skipping stones, while Ginger Rose drew in the sand.

Ginger Ninja plotted a cunning path across the river, and was very disappointed to hear that wet feet would result in instant removal to the car.

Can you spot Possum skulking in the trees?

Briar Rose hanging out with The Little Prince while I had a quick walk down to the river. As you can see, we had the entire picnic area to ourselves. We built a very respectable fire to keep us warm while we ate bananas and sandwiches, drank hot chocolate and toasted duck-shaped marshmallows. Unanimously voted a really good picnic!

Seven months old

The Little Prince is a whole seven months old! He's such a merry little thing, sometimes smiling even when he's crying. He has two sharp bottom teeth, eats three solid meals a day (interspersed with numerous breastfeeds), and is surprisingly mobile for a baby who can only crawl backwards!