16/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2013"

The weeks seem to be flying past and I seem to only blog my photos each week, still that's better than nothing I suppose!

'Middle' Miss had a big week.
She took out third place in the school cross-country for girls in her grade - no small feat when there are about 50 competitors in there, and she's not a particularly competitive child.

We think the lure of the medal did it.
She wore it all evening, even when she had changed into her PJ's and put it back on after school the next day too.

Surprise medal

'Big' Miss is conquering riding her new bike brilliantly.
There's nothing this kid won't have a go at.
When she's on the seat her feet can't touch the ground, something not many seven-year-olds would be comfortable with.
She takes a spill and gets right back on.
I admire her determination and courage, all done with a cheeky, shy smile.

Outdoors girl

'Little' Miss seems to be riding off away from, me day by day.
While this is just a photo, it shows what I often feel, that Little Miss Independence is leaving me behind all too quickly.

Bicycling Bush 'baby'

Playing along again with Che and Fidel.

15/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

I had a few to choose from this week, it was hard.

Playing is thirsty work

The quietly satisfied smile of someone who just found another corner!

Her version of heaven, post a trip to the library.

Playing along with Che and Fidel again.
I missed last week, we had the wonderful joy of a shared bout of gastro for the holidays...
Nothing much fun about that!

Finally some sewing!

I have actually made a bunch of things in the past few months - not that you'd know it from this blog!

Here's one thing...

This long-limbed-lovely started gymnastics this year and wanted a new leotard, so we went to the fabric shop where she chose the exact colour she wanted and also a sparkly butterfly for the front.

To say she loves gym would be the understatement of the year!

This is made in a stretch velour - so soft and stretchy, it must be lovely to wear.

Every gymnast needs a leotard with a 'skirt'

She wanted the same leotard as her last one, just in a new colour and of course with added length.

There's a little room through the back for when she puts her hands up and stretches.

This pattern is from Ottobre 1/2007  and I have made it before here and here in different colours and with different sleeve lengths.

I think I had brain-fade when cutting this though as I cut a size based on her height - and whenever I do that they are always too big through the body as she's quite petite in build.

What I should have done (as I did before) was cut a smaller size and add length.

Not sure what I was thinking - but it meant I had to take out about 1.5 cm on each side through the waist to get it to fit her!

Then I had to tighten the leg elastic as it was too loose so wasn't holding when she exercised.

And here is the perfectly matched butterfly she chose - not what I would go for - or what I tried to steer her toward but she loves it and is very happy with the end result.

With the new term of swimming nearly upon us, coming soon - more bathers!!

13/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

It's school break here - the end of the first of our four school terms for the year so we have been away for the Easter weekend with some friends to their weekend home on the Murray River - the border between Victoria and NSW, here in Australia.

We had the most amazing time - the girls hardly stopped smiling all weekend...

This little lady has always been very comfortable in and on the surf, seems she's just as at home on the river; taking to riding on the 'biscuit' behind a speeding boat like she had been doing it for years.

There's a 'wild child' lurking within that sensible exterior after all!

And yes, since last week she's now got a 'gappy' smile!

Another water baby with eyes as blue as the water. This one in the pool, with a lifejacket just for fun!

All my children are part fish I think!

This little Miss is ready to take on the world, with gusto!

While I have almost lost her out the top of this shot (she jumped higher than I anticipated!), I love the sense of freedom and abandonment shown here.
Jumping for the pure joy of it!

Taking the plunge in a big way!

I'm playing along with Che and Fidel again.
Go and join in if you like.