our local

At least once a fortnight we go to our favourite local cafe and indulge in a few hours of bliss. Bamboo Buddha is my idea of a perfect cafe - wholesome vegetarian food, organic coffee, Balinese day beds and a trickling fish pond. There's little paths in and out of the trees, around and about the pond, and Che spends hours circling them. He wanders up to the kitchen by himself and asks the girls for a cup of fish food (you can see it in his hand in that first photo) and proceeds to sprinkle the lurid orange flakes into the water.

Yesterday we went there for morning tea and ended up staying for lunch. For three and a bit hours we lay on the day bed listening to the birds and the beetles. Poet slept, I took photos and Daniel shot film. Che played the Pied Piper and took some other little kids on a "lizard walk." When we left we felt like we'd been on a holiday. Truly - we floated home.

Che wears this years hazyjane pants. He also wore them in 2010 and 2009. I buy two new pairs for him each year because you can't go past handmade, mama-made, vintage floral cotton pants for our hot, hot summer.

afternoon

Spontaneity is not my forte. It seems it's not Che's either. It only took him a few leaf runs and a bit of encouragement though and he was into the afternoon stroll. His three-year-old mood swings are daily occurrences at the moment and no doubt it must be challenging, knowing that within a few weeks, he'll be a big bro. He's excited though, asking when the baby is going to arrive, wondering why it can't be right now. "I don't like waiting," he says. But wait we must.

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Daniel's film. And I must say that credit for the superbly knit vest goes to my mum, who Che calls "Mama." He calls me "Muma" and yes, it can be a little confusing but he likes it that way. My knitting skills are completely amateur but I feel lucky to have a Mum who can, when time allows, pass on her knowledge of the needles.

For gorgeous newish blog goodness, visit Claire - muma/photographer/stylist at one claire day

close to home

We stayed close to home today and stayed away from Woolworths (I actually managed to venture there by myself which is always so much easier and so much quicker). Che is doing better and apart from looking a little pale he is his usual self.

A few days ago someone asked me how old he is and it dawned on me that it's only a couple of months till his third birthday. 3. That's so big. He's proving to be a little entertainer who isn't afraid of telling people what he thinks - I admire his confidence and the way he remains completely unaware of social etiquette. If he doesn't want to talk to someone he won't and he's managed to develop this utterly comical snarl/frown that seems to scare people away. With his hands on his hips and the regular tapping of the foot he is coming into his power because, well, he's almost three.

At least he still says:

"I wuv you soooo much muma."

Oh the joy.

Photos taken in the magical garden a few doors down. I told him there were elves in the tree and so each time we visit he calls out to them. Today he thought it would probably work better if he brought his microphone. Ahem!