The off shoot of American Indians

Brid has had a lot of fun exploring the American Indians and as lots of children do she has created her owm teepee and camp space.
But I had an idea. I will get my hiking tent out and see what happens. Firstly to find it. Search party.!!
Ok found, Well it is a hiking tent and wind resistant and it was the top of the line when I was a Caving and hiking, and I haven't been able to give it away. And thank goodness for that...
Otherwise we wouldn't be having a sleep out in it tonight. Brid is all ready and has claimed her land and is enjoying the freedom to play in it.
So Here are a few of the preparations. Wonder if we/ she  will manage to sleep in it all night!!!!!

..............she did stay in the tent for a short time the first night...It was raining, The next day was a beautiful day and Brid was keen to sleep in the tent overnight again. So again, we said yes, and well she lasted an hour. Her excuse was it was noisy and the wind was howling. Bless her, she came in and slept soundly in her own warm bed.

new homeschool look

The last few months has been driving me crazy with storage issues with all our homeschool bits and pieces. After reading one ispiring blog or 5, I thought I need to do something. But what. I had craft stuff in 3 different areas. OH and S would have had a feild day here!.
Anyway, I had a custom made shelves and drawers made for one young boy some years ago, and its not needed anymore. It was sitting looking lifeless in our Spare room.
So Brid and I unpacked it and moved it to our school area. We don't have a school room, but what we have is effective were it is.
So here are some pictures of our new storage with our Missals, Saints books and Prayer space on top.

Our family Alter in the lounge room.

 I won't show you Brids' desk. Its a little messy, but a good mess. Its a creative mess.

never rains but it pours

It never rains but it pours at our place.
At the moment we have Louise staying with us until she finds a rental place in town- close to work and Uni. She has gone today looking at a place- sharing with people we know. Could be good.
We have our pool being worked on. Its at reinforcing stage and pipe work- Brid has made lots of videos and photos for her blog.
And this week, we noticed the septic tank was making a funny noise and a little on the nose. So we had it emptied and had the motor fixed, or so we thought. It didn't 'kick in', as they say, so we await a new pump- today.
I was going in to town today to get supplies and pick up Brid from her grandparents. But now I am waiting for the repair to be done. Actually it has been a very interesting procedure, as now at least we know a little more about septic systems.
And the Pool, it is happily going along fine, except when we get rain deluging down!! But hey we need the rain, so I can't complain.
So who will pick up Brid????- my dear Louise said she would. Sisterly love.

The photos of the swings

The construction of the swings commenced in August, after we moved in. It was just an idea. My Dad takes ideas seriously- as well as he is Semi- retired and loves a challenge. He put the plan together, constructed it on paper and purchased the materials. The day arrived. Lots of discussions and lots of digging. A VERY hot day. Lots of Water was needed for our workmen.

The frame was up and time for the seats and the ropes. I am still not fussed with the rope, but in time, it will be changed after negotiations between Grandad and Granddaughter.

Here she is swinging and loving it. We have all had a swing with her. Its a great Swing, very long. And a throw at the very high netball hoop. It is just out of picture on the right hand side. So thanks Dad, great effort. Better than a bought one!!! Made with Love by Grandad and Daddy.

Our backyard

When we moved we left behind a pool, a pergola and ducted air conditioning.
We wanted to put all these in our new home. The air con was put in 3 weeks after we moved. And boy have we needed with this hot summer.
We have added 2 more wants. A swing and a vege patch.
Yes I know wants, do we really need them no, but it will cut down the mowing!!!!-
So the pool starts next year.
The pergola is the full extent of the house, so lots of outdoor living. We live outside like most Aussies most of the year. I can't wait to eat our meals outside under our pergola! Brid and I do our schooling outside most days, except in the cold weather.
The swing, my Dad and Dermot are putting together. Its made of koppers logs, so it will be strong and able to take a couple of grown up kids on the swings at a time.
So the pergola is still at the construction stage, with the sheets of aluminium going up today. They have been on the job most of the week.
Lots of noise and banging. We have a local friend helping out. Actually, everyone on the 'job' are friends of ours, so its rather a nice friendly environment for us all to be in.
They have consented to a couple of photos, so they will go up on the blog soon.
The vege patch, it will be next cab off the rank, once the swing and pergola are in place.
The pool is a long project, it takes 16 weeks for it to be finished, as we have chosen a concrete pool. Our last one was as well, but there are a couple of variations we needed to address as its a different council area and its 8 years on, and legislation has changed on construction and water tanks.
So this is all happening the week before Christmas. But it truly is not a bother, to have workmen here, but I can't wait to have it too ourselves!!!!!!