Some nights we find them snuggled up the same end :) 

This week has held lots of phone calls with family. I was having a 'really-miss-my-family' day earlier in the week, and got 3 phone calls from different family members that day! I often forget I have a phone link to family so it was really nice to have them ring me; my week looked up afterwards!

The girls have both got colds at present. It has been quite cold since we got back from camping - the first week was wet and cold; this week is windy and cold - so the runny noses were to be expected. It has made Abigail more inclined to have her day-time nap, so that's always nice :)

I became aware recently that I was neglecting to include the girls in the work around the house - finding myself instead shooing them off to play or occupying them elsewhere. "Train up a child in the way he should go...." came to mind, and I have been reading over Proverbs 31 a bit lately (in a few different translations) and verse 27, "she keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive" also struck me. So I have been involving both girls more. Abigail now clears the cutlery rack for me, and folds the washers and tea towels; her and Sarah both help to put the washing away; I'm teaching them to put their toys/games away when they've finished playing with them; they help bring the shopping in and take the rubbish out, and so forth. It really helps me, and they really enjoy it. I look forward to the possibility in years to come that I've worked myself out of a job!

Proverbs 31 verse 17 and 27 speak of a wife setting about her work vigorously and not eating the bread of idleness. I had a few days where I didn't know what to do that day (and the things I thought of I didn't feel like doing!), so I have sat down and drawn up a 4 week rotating 'roster' of my housework focus for each day of the week. Eg:

I only loosely followed it this week, but my week was a lot of more focused because of it and I feel like I've gotten a lot done (my kitchen is very clean!). Just like my menu plans, it's nice to just do what the roster is telling me rather than having to come up with it everyday! 

Abigail is currently learning her letters - both upper and lower case - and their sounds. I give her a baking tray with a piece a paper that has different letters drawn on, and she matches the letter magnets to them. And we continue to do lots of reading; our fortnightly library trips are much enjoyed by the girls.

Sarah has become very attached to a golf ball recently. After her morning feed in bed with me, it's the first thing she looks for. 'Ball?' is often heard when it has rolled under the tv unit or she has lost sight of it. It goes everywhere - except on bathroom trips (it made it in the toilet bowl a couple of times too many!).

On a warmer day this week, I set a bowl of soapy water outside for the girls to play with while I did the dishes - I came out to find them washing each others' hair :) Abigail has been learning to do up buttons with a fun little button snake I made her; Sarah has been putting toothpicks back in their container through the little holes in the top - both activities to help them with their fine motor skills / hand/eye coordination (and to keep them happily occupied while I cook!).

I have been getting back into regular exercise again - walking to work with Jon in the morning's where possible, and doing various home workouts I've come across on Pinterest (this is a nice simple 3 minute one for the ladies that I've done a couple of times. Be warned, the chick is nuts!). My baby bump is beginning to grow - I can't get my jeans done up now (I could a couple of weeks ago). And I think I've felt bubs move a few times in the past week, so that's very exciting! My first midwife appointment is next week and I am looking forward to hearing bubs' heartbeat for the first time!

My cup of tea (I've switched from peppermint to chai since the temperatures have dropped) is finished, so I best be up while the warmth of it lingers. Have a nice long weekend those in Australia, and just a nice weekend to those elsewhere. Jonathan and I have dentist appointments in the morning so spare a thought of sympathy if you think of us! :)