Fantastic Jess!!! How long has this house been coming to you guys? Only since we started together here as Preggy buddies! And so awesome that you are so close to your mum, even if she'll be gone over the school holidays. I also admire your preparation (although it would be fraught with danger if you didn't prepare) for the holidays - it seems like such a long way off with Oscar, but I guess the time will come when I will have to organise activities for him when he's not at school...maybe ship him off to my parents in the country (I'm sure he'd hate the sea air...not!). By mentioning that in your post, you have flagged a mental note to myself for a few years ahead...!
Really, I am stoked that you have a house for you and the kids - I hope one day they realise what a great mummy you've been to them, but I'm sure they will - you're raising them so well (and I don't just mean in the 'considering you have 6, have had trouble with rental accomodation, the dropkick partners you've had etc', I mean, you are raising them well by any standard and I am always touched by how you speak of them and how driven you are for them. Geez, that sounds really soppy, but with all the stuff I'm reading for my course, and all the non-parenting that is going on out there in the world, great parenting seems to stick out like a sore thumb, doesn't it? And I'm a bit sentimental, anyway
Amanda - how thoroughly annoying about your computer! For what it's worth, you may not have the photos, but there's a lot to be said for etching those kinds of memories into your brain, into the photo album of your heart. Some of my favourite moments can't be found on my computer or in a negative
Sorry, that's all that stuck out for me just now, and now that Oscar is asleep I have to get back to study (and eating some sago pudding)...
Have a great week all - 3 birthdays next week!