Blogging, what is it good for?

I haven't written here in ages, but "Blog" keeps appearing on my to-do lists and goals every year.  But why?  I'm not in it to be an influencer, to make money, or to propagate a movement.  I'm not a writer, I don't really have any advice, and I only rant sporadically, if at all... So why do it?

It's taken me a while to find an answer to this question, and for me that answer is memory.  This blog has been our family history archive since we had Lolly, nearly 8 years ago.  Despite lying fallow for a couple of years now, there is a ton of history in these virtual pages.  And so much of that history is things I never would have otherwise marked or remembered.  Little things.  "Doings."  And that's what attracts me to keep blogging.  It took me a couple of years to work out what was important to me about blogging, and what I missed, exactly, about not blogging.  So I'm setting a goal around writing here again.  I'm pretty sure that one day, looking back, I'm going to be glad I did.

Our family has got a fair bit older since we last talked, my step-son, Smash, is 20 now; Snail is about to turn 17 (!!) and Lolly, the youngest, is nearly 8 (that "nearly" is super important!).  We're a little older and a little wiser, and still plodding along.

Lolly, an Arctic Fox

To anyone still reading this, HI, and I'll be seeing you soon.

A cat's life

It's hard to be a cat, sometimes.

Alia says: *le sigh*

An array of Princesses.

Blurry Circus snaps!

Lolly has started her very first class!  In circus!!  She loves it about as much as you might imagine, and has tried a huge range of amazing cool stuff.

On the ring!!

Plate twirling.

Balance beam, with fancy plate action!

Tightrope!

She's also done trapeze and that awesome fabric stuff they hang off.  And pole climbing and juggling.  We're loving it and have signed up for next term!

When I say "Lolly wants to be a vet" I am NOT kidding!

We have a VERY serious play program here for prospective vet surgeons.  Here are some recent shots, she is operating on a very bad tooth problem that her pet toy snake developed.

Here's the vet in surgery.  Gloves and all. 

Sharp implements are required!

Complicated lego jaw restraint system, co-designed by DinnerDad.

You can see it's a delicate procedure....

Her tools all laid out on a "sterile surface".

This Blog has no continuity: or, Lolly's sixth Birthday some more...

Because of course, Lolly's birthday comes 9 days before Snail's!  And also, it's in March :p

We had a small party after school with some friends, including a late season swim (it's mostly still hot as anything here in sunny Brisvegas!).

The highlight was the piñata, though the puppy cake was a close second!

As for me, I have the usual parental disbelief that my baby is SIX!!!  And we've *almost* recovered from the sugar overload.  Almost.

Some Birthdays are Bittersweet

Snail turned 15 last month.  It's a sweet and sad day.  She has no idea it's her birthday, or what birthdays are.  Though she likes presents and cake and attention.

The hit of the day was this Bananas in Pyjamas book!

It's hard to get presents in the toddler aisle or online at special needs places.

And there's just something about birthdays that make her seem more different. They are markers that show how much her life is different from other 15 year olds.

But she had a nice day, some big smiles, a bit of joy, and a big piece of cake.  That's something.

Cat and Kitten

On a rainy day, Pickles and Alia contemplate the rain, and each other's existence.  This post has nothing else to add, other than supporting the Interwebz cat addiction.

Pickles is 4 months old, Alia is 13!  Be sure to especially admire the moustache.  It is adorable!!