Gone Solar

Well there has been much excitement in the Aussie household this week because, after several years of talking about it, we have finally "gone solar". We have made many changes to our home over the past couple of years (more efficient lighting and heating, better insulation, double glazing etc) to try and make it more energy efficient, so this was the next logical step. This beautiful German built 5kw system from Swan Energy should cover all our electricity needs (even in our house full of electronics gizmos) and hopefully allow us to credit some back to the power grid as well. The system was only installed yesterday afternoon and by late afternoon we had managed to credit 2kw back to the grid so we have made 96c so far! The true test will come in mid-summer and mid-winter when our electricity use peaks due to heating and cooling.

Now Junior wants to install solar on his cubby house as well so that may be the next science project for Aussie Dad!

How our house has changed in 3 short years

It amazes me how much our life and our house has changed in the three years since our first child was born. I seem to be continuously drowning in "stuff" and no matter how hard I try the house never seems to get completely tidy anymore. A friend who has two similar aged boys mentioned that "at the end of the day, once the kids are asleep, she puts the house back together" - I know exactly what she means.

This week I walked around our house to examine the kiddy impact and was amazed to discover that only one room (our bedroom) remains relativley kid stuff free although first thing in the morning it is often invaded by the kids themselves! The playroom is obviously the most overloaded, it looks a little like an explosion in a plastics factory, but it often spills over into the rest of the house as well. I'm dredding the day we discover that red, yellow, green and blue toy plastics are all highly toxic and our house will be declared a no-go zone for years to come.

The stuff isn't just restricted to the toys though - there is all the other kiddy related material that we are all told we just can't possibly do without and it keeps growing and growning. Here is a quick photo tour to show you what I mean.

The nursery

The front door (whatever happened to a nice welcome mat?)Juniors roomThe playroom (which was once a nice lounge)What was once a pleasant outdoor entertaining area

The bathroom

it goes on and on.......

Perhaps one day hubby and I may be able to reclaim our home but in the meantime I continue to battle to keep all this "stuff" in check.

Bubs view of the world

With my first born I was constantly carrying him about, taking him for walks, reading him books, talking to him, playing peekaboo and generally trying to nurture his physical and emotional development. However, I feel very guilty that baby number two spends a lot more time on the floor left to his own devices while I try to keep up with his big brother, manage the house and unsuccessfully attempt to be the supermum that we are all supposed to be nowadays. Lucky for me bub is a very "easy" baby who doesn't demand too much attention and he gets lots of entertainment from his big brother which he loves. I do wish he got a bit more one-on-one attention (apart for the breastfeeding).

Anyway, I decided to capture a little of his view of the world as he moves from his cot to the floor in the living room under the baby gym, to looking out the sliding doors at the back garden or looking up at the trees in the garden or park. Here is a bubs view of the world.

Cot mobileCot buddiesBedroom Window

Baby Gym

Bub looking at the back gardenJack our Golden Retriever through the screen door

Trees in the back garden

Autumn leaves at the park ......