third

On the third day of the new year I'd love to share our Indi's newish song with you; Are we there yet?

Indi and her singing teacher Geoffrey Williams and his partner George co-wrote it and Geoffrey produced it, recorded it and played all the instruments. When you have a listen you might just recognise some of the little stories from our caravan trip that inspired the lyrics.

It's a funny thing to think of what we really expect as parents when we drive our kiddies to their extra curricular activities each week. When we drop them off, hand over the money, and then come back an hour later to drive them home. 

I guess we hope they'll learn a new skill, that they'll enjoy themselves, that they'll be able to express themselves creatively, that they'll be inspired, build on their confidence, perhaps pick up on some of the passion of the teacher, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love and take that skill with them wherever they go.

I'm not sure exactly how long our Indi has been having singing lessons with Geoffrey but I know that I posted about them way back in 2010 and she'd been going for a while before then. And I know that over these years she's gotten all that and so much more. Once, in the middle of a bit of a difficult pre-teen patch I arrived a bit early to find him teaching her how to moonwalk and her laughing for the first time in ages. It was amazing. 

I'm a firm believer in the village to raise a child thing and I'm super glad we've got Geoffrey in ours.

And I'm super excited to share their latest song with you.

So here it is...Are we there yet?

(click on the title to listen)

Just for fun I thought I'd include the original of the cover photo that I took in our Airbnb in Santorini, Greece and a few others from that same incredible house. It used to be a sock factory you know.

I'm so proud of our kid. Every time I listen to that track I can't stop smiling.

I hope you love it.


Love Kate xoxo

Indi sings.

Last Sunday afternoon Indi's singing teacher Geoffrey, held a singing soiree in his studio for all the choirs and students he teaches, as well as a couple of groups he performs with. Each singer was allowed two guests and after much discussion, Jazzy and I were invited to attend.

I was so nervous in the lead up to the event. Sure she's had lots of experience performing for huge audiences with her choirs, but this was her first solo gig. Apart from one other child, this was an all adult gig too.

I tried to leave her alone all morning to decide on her outfit and to warm up. I didn't want to pass on my nerves to her but it seems I needn't have worried.

She was a star.

She sat next to me and listened to the singers before her and then when it was her turn she took to the stage and sang.

I was so proud.

I was proud of her song choices that were well thought out and a bit left of centre. She was confident and sang so beautifully and she laughed in good humour, when she stumbled over the words at one stage and kept on going. She looked like she was having fun, like she wanted to be there and to keep singing.

One time a whole lot of years ago, way before I had kids of my own, I was sitting in a bar with my Mum listening to my sister playing a gig. At one stage I asked my Mum if she could believe that she made Emily. That she grew her in her tummy and looked after her and here she was larger than life on the stage performing. My Mum said that she couldn't imagine it. That the two were separate and too huge too put together. I now understand what she meant.

I am a bit obsessed with my children finding their passions. I want them to know what it is that will make them excited, that will make them happy and proud, that will help them get through the difficult times.

I want them to have that feeling in their stomachs that I have when I am inspired. That feeling that when they are doing what they love, it doesn't matter what's going on in the rest of their world.

When my world is too much for me I know I have to sew. I might make a mess of what I'm sewing but its ok because most of the time when I'm sewing the world makes a bit more sense.

I feel like Indi has this with her singing. Lately she's been writing songs too. And she's started learning to play the guitar.

She's also started locking herself in the bathroom to sing and play when she is fighting with one of us or upset. I love this. I am hopeful that if she has her music to turn to then it'll help her get through some of the harder, hormonal, teenage, rebellious times to come.

Did you notice Cumkwat in her pocket for luck?

At the end of her set she came off stage and my Jazzy, overwhelmed with emotion, ran to meet her to cuddle and congratulate her. Phew, it was quite an emotional moment for this Mama.

On the way home we stopped at the florist to buy her some flowers. She chose the biggest, brightest, most wonderful bunch there and walked out carrying them like a ballerina carries hers off the stage.

"I have never been this happy", she told us. "I feel like I could be the new Prime Minister of Australia!"

Tattoos, Monsters and Bowls.

It's a hive of activity.

Indi has just finished her godseye and is now finalising the designs for her tattoo shop, Jazzy and Pepper are drawing monsters, there are lots of little pieces of paper being cut up for a raffle and I am making a bobble bowl.

I have just been informed that the prizes for the raffle are 1) private singing lessons with Jazzy, 2) 4 tattoos from Indi's collection and 3) a concert for everyone featuring Indi and Jazzy singing songs from their very own hit album 'sing it!'.

I made these texta rolls for the girls last year and am about to start making some more for the new Lark shop opening in Daylesford soon.

Oh and I just discovered that my prize for the afternoon will be lice combing the girls' hair!