Impounded ... year #3.

We're back.

Back amongst the razor wire, noxious fumes from burning tires over the fence, guards at the gate, and the endless soundtrack of the leafblower.

It's great to be here!

Really.

Three months on the outside, and a newborn baby has refreshed my perspective on compound living to a degree I never would have imagined possible. I now find myself returning to life here as one of the people I used to never quite understand - still happy to be here in the third year. My mind used to boggle. Now I get it.

It's nice to have predictable and easy days with not that much to do and nowhere to really go. The limitations of life mean I don't have to straighten/style my hair, wear makeup, iron clothes and have two loads of washing on the go by 9am every day. Now I just make sure to look nice by 5.30pm to greet my husband when he returns from his busy day at the office.

My kids no doubt appreciate not being dragged in and out of various harnesses all day as they are ferried around wherever I need to go, and I am saving a hell of a lot of money by stamping out our daily cafe lifestyle. The time in Australia with our girl has made some marked changes to her world view though.

For example - last night she made 'tea' for us from her tea set. Her daddy-o asked what his was when she gave it to him .. "A latte"... what kind ... "soy" ... how many sugars ... "two". Correct.

Later we were making play-doh. As she cut out the letter 'W', I asked her what letter it was. "Big W!" she said proudly. How/when this became her favourite store/thing to do/place to visit in Australia is unclear to me. As parents, we feel we have failed her. Why not David Jones? When we asked her why, she told us she went there for "the undies". Don't we all.

Tomorrow is her first day at school. I hope she's going to be okay, but let's be honest. It is me more likely to fall to pieces at the school gate. Yesterday she got her first school bag, it goes from the top of her neck to the back of knees. Ridiculous and heartbreaking all at the same time. School can only be a good thing though, the sight of her numbly opening and closing cupboard doors all day long in the kitchen rings a few alarm bells regarding the need for a bit more stimulation in her life.

And with the onset of a screaming baby and a bored two year old plonked on my lap (to celebrate screaming baby and prevent me from getting up) - that's a wrap for now!

Out.