we love we play

We Play and We Play and...We Stop!

2010-06-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

Creating

2010-06-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend we were busy making a gift for our sick neighbour. We made her a bag and a lavender eye pillow (together with some extras for ourselves). P loved mixing the lavender. We chose cracked wheat to mix it with because that was all we ahd that seemed suitable in the cupboard - I hope it is suitable!

While at it, I also made L some bibs as sadly that has started already - she seems such a hungry girl...it is so early (and I am not misguided by the thought that looking at food means she is ready for food! She genuinely seems hungry)

Sail Away Sail Away Sail Away

2010-06-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Z loves setting up his games. His favourite thing is his pond - elevated by a cushion to make waves. He usually loves putting his toy surfboards on the pond. But the other day we found some big (black bean) pods and made sailing boats.

Z is helping me write this post and the next thing he wants to say is, "I love mummy" and "we are getting a big boys bed".

Productivity

2010-06-09T05:51:00.001-07:00

It has been happening around here and I feel great for it! Achieving craft of my own makes me feel balanced. So so many unfinished projects lay through my space - and many more clutter my mind.

Over the past week and a half, I have finished an old quilt that has been folded in the cupboard half finished since P was 2, and she's now 5! It works well for L - nice and cushie for her increasingly rarer falls from sitting.

I also finished a pair of pj pants for both P and Z. Not a great photo but the best I could do late at night. They both love them.

And.. I finished a jumper for L - in the knick of time. It stills fit but only just. I started it when I was pregnant. So it is not "conformly" gender specific in its colour. A photo of that one soon!

And more to come - almost finished a cross over jumper for L in a pattern that I found on Ravelry some time ago. I am officially half way through a "crushed banana" dress for L - but that's OK, I am aiming to have it finished for a holiday in September. And I would love to make myself a skirt...hmmm, we'll see.

Backyard Times

2010-05-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

Last Friday seemed almost like a summers day around here. Z made the most of it in the garden with friends. We had a turnstile on our gate and a rotation of friends coming through to play. Making garden soup and an early harvest of (not quite ready for picking) carrots were among the games.

For me, the end of the day saw a a very frazzled mummy. A few weeks of big workloads and trying to compensate for lost play in one day was not the recipe for calm and relaxation. A lesson I may one day learn! Although, I think it went unnoticed by my three babes...that is, until my response to the funniest bathtime activity of putting a finger on the water sprout and spraying water all over the bathroom!!

Sitting Up Girl

2010-05-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Amazing! I really wanted to savour every moment and labour on it for as long as possible. These last 4 months seems to have wizzed past. Baby L decided to sit for the first time, on her own, this morning. It has happened overnight. We havent spent weeks of being propped up with cushions. She just decided it should happen and her strong little core allowed her to sit there on her own - with a few gentle tumbles (and more to come).

A Mothers Day

2010-05-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Holidays

2010-05-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

We have shared an amazing 2 week holiday with our relatives. We travelled to Tasmania with one of B's brothers, his wife and 2 kids.

The first week was rewarding but gruelling. My sister-in-law and I stayed at a farmstay in the Tamar Valley with our 5 children (under 5!). The kids loved jumping in the hay on the back of the truck to feed the cows, and, sitting on the beautiful horse. Funnily enough they enjoyed feeding someone elses chickens each morning more than feeding our own at home. Why doesnt it provide the same excitement ? A couple of days of wild weather meant indoors and frayed tempers - but what does one expect of loving cousins all close in age! All while the guys enjoyed 6 days of nature, peace and tranquility walking the Overland Trek.

Week 2, with us altogether, was more relaxing. Unfortunately the night before picking up the guys I got sick and so did the 2 little bubbas. But a couple of days at the Bay of Fires and relaxation helped our recovery.

Hobart was great for catching up with a dear old friend and his beautiful family. It meant new friends for the day for my kids and they had a fantastic time. If only we could all be as unassuming and open as children are when we meet new people.

We are Back - and with 3

2010-04-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

Our love and play has returned to blog. I have missed updating this record for some time but havent been able to get myself back to the routine. I hope I have now.
It seemed so difficult to start again as I felt I needed to give an explanation for the absence. But I am not going to. I am just going to start otherwise I could procrastinate forever deliberating on how to catch up and then never return. BUT I will say we are now 5 - we have been blessed with the arrival of L in our lives - who is now 3 months old and she is absolutely gorgeous!!
...
Kindergarten has started well for P. The choice to attend the local public school was painstaking and ohh so difficult. I felt satisfied in the end for its many virtues. As the first term has come to a close I have realised I am not dissatisfied but I do have to make a conscious and concerted effort to live our family values. It seems easy to get pulled into the mass - to get pulled into the competition, the commericalism, the unrelenting (yes even in term 1 kindergarten!) academic focus! The Easter Hat Parade allowed me to come to this realisation!

P and I researched Easter hats. P came up with her design. I mostly did the leg work in putting in together - P did the glueing. We both loved it! Most importantly, P was very pleased with her Easter hat - and remains that way. The parade was clearly a competition of the biggest and best - lots of feathers and height! Momentarily tempted, I suddenly realised it was important not to get pulled in. P's hat was modest but beautiful because she designed it, we made it together and she loved it. The Easter bonnet as we called it when I went to school holds vivid and fond memories for me - memories of making my Easter bonnet with my mum, that I was so proud of. So I realised that was important - not to get pulled into next year having to be bigger and better but to make sure that again we put something together that is handmade by us!

Springtime

2009-09-10T15:54:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to 2 weeks holiday heading north and some more beautiful spring time!

Fathers Day

2009-09-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day was spent at a National Park in NSW called Muogamarra. Its only open a couple of times a year and, as we did, everyone else must have become aware of the secret just this year. It was very popular!

Despite that it was very beautiful. We were not able to keep up with the rest of our party on the walk as we decided it was much better to look slowly and intently at everything we passed - well at least that was Z's decision and there was no persuading him otherwise. You have to accept that sometimes - and what is bad about it anyway?!

We did make a 2km loop walk and enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers. The waratahs were amazing and the kids especially enjoyed seeing the many scribbly gums. They are lucky to have a Daddy that can tell them all about the Australian bush!

Crazy Saturday

2009-09-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

What a crazy day - trying to squeeze in the morning walk to the beach, the local church fair (didnt make that one ! - shame because it's only once a year and the only place I know that still has stick-jaw toffee), the local artisan market and swimming classes. We really wanted to make the local market because it is held at P's big school that she will attend next year and we needed to show Daddy the kindy playarea.

'Big school' - I cant believe it! I perplexed and perplexed! We visited every nearby public school except our zoned school because I was convinced it wasnt right for so many reasons. Finally I knew I had to visit the zoned school and each of my fears and concerns were alleviated one by one! Whoever would have thought ???? Not me..but I am happy and relieved! I still worry that its big and its not a Steiner education but it will be great! (Steiner just could not be justified for me with a 40minute drive each way each day - I will continue to be sad about that but that travel just doesnt fit with my perspective on life).

After a pleasing visit to big school and swimming lessons - all finished by 11.30am - we went onto P and Z's cousins 1st birthday party. It was a magnificent day and time spent in the park with family was a fantastic way to spend it. Sugar and no sleeps meant for a one book night and early to bed!

Cross Back Dress

2009-09-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

It makes a difference to put this dress together for pleasure!

It is a present for my niece on her 1 year old birthday.

I have made so many of these dresses for the markets and a shop in Newtown, Sydney, that they lost their charm for me. Now that it has been some time since the last one I made, I really enjoyed choicing the tablecloth and making the dress. I guess that was helped by it being a special one!

Breadmaking

2009-08-31T05:03:00.000-07:00

Always a favourite pasttime in our house. I love to see those little hands kneading away. Its great relaxation for me too. We all enjoy reaping the fruits of our labour at the end of the long process.

Weekending

2009-08-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

When a boy gets up at 5.30am consistently on the weekend, anything can happen. What amazes me is that he wakes with such enthusiasm (and volume) everytime - chatter, chatter, chatter - as if he has been up for hours. There is no slow wind up for kids, is there ? For some time now I have been slowing trying to lead my children into understanding the joy of the morning stretch (in the hope that is slows the acceleration). It seems to work for 4 year olds...but not 2 year olds!

What happened after a high speed wake on the Sunday morning just passed was a racing track made from a big discarded cardboard box, some filling and a milk bottle - in my haze. He appreciated it! I dont think "pitts" is spelt correctly but that was OK!

The day evolved and P's sunny dancefloor evolved too! She was meticulous in setting it up. I received very clear instructions on the help I was required to give. Luckily we found a long piece of skirting board out the back that could join the dolls house and chair at just the right height to hang the beautiful backdrop. But the space became way too appealing for a sunny sleep for daddy and Z later in the morning.

Welcome Spring!!!

2009-08-26T20:06:00.001-07:00

We have been welcoming spring early in these parts. We are so excited and have relished every moment we can in our backyard -tea parties and spring cleaning!

A present for you and a present for me

2009-08-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

P had a 5 year old birthday party to attend yesterday afternoon. All little girls love to write and receive letters, dont they ? The anticipation of going out to the letterbox each day and then the excitement or disappointment. In an attempt to increase the incidence of excitement we have been writing letters.

We made P's girlfriend a writing set for her 5th birthday. And, of course, what is good for you is also good for me - so, "I really really need one of those too mummy". How could I hold off until Christmas ??

Our writing set includes the essentials - cards, small pieces of beautiful paper, envelopes, a stamp, stickers of all sorts, a glitter pen and glitter pencil, glue and (not included in the photo) a felt envelope with plenty of paper confetti.

We hope P's friend loved it as much as P did. P was very excited to wake up and find it waiting for her on the dining table! Ahh the pleasure

A Bag

2009-08-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have not been an avid bag maker. Its not really been my thing. Buuutttt maybe things will change.

I had a go last weekend. I used a coffee bag and some instructions for a garden tote. It works better for everyday purposes for me.

I think I will be making some bags for christmas presents. My mum has already noticed it and thought it would work well as her craft bag.

A swirly knitted skirt

2009-08-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

P is vigilant in explaining to me that her favourite type of skirt is a swirly whirly skirt. In particular it needs to fly around as she spins.

I recently finished a knitted swirly whirly skirt for her. She is pleased and so am I.

to add to the last post

2009-08-17T04:25:00.000-07:00

another photo missed that perfectly depicts childhood freedom

weekends

2009-08-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I discovered that I wasnt able to attend Uni for my intensive program from thursday to saturday, as planned. Given we had arranged to take the time off, we thought we'd make the most of it and head to our favourite place and hour and a half up the coast.

the winter weather wasnt winter at all and we had a great weekend in the sun spent with nanna and tex -

running under water sprinklers (ohh-waa)

picnicing in the park by the lake

watching kookaburras, pelicans, suddy oyster catchers

swinging on tree swings

exploring the lake

riding on motors boats - fast with daddy doing 360's

running on the beach

jumping waves

and for me, reading my book and enjoying the space on the beach

The Library

2009-08-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

Our hallway has become an active library over the last few days. While this photo doesnt depict it, at times every book has been relocated from the shelves into the library.

P has loved being the "librarian" allowing all borrowings (where agreeable to her) to be taken for 33 days only after they are stamped at the special librarian table. It has been a source of great enjoyment to her, a little frustration to her brother (when he cant borrow the books he wants) and, parts have been to my amazement. The routine is the same each time. The heater goes on, a lamp and doilie come down to the floor, the lamp is placed so it shines on the array of books and the books are piled in a special order.

A Beautiful Distraction

2009-08-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

One of the jobs in my life is not terribly creative but it is the source that sustains my families material expenses. I do it 3 days a week and thankfully I am fortunate enough to be able to work from my home office. I am most most grateful for that as it allows me to be available to my family when needed - by them or me!

One way I bring the creativity that I crave into this time is to surround myself with pleasures to my eye. There has been one recent addition. Its picture is above. I found it at a local antique store. It was described as a marmalade pot. I love the word 'marmalade'! Plus it is so beautiful - its shape, its amazing yellow colour. Since it arrived on my desk 2 weeks, I find myself being distracted by looking at it often! I love the simple pleasures! But what is most amusing is that it holds computer memory sticks - doesnt seem quite right does it.

Possum Magic

2009-08-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

What fantastic good fortune!! While sitting eating our dinner on Monday night, in our very urban house within 10 minutes walk from the coast, we spotted a ringtail possum in our courtyard! We have a courtyard in the middle of our house adjoining our neighbours concrete courtyard. Fortunately we have a lovely green backyard as well but our courtyard is about 3 metres 4 metres - not big. There sitting in the fork of our tree was two little eyes looking in at us.

The kids were bouncing with excitement. That was the end of sitting at the table for eating dinner. They spent the rest of the night running between the doors and the table telling us of his every move and their every imagination for his life. He stayed in the tree watching them. I wonder what he thought.

We had suspected, or rather hoped, there might be possums in our backyard. For a long time we have had a possum house high up in a tree but there has never been evidence of one living there. We talk about the thought of possums a lot - 'Daddy thinks he saw a possum last night'. But we've not been sure we have seen one.

Now we have!! And with great timing as P has been finding it hard to get back into pre-school after the school holidays. So it was a fantastic topic for news the next day.

Weekend

2009-08-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sitting waiting patiently in the holding pattern of projects in my study has been a clothkit pattern for overalls for Z. So when I had a blissful hour ahead of me on Saturday morning, I went for those first. Dad, P and Z went off to swimming lessons and I sat in my study, music on, windows open, sun shining through, working away at a cute pair of overalls. So you see why I described it as 'blissful', it truely was. Some finishing touches had to be made to the overalls on Saturday night as Z was not as small as I thought he was! Covered in his favourite item -cars, especially Combi's - he couldnt wait to get them on come time to go out on Sunday. Although, he was not so cooperative when P and I tried taking his photo - even with private modelling tuition from P.

We set off for a busy Sunday, commencing with attending National Tree Day activities. We were a bit late but luckily Daddy had kept some plants for P and Z's contribution. Although, some were more interested in catching and relocating lizards! We had a picnic lunch and then moved onto an afternoon party. P was invited but Z insisted he needed to attend. It was at an indoor play centre and there were lots of kids and parents coughing and spluttering, so thankfully B agreed to come and take over for me. I took the time for another one hour of solitude reading a book. It is unheard of and I lapped it up.

Felting

2009-07-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

I am so proud to say that, totally unprompted, P asked me to do some 'wet felting'. We havent wet felted for about one year (definitely in the warmer weather). But how could I refuse a request like that!

I was requested/directed to have it all set up for when she arrived home from music including a ladder - as she planned to make the biggest felt ball in the world. Z put a spanner in the works by attempting to help and the ball slowly began to fall apart.

Meanwhile, I have recently been taking the "slackers" approach and machine felting. I have been picking up old jumpers from the op shop. I am yet to find them in the brighest colours that I desire. It seems that most 100% wool jumpers in the op shops around here are in the mens section, and pink and purple are just not appearing for me. They need appear by Christmas (that's my polite request) as I have big plans for presents for our nieces.

One of my machine felting projects was thanks to a project pack from Spotlight. The turquoise jar - I knitted then machine felted it. I am very pleased with it and have started on another similar one but in a slightly different shape. Now that I am back into my crafting projects they are quickly piling up in a large holding pattern in my office.

A Ferry Trip

2009-07-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

I think it was one of the coldest days we have had in a couple of weeks but we decided to take a ferry trip. In our city we have a ferry that commutes from the city centre, across the harbour to the northern reaches of the area. Sounds long doesnt it - nope!! It takes a total of 3 minutes!

With four very excited children in tow, we waited at the ferry wharf. It was exciting seeing the ferry on the otherside of the harbour coming across to meet us, the rowing boats, the barge and the large ships moving across the working harbour. The children ran down to the ferry with me hastily trying to corral the two 2 year olds to ensure they didnt run under peoples feet or take a wrong step across the gangplank! We made it and stood outside so we could see the bubbles as the ferry started to move away from the wharf. When they realised the trip was over very shortly after it had only just begun, one loudly declared "You're kidding!! Thats it!"..Well, yes. The disappointment seemed to dissipate quickly as we went on a very cold adventure to find a park. Not familiar with the area, it took us longer than expected but food and a play area was all that was required to warm us up and head back home.

I am still amazed, and delighted, that what seems so simple to us is such an excitment to my children.

Another Creation

2009-07-19T17:06:00.001-07:00

Well I can still do it.

I made P this skirt during bath time. B was managing bath time and I managed to cut the pattern from an existing skirt and whip it up.

I had been itching to use this cute fabric that had arrived in the post from Patchwork on Central Park recently. P told me she wanted a really long skirt that didnt spin! With much discussion I was able to narrow the interpretation down to a long Aline skirt.

She and I are both pleased with the outcome and the cute little 70s ladybird button on top. Not the most practical skirt for climbing sand dunes though - but there were no complaints!

Weekends

2009-07-19T16:45:00.001-07:00

What a great weekend - beautiful weather!!

The much awaited Princesses on Ice finally came around. Dressed in just the right Princess attire (with modifications made by P because we love to make our own things around here), the whole family set off to the production. Yes, the whole family - there was insistence from the beginning that there were 2 blue tockets, one for Daddy and one for Z, and, 2 pink tickets, one for mummy and one for P. I can tell you, daddy was really looking forward to it!

We were all surprised at how much we enjoyed it - well, probably not P, she knew she would! At least, daddy and I had forgotten about the marvel of big budget productions - fire and fireworks! We had great tickets and despite not knowing all the Princesses (as not too many Disney stories get read around here), we loved it. Z loved it until he fell asleep 5mins after intermission sleeping through the fire breathing dragon and the fireworks (from row B!).

Then to take a completely different tangent from a Disney production, Sunday was spent outdoors at another wetlands in our city. A coastal wetlands. So we (not me!) climbed dunes and rolled back down. It was a beautiful morning to be out in the sunlight. Z particularly loved jumping through the dunes and giving me some sand to carry. P loves taking photos - so many photos of bitua bush were taken!

Creations

2009-07-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

I havent felt at all production in recent months. I slowed down a lot after my little venture with a girlfriend folded. We were making childrens clothes from vintage fabric and taking them to the local markets. They were also stocked at a amazing childrens shop in Newtown, called Shorties. The dissolution of our project was mean to result in more opprotunity for family crafting projects. I was excited. Somehow this didnt happen.

Although, this morning looking over photos of my creations, I decided that although creation was not at the level I had hoped, its not to be "sniffed" at. Its OK. My major project was a jumper for my husband. It was the largest knitting task I have yet taken on. Not without hitches, I finished and he wears it! I think it looks great. A photo is yet to be taken of that creation though.

Playing in the Wetlands

2009-07-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

This morning was such a beautiful winters morning - cold but the sun was shining. School holidays means lots of exciting programs are about to choose from in our city. So we grab them with both hands and make the most of it.
Today we went to a play at the local Wetlands Centre. It was Titania's Fairies. The kids loved it. We moved around the sensory garden with the characters and followed the plot. Of course, the most hilarious part was the man with the big bottom - the ass! giggles galore!
It is such a fantastic opportunity to roam through the beautiful surroundings of the Wetlands following an exciting plot. What great entertainment.
The kids then spent the afternoon with their dad while I went home to work. They came home rosy cheeked and exhausted after a day of total outdoors. They had spent most of the rest of the day at the Wetlands in their favourite way, on the buggy, with their friends in hand. They went to see a wildlife photography exhibition but got the wrong art gallery so played in the park instead - apparently finding lots of secret gardens and running down paths while having to push the branches away with their hands!! Sounds like great fun! - and much more exciting than my work.

Keen to be Back

2009-07-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well I tested the waters with this blogging stuff and then I lost momentum. I got caught up doing other things - never stopping living in the blogging world though.

I continue to be inspired by the amazingly talented bloggers that I frequent. I have been pondering my own participation for some time now and have decided that it is just such an fantastic and special way to capture these amazing days I share with my wonderful family. I am going to try again!

Worms, Worms, Worms

2009-02-04T03:18:00.001-08:00

My children love worms - earth worms, that is.

Z particularly loves to go to the wormfarm and see how many he can pull through the tap. Then they go everywhere for at least 30 minutes. They ride on his skateboard, they take a trip around the garden in his wheelbarrow, they get to take comfort on mummy or daddy for a while - much welcome respite, I would guess. And thankfully they are lost back to the garden.

The Evolution of an Artist

2009-02-04T03:03:00.001-08:00

Well I am not sure - I think so.

P's artwork has evolved so quickly. She seems to take leaps. She has recently moved from drawing hairy monsters to faces - a picture of daddy with spiky hair. And just this week a beautiful flower.

Its great to receive the commentry while a new piece of work is in progress. Previously I recollect a lot of silence and movement. Now it is much more controlled with a whole lot of discussion about whats happening in the painting.

Its hard to part with her work. So many are being collected - the majority actually!

Beat Baby

2009-02-04T02:51:00.000-08:00

Its amazing that we are born with a natural sense of beat and rhythm. Then as we get older it gets lost to total uncoordination!

I love to see my children pick up the beat. Dancing is such a release - fantastic therapy. It was my sport of choice well into adulthood actually. Its comforting to know that you dont look like a complete nutter when you are grooving away on the dancefloor at the Blue Light Disco! Not these days though - how does that ability to move escape you without indication ?

We have just moved the CD player in P and Z's room to reaching height. They spent most of the weekend rocking away with their instruments. They loved the authority in being tasked to change the CD. A well overdue relocation.

First Day of School

2009-01-27T01:50:00.000-08:00

..well PRE school - and isnt that momentous enough!

I cannot believe that our little girl is finally at school. We did what we had planned. She stayed at home with us until she was 4 (we hoped for 3) - no day care/play care/family care. So we can be proud. Now she has commenced pre-school - just 2 days a week.

She was soooo excited today. She couldnt wait to get to school and she was so proud that she would be spending the whole day at school all by herself! When we got there, she waivered - ever so slightly - "you are not going to leave mummy". Just another 10 minutes of playing together and I got a very confident "OK bye mummy" as she went to skip away. I had to insist on a kiss and 'I love you' before she escaped.

When the clock finally made it to 3pm, I couldnt wait to hear her stories. When I arrived she was busy watering the garden out the front. She was full of stories and descriptions of new people (names didnt rate highly in the many things she needed to remember and relay) and activities - a little disappointed there were no stilts or face painting. And, she was starved - obviously much to busy to do too much eating. She ate almost her entire lunch box in 2 minutes flat.

I especially loved the huge cuddle she knelt down to give her brother as soon as she walked through the door at the end of her fantastic first day of preschool !

A 2 year old boy

2009-01-26T17:10:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe 2 years has gone so quickly.

Now we have 'big boy' games! Z enjoyed his birthday and had complete understanding about gifts and a day that was all about himself. Although, he was assisted greatly by his big sister who loved sharing his new games.

The chosen train cake was smudge all over his face and barely eaten by the end of a family dinner. But I guess that is what birthday cakes are for - to enjoyed however you want them!

Z loves playing with his new trains and cars. Daddy didnt so much enjoy setting up the marble run - but it looks great and Z and P love running the marbles down. I think Z has also enjoyed the teepee I made - thanks so my lovely friend Tracie. She saved the day with a very easy teepee pattern that I was able to put together in the 2 nights prior to Z's birthday.

A Perfect Day

2009-01-21T04:38:00.001-08:00

It was one of those perfect days. It flowed from beginning to end.

I decided there would be no rushing about. We had some jobs to complete - but in our own time. We usually rush on Wednesdays. Today we began with bread baking. It was hot around these parts - very hot - but we still made bread and loved it (except mummy, around midday, in a hot hot kitchen!).

We then rambled out to the garden and moulded, threw and cut playdough -the marble homemade kind. Good for eating apparently - I dont think so. While in the garden we were getting to know our two new family members - Pom Pom and Pippi. They seem to like to hang about by themselves. And despite laying eggs at their old home, they have decided on a stop-work now they've reached us! I have also found homes for our two roosters - they will let them crow until their hearts content! I am so happy - a loving home is a much better option to what I thought was their destiny!

We enjoyed a visit from our goodfriends. Frolicked in the play-pool together, dressed-up, ate bread and honey, ran through the secret garden and hid in a tent made in a cot. What better afternoon could be had ?

An afternoon nap for one while the other helped thread veges on skewers for a BBQ dinner.

After dinner we made it to the beach for a swim at 7pm.

For a hot balmy day, we were able to breeze through and had a fantastic time doing nothing much.

There is one little boy who was too excited to sleep tonight. He will be 2 tomorrow! Again, the anticipation and wait.

The Grooves of a Day

2009-01-14T01:56:00.001-08:00

Slowly but surely our small vege patch is producing. P gets so proud when she spots a red tomato. She runs in to tell me and am I required to look immediately.

Our chickens have not provided such a high note though. I had suspected for some weeks that one was much large than the other three. Well it will be time to say goodbye now that we know it is a rooster! Unfortunately roosters are not appreciated in the suburbs - the Council say 'no'. But happily, it will be going back to where it came from. Together with the other one that we are less sure, but pretty sure, is also a rooster. So then there were 2. But soon there will be more. We are going into the nearby country this weekend to pick up the kids birthday presents from my parents - two silkies.

Z and I got some time to play together today - it doesnt happen often as P rarely sleeps during the day. She did today - I think she was still recovering from her cirthday celebrations on Monday. Z and I built amazing garages with the blocks for his toy cars. I tried to take a snap but was swiftly and firmly told 'no more smiles mummy'. It took a while but I now know 'smiles' are photos - pretty cute!

The day also allowed me to set up one of P's birthday presents. Her first sewing machine. It is waiting for her in the morning. Looking at it on her little desk warms my heart in deed.

A 4 Year Old Girl

2009-01-12T04:53:00.001-08:00

We had a very very excited 4 year old girl all day - until 10pm tonight!!

She slept in - so the day started slowly. But once those little eyelids opened, a bout of adrenalin immediately kicked in and ran the whole day through. She responded with 'happy birthday' to each 'happy birthday'!

It was not enough for the day to arrive though. We counted down the hours until the tea party began. As the house fluttered with baking and decorating, P sat at the table in the garden with her new wooden tea set and prepared food - so she told each happy birthday caller. In fact, P had asked me for some sugar to put in her new sugar pot. I didnt realise until she requested a second helping of sugar that her preparation involved drink tea cups of sugar and water!

It was a beautiful tea party and P was a fantastic host - greeting and thanking all her guest. She handed out a potted strawberry plant to each of her friends as she said goodbye. We hope they will produce many delicious strawberries!

The tea party ended and our chickens (well 2 chickens and 2 roosters, we discovered today!) tidied up as we moved on to a family birthday dinner - to do it all again.

What a fantastic day!

Tea Party invitations

2009-01-10T14:09:00.001-08:00

The tea party invitations have been made from vintage tablecloths. The patterns of flowers are so beautiful. We cut out the ones we loved the most and glued them on card.

We think they are very fitting for an afternoon tea party in the garden.

Is it my Tea Party yet ??

2009-01-09T19:21:00.000-08:00

I do remember the anticipation of my birthday - how exciting.

P is in great anticipation of her 4th birthday. For the past week we have woken to the same question - Is today my tea party day? We say all the days we will experience before her tea party day. I do love, though, that the party with friends is the lure, not the gifts. Although how could it be - what more could a girl want. Its only just been Christmas.

I am crossing my fingers that it will be a bright sunny day for an afternoon tea party in the garden with a few close friends. After two years of big parties, we are trying the intimidate, more tame, version this year. We'll see how its enjoyed!

2009-01-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

New Year Festivities

What an amzing way to see in the new year!

We celebrated in such a relaxed way with some close friends. The families enjoyed a garden dinner of fire roasted potatoes cooked in our chimnea. We all sat around a long table and chatted crazily. The kids then ran to enjoy their fun. The played and played all night until one by one they slowly crashed (in whatever spot they were last playing - apple in mouth and all). I so much remember nights like those when I was a child - such fond memories.

The next day was spent canoeing down the river in our favourite spot - the Wetlands. Three families - each in their own canoe.

What a beautiful one to start the year that holds such promise.

Back in Time - Just a Smidge

2008-12-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

Boxing Day

We spent the day at a favourite place - the wetlands. Z got to see his favourite character - Archie, the magpie goose. He got to feed his second favourite characters - the freckled ducks. We all got to immerse ourselves in nature for a while - and didnt give a second thought to the crazy people battling the Boxing Day Sales!

Backwards in Time - Just a Bit

2008-12-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas

What a fantastic Christmas. Both children understanding and enjoying the day.

We gave gifts. We received gifts. We ate. We drank. We gave gifts. We received gifts. We ate. We drank.

First Post

2008-12-28T16:18:00.000-08:00

This blog has been created to record our family's beautiful journey of growing together. I hope to post about the things that we share, our journeys, our activities, our adventures, our creations and our quiet times.