days of summer ~ 22

:: cubby houses- a castle, but the youngest princess was forced to dwell in her own mini mansion as she could not help but destroy the royal belongings. A guinea pig and good book made up for the exclusion.

some days you just need chocolate cake

~new blueberry bush (b'day pressie) chewed up by puppy, potting mix everywhere.
~worm farm tipped over by 5yo trying to get a worm to feed to baby water dragon, castings everywhere, baby water dragon escaped, 5yo upset.
~puppy's sloppy poos on path toddler stepped in it.
~toddler climbed up onto 9yo brothers desk to say Hi to fish, water everywhere fish nearly dead, maths book soaking, brother very angry.
~5yob searching pantry, agave syrup falls, lid comes off, syrup everywhere.
~toddler does two poos within half an hour and there are no nappies left.
~at the supermarket toddler rips open packet of biscuits, yes, biscuits everywhere.
~It's not even lunchtime yet and I didn't include the hitting, teasing and general not listening, or the fact that its that time of the month. I was feeling a little like Alexander and the terrible, horrible ,no good, very bad day.

We needed to make a change in the direction of the day, we needed a little cheering up, we needed some soul food. And what could be better for those mischief makers and their grumpy mama than homemade, warm chocolate cake. They gathered around the table stuffing mouthfuls of heart warming goodness into tummies and listened to Dr. Dolittle's escape from Africa with the help of Prince Bumpo, they smiled and I smiled and even though we had an Alexander-type morning (and to be honest the afternoon wasn't much better) we had our chocolate cake and it was sooo yummy 7yog declared 'Mama's famous chocolate cake is sooo good!' Just what we needed. A little bit of chocolate happiness to brighten the no good very bad day. Some days you just need chocolate cake.

days of summer ~ 21

:: early morning markets. See my finds: teapot, quilt and blanket (cushion covers maybe?), frames, a basket and books. Coffee and fruit toast when I get home. A good start to the day. Hope you all have a Happy Sunday!!

days of summer ~ 20

:: smoothies!! A great place to add some not so loved but needed nutritious goodies. I add a little flaxseed oil, a little rice protein powder, sometimes sunflower seeds and all the favourites like banana ( i keep all the over ripe ones in the freezer), frozen berries, natural yogurt, orange juice and honey.

days of summer ~ 19

:: humid and grey- inside and out

days of summer ~ 18

:: homemade ice blocks....she had 3 of these today but its OK cause I know they are full of berry goodness and soothing those sore gums. Yes, we had one of those days, the very grumbly I only want mama and if you come near me you'll get a scrunch ( and all three siblings got more than one) cause I'm teething kind of days. Lots of cuddles and ice blocks got us through.

kaleidescope

:: friends visit
:: brother leads littlest one astray (getting stuck in the laundry shoot)
:: hot chocolate and drawing

From tea parties to harsh words to apologies to night time drawing sessions. I wake each new day with hopes and plans and before I realise the day is rushing ahead of me, taking twists & turns that I did not foresee...how to navigate these twisty byways I would rather not travel, especially when my own choices led me there, especially when they are the result of a lack of patience, a harsh word, a minor meltdown. The way these days unravel is such a kaleidoscope, such a mish mash of moods, energy, chaos, creativity, fun and the not so fun. At the end of the day when I'm tucking those bundles into thier beds and giving them 'one more kiss', my body is exhausted, yes, but my heart is full. Full of all the colourful moments that make up our days some a little brighter than others but all of them a kaleidescope of us.

Happy Valentines

Usually I'm not so into Valentines Day but for the kids and for the crafting.  This week we've done a little bit of valentine making with each child choosing someway to give a little card or gift. Soap carving was fun, messy and wrapped and ready to give to Grandma within the hour. Our first try at homemade chocolates we all enjoyed; the licking, the pouring, the waiting and deciding who would get which chocolates. And of course the hearts....made with pipe cleaners, with marbled paintings and used by mama to write little notes of why each one is so special.

Hope every one's day is especially loving and full of what we'll be focusing on...
L-listen
O-overlook
V-value
E-encourage

thirty-four

Yes I am.
Hard to believe really. Sometimes I feel I've lived a lifetime and at other times I know I'm still at the beginning. Truly blessings do abound and this blog helps me to see, helps me to stop and breathe in this moment , the now of my life.
So here is my now...some birthday loveliness in the form of pictures, cards, presents and something I really wanted- a little bit of Makin Mama time....thankyou sweet husband for making this day just what I needed...loveliness in many different forms xxx.As I lay my head to the pillow my heart gives thanks-
I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing because he has been so good to me. Psalm 13

days of summer ~ 17

:: A table full of folding to be put away: very satisfying to see it go from 3 baskets of mountainous mess to neat piles but oh, the putting away...my least favourite part of doing laundry. What is yours?

days of summer ~ 16

:: During our read-aloud time-they started out by making hearts and ended up making little people with names and characters that like to gaze outside and watch the comings and goings at our park. They're particularly interested in the four legged visitors.

days of summer ~ 15

:: letting the chickens out, chasing the chickens, catching the chickens and cuddling the chickens....yes, she really loves these feathery friends....I'm not sure they love her quite as much.

days of summer ~ 14

summer reading...a little bit of now...

:: Pagoo by H C Holling...we've had two starts at this, when I first brought it out last year there was no sparkle/interest and a few groans so I put it away. This summer we've spent alot of time at the beach exploring the rock pools, playing in the sand etc so I thought I'd give it another go. To be honest we had to plough through the first bit , I read only a few pages each day at first until every one's interest has perked up and now, well, we'll be going to find our very own Pagoo and other tidal pool creatures again very soon.
:: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle- Has anyone else read this one? My eldest two are on the edge of their seats and begging for one more chapter. I've caught snippets of conversations- 'will Meg and Charles ever find their father?' and 'Now that Mrs Which, Mrs Who and Mrs What have left them will they be able to fight The Thing on their own?'. ..exciting stuff and plenty to ponder and discuss.
:: Allison Lester baby board books- These are so gorgeous I'm keeping them for my grandchildren or buying another set as they may have fallen apart by then...the point is these books, illustrations and words are delightful. All of us have enjoyed sitting with Bella snuggled as she points to her favourite pictures on the page. The books are Crashing and Splashing, Bumping and Bouncing, Bibs and Boots, Happy and Sad. Note-we love all the Allison Lester books and did you know she also writes chapter books, my son just finished The Quicksand Pony and said it was very exciting so she's great all round-highly recommended.
:: Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes a cookbook for preschoolers & up by Mollie Katzen- This is a recent purchase which I had on my wish list for a while and well, we do alot of kid cooking round here and I wanted to try some new things as well as get out of the way a bit. This book is perfect for young cooks to feel some independence in the kitchen, they suggest the cooking is a partnership rather than the child being your helper and this encourages them to try new things.
:: Sunflower Houses a book for children & their grown-ups by Sharon Lovejoy- a gardening book for children. I've been reading aloud a few pages a day over summer and there is something whimisical and enticing about the recollections of a childhood spent making dolls from flower petals and fairy furniture from seedpods and leaves. I think I love this more than the children! We've already planted our sunflower seeds but most of them have died so we'll have another seed sowing session soon and hopefully....
:: Ten in the Bed by Penny Dale- illustrations to go all mushy over. My nearly 2 yog actually laughs out loud when I read this to her. This book is enjoyable for all ages too, the older kids sidle over and startsinging and acting out the next one to go 'bump' or 'dink'. Long time favourite.

days of summer ~ 13

:: feeding catfish in the murky waters of the Brisbane River...ugh, I'm not a fan.

days of summer ~ 12

parents take the kids on a surprise outing -

at the end of our day at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (which we bought a yearly pass), 9yob exclaimed 'that was the best day of my life!'
Seeing my childrens faces as they touch and observe, exclaiming this feature or that colour , running and yelling with such enthusiasm was a delight to these Mumma eyes. Oh, that I would keep a wonder and awe in the beauty and brilliance of His incredible design.

days of summer ~ 11

:: Humid and rainy outside...conquering puzzles inside

days of summer ~ 10

:: little hands touching, exploring and showing their finds from a day at the coast

days of summer ~ 9

:: bike riding and bike falling

days of summer ~ 8

:: what is summer without time in the quintessential Aussie backyard - its hot and muggy but she's touching the clouds with the wind in her hair

January stillness

The beginning of a new year and already a sense of busyness is upon us, the days fill up with to do lists, to buy lists, to achieve lists. And during the rush, the need to fulfill all these demands, we lose something. We lose the ability to see, to listen, to connect.

Be still, don't rush.
Don't miss the whispers carried on the winds of His love.
Be still, don't rush.
Don't miss the smile, the hand reaching up, the request for a moment.
Be still, don't rush.
Don't miss the beauty in the everyday, the joy in the craziness, the peace in the chaos.

Be still and know that He is.

days of summer ~ 7

:: ok this is obviously not during the day but our waiting to see this little fella hatch certainly started while it was still light..not all of us managed to hang out that long but 9yob will never forget and hopes to go back one day and volunteer for the green sea turtles nesting/hatching sesaon.

days of summer ~ 6

:: 5yob collection of rocks from the beach brought back and arranged in just the right kind of way

days of summer ~ 5

my baby has a mottled fist
my baby has a neck in creases;
my baby kisses and is kissed'
for she's the very thing for kisses.
Christina Rosseti

days of summer ~ 4

days of summer ~ 3

:: making motors with Auntie Bec

days of summer ~ 2

:: look what I found Mumma! Isn't it beautiful, put in your hair!!

days of summer ~ 1

:: helping baby sister down the sand dunes and squeezing in a kiss

the warmth of sunny days

Sentiments I wholeheartedly agree with from my sweet 7yog. We've been talking a lot about last year in all its difficulties but also remembering the many, many moments of beauty, inspiration and connectedness. The sun still shining behind those grey clouds , still filtering through to warm us and encourage us to continue on.
And now another year ahead of us and I can truly say I'm feeling and seeing a whole lot more sunshine coming our way..(perhaps its the extra sleep I'm getting).
So many good times over Xmas and new year..sunshine, sand and surf and a whole lot more...
For the rest of January I'll be sharing some of our days of summer while I do a little preparing, book accumulating, house rearranging and general beginning of the year organising.
Anyone else what to join me in some days of summer?

the magic of it all

somehow it all goes so fast and your looking behind you in a kind of exhuasted way but oh so happy with the 'loving and giving' of it all and at the same time your looking ahead with a heart full of hope for the road yet to be travelled. This time of year I feel as if there is magic in the air as eagerness and wonder of all that could be fill this idyllic heart of mine. I hope there is a little magic in the air around you as you embark on the journey that is yours for 2009. xxx Skye