Last Thursday we headed to a local coastal village for an appointment, promising the children a beach walk afterwards.  A walk on the beach wasn’t greeted with enthusiasm, swimming was what they really wanted. I stressed that one didn’t swim in the ocean in winter.  When the afternoon was sunny I compromised on “you can roll up your pants and walk in to just above your ankles.” However it was only minutes before, they were wet and were swimming. “Children, it is the midst of winter!” As beach goers walked along the beach in jumpers and long pants, our children frolicked and swum in the ocean having a wonderful time…

The winter sunshine has been beckoning us this week, calling us to ‘ditch the books’ and enjoy the warmer moments. The children pumped up the blow up pool with intentions of swimming in it, when I vetoed that idea and the plan to raft on the dam, “it’s winter children!” they compromised with rafting on the above ground pool.  Thus far they haven’t ‘fallen out’ though the blow up has ‘sprung a leak.’ The Great Billy Cart phase continues to be all the rage, it’s been about three weeks now since the billy cart constructions began. A few modifications, lots of co-operative designing and building, plenty of rides, a few…

A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014     1. Just couldn’t choose, so sharing lots of pics from one Sunday morning (be assured Bella didn’t ride in the car with just a seat belt, posing for photos only)   2. Trekking through the bush, we really are blessed to live on this beautiful property.     3. Our Jelly Bean is always smiling Linking up at Practising Simplicity for 52 Weeks of Portraits

A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014   1. Our middle girls, enjoying the new park equipment.   2. Time has flown, can’t believe Bella is 5 months already!     3. Such a happy girl, always smiling, always charming. Love this little girl! Linking up at Practising Simplicity for 52  Weeks of Portraits

A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014   1. Each ‘Portrait a Week’ must begin with Bella, just a requisite deal:)  It continues to astound me at how much joy this darling brings to our life.  Then again I’m certain we’ve felt like this before, a time or two or ……   2. Now here’s a scallywag.  We’ll be celebrating Einstein’s 17th birthday later this week and truly it’s shocking to realise just how fast the years have flown by.  We’re rather humbled to be his parents, truth to be told. 3. Another larrikin.  Though really our Michelangelo has matured in many ways in the…

A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014     1. Bella is growing rapidly, stop the train, slow down little girl!   2. Mud kitchens never grow old, new proprietors, Jem and Bass     3. Finely sifted dirt makes the best flour, as Bass finds.   4. This bakery is now open for business! Linking up at Practising Simplicity for 52 Weeks of Portraits

A portrait of our children, once a week, every week, in 2014 1. Can hardly believe Bella is 10 weeks already, responding and smiling at Daddy here 2. Truly loved at all times by her big siblings, capturing Bass having a cuddle with Bella   3. The children found 20 eggs under the house, no telling how long they’ve lain there, they were keen to have an egg and spoon race   4. The race was held in the paddock in case some proved to be rotten     5. Our big lads working diligently at their maths, into a good rhythm now     6. This weekend it was…