Sunday at the Park

Stuart had some work to do yesterday afternoon, so I decided to take the children to the lagoon in town to visit the playground and the wildlife. It was too beautiful an afternoon to stay indoors!

Cool and refreshing (and messy) water and sand play...

We took bread to feed the ducks...

How sweet to spend our Sabbath afternoon surrounded by peace and beauty.

I love this photo of my two eldest sitting and marvelling over the black swans. :)

William and I returned to the lagoon this morning after his swimming lesson. It is about a 45 minute circuit to walk around, which is excellent for me. ;) He sat in his stroller and enjoyed the view while I pounded the pavement. More about exercise / health etc. in a later post this week. Lots to share!

Thankful For This Man

Today, as we simply spent time together at home and at the park, I marvelled at how much I truly love my husband.

He is such a devoted and kind man.

He always makes time for little William, even when he is being his most demanding self. "Play with me Papa!"

And he is so much fun to be around!

All the best to all the little ones (and their Mama's) who are going off to school tomorrow. Mine are asleep early, good food in their bellies, uniforms laid out ready. May tomorrow be filled with wonder, excitement, and new beginnings.

A Morning at the Park!

A good friend had her 30th birthday today, and we all gathered at the park to help her celebrate. There was 24 children in all (the older ones all homeschooled, plus lots of littlies!) so it was quite a gathering.

William trying to catch a bubble

Climbing up so high

Games with friends

I love this park. And my friends. :) It's been a great day. We even bought nectarines and peaches at the markets today - and it's HOT so it really feels like summer is just around the corner!

The Great Outdoors

I have taken a leaf out of Charlotte Mason's writings (literally!) and made it a family goal this season to spend at least 5 hours a day out of doors. This means we'll eat and read and write and draw and learn and run and play and garden and explore - all outside, whenever possible!

This morning after dropping Stuart to work the children and I headed to the park...... fruit, water, history book, nature notebook, pencils, cuddly toys, dress-ups and balls in hand! We had a great time and plan to do this once a week from now on. It would be nice to have some friends join us from time to time too. As always, photo opportunities presented themselves. Here's a few glimpses of our morning in the great outdoors.

"To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug." Helen Keller

A peaceful Sabbath

Today was a restful, peaceful, family-and-friends filled Sunday! A wonderful way to finish off the winter holidays.

Scrambled eggs for breakfast (tell me, how is it possible we keep getting 6 eggs a day from 5 chickens?? Seriously!), books and board games and outside play through the morning. Lots of warm tea and coffee (for me :)). We baked a chocolate slice. I read my Bible and the book I'm working through this week.

We had a picnic at the park for lunch- it was a perfect winter sky up there! So clear and blue, and so warm today. We just couldn't stay indoors.

Sandwiches and oranges, dried apple rings and roasted almonds, and chocolate slice to eat.

Ball games with Papa.

Lots of tickling, lots of giggling.

A happy baby with a mouth full enjoying the sunshine.

(this pic is for you Michael- remember when you bought this shirt for Saraya?! ;))

Peter Rabbit, dressed up for an outing. Do you like Elijah's choice combination here?

A hide and seek game with the walky-talkies around the park.

Nice long rests for the children this afternoon.

And friends for tea! I made a meat pie (again- I'm kind-of stuck on experimenting with these...), little potatoes, bread rolls and salad. Warm custard (thanks Petrina!) and chocolate slice for dessert. A nice play for all the little people- and then there was this sweet little poppet.

Baby Hannah. Red haired, beautiful, and adored by all. Oh how we love newborn babies around here!! Interestingly, Will put on quite a show when Stuart had a cuddle with Hannah. He didn't seem to mind when I held her, but he really didn't like Stu holding her! He just wanted his Papa. I think Stuart secretly quite enjoyed that feeling. :)

All in all, a good day. I have clothes laid out for tomorrow, and I'm about to sort out the kitchen and get books ready for tomorrow morning. Bring on Term 3!