Eisteddfod and Other Stuff

Well, we have had a week of sickness and Eisteddfod performances. And no, they don't really go together too well! The sickness is really getting me down. We are generally a very healthy family, and yet this winter we've all been hit hard with various bugs. This week my chesty cough and heavy sinus has worsened, and the aches and pains in general have too. I have been coughing now for 3 weeks. A trip to the doctor (rare for me!) confirmed that I do have a viral chest infection. I need to take some cold and flu medication, drink loads of water and rest, rest, rest. Hopefully it won't worsen and I won't need the dreaded antibiotics. I am so thankful to Stuart for taking the day off work today to look after the children so I could stay in bed.

Aside from the sickness, we still managed to sing on Tuesday! Saraya performed in her very first Eisteddfod, and I am so proud of her efforts. I also was seven when I did my first one, so this was very special. :) She sang 'The Windmill', which I also sang as a little girl.

All ready to go.....

And that afternoon she sang 'Maybe' from Annie, in the Musical Theatre section.

Here is my little Annie, complete with her gold locket.

The adjudicator was very encouraging, and awarded Highly Commended's to all the children who didn't receive a place! Saraya thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

And despite having very little lower register I made the decision to perform anyway. I had been looking forward to singing my song 'The Wizard and I' from Wicked for months!

Here I am, all 'greenified'. ;) I didn't sing to the best of my ability, but I still enjoyed myself and am glad I did it.

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We were blessed to have Mum here from Monday until yesterday. It is always so nice to have her here, and we're all missing her already.

William is fairly unwell too, though seems to be improving every day. And everyone else, for now, is well!! Now just to get me well............

I'm off to rest some more, and read some more. I finished Wuthering Heights yesterday, and picked up the next book in my pile, Atonement. Well thanks to being bedridden today, I am about 3/4's of the way through! It is a real page-turner, much better than the movie as per usual. Perhaps if get snuggled up now I could get it finished tonight.

Much love to everyone, I look forward to catching up on some blog-reading over the (restful) weekend. :)

Tuesday

Hmmmm, this new blog background is very pink! I don't think I'll keep it for long. But it's nice to have a change. :) And speaking of pink, no I didn't give Michael the pink sash Ann!! His fiance turned 21 a few weeks ago, and it was hers. He didn't keep it on for long. ;)

Today has been nice so far. Tuesday is our town morning - Mainly Music and grocery shopping. I like having a home day followed by a town day, and so on. Balance is a great thing!

We've just had lunch and I'm sitting down for a breather while the children are into a game outside. Saraya has just washed some of her dolly clothes (again...), and now the children are set on capturing a little toad they have found and setting up a home for it! How to drag them inside for story time..?! It is nice they are so happy to play outdoors. They would do it all day if I let them. It hasn't always been this way, so I really really appreciate it!

Tonight I am excited to be joining a group of ladies who meet fortnightly for dessert, conversation and Bible study. It's run by a really sweet friend, and I'm quite looking forward to it. I haven't been part of a study group for about a year now, and I'm definitely due for one. :) It's always a pleasure to go out in the evening after a long day at home too!

Yesterday was a brilliant day because I purchased our Brisbane tickets for Wicked!!!!! :D Only 179 sleeps to go, apparently, according to a friend of mine who is going the same night as us. ;)

Now off to round up these kiddlies. I can no longer hear them, so they have ventured far! Time for rests, then the rest of the grocery unpacking, and some singing practice for Saraya and I, and more outdoor play before winding down with baths and dinner. Have a great Tuesday everyone.

Michael's 21st Birthday

Happy Birthday baby brother!!!!!

Hang on, when did you get so much bigger than me??!

And when did you become such a clown?

Wait, you've always been a clown!! Laughing with you has always been fantastic!

The food and drink and company was fantastic. :)

And we got to see some extended family we hadn't see in a long time!

Speeches........

........ and Michael with his beautiful fiance (he proposed 1 week ago!) Monica.

Dot Points

* I am feeling much much better than I was a week or so ago. So much has been going on..... I just needed to pray, to slow down, to have some good talks with my husband, and things are feeling better. Not health-wise (we've all been sick!), but spiritually and emotionally better.

* Homeschooling has been slow and steady this week. We did a huge maths component, some science and a whole lot of reading. Saraya hasn't been well, so we've been resting a lot too. We watched Mary Poppins. Again. ;)

* In our reading piles: I am reading The Secret Garden (unabridged) to the children and we are all LOVING it. The children know the musical well, and so the story is familiar to them already. It is beautifully written and I would highly recommend it. Stuart may be starting The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with them next week. Eek! They are growing up so fast. And I am re-reading Wuthering Heights (for myself), one of my favourite classics. Next on my pile is Atonement by Ian McEwan. Stuart is re-reading The Silmarillion by Tolkien.

* My little brother turns 21 today!!! We are off to his party tonight. He also announced last Sunday that he and his girlfriend are engaged! They have been friends since they were 11 - she is absolutely lovely. Very exciting. :)

* Stuart's big sister had a baby this week also, baby Ezra. Hooray for another nephew to love!

* Piano teaching is going so well, I am going to take on a couple more students. Lots of positive feedback from the children, they seem to be enjoying themselves which makes me very happy.

* Eisteddfod planning commences in earnest on Monday. We have 5 songs to get polished and costumes to organise before the 2nd of August!

* Our kittens Molly and Slinky Malinki are growing so much, and are so loved. I feel very blessed to have them in our family. :) Great decision.

* The garden is sorely neglected lately, though potatoes seem to be doing very well - hopefully there are some developing below all that mulch..... The tops look great!

* My dear friend Kate left last night for Victoria. :( Parting was hard, but I pray the time away will be wonderful for her. And we do get to look after her car while she is gone (could be 6 weeks, could be 6 months....) which is a little bonus! It will be such a help to have a 2nd vehicle.

I need to go pack. Will hopefully have some nice family photos to put up next week. Have a great weekend everyone. xx

Us This Week

It has been cold. William and I have had a flu. Lots of post-production stuff to do with the Gala Concert has kept us very occupied. Meetings, phone calls, emails, letters. Stuart has gone back to work. I have spent time with friends. The children and I have visited the library and read lots and lots of books. We have chewed through a few more Firefly episodes with Kate (trying to get through all 14 before she leaves next week!). I have missed my family. I have struggled with lots of things. The kids and I have had an extra week of holidays. We will commence homeschooling formally again next week. I have cooked lots of soup, with lots of garlic. :)

And today, with me with fevers and a cough and very little endurance, we rested.

I actually slept in bed while the children played and watched a DVD and drew and coloured in and dressed up. They were amazingly helpful, praise God! And then we sat outside on a rug in the warm winter sunshine and had a picnic. And they had milos and I had tea. More tea.

And the sun warmed me. And Kate texted me to tell me she had just bought me a hot water bottle. Because she knows I am constantly cold through winter (if you don't know, I am an absolute frog!). And I cried. Again. For this thoughtful, wonderful friend, leaving.

And then I looked upon the little hand clutching my pyjama pants (in which I stayed all day today), and felt better.

The crusty face of my littlest son grinning at me.

My big girl, my responsible, mother-hen daughter, running her way through her day. This girl amazes me.

My big boy, my soft boy, by my side.

He is so loving. I am so blessed.

The wood ducks on the lawn. The sun overhead. The gum trees. The birds. The kittens at our feet.

He cares so much. He is faithful. Through the long days. Through the flus. Through all the unknowns. I cling to this. I cling and I trust and I hope and I listen.

So, that's us this week.

Annie Orphan Photo!

Act 2 of Saturday's Gala Concert was a series of medleys, celebrating / representing the six musicals which have been performed at the Brolga Theatre over the past 10 years. One of them was Annie. And Saraya was cast as the littlest orphan, "Molly" - whom her kitten is named after!!! Needless to say, she was SO happy and enjoyed every minute.

Here is a photo of the six orphans in the wings (minus Annie, not sure where she was when this was taken), with Saraya in the front. Isn't she gorgeous?! I know I'm biased and all. But she was so encouraged by lots of positive comments regarding her singing voice and facial expressions on the day. :) So onwards and upwards for Saraya! I can't wait to see what's coming her way.

Oh My.........

I feel a catch-up is in order!! My blog has been sorely neglected lately; so much has been going on here that I simply haven't made the time to fit in blogging as well. Today is the last day of the school holidays, and Stuart has kindly taken the children out for a little while. So while I have a chance, I'll do a quick catch-up!

* Yesterday / last night was our local theatre's 10th anniversary Gala Concert, for which our family has been rehearsing for many weeks. After much time and energy singing, staging, costuming and driving hither and thither, it's all over.

In some ways, it was a success despite extremely limited rehearsal time. In other ways, it was a total disaster. :) I'm not going to go into it here..... but suffice to say there were MAJOR issues with the sound (microphones primarily) which made it very difficult both for the performers and the audience. Quite devastating after all the effort the cast had put in to this show!!!! I am still reeling. But. Lots of positive and encouraging feedback despite all odds. And amazingly, I still enjoyed myself. And it was a blast to have our whole family on the stage together - yes, even the children were involved!! :D

* My parents came along to watch, and met us in the foyer with these beautiful gerberas - all individually wrapped, one for each of us. So sweet! Mum did take a few photos too, so I'll get them from her sometime soon and put them up.

* The time I spent away in Brisbane has given me an amazing new perspective - God is really helping me deal with my self-induced guilt over ever doing anything for myself! I've lived with it for years and He is showing me it's unnecessary and time to change. Hooray!!! So I am really trying hard. I am sitting down more often despite mess around me, am taking the pressure off with cooking everything from scratch during busy seasons (like lately), and truly taking more time out just for me. These holidays have been pretty wonderful, and I'm already starting to feel better.

* I have a new plan for homeschooling this term which I am hoping will make things smoother for both Saraya and I. Will share more in another post.

* Eisteddfod planning begins this week! Only 3 weeks to go. I am entering 2 solos and 2 duets (hopefully), Stuart is singing a solo and duet (with me :)), and Saraya is in for 2 solos. This will be her first Eisteddfod so it's very exciting.

* It's now Monday as I didn't finish this yesterday - see what I mean?!! I just can't seem to fit blogging in at the moment..... We are still resting today, unpacking bags from our busy theatre weekend (lots of banana peels, and makeup.... ;)), and cleaning my very neglected house. I can't stand mess and dirty floors - hopefully by tonight all will be back to normal! Homeschooling will begin more formally again tomorrow. Saraya and I will sit down shortly and work on our plans for this term.

* Piano teaching starts up again this Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing my little students.

And that will do for a catch-up for now! I haven't even been consistently reading blogs lately, but will endeavour to do so more as life settles down again. If it does. ;)

All in all, things are going well here. My clouds of recent depression seem to be lifting, and as a dear friend said to me "Be proactive about changing the things you have some control over, and leave the rest up to God. Just trust Him with the rest of it." So that's what I'm aiming for. :)

Blessings to everyone! xx

Surprise Parcels!

I mentioned recently that during a blue week I was having, we received a beautiful package in the mail. There were in fact 2 packages which arrived a few days apart. Sweet Amy, whom I have never met but have been online friends with for about a year now, sent us lots of bits and pieces from her home in Montana.

My children LOVE getting mail of any kind, but an overseas parcel? Well that's enough to send them ecstatic!

We have especially enjoyed the books you sent Amy, as well as the delicious Barbeque sauce! Oh, and I love my vanilla candle. It gets lit at least once a day. :) Thanks so much again for your heartfelt generosity in this package, your prayers and your friendship!

Home Safe and Sound

2 wonderful days away. Lots and lots and lots of laughing. And definitely some crying too. :) And praying. It was absolute therapy for me, this little time away. Just what I needed. And time with Kate is always a blessing. She is a wonderful friend.

We spent a day in Brisbane city with Kate's friend Jane, had lunch at Southbank (see the size of that beer?!?! I hadn't even had a beer in a couple of years.... and didn't quite make it through this one, though it tasted great!) and caught the Citycat (a very fast water taxi) to New Farm Park. There we drank coffee and sat among the roses in the gardens and talked...... lovely.

Tuesday we headed to Boonah to visit some of Kate's family, truly beautiful people. And we had a long drive home that night during which time we talked (some more ;)) and sang our hearts out to the Wicked soundtrack (to which I am still chronically obsessed), many times over.

I feel like I need to do this more often! Not just want to, but need to. I felt so rejuvenated coming home... and Stuart did such a great job here. The children were happy to see me, and I was happy to see them. All round, an excellent experience!!!

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And now we are on school holidays until the end of next week. Stu has some work to do for school (as always..), but we're getting some stuff done on the home front as well. And the children are loving having their Papa around. :)

I will be thinking lots about how to manage things better next term, avoiding the burnout I started to experience last term. I'm looking forward to getting some ideas on paper. I'm such a list lover!

Hope everyone's week has been a happy one.

Road Trip!!!!!!!

Well, the dance concert went wonderfully last night. The children weren't nervous (relief for me!) and danced with confidence and big smiles. I was so proud of them!!

This morning my parents went home, and we headed to rehearsal for the Gala Concert coming up in July. Always a full day with rehearsals, but fun times! The children are all finding the experience of hanging out at the theatre for hours on end pretty exciting too. :)

We will all be in bed early tonight after a very full week. Then tomorrow we are rehearsing 9am-6pm, again. Phew! And then............ drum roll please...............

................... I'm going on a ROAD TRIP!!!!!! Just me and my friend Kate, straight from the theatre tomorrow night, all the way to Brisbane, to stay with a friend of hers for two whole days!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!? The open road before us, music playing, great conversation, then two days of drinking tea and coffee and reading and chatting and visiting the Brissie shops, etc. etc. I can hardly wait I am so excited. I haven't done anything like this in a long, long time.

My wonderful man who is now on school holidays is literally manning the fort at home with the children so that I can take this time just for myself, to refresh and rejuvenate. So nice.

So. When I get home, sometime mid-week, I will hopefully have some photos to post and stories to share with you! In the meantime, have a blessed sunday tomorrow and I'll see you all post-roadtrip! :P

God is Awesome!!!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

It's so easy to 'delight ourselves' and trust and rest in God's love when things are going well, isn't it?! To pray, to see the beauty in all things? It is just easier to believe that God has us covered when everything is running according to plan. Well, to our plans that is. Not necessarily His. And yet we know He has a plan for our lives - for every one of us. It's so hard to comprehend, but it's true!

"I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

As you know from my recent post, I have had a difficult few weeks. My emotions have been up and down, Stuart has been very absent through this end-of-term time, and in general I have just been out of sorts. Thankfully I am learning over the years that this is normal. Life is seasonal. I still struggle during the down times, but I don't give up! On myself or on God. The hard times are important too. They are character-building times. They are opportunities to learn. I have discovered that the down times are the most important times to lean on God, to trust Him, to release ourselves to Him. I still often struggle on my own for a few days over an issue before praying hard about it (why is that?!?)...... and this past couple of weeks was no exception. But. After many teary nights and moments of frustration with myself, I prayed fervently and handed my emotional mess over to God.

I asked Him to heal my heart. He has.

I asked Him for my motivation on the home front to return. It has.

I asked Him to help me find my joy in being with the children once again. He has.

I asked Him to forgive me, to keep believing in me, to help me get my spirit back on track again. He has.

Finally, I asked Him for some time out, some me time, some moments of rejuvenation. And oh boy, has He delivered!!

Seriously, God is awesome. First He sent my Mum up - not just for 2 nights as planned - but for a whole week! What wonderful help and company that was. He has sent friends to rally round me... through phone calls and meals and emails and hugs. There has been something almost every day, despite the fact that I have been 'hiding away' somewhat! We even received an amazing package from a friend this week, but more about that in a later post. :) I love feeling loved!

AND I have had more time out this week than ever before. Lots of time with friends, just me, has filled my cup to the brim again. I needed it. Not just wanted it, needed it. And God knew. And God cares! For me!! It's overwhelming. I am so thankful for a "yes" answer to my prayers. :) Last night I even had an unexpected trip out to the theatre to see QLD Ballet perform Swan Lake! A dear friend had a spare ticket and asked me to join her. It was a magical night, and I am still floating today it was so beautiful. I am so thankful to Stuart for gifting me this time out without complaint. He too knows I need it at the moment. :)

And here are my darlings tonight at their dress rehearsal for their dance concert which is on tomorrow night! Saraya is one of the many Tinkerbelles, and Elijah is the one and only Peter Pan. :)
As you can see, he is lacking confidence on the stage. :P

So, from down to up I go. I thank God for forgiveness and grace and love and yeses and free gifts such as these good things filling my cup. He is good.

Seasons

I am a firm believer in our lives having seasons. You know, waves. Ebbs and flows.

Right now, I'm in a funny sort of season. I'm not quite myself. My priorities and goals and ideals are no different, yet my vision is a bit out of focus. My lens is a little misty. Yet, I'm not worried by this. I know the wave will shift, the breeze will blow, the lens will become clear again.

I would describe this season as being quite introverted. A shade of blue. I'm thinking a lot. My sleeping and eating patterns are all out of whack. I can't think of what to cook. I am exhausted but cannot sleep. I'm going through the motions, but my heart is not quite here. Where it is.... I'm not sure. It's just distant. Thoughtful. Perhaps gone into some form of self-preservation mode?

I apologise for having no photos to share! I don't even really feel like taking photos this week. Life has been fairly mundane (which I don't mind... I need the down time), and not really photo-worthy. But I'm sure I'll be my snap-happy self again soon. :) The children are all doing well.

I have been thinking a great deal about how to avoid burn-out lately. Why? Because.... I have been feeling some signs within myself and I'm striving to prevent them going further. Reading and seeking lots. This post is excellent.

I have been reading some great books. Just finished "Dancing With My Father" by Sally Clarkson, which was excellent. I am also in the middle of "Embrace Grace" by Liz Curtis Higgs. These are two of my favourite Christian authors, ladies who have so so so much wisdom to share. And Liz is so funny! :D It's good to laugh. The book is all about healing past pain, embracing God's grace and believing we are forgiven and whole and loved, just as we are. I am also re-reading Wuthering Heights, just for pleasure. :) It is wonderful.

And so life goes. Quiet right now, for me. Well, busy on the outside but quiet within. Dreaming and wondering and processing and praying.

Hope everyone is having a restful weekend.

50!!!

I just hopped on today and noticed that I now have 50 followers!! Thank you to the lady from Much Moore Fun for joining me! :D I so don't blog to get followers, but it's been sitting at 49 for so long.. it just feels nice to jump up to 50. :)

Clearly it's the little things which bring a smile to my face these days......

Trying to Rest

This is us today.

Just trying to rest. Blankets and pillows and books. And even some tv this morning. We had a HUGE weekend, and are all feeling exhausted! Funny when your weekends do that to you. :) Yesterday we rehearsed all day for the gala concert we're involved in. It's coming together well. Tiring work but such fun!

We've caught up on a little school and house work this morning, but mostly just trying to find some time to rest.

Lunch soon, then baths and groceries and dance class later today.

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday.

I Can't Keep Up!

It's true. Her appetite is practically insatiable.

3 weeks ago, she picked up her first chapter book. And her independently-read list now consists of:

The Boxcar Children #1

The Boxcar Children #2

The Little Missionaries

The Wishing Chair

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

and

Christie's Old Organ

All these books have been fairly lengthy, at least 150 pages each. And some of them she's read in 24 hours. She reads in the bedroom. She reads in the loungeroom. She reads in the trees. She reads in the bathroom. She literally keeps reading while she takes out the rubbish, book in one hand, rubbish bag in the other. She reads while you brush her teeth!!

Am I complaining? No! This girl is a busy little girl. Always playing, always moving, always creating, pulling out craft stuff, wanting to cook, wanting to make, etc. etc. etc. Reading is something she can do all by herself, and she's sitting still, and doesn't need help, and it doesn't make a mess. Ahhhh. :) Bliss.

Only thing is, she's wanting to read the third book in the Boxcar Children series - and I need to either find it in the library or purchase it from the Book Depository for $5.04 - in either case, she'll need to wait a few days. So instead today (after whinging that she didn't have a new book to read) she's pulled out The Rainy Day Book (things to do when there's nothing to do type book) and is now constructing a giant cubby on the verandah. With sheets, pegs, indoor chairs, outdoor chairs... and Stu's help because it simply wasn't working!!!!! Yep, that's what happens when I can't keep up. :) Not that I'm really complaining. She's a great kid. She's just so so so busy.

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Just wanted to mention we had a lovely day yesterday. Definitely a golden day!!!

I taught my first two piano students in the morning, and both were successful. Enthusiastic boys who actually learnt far more than I anticipated in a half hour lesson. I'm really excited about this. Something I am doing outside of mothering / homemaking, and even earning us some money too. I'm hoping to end up with 4 or 5 students, just keeping it to Saturday mornings.

Stuart worked on report cards at work for the entire afternoon/evening. And the children and I shared that time with Kate, at her place. A win-win-win situation! We picnicked and talked and played and the children climbed the same giant climbing tree that she climbed when she was a little girl. :) Another friend arrived with her 3 children, and we had a regular playgroup! So nice to sit in the sun and just hang out together. Later I bathed the children in Kate's lovely claw-foot bath (they were stoked!!!) and we all ate dinner before we left to pick Stu up just after 8pm. Poor man. Fancy spending 8 hours on a Saturday, working on report cards. I just feel blessed to have a friend to share all that alone-mothering time with. We all had a great day.

And today, Sunday. Pyjamas and dressing gowns and slippers. Worship music playing. Pancakes. The paper open on the table. Coffee about to be brewed. :) And kids constructing cubbies.

And tomorrow's a public holiday!

Things are looking up. :) Happy weekend everyone.

A Green Day

I call it green, because it wasn't quite blue. It was partly blue and partly yellow. So, a green day.

The yellow bits were sunshine. Reading lots of books to the children. Having an enthusiastic daughter learning about abbreviations this morning. A content couple of kids playing a big game for literally hours this afternoon. A watered garden. family visiting. :)

But there were blue bits too. William is teething and tired and cranky. And I am sleep deprived, tired.... and a bit cranky.

Mum went home this afternoon. My stepDad Ray came to get her, and stayed for a few hours too which was lovely for the children. They love spending time with their Grandpa. Nice leisurely coffee on the verandah and a good long walk around the property, showing Grandpa everything - cubby houses, the dam, the orchard, etc. But now of course my family is gone and my time with Mum is over, for now. I miss her so much already.

I know I have mentioned my friend Kate several times over the last few months. I am feeling a deep sadness as she will be leaving sometime next month, to work elsewhere for an unknown period of time. She has a beautiful home up here, and will certainly return at some stage.... but that may be 6 months or a year away, or longer. We have become very close and I am having trouble imagining life without her. :(

And I am having difficulty (once again, this is a recurring difficulty for me!) getting my head around the enormity of Stuart's job. He loves his job, and works very hard to be the best teacher he can be. And he is a great teacher. But. His job takes him away from us 5 days a week, 7:30-5:30 most days. And he spends countless hours working at home. Or hours back at work in the evening or on weekends. I am doing this whole house and child-rearing thing almost totally alone. And when he's not at work, he's thinking about work. Will I ever get used to this?

So there you have it. Sunshiny bits and blue bits.

A green day.

How He's Blessing Me.....

.......... this week. :)

* My Mum is here! She couldn't make it up for Elijah's party, but arrived Monday afternoon and has been with me all week. It's been so so so wonderful. We've just been doing all our usual things, and having Mum come along with us has been great!! The children have been enjoying having lots of time with Nanna. :)

* I have been cooked dinner the last two nights. This is unheard of, as Stuart simply does not cook. He gets home too late... and we've just gotten into the habit over the years that I do the cooking. Last night my dear friend Kate came with a grocery bag of ingredients and cooked us all a delicious spinach and feta baked risotto. She even brought dessert. And wine!!! What a treat for me, sitting there with my feet up having dinner cooked for me. And tonight, as I type, Mum is beginning dinner preparations. She's making a yummy mexican dish, and once again I'm sitting down smelling it cooking. I can't tell you what a blessing this is for me! Just feeling loved and taken care of is filling me up with joy.

* The children have had a settled week. We've been doing the basics with schooling, and keeping busy doing lots of things on the side.

* William has slept well the last 2 nights and hasn't been waking up at 4am like he had been for days beforehand. Yay!

* We have a long weekend coming up. Even though Stuart will be busy with report cards, I'm going to try to fit in some nice times with the children. And then we have gala concert rehearsals all day Monday. :)

* I have my first 2 piano students on Saturday morning. I love that He is stretching me to do this. After 8 years of "just" being a Mama, I have feelings like maybe I can't do this..... but I know with His help all things are possible!

Hope everyone's having a great week and that you can see God's provision in little ways all around you. :)

Elijah's 5th Birthday Party

"Elijah, we are going to give you a birthday party this year! Turning 5 is a very special age."

"A birthday party? With friends and games and everything?"

"Yes!!! And you get to choose what sort of party you would like, who comes, what food we serve.... everything."

"WOW Mama!!! This is my first party!!" Thinks for quite awhile...... "I want to have a Charlie and Lola party!" Then a week or so later.... "I want to have a Mary Poppins party. Yes. And you can make me a Bert cake Mama. 'Cos I want to be Bert, and wear a dressed-up shirt and a hat!"

"Um.... okay. Wow! What a great idea Elijah. All right, a Mary Poppins party it is."

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And so it all began. :) The guest and food lists written, the cake baked

balloons out front

Let the party begin!!!

Great excitement as he opened a birthday gift..... a long-awaited shirt and tie! He had spotted it a few months back and loved it so I secretly bought it and hid it away. :) And it made a perfect Bert shirt!

Of course he posed for some photos in the garden. How handsome is this boy?!

This is my personal favourite!! It's just Elijah's personality shining through!

Balancing Bert........

Cutie William in his bow tie!! Didn't stay on for long but was adorable.

Grandad Fern as Admiral Boom - how impressive is this costume?!!

He even fired 2 blanks from his gun to signal the start and the end of the party - which scared the kids and got the neighbour a bit upset! :(

But oh so in character, and the men who were here thought it was pretty awesome. And Elijah loved having his Grandad here.

Mary Poppins :)

This is the stage Stu rigged up for Eiljah's present. :) He bought the frames for $5 each from a garage sale, and purchased timber to screw on top. Such an appropriate gift for him, and it got a good workout yesterday!

A little friend brought Elijah this spider in a jar - love the look on his face!!

Ruby as miniature Mary Poppins

Declan as a chimney sweep

"Jane and Michael Banks" :) (bits of costumes missing here!)

These two had everyone smiling yesterday. They have known each other since they were 6 months old, and have always had lots of theatrical fun together!

Trying out the stage! We had the soundtrack playing on repeat.

"It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary......."

And "We love to laugh, ha ha ha ha...."

Elijah insisted Stu had to dress up as the laughing Uncle Albert!

"Pavement Painting"

The kids had a great time on this swing Stu rigged up. FUN!!!

Elijah / Bert the one-man-band!

And the kids did Saraya up as well!

Afternoon tea time!! All Elijah's favourites were served.

Blowing out 5 candles.

A game of What's the time Mr Wolf?

Happy birthday beautiful little man!!

I love being your Mama, and am so proud of the confident, creative and loving little boy you are growing up to be. :D xoxoxoxo

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And today (Monday) is his actual birthday, and we are taking things very easy after such a full weekend of fun!!! The children are currently watching the Mary Poppins film. :) And I've been doing lots of cleaning up from yesterday. We will read together later, Saraya will do her lessons, and I have just found out that Mum will be arriving here later this afternoon! Very exciting; she and Ray were meant to be here yesterday but were unwell. Elijah's very excited she is coming for his BBQ tea tonight. :)