From the photo archives

It's a cold spring day here in SA, overcast and raining. The weather has certainly put a spanner in the works for the kids, they just got pool noodles and wanted  to try them out in some poor unsuspecting friend's pool.

Funny, they've been running through the garden playing crazy games waving their noodles all over the place.

Phoebe is off to Girl Guides, and so Noah and I are hopping off on a quick date - he's already dressed to the nines and so excited.  I'm just happy to get out.

Here are some pics that I came across from the photo archive.

The boys were hanging out with their daddy one work day - Brod's a Financial Broker(he sells life insurance, does investments, and handles medical aids for clients) - so his time is his own. He needed to see a client down the coast and wanted some company for the trip.

National Heritage Day

So today is another public holiday - National Heritage Day

Also known to most South Africans as National Braai Day.

So we will braai.

The weather is looking dubious outside - but we shall braai non-the less with our good friends The Mays.

Here's Jo trying a grape fruit.

I think he understands me now, when I say it's sour.

About Being Gluten Free

So we're officially ON the road to being Gluten Free.  I just made some peanut butter cookies using Gluten Free cake flour - purchased from Dischem.  Note to self...and the rest of you out there - no tasting before it's baked! Uncooked mixture = yuckiness! This week I've made chocolate brownies & peanut butter cookies, and used the flour to make a cheese sauce.  Baby steps still. 

Check out this blog : BettyBakeBlog 

On my bedside table lies Bill Bryson's 'At Home' - A short history of private life.  

Fascinating.  

It's about stuff I've always wondered about.

We ran away for a weekend

And it felt marvelous.  Absolutely.

Sheffield Beach, for 3 days was just what we needed.

A minimum of fighting, and a maximum of fun.

<3 Heart, heart, heart this man

That's a lot of water there, Mr Von B 

Oh my hat - I love this picture Noah took of us - loooove it

Footprints from my family

Sophie with one of the many crab parts that she kept finding the whole weekend

Our little ones

Have you noticed the quality of the photo's has improved?  Thank you Gumtree once again for a good deal on a good camera.  I am such a sucker for a good deal. 

Hooray!

Life is long

I've been cramming as much as possible into my life - because, well life is so short and I don't want to live with regrets.  Is it though?  I came across an entry on a blog I follow 71 Toes and after reading through it - it struck me...that Life is Long. And looking at it that way - makes me feel a lot less stressed.  Today I went to another art class with Cathy and I sat and painted a still life of Yesterday, today & tomorrows. And it felt just grand. And I enjoyed it - because it had become just another lesson. And if I made a mistake in that lesson - then that was ok. There are plenty more canvases to work on.  Less pressure = a happy outcome that I liked...a pretty and simple painting that made me very happy while I was creating it.  Just marvelous.  

This same idea has filtered into the house hold.  We are generally all feeling a bit more chilled and enjoying life a little more every day.  I am rather excited for this weekend as it holds a fun visit to the sea side - that I feel rather deserving of, and the kiddies and Brod share this sentiment.  I trust there will be blue skies, warm water and little wind. And I anticipate being still and quiet a lot.  This makes me happy too.  Spending time with my greatest creations is the sweet masterpiece of my life.

We are all well. Jo is nearing the end of his schooling at Beehive - and we are all readying ourselves for his permanent presence at home with the rest of us.  It's another big step - but we're all excited for it.  Noah is up to nonsense a lot - just the way he likes it.  He's a bright little tiger - with a lot of fight in him, and he loves to see how far he can push me before I snap.  Sophie is enjoying Grade 2 but rather fearful of me - according to  Phoebe (and I trust her judgement always). I must learn more patience in life.  Sophie loves to sing and create and visit with gran (her happy place away from yelling mommy).  Phoebe loves life and totally sees education as a side order - and not a main.  We are working on this.  But I am happy that she is happy - and if that is her most learnt lesson this year - then so be it.

Brod, my moon and sun and stars all rolled up into one - continues to be the center of my universe. 

Happy days.

xxx

Jonah & mommy @ his 5th Birthday ring

Kit Kat Cake - missing a layer & some smarties- but it tasted goooood!

Big brother Noah

So Sophie :)

Fabulous Miss Sue

Phoebe helping little Jo