5 years old!

My little baby just turned five.  Wow, does time ever go by quickly.  It feels like just yesterday I was in labour in our lounge room anxiously awaiting the arrival of our second child.  What a joyful experience and a wonderful moment meeting our little man. We celebrated his 5th year with us with a yummy breakfast and presents from family in the morning.  (In true Harry style he made a card for Sam and wrote "To Harry, Happy Birthday, Love Harry"  Harry is reading the card to Sam when they suddenly realised what he had written!!!)

Then the party started with 5 little friends.  Thankfully we had some beautiful Spring weather, so we were able to play games in the front yard.  The party was from 11am - 2pm, about 1 hour too long!!!!  Must remember that for future years!  Fun was had by all and a very exhausted 5 year old fell into bed that night and sleepily asked "How many days until I am 6 Mum?"

Happy 33rd celebrations

My husband is not the hopeless romantic type that I sometimes expect him to be but every now and then he surprises me.....I mean really surprises me.  He organised for the kids to spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, then whisked me away to one of my favourite places for a romantic, relaxing weekend.  The weather was unpredictable with sunshine, snow, rain and wind but it suited the weekend perfectly.  We lazed when it was yucky out and when the sun shone we went to the hot springs, hiking along rocky riverbanks and walking with the dogs along the beach.  I missed my boys terribly but I enjoyed the silence so much!!!!!

Another year older and another wonderful year ahead.  I truly am blessed with an amazing family, a home and exciting adventures awaiting us all. 

The first real Spring day just happened to be on a Pro D day from school.  We headed straight for the park and spent hours playing soccer, on the playground and climbing the rocks by the river.  On our return home all the neighbours were out playing in a newly discovered dirt pile.  What better way to spend an afternoon, than digging and making a lovely mess?!

The next day was not as sunny and beautiful but still warm, whilst overcast.  We decided to go for a family hike that turned into a trail blazing exercise.  It was really fun upgrade the trail and trying to find another easier path to our destination.  It was pretty hard going as some parts were particularly steep but the reward at the top of hot dogs and fruit were well worth it.

 Our house is right below Harry's head.  Pretty cool to be able to hike right from your back door, huh?!  We saw lots of deer tracks and evidence that the bears are also waking up and enjoying the warmer weather too.  There was garbage strewn across the hill which Kevin and the boys spent a good hour trying to clean up.  They came down with 3 garbage bags full and still more to be picked up.  The bright side is it was a lovely weekend celebrating, cleaning and enjoying.  What did you do this weekend?

Friendship

Moving countries has many advantages and disadvantages.  One of the biggest disadvantages was leaving behind my beautiful family and friends.  Not a day goes by when my mind doesn't think of you or past conversations/adventures.  Distance and time puts a strange wedge into the relationship - the love is still there but the lack of shared experiences leaves a gaping hole, where there was previously a snug embrace.  Now months go by with little to no contact and my heart bleeds for the way things were.  Snatching small glimmers of connectedness which I once daily took for granted.
Then comes the experience of trying to fit in to new surroundings, culture and customs.  Trying to find my niche in my new life and find those daily connections again.  At first, all new relationships are compared to the old, dearly loved, dearly missed ones and in all honesty, the new ones just don't add up.  Then with familiarity, comfort comes and all sides in the new relationship begin to open up.  New friendships form in surprising and wonderful ways.
I find myself so torn now between past and present trying only to be grateful for each beautiful gift as it presents itself.  Friend's truly are treasures and mine, new and old are rich in love, support, fun and comfort.  I am a very lucky women to know the people I know and have know.  I treasure my special friends and look forward to when I will share experiences with you again and all the old familiarity returns and the magic happens.  For now, I will continue to grow the new friendships, forever holding you in my heart.

Harry and his friends

It is so interesting to watch my eldest child interact with others.  I love seeing what strengths and weaknesses are brought about by different personalities.  I look after a young man from Harry's class, 3 afternoons a week, until his parents get home from work.  At times the boys are wildly rambunctious, other times they are hotly debating dinosaurs, animal facts, God and other worldly topics (seriously, it is hilarious to listen to some days!!).  Most times however, the two boys gravitate towards drawing.  They particularly like large pieces of paper where they can both create together maps, treasures, games, mountains, animal traps and beastly creatures.  And then, there is Sadie....who we look after every now and then, but when we do it is always entertaining!!  I really don't think it is because of the boy - girl differences.  I really believe it has more to do with their personalities.  Sadie and Harry's favourite activity???  Dancing around the living room with the music up REALLY loud.....

doing the Tango

The 'Funky' chicken.....

freestyle, I guess?!?!?!?!?!!??

Sam and Thane sometimes join in with the outlandish personalities of these two but mostly they just watch and admire.  Sometimes I too jump in and remember myself dancing through my house as a child.  I am so glad Harry has someone to do it with and laugh and laugh and laugh with.  Good times I say, good times.  And thanks Sadie for bringing out this fun, energetic and crazy chicken dancing side of my beautiful, old soul of a boy!

Skiing at Big White

We have been having some interesting weather....mostly overcast, snowing, or whited out.  The locals tell us that it is the  first time in years to have such a 'bad' week.  "Bad week?"  I said - this has been bloody brilliant!!  No line ups, fresh powder and we are skiing people.  I love skiing!!!  Today the heavens opened up and the sun finally shone down on us (well, for moments throughout the day at least) and we were finally able to take some photos.  The kids are loving the skiing as well but all our legs are feeling it today.  Only one more day left for us here and I am starting to feel so sad about having to say farewell to my family again.  But for now I am trying not to think of this and enjoy the moment. 

Harry, Sam and Jackson at the top of Ridge Rocket Express (who gets to name these lifts anyway??)

Having fun in the trees

The view looking back over the Village Centre

Happy Days!!!!

A Holiday To Remember

Christmas is such an amazing time of year, full of love, laughter and cheer.  A time to be surrounded by family.  I think of my friends and family in Australia often, but never as much as this time of year.  So you can imagine our delight when my brother Grant and his family decided to come for a 3 week holiday at Christmas.  It was so nice to have Mum here and then followed by a visit from these guys, is more than we could wish for.  The kids have had an absolute blast together.  You wouldn't know that they hadn't seen each other for almost 2 years.  There has been lots of sledding, down hill skiing, cross country skiing, snow people making, skating, celebrating and laughter.  I thought I would share just a few of the magical moments we have been spending together.  We still have another week of skiing at Big White Resort, just outside Kelowna, B.C.  I will post more photos then.  Happy New Year everyone!!! 

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Hee Hee Hee!!!

Fruitvale, Sunset and sledding

Cousin time

Wipe out time!  The older you get, the harder you fall!

Christmas morning hugs

Christmas morning mayhem

Our 'real' tree

Day trip to Nelson

Nelson

Sam riding Pickles

Mikaylah having the time of her life!!!

Eli's turn!

Giddy up Pickles

Quad rides at -8 makes the face very frozen..

View from our front deck

Snow people family (the baby snow kid on the right lost his pineapple hair..oops)

Skating time

Cross country skiing....