Back to school.....

What do you mean I have to put both straps on Mum, that is so NOT cool.....

And my 2 darling boys are off to school....oh my....

We have had a pretty amazing summer filled with lots of days at the river, camping, hiking, playing and enjoying the sunshine that finally showed up in August!  I will share more on our adventures soon but I wanted to share some pics of my school aged boys.  My heart was breaking sending them off but I know new adventures are in stall for us all.  Sam was so ready to start school.  He displayed some very old man qualities indeed.  On his first day, he sat patiently at a desk whilst all the other kids were playing and exploring the classroom.  I tried to coax him over to the toys but he assured me that is what he was supposed to do and the teacher would talk to him soon!!!  Then he hugged me and said good-bye and turned back to the front.  Oh boy, I was so proud and yet so gutted that my little man didn't need me.  Sniff. 

Buried treasure?

Look what we found when we were cleaning up some overgrown brush in the back yard.  It seems the family that lived here for years did not believe in the local dump but rather 'dumped' all their unwanted remnants into their back yard!  We found a monster pile of old bricks, old furnaces, old water pipes and the list goes on. 

I must admit though, the bricks kinda got me excited.  We rummaged through the ghastly pile and took out all the usable bricks in hopes of a BBQ or pizza oven in the near future.  Not bad huh?

Now for the back yard itself, it really is a blank canvas.  First things first though, we need a fence to keep in the lovely hounds from visiting the neighbours.  Then there will be a lot of levelling and grass seeds, garden boxes and borders.....grand plans......if only I had a grand budget!!!  We will chip away at it but for now I will dream....

Easter Sunday Fun

It has really been too long since the sun shone on my skin it seems.  After such a beautiful day on Saturday, Sunday was even more spectacular.  We planned for a hike with friends after the Easter Bunny frenzy of the morning.  It was such a pleasant way to spend family time and I love seeing my boys enjoying nature.  We had a wiener roast half way through and enjoyed one anothers company.  I am so looking forward to Summer adventures.  Bring on the sun!!!! 

In the afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a fun filled afternoon with cousins, Aunts and Uncles.  The boys really enjoyed themselves and slept VERY soundly.  I know I have already said it but bring on those summer days!!!

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.