Joys of Summer

Today we realized that this was the last full week of school holidays. The kids and I are both happy and sad. We are ready for routine, learning and achieving something. But we will miss the carefree days we have enjoyed.

Today was the perfect end to holidays. The morning started with cousins who had slept over. Then they had a play at their cousins house.

After that we went to a National Park. Our friends from Church were there. We had a quick lunch and then into the water to kayak. All of us had a turn. It is so peaceful in a kayak where you can feel part of nature as the current carries you. The cliffs so high above you.

The lovely boys from Church are an energetic pair of twins who love to catch all sorts of creatures. They had a bucket full of them. My kids joined in while they were trying to catch crabs. The 2 older ones got pretty cosy grabbing at the crabs. J got a couple of nips from his angry captives. C joined in too but kept bringing me little fists full of mud. He would say "Look I found some mud". We were surrounded by mud that had dozens of crab holes and now little-hand-grabbing holes. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them as they played so freely just enjoying what was right in front of them.

We came home for a swim. The kids play so well together in the pool coming up with all sorts of games. Deep, deep, deep is one name they came up with. Not all games got named but all produced squeals and laughter.

Then after a rest and dinner I watered the garden as they frolicked in the spray. The joy that was written on their faces almost made me jealous. Kids can get enjoyment out of the simplest things. Which is something I want them to remember and to cherish as long as they can. Which is the whole purpose of Summer holidays.

More Sand

As we were looking for fun things to do in the holidays we came across an International Sand Art competition not too far away. We thought we would go and see what was possible using sand.

Lord of the Rings

Narcissus

 The inspiration seemed to work as the kids couldn't wait to get their hands on the sand provided.

Volcano by J

Girls face by E

Cupcake by C and a reluctant E

The kids were excited to each get a green helium balloon. Unfortunately, J accidentally let it go within a minute of receiving it. Everyone enjoyed watching it go up high in the sky except J. He was a bit teary. The lady felt sorry for him so she gave him another one. By the time we left all kids except one had their balloons still.

Sun, Stairs and Sand

We went to visit a beautiful lighthouse. One of the many lighthouses that dot our coastline approximately 38 km from their neighbouring beacon. One of the few that still function. Can you tell we did the tour? It was only 1/2 hour long and I was fascinated. The kids however seemed to only pick up that there were 96 steps.

I found it fascinating that the lights power doesn't come from the strength of the bulbs or kerosene but from the design of the glass encasing the lightbulb. In the early 1900s when it was built it held one candle but because of the surrounding glass it had the strength of 110 flames.

We then took advantage of the warmth and enjoyed the very reef that the lighthouse warns against. There were rock pools a plenty. It was just the right temperature but unlike a bath they provided a wealth of wildlife to explore. The kids kept both eyes open as they watched out for anything that would move or more happily for beautiful shells to add to their collections. The crabs and fish initiated squeals and splashing as they quickly exited the pool. The shells were carefully placed in parcels that separated each others collections.

We explored the rocky fingers that jutted out from the shore. The kids thoroughly enjoyed getting splashed as the waves crashed against the rocks.

 The only casualty of the day was my skin. It seems I forgot to put sunscreen on half of my arms and my legs. I now match the side scuttling creatures the kids ran away from.

C's First Sit in the Chair

Here he is sitting in the chair all by himself waiting for the dentist to look in his mouth. We had a couple of practices of opening his mouth really wide and read a book about a young monster going to a monster dentist. I was still unsure whether he would do it. J had a turn with C watching and that seemed to be enough to convince him.

He was great at opening his mouth while she was counting his teeth. When Dr. P wanted to get a closer  she used a little instrument that blew the saliva out of the way. It must have tickled because he kept closing his mouth. He would open it up again and they would try again. That part took a while. 

It was so cute to watch.

Wipeout

Most Saturday nights after dinner the kids will have their showers and get into their pyjamas. Then all 3 of them sit on the couch and watch Wipeout. A show where contestants aim to complete obstacle courses. It makes everyone laugh with their trips and falls. 

C's favourite TV show is Playschool which he asks for regularly. However, recently he has asked for Wipeout more than once. 

Tonight as the 3 kids and I were hanging out in the lounge room C kept running around, climbing on the coffee table and jumping onto the couch. When I asked what he was doing he said "Wipeout"

Here is the video of him doing his course. The footage is too dark and I am rather loud but hopefully you can see his skill and cuteness.

"Cracked pepper?"

"Nair"

Well, no one actually asked him if he wanted any cracked pepper or salt. There wasn't even any on the table. So being the little self-sufficient person he is he toddled off to find it. Here he is climbing back onto his chair after he had found them.

Dipping his sausage into the pepper

"No, mine!"

All About Her Feet

E couldn't sleep tonight. It is pouring outside and she worries about it flooding. She told me when she is with me the sound of rain is relaxing but when she is not... 

So I get out my little medicine bag full of oils and put 3 drops of Clary Sage on her feet. This usually puts her right to sleep.

I like her feet because they are kinda big. Like mine.

And tonight I learnt that one foots name is Bertie and the other foot is Rosie. I love them and all the rest of her for that matter. She is a delightful, interesting, thoughtful, funny little bundle of cuteness.