Enjoying Spring.

We've had a true spring here with the weather jumping between wonderful sunshiny warm days to days with snow falling and settling on the mountain while we huddled around the cosy fire which we kept  burning all day. Right now we've enjoyed a string of the lovely mild blue kind. The children and I have loved soaking up the sun's warmth, in fact we even called school off one day just to lap up the wonderful weather and concentrate on lots of spring garden jobs.

Serena showed the boys how to whistle through grass, that made for good entertainment after our picnic lunch.

James tried with all his might again and agin but still no success, maybe next year.

Yesterday poor little James must have been totally worn out, Serena found him sleeping like this and kindly placed a pillow under his head, he slept for a couple of hours in the sun. Probably dreaming of what he's going to make with the wood and saw, maybe another sword? 

This week we are expecting some new additions to our mini farm, some pure breed day old chicks and some fertile duck eggs to put under our two ducks who are both sitting on one nest. We had the same shared mothering last year, the ducklings were very well protected which is just as well as we do have a few hungry crows hanging about. 

Picnicking with Peacocks and other activities.

We celebrated Joshua's birthday with a picnic at the Cataract  Gorge with Zac and Nina recently. The forecast was for afternoon rain and we were so fortunate to be driving out when those rains began to fall. We were hoping to see the peacocks show their splendour to their mates but we missed that, however they did come up to share our picnic and eat from the children's hands, such amazing beauty!

Last Sunday we made the decision to take a hastily thrown together picnic lunch to the Arboretum after Church, not realising they were having a type of fair that day. The children planted some trees along the creek which we will visit over the years. 

 These two were so cute in their planting, soil went everywhere including in their hair! Thomas had to be pulled out of the whole more than once.

Josh is planting a Mountain Pepper. 

 One day I'm going to make things like this.

And like this.

We have also celebrated my Nan's 96th birthday with all the family, such a great time to get together with cousins I never see anymore and to meet their spouses and children. We made the stop at the beach before driving home and of course the little ones got soaked. But had such fun climbing over rocks, paddling in pools and even jumping waves.

Most of the little ones were herded  onto the balcony for a photo, unfortunately they were herded to the wrong end and this is the best photo we got.

The children loved the pool and spa most of all.