Red Paw Paw - just because

I just love RED paw paw. Thanks to my mother-in-law who introduced me to this higher rank of fruit!

I personally don't know why farmers bother with the other type... this is simply the best!

Yummo!!

Wish I could put a little sample here for you to try...

(actually - the truth is, it is all gone!)

crunch

Fun with cousins. The boys made patterns with cherios and sultanas on a kebab stick. The rule was you had to fill the entire stick with the pattern before you got to eat them. Nice quiet few minutes for Aunties to chat ;) and they seemed to enjoy themselves. Didn't really work for Rosa... no sooner had the cherios hit the bowl then we all burst out laughing at the "crunch, crunch" noise!

Pray for me, too

... Been thinking about this after Bible Study

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus is about to be crucified. He is praying to the Father, He is in anguish, He is extremely sorrowful. He knows what he is to face. He already described it to his disciples before hand in some detail. If that wouldn't consume your thoughts and feelings and dread enough...

BUT

The Lord prays for Peter. I just find that incredible.

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon!" Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. "But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and that when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren."

Luke 22 v 31 & 32

That the Son of Man should even give any care to others in his own time of such agony...

What is more... Peter even goes on to boast that he,(emphasis on the he- if you didn't catch that!) indeed would do anything for his Lord, even to prison and to death... He even compares himself to the other disciples in other Gospels, saying that even if all fall away, he won't.
The heroic Peter even forgets where his ability to resist temptation comes from...

...and yet, Jesus, knowing all this, prays for him!

Isn't that enough to lift your Spirit?

If you go out to the woods today...

This is the day the teddy bears have their picnic. Owen's Prep class invited us to join them for their teddy bear picnic outside today. Poor Josh had to stay home this time and do some catch up work while Mummy had some special time with the two younger ones.

This poor nameless teddy has been Owen's favourite ... has even been where Mummy hasn't... through the big hospital doors where Owen had heart surgery... He has quite a story to tell, I am sure...

The children were asked to bring along two pieces of fruit and they even chopped it up and made some yummy fruit salad to share around. My hungry young uns' managed to scoff quite a bit down...

And then it was off for a walk in the woods... Quite a feat with a some of the children wanting to race off, others bolting in every direction and some lagging behind to smell the flowers. They enjoyed themselves thoroughly though and Rosa had a huge 3hour sleep when we came home!

Owen doing his old man impersonation... honestly if anyone ever needs an old man in a drama presentation, Owen has it down to a T!

And a re-play of the picnic at home...

paper doll link

Here is a cute link to a printable paper doll or another- for any blog readers out there who have a little girl who might enjoy this.

Another cute one (this one can be coloured in) here

Could also put pictures onto magnetic sheet and put small magnets (those ones you pick up free from the hairdressers ... that clutter the fridge:) on back of clothing items for smaller children who couldn't fold over tabs.

Or could simply be used for some cutting (requires fine scissor skills) and pasting

Either way the pictures are adorable even for big girls like me!

Fridge magnet gift idea

If you're wanting a little gift for a friend or teacher here's an idea I have tried recently.

Using self covered buttons (strangely they seem cheaper at quilting shops than craft stores...) Choose some coordinated fabrics (only need a small circle so it is perfect for those scraps of fabric you have lying around) Follow the directions on back of packet to cover the button.

Remove the back of the button... I used metal buttons so with a little pair of pliers I squeezed the wire at the back and it came out easily. I have also tried plastic buttons but it is a little trickier to make the back of the button flush after you cut the stem off.

Attach the flat back of the button. Superglue a magnet on the back.

I chose an Asian theme for Joshua's music teacher because she loves all things Asian.
I have done other styles which may come up in future blog postings...

Package nicely by sticking double sided tape to the back of the magnets and attach to pre cut piece of card. Cover in celophane bag, staple a strip of cardboard over the top and decorate (my little sister was my inspiration here!

Put a note on the back of the card letting the person know how much you appreciate them...

Wa - La !

birthday

Joshua sharing his birthday with friends from Bible study

Goody bags for friends... kind of lumpy with a tennis ball inside:)



How Josh spent his day:

• Opening a few gifts from Dad and Mum and a few cards from others he had faithfully saved to open on his much awaited day.


• Snuggles and family breakfast of pancakes, maple syrup and coconut cream (yummy.. thanks Aunty Angela for this inspiration - tastes fantastic!)


• Chatting to his cousin, Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents on the phone.


• At a 'My Time' group (gov. organised group for parents of Spec. needs kids) doing school work, playing with a few little tots and


• then off to RE (Religious Education) with Grandma, where the teachers were very nice to him. One classroom teacher let him pick out a book from the prize box for his Birthday. He chose a book of mazes and was thrilled about that...


• Then Grandma indulged him with a yummy malted milk and a trip to the swimming pool for a splash together.


• Back home for a dinner together as a family


• Cake (chocolate cheesecake was the request) with Bible study friends. Heard a little of celebration traditions in Sudan


• Off to bed, showered with kisses!

Joshua

Joshua - our firstborn son turns a huge 8 years old tomorrow! He is currently tucked in and sleeping soundly in the room with Owen. He tosses over on the bed, he settles himself into a comfortable position and dreams away... whatever 7 year olds dream of when they are anticipating their birthday.

My mind travels back to the journey we have had with our first... the joy of his arrival, the knee-knocking experience of being a Mum who wants to be confident as a Mum but hasn't a clue! The gorgeous smiles, the joy he brings to the extended family, the challenges and battles over various things, some of which I later learn were battles not worth fighting for, others are worth every effort you can give them. Learning, growing, seeking the Lord...

Here you are Joshua - the long awaited day. You are constantly a vibrant ray of sunshine. Full of life, full of questions (as your music teacher aptly pointed out today) and full of insight, curiosity and oozing enthusiasm.

It still makes us smile to think how much you keep us all organised - making sure we know how many minutes it is until we must be going, remembering exact dates and times or writing yourself little notes to make sure you remember. I recently hung a little calendar on the bulletin board on the back of the toilet door and smiled each time I saw you had written in various activities and events and then crossed them out if plans changed. You certainly know what is going on or soon will...

Life is sometimes a mystery for you to be solved. I love the way you just have to find out why something is the way it is. Recently you discovered a hose had been dumped in our yard. Some time later you discovered another.... to you, a mystery was in the making... and a note I found in the kitchen...

We are all anticipating the discovery you make...

Another note I spotted this evening:

You have had extra responsibility being eldest - not only being eldest but being big brother to one who needs/needed extra help and time in waiting rooms, dedicated time to learn to speak, to walk or to get his muscles working harder. You watched with compassion as he went through heart surgery, and were delighted to see him recover. You were so excited to see him walk - albeit a very delayed learning to walk - that meant nothing to you. You proudly told almost all you met that he could stand unaided, then learn to pull himself up...

Daddy and I sometimes wish that we could free you a little more from some of these extra burdens you bear. We look to the Lord because we know he cares for you and understands your frustrations from time to time... we also know that he is already using you and has used these situations to make you more understanding of others, to make you more accepting of those a little 'different' and to make you into the very outgoing, lovable boy you are. We thank Him for this.

You are so precious to us. As you grow taller, eat more and more slices of bread to fill up those hollow spaces - we thank the Lord. We thank him that you are learning more about Him, that you are learning what it means to follow the Saviour and that the Lord is gracious and compassionate and loves you deeply.

Your Dad and Mum are over the moon that the Lord has blessed us with you!

MWAH!

XOXOX

...but wait, there's more!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX (which means you have a sloppy wet face from all the kisses!)

More family pickkies

More of family - precious ones...

Nanny and Grampy (my parents)

Happy Nappies

Happy nappies... and other funny moods we find ourselves in...