new things

Yesterday I made my first sponge cake!

And after 4 years, our wisteria has flowers!

kid stuff

I have been meaning to share a few links that I liked about kids things.
I love these bento lunch box ideas.  Would love to be organised enough to try them for school lunches (or even my own!).

Recently I instigated my own "rules for dinner"... as much as possible, all eat together, don't leave the table until everyone has finished, at least try everything on the plate, no distractions etc.  I was pleased to see something similar here.  Also this post about Back to School Dinner.  The reminder that we need to actively build our children up was good.

Some fun craft ideas here.

And some nature project ideas...

colour

This weekend was a long, long weekend (for me).  With David away and rainy weather until today, keeping the kids from being bored and tormenting oneanother was a task.  But today the sunshine cheered them and they played outside a good deal of the day. They made a welcome home sign for da.

Meanwhile I was able to have tea and read a magazine. 

I took the opportunity this afternoon to look through all of my Donna Hay spring magazines and find some yummy inspiration for the coming weeks.

We watched the Secret Garden, which I am currently reading.  Portrait of a Lady didn't really appeal to my, so I took a book from my pile beside the bookshelf.  :)

I also took some fresh inspiration from the colour in our garden.  Even the weeds!  :)

And a couple of our resident magpies paid us a visit. 

date

Today I spent the day at Questacon with Nicholas.  I had planned to have a day with him at the end of term.  The school year seems so long, and five days each week feels a lot, so I was looking forward to some one on one time with him. 

I hadn't been at Questacon long when i realised my mistake. not only is it Floriade season when a gazillion tourists descend onto Canberra, but it is a long weekend AND the beginning of school holidays. Not to mind though, Nicholas had a great time even if a lot of time was spent queueing. 

 When we needed a break from the throngs we ducked over to the national gallery as a year ago I had promise Nicholas we would see Nolan's Kelly series.

I wish I could write down Nicholas' prayers at night.  He always prays that Jesus will bless the poor people over the world who do not have anything.  He prays that the people who don't know Jesus will know Him.  Today we began buying items for the 'National Shoebox Collection' that Nicholas' school are collecting for on behalf of Samaritans Purse.  Tonight Nicholas prayed that the child who gets his shoebox will like "the thing to love".  (We are yet to buy a teddy).  I am touched by the simplicity of his prayers but also the depth of what he is asking for on behalf of others...

N & A update (and a photograph overload)

I haven't written much about what Nicholas and Audrey have been doing lately...
Audrey loves watching Gaspard and Lisa - a gorgeous cartoon about two friends, set in Paris.
{a video of Audrey singing Gaspard and Lisa should be here, but it won't load!}

Probably the best update is pictures, rather than words.

As for me, slowly I have been able to finish another book and will take some time to ponder what my next read will be. 

I am also waiting to see which book is selected for this book club.

While taking my time I have been finishing off a number of unfinished projects and have begun to prepare for the next project...

and there's more

This could go on forever, but I keep thinking of just one more to add...

Happy Birthday mum!