Yes, I’m still here. With not working professionally any more I’m a little unsure just what I’m going to blog about. For today, it’s the goose chicken that laid the golden first egg. I’m really very excited. Inordinately so really. I mean really, why else would you photograph an egg?

Here she is. Well I think it was her. I think this is Chookie. But it could just as easily be Ella or Georgia. They’re all somewhat alike. Regardless, someone refused to leave their roosting box this morning & by this afternoon there it was. The egg. Not a large egg by any standards, but an egg all the same. And it wasn’t one of the beautiful Aracauna’s with their glossy black green spotty feathers that laid the egg, so let us for arguments sake say this is her.

And here is the aforementioned egg.

Doesn’t get much more exciting than that really.

Way back when Shane & I got married, Skye photographed our wedding. Finally, I got to return the favour! And it was beautiful. Just beautiful. Skye & Luke, congratulations again. May you have many, many, wonderful years together.

The stunning, and it appears, quite incredulous to be finally here, bride…

And the handsome (and only a little bit nervous) groom…

Of course the wedding would not be complete without two very gorgeous and excited flower girls. Tessa & Elissa, you looked simply beautiful…

Despite the weather looking like it was going to ruin everything, the skies cleared with perfect timing. The ceremony was just perfect.

Of course the wedding doesn’t end there. I’ll be blogging Part 2 very soon, when Skye & Luke hit the beach for a fun post-ceremony shoot!

Firstly let me start by saying “I know”. I completely dropped the ball once again in the Summer Holidays Challenge. Oh well. Better luck next year.

Today it was back to school for Dec. We’ve been preparing for this for a while of course. Talking positively. Discussing all the wonderful things that happen in Year 1. Chatting about his teacher. Hoping against hope that he won’t hate school quite so much this year. We must have done a good job selling it as he was quite looking forward to getting back to school by the time this morning rolled around. And by all accounts it went well. Here’s to a good year for the little guy!

Girls go back tomorrow. Then I’m free! Free I tell you!! ( I do love my kids, really I do. And we’ve had a great holiday doing lots of fun things. It’s just, well, been weeks and weeks and weeks. You know.)

Happy 9th Birthday Miranda!

For her birthday she got to do her very favourite thing. A long, long ride on Mav in the National Park. Yet another reminder why I need a horse, it was a long, long way to walk!

After that we headed up to the shops where she got something she has been asking for what feels like forever. And I have been saying no to forever. She asked Santa. I told her I hoped Santa had better taste. It only cost $3.00 and I’m hoping it gets lost very soon. A flat cap. Noice. But hey, she’s happy. iPhone photo alert.

And to finish off her day, a family dinner out. Then home for cake & a sleepover with Alannah. A birthday well celebrated, despite the lack of a party.

Another day of endless fun in the sun. Swimming, jumping off the jetty, boating, kayaking, bike riding. Again. Another beautiful Pittwater Day.

And here is a beautiful one of Miss Miranda. Two days off 9 years old. Growing in to her beauty in such a lovely way.

Looks like butter wouldn’t melt, really. Trust me, it would

Another fabulous day in the sun! And another day full of iPhone photography.

We started this morning with a swim down at Avalon Beach. It was crazy pounding waves down there, they were crashing over into the tidal pool with a whole lot of energy. The kids loved it. Especially the girls jumping in and out with their little cousin Elissa. The highlight for Declan was dog sitting a little dog called Doris while it’s owner had a swim.

Back for lunch and a bit of time out. Check out the iChildren! No shortage of pads, pods & phones to keep everyone happy around here. After lunch we were off in the boat for a swim at a local Pittwater beach. Beautiful.

Of course, why should the fun end there. Just when you’d think they were all exhausted enough we headed out in the boat again for fish & chips at Palm Beach. Yum. Seagulls aplenty, and when Dad offered $10 to Declan if he could catch one he gave it his best effort. Even enlisted a few local teens to help him out.

And one final shot as we headed off with the setting sun…

And now for a couple of days of iPhone photos. Convenience at it’s best. And my first attempt at blogging from the iPad. Let’s see how I go.

I had wonderful summers as a child. Great summers. There were weeks at Nana & Grandpa’s on the beachfront of Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne. Long hot weeks in caravans on the Hawkesbury river with family friends. So many fabulous memories.

I like to think our kids are having sensational summers too. For starters, our home is a bit of a resort for kids. With plenty of space to play, a swimming pool, playground, cubby, trampoline, ponies, motorbikes, pushbikes, a dam for fishing, national park behind us…….everything a kid could want really!

And as if that weren’t enough we get to go to the veritable oasis that is my parents’ house. Northern Beaches and it’s endless beauty and things to do. From the beach, to kayaking, swimming, boating and tube rides. Endless fun.

This time we’ve bought our bikes with us. Now really, this beats riding to our local shops! I want to give a special mention here to the kids who rode the 7km round trip without so much as a whimper. Even the little guy. I was impressed.

Summer feet. For playing in the sandpit. Running on the grass. Squishing mud between your toes. For temporarily scalding on the hot pavers, dashing quickly to the pool. Blackened soles free from the confines of shoes.

I remember childhood days with feet like that.

Look at my muscles Mum!

He really is a funny little guy this one. He’s really cracking me up at the moment with is “What if” scenarios. This is a kid who just never went through the “why” stage either. He just didn’t.

What if I made “come to life spray” and made the pictures come to life? (He has it all worked out. Petrol, oil and diesel. Looked it up on the internet apparently)

What if there wasn’t a moon? (Well geez mate, that’s a toughy. Ask your father)

What if we made an ingredient for chicken noodles and it was easy, you just put chicken salt in it & put it in the microwave? (what are you on about kid, I think they’re called instant noodles right?)

What if I didn’t go to sleep tonight? (Don’t try me)

What if we put the dogs tail in it? (The Bug Zapper. Eek!! Somebody hide the dog!!)

I found a big, juicy, sweet watermelon in the vegetable garden this afternoon. I hadn’t realised that plant had started producing, so imagine my surprise when there was a fully grown watermelon ripe for the picking!

Of course neither of the girls like watermelon. And nor do I. I know, I know, it’s delicious, give it a try, just have some, you’ll love it, watermelon is the best. I don’t. We don’t. And I did have a piece to see what it was like. As watermelon goes I think it’s pretty good. But I’ll be unlikely to have any more.

Declan & Shane on the other hand. They love watermelon. Thank goodness, eh?

v

I like this one. The line full of girly washing. The very boy legs sticking out from underneath.