the joys of living on the land

Wow what a shock today when I went to feed the chooks. I thought the dogs had a big branch that may have fallen from a tree only to have a second look and my goodness my heart did a double skip. So glad it wasn't alive then all I could think of was I hope the dogs didn't get biten. But no they were fine and after I took the pics they contiued to finish their snack yummy. NOT

new chickens

I had to put them back in with the other eggs so that I knew thay were safe!

safe and sound I was so happy to see both hiding in the long grass

This is Rosemary mum's chook lays every day for the last 2 yrs but never gets clucky like the smaller hens. Maybe she doesn't like the rooster he is alot smaller then her and I think she is still the boss of the run. LOL go girls

Life is great and new life is so precious. We had our first new chicken yesterday and the boys have been going out morning and night to check if there were any hatching and yesterday we watch this little one. "so mum your a midwife help it out of the egg" says my big brave Jarryd who was so enthralled with the process he couldn't possibly touch the egg. LOL I had to explain that it was a no touch process and that the chicken would do it all by itself "Clever little chicken."

Then Jumbo started adding that it would have so much more energy if we helped it so mummy got in and helped it out of the last bit of the shell. I dont think it matters whether it is a baby person or a baby animal witnessing the first breath of any creature is such a wonder. the boys were difinately not impressed when we had to keep miving along with our morning chores so we would get to school and work. they were both sure a day of was needed to be with our newest addition. LOL

Then today as I am washing the dishes I see a crow fly past with a baby animal in its clutches I was sure it was going to be our new baby and I was so happy when I checked minutes later to see our little black chick still in the pen with its mum. So I shut the gate up and put them both back in the hutch with some food and water so that they don't have to go far and so mum can sit back on the other eggs.

The last hatching a few months ago was a duckling which one of the chooks hatched and it lasted 3 days and we were all sad when i dissappeared so this time we are being more cautious with our precious ones.

Farewell Jackie

Posing for a good shot to show the kids at Bangkok dance show Here is a couple of pics from our Girls week in thailand so hard to imagine this bright sparkling person having died.

Up the top of the Baiyoke Sky hotel ont the revolving viewing platform

That morning coffee and chat

I got as sad email last week telling me that one of the girls that I went to thailand with last Oct died suddenly. Although I only met her on the journey it really shook me up. It was the 2nd death of a younger person that I knew in a week. I remember Jackie talking constantly about her children and so full of life and the changes she was undertaking. After getting over the shock of the loss of this good soul it made me really look at my own life and lifestlye and the things we put off so often.

So mentally I made a list of things to improve especially with the kids. I have always talked about and tryed to be there for them in these early years as I often remind others that you can not buy back these years. Dropping down to 2 days a week and making an effort to be with the kids in class at least once a week. The smile on their faces when I make the effort to pick them up and come into their rooms at school. Jarryd(11) still gives hugs and kisses in front of his mates, which is so great when I hear others talking about having to drop the kids up the road so that they look grown up hope mine never grow out of it. Jumbo just wants me there every day so I can help with the reading.

Jackies 2 children are the same ages and just adds to committment to enjoy them and show them the joys of the world together. To all those friends out there keep safe I would like to enjoy all your company for many years to come.

Cheers

Sue

Memories of early years

I was looking for some pics tonight and came across the pics from our first meeting with Jumbo, so I had both boys on the lap and over the shoulder chatting away about what they remembered so nice Jarryd remembered all about picking Jumbo up and Jumbo can't understand why he doesnt remember it so well.



This little man attached himself to me and when we first got there I thought he was Jumbo. It did help Jumbo to realise we were friendly enough. LOL We just got down to his level and let Jarryd do the ice breaking which worked well. Jarryd was shocked with himself that he forgot that he didnt know enogh thai any longer to converse with his new brother.

But how needs words when you have pictures

when we went in to get him his group had just woken from their nap and had all had their faces painted we had no idea which child was ours so this would have given him time to check us out before he approached I still wonder what he thought about us.

Jumbo loves this picture he tells us he was Spider man , the teddy is one of the gifts we sent him it is still on his bed, but he loves to cuddle and sleep with the second teddy he got from his bid brother.

CHRISTMAS PARADE

December in Rock vegas means the christmas parade to end all parades the kids love it. Santa on almsost all the floats and getting lollies from one and all. A great time for friends to get together and join in the festive season.

the floats where just great

getting closer to christmas

December also saw the school swim carnival and both boys did there part. Jarryd has this great team spirit and has a go at it all even if he comes last the team stillgets points for his participation, gets that from me LOL.

Jarryd even made it to the inter school sports as this year some smart teacher realised that his times were really good for his age as he is in a year below most of the kids his age due to coming to the country at 5 1/2 yrs. I just love his spirit of giving it all a go.

Jumbo had a better time on the side inlines playing with his best mate, and getting ribbons was just a bonus. If Jarryd tells him its a good thing to do then he does it. Just lucky he does it well cheeky little fellow doesn't realise he has talent.

Christmas recital

Jarryd did his own hair and was getting pretty excited to be playing for lot of people no shy bunny this son









come december so much happens with the end of the school year and the long awaited recital of the year. Jarryd played Trumpet and Piano this year and in the concert he played Trumpet. It was a big show and he just loved it. Nana & Pa were lucky tht they could turn their hearing aides down as we had front row seats and the sound went straight through. All apart of lives little lessons next time we will sit at the back !









He could see us but we couldn't see him




















Even mum put on the glad rags for the occasion,

Jarryd turns 11

Well my big boy is growing so fast you turn around and the face no longer has that baby boy look but that Mum can I move the car for you face. Yes at the grand old age of 11 he drives both cars around the paddock and up and down the drive when ever he can.

Even helping in the garden towing the trailer becomes fun when you are practising driving. LOL Jumbo thinks it pretty good too he just wishes that his leg will grow soon so he can touch the pedals.

thought I had better back track abit as months have gone by since I posted.

October saw a great girls long long week end in Bangkok with the cheapest fare being $150 return to melb. Go Robyn. What we saved on airfares we spent in our shopping fenzy lol

Five of us went and when one of the girls thought we should do something cultural we all laughed saying isn't shopping a cultural event. however we did take ourselves to the Siam Sirikit which was great then went back shopping.

Apart from the shopping we averaged a foot massage per day with one gentle thai massage. All agreed it should be a yearly event.

the above pic is Robyn (my bridesmaid form Victoria) And Pauline a friend from Brisbane the others must have been taking the pics, or shopping

No here they are scaring the daylights out of me as I have big trouble handling heights and was talked into going out on the 83rd floor revolving platform Yiikes.