blame it on the boogie

I know, I know... happy blog-followers: I've been letting you down. Haven't been focusing on my blogging. My apologies. There has been much productivity happening in my corner... skirts to be sewn, baby blankies to make, parties to organize and attend. What can I say? I've been busy.

But, finally, here are a couple of snaps from Noah's disco party. It was that party actually, that took the wind out of my sails for a while. Here I was thinking: we've done it before - hosted parties for 40 people in a small apartment and not only were they ok... they were great! Some hardly memorable but we still know they were great! So of course we can host a disco party. Bring it on, baby!

I think I may have been mistaken. Not about parties that have been, but about just how exhausting 13 boys ages 6 and under can be in a small space, for 2 hours. Anyway... you get the picture, I'm sure.

Noah had a great time, felt like he was very famous (was just abit disappointed when the sushi ran out), and enjoyed his whole birthday. Loved riding his new bike too.

And the last photo... well, the Zimbabwean took that. He wants everyone to know that I have a problem remembering where I've put my keys. These ones I put safely out of Choochie's reach. But then I forgot that they were on the roof. And then we drove from bike shop, to next suburb, parked and went bike riding for an hour. And then I remembered where I'd put them. O my goodness, can you imagine the relief (and disbelief) when we returned to the subi to find them happily resting, waiting for their loving owner?

A big day

The welcoming of Georgina Olive. Have you ever experienced the breath-taking moment when your whole being truly registers the birth of a loved one's child? That moment when your world stops, no breath enters or escapes from you, and you know that you love the new babe already. One of my favourite moments of all.

And here: another most exciting moment. I think that perhaps Dada getting a new skateboard could actually be just slightly more exciting than getting your own new skateboard. Because Dada's is so big, so grown-up, so awe-inspiring and untouchable when you're not on it with him. And sooooo much fun to sit on with your Dada's arms keeping you safe. A big day for leetle boys.

Story of the small boy who loved to play the guitar

There was once a small boy.


He liked to wear shorts with a red T-shirt and black sneaker-boots.

He liked to paddle on his body board on the edges of Sydney Harbour.


He loved to wear skinny jeans and be a rockstar.


He liked to play cricket on the beach.


He liked camping and camp fires.

He liked skidding on his knees until all of his jeans had holes in the left knee.

He liked fishing.

He liked to swim at the pool, at the beach, in the harbour.


He liked to take photos with his Dad's camera.


He liked to play rugby with his Dad, anywhere, anytime.


He loved to ride his bike a long long long long way.


But the thing he really loved to do, was play a guitar.


And his Mama learned many lessons from him, when she was still.

***********************************

It was 6 years ago today
that Noah came down from the heavens to stay.
He came to bring gladness and joy to the earth.
Good people and angels attended his birth.
So let us all join in the singing,
with heavenly birthday bells ringing...
Happy Birthday to Noah.

Dada day

Tea, some felt-loving, voucher for a new pair of rugby boots, and a home-made card...

Banana and buttermilk pancakes with ricotta, served on his favourite African tablecloth...

a beautiful new Jonah to kiss and love and snuzzle with...

and a bed time story. Not to mention tennis with a view of the heads, kite-flying, ice-cream eating, cricket and the odd tantie. These are just some of the things that make for a lovely Dada Day. O... and of course, an adored Dada. He's my hero.

What's the skinny?

No, seriously... just how skinny can skinny jeans be?

3 sleeps to go.

gently reminding

"Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and mediate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips."

Kahlil Gibran

I know it's hard to believe, looking at these two happy faces, but sometimes I need reminding.

a basket full of happiness

"May young minds and hearts here find:
bodily strength for work,
inwardness of soul,
and clarity of spirit."

A basket full of Sunday supplies: lunch, mug, tea, scarf, cardy, scissors, pen and paper. And Bernard Fanning's Tea & Sympathy cd. I was all kitted out and ready for something interesting.
Interesting I found...

near the bush surrounds of Manly dam at a Cordage and Basketry workshop. O warm and pleasant Sunday! I spent the day learning how to weave a cord from natural fibres, raffia to begin with. Would you have imagined cordage to be meditative and a treat for pondering? Well, I did - and I wasn't disappointed.

Next time you have a question that needs an answer, you'd do well to try bringing it to the fibres. First, come to the fibres with a question. Select 2 fibres. Close your eyes and begin the meditation while your fingers start a'twistin'. Twist and walk. Walk and twist. [ask me for more on the meditation sequence we used if you're keen] See what comes to you. And when the meditation is done and dusted, stop your handwork, tie a knot in the cord and there you have it: the healing cord. And maybe, just maybe, the answer you needed.

For the afternoon, we moved on to basket weaving. Creating with jute. Nothing but jute! O how small delights inspire and calm and excite me all at once.

The weaver leading our day was a beautiful man named Lee who had spent many years studying the way of earth-living, living with and from the earth. He was warm of spirit and very generous with his knowledge and time. And he sounded just like my friend Jules when he spoke, which I found just a tad amusing because I've never heard Jules speaking of the plant grandfathers and grandmothers. But, you never know.

Just look at all that woven magic. It takes many hours to create a collection like this. Weaving is rather time consuming. Of course. All beautiful things are.