Woodland Antics

I remember long ago when Girls Night Out was a few drinks, maybe some dancing and an after party 'til early hours of the morning. How times have changed.  Sunday night Fiona and I had a Girls Night Out which consisted of  carnival rides, getting hopped up on cotton candy/fairy floss and arriving home before seven.  Indeed life is different now and not a bone in my body wishes it to be anything but what it is .  You know you have a gem when in the middle of the night you start talking about trimming your daughters bangs and he wakes up to listen.  You know he's a keeper when you go on and on about all the reasons you no longer want to grow them out and he humors you with polite responses. Did you notice Fiona's bangs have been trimmed? While we were out the boys stayed home and did boy stuff that I can't even begin to understand.

We put the kids to bed only to wake them up a couple hours later and surprise them with a trip to view a fireworks display. It was Fiona's first time seeing fireworks... it was worth the wait. Happy Australia Day !

I've gotten several emails inquiring when our issue of Ecology will be published.  The uncertain answer is, Monday or Tuesday.  I've also had some request to see my photograph ahead of time.  Once I got the good news I decided not to look at it again until it's published. It's my attempt to add to the excitement and not obsess over how it could have been better. {I didn't edit it at all}  Ryan on the other hand has it as the background image for his work computer.  So if you would like to see it you'll have to go through him.  I just want you to know I am waiting in anticipation with the rest of you. In the mean time here are some cover photos from the past year of Ecology .  They make me want to visit foreign lands and see new things. Aren't they fantastic?  They make me wonder how mine was ever chosen. Which makes me wonder why I have such low self-confidence.  This is the ultimate confirmation and still I doubt myself.  I think my biggest fear

We shuffled on over to Royal Botanic Gardens this past weekend for a picnic.  I've become a huge fan of picnics.  It's such a fun way to share a meal.  There are no manners or rules to stress over.  Between bites the little ones run around while Ryan and I lounge and enjoy the moment.  On the practical side we save a lot of dinero and time by not eating at local cafes. between bites...  in Reeds case mid-bite The Woodland kids have been refining their storytelling skills.  I'm not certain why but they think making up and sharing tales is best done in the shade of a tree.  They blow me away with their creativity and vocabulary, another reminder that the time has come to release them into the world.  In the heavenly scented herb garden the boys  listen to Fiona's story ~ me and my sweet pea The gardens are home to a historic collection of trees from around the world.  If you know our kids you know they are skillful tree climbers. {one of the reasons I

Lately the kids have been asking us a lot about what we were like when we were their age. Their curiosity reminded me I've always intended on using this space to tell some history about us. So here's a short story about me when I was just a young lass. W hen I was about 8 I had a swim instructor I absolutely adored.  She was going off to college and I wanted to buy her something special.  With the little saved money I had I headed to Slavins, the local drug store.  I looked through the small dusty section in search of the perfect gift to let her know how much I cared and would miss her.  After what felt like hours of scouring the shelves I finally made a decision.  I chose the perfect gift that expressed my sentiments and even tied in the sporting aspect of our relationship.  She Was Going To Love It! Excited, I it brought home and showed my mother and teenaged sister. Immediately my sister burst out laughing. My mom did her best to contain herself but eventually joined

M y  favorite part of today was our walk to the park. We fed the ducks.  Told stories under a tree.   And man did we ever SMILE ! Something about this photo that makes me smile

  They're at the age where they can resolve some issues by themselves. It's the same lines every time.  They could be a little commercial for making up.   Reed: sorry Nona . Fiona: I forgive you Reed . Reed: Friends? {as he goes in for the hug} Fiona: Best Friends! {squeezing her big brother tightly} Today they decided the needed to make a Best Friends sign.  Together they decided where it should be posted. On the outside of the house.