my boy -Jose

happy happy birthday baby.  A St Paddy's day birthday boy!  This year was extra fun, as we had out school Funrun to organise and go to...followed by pancakes and then off to the hugest, meanest mudslide ever!  What a brillant day to turn 6!

recieving a birthday pressi from the Funrun DJ, and the whole crowd sang for him...very touching

made it....down the hill in a last ditch sprint and into my arms...

hehehee...5 muddy bunnies - wanna hug?

slide action

one grinning happy birthday boy.

Jose, you are our ideas man...and we alternatly groan and smile when we hear "hey Mama I have a great idea!..."...you are seriously fabulous, and have a super fun sense of humor - you and I do ridiculous well!  I love your compassion and kindness, the way to hook your arm round my neck and how you have bravely chosen to give up your cuddly (cos 6, according to Mr J, is too big for cuddly's)...I love your zest for life. and contagious laugh....you inspire me son. x

officially the last time...

well here's a tear jerker (for leaky me anyways!)...my 3rd baby is offically graduated from kindy....and with proudness we all (his family) gathered to help him say goodbye to his time at Kindy, and thank all the wonderful teachers for their kindness and paitence and fun....we took in cake, and handmade capes and crowns and masks to gift the kindy.... Jose was so wonderful, and so sweet....the teachers had helped him make a crown and card and playdoh cake....we sang and wished him well....such a special boy this lad of mine.....a bittersweet goodbye thats for sure....he is so excited to be joining his sister at school next term, and even though I so wanted to keep him home until he was at least 6, it is right for him....sniff sniff.....fortunately I relief teach at his school - like 2 days a week! so will see lots of him for sure.... ;-)

first's

this wee guy is experiencing some firsts and some last's at the moment...I am continually in awe of how flexible and adjustable kids can be....and how this wee guy loves to rise to a challenge and embrace's new experiences....

first ripper game....and first school visit (EEK!).....last kindy day this week too...sob.

.....meanwhile just so people know I don't do favourites (hehe), check out the goregeousness of this bunch...

blah...

so, am not 'feelin' the need to blog and get real frustrated with myself for it, with my camera for having silly batteries that need changing ALL the time (rather than the cool rechargable ones that have just given up their will to live - or charge I should say)....I feel like there is so much I want /should/could say, but it has to have pretty pictures and without them, I get lazy and can't be bothered...sigh, perhaps things will improve soon?? I am keeping a grateful journal again this year and also writing down sweet moments I live rather than barraging through them (like so many lovely bloggers out there, I am trying to intentionally live/notice/ and breath moments of beauty that make up everyday life)....

....I am pooped (like all the time), and am enthusiatically bottling the abundance of apples and soon to be ready peaches - I've made plum jam, plum jelly, applesauce with cloves and honey, bottled apples, stewed and bottled apples, made courgette relish, marrow chutney, dug up about 60 square metres of potatoes, baked daily bread, laid out new gardens etc etc...summer is such a wonderful time for produce and harvest and I so don't want to miss any time that could be doing stuff towards that...but, I must confess a large sigh is escaping - shame on me I know!

....with the girls back in school, I can feel time winding up, like a large catapult of some kind, waiting to launch us into crazy-busy, and outside life busyness creeping in....my sweet almost 5 year old has announced that he wants to go to school with his sister rather then be homeschooled for awhile - EEK!!! He turns 5 mid-march, so much to ponder on, and decisions to be made....if I can bear to part with him, I will still see him lots and lots as I work in the kids school when I relief teach....but really! When did he grow up enough to think about school!?!....Its silly to feel shocked, but truthfully I do.... must embrace ALL of life is the mantra for the moment....for we a blessed.

Joseph

My biggest boy is turning 4 this week - that, I have to say is a little NUTS! I know every parent says it - but truly, how did 4 come along so fast...how did such a sweet, darling wee (er, 10ld 4 oz wee - ahem) bubby get to be this amazing creature, just so darn quickly!

Jose, you are our world - and you know it! just as you should....we adore you - your passion, your charm, your energy and drive - your compassion, kindness and empathy. We love your muslce man act, Dad loves wrestling with you, your confidence to sing and dance for anyone, we love your leadership qualities, your wonderful sense of ridiculous ( that you share so well!).... you are an awesome son and brother - we couldn't be more proud of who you are and will become.

Jose, you love water...and regularly get changed into your togs through the day - ever hopeful of a water fight, cars, running, jumping, people and then some more people, snuggles as often as possible - and in Mums bed please,monkey !- kindy and playcentre....you also love coming to school with mum and doing your 'work'...and fishing with Dad....you rock our world kiddo!

May the Lord's face shine upon you, and keep you safe all your days my beautiful boy. xx