red cabbage eggs

Hugo went out into the garden this morning and picked some leaves, we then placed them onto the egg and then wrapped it in a stocking. we then placed them in a pot of boiling red cabbage, water and vinegar and then waited. this is how they turned out, we think they are beautiful.
Hugo thinks the bottom one looks like a forest.

eggs of our labour

here they are the eggs we dyed over night.
Hugo was impressed though not as impressed as the ones we did this morning.

easter gifts

taking the time time to create Easter cards for Grandma and Popeye.

8

dyeing Easter Eggs
after spending time thinking about Easter traditions that i would like to start for the boys, symbolising aspects of Easter that are important to us i decided that we could start with the dyeing of eggs.
after looking back at old posts of some bloggers i found some ideas that i liked. i like the idea of natural dyes. tonight however i only had coffee and turmeric in stock, so we have started with these and tomorrow we will try onion and red cabbage. Jo mentioned in her post that she got the recipe from Donna hay magazine issue 8, after looking through my stash i found the issue i needed and we were away.

lets hope they work. the boys enjoyed the process and we will try some other designs tomorrow.

7

a weekend of camping.
::fun
::10 kids
::6 families
::dirt
::good food
::good friends
::dirt bikes
::swimming
::Archie learning to ride without training wheels
::hammock fun
::relaxing
::dirt dirt dirt
::marshmallows
::fishing
::good times

we didn't want it to end...

6

sunday at the festival

festival weekend

the whole town stops for a weekend.
the children in the community parade along the main street with their schools and local clubs on Saturday morning and the street is lined with hundreds of spectators.
from then the festivities begin until the bands stop playing at around 10pm on Sunday night.
everywhree you turn there is someone you know, all happy all involved in the community. whether it be helping on stalls, face painting, watching bands, watching children sing, selling local handmade craft, food and wares, watching artists and craftsmen showcase their talents, billy cart races, kids duck race, watching the children on the scout water slide or just simply sitting under a tree watching the world go by.
we spent the weekend amongst it for 2 full days and we are all happy yet tired.
i wouldn't change where i live for the world.

5

what started as our normal Friday after school play at the bakery soon turned into one of my boys "best days ever" the rain came down and all the kids kept playing, and soon they were dancing in the rain, jumping, laughing, smiling having fun that only kids can, fun that makes you wish you could take your shoes off and join them.
all too soon my boys found the biggest deepest puddle they could and they were swimming in it, jumping in it and belly laughing so hard it hurt.
after awhile in turned to mud.... now that's a whole new adventure:: sliding, slipping, rolling till ever single part of them were covered.....
nothing a hot shower cant fix (and a container of napi san )

4

it seems to be a long time since arch and i have hung out together at the park, just getting up taking Hugo to school and then going somewhere to have a play. we always seem to be running here and there
but this morning we did. we just went to th park for a play with one of my dearest friends and her twins.
the boys had a great time exploring hays paddock and Nic and I spent some quality mum time together.

3

its the little things. like actually stopping in the butterfly house and the mere stillness and wonder of little faces as they watch the world of butterflies around them, and then sheer delight when one lands on your hand. such delight that Hugo transfers it to Archie to share the moment.
its watching the orangutans till one comes and sits next to
you through the glass and you reach out to touch it and he looks at you and you look at him.
its enjoying the sunshine on your back.
we stopped and took the time to explore a few animals well.

baby Mali

we braved the queues and saw baby Mali the elephant this morning.
She is beautiful

2

enjoying the morning sunshine watching my boys at play