A Day in the Life...

Today was a very rewarding day. A slow start perhaps, but we finally got going. Jessica had 'first breakfast' before the rest of us got out of bed. Then, as we all began our day, the fire was relit, kettles filled, and teapots made ready. Jessica joined us for 'second breakfast' of nutloaf and hot tea, and we managed to spend about an hour around the table.

After the necessary activities were completed, namely wood and water carted, dishes and tidying, we set about making another mess!

I wanted to fry up some potatoes for the children for lunch, so I set about peeling twenty billion potatoes (well not quite that many, but a lot). Willem climbed into my lap and took my peeler, so I got another one. He stabbed at the 'taties, had a bit of a taste, tossed the peels over my arm onto the floor, and then tossed the 'taties over my arm onto the floor. By the time I needed to dice the vegetables he'd curled up on my lap and was sound asleep. So Elsie took over and cooked lunch.

Upon waking, Willem was greeted by Matilda. Up go the arms, and into Matilda's 'cuddle', and out to play with the other children. He was pulled around in the wagon, tried to hold all the children's arrows, chased the dogs.... Oh! what a busy boy.

It was late, and just on dusk, when I called them all in. They put away their bows for the day, and pulled out their library books. Everyone went about their business until dinner was served. Willem kept us entertained at the table while we polished off a lot of food, and cups of tea.

It's all quiet now. After we tidied the dinner dishes, Jess asked to be put in bed. Emily followed shortly afterwards, and by that time the dvd player was charged so the biggies watched 'All Aussie Adventures'. Mate, that guy is so funny.

So, now they're all in bed. Resting up for another day. Josiah told me he has picked out the 'overnighter' for tonight, and I can hear the fire crackling, ready for me to put that log on. I better go and do it .........

Wallaby Warriors

The children have been fashioning bows and arrows over the last two days. And they really work. Josiah and Elsie were shooting their best arrows over a limb of a gum tree. Apparantly, it was very high, and Elsie's arrow soared over effortlessly. Josiah flung his, but it got stuck in the branch. He then proceeded to throw every thing that he could find at this arrow, trying to get it down. The girls reported that this was one of the funniest things they had seen Josiah do for a long time. He was becoming rather agitated at the thought of losing his best arrow. Finally, they were able to dislodge it, and it is safely back in Josiah's quiver.

And Elsie says she now understands why having 'a quiverful' is quite an accomplishment. She has been searching for the perfect branches to make arrows, and she realises how much work it takes to fill a quiver with arrows. To have 'a quiverful' takes time, effort, work and patience. Mmmm.... I think she has a point there.

Promises of Wallaby Scrub

Wallaby Scrub promises many things. Peaceful days, cool nights, quiet times and busy children.

Hey, Dad

Hey Daddy, I'm missing you! Just wait till you get home. I've been practicing your name. "Dada".

Have I got some fun planned for you, Daddy.

Mmmm, Chocolate

Willem likes chocolate. He enjoys feeling its texture, and experiencing it to its fullest.

Willem is also very generous. He is quite willing to share his chocolate with Elsie.

Want some?

Update on Chooks

"Bruuuuck, bruuuuck, welcome to our hen house! Let me show you around."

"This is one of my hens sitting on the nest. Cluck, cluck. She is preparing to lay her daily egg, and appears a little startled by the presence of the camera at such a 'personal' time."

"Here we all are at the open end of the chook run. It's early morning so the sun is not yet shining on us. We are quite a good looking lot of chooks."

And this is Emily holding our very first egg. This was the one laid in the car last Saturday. It has been joined by many more over the week. The chooks are hooking into their layer pellets, compost and tidbits each day. We've also been looking through the cookbooks to find new ways of using eggs.