Elsie Grace

Elsie Grace 15 years old

Elsie would have to be the most beautiful 15 year old in all of Aus! Does that sound a little biased? Perhaps...but still true.

You wouldn't believe this young woman is a maiden warrior! She weilds her sword every day, practicing her kata, highline drills, shadow fighting and fitness training for hours each morning.

Elsie also has a passion and ability for story writing. If only her hand could keep up with all the wonderful plots her mind conceives.

She loves horses, anything to do with horses, and then she loves horses some more.

Even on our limited internet access, here on Wallaby Scrub, Elsie always manages to squeeze the most out of her time on the computer. Because of our slow speed, Elsie finds it much more economical to have at least six windows operating at the same time and be working on one of her documents as well, all to the rhythm of her extensive playlists.

An avid reader, Elsie has managed to read all our books in the shelves, even this morning she was reading a DK publication of "How Governments Work". She said she was 'at her wits end, she just had to read something'.

Elsie enjoys reading inspirational articles from her favourite authors: Jackie French, Anthony Horowitz, Brian Jacques, Eoin Colfer, Catherine Jinks just to name a few.

Her current research passion is the Mongol culture, especially Ghengis Khan. Previously she was led down the horse dna/chromozone path, hunting, bush skills, mountain biking (which is another of her hobbies), camping/survival skills and, of course, weaponry.

My oldest daughter is passionate, determined (sometimes to the point of stubborness :-) and at times rather intense. She talks more than her mother, and will hold conversation with anyone or thing that will stand still long enough. Her telephone skills are progressing at a rapid rate. Elsie is a caring and compassionate person. She loves her animals to a fault, and loves life even more.

What a blessing she is to this home.

Bicycles and Cards

Went to town again today... these kids just won't stop eating! Before we drove in this arvo, all the children were out and about on their bikes. Josiah has been very busy repairing punctures on all the bikes. A track has been made around the house dam, up and down the walls and around the drainage channel. Everyone participated in a bike obstacle course. Only Willem doesn't have a bike, but he and Jessy can go into the bike pram/trailer. Finally received the long awaited package from John. Very nice! A wonderful collection of sarongs and scarves in fantastic colours and designs. I had to beat back my girls! But they do have a wonderful sense of what is beautiful. Emily told me straight out that she would love to dress up in the new scarves and be a princess.

Beth and Elsie had another go at playing Cribbage. Elsie has played with me many times, but Beth is still learning the rules. So what was Beth's first score? 22!! What the ...? Can't wait till John gets home and we can get back to our regular Crib games. After Beth gave up because of the length of the game, Jack took over with a game of Snap. I really don't know why they play that game; it always ends in an unfriendly way. Mmmmm, I've just been handed a steaming hot cup of cocoa ... "Thanks Josiah!"

What's Been Happening...

Last Friday we went to town to check the mail and other stuff, and we ended up at the Roadhouse. We always go there now to catch up with our friends, Sandra and Kevin. It was lunchtime so we cooked toasted cheese sandwiches on an enormous grill, sat in airconditioned comfort, watched a bit of midday tv, and popped the dirty dishes into a dishwasher.... Aahhh! The simple comforts of civilization.

Jack and Lilly went bike riding today. First he had to repair a puncture on Lilly's tyre, then they headed up the Gully Track. Jack had to put the little dragon away that he had been carrying all day, so he could ride. We need to keep them out of the puppies' and cats' reach because they think they are rather tasty.

Elsie and I saw the white bunny down near the shed this week. Elsie was able to get right up close to it, but then it was frightened by a noise and bounded away.

Some terrific storms have let loose on us this last week. Thunderings and lightenings abounded. Filled the tanks, but not as much as I had hoped. Just this afternoon we had to start syphoning water from the bigger black tank to fill the washing tub. But it is raining again, now; we'll just have to wait and see.

Josiah has been busy in the kitchen. Self saucing chocky pud one night, pancakes tonight. He helped eat two fruit pies with extremely short crusts and meringue topping, with a good helping of hot boiled custard. Yummy spaghetti jaffles were on the menu for yesterday's lunch, and frankfurts for dinner. I like having another enthusiastic cook around the house. And I've been spending a lot of time at my sewing machine. With Christmas just around the corner I've got some serious sewing to get done. I'll post some pre Christmas peeks of the products of my industry next week. Here's a hint... they can be cuddled.

Bethany and Elsie slept in the tent a few nights back. They took the little generator down with them so they could watch dvds while they ate marshmallows and toast.

So another week goes by at Wallaby Scrub. Not too many more now before John returns and we head up north again. Mmmm.... sigh!

The Masque

Guess who's been watching 'Eva After' again!

The only 'problem' with crafting with feathers is that we tend to find feathers everywhere for quite a few days afterwards. I love having little girls who love to pretend.

Flowers and Fruit

The children have been watching the 'orchard' very closely. The cherries have all set, and below is a picture of our peach tree. We're looking forward to December/January when the fruit should be ripe. We just have to keep the birds off.

Matilda took this photo. She was fascinated by the tiny bee inside the flower. I can't quite tell by the photo whether it actually is a bee, a native bee, or just an interesting insect.

I've noticed how alert and attentive all the children have become to their surroundings. Wallaby Scrub is so full of ... fullness!

Playdoh Fun

If you look past the fuzziness of these photos, it is plain to see the creativity that oozed from the kids whilst modelling with the plasticine. Someone hit on the idea of adding to little plastic animals, recreating peculiar dragon like creatures. Matilda made an amazing helmet and Emily wouldn't be out done on imagination.

Of course, now we don't have 24 colours, as we did when we first opened the packet. We now have 6 shades of grey!

Spider!!

What a beaudy!!! How'd ya like to find one of them in your bed?

(It's a white tail if you can't make out the detail.)