Spring II

Definitely my favorite time of year here. The blossoms and blooms on almost every tree and bush are breathtaking!

We went for a family bike ride around Lake Burley-Griffin one Saturday. (Of course the kids thought the best thing was "riding" atop the car.)

Perfect weather for a picnic and they totally surpassed even their own expectations, stamina-wise.

Summer's still keeping us entertained. Dabbling in big girl beds, big girl undies and failing miserably  at both. :)

 While welcoming some new work friends who just moved in, we walked up the street to some empty lots where kangaroos often congregate and found a mob of over 30. We even counted 8 or so joeys in and out of their pouches. Annie got within 10 feet until Summer ran up to join her. Still love watching those guys bounce around - it's just beautiful.

Enjoyed the glorious Floriade again. Splurged for the ferris wheel this year and the views were worth it - such well choreographed designs only appreciated from bird's eye view.

And of course the obligatory growth pics of little man, although even these are now outdated...

Des is perpetually entertained by Sums.

Until she notices him watching her, then she's all up in his grill until he's super irritated.

That boy is not ignored, I'll tell you what.

Halloween

Do your kids wear about 3.5 costumes every Halloween too? Depending on the neighborhood, school, or church party, they're just darn tired of dressing up by the end right? I do miss some of that. We only had two events this year (school didn't even mention it and trick or treating isn't a thing) so we lived it up at the church party and Embassy bash.

Primary was in charge of the church shin-dig so I put together a Touch Table with some nasty surprises...  

witches hair (dry rice noodles), brain (cooked cauliflower), earwax (peanut butter), lizard skin (onion peels), liver (half canned peach), snot (honey), goblin guts (ramen w/ ketchup), spit (egg whites), tongues (dried apricots), eyeballs (olives), bat hearts (prunes), goblin ears (cashews), rat claws/toenails (sliced almonds), intestines (spaghetti), witches nails (pistachio shells), teeth (popcorn kernels), skin (dried mango slices), warts (dried blueberries), scabs (craisins), dried toad (date)

Here are some of the winners of the cake, costume and Trunk or Treat awards. The "Blood Bank" had a big blood dispenser with cups which was awesome.

I wish I had a pic of Kathryn handing out her pavlova witch fingers, ghouls and cauldron cake, but I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off that day.

 I love when people get real into it and go all out. The Embassy got turned into an impressive Spook Alley, hiring teens to get all gory and jump out grabbing people - I screamed as loud as the kids.

I'll tell ya what though, I sure missed that pile of Twix and Heath bars and other American favorites I always look forward to pilfering from my kids' bags.

(No pretending you don't do the same thing!)

Wising up from the chaos of previous Halloweens, I opted to serve the gruesome dinner the night before so it could be a bit more relished:

mummies dipped in blood
witch fingers (green beans with sliced almonds)
jack'o'lantern smiles (notched cantaloupe slices)
bones'n'blood (gnocchi)
"monster munch mix"

Will got pretty good at the pancake ghosts the next morning...

Darren and I threw some random stuff together to make something work. I still dream about being cool enough to pull off an entire family costume theme one of these years...

 Of course, after a while we just stopped monitoring Summer - I saw her walk by with four suckers in her hands and mouth at once.

Truth be told, she came out of bed in dried vomit the next morning, apparently getting sick during her candy-induced coma. Ahhh, good parenting.

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Violin Love

 Summer discovered the little violin at Kenna's lesson. 

And wouldn't let it go. 

Scariness

There are moments when time freezes. Everyone has these. When a sudden realization or piece of bad news makes your heart stop, your stomach drop and your blood run cold. Shivers race up your spine when you accidentally hurt a loved one or learn of some shocking heartache. Such a strong, automatic physical and emotional response to something your mind perceives. It's awful.

I feel like I've been privy to a lot of these lately. Summer proudly, silently feeds the baby raisins while I'm in the other room. What if he had choked instead of vomited? We lost Summer for almost 10 minutes at a crowded Sydney Harbour last month and I about vomited as the minutes ticked by spurring ever more terrorizing scenarios in my head. A new friend tearfully shared how her daughter died of SIDS years ago, still adjusting to the question, "How many kids do you have?" This was just five minutes after a new acquaintance clutched my baby, disclosing how it helps her heal from a miscarriage caused by sexual assault last year. A good, sweet friend of mine was killed last week in a motorcycle accident while on 2nd honeymoon with her husband in Hawaii. Jubilant soul, mother of four, Primary president, gorgeous dancer and generous friend with the most infectious laugh. And then there's the seemingly perpetual news that cancer has yet again, plagued a loved one.

That such things happen to people, always throws me. That some are forced to lose a spouse or a child, sometimes instantly, violently... it's just too much. Through even my brief glimpse and imaginings recently, I can hardly absorb the thought. Yet people have to live such nightmares, day in and day out, all over the world, every day. My heart breaks. And my prayers are markedly more earnest lately for peace to rest on their souls - to guide them through to the other side. Where I hope and believe with all my heart, that they will be reunited in their loved ones' embrace and all will somehow be made right. Until then, let us be gentle with one another - one never knows what deep heartache another is suffering.

Energy Balls

These are the best snack and I can't make them fast enough! My daughter who HATES muesli bars (and honey) is my biggest fan of these, which are virtually the same idea...

ENERGY BALLS

2 C oatmeal

1 C coconut

1 C chocolate chips

1/2 C flax seed (pulse in blender first for more accessible nutrients)

1/2 C chia seed

1 C peanut butter

1 C rice krispies

2/3 C honey

2 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients together, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Form into balls. Store in fridge.

* I soften my PB and honey together in the microwave first for easier mixing. Would probably be great with coconut oil for half the PB as well. Mix/match or opt out of whatever you don't have and use more oats. Throw in some dried fruit even. Possibilities are limitless. Recipe inspiration HERE.