The Power of Spring Blossoms

Calming.............

Blow my Top Angry

That's all I'm going to say............ because apparently communication sucks around here.

Last Child Frustration

Both this guy and myself are very frustrated with each other.   He is so ready for school.   I am so ready for him to be as well.   He is going to places three days a week to be social to play and learn with other kids.    But on the one or two days he is at home he isn't content to just be on his own.   So he pesters me over and over and over again with the same question.   My answer is no.  He asks how long before we pick up the girls.   He gets mad and no matter how much ideas of things I have to keep him busy it isn't good enough.   Even painting.   I know as a mom I should stop everything and just be with him.    But he doesn't want to be with me he wants his friends over.   Yes that helps me be able to do the laundry, clean,  go for the groceries in more peace.    Just some days I don't want to worry about another body,   I just want to do the normal day to day grind with just my family.   It is getting tough,  frustrating,   hair pulling frustrating.   To the point that I want to run away from it all.   I know it is just a faze and I love them dearly but someday can't the normal day to day stuff be done on auto?   Because my brain would really like the quiet right now. 

Singing in the Rain

Pouring today but the kids are loving it and all smiles.  

Looking Down Today

Flip flops,  painted toes,   enjoying the plus 20 degree weather while feeding the fish.

Oops - As good as it gets

Beautiful Around Here

It is just so lovely around here lately.    Over 20 degree weather,   birds singing,   green sprouting,  sun shining.    Just have to start using it in photos instead of soaking it up by sitting on my butt. 

Ciara's New Do

Trimmed up and shorten.   She loves it.  

Hannah's New Do

She wanted a change........

Wide Open Fun

Owen has been coming with me on some of the animal shoots that aren't too dangerous.    He putters around entertaining himself.  

Buddies

Rhubarb

My garden has a mind of it's own.   It wants attention and I don't want to give it any right now.   Guess I had better get on it soon.

Going a little crazy around here

Helper

Renewal - Pagan Style

Pagan's celebrated The Goddess of Easter who represented the sunrise,  spring time,  fertility and the renewal of life.    Offering eggs at graves as a charm of rebirth,  life, and happiness.        Looking around at all the new growth around my house that is making me happy and full of energy.   I think I like the pagan way. 

Anything shaped like Chocolate is good

Hubbies company making hard hat chocolate.   Yummy!!!!   Imported from Belgium.  

Day Two Without Stove Top

Well we finally got someone that knows how to fix our particular stove model.   It's original to the house and well lets say it is giving the poor guy some grief.   All the bolts were seized so things have been taken back to the shop to try to loosen it.   Since it's day two I don't think it's going very well.    Haven't missed it yet.   Well see by Monday if nothing happens tomorrow.

Fun with a New Hair Style

I got a day to myself it was wonderful.    Now with the kids older instead of a day without kids to try and fill in a million things on my to do list.   I had a day where I could combine pleasure and to do list.   My to do list was very small.   Only groceries and pick up Hannah's winning prize of guessing the jelly beans amount in a jar.   (Prize :  once a month free breakfast for a year)    The rest of my time was scooping out a new photo area,   finding the farm I was to go to in the evening for photos,   new shoes,   going through a store or two slowly and then a new hair cut.       So here's the fun new hair style and the fun we had taking a photo to show it off.  

Outdoor play = Six loads of laundry

Isn't it perfect after 5 years I can relax and do laundry and the kids will play so very well.   So well I don't have to peek every few minutes.  

Trying

Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good; try to use ordinary situations. - Jean Paul Richter

“If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place.” -Lao Tzu

Straw Horse Barrel Racing

Went to Dead Man's Creek Easter Bullarama.    There was a straw horse barrel race for the kids under 8.     So with the lure of a Chocolate Easter Egg well........   Happy Easter!    If I had brought my knee brace I could have gone in the ladies whiskey race.   I think I still have the speed for it.     But wish I had had some of the girls from Cobar,   or from my rugby team with me.   That would have been a blast because as you raced the whole length of the rodeo ring you had to pick up the bottle in the mud pile at the end.   Diving on the rugby ball practices would have come in very handy!!!

Easter Decorating

Having 15 people over for dinner tonight.   Lamb cutlets, roast potatoes,  salad,  veggies,  an amazing halibut recipe I have been given by a new friend,  then creme brulee,  and raspberry white chocolate desserts.    Probably a few bottles of wine.   This is all I will be able to take a photo of because I'm going to be busy and I'll probably forget!!!  Happy Easter Everyone!!!

" The moon is brighter since the barn burned."

I love that saying above and I love my new lens.   After all my hard work over the past few months I decided to buy a new lens.     I love this new lens!!!!!   So  last night I saw this incredible moon and thought I'm going to get a moon shot.   I did and yes it does look brighter when you get it right!!!!

“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.”

Easter Weekend and easter dinner here has grown in numbers.   I'm trying to appear calm,  but inside I'm planning timing of cooking,  ingredients,   menus, cleaning the house,   etc etc.   I might be a little cranky to my husband while I'm trying to get this all pulled off.   Then a big glass of wine will be called for.    Wish I was doing this for all the Curtis clan.   It is my turn.   I'm just not close enough for everyone to come here.   So instead I'll wish them a good feed when they all get together in a few weeks time.  Here's a photo of my calming influence.  He gives me hugs just at the right time. 

Offspring

Please,  just please do what you are being told to do.   Play behind the line,  play nicely,   don't hit your brother,   don't kick your sister,   please it's quiet time stay in your rooms,   don't cross the line of your door!!!    I don't know what it is but for the last three night bed time is a horror show.    Quiet time isn't go to sleep it is to be quiet in your own room.   Why is this punishment?    I want to climb in my warm covers with my book why don't you want to????   Oh my lovely offspring the tears aren't going to work.   It is just time to be quiet and please stay behind the invisible line of your door!!!!

Split Seconds

In a split second this beautiful sky disappears.   My timing to get out on my own to get these scenes is so off.   Children,  babysitters and husbands schedule don't mesh and I miss this.   I mean a horse or a cow/calf with this in the background!!!   This is where I get discouraged.   Wanting it all,  wishing I was a man that just seems to go do things without the guilt,   the freedom of being without kids or husbands needs, so that I can focus solely on this dream,  this business.   So instead I have to push myself to get great images when the weather is not great,  the timing sucks,   because I can't run out the door every night to try and get this sky.      

Five Years Old

I'm still in awe.   Five years old.    Wow.   Owen had two friends over for monster cake,  playing,   and some treats.    The mom's got to have a nice lunch and chat before heading to school to pick up all the siblings of these three.   Was a very nice day to turn five.

Ribs

Owen's Family Birthday night out.    He's 5 on April 2nd but we have a busy evening so we decided to go out for dinner Sunday night instead.    Ribs!!!!! 

Last of the 4 year old.....

I'm getting as much 4 year old hugs and kisses as I can get.   Because I can't believe that it has almost been 5 years since our last baby.   My last 4 year old hugs and kisses.   Slowly he won't want to jump up in my arms and let me cuddle him.   Slowly the sleepy cuddly person that crawls up in your lap until he fully wakes up won't think it's cool.   I can see it because slowly riding the pink training wheels bike makes kids laugh at him and he doesn't like that.   So the fact that he traded rooms with his sister and it's pink will have to change soon.   Especially when kindergarten friends come over.
But until then give me my 4 year old  kisses and hugs for the last day and a half.