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Stella and Ivy: 

this pig is hard to catch for such a small plump creature. She wilfully disappears into the shed; only to be cornered when she finally runs out of breath.

Ruby and Coco: 

this little pig is tamer and more easily caught; probably due to her love of food. She will be enticed out of hiding by the promise of a juicy lettuce leaf or a crunchy carrot.

Today the girls built a makeshift cubby house in the back garden. Features included a comfy bed, a table and chairs, the cat's basket and a day house for the pigs. Shelves from milk crates housed book and drawing implements. We ate lunch out here in the shade.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Joining in with Jodi, at Che and Fidel

magician in the house

We've had a friend staying with us the last week. He's a magic man and very talented. As you can imagine, the girls have been entranced..

There's been lots of cards and rubber bands around here. And objects have been disappearing and reappearing in weird and wonderful ways. Solid things like glasses and salt grinders have been passing through my dining table. Coins mysteriously appear from behind ears.

He's taught the girls some small secrets of the trade which they have been assiduously practising on friends and family. There's a rubber band trick they are both very good at now. And they are developing some patter to go with it..

Each and every night the girls have begged him for a trick. And he's been very obliging and indulgent.

On his last night, he did a special show.

 My pictures are not great. He is too fast and too slick to be captured well on camera. This last trick involved us all writing our names on a card which was buried deep in the pack. The pack was secured with a rubber band and thrown up high; our special card found it's way out of the pack and subsequently stuck to the ceiling.

It's still stuck there, 3 days later. In fact, in some restaurants I've been to, where Sean has performed this trick, I spy cards on the ceiling from twenty years ago. 

Pure magic..

This clever man performs at Gaston restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights. If you're in town, and especially if you have kids, you should go check him out. It's definitely worth it.

winter. beach

I went to the beach yesterday with my eldest. My youngest had a play date organised after school; and so it was that I asked Stella to accompany me on a walk. I didn't hold out much hope for a yes; this one's often happiest curled up with a book on a cold and drizzly afternoon. But a yes it was, and she was in a surprisingly carefree and happy mood. Win.

It has rained a lot lately. Not all day, but showers most days, the kind of rain that seeps into your bones and makes everything feel damp, constantly. I thought the beach would be windy and cold. 

But I was wrong. It was beautiful. And almost deserted.

I asked Stella if I could photograph her. She was ok with it. We ran and danced, twirled and jumped, laughing and filling our lungs with fresh air as we headed towards the end of the beach.

We jumped and made deep footprints in the stodgy sand

We followed paw tracks..

And found this cute little canine; keen for a game..

We tracked up the headland, to explore old caves and cubbies built weeks ago; now grown over.

Stella gave me lessons on how to fly..

We climbed one hundred and sixty-one stairs; saying farewell and leaving the beach as we found it; pristine and peaceful.

I so loved this time with this girl. I hope I always remember how happy and lucky I felt.

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Stella: chilly ice cream hands on the beach. 

Ruby: hunting and gathering. She made sandballs on leaf plates, then used a cone to chop a length of vine so they could skip.

We spent the morning with family recently returned from Scotland. So while we were rugged up and definitely not swimming, my nephews were happily surfing. We talked and laughed, threw balls and turned a skipping rope for the kids. Oh, and more ice creams.. I'm beginning to see through this blog just how many ice creams we devour. I shall have to take that in hand..

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Joining in with Jodi, at Che and Fidel.

early one morning...

An early breakfast date with work buddies saw me at the river before my normal "out of bed" time. The river was calm and still, devoid of the frenzy of joggers, dog walkers and other enthusiastic morning people. 

Just a few minutes later, seated at the cafe, the sun pushed through the clouds and the river was lit in its  glow. Not long after that came the morning rush of activity.

I sipped my coffee and spectated. I love the mornings, but don't usually have my act together to sit and enjoy.

What about you?

Are you a morning person?

Or a night owl?

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 Stella: I'm trying to catch her mid tennis ball toss and catch; all the photo is blurred except her face..I liked it just the way it is..a stunning evening walk down the River mouth

Ruby: sweet-stuff Ruby; sugar addiction is obviously genetic.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Joining in with Jodi, at Che and Fidel

holidays

Some happy snaps from this week's inaugural fairy godmother tea-party...

The girls cut and decorated gingerbread shapes...

There was a home-made apple and berry cake with whipped cream...

A large plate of delicious fruit..

And fairy wings and a very special friend...

(Thank you, Fairy-Godmother Louise, for being just so delightful..please come back and visit again soon)

We love you xxx