Magnolias

Magnolias are one of my favourite trees. They are coming out over here, and adding beauty to my world. I love the pink ones, but here they also have white ones with a looser flower.

Peanut butter - really?

Last week we went to a 'showcase' at Dante's school, to see the work he has been doing. He had a book on his desk to read to us. Sorry the video is sideways - I keep forgetting.

It is certainly a lovely moment as a parent to see how your child is progressing and learning new things.

I wonder when they will start to teach him cooking, money management, clothing management, leadership skills, being a role-model, servanthood... oh that's right, that's my job. :)

Our little Romantic

Of course there is beauty in watching the rain. We thought Grace was playing in the garage, but then we looked out the window to see our creative girl enjoying the moment.

Where are they?

I always check on the kids on my way to bed. But sometimes it is hard to find them. This night, Dante and Grace were in a nook in the guest bedroom.

I love this song

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, and it just doesn't feel like it. Maybe because the seasons feel wrong, and we are just coming out of a cold winter rather than a hot summer. Maybe because there is no public holiday today, nor on Monday. Maybe because there is no church service to go to, and no march in the city. We aren't gathering with any of our Christan family, just sitting at home by ourselves, the kids playing with the neighbours in the street.

I was reflecting on this as I took Dante shopping to buy some new pencils for school. What could I have done to make it feel more like Easter, and teach the kids it is about more than chocolate eggs, and spring bunnies. But this week I have had terrible hayfever, and not much energy for creativity or hospitality. On the way home on impulse I stopped at the local bakery/cake shop, hoping there might be some Easter biscuits to buy. I was so happy to find America's version of hot cross buns. Suddenly I remembered that in Melbourne there would have been hot cross buns in the shops for at least a few weeks already. So I bought one for each of us, with the cross piped in red jam and icing. We can sit down as a family, and talk about the cross, and blood that Jesus shed as He took upon Himself the sin and suffering of this world (Isaiah 53).

Kites

Spring is on the way. Grace and Angela's teacher gave them each a kite for Spring break. They had lots of fun in our front yard getting them to fly.