Birthday Gratitude

Today is my 38th birthday. Outside, the sun is shining on the tops of the hills and cloud is hanging in the valley It is a perfect morning for taking photographs, for gazing out of the window, for smiling at birthday messages. It is a day for being grateful.


Happy getting older everyone xx

Monty

Amongst a week full to the brim, my baby turned three last week, so unnerving the way time plays its tricks on us again and again. One minute they're in your arms, the next they're charging around and, before you know it, they're talking about starting Kindergarten. Without you. He seems so ready to grow, this bold and loving boy of mine, so confident of his next move that it calms me. I don't grieve the loss of his babyhood because to watch him growing with such surety is a joy.

Of course, there are moments of a sweet sort of sadness for me. My world is changing along with theirs. We said goodbye this week to Monty's beloved Sally at our Parent and Child group, and I will miss that peaceful and regenerative space hugely. Eli also said goodbye to Kindergarten and comes home to me full time from September. These are the things that mark our journeys - endings, beginnings and birthdays.

We celebrated on the day of Monty's birthday with hot chocolates in a cafe and a rainy visit to the playground. On Saturday we had a party, with games and food and cricket in the park. Lots of wonderful people were there; it was a day of sunshiney goodness. Grandparents, uncles, cousins, grown up friends and little friends were all present to share Monty's birthday, to celebrate his little life and show their love. Growing up is what we're all doing one way or another and we know it isn't all ukuleles and birthday cake, but if we look about there will always be plenty of company to celebrate our triumphs, listen to our woes or to just help us have some very happy birthdays.

Five years

It's now over a week since my cowboy turned 5. For him it was momentous. For us it was a little scary. We talked about the day he was born; how he changed our lives forever, how much love there was and is.

It so happened that on this special day, Monty fell off his bike and badly hurt himself; we were around a corner and did not see. This 5 year old of mine stepped into his big brother shoes and approached people to ask for help. As I came into view, I saw him in the distance reaching out to passing strangers and trying to get assistance. My heart lurched then and lurches now when I think of him feeling alone and scared without us. But I also feel such pride to have witnessed his courage and maturity in his brother's moment of need.

Needless to say we sped to the scene, and soon our farm park day out with Nanny was back on course. The next day we followed up the fun with a romp in the woods. Good friends were there, and treasure, and hot dogs...and cake. Birthdays are a big deal round here and I think this one was a good one.

Happy Birthday dear Eli x

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

These bright days are giving me plenty of opportunity to try out my new camera and, although it hasn't really been taken out of auto yet, I'm feeling slightly worried that my expectations were too high. I'm not sure if it's the workman or the tools but pictures seem to lack the warmth and definition I was hoping for and colours are pretty bleached. Maybe if I read the manual...

Monty was my first obliging model, he pulled a series of disagreeable poses.

This picture really shows the bump on the side of his nose from falling on the hearth; I worry that it will always be there now.

Daffodils are also fairly obliging subjects...

Then I snapped some corners of Cragg (these may become a series), on my way to Eli's 'Kindergarten birthday'. As I walked and photographed buds bursting and life unfolding, I marvelled again at the magic of this place that we are so blessed to live in. Unfortunately, my photography does not really do it justice yet.



    Eli's Kindergarten birthday was as beautiful as expected. Such care was taken by his wonderful teacher Helen to make it a very special occasion. I was fairly emotional from the very first notes from the lyre. Seeing my boy sit on the special chair, witnessing the wonder on the faces of the other children and listening to the story of how the little angel crosses over the rainbow bridge to be with his chosen family had the tears full flowing. Such a big moment, watching him cross into another year, ever growing. I'm fairly sure there'll be more birthday sharing before the week is out...