Bird nests and deep breaths

We are very lucky to have two bird nests in our back yard at the moment. One big messy one up very high in the top of a big old gum tree at the back of the yard, and one little neat one at the top of a much smaller spindly tree near the kids' cubby house.

Whenever I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the lists of things to do I have floating around the place, I go out onto the deck and stop for a while to look at these bird nests and listen to the chirping. To come back into the moment I guess.

I had a good look at those nests before I sat down at this computer actually. Because I have so much to say and show and acknowledge, and it's been so long since I posted....you know how it is. I was going to try and say everything in one big post (yes, the mammoth posts seem to be a hallmark of mine) but then I thought I should maybe try breaking it all down into bite-sized portions. Manageable tasks, if you will.

So here comes a series of little posts - I hope. I do have trouble with conciseness sometimes. But I will try. It is Spring after all. A good time for new things. Hurrah!

PS. If you look closely in this last shot, you can see a little head and beak poking out of the nest. Sorry my nature photography skills are not great - plus I was balancing on the edge of the cubby house holding my arm above my head and trying to use the zoom function on my little happy-snaps camera....

Spring has sprung

I can smell it. That indefinable aroma of spring. And it's not just the smell, it's the sounds, the light, the slight haziness of the air and the mildness of the breeze against my skin. Makes me want chink wine glasses over a meal at an alfresco restaurant, or sit on the front deck of our house, drink crisp Rogers beer and watch the sun set over the trees.....all things that are not really possible with two small children. Sunset being feeding time at the zoo when the mad rush for dinner, bath and bed is happening, and restaurants being limited to child friendly ones that definitely do NOT have seating where kids can run onto the road...but ahhhhh, all the same...it's Spring!

I took the kids into mum and dad's garden yesterday (yes, we are STILL living with my parents while our house is being renovated, but that's another story entirely) and we went on a flower hunt. Looking for all the new growth and little flower buds that are starting to sprout after our recent rain. Not much loot to be found yet - but Lee had lots of fun collecting these:


And Kate had a great time pulling petals off the lantana flowers and throwing them everywhere, while saying "wower".

There's nothing like nature, happy kids, and the smell of Spring to drag you into the present moment. It was lovely. I must try to stay here more often.