finally

It took two flights to get there ( and that in itself requires endless caffeine and chocolate to counteract the anguish of flying), until finally I got to wrap my arms around these delightful, unique little people.

Sam and Bill chanced upon a window of opportunity 12 months ago, but it’s been nearly three long years for me, with two separate flight bookings being made and having to be cancelled in that time.

WA’s strict border policies thwarted all attempts we made,  even on compassionate grounds.

I couldn’t take my eyes off them.

I couldn’t stop listening to them ( mostly all three voices at once).

I couldn’t stop marvelling at how their little brains were constantly at work and how capable they were.

Much to our delight, they stayed with us the whole seven days, always knowing they could come and go as they pleased ( sadly, Flynn was unwell some of the time and mostly slept at home and came over for the day).

The six of us. 

A two bedroom cabin in the caravan park.

It was full on.

Awake at 6.30 and in bed at 7….. and that was just us!

An early pre breakfast walk for me with the littlies on their bikes and basking in the early morning joy of “ no sun”.

 That’s life in the Pilbara.

 I adore the stunning native flora, the red dirt, the glorious sunsets and the mountains of rock.

 I just couldn’t live there.

We had our own personal self - appointed director of events.

She is four and a half !!

She made an appointment for me every day at her hair salon. …..and I relished all the attention…..and bows…..and hair elastics.

I knew it would be hot …..37/ 38 degrees EVERY SINGLE DAY.( I don’t do hot anymore).

I knew we’d have to spend a fair amount of time indoors.

I knew the cabin would only have the bare essentials.

So I spent some time pre - trip making lists and thinking of activities for us to do, knowing that on arrival, it was highly likely that my brain would succumb to a heat induced fog.

So glad I did.

The Stash game was an immediate hit. A mix of bits and pieces for 4, 6 and 9 year olds purchased beforehand. The stash goes in the middle of the table and we took turns to throw the dice. Upon throwing a double number, you get to choose something from the stash. After a few rounds, we then had to throw a double to swap a particular item. 

Easter bingo, scrap books with blank pages and coloured pencils, card games ( Bill made little wooden card holders for them ), magic tricks, bush dancing ( hilarious), clapping games, singing songs, charades, the Spoons game, movies with Sam. 

A week of loving those little faces to bits.

We returned home to Autumn in all it’s dazzling glory.

Mushrooms galore. Wish I knew if we could eat them. Not game enough to try.

Bulbs are now all in the ground. I await in wondrous anticipation for bloom time. Some new ones…..

……and hundreds of hyacinths, tulips and ranunculus dug up from last year.

Photo credit…Tesselars bulbs.

The last of the figs have been picked before the rain.

The shed veranda is complete.

Viv’s tea towel gift has been framed.

Larkspur seeds have been scattered. I noticed some baby seedlings coming up so I presume it must be time to sow.

Books have been read.

Now I just need to do some shopping.

Spider-Man bandaids for Arch.

A pink toothbrush holder like mine for Olive.

The simple things.

And the not so simple things.

I’m going to make a soft toy bunny for Arch and a unicorn or mermaid for Olive ( or what about both Grandma??).

PS. Thinking of you Sue E. Still trying to work out why your comments don’t come through….I have to go through Chrome to access blogger. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Thoughts anyone? Anyone whose comments DO get published?

These….this is me half the time.

Have a great week everyone.