HERALD THE CALLING OF SPRINGTIME!

I think I am getting my energy back, just in time for the change of seasons, yippee it's springtime!

I was shocked to learn from a blood test I was so low in iron stores, they were nearly non-existent! My ferritin (the iron stores) was a measly 2 on the scale, the normal being between 20-320. Since replenishing the iron and having it gradually build back up I can literally see the colour come back to my face. After being nicknamed "pale-face" and teased mercilessly about the number of freckles I had by my Dad for the best part of 40 odd years (he used to pretend to count them all up), seeing that white-faced ghost look back at me in the mirror over the past few months has been shocking. It is good to be back in the land of the living! Both colour-wise & energy-wise.
One fine day, a very special friend of mine, Tracy, knowing how I had been mercifully teased, very thoughtfully gifted me this cute plaque with the saying:

"Freckles are spots where the angels have kissed you..."

I look at this every morning, think of Tracy, and celebrate my freckles. Roll on those angels!

Daniel has a fixation with being a dog...namely "Spot".
He is getting annoyed when we call him by anything else..
"I'm not Daniel, I'm Spot wemember? Woof woof" he says.
"And you're Sally, and Dad is Sam, and Nicowa is Spot's Sister, and Cameron is Spot's brovver"
I like this one the best: "And Lezanny is Spot's Granma, Hi Spot's granma!"

Well, I guess Spot is comfortable in his own skin...it all started when Daniel said "Hi dere, what's your name" to a stranger on the street. The stranger replied, then asked "What's your name?" where Daniel promptly retorted "Spiderman!". Somehow it has morphed into Spot now, and stuck.
And now instead of the "what's your name?" question, it is now far cooler to say "What's up Dude!"


"Spot" has now started swimming weekly....we are celebrating the freedom from emergency interventions we have NOT needed since we have moved up here, and have now the confidence to let him swim again.

And swim he does...like a fish!

He has a fantastic swimming coach who is teaching him to float by himself on his back, swim through hoops and do overarm swimming.
It is the highlight of Daniel's week. From the moment he gets in the water till he gets out, he does not stop for a breather, not once!

Suffice to say when he does get out, the tiredness sets in. But it is all good exercise.

Roll on daylight savings, which, in combination with the onset of spring, will bring much anticipated rallies at Rosedale Pony Club for Nicola, and the start of tennis sessions for Cameron. I have been playing outdoor netball  (not just twilight up here in Auckland, it is warm enough to play all year round!), and Todd has started back at the gym. So here's to heralding the beginning of spring, and the enlivenment of the earth - may all good things grow and prosper!

DRAGONFLY IN THE MIDST

When life throws you a lemon...you're supposed to make lemonade.

Well, I have lost count of the number of lemons thrown our way over the past few years, but I am pleased to say we are now making lemonade at an alarming rate!

Literally too, we just bought a juicer, and Todd has made some marvelous concoctions from the boxes of seconds fruit I bring home...I find them, he juices them! And we all taste them and marvel at the wonderful goodness and flavour.

Late last week as the result buying a voucher on a whim, I visited a medium, Ange from Precious Messages.
I was asked about the significance of dragonflies around me...ummm, well I have actually got a necklace with a dragonfly on it I bought this year, just because I liked the look of it.

I also recall around the same time noticing a dragonfly,  in Auckland, in our very own backyard (not something I am used to seeing from Wellington). I was told to google the meaning of the dragonfly and all will be revealed...

The symbolic meaning of the dragonfly deals with:

 

* Mind 

* Dreams

* Balance 

* Thoughts

* Awareness

* Living to the fullest

 

The dragonfly skitters across the surface of the water which is symbolic of our “top thoughts” the daily, surface thoughts that primarily keep us in auto-pilot. 

 

Additionally, as creature of the wind, the dragonfly totem represents change. It’s iridescent wings are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze, and so we are reminded to heed where the proverbial wind blows – lest we run into stormy weather.

 

The Dragonfly lives a short life, and it knows it must live to the fullest with what it has. This lesson is huge for each of us. When you see a dragonfly, be aware of the gifts it has to offer by keeping its animal totem meanings in mind.

 

Dragonfly Totems Facilitate:

 

* Greater attention to the nuances and subtleties around us

* Awareness & gratitude of inner beauty

* Awareness of outer beauty, and ability to share it modestly with the world

* Knowledge of life’s brevity, and understanding the importance of making every minute special

In essence, this meaning was relayed to me through this medium, from a very wise woman who has passed on: Robyn (my mum-in-law) .
I was gently advised in words similar to the meaning above, particularly about living life to the fullest and being aware of all that is around me.
I aim to undertake and cultivate this advice.

In the midst of this, I can see Cameron and his neighbourhood friends build a scooter ramp, and the pure joy and excitement of enjoying this special minute in his life.

In this same weekend, Cameron and I laughed our way through "Mr Popper's Penguins" at the movies, and Nicola enrolled at the Rosedale Pony Club on the way to the theatre to see the performance "SOAP" - a sort of Circque de Soleil, but based in a bathtub!

Whilst Daniel enjoyed his special time in the watery delights of swimming at Northern Arena, when he came home, we all went for a lovely family walk (well Todd and I walked, Daniel rode his bike, Cameron scootered and Nicola roller-bladed!). Just a simple idea  enjoying the springlike weather that ended up at the local bakery for a yummy latte and lunch. The kids were happy this just happened to be beside the superette that sold their favourite lollies... a treat to be savoured, pocketed and then devoured systematically!

The best things about making a moment special is being able to first of all enjoy it, but then be able to express it, and finally look back on it in this type of format, the great blog!

FUN, ACTION & ENTERTAINMENT

Whilst Daniel was having fun being DA KING at Lezanny's house, we took the opportunity to frolic and play at Rainbow's End...some of us had just as much fun in seeing the faces of others as those did on the rides themselves.

The Pirate Ship

Waiting patiently for the go cart ride

"Slow down Dad, we're going a bit too fast!"

Martha's Mine Ride was a real blast!

A tentative wave before the big fall...

Dowwwwwnnnnnn we go!!!!!

Ahhhh that was an exhilirating log ride! Let's go again!

He he he, it's FASTER with three!

Life's but a rollercoaster, just a topsy turvy life!

Just one last turn on that pirate ship before home!

 Another day of action packed adventure. A great way to spend a winter's afternoon.

WINTER WEEKEND IN THE LANDING

The multitude of colours of the flora and fauna in our area towards the end of winter are just gorgeous...

so much so that I had to put a little composition here to gaze and wonder at.

A three headed yucca?!

Moss & Lichen on a lot of tree trunks round here

Whilst busy photographing in the Landing, it drew the troops out...

And there was some art of it's own going on...

The scooter moves were even brought out....

\

Then we moved to the backyard to finish the day...

While winter is on it's way out, the days are getting longer, the weather warmer, we are all in eager anticipation of what it is to come with the change of seasons. Onwards and upwards!

A MUCH WELCOMED VISIT

Yay, herald the much anticipated, long awaited, arrival of my sis!

There was much wine and cheese to be had, and yes, that is a cigar in the middle, and yes we did try it (Suz wasn't going to waste a $30 cuban cigar brought all the way back from overseas, even if we couldn't get it lit properly!)

The week went too fast. I took Suz everywhere...from the beaches overlooking Rangitoto,

to the Yachts at Milford...

and lots of places inbetween.
Daniel was cute checking in with Suz every day after school.

The compulsory self-timer photo...

And then there was the family visit to Sheepworld...baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Of course, apart from the animals above, at a place as aptly named as Sheepworld as you would imagine, there WERE sheep and lambs, and lots of wool to go around.

Here's looking at you kid...

.

A great day out in the sun had by all.
And that, sadly, led us to the end of the wonderful week of great company, comradeship, and sisterhood.
We waved goodbye to Aunty Suz in the promise that we would return the visit in the next school holidays.