Peter

Oh, what a joyful week that past last week. Along with spending so much time around water in the form of lakes, rivers, rock pools, waterfalls and the beach we have been wash with The Word too. Yes, we have spent the week at Capernwray Bible School for their Refresh 2010 conference with the theme: 'How is your soul? - Reflections from the Psalms'.

Happy Birthday PJ - I am glad that you made it to the big five year old mark. I hope that cutting the cake with your left hand wasn't too difficult and that you are looking forward to the chance to actually start writing, batting, and rock climbing again soon so we can re-start our new home schooling adventure with you on the team.

Thank you also to our friends in Bowral who made PJ's birthday all that he hoped - great friends, yummy food and a cake with pink icing - who could want for more?

Yep, it was going to happen eventually. It was just a matter of time and method and no it was not Mr White in the Library with the Candle Stick...

..no, he really made his big break in spectacular form fracturing his radius and ulna just centimetres from his wrist.

'How did he do it' I hear you ask?

The one thing about learning is that it can happen anywhere and that often, for our children it is happening right under our noses. It happens to us often right in our very own backyard. However, since we were in Canberra and in the house that a generous family had given us use of the learning moved to their backyard instead!

So, whilst in Canberra we thought we'd throw down the gauntlet with an unfamiliar indoor rock climbing wall. With William to young and me too pregnant to belay, leaving Michael out also we threw the challenge to Karl and Peter. Both did their best and we couldn't be prouder of each of them.

Karl is not certain with heights. He has a healthy fear and has not yet learned how to trust the rope or the person controlling them. He strived for his best and achieved it.

Just a place-marker to say that we were in Canberra from 2-9 January 2010. More about that later as it is late now. Lest to say we had a great, relaxing time!

Often it is hard to find time in the busy nature of life to find special moments. For me moments like those with my boys are particularly rare as they are often busy with 'doing stuff'. Like spending New Years Day making space shuttles:

Today I stumbled across a web site which has suggestions for how kids can make money. I have never been so scared to share a web site with my children before. Across a number of articles there are several suggestions that a great idea for kids to make money is for them to take unwanted or unused toys and sell them on eBay.

Four drowned rats, four drowned rats,
See how they run, see how they run,
The ran their tails through the pouring rain,
Got so cold they no longer felt pain,
Would you believe they'd do it again?
Four drowned rats, four drowned rats.

Yes, it was wet to say the least in the Adelaide Hills today. We had an impromptu home education activity involving Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens today but with the inclement weather I was not surprised to see an email saying, 'In view of the wet weather it is unlikely that the walk will take place this afternoon. Please feel free to go along if you wish to but chances are many families will stay home in the warm!!!'

After spending the morning at the dentist, the boys were busting to get out so we chanced it and as the only family to arrive at the lower carpark we took what must of been the shortest walk ever in light rain, only to get caught out my a massive deluge that gave us no choice but to run back to the car.

Being the glutton for punishment that I was, and with consideration that the boys had not yet eaten lunch as a result of a fluoride treatment to their teeth, we decided to head to the restaurant at the end of Waterfall Gully Road for a sit down lunch with a view to taking a short trip to the top of the waterfall to burn off some excess energy. After eating lunch there was a break to lighter rain which lasted most of our little exploration but again, drenched us in the final minutes as we headed to the car before heading home as four drowned rats.

I guess it is all worth it for a hot bath or shower when we got home. In spite of the lousy weather I can guarantee we all had an awesome day! :)

No one ever said that parenting was easy. If they did then it would be a lie. That said, no-one ever said that it could not be enjoyable.
Yesterday, was a day of disasters (you know the small time-consuming ones) that actually turned out okay.