Slow Gardening

I had a busy day yesterday and the best thing that happened was finding three slow-worms (1 adult and 2 juvenile) next to our garden shed. Perfect placement, as we're in the process of renewing the raised bed next to the shed and slow-worms are very helpful as they eat slugs, a real pest in our vegetable patch.

I'm going to try and get a photo of them to share on here, but it may take some time as I don't want to disturb them too much.

We try and follow the permaculture way of gardening in our small patch, so any natural help in with dealing with the critters that like to munch their way through our greens is gratefully received.

Easter Day

Easter Day didn't start out the way I was expecting.

At 2am I found myself in a great deal of pain in an ambulance on the way to hospital, having been examined by a paramedic who decided the Surgeons needed to see me :(

After being poked and prodded over a period of about 6 hours by two or three different people; having blood drawn for testing (on the third attempt); being X-rayed and then going through a couple of procedures it was decided that I didn't have anything wrong that needed an operation (phew!) and was discharged from hospital. Yay!

A wonderful friend drove my DH and daughters to the hospital to collect me which saved us a large taxi bill.  I feel very blessed with the good people around me and my family who are not only willing but also happy to help - when help is required. 

As the car pulled up outside our house, the sun broke through the clouds and lit up our home in brilliant light which made me notice that the daffodils that I have been waiting to bloom had just started to open. Lovely.

When we got in, I found I felt very tired so I went and sat down whilst my DH prepared our simple Easter breakfast table (which was now a brunch table) of boiled eggs, toast, home made gluten free hot cross buns, marmelade and tea. We led December and June into the dining room with their eyes closed and when they opened them they discovered not only brunch but also an array of delicious chocolate eggs and chocolate bunnies - they were thrilled :)

After brunch the girls went out into the garden wearing their Easter bonnets (well, Easter cowboy hats! (see photo above)) and carrying their Easter baskets to see if the Easter Bunny had visited - he had! They zoomed around the garden peeking under bushes and searching through long grass hoping to find lots of eggs with which to fill their baskets. They found loads!

Afterwards I dozed, listening to Classic FM's Hall of Fame countdown whilst my DH prepared dinner and the children played in the garden, popping in now and then for chocolate refreshment.

Today my heart feels very full :)

The Best Days of Your Life?

Do you remember that horrible, sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach just before gym class? Were you the kid no one wanted on their side for team sports?

Then you're not alone.

My memories of gym (or P.E.) whilst I was at school are mostly negative. I have never been gymnastic and whilst I could climb trees, swim like a fish and play rounders none of this mattered when it came to being made to perform exercises (such as forward rolls or vaulting the horse) in front of 30 pairs of (what felt like) scornful, judging eyes - not helped by the sarcastic, unsupportive language being used by the teacher.

When I had my own children I made a vow to ensure that they would, if at all possible, not suffer this humiliating treatment. To do my part I enrolled them, as soon as they were old enough, in Tumble Tots (baby gymnastics) and as they got older I moved them along to gymnastics classes.

So far this seems to have done the trick - they are both very confident in their approach to gym and are able to take any positive criticism from their coaches in their stride.

In a way, their ability to deal with this has helped me to lay my gym ghosts to rest and reassures me that I seem to be approaching this parenting job the right way.

Preparing for Easter

December and June are very enthusiastic about celebrating festivals and Easter is one of their favourites. 

Over the last week or so our dining table has been awash with glue, feathers, fluffy (fake) chicks, card, paper, wool and all manner of other crafting materials.

All that is left to be completed now are their Easter baskets and Easter bonnets, which are almost there.

Here are some of the Easter cards that they have been busy making for family and friends:

Finally, here are some giant eggs: