This month- November

November has been a busy month. We started the month in Thailand.

Tui and I on the Ferry to Koh Phangan

Spent the first 9 days on the Island of Koh Phangan.

Tui in one of her (many) new outfits. The kids cloths were just so cute and so cheap I couldn't resist!

...waking up to beautiful sunrises

...exploring beaches and villiages

Mr T picked his first Coconut.

Kayaking to deserted Islands

...where we found Wilson (Tom Hanks' mate)

Although technically I think Wilson was actually a volley ball.

And since we arrived home I've been creating like mad.

Going to local celebrations and to the beach,

...and finding Faeries at the bottom of the garden.

Not to mention that it's almost that time of year again!

A tissue, a Tissu

Yesterday it was Rain's birthday. We went out to lunch in Byron Bay.

I can't believe how quickly twelve years have passed and how big my beautiful daughter is now.

Eleven years ago, on her first birthday all she wanted was a box of tissues. She sat there and pulled every tissue out of the box and amused herself for ages.

This year she wanted a Tissu. Aerial silk, or ribbons are her favourite par of circus classes. o after researching the types of fabric I bought her the material, and Peace being an abseiler/ rockclimbing instructor bought all the safety rigging.

Happy Birthday Tui

Moving right along

Time to start being grateful and looking at all the positives I do have in my life.

I have an awesome place to stay temporarily...this place is soooo much better than a tent! And there are always interesting people to talk to down at the Rainbow Temple.

I love the new area I have moved to. Everywhere I go I seem to run into old friends and am meeting some amazing new people.

I have a wonderful pile of fabric to sew a new skirt today :)

I have a supportive family.

I have wonderful children.

(And they really enjoyed visiting their cousins the other week. Here are some pics.)




Tui and her youngest cousin, going for a cruise.





Tui cracking up laughing because she'd never been in a stroller before!

  


Tui, Rain and Little cousy, chiiling in the hammock.

 

Bored Games

During the last school holidays, when friends came to visit, the kids got BORED. (as they are sure to let you know!)

They had played outside...

exhausted the stash of DVD's and electronic games...

and even tried kissing frogs...but to no avail, no princes appreared!

But then they got creative.

And made two bored (oops! I mean board games)

And made these awesomely, cute little characters as playing pieces.

They spent hours making the games and even longer playing them.

I always tell my kids that boredom is the space between doing something and doing something else and that it is a good space. Just go with it and see what happens and very often amazing creativity comes from boredom.

Easter Visitors

We had a few friends come visit us over the Easter holiday. We all had fun hanging out at the Rainbow Temple.

It was great for the kids to catch up with some friends from QLD.

Zan also came and stayed for a couple of days. The other kids were so happy to see their big brother.

More visitors, a couple of girls Rains age came to stay and we all went for a walk to Minion Falls.

It is a spectacualar waterfall.

Back at the Temple I made papier mache lanterns for Easter with all the kids.

On Easter Sunday we put lit our lanterns and all went on a Samhein walk honouring the light.

On whose shoulders do you stand?

I have met some amazing people while staying at the Rainbow Temple, and had some interesting conversations with so many people. One passing phrase in a conversation really stayed in my mind however.
I was talking with an amazing dancer from Africa and he told me that where he comes from when you ask someone Who are you? the literal translation is On whose shoulders do you stand?

I've been thinking on this for days. I love how it implies family and connection rather than who are you? which implies separation and individuation.
I love how it implies respect for our ancestors.

I don't think I honor my ancestors enough. I complain that my parents did this or didn't do that. Instead of acknowledging that without them I wouldn't even be here. Without what they did, whether I agree with it or not I wouldn't be the person that I am.
I do stand on their shoulders and they on the shoulders of their parents and so on backwards for ever. Just as my children will stand on my shoulders.

And I feel humility realizing that I do stand upon all of these shoulders and that that is who I am.

Mr T with my Dad

Tui and my mum

Happy days :)

Hanging with the family :)

Come for a walk with me

"come look at the creek"

"ooooooh, water"

"What are you doing now?"

"I'm playing in the puddles."

"Looks like fun."

"Yes, this is fun!"

"I've had enough. I'm going home."

"Catch me if you can!"

"Hey, where did he go?"

"There he is."

"Way up there."

"That was a big walk, I'm tired."