2 stones and a view

Another never might have been moment. If we'd let it pass us by.

And yet it was 'a moment'.

A happy afternoon at home

Still nothing compared to the moment to come.

With no expectations, we merely came to see

And all it took was two stones

And a view

To gaze upon befriended by late afternoon shadows

To see more than ever before

To ponder with bright eyes and smiles

And in an instant shifted the moment from somewhere near lovely

To somewhere beyond breathtaking.

We're going on a mouse hunt

Instead of we're going on a bear or lion hunt, this time we're going on a mouse hunt. And some of us WERE scared. Yeah, umm...that would be me! Supervising proceedings from up high on a chair. Using the excuse of taking photos when really I had NO intention of getting my toes anywhere NEAR Mr. Mouse.

We'd been all settled in for a movie night with Nana & Poppa (guess the movie if you can!) when we were rudely interrupted by Murphy bringing in a mouse.

But this was not just any mouse. This was the fastest mouse in the west. Speedy Gonzales in fact. It took all four of us over half an hour to catch him. He was the most cunning of critters, knowing all the tricks in the book. From wine cabinet, to TV cabinet, to wires behind TV cabinet, to climbing up inside the clothing designed to block his escape. You name it, he tried it. 

Until we got wiser. And started blocking off all his escape routes.

It was only a matter of time really. But by this time we were laughing ourselves silly, both at how he was managing to outwit us for so long, the speed he was getting up, and the lengths to which we had to turn the lounge upside down to try and end his little escapade. It was all we could do to even see him move he would streak like a blur between our toes. Well let's be honest, not mine, as I was safely up high directing proceedings.

But four against one, well I guess it wasn't a very fair fight. We got him in the end.

Once he was safely outside and there was a glass door between us, I was more than happy to capture this sweet wee face on camera before he went on alone to face the dark, dark night.

And we spent the next ten minutes restoring everything back in its normal place!

Things I'm Loving 8.4.11

♥ School Excitement  ♥

It's all been all go on the getting to know the school front. Firstly Noah and the two of us had a visit and tour of the school with the Deputy Principal last week. Then this week Mark and I went in for a chit chat session with his New Entrant teacher. It was great to hear all about the school day, what kinds of activities Noah will be doing and how they approach teaching the basics of reading, writing, maths to the children.

And it's a small world. Turns out that his teacher is a cousin of one of my best friends, gotta love the 2 degrees of separation in NZ!  But what I loved most was this little treat turning up in the mail later in the week.

How cool! I think at this point I'm probably more excited than Noah about school starting in 4 months' time!

♥ Heroic Hubby ♥

Hubby had to come to the rescue for me twice in one day. I blame the somewhat spaced out, not quite all there experience my brain was feeling after getting a flu injection the day before. He'll just tell you it was me being a Doris. Well it was probably a combination of both actually!

Good Deed #1
So on Wednesday (the day of the jab) Mylo was not in a great way when we got home from daycare. Running a temperature, and a bit out of sorts. I immediately go into planning phase 'Well since I won't be going to work tomorrow, I 'd better get this report completed that's needed for an 11am meeting'. So I beaver away at it all night, going to bed way too late at 11pm, after staring almost unseeing at the screen for the better part of the last half hour.

Then I get up at 6am Thursday to finish it off. Which thankfully I do by 6.45am. And then I'm running on a dual scenario at this point. Will I stay home or won't I? It all depends on how chirpy the chappy is when he gets up. So I put on all my work gear, do my make-up, with a foot in both camps - ready to go (or stay). We get Mylo up, he seems in pretty good spirits so we continue with plan B (or was that A I can't remember?) and out the door we go.

Only I get to work and realise that doh! doh! doh! the report is still sitting at home on my PC. Of course, half my brain was in the 'I'm staying home, I'll email it to work later' mode so the other half didn't think to speak up to inform it differently.

Enter grovelling phone call to hubby (who has his car at his work) asking him to go home and retrieve the file and email it to me. I am still feeling so spaced out that I can't think straight to even give him good instructions. Thankfully he knows what to do, and as he had an external meeting planned, he was able to swing by home on his way to do it for me. Hubby saves my bacon and saves the day!

Which leads nicely onto Good Deed #2 for the day!

So this morning amongst all the chaos of 'will I be at work or won't I?' we also had to move the kids carseats around and take two cars to town today so Noah and I could go and pick up Nana and Poppa from the airport who have flown in for the weekend. Luckily there's a carpark right across the road from daycare so I just put in my credit card and pay for early bird parking. Sorted.

I return to the car this afternoon with Noah, and off we go to the airport. Whilst at the airport, I get a text from Mark. Which says this:

'OK. Just parked where you were parked earlier. Went to get Mylo, put him in car. Looked on ground. Found your credit card very cold and wet'

And so hero hubby to the rescue AGAIN. And now I owe him big time!

I thought it would be much easier to appreciate how amazing this rescue was if I draw you a little diagram to help illustrate the situation. We ALWAYS use the two 10-minute loading zone type parks to drop the kids off if they're available. And even if they're not, we park on that side of the street and just put 20c in the meter to cover ourselves.

Today when Mark went to pick up Mylo, the whole street was full on that side, forcing him to park in the other carpark where you usually have to put a minimum of $1 in. Hence why we don't ever use it.

So what are the odds of him parking in the exact carpark space I had vacated maybe twenty minutes earlier? Admittedly it is the first space when you drive into the area, but I'd still say it was slim to none.  Then what are the chances of my credit card dropping under the car this morning, staying there all day (I didn't even miss it!) and him then finding it nine or so hours later? Also fairly slim to none.

Suffice to say, you are my HERO today hubby. Truly. *mwah - plants a big smooch*

♥ Monkey Smile ♥
I'm hoping this means no more Highland Flings for the iPhone. I've been getting so sick of my iPhone case which has always been a bit slippery and way too easy to accidentally let fly out my grasp. And I found the screen protector was letting dust in all the time. I know it's such a small thing to get annoyed about, but I'd put up with it for months instead of just doing something about it.

Enter fake Paul Frank monkey case stage right from Hong Kong via eBay. Problem solved for $4. A nice rubbery grip and a cute little monkey face to bring a smile to my dial whenever I flip the phone over to look at it.

Notice I said flip, not fling. Quite different I assure you!

♥ Washing that makes me laugh ♥

Notice any imbalance here in the piles?! And the ratio of every load is pretty much like this one. I haven't quite decided if that means I a) live with a houseful of boys who go through their clothes quickly or b) I'm a dirty urchin and don't wash my clothes enough!

♥ All the April babies ♥

So it turns out July was a busy month for our friends and family *wink*
As well as our two birthdays this Sunday (10th), it's also happy birthday shout out to:

Our same day birthday buddies
Our friend Caroline - 10th
Two cousins Jono on my side, Kate on Mark's side - 10th

And in the rest of the month of April:
Mark's dad - 3rd
Mark's mum - 21st
My uncle and cousin - 6th
My bloggy friends Jacksta - 11th, Leonie - 13th and Sarah - 20th
My Nan -  turning 94! on the18th
Our friend Mark - 22nd
My friend Paula - 28th
And there are a few more too!

Happy Birthday to all the April Babies!

Linking up to Paisley Jade's Things I'm Loving linky

Wordless Wednesday: Popcorn Pals

Mmm...smells so goooood

AND tastes so goooood

Bowls of crisp, warm salty goodness

Shared by me and my pal

And yes..we do have a bit of a bad habit leaving our shoes on in the house from time to time...tut tut!

Recipe: Chocolate Brownie Dare

There are chocolate brownies. And then there are chocolate brownies.

And then there is THIS chocolate brownie.

People rate their chocolate brownie making ability really highly. And I've certainly tasted some goodies in my time. But believe me none, bar none, beat this one! It's been a regular party/dessert pleaser in our household for the past few years. 

I reckon there's two ends of the brownie sprectrum - the soft, fluffy almost cake-like variety at one end, and the ooey-gooey in the middle at the opposite end.

This one definitely errs on the ooey-goey side of the equation, so if you love your brownie at this end of the spectrum it'll definitely rock your world!

Ingredients:
250g butter
250g block of dark chocolate (we use a block of Whittakers Dark Ghanian 72% cocoa)
200g white chocolate (broken into chunks)
80g cocoa powder sifted
65g plain flour
1tsp baking powder
350g caster sugar
4 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees
2. Line a 30cm rectangular dish with greaseproof (baking) paper
3. In a large bowl over simmering water, melt the butter and 200g of the dark chocolate (all but 2 lines of the block) and mix until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar

5. Add the butter/chocolate mixture into the dry mixture
6. Beat the eggs and mix in until you have a silky consistency

7. Then add the chunks of white chocolate and the remaining 2 lines of dark chocolate into the mixture and fold gently

8. Pour brownie mix into baking tray, and bake for 25-30 minutes depending on your oven.

When it's baked, you want the brownie to have formed a crust over the top, firm around the edges but still a bit soft in the middle.

Makes about 20 pieces depending on how small you cut it. We freeze most of it in portions to bring out for dessert later. It's amazing heated in the microwave until gooey in the middle again and served with yoghurt or icecream.

If chocolate brownie is a favourite in your household, I dare you to give this version a try - you won't be disappointed!

I can't promise you it's not full of hundreds (possibly thousands) of calories though. And one thing's for sure, there will be fights to lick the bowl!

This brownie is my absolute downfall. Some people run for pleasure, some people run for the happy endorphins. Me? I mostly run so I can eat this brownie!

Doing it for the kids

There's a popular Robbie Williams song that you'd all know. It's the one that goes:

And we'll paint by numbers
'Til something sticks
Don't mind doing it for the kids
(So come on) jump on board
Take a ride (yeah)
(Doin' it all right)
Jump on board feel the high
'Cause the kids are alright

And so, that's really how our afternoon adventure started.

Wellington had put on a day that any Indian summer would be proud of. I had this brainwave walking home from town after my pamper package that we take a trip to town to ride a croc bike along the waterfront. I'd been wanting to do this as a family for ages. It didn't quite make it onto my Summer Bucket List back when I wrote it, but it has been up there on the wish list. Besides, I knew that days like this don't come along often in Wellington, especially not mid-way through autumn. But I had also banked on a bit of resistance from the man about the house. Him being not so keen on croc bikes, thinking they're a bit gimmicky and touristy, and he'd rather not thanks very much.

So in the end, I didn't give him much choice in the matter. And after a few minutes of humphing, I managed to talk him round. I think the line 'honey, we're not doing it for us, we're doing it for the kids' might have been what swayed the matter. Must remember that for next time *wink wink*

Though strangely, for someone who really wasn't keen, I think its safe to say even he enjoyed himself. And the little people had a ball, which was really all that mattered.

We stopped halfway to share gorgeous gelato from Kaffee Eis, and then we were back on our way again, maneuvering around throngs of people, who had also clearly realised this day was one out of the box.

Not wanting the afternoon to be over, but seeing the crowds clambering all over the playgrounds in town, we headed on up to our local park. The appeal of the place is not just the serenity of having it almost to ourselves.

It's also the caw caw of the native kaka low flying over us, and the late afternoon sun streaming through the trees bordering Zealandia, warming our bodies and our hearts.

But still we wished for more. For one last gasp. One last moment to savour before the end of the long summer nights. So off to the fish n chippie I went, returning a few minutes later with a feast fit for the family.

Fish n chips are a treat whenever we have them. But eaten straight from the paper at the park, well I swear they've never tasted better.

And let me tell you about the light, oh the light, this late in the day. That gorgeous late afternoon vividly clear light where a boy stood mesmerised by another family's football game. On one hand itching to get in on the action. But also entranced, delighted in watching it all from the sidelines.

And I saw in these moments a glimpse of the boy he is becoming.

I see another boy, barely still a preschooler who is growing daily before my eyes. Whose cuddles I am especially delighting in right now.

And I am still in awe of the God who creates such deliciousness in these small packages.

Summer may be over, the nights may be closing in. And I'm well aware we may not get another day like this for quite some time.

So imagine what might have happened if we hadn't gone along with the idea of 'doing it for the kids'. A whole afternoon of fabulous memory making that never would have happened. And that is what seizing the day is all about.

This afternoon I think a valuable lesson was learnt. That is important it is to put aside our hang ups and judgments, as well as our normal routines and schedules from time to time. Of course it would have been easier, cheaper, less hassle just to hang out at home on a sunny afternoon. Which would have been nice too don't get me wrong.

But this, this, is what we would have missed. .

Carpe Diem.....

Blue Moon

We're not usually very extravagant with our birthday gifts. I'm sure some of that has to do with the fact that we have to share the same birthday on 10th April, but a year apart. Yep I'm a cougar - ha ha! Even though this will be, let me count, the 13th birthday we've shared together, it still doesn't get any less strange waking up on your birthday, rolling over and cuddling your loved one and wishing them a 'happy birthday' too.

So this year, I decided to do a 'once in a blue-moon' and treat myself a Grab One/Groupy/1-Day type coupon deal, booking a 2 and 1/2 hour pamper package at Asiana Day Spa which was around 1/3 the normal price.

Mark, on the other hand got himself a survival knife. Being a big Man vs Wild fan, and wanting something versatile to go in the emergency kit meant a win-win situation when he found this knife. It has all kinds of bells and whistles so I am told. Let's just hope I don't meet him on a dark night in an alleyway though - I think I'd come off second best!

The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife

Anyhow, back to the once in a blue moon experience.

So I walked myself down to town this morning, making the most of the stunning morning Wellington put on, snapping a few pictures here and there. Sipping on my coffee. Admiring the sun, the views. Autumn leaves. Hills bathed in sunshine.

Although what you don't see in these photos is that I was running a tad late, so in between snapping shots on my iPhone I was running helter-skelter down steep hills to get to the day spa by 9am. Lucky I had the sense to wear my running shoes then!

The pamper package was made up of a 90 minute hot stone massage, 30 minute facial and 30 minute jacuzzi bath. I've had a few massages in my time but not for ages, and it was my first ever hot stone experience.

It was pleasure, and it was pain. Either the massage therapist was able to produce incredibly good pressure, or I've just become a heck of a lot more sensitive over the years. Probably both! There was lots of grimacing and curling of toes going on when she was massaging my calves and hamstrings, and I let rip with a few 'eeooows' as well. The best part of the massage was the stones themselves, where hot, smooth stones removed from a crock-pot were rubbed over the area that had just been massaged. Then leaving a hot stone on the soles of my feet, or inside the palms of my hands while moving onto other areas. Hello Bliss!

Once we moved onto the facial, we got to talking a little. I found out this lovely lady was from Bali, and has been in NZ for 18 months. She has a 3-year old son back home in Bali who she has only seen once during this time. This made me really sad. You know, much as there's moments I'd quite happily give mine away for a few hours, I can't begin to imagine not seeing my kids for a year or more. The reason she has come here is so her son can afford go to school. She told me that it's incredibly expensive for the average Balinese to afford schooling for their children. The cost is in the region of $20 NZD a month. Which doesn't sound a lot, but when she said the average monthly household earnings is only $100 NZD I could see why it is so out of reach for people there.

This lady was so gracious in telling her story, so matter of fact about the life she has to lead to give her family a chance at a better life. It really moved me. Especially when you consider that I just spent the equivalent of a Balinese monthly income on my 2.5 hours of pure indulgence. I felt incredibly torn - both guilty and lucky all at the same time.

Once my face was feeling suitably smooth I hopped into the half hour jacuzzi bath, where I sipped my bubbles whilst surrounded by bubbles. I couldn't help but seek the lovely massage therapist out afterward to give her a tip as I left, feeling like it wasn't much, just a token, but the very least I could do.   

And then, rather relaxed, oiled and stretched in all the right places, I made my way back out into the sunshine for the hilly climb back home. Stopping to admire the view of our gorgeous city from the top of the cable car once again.

And then I was homeward bound. To where three boys and an afternoon adventure awaited.

Things I'm Loving 1.4.11

♥ Father love ♥

You might have seen this video already. It did the rounds on Facebook recently. I cried my eyes out watching it. The thing that grabbed me the most, was the lengths this father went to for his son. Completing a marathon is not for the faint hearted. Competing in an Ironman even more so. But this father takes unconditional love, determination and sacrifice to a whole other level.

You can find out more on Team Hoyt here.

I couldn't help but make the comparison with how far our Father God went to save us all. Sending his one and only son as a sacrifice for humankind. It doesn't get much bigger than that.

The other thing that spoke volumes to me was how unconditional this fathers' love and God's love is. No matter how able or unable we are, He can and will carry us through whatever we cannot do on our own.

This son knew what he wanted. But he also knew it was impossible for him to do it on his own. Imagine asking your own father to do something on this scale. What would the response be? But we know we can go to our Father in Heaven with any request, no matter how impossible the request might seem to us with our human understanding.

He is capable.

He can do all things.

And He will.

♥ Old faithful Denim Skirt ♥

Do you have that one special item in your wardrobe? A fail safe, always feel good in it no matter what item? For me, it's this skirt. The old A-line corduroy/denim number. The cut is so lovely, the length just right. It's great with boots and leggings, jandals, sandals, you name it. But it's already seven years old. Hardly surprising that I found a worn patch on it this summer in the butt area then!  Thankfully this was repaired by Grandma during her visit though.....phew! This is one piece of clothing that will be worn until it LITERALLY falls apart at the seams. I so wish I had more clothes like this! What's your ab fab item of clothing?

♥ Scrapbook Souvenirs ♥

Whilst Grandma & Grandad were staying with us, they took Noah out for 3 special days on his own. Grandma lovingly put together a special scrapbook of their adventures (literally finishing it the hour before they flew out!) Reliving these moments will be such a wonderful way of keeping the memories alive for us over the weeks to come. Thank you Grandma for creating such a wonderful keepsake for Noah to treasure!

♥ Courageous caterpillars ♥

Our swan plant has never been healthier. It's nearly died several times in the past few years, but this year has been its year, leafy and full of flower. So you can imagine our disappointment when summer came and went without a single caterpillar to be seen. But wait...what's that I see on there this week? Our tenacious caterpillars for whatever reason have decided that they aren't bothered by the chillier mornings and cooler days that are upon us. They've clearly decided it's their time to shine.

From past experience we might want to rescue them to the warmth and safety indoors when they turn to chrysalises though as the only other time we hatched a butterfly this late in the year he wasn't in good shape when he came out.

I will never tire of seeing nature at its best in the stunning lesson these gorgeous creatures provide us - that of an incredible metamorphosis where extraordinary beauty can emerge from inside the plainest of packaging.

♥ Being high on life ♥

Seasons change, they come and they go. Much like the seasons in our lives. There are ebbs and flows, highs and lows. In the lows, we wonder if it's possible we'll ever feel happy again. And we'll do anything to try and change it.

But when we're on a high, do we ever stop and appreciate and acknowledge that life is good, right here, right now? Do we stop long enough to realise that during this time food taste sweeter, joy is deeper, and love is stronger?

I feel really high on life right now. Particularly with how much I'm loving and enjoying my children. I feel like the love I had has just been taken to a whole new level. And I just can't get enough of them right now.

But I can't help thinking why? Why now? For sure, a big reason has been that the recent earthquakes have brought home the fragility of life and how important it is to make the most of the life we have been given.

Rather than wish for another life or a better life, living the life we have been given to the fullest is what we are called to do.

And I know this feeling might not last. Honestly, it probably won't last past the next time one of the kids comes down with a bug and they turn into a grizzling, whining monster for a few days. So that's why I'm writing this now. There will be a moment sooner or later when I'm gonna have to look back on this post and remember that I even felt like this and so I know it's possible to be in that place ever again.

So for now this is me reminding myself that right here, right now I'm high on life. Thankful, grateful for the life He has given me.

It's not a perfect life, but it is a blessed life. And it's mine to live.

Linking up with Paisley Jade's Things I'm loving linky