Fun with chalk

It's school holidays here and I've hit on possibly my best ever 'keep the kids occupied whilst not spending any money' scheme. 

One packet of chunky chalk from Spotlight plus one ginormous concrete water tank - bingo!

Although it didn't go quite to plan - my dreams of a beautifully decorated water tank were dashed when I remembered I have two boys who only draw tanks, aeroplanes and explosions...
So I provided the pretty bits for myself :)

Peaceful weekend...

I packed the boys (and Mark) off camping with the sailing club and had a lovely peaceful weekend alone - just me and the dog. We watched a few good movies (she likes Red Dog) had a sunset stroll along the beach and sewed half a skirt.

We were really pleased to see them back again though!

Australia and the Eiffel Tower

We had a painting day today - a trip to Spotlight to buy supplies, lots of newspaper, old clothes on and we were ready.

Bill decided to go for an Australian theme with cave paintings and native wildlife, while Tom went for a more abstract 'Eiffel Tower with Red Bird'...

I love Bill's line drawings - especially the platypus in the top left!

 Finished!

Last days

It was the boys' last day at school today.. so sad!
They're leaving their tiny 50 pupil village school where they've been so happy, and taking a leap into the unknown. 
Any school in Australia is bound to be a lot bigger, but I'm thinking a bigger school will mean more facilities and activities. 
And lots of new friends!

Still sad though...:(

The very long weekend.........

A little bit of Jubilee-ing... (this isn't my bunting by the way!)

A lot of bike-riding (mostly in the rain)...

 And a number five birthday!

On the fence

Don't look too closely - I need to get the sensor cleaned on my camera...

The Pox

I have a small person home from school today with chicken pox.

All I can say is Thank God for Lego..

And a new card design I managed to finish while he was watching Kunf Fu Panda 2..

Mum Tom

Empty Nest..

Nest print from Bold and Noble

I'm feeling a bit empty-nest-ish. I know my children haven't left home.. they're only 4 and 6 - but they do trot off happily to school each morning now, leaving me feeling a bit lonely...

How sad! I miss having a small companion following me around, pointing out interesting cloud formations and dogs.

And always wanting feeding.

I'm only four days in to 'big school' so I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Anyone else missing their little treasures? Or, more sensibly, enjoying the peace!

Day 29

Day 14

Gappy!

Day 11

Day 8

We've been dog-sitting for a few days - for a small hairy spaniel!

Day 5

Climbing...

Zoo Day!

Tom and I went on a pre-school trip to the wildlife park today - photos altered with help from here and here.

IF: Stay

A little sketch from sports day for Illustration Friday - Tom was very good at making the beanbag stay on his head - should be an Olympic sport I think!

Raining butterflies...

Ugh - it's raining and I've been persuaded to walk around the village after two small boys on bikes... So here's a butterfly to remind us that it's summer!

PS Yes, I know we need the rain!

Bee Bar

Bill came home from school and made a Bee Buffet Bar - he loves bees and carries them around on the tip of his finger if he finds one in the garden! Makes me a bit nervous..

(Needless to say he hasn't been stung...yet..)

He's wedged it in the tree so it'll be easy for the bees to find :)

Cloudspotting

You really don't notice how much you need a car, until.. you haven't got one :(

Tom and I have been catching the bus to pre-school, which is fun - but then I have to wait two hours to catch the bus back (or walk two miles with my poorly toe...)

So, I made the most of it this morning and had breakfast in The Market Pantry with 'The Cloudspotter's Guide' for company - I now know all about Contrails and the Morning Glory clouds of Northern Australia!

Have a lovely weekend everyone! I'm going to do a bit of cloudspotting!

IF:Duet

This is a pic of my two boys I did for Tom's Christening invitations.

It pretty much sums up their personalities.

Loud...

Happy weekend everyone!