Treasured Moments (6)

The last day of the week, and the last day of another year.  It's a nice time to reflect on all that 2011 brought us with its challenges and successes. 

Do you find yourself falling into a pattern of daily grind, skipping the 'fun' activities because you don't have time or lack energy?

Do creative arts, nature walks, drama, read alouds or spontaneous acts seem only a distant dream in your life?

Yet these Treasured Moments shared with loved ones uplift us, nurture our soul, remind us of the beauty and joy in our lives.

We want Treasured Moments for ourselves, for our children, for our families but how can we make it happen?

... Commitment ... Encouragement ... Support ... Ideas ... Plans.

You are invited to join us at the end of every week and share your plans and ideas, your targets and goals and your stories ... your 'Treasured Moments'. In this way we may inspire one another, encourage ourselves and start achieving our dreams. Hosted by Erin at Seven Little Australians and Counting.

My Treasured Moments this week are:  

1.  A whole week of being together.  No work for Papa.  No after school activities.  That's always a first to put on my list when it happens. (smiles!)

2. A day at the beach with family yesterday.  Papa's brother was visiting for a holiday from Queensland with his family.  We grabbed the boogie boards, sunscreen, some lunch and took off for most of the day.  Watching the cousins have a great time together was very special.

3. Time catching up with my sister and her family, who are visiting from Canberra, happened today.  Wow, that little nephew of mine has grown (5yrs old).  He just loved being outside with the chickens and our dog, Midgy.

4. We've been painting out the bedrooms.  Mariposa's and our rooms have been a harder slog than we thought, but looking great now they're done.  Maestro's room is next on the list, with the carpet coming up as well.

5. An opportunity to pet-sit for our next door neighbour came up for Mariposa.  While I had to supervise with the locking of doors, etc., she independently did her list of chores admirably for 4 days.  This morning, our neighbour arrived home and thanked her.  Mariposa now has a paying pet-sitting job whenever she goes away.

6. We enjoyed Maestro's reading of his latest written work.  He's always enjoyed writing, but it's even more fun listening to him read it out aloud with all the inflections in his voice and pausing for the comical moments.  Seriously, I think we should get this child some acting lessons!  He had us in stitches as he read a version of the little droid, Joey, from an alternative tale of Star Wars.

It's going to be a VERY HOT week here in Melbourne, over the next few days.  Today was quite warm, but there's a lot more heat to come.  I hope you all stay well hydrated, and enjoy Summer now it's here.