That’s what I’ve been doing this week..walking well and truly after midnight.   It’s the only way to Get Stuff Done.  I’m considering starting a movement…the Secret Sleepless Society.  I know my web design guru Brian will be first in line..along with Krysta and Kate who also think sleep is inconvenient.  And my Mum, she’d be a founding member.   The problem with sleep deprived people, they never shut up about needing sleep.   I annoy myself, I do.

Okay, so the week that was.. My gorgeous friends Lea & Chris had a flying visit from Sydney and I got to meet their beautiful, fresh baked boy,  Isaac.

The same day Kate came round and together we inspected my new photoprop chair..I endured much complaining from my husband to acquire this thrift shop beauty..

On Sunday we visited Fran & Family (who Candy Workshop people know well by now!) and played around with  lighting..Well actually, we worked.   Fran’s overgrown kid, DJ, played around.  Here’s him.

Fran said she’d kill me if I showed these so if I show them little, she might just kill me a little bit.

Apologies to those people (like most of everyone I know) who think I’ve been abducted this past fortnight.  I really am well, alive and umm, sleep deprived :)

S x

Actually, a Manic Weekend that’s overflowed into a Manic Monday..

Explore starts today and we’ve been crazy busy making everything just so..  I loved Explore last year – so many beautiful girls all gathered together so I’m really excited to get Round Two underway!  For participants waiting for their login links…any second now!  (A bit like if you were coming around to lunch..you’re waiting on the porch while I frantically arrange cushions and straighten my dress.)

I thought I’d best take a mindbreak and share these taken of Ivy this week. It’s occurred to me that I seem to photograph nothing but Ivy lately but I’m so unbelievably busy with everything to do with photography, I don’t have any time to actually take photos.  I rarely get to pick up my camera for more than ten minutes lately and seeing as Ivy is my perma-attachment, she’s the obvious choice of model.

So, as I wandered up the driveway to check the mail early the other morning, on my way back I was so captivated by the gorgeous light.  Ten minutes later and I’ve got the poor child changed into a vintage frock, perched on a chair and I’m all happiness and well, light.  I had big plans but she would not stand on the morning dew without complaining and as we headed back to the house, this was our exchange:

Ivy (frowning):   Lets go inside.  I’ve had enough.

Me:    Really?

Ivy:    Yes, you got SO many today.

Me:    I know honey, but they’re very pretty.

Ivy:    Yes, I know I am but I’m still cranky.

I can live with it :)

S x

It just wouldn’t be Easter here if it didn’t include torrential rain.  The kids loved it, making huge mud puddles and collecting worms.  Me, I just feared  they’d be washed downhill or lost under a falling tree.  (You can see one in the background that caved under the weight of the rain).

And of course it’s now all sun shiney with birds a twitter while I’ll be indoors for the day, tackling a week that seems a little insurmountable.  And, I’m doing it sugar-free, mind you.  Where for art thou, beloved Buttersnap?

S x

So much to love. The joy of watching kids wake on Easter morning..the excitement on their faces..the Lindt with my name on it.

So much to clean up.  From bedroom to bathroom, we have chocolate where no chocolate should ever go.

So much to miss.   Not enough eggs.  Not enough squeals.  For all the happiness and mess..still not enough.

Another day where the despair, the joy, the appreciation, the wishing, the love, the disbelief, the sorrow and the happiness all blend and make for something that feels okay.  And Lord knows,  I’m unbelievably grateful for okay.

Easter love to you and yours.

S xx

ps My two beautiful girls, Ivy discovering her chocolate this morning.  Ava, July 2006.

Why choose between making water balloons or jumping on the trampoline when you can do both?  My boys will turn anything into an extreme sport.

Happy Easter :)
S x