Magpie Melody

Today was a really gorgeous day for Oli, Frankie-Belle, Ella and Samson.  We seemed to find ourselves in spaces where no one else was most of the time ... even though the farm was busy ... so for most of the day, it kind of felt like 'Our Farm'.

We had fun with the goats early on and one little fella only a few weeks old thought my lap was a great place to be.  That was pretty funny for most and a concern for Oli.   He thought it was a bit rough on the goats part!

Later in the morning we picnicked down the back paddock on a grass verge overlooking the river. 

When everyone had finished and play began again, Oli snuggled up to me on the blanket to chat, 'Hey danella ... did you know ... ?'  Which for anyone who knows him, is Oli's great opening line.

While we chatted, a magpie landed nearby and watched us.  I pointed it out to Oli, who looked at the magpie and the magpie looked back ... and Oli said, 'Hmm .. it looks a bit cross.'   I said, 'Do you think so Oli?'  He said, 'Yes, it does, it's got cross eyes.'  We both looked for a moment and the magpie tipped it's head back and warbled.  Oli looked quite surprised and said, 'Oh, that's a very beautiful song though,' ... and the magpie obliged and warbled again.

I said to Oli, 'If we are still Oli, it might come closer,' ... and as if on cue it did.  We then enticed it with a little cantalope ... and in it came some more ... warbling away ... Oli ecstatic with this close encounter.

Next thing Frankie noticed and came and watched too.

Meanwhile, Samson and Ella were playing nearby on the few burnt logs left from the bonfire.   Totally engaged, loving being together, a match in energy for the game ... and funny.  Hands covered in charcoal dust, some on their faces and clothes and Samson with one eye black like a big patch and looking mighty like a happy puppy.

Ella has been with us a few weeks now and today it felt like she'd really landed well with us all.  She's energetic, enthusiastic, walks tall, plays hard and also plays soft and sweet.

During the afternoon we spent time under the big Oak tree and Ella morphed from one moments play to the next with incredible ease.  She walked with Frankie picking flowers and sharing tenderness, she climbed with Oli and slid down the hill, she hoiked herself up on big rocks with Samson and took flying leaps to the ground after seeing how much fun Oli and Samson were having at this.  Her adaptability and genuine interest in what she was engaged in with each child was wonderful to witness.

I don't know what made it home inside Frankies hat today but she spent lots of time today picking little flowers in the grass and adding the odd little stick ... and finally picking up a big cutting from the top of an apple tree with blossom buds on it ... to ...'Take home to my mumma ..' ... ohh Frankie you can be so.oo.oo sweet!