Watch out for 'piders ...

A lot of very gorgeous things happened today and here are some to share with you ...

We visited the goats early in the day and they were pretty funny.  The little ones are testing the waters in all sorts of ways.  'Goat dancing' as the ceremoniously size each other up for a head butt, bouncing around and falling all over each other and so full of joy at times that all you can do is laugh.

Archie was Mr. up close and personal.  He was really into patting and hugging and often standing right in the middle of the whole family, just loving the close contact ...

Down the back of the goat paddock, one little kid bounced past and took a leap into the air, off all fours and sort of danced and twisted in convulsive style while it threw itself about in the air before landing on the ground again.   Mac and I were the only two who saw that.  We both looked in disbelief at what had just happened for brief second and then burst out laughing and when Mac saw that I had seen the same thing as he just did, he laughed even harder.  It sought of felt like in relief because he'd just seen something quite phenomenal and there was no way he could have told anyone about it.  Me having seen it too, solved the problem there.

Guinea pig cuddles were a good time for schmoozing with each other and Frankie opted for no guinea pig and just a schmooze.

After picnicking and taking out time, we all headed off down the back with apples in our hands to find some horses.  The trek was great.  Everything that could distract us did, we took forever, had heaps of fun and puddles were a great source of joy.

We finally found the horses, who were frisky and full of micshief so there was some great gallops round the paddock to watch and lots of loud neighing to be awestruck by ... and of course ... they LOVED the apples.

My reading glasses were discovered and tried on ...

Mac decided to paint the nearby fence.  Hands in the mud and off he went dilligently 'painting' and having a ball ...

Hmm .. mm these hands of mine are a bit sticky now ...

'Look 'nulla'

At this point in the day, we were right down the back of the farm, it was fresh and quiet and the children were really happy and we just plonked where we were and played for ages.

One by one, everyone had a turn in my lap, wanting to be held and hugged and sung too.  Dan actually lay down with his head on my lap as relaxed as could be for about 40 minutes listening and watching and quietly singing to himself.   He was really at peace.

Archie and Frankie together are like big honey bees.  They are really sweet, really happy with each other and love taking hands and strolling.  Archie reached out for Frankies hand today and she happily gave it to him and when the found and hold that worked, they both beamed at each other for a good minute or so.  Frankie then said, 'Let's go for a walk.'  Archie agreed and off they went ...

All of a sudden, Mac announced to me, 'I'm a red 'pider,' ... and moved his arms really fast.   Archie looked and added, 'Well, I'm a blue spider.'  Frankie chimed in with, 'I'm  a yellow spider' ... and they played being 'piders' for ages.  It was a busy, fun game and when it came time to eat, I asked Mac what he wanted and he said, 'Flies' ... so I was then instructed to make 'Fly soup.'  My conversation about this with Mac went like this.  'O.K. I'll make the soup, what would you like put in it Mac, onions?' 'O.K.'  'What else .. carrots?' 'No, 'piders don't eat carrots.'  'O.K. What about tomatoes?' 'No, 'piders don't eat tomatoes.' 'O.K. anything else?' 'Just flies, lots of flies.'

Then three little 'piders, one red, one blue and one yellow all sat and supped on a bowl of fly soup.  Mm..mmm 'twas delicious.

So where was Dan all this time, this was all happeing while he lay on my lap ... watching and singing and playing with the grass and very chilled out and at peace.  It all just felt very good to him.

The wind picked up, the sky darkened and raing drops started after this, so we headed to the stables and met up with more horses ... with a stop to huddle and pat Pebbles the cat ...

  ... before finding our way back to the barn to wind up the day.

As we got ready to go, Archie said from behind me, 'Nella, look at this.'

I turned and saw ...

When Cath came for Frankie, Archie ran with a great sense of purpose to the basket where our bags were and was looking through it intently saying, 'I can't find, I can't find ...'  As Iifted Frankies bag up and asked him 'What can't you find Archie?'  He grabbed Frankies bag with relief ... went straight  to Frankie with great respect and handed her just what she needed before heading home.  He'd known she was going and all his little heart wanted was to take care of her and help her on her way.

What a little gentleman and a beautiful note to part on.