Magnus .. mighty little man with a mighty big heart

Magnus you are a powerhouse of love. 

There has never been a day where you couldn't melt everyones heart and warm us all up from the very minute the day started.  Whether it was your enthusiasm for being at the farm, some wonderful news you'd bring about your life, the fact that you had your favourite shirt on, came with a flower or gift in your hand ... you always came bearing goodness and showing your heart ... even on the odd day where things just weren't feeling right ... we could count on you to always show your heart and let us know.

I've watched your immense love for your friends the farm and me grow and grow and have witnessed people fall in love with you for that at first glance, just a moment of your goodness has made the day for more people than I could count.

Every discovery you've made along the way has for you been awesome ... it seems that this is how you found life and it's wonderful to be around ... we all get to share in the awesomeness of life through you.

Rain, hail or shine you've walked the miles over the farmlands ...

 

 

... and became a bit of a hero to some of your friends ... hero for showing the way and kindness ...

Most of the time you were a bit like this ...

... and your parting gift ...

an apple tree

As it turns out, Farmer Nick told me on friday that Heather the cow had knocked down one of the young apple trees, in the new orchard along the bike path ... so there is a spot waiting right now for your tree to be planted.   I'll make sure that happens in the next couple of days ... then I'll watch out for the apples Magnus and when they grow, I'll be sure that you know so we can both pick one to enjoy ... for now, the whole landscape down there is now added to through your love dear boy.

Keep an eye on the blog as I'll post some pics of your tree once it's planted!

I can hardly imagine my weeks without seeing you, Melinda and Dave and not hearing some news of Sienna.

Thank you so much for blessing us all with the gift of you Magnus ... the world is a better place with you in it for sure.

Two little friends Daisy and Romy ...

Each week at the farm for some months now ... two little girls have been gracing our day with delight as they bounce, skitter and almost trip over themselves coming into the farm so they can come and say hello and start their day.

Daisy and Romy ... and now their time at the farm has come to an end, though their friendship will live on I'm sure ...

Daisy I'd have to call Miss Twinkle Toes.   She gets so excited she almost dances on air and fairy wings almost become visible over her shoulders as we wander the farmlands and play.  

Daisy wearing daisies

Wandering and pondering ...

Daisy with Cosmos ... found a little hidey hole in amongst the hay bales and were  absolutely fascinated by those big school kids and all of what they were doing ...

Picnicking by the fire in winter

A moment of love and enthusiasm shared with Anna

Daisy you've amused us, entertained us, kept us on our toes and there is nothing quite like you singing 'Wickle, wickle yiddle tar' ... from start to finish without missing a beat.  That has been part of the magic of you.

Romy you came along and it took no time at all to feel like you'd been with us all for ages ...

You take everything in and watch all that happens and love it most of all when everyone is happy and the love is all flowing.  We've all loved getting to know you and I can't imagine anyone else who would have been a better match for this little gang.

Cuddling those guinea pigs has been a bit of a favourite thing to do for you

... especially alongside Daisy!

Our thursdays are going to be different without you both. Though I know already the Janet and Pete and Os and Sarah have you spending time together at kinder ... and I'm sure that's only the half of it.

Thank you both for spending time with us all, we wish you well and may your friendship grow and strengthen.

Ella Rita Simmons ...

Ella Rita Simmons ... larger than life you are!

Big blue eyes that look right at you ... a full spectrum girl for sure ... you can melt at the sight of a butterfly ... and romp on, large and strong with the best of the action when it's happening.  

It's nothing for you to pick flowers and play princesses in the gentlest of ways ...

... and then to swing into an agile game of catch and chase.  

Whether being pursued or the one pursuing, you can run with the best and your energy and enthusiasm stays strong all day long.

You dear Ella have had some uniquely special moments at the farm that no one else has.

Remember the little mouse ...

... and who was the first child I've spent time with to let a snail or two crawl all over her face and love it!

I've loved how easily you make friends and how flexible you are in the friendships ... you really do find ways to enjoy the person you are with ...

You've spent time with each of the grown ups at the farm and with each different little gang because of this too ...

My how you've grown ...

Fun in a tree with your friends ... five little monkeys

Dance lessons with Eden ...

A big smooch with Eden ...

Guniea pig cuddles and snack time ...

Frankie + Ella always = FUN

... and even to the last day, you walk in each morning with Scott, all lit up, with things to share and ready for action from the very first moment. Your enthusiasm for life is wonderful to be touched by Ella.

Goodbye to you Ella ... wishing you all that is good in life ... enjoy your new home and have a wonderful time with Scott and Cyrina meeting your new baby early next year!

We've loved having you as part of the farm and will miss you ...

What do you call ..?

Lost in the sands of time are the names to go with these little gems ... I found them written on a piece of paper the other day and realised that I hadn't got to post them while the memory of who said what was still fresh ...

Cuddling a guinea pig with pink eyes and along comes the exclamation, 'Look, it's got stwaw-bree eyes!'

Running to me holding somethng in an outstretched hand and the cry, 'Look, look a leaf from a chicken!'

'Look at the pliglits, look at the pliglits', in delight of the new baby piglets running round.

Looking under a goat with full udders ...

'What's that hanging down?'  

'I don't know.' 

'I think it's a willy.' 

'Oh ... it's a really big Willy.'

'Yeah.'

Dakota's day has come to say goodbye ...

Who's this little poppet?

It's dearest little Dakota who has been part of life at the farm for three or so  years ... and who is now leaving us a much bigger and yet still very dear girl ...

What do we love about her?  So very much!

Those big dark eyes which peer out at the world ... and the genle soul that anyone who looks into them can see.   Dakota, you love your family very much, are genteel and fine with an eye for beauty and it's all bound up with a honey like sweetness in you ...

We've seen the beauty of you dancing and your dignity in friendships where there is love, respect and care ... it suits you to be in such company.

Your steps were often cautious ... and in your own time and way, you'd find a way over a log or up a tree.

The small things and the gentle things would capture your heart, the flowers, the butterlies, the beetles, the lambs ... for you the world's beauty and gentleness and you somehow belonged together.

There was a day in the sand where the play got very still and out of that place of stillness your little fingers began to trace patterns in the sand.   Elaborate, gentle, curved ... like an ancient dessert woman sand painting your story.

... and the day we stood down by the river, looking across the water and back at the farm, feathers and leaves in your hand ... and as you looked at them in contemplation, you quietly told me, 'Danella, I want to make the whole farm beautiful.'

To which I replied, 'It's a big place Dakota, the whole farm?'

... and you answered yes and there in front of you in the old timber fence, you gently place leaves and feathers as far as your eyes could see ... standing back at times to survey just how beautiful all you could see was ... finally announcing, 'There, it's finished.'

... and of course the day where you were quite the surprise package ...

Always immaculately dressed, throwing yourself into the grunge was not your way ... yet one day as we all played under the Peppercorn tree, you started to run dirt through your fingers, then your hands and as you delighted in the experience, you tumbled it onto your shirt then all through your hair until ... ecstatic with delight, you through yourself belly first into the dirt and lay in it, and swam in it and squirmed through it totally.   Allowing yourself to be totally immersed in getting to know the dirt.

Thank you for gracing us all with your presence for so long ... I feel blessed with the privilege of knowing you Dakota.  May your journey in life continue to unfold in the best of ways for you.  I know Tessa and Jamin will keep providing you with rich opportunities for this ...

Goodbye dear Dakota ...

Delicious bounty ...

As we warmed ourselves in the sun mid morning near the Oak Tree on monday, along came one of the garden plotters Rachel and she presented us with ...

... and egg carton overflowing with raspberries ... Mmm..mm..mmmm ... they were super delicious for us all.



We had such a good time.  Frieda, Cassius, Farrah, Fracesca, Lola and Luke.

Under the Acorn tree or Oak tree depending on who you are is where we spent the morning.   The sky was clear and the weather gorgeous.  In the shade just a bit cool and in the sun mild and warm indeed.

We wandered into the vege gardens and found things to eat and play with and just generally enjoy ... and with the water restrictions just lifted ... I figured it was a good time to water my plot all the while encouraging the children to come close so I give them a quick light spray to keep things cool.   It was total delight for all when that happened.

At one point in the day, a little bug house was built in the grass with everyone involved.   All designed to shelter a lonesome lady beetle that the children had found.   Well once that was up and the children noticed that the lady beetle was on it's own in a 'big bug mansion' ... the search was on for as many beetles as we could find.

For the rest of the day, we meandered round the farm and enjoyed each other and the farm, ending up down the back paddock in the horse corale in the sand.   It was just lovely seeing how well the children played and co-operated and really enjoyed themselves while they created game, after game, after game.

Such a good mix of personalities, temperaments, interests and drives ... overall a perfect match!