tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60126991434351947982024-03-13T12:53:49.413+11:00Down at the FarmDown at the Farm is a day of deep nurturing care and natural learning offered for young children at the Collingwood Childrens Farm.
Each week on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, a group of five young friends meet and are allowed the freedom to create their own day of imaginative play, adventure and time with mother nature in a very organic way.
Come and share in our journey...danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.comBlogger455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-606882471186013092014-06-25T10:28:00.004+10:002014-06-25T10:31:47.341+10:00Where are we now ... ?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">So, after a long time away from this blog, I'm back to say ... you can now find me on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theecologyofchildhood.com">'The Ecology of Childhood'</a> ... a website is on it's way and I will announce here when it's up and running. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Trust your journey has been rich with learning since my last post and continues to be from here on.</span></span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-70248108496919472712013-04-08T06:46:00.001+10:002013-04-08T06:48:22.397+10:00... and so ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Down at the Farm has been having a rest from blogging for a while. For those who visit or pop in for a moment ... just wanting you to know that we haven't disappeared or come to a halt. Won't be long before we are back here to share more ... or ... may even be, we re-emerge in a new form. In the mean time ... thanks for visiting, trust you feel the love and enjoy your time here !!</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-64836124331816033722012-12-20T10:20:00.003+11:002013-12-27T20:51:25.161+11:00Full circle becomes an ending ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, I thought we'd closed a chapter on part of our experience of life at the farm and yet, another turn has been taken in the story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Many of you know about the ash saplings that were cut on the bike path, and the story that followed. For those who don',t you can find it </span><a href="http://downatthechildrensfarm.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/changing-landscapes.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here</a><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://downatthechildrensfarm.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/wonderful-thing-happened.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here</a><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://downatthechildrensfarm.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/new-life.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here</a><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://downatthechildrensfarm.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/full-circle.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here</a> .</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... another chapter unfolded this week.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having had the luxury of time at the farm, I've been able to bear witness to things that happen over time ... and see the deeper pattern or story of life unfolding as it takes shape ... I have thoroughly felt the privilege of this. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I entered the farm on Monday, I bumped into Michael, the man who we first went to... to find out the fate of the little clump of Ash trees that had disappeared.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He had news to bear. The big Ash tree had died ... and in the moment he told me I felt deeply that this news was to do with how deeply interconnected life is.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After that little clump of Ash disappeared and the community went through it's process of shock and grief and loss; the children stopped visiting and playing as they used to ... many, many families now just walked by, or had a very different relationship with that tiny area of land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Occasionally I would walk down there with the children with me ... the landscape had changed and so too had all the relationships connected to that landscape. The creativity and imagination that had been poured out and into the environment, the songs, the dance, the love, the fire and passion the games and imaginative play that I'd been witness too had ended ... and within two years, the parent tree had died.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd noticed this tree change and become old and brittle and saw that it didn't hold it's leaves like it used to ... and while there may be any number of logical, botanical or explainable reasons as to why this tree had died ... I knew I was seeing that it slowly died after the community of relationships it shared had ended.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This to me is the nature of having a relationship with a place and the natural world. It teaches us profoundly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The branches on the tree and deadwood will be lopped, and there will be something to climb on left ... yet could it be that with that one little change to the environment ... the removal of a little clump of ash trees, growing right next to the mother tree and bringing joy and love to hundreds of children ... the mother tree died with the loss of all that it loved and felt loved and sustained by energetically ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wonder ...</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-10941651790229857642012-12-17T17:35:00.005+11:002013-12-27T21:01:02.904+11:00Ted Smith ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the string of goodbyes that have happened of late ... here we come to the last.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ted Smith ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ted we've covered so much ground I hardly know where to start ... hmm .. how about here ... with a peek at the little Ted that first came along to the farm ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With Magnus who you adored (and he adored you too Ted)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If there was to be one word only that I could choose to describe you Ted ... it would have to be passionate. From when we first met up until now, you have not ceased to share your passion with us. Passionate love for your friends, passionate curiosity about life. Passionate determination when you set your mind to something, passionate inquiry when you want to understand something ... passionate love of football (Go the Hawks!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are switched on Ted and passionate about life. It has been so satisfying to be on the other end of. We know when you are happy and we know when you aren't ... and you can show enormous patience and will, when we are trying to cross the gap between the two.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's like you've had journeys within a journey. There was your first year with Jyra and Dakota and Magnus and Ari ... there was just so much love between you all that friday mornings started to be a little mill around in a pool of love together ... often for ages, we'd all just feel the love and be in it together. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Magnus was your idol and he was such a great person for you to look up to and be inspired by. He always gave his best and had a heart as big as yours. High voltage met high voltage when it came to heart power between you both.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We weathered the changes when lots of faces left and new ones came ... and in time, guess what Ted ? You and I were in love again with a whole new gang and a whole new way and it too has been really good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ari, has been your loyal and loving friend and sometimes, Ari's sweetness comes out most when you are happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've seen you master the Peppercorn tree and then master the big hill near the Oak Tree... You've been muddy from head to toe and have had the stamina to walk for hours. There isn't any type of weather that you haven't been thoroughly immersed in and we've idled some hours by the fire.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the time it's taken for our latest little gang to bond, you've found yourself in the best of company with Frieda, Ari, Yoshi and Olivia. Strong personalities, strong energy and lots of sensitivity and love in the mix too. For you it's been great and vice versa ... and I've often had a 'Thank god it friday moment at the end of my week ... ' ... not thank god it's nearly over, but divine thanks for the blessing of the company I keep on that day. There's been a lot of love shared and a lot of fun had.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are so loved Ted and almost like an institution at the farm after such a long time ... like Fridays and Ted and the farm have all belonged together no matter what.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You don't shy away from anything Ted ... even a good dance!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You and the brothers getting a little creative with a hat dance ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cubby Fun with Frieda ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ted you have such a great support team at home ... Andy, Luke, Isabel and Kitty ... and all the family beyond that, who I've heard about and got to know over the years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've given us all so much love, helped us all to grow and learn, laughed with us and at us and haven't minded when we've all had a good laugh at you. We love you very much Ted and will miss your enthusiasm, intelligence and yes ... have to say it one more time ... your passion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good bye Ted ... safe travels and one thing is for sure ... it won't be a dull journey for you !</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-16822856925777768992012-12-17T16:10:00.001+11:002013-12-27T21:04:11.113+11:00Cracking up ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Farrah, Roxy, Archie, Monty and Reuben spent a beautiful morning at the farm today. Miles were covered with loads of beautiful moments where we encountered the animals ... the sheep, the goats, some calves, some horses. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A group of older people sat near where we picnicked and the question of the moment was, 'Why have they got cracks in their faces?' Now that was a great conversation ... and at moments on the inside, it was cracking me up!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At another point in the day, Farrah announced, 'Danella, you're hilarious' ... then added after only a moments pause, 'but not that hilarious.' ... as if to say, just don't get carried away with yourself now that I've told you that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's just one peek at each child on this very beautiful day ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The dynamic duo of the day ... Archie and Reuben</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-32003397535572555012012-12-17T16:01:00.000+11:002013-12-27T21:14:40.207+11:00... and we're going to the chapel ...<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of Samson's last day, the children wanted to do something special. We decided to walk somewhere special and they wanted to go somewhere they hadn't been before. What sprang to mind was a walk to the chapel. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Amanda, the interpretive officer is a friendly neighbour ... she knows we are around and is always happy to see us. The chapel itself has been restored and is quite beautiful ... and I offered to the children that I could take them for a walk and show them another beautiful place near the farm.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They wanted to know if it was like the art gallery ... yet not the art gallery ... and when I said, 'Well it sort of is.' That was enough for them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In we walked and Amanda was really happy to see we had come to visit, and really happy for us to wander and look.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The chapel was quiet and still and the children were gorgeous.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lot's of 'Wows' when we walked in ... followed by, 'Look at that' ..'Look at that' ... and they were so respectful of being in a space that they weren't familiar with, 'Can we walk here?' 'Can we look at things?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and we did.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The altar is carved intricately of marble. To the children, a large tactile story book, 'Look, this is amazing.' ... and they walked up and touched it and walked round it to take it in. It sits in an enclave that is dome shaped with art work up to the ceiling reminiscent of the Sistine chapel era type of thing, with mandala stain glass windows. The children loved the beauty and detail and the light that was coming in here too. They noticed things all around and asked, 'What's that?' 'Who's that?' ... and of course they were funny too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a pedestal on the wall was a statue of a nun, in black and white habit. Kornelius and Samson noticed her and asked, 'Who's that up there?' </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I told them it was a nun ... and without wanting to know what a nun was or anymore info, there was general agreement, 'She's a bit scary.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along one wall were a series of oil paintings, known as 'The Stations of the Cross' and the children stood to look up at the art in this 'gallery'. They've been to the C3 gallery before and now anywhere with art work is a gallery ... and they quite love knowing it's there to look at.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kornelius took in the first picture he looked at and asked, 'Who's that?' </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I told him it was a picture of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Who's Jesus?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Well Jesus is a man who lived a long time ago, about 2000 years ago.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Oh...' looking at the painting...'what's so special about him?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The conversation opened up and I did my best to share answers to their questions about this story, in a simple way and as I've come to understand it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'He was a teacher, a kind man, a caring man and a real warrior for peace and love. He cared a real lot about how people were and would often do brave things to bring about more love between people.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Oh..oh..oh'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'How come he's lying down?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well that picture is telling about when he died ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'What's that guy at the end of the bed got wings for?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'He's an angel.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Oh..oh.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'How come he's got gold around his head?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Well Jesus was so full of love and compassion that people could see it shining out of him ... it shone out of him like light. That gold is meant to show how shiny bright he was.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'So how come there are more pictures?' ... looking down the line of oil paintings.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Well that's meant to be a story about part of his life ... a bit like a story book up on the walls and each painting is like a page.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Oh ... are there other stories too?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No mostly about Jesus in here ... and then they noticed the stain glass windows ... 'What about in there ... ?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... 'Well that is more of the same story.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Oh .. oh ... not like the other gallery.' ... which of course has the work of a number of artists going on at once.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and on we went, looking at the seats and sitting in them and asking who else has sat there and seeing how the light shone in the stain glass ... and noticing the organ pipes and asking who played the music and what songs they sang and things like, 'Do you think they know twinkle, twinkle?'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The thing that was really delightful is that children were in a non religious, non prejudiced, multi-sensory experience of the chapel as it was on that day. It's got an incredibly beautiful wooden ceiling and is a bit like the inside hull of an upturned boat, that has been handcrafted. They noticed this and took it in. They walked up close to all thing we saw and touched what they could ... and asked a whole lot about everything else. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the end, it was deemed, 'a pretty good gallery' ... and that we had indeed gone somewhere special with Samson on his last day.</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-91854080181260861462012-12-17T15:46:00.002+11:002013-12-27T21:15:34.398+11:00Olivia creating beauty ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we settled in for some time in the Witch's Garden on friday morning, Olivia took to creating some beauty in the cubby house there ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was so tender and gentle ... joined by Yoshi for a bit ... she delicately chose and placed things all around the entry ... each gumnut, twig, grass blade ... hand picked and deliberately placed with incredible focus and attention to detail. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Take a peek ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This tiny hole in a stump became a 'vase' for some delicately chosen and place green and long fine sticks ....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-31752072689575547532012-12-17T15:15:00.002+11:002013-12-29T08:37:29.300+11:00Sam a beautiful little man ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sam arrived quietly, with no fuss and I have to say ... there was no turning back. He had landed in the right place at the right time and was definitely with the right people. I often thought of this, over the time he's been with us as it was very seamless and beautiful. It has always just felt right to have him along.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having known older brother Toby and Mum and Dad and John and Granny Sue and ... getting to know little sister Violet too ... you've been the treat Sam, that brought them all into our lives in 2012.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thing I've found really strong in you as a quality, is that I can count on you. You are really loyal and dependable, and it helps create a feeling of things being safe for everyone in our little gang. When you'd ask something or find out how something was done ... that was it, you'd get it and be happy to do so and to pass it on to others, anytime needed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You'd take things in with great wonder and delight, have a great sense of humour and really love the same in others. I can hear you laughing now as I write.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guinea pig cuddles with you were always a treat ... you love them and we'd always find they'd just chill in your lap like they'd landed in a really good nest.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luca, Anna, Sonny and Alessia looked up to you ... while you're the middle child in your family, with us you were a bit like a big brother, helpful, kind and lots of fun too .. Whether it was a great hike, or gentle play, climbing a tree or watching a bug, everything we did was of interest to you and in amongst it all you'd also make us laugh.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I'd have to say my theme song for you is ... 'Easy ... easy like sunday morning (though we were always on a thursday) ... as that's how you've been ... a very easy companion to have along ... and an easy friend to love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've got a heart full of love for your family Sam and we wish ever so well for next year. We'll miss you and send you off with our love ... goodbye Sam ...</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-69349789126738500102012-12-17T14:58:00.003+11:002013-12-29T08:39:22.080+11:00What do you like with your corn chips .. ?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oli opened his lunch box up on his last day ... took one look at some corn chips that were in there amongst all else and gave a long grumbling 'OH..oh..oh..', followed by, 'I don't like those corn chips.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I asked, 'What's wrong with them Oli, don't you like the flavour?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His reply, 'No, they've just got no brocc-amole with them.'</span></div>
danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-85648454731933612132012-12-15T09:55:00.002+11:002013-12-29T08:50:41.612+11:00Bye bye Anna ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anna you've had quite the journey over time at the farm ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In your first year you arrived, things eventually became little girl heaven, with Daisy and Romy, Milana and Alessia ... and YOU! Those were the days where things were always fun and mighty sweet. Lots of songs could be heard and fairy games would emerge ... along with adventure at the farm. It was such a beautiful beginning for you, enough personality and fun for you to find your way safely into friendship.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and while you were mostly quiet and little reserved, there have been moments of you that have been so tender and sweet ... you'd take your own time and find your own way to have those moments too ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and life moved on, faces changed and you had a chance to fall in love with Sonny and Sam and your good friend Luca joined us. Along with Alessia, this became your safe place for 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... it's been wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've found your feet, found your way and often would quietly watch, ponder and consider ... then quietly share your deep perception about what was happening. Like the wet day we watched two ducks forage in the mud and as they poked around and moved side by side, then away from each other and then eventually settled into a rhythm that worked for them both in the same small puddle. It was you that told us the ducks were sharing ... with a feeling that you understood they'd gone through a process to get there ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alessia has drawn you into the safest of places for creative play. Together you've made home and painted each others faces ... and you'd get so involved and tender in your conversation with each other like there was only the two of you here, and all that mattered was the fun you were having together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An all time favourite game has been the doctors game ... it started one thursday morning after a tumble for one of the children when we needed to dust off a knee, and make sure things were ok ... and it's taken on enormous proportion. It's become the game the whole gang play together. You are also funny too. Everyone announces who they are and then all of a sudden, we have a problem as there are all patients and no Doctors ... and you are all determined to stay as you are too ... I think part of the reason it's a favourite is because of how much you love it Anna. You love everyone being involved and you love everyone taking care of each other and you lie there and be as still and patient as can be when it's your turn to be 'sick' ... and are very busy and totally attentive when you take on being a nurse or Dr. ... there is no amount of attention needed that wears you out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I look back, it's been such a long journey. Yet as it came to say goodbye ... it felt all too soon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We love you Anna and all know the joy you felt being with all of us. We'll miss you and it feels good to know that Kate, Chris and little brother Sam will all take part in the next wonderful chapter of your life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good bye from us all Anna ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luca, Anna, Sam, Alessia and Sonny</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-1133773785603633582012-12-15T09:17:00.004+11:002013-12-29T08:51:29.486+11:00Growing up for guinea pigs ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While walking down to the guinea pig house on friday morning, after a play under the Peppercorn tree near the pigs ... all the children were chatting about guinea pigs ... Ari quietly beside me seemed to be pondering all things and then that little flash of realisation came across him, and he announced with an air of wisdom and certainty, 'When guinea pigs grow up they turn into pigs you know. A pig is just a big guinea pig.'</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-81961193190352944812012-12-15T08:56:00.003+11:002013-12-29T08:57:01.135+11:00What can I say ... Oli Schwarz<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Right folks ... get ready to roll ... for it's Oli Schwarz we are about salute ... and life with Oli really does roll.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A high voltage package of fun, personality to burn, enthusiasm that never ends and talents galore that he's only too happy to share. There aren't too many half hearted moments with Oli ... when you get into things Oli you really get into them ... and cook up a storm of fun ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are a total social entrepeneur ... you LOVE meeting people, making connections, sharing what's going on in your life socially and finding out the same for others and so often, it's the glue that makes it all work.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've got a great sense of humour and ask questions to find answers ... when you ask, you really want to know and don't let up until we get somewhere ... even when I'm totally frustrated with you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A one man show ... there isn't a power tool, workman's toy or piece of machinery that you can't mimic ... an industrial human beatbox while you play ... and so fine tuned that if anyone else does a siren or saw noise and it's 'not quite right' ... without missing a beat you stand and magnificently offer ... 'No, it's like this ... BEE..bah.bee.bah ... or whatever is needed for that moment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oli you have given us all so much and kept us thoroughly entertained along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and along with all that high voltage fun, you can be as tender and sweet as a little kitten </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is no corner of the farm untouched, no person you've met who's not been touched or entertained by your presence ... and no amount of fun we haven't had ... and while you've been at it Oli, we've all heard just how much you love, Libby and Phillip, </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Grammy Dorothy,</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Patchy and Claudy and Gretzy ... who's</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> coming to join us next year and seems like she'll bear the touch for you when it comes to making fun and sharing a big personality :) ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are an awesome little man Oli Schwarz, we love you and have felt loved by you ... and are going to miss you a lot ... there's definitely a little Oli in us all now ... and that's a very good thing. Thanks so much for the love, the fun and the learning.</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-10979749700082218342012-12-15T08:17:00.000+11:002013-12-29T09:47:05.582+11:00Farvel Kornelius ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As our year comes to an end, the time to say goodbye to Kornelius has come. Another moment that will take a bit of getting used to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kornelius has often been like a quiet sentinel in the group. Not saying that he's always quiet ... he's not. Also not saying he stands back and watches ... sometimes he does and often he doesn't. He somehow just carries himself with this 'watching over' presence about him ... like he's watching over his friends and holding their best interests to heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's always liked to understand what is the best way to do things and wants to understand this, when it comes to making sure his friends are feeling good and happy. I've been witness to this for two years now ... and it's such a privilege to know a child over that sort of time ... things just deepen ... and we got to know each other really well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's how it's been with Kornelius ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's also such a package of quiet surprises ... like today, after two years of visiting the farm and just not really being into the guinea pigs, he got the most excited I've ever seen him about them and just had to hold one. Week after week we've visited, he's happy to be there and happy for his friends to hold one though mostly says, 'Nah ... I don't want to hold one.' ... which is of course ok for us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's mostly loved how things all work together. Often asking questions about why things are the way they are ... and how things work ... and what their place is in life. Together with Samson there would often be great philosophical discussion for us all to ponder and when songs would emerge, Kornelius really wanted a pirate song. The first song that popped into my head, the day he first asked, that I knew about pirates, was Bob Marley's,'Redemption Song' ... so I sang it and week after week. When we'd settle in and find comfort with each other, Kornelius would ask, 'Can you sing that pirate song again?' ... he'd stop what he was doing, listen, watch me and leave me feeling like the best singer in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When it came to games, whatever he, Samson and Oli came up with was ALWAYS the best game in the world, and without a beat, they'd just assume anyone else would want to be part of it ... imagination explosion would happened when he joined forces with those two and the air would be electrified with a fast paced, cracking adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and at times he'd come stand close and I could feel a big cuddle coming on and he'd happily plonk in my lap, chat and snuggle, and I'd find him gentle like a lamb and ever so sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's also the gentleman streak as he'd watch over, where he'd hold gates for us all ... or make sure we were all through something or over something ... at any rate, together ... it always mattered that we stuck together and while Redemption Song was your personal pirate anthem ... this became the theme song for us all while you were with us ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5je_eK0V1w">I'm sticking with you</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kman so much has happened while you've been with us and we all love you heaps. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know I'm going to miss having you at the farm, yet also know you are ready for more of what life has coming your way. We know it's your birthday and you are about to head off to Norway for Xmas to see Mor Mor and have a totally different Xmas experience to what it's about here. We loved big sister Agnes, and now we know and love you and look forward to getting to know little brother Rolf and the journey for you family continuing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have the best of times and go knowing you really are a very dear and special little(ok not so little) man ... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bye Kman ...</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-17025233190499749692012-12-15T07:43:00.000+11:002013-12-29T10:14:05.399+11:00Merry Xmas ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alessia was chatting away the other day and in the middle of her sharing asked if I knew 'woowat 'n a wetna one dayh-a'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can't say I did and knew I wasn't getting her. I said, 'Can you tell me that one again Alessia, I didn't hear it properly?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She happily replied and again I heard, 'Woowat 'n a wetna one dayha.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I apologised, 'Alessia, I'm sorry I still don't understand what you are telling me, could you say it one more time please.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She obliged in loud frustrated tones, 'WOOWAT 'N AWETNA ONE DAYHA'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not one to be stumped, I sat close and said it to myself a few times to feel the rythm and see if I could get it; and the Penny dropped.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I said, 'Alessia are you asking me about Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She gave huge sigh, and a long 'at last you've got it', 'Y.EAH.SSS!!' and then burst into smiles and asked, 'Well do you know it danella?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Merry Xmas everyone ...</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-46127446420448251672012-12-07T20:34:00.001+11:002013-12-29T10:18:08.959+11:00Infinity and fun ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Wednesday morning, down in the Witch's Garden where we haven't visited for a while, Kornelius came and sat in my lap. We had a huge picnic blanket on the ground and he snuggled back against me like I was a big lounge chair. We sat in the stillness of the place we were in and enjoyed the other children running and playing. Jyra came up at one point and couldn't help but join Kman ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lots of snuggling, love and joy ... they had a hoot with each other ... and given I was the couch by this stage and behind the, I turned the camera on to self portrait to catch what flowed ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Earlier in the day, when we went for guine pig cuddles, Kornelius had a big announcement to make ... everyone was sitting cuddling guinea pigs ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kornelius was standing in front like teacher with his class ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... he then announced, 'Hey, I know what infinity is.' Everyone looked, no one spoke. Kornelius followed like he had cracked the code on the best secret in the world. 'Do you know what it is?' Everyone looked, no one spoke. 'Well I do' said Kornelius.</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 'I'll tell you ... it's the number 1.' By this stage he had a grin from ear to ear ... and added, 'It is, it's the number 1.' An all knowing look and big grin still there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oli asked, 'Do you know Infinity danella?' I said, 'I do Oli' ... 'I know it as something different to 1. It gets called a number, but it's something that has no beginning and no end. Even it you counted all the numbers you know, you couldn't get there.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oli asked, 'Have you tried?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No, Oli, I know I couldn't' get there because it goes on and on and on and I'd probably get really tired and run out of numbers trying. I also think it's more than just a number. It's a really big idea.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kornelius stood and listened and interrupted to say, 'It's not what you know, it's 1, just 1.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing was going to shake his faith that he knew what he knew ... and as I stood there thinking about what I know about time and consciousness and what infinity means to me ... I wondered if he was onto some sort of understanding and I just needed to draw him out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I asked, 'Kornelius, where did you hear about infinity?' ... his reply, 'I didn't, I just know it.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hmm ... have we got a philosopher genius here or something ... and the other children talked about numbers they know and how big they are and they sort of agreed that no one else really knew much about infinity at all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was still pondering what was underneath this information that Kornelius knew that he found pretty amazing and was really happy about ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Did Agnes say anything about it, or Dad or Mum .. ? I really want to understand what you know. Infinity is a really big idea Kman and I've love to talk more about it with you.''</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No .. I just know. Infinity is the number 1.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Do you know any more about it?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and that was that!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For now anyway ... most conversations like this come up again in time ... revealing the patterns in relationship and understanding that are all part of how we naturally learn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and a few other moments on that day ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and at the end of the day as we waited for the mums ... we saw the most enormous 'fly' ever ...</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-30922966587581276342012-12-03T10:47:00.002+11:002013-12-29T10:19:59.080+11:00A new tree ... handling the heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our little thursday crew, who have the best of times together, have found a new tree to climb. It's down the bike path, past the bee hives and is heaps of fun. Taking that long walk is like having earned your stripes ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also had the best of times in the heat last week ... big Oak tree, lots of shady, light breeze and spray bottles of water and there is no way you'd know the mercury was headed for almost 40 degrees ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mind you ... the thought of joining the pigs earlier in the day, didn't seem such a bad one ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and Sonny found a 'combicata' shell to take home ... then asked ... 'What's it called again?'</span></div>
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<br />danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-30151766289929121332012-12-03T10:42:00.002+11:002013-12-29T10:20:43.785+11:00The dragon dance ...<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two weeks ago under the Oak tree we found this ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week ... this ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and Oli and Jyra and Cosmos just love knowing all about it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The love continued to grow in our little gang ... take a peek for yourself ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the dragon dance ... each child had a tail and wings and it was a spontaneous creation that emerged after Cosmos, Oli and Jyra had snuggled together on the blanket for a while. It was totally cooperative and quite magnificent.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and here is Jyra with her little dragon wings folded.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greta was there with us too ...</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-3877856695511261962012-12-03T10:36:00.002+11:002013-12-29T10:27:02.800+11:00Give a man a fish ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One thing that I hold close to my heart in working with the children is this teaching ... "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he'll eat for ever.' </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I endeavour to hold myself conscious of whether I'm doing things for the children, or seeing them as individuals and supporting them to find their own way to do things for themselves. It matters they can carry the pride of self achievement ... as well as knowing they have the capacity to do what they are, with them for life. It also sets them up to be part of the web of life and able to pass on to others the things that they have learned along the way too ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The longer a child share's the farm experience the deeper this goes ... and on friday morning, Ted showed me that he was ready to eat fish forever and help others to do so too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Near the big Oak tree that's become a favourite place to hang out, is a huge hill. It's big enough to give children who are able to climb a sense of their own phyiscal strength and capability ... and is enough of a challenge so that over time, others find their way to the top ... and they receive the power of the sense of themselves that comes with having done this for themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On friday morning Yoshi made it all the way to the top of the hill on his own for the first time. He was ecstatic. He called from the top. 'danella, danella, I did it! I did it!' ... and his smile beamed megawatt around Melbourne.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here he is on his way down the hill a happy little man ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone was happy for him and after a few more goes to make he really could do it ... all the children scrambled up the hill to be together at the top. Once there, they invited me to join them. It's the first time that's happened and I could sense how strongly bonded this group of children are. We were not going to feel whole until we were all at the top together and happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To be honest, climbing the hill was one of the last things I felt like myself ... yet when I looked up at the faces and felt the inclusiveness, I knew changing my attitude within this moment mattered a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Off I set, saying outloud. ' I don't know how far I'll get, though I'll try.' ... and up I went as far as I felt comfortable to and announced, 'I think this is far as I can go.' Without missing a beat, Ted called to me, 'Danella, you can do it, I think you can' ... 'just keep coming.' ... and he encouraged and coached me as I have done for him over our long time together, up the hill. I fully engaged and could feel how much of a difference my faith had made and my encouragement too. Ted had totally got this teaching and was able to reach out with faith and love and encouragement to me. I could feel his love and desire for me to be up the top to enjoy what the children were all sharing ... and I could feel how much he was able to hold faith in the possibility that I'd get there ... in a positive and encouraging way ... which is all I've ever done for him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This hill had been one of Ted's great quests and achievements. An obstacle at first and eventually an achievement and here on the day that Yoshi had found his way up and everyone joined Yoshi in his happiness ... Ted showed he'd mastered his own capacity to hold faith and encourage.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The funniest part, was that everyone joined in at one point and by the time I was 3/4's of the way up, there was a moment's quiet and I was met with, 'Now just hurry up!' 'Get to the top.' So seems I stretched the 3 and 4 year old patience a bit too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been my experience that children can over time embody a capacity to teach others that is profound. It's such a privilege to witness ... and here's what the Oak tree looks like when you look down on it from the top of the hill ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and as always ... life surprises us in ways we least expect. We found a bounty of extensions cords and power boards hidden in the undergrowth and everyone was wrapped to be able to have something to carry 'like a workman' ... all the way back to the farm. Turns out they belonged to the farm and had been overlooked when a celebration took place under the Oak tree on the weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ari</span></div>
danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-40862459693915356732012-12-01T11:30:00.000+11:002013-12-29T10:33:57.752+11:00Bless you Samson ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well the day came and went for us all to say goodbye to Samson ... and his farewell post is only happening now ... I had to get used to him going and it's taken a while ... you've been such a good friend!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Samson ... we all felt very, very loved by you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little man with a heart of biblical proportion and capacity for profound patience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When energy is being put into creating more love and understanding, Samson is there and shows he can wait forever while this is happening ... in good faith that it will happen and is the only thing that matters to happen. This quality in you I've got to know over time. It's very much patience for love to prevail.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone of us has felt this from you and felt deeply cared about by you in it for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why it is that the words 'biblical proportion' came for your heart ... I'm not quite sure ... maybe your story is unfolding into something just as epic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My memories of you Samson have a wave of deep gentleness running through them. You love to have fun and can play with the best of them, yet even in your early days, there'd be lots of time where you'd be still and gentle as if in deep contemplation ... and it helped make our little gang find safety with each other.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You've been a loyal and loving friend, and open to finding ways that work for us all ... not really one to complain, you'd just get this little squeak in your voice when you didn't really like what we decided to do, and would say in your own little scrunched up Samson way, 'I don't ree-ally want to do that.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, you've got lots to say and you're heaps of fun and you'll stand your ground when you need, yet overall, the deep gentle soul presides.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think your last day said it all ... we had decided the only way to say goodbye was to have a party and together the children decided it was to be a, 'We love you Samson' party.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where could we do that, of course only under the Oak tree that had been our favourite stomping ground over recent months ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we walked under the tree on that last day, feeling our love for you and very excited to be able to share it with you and celebrate you ... all little folk bouncing round in joy ... we made a couple of discoveries.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first was a wreath made of spindly branches that was adorned with blue butterflies with gold sparkles on their wings.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Look, this must be for Samson's party' was first cry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Samson looked and said with a appreciative and accepting sigh, 'It's blue and gold my favourite colours.' ... and then he put his hand into the center of the wreath and picked up a rock which was sitting there. Painted on the rock were the letters SB ... Samson's initials. You took the rock in your hand as if of course it would be there and said, 'That's my power rock.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of all the days and all the places for those things to be manifest under the Oak tree ... there could have been none more perfect. We were in the perfect place and exactly the right time doing what was meant to be done. What was most beautiful of all was the innocent joy the children received our gifts in ... they just naturally responded with the knowing, that course we live in abundant universe ... and we will be provided with all we need.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Together the children decided the wreath belonged at the centre of our picnic and they decorated it with loads of nasturtiums ... and we all shared our love and appreciation for you Samson.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We will miss you and saw an era close with your goodbye. For Dominic, Anna, Harvey and you have been part of farm culture for a very long time now and your goodbye closes that time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love that you were all heading off together for a month in Bali and know ... through Anna, that you've found the beach is great, the pool is great and they have really great biscuits in Bali too :) The world with out bickies wouldn't quite be the right world for you Samson ... glad to know Bali has obliged.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We love you Samson and we miss you ... and we often laugh and smile when we talk about our times with you. I know Anna and Dominic will create the most wonderful opportunities for you in your life as they already are and with big brother Harvey in the mix ... it's bound to be an epic adventure ... one of biblical proportions I'm sure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bless you Samson ... as you've deeply blessed all of us.</span></div>
danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-46874603013655474842012-11-21T18:11:00.003+11:002013-12-29T14:01:46.665+11:00 ... are you just going for a walk?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Often play amongst children allows us to witness how easily they can improvise and create, as well as how easily they share love and goodness ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Down near the horses this morning, Oli found a way to hook one of the boxes used to balance the poles for horse jumps onto the fence on the mounting area ... and lo and behold a great place to balance and adventure slide ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hey guys ... see, it does work ... !</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yep, pretty good ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cosmos had to try it out for himself ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and that was a good reason to make another ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Feijoa trees in blossom</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oli and Jyra were 'Mum and Dad' in their game again this week ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For Oli and Jyra that means spending a whole lot of time being kind to each other and sharing lots of hugs ... so much so that they even forgot they had children this week, and their three 'sons', Kornelius, Rolf and Cosmos had a great old time playing cubbies and running amok ... mostly because ... '.. they aren't watching us yet ..'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oli found a lady beetle ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oli and Cosmos picked loads of nasturtiums together ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.. and they all ended up here ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then folk started to walk by on the bike path. Kornelius, Rolf, Cosmos and Oli laid out the flowers along the path and started to greet folk as they came along. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Hi'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which usually got a 'Hi' back ... or a surpirsed, 'Oh, hello.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once they got into a rhythm, they were having a ball, they'd spy people a mile off and be saying, 'Quick, get ready, she is coming now, quick we can say hello.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were being very warm and friendly ... and in most cases, making folks day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The conversation soon became, 'Hi, are you just going for a walk?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To which they inevitably got the answer, 'Yes I am.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys were hilarious as each time they got another, 'Yes' they would be stunned and amazed that it was another one out for a walk ... 'Whoa ... ho ... another one. That's lots of people just going for a walk.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a great opportunity to talk with them about greeting people and the best way to do it and what feels good. I love the natural opportunities for this as the children lap it up and immediately try it out for themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of course it wasn't long before folk stopped and engaged and found out about the children and shared why they were walking, all great stuff to know.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we finished and walked off, Kornelius said, 'I say Hi to people and when I normally say Hi, it's boring. Saying Hi, like that,' as he pointed over his shoulder to where they'd been the meet and greet folk, 'That was so much fun saying Hi.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Towards the end of the day, after loads of fun, a lot of walking and very good day, we spied a peacock up high in a Peppercorn tree. This was such gorgeous reverie, the children were happy to just be still and watch. They all snuggled in, one on my back, two in my lap and another two leaning in on them. They wondered how a peacock could get down from a tree when it was up that high. After lots of suggestions, we all just watched and pondered and all of a sudden as if answering us himself, the peacock took a long low flight down onto the barn roof.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-46879995740217585272012-11-18T09:55:00.001+11:002013-12-29T14:06:50.250+11:00... personality plus<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you met Oli?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A powerhouse of energy, creative impulse to burn, love in his heart for his friends that's big ... all tempering and being harnessed for the best ... he can give heaps of love and stand his ground when things don't feel fair like no one.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and along came Greta ... Oli's little sister ... and personality and more spilled over in bounds there too. Oli was beside himself being able to share the farm with Greta and short of hi-jacking the day and expecting everyone else to follow ... these two loved sharing the day with Cosmos and Jyra. Oli as it turns out is a very beautiful little teacher with Greta ... he naturally shows her in Greta sized steps what to do and she laps up every word.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greta is going to be a regular trouper next year and came for a day with Oli this week and LOVED it ... can't wait to see her again ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They spent the day with Cosmos and Jyra ... and we all warmed up playing in the dirt and making mud together in the morning. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mooching around and enjoying the mild day and clear sky ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jyra got a little rhythm going in the morning, sticks and rocks were her drums and she sang her little heart out much to Cossies delight. He just couldn't help himself but join in ... and they were so very gorgeous together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A favourite game at the moment is 'The baby game' ... where Cossie and Oli are the babies and Jyra the mum. It's quite hilarious. Jyra is ever patient as she runs round after her babies keeping them warm and making them food ... and Cossie is the sweet little snuggly baby and Oli the wild and nothing's enough kind. Jyra loves them both. Eventually this game morphed into 'Mothers and Fathers' ... when Oli got sick of being a baby. He and Jyra were the mum and dad and in a moments frustration Oli said, 'Oh Jyra come on let's just go lie in the sun and leave the kids, I just get no sleep with them.' So he slipped from wild child to overtaxed dad in a moment. Funny thing being, that Cossie plays the most loving and sweet child anyone could want. Mum and Dad snuggled up and left their 'baby' Cosmos with me, who decided it was better fun at my house as his 'dad', Oli, was too grumpy :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Greta while all this was happening just floated in and out of the game being Greta ... she was really happy exploring, chatting, finding things ... whatever took her attention.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later in the day, Jyra and Cosmos were guinea pig cuddling. They were being so sweet with the guinea pigs and really sweet with each other and as the words of love and kindness they shared got sweeter and sweeter, the two little guinea pigs they had slipped closer and closer until they were snuggle up alongside ... with Jyra and Cosmos happily announcing that they were in love and having a kiss and a cuddle.</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-51557347721031320862012-11-07T21:10:00.002+11:002013-12-29T14:08:07.405+11:00Hey Rolf ... so good to have you join us ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First came Agnes ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then came K-man</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and now it's Rolf's turn ... here he is at the start of his first day gingerly getting acquainted with guinea pigs. He was fascinated, yet on my lap while he could look close up or pat with a bit of room to move was good at first ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All sorts of fun happened during the day ... making dust clouds with Oli and Jyra</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Riding horses with Jyra and Cosmos ... Oli had taken a tumble from his near by and Kornelius was just way ahead of the pack ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and after a day of getting to know everyone, having heaps of fun and adventure and enjoying himself heaps ... it was time to totally fall in love with a little guinea pig called Immi. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Now this was a 30 minute love affair, long after the other children had had enough and were up to other things, Rolf just didn't want to part from his new dear little friend.</span></div>
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<br />danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-7797881350476190252012-11-07T20:54:00.002+11:002013-12-29T14:09:30.872+11:00What a dance spectacular just for us ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last thursday morn ... one of the peacocks put on the most extraordinary dance display I've ever seen. He was up so close to me and the children, that I could reach out my arm to touch him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were sitting on a little wooden bench near the wood fired oven at first and he showed no fear, and stayed so close to us all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He also jumped onto the railing of near by steps at one point to display his tail raising and lowering it and he was bringing it down onto the children's heads so for a moment it was like they were in a shelter or tent of peacock feathers</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alessia, Sam, Luca and Anna spent about 40 minutes engaged mostly silently in this incredible event.</span></div>
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danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-88703955940512327422012-11-07T20:47:00.002+11:002013-12-29T14:10:01.870+11:00Jesse and Clara<div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't take a picture of me ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm peeking because I just need to see if you are still there danella ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gotcha Jesse !!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pensive Clara</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and classic Clara below</span></div>
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<br />danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012699143435194798.post-35287523989883256152012-11-07T20:40:00.002+11:002013-12-29T14:12:00.242+11:00Guess who peeked out ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the same day the boys filled the pond, the City of Yarra had a community day for children's week. We did our own thing in our little pockets of nature where no one ever finds us for hours and when we wandered in amongst what was happening at the farm in the afternoon, it was into a sea of mothers and babies and toddlers. In amongst it all we encountered a face painter and Cosmos wanted his face painted. Oli and Samson were amazing, they were happy to patiently wait for about 30 minutes until his turn came up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Hmm.mm' says, Cossie as he looks around and considers what he wants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His running commentary until he got his face painted went something like this ..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Danella I think I'll have a strawberry .. yep, I'd like a strawberry on my face.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some minutes passed by ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No, I don't want a strawberry, I think I'll have a Rainbow ... yes I'd like a Rainbow.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More minutes passed ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No, I don't want a Rainbow on my face, I think I want a flower.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tic..tic..tic</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'I want a white flower on my face .. yes that's what I'll have.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and more time slipped past ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'No, I don't want a white flower on my face ... I think I'll have a white chair, yeah a white chair.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All the waiting parents were privy to Cossies out</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">loud considerations and at this point when we'd slipped from the poetic white flower to the pragmatic white chair ... there was a lot of stifled laughter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The whole while, he watched both face painters and all the little colourful faces passing by and finally it was his turn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The lady he sat with asked what he wanted and he said, 'Grass.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked surprised and asked, 'Grass? Do you want me to paint grass on your face?'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To which Cosmos replied, 'Yep, I do.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She looked at me a little confounded and I said, 'If Cosmos wants grass I think it would be great if you could give him some.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cosmos then turned with appreciation on his face and said to me, 'Yes because then I'll look like a little grasshopper looking out ...'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and in that moment all hearts melted into a big puddle on the ground ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">... and here's our little grass hopper ...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On</span>danella connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12830804003127559760noreply@blogger.com0