Perfect matches ...

There was so much about Wednesday that was wonderful.

I had a hunch that there would be some instant chemistry at play amongst the children coming for the day ... chemistry of the magic making, positive sparkling kind ... and that's exactly how things turned out.

Within two minutes, Daisy and Ella had clicked.  Now if there was ever a place for enthusiasm for life to meet itself, then these two are a perfect match.  

Yet the best thing of all was that these two were happy to share and spread the love and embrace the same from others.   Isabel warmed up and loved playing with them.  Jemma from the first moment was a delight with her open face, beatutiful blue eyes and interest in us all.   Kit took it all in his stride.   He LOVED being at the farm, seeing the animals, wandering the farm lands and found the girls really interesting and entertaining to be with.  Once Farrah had joined us, we had quite the gang of little story tellers all going at once and Kit wide-eyed, watched and listened to it all. 

It was really a day full of perfect matches as the play morphed into all sorts of arrangements of personalities ... each little turn working really well.

Waiting for cow milking ....

Jemma, Ella and Daisy were like three little jolly jumping beans, snuggling and laughing and getting to know each other very quickly.

Isabel determined to get her hat back on ...

Oh hello goat ...

Kit cautiously getting closer ... which soon turned into great delight.   It is just so much fun feeding the goats and we happened to have some of one of their favourite treats ... banana skin.   Kit loved this and that big feather he found ... it didn't leave his hand for ages ...

While we visited the horses and Mickey the donkey, the chooks and the ducks and loved our time with the animals.   The real magic kicked in after our picnic when a wonderland of play emerged from the children having settled in and gotten to know each other.   It's a wonderful thing sitting and sharing time over food ... we grown ups all know that ... and I've seen how it bonds the children.  Simple things, like seeing that someone else likes grapes, or being able to see each others faces and hear each others stories without stopping really helps the children connect and bond ... deeply and quickly

Jemma loved exploring the awesome place we found ourselves in ...

Daisy, as she always has been was a sheer delight ... here a little balance and a dance step or two were given with a BIG smile ...

Kit had this beautiful independence about him ... when something needing tending, he'd give it a go and everytime there was some little thing in his boot ... it was almost like watching a ceremony as he'd make space to sit and place his feather and tenderly take his boot to discover what was happening inside ...

Jemma found a moment to get to know Pebbles the cat ... very tender and sweet ...

Then the mothers and babies came out to play, lots of nurturing and tenderness shared and faces like angels for sure ...

At one stage the children all clamboured happily over a little timber seat and noticed the sand next door in the horse arena and soon the air was filled with cries of, 'Hey, look! The beach!' 'Yeah! The beach! Let's go!'

... and so off we went ... to 'The Beach' to finish our day of fun and adventure.  On the way, the conversation became, 'It's not the beach, it's got no sea.'   'Well, it could be.'  'Yes, it could be half a beach ... let's go!'

This led to another picnic ... maybe you heard we had 'so many picnics' ... we also had much fun on this lively, warm day fulll of love and joy for new friendships.

Magnus .. mighty little man with a mighty big heart

Magnus you are a powerhouse of love. 

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

... and your parting gift ...

an apple tree

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

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

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

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

Two little friends Daisy and Romy ...

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

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

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

Daisy wearing daisies

Wandering and pondering ...

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

Picnicking by the fire in winter

A moment of love and enthusiasm shared with Anna

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

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

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

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

... especially alongside Daisy!

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

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

Ella Rita Simmons ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remember the little mouse ...

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

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

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

My how you've grown ...

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

Dance lessons with Eden ...

A big smooch with Eden ...

Guniea pig cuddles and snack time ...

Frankie + Ella always = FUN

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

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

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

What do you call ..?

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

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

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

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

Looking under a goat with full udders ...

'What's that hanging down?'  

'I don't know.' 

'I think it's a willy.' 

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

'Yeah.'