eli and the egg // a story in pictures

At Camp Challenge, one of the guys kindly organised an Egg and Spoon Race as part of some fun activities for the younger set. Observing Eli participate in this event (after trying to explain what was happening to him) was fairly entertaining....

You really want me to hold this egg on a spoon? (The tongue shows how hard he is
concentrating!)

It took quite a while to convince him he could remove his hand from holding on to it!

Everyone takes off in the race and he just stands there, bewildered.

Huh?? You wanted me to run with this thing??!  This goes against everything I have ever been told.

You gotta be crazy, Mama.

He decided to just chill out with his new BFF, the Egg (which has already been
dropped at least a dozen times, so I was pretty sure it must be hardboiled!)

The races are over so we decide to play catch. It gets dropped again and again.
Hardy little thing!

... and then.... crack. 

Inevitable...

Showing me his sad face (he actually wasn't bothered at all - just fascinated!).

Oh Eli, my darling middle man... you make me smile and I love to see the world through your eyes. Although you seemed pretty confused at the time, you declared multiple times over the next few days that this was your very favourite activity at camp and begged to play it again. Perhaps we can - just not in the kitchen, ok! Love you, sweet boy xx

camp challenge // part two

The final days of Camp...

The Annual (No!) Talent Night. Always a fantastic and entertaining eveing. Lots of talent and even more non-talent, haha. By the end my cheeks are always seriously hurting from all the laughter, I love how everyone gets involved! I host the evening and each year my kids get braver about wanting to be involved. This year Lily decided she wanted to sing her Japanese colours song she learnt at school. Always uncertain how these things will unfold, and whether she would go through with it, I stood back in awe as she stood bravely at the mike and sang the whole thing clearly and sweetly :)

...and then it was Eli's turn. He moseyed up to the mike to sing his chosen song 'Read
your Bible'. Got two bars in, heard how loud his voice was (and saw the crowd) and
dissolved into a fit of giggles. And more giggles. Nerves combined with quite a bit of ham :)
Totally playing up to the crowd who were roaring with laughter. Finally I started singing
a bit and he joined in and sang a verse in the cutest little voice - before realising where the
real fun was and started laughing again! That's my boy... such a clown ;) 

Shall I even mention the third song?? When Lily wanted to sing one last song, and Eli wanted to sing with her too (a little miscommunication about who was singing!), so when he tried to get his part of the mike action, she promptly elbowed him out of the way!?? Then he got upset, started crying, and we had to wrap up the whole thing lickedy-split??? Ummm, no, maybe I won't mention that!!!! ;)

The gorgeous grounds! 

New Year's Eve. The dress up theme was 'Booktastic' and my kids chose
these 'book characters' (a loose definition!) - Tinkerbell and Spiderman!

Love love love each other (aside from a little elbowing!)

Adoring

Very proud fairy/princess/ballerina (all her fave things combined, haha)

I laugh every time I see this. His  signature dance move. Oh, Eli. I do love you so!!

Mmmmm, could there be a more 'stereotypical' boy/girl juxtoposition?!

Can't stop laughing at him in this mask. Too cute. Only a matter time before the
Superhero costumes appeared, I guess??

What are we?? Can't you guess? Come on..............
Ok, we are Book Marks!!! ;) Yes, we are dorks and proud of it, haha.
(Sadly I left Miles adorable pirate costume at home, boohoo!)

Eli found a best friend at Camp and her name was Georgia. He was (and still is) obsessed with her. Just adoooores her and talks about her constantly :) Such a sweet girl to take time to hang with my little guy - can you see the awe in his eyes?! :)

Ahhh, it was a wonderful camp. So thankful for this annual time of retreat and spiritual refreshment! Already so looking forward to 2014 :)

52/52 - the final portraits

It's been one whole year of Project 52 and *almost* one whole year as a family of five. What an incredible year it has been. I am so thankful to have documented it in such a way, that we can look back on how we settled into life as five. 

In the midst of all the events of late - Christmas and travel and so on - I felt compelled to post some simple portraits of my trio of little duckies. 

Three in black and white, and three in living colour. Post-bath, where they are all actually squeaky clean at the same time ;) 

I love this quirky three, crazy much.

 

I am not sure how long I will continue this Project and blog for. Lily is growing older, and outgrowing this space. The year ahead is a big one as she goes to school (more on that to come!) but I feel like its a transition I would like to record along the way. Plus, our transition to life at home with two little men while big sister is off at school!

And so, Project 366 and 52 are complete. Let's go for another round, shall we?!

Happy 2014 to you and yours :)

camp challenge // part one

On December 27th, we made our annual pilgrimage to Camp Challenge - a Christian family camp that we attend every year. This year, camp was at a beautiful, leafy new venue south of Sydney, which seemed to imbue the camp with an added dose of energy and excitement. We had a wonderful time - spiritually refreshed, encouraged, relaxed, filled up with good conversation, laughter, and memorable moments. 

It was five days of faith, family, friends and fun.... oh yeah - and food which I do not have to plan, buy, prepare or cook. Can I even explain how delightful it is to have three meals, three snacks, one dessert and drinks every day for my family with no forethought from me? It's awesome ;) Love strolling into the dining room each day to peruse what's on the chalkboard menu - and it was alllll so delicious!

*cough cough* enough about the food, huh?! ;)

We shared a two bedroom cottage with our dear friends, the W* family. Our four cherubs shared bedtime stories and
many, many giggles and adventures! They are Camp Challenge pros, having attended together for the past four years :)

These two Dads... they are some of the very best, I gotta say! How blessed these kids are to have such devoted fathers.

Warming up with a little singing in the Preschool daily bible class! Lots of stories, singing, craft and activities for
our busy little people from such loving, devoted teachers.

Gathering for the daily 'Prayer and Praise' time - always so encouraging, hearing everyone raising the roof in song!

Face stuffin' with muffins!

Graham was playing with my camera and snapped a shot of Miles and I. Well, can't pass up a rare shot like that :) 

Just another thing we love about Camp. Looking over and seeing this lovely young lady sharing laughs and games with Miles. So many gorgeous interactions through all generations. I love that my kids get to be part of this beautiful, rich Christian community.

Kids planning hijinks on the playground. We hardly saw the kids all camp, as it was such a great space with lush grass to run, trees to climb and an awesome playground in sight of the main building. They seem to mature 6 months in the space of camp, exposed to so many new experiences, interacting and playing with all kinds of people, playing, learning, growing. Loved seeing them off playing with other kids, teens and adults, forming their own special bonds. Blessed.

Climbing!

Arm in arm with her dear friend, Ella

Two little angels with one photobombing little brother :) Love the light shining
from within and without!

Grubby/happy camping feet ;)

This sweet girl, Georgia was such a treasure, the kids simply adored her. Especially when she braided Lily's hair - and mine too!

None of the family could bear to break into the sweet gingerbread house the kids made at Christmas, so we took it along
to camp and decided to 'auction' it off at the fundraising night which helps fund others to attend camp who can't afford it otherwise. The kids were so proud when our little house raised $85!!! (People are very generous for a good cause!)

Well, I think I will break the camp photos up into two batches so I don't overload :) It was a big week! Just a little longer to enjoy the memories, I guess...