the light at the end


"mama, is it the summer solstice yet? coz it's been a really long day." says j. i smiled, looked at the clock in our bedroom and said, "it's going on 1:30. and no it isn't the summer solstice yet, but the days are considerably longer." he was right though. it felt like the day would never end. i've been nursing a very painful sore throat the past few days, but because we've had the most phenomenal weather this week i've spent every moment outside in the garden ignoring the pain in my throat and head and even at times bumbling around in a feverish stupor. not smart or healthy, i know this, but you don't understand. it's been perfect. we don't get many days like this in melbourne. i had to persevere.

today though i lost my mojo. with absolutely not an ounce of energy, i had no choice but to engage the boys inside on the sofa with lots of laughs from these books. seriously, i'm not so sure ricky gervais should be writing children's books:) what a sick man he is! did i mention i'm a huge fan.

there was an attempt at a harry potter movie marathon, but we gave up half way through the chamber of secrets. we just weren't into it today. so we decided instead to have a drawing marathon. we borrowed several drawing books the other day from the library this one, this one, this one and this one just for me(because i really want to learn!). but you know the reality was this, it was another glorious day out and so sore throat, fever & delirium be damned! we traipsed outside to greet the sunshine and dry heat which scorched my esophagus and nostrils and made me wince with pain with every breath and swallow. ok ok, it wasn't quite that bad, but close.

and so the best part of the day for everyone (even me) was when we decided to make our own bows and arrows. we've been meaning to do this forever, but for some reason never have. so before we lost momentum i ran inside and got the hemp twine and a pair of scissors while the boys searched the garden for sticks for the bows, flexible but strong i told them. it really was as easy as cutting a length of twine and tying it to both ends of the stick to make the bow, it needs to be taut (they learned atleast one new word today) you know. we found lightweight sticks for arrows at our leisure just lying around the garden. after going over a few safety rules and a (very) basic archery lesson, they got started. it was easy peasy i tell you and the boys LOVED them. e, who is 6, had to spend a bit of time getting finger and hand/eye coordination down, but once he did he was unstoppable.

j aiming at a branch in the oak tree

e getting it just right

after andrew came home i was able to settle down a bit and relax while he spent a little time with the boys in the back garden. i noticed how lovely the light was as the sun began setting. i couldn't resist. twilight, my favorite light. it beckoned. i breathed, still wincing, but the day was done and it was a good one.

mizuna twilight

coriander twilight

never forget me twilight