This last week Flex turned 10. That is a decade people. Double digits. A real big preteen number. So to celebrate, I am going to write down ten things I love about him....
1. He is an awesomist. After seeing a meme on Facebook and much discussion about the meaning of 'optimist',' pessimist' and 'realist', Flex decided that he always looks for the awesome in life, and so, classifies as an 'awesomist'.

2. He can ride a unicycle. Look, Flex can do many things, but this sticks out as a symbol of his tenacity because it is SO HARD!!!
3. He is funny. He adores comedy of all kinds and has spent many hours studying comedic masters like Jack Black and Jim Carrey. He has fabulous timing and never misses an opportunity to slip in a gag. So because of him, I laugh a lot.

4. He is smart. His bright brain can remember and work out and process information so well. He can work out a complex maths problem and also fix a lawn mower. And he does not exercise his brain in order to get good marks or gold stars....he just does it.
5. He told me off the other day. We had friends over and I was taking them for a spin in the tinny (boat). Well, flex ran down from the house waving life jackets and yelling at me to stop. He told me that going out without life jackets was stupid and irresponsible and dangerous...and he was right. He was genuinely scared for the safety of his friends. I love him for doing that.
6. He is a foodie. For his birthday dinner we went out for Chinese and he ordered the duck in orange sauce. I was all about spring rolls and honey chicken at his age!! His favourite excursion this year was a day at the Sydney fish markets with our gourmet neighbour. I asked him to choose some cheese for our work Xmas party and he finds the black label smoked cheddar. He can cook the best salt and pepper squid and runs his own sausage stand....I could go on but it's making me hungry!

7. He loves his family. And his extended family of friends.
8. He knows himself. Already, at this tender age, he is really able to understand what makes him tick and what makes him ticked off. He knows to give himself space when he needs it. I hope more than anything else, that he carries this self awareness with him throughout his life.
9. He is fiery. He is strong and passionate and honest and challenges me on so many levels, and because of this, he is my greatest teacher.
10. He is mine. Nuff said.

Ultimate frisbee, 'Fever', great gardening, synchronised trampolining and fun movie nights. These are some of the contributions made by our last couple of wwoofers (willing workers on organic farms), during their stay.
Chrissy and J come from London and Australia is part of a big adventure they are on. They are vibrant and fun, fit and enthusiastic and so took on all opportunities offered. The day after they arrived they performed several songs at the Spencer RFS Christmas party ( including 'Fever') and were a great hit. This was followed by tonnes of gardening, helping the boys with some art and craft, and much freedom farm frivolity. Being ultimate frisbee players they taught us all how to play the game with fancy new forehand throws and even presented us with a Union Jack frisbee to keep! I think we have a new favourite homeschooling sport! Along with the swimming, trampoline jumping and watching 'Bran Nue Dae' I hope they enjoyed themselves as much as we enjoyed having them around. And the garden is back to its former glory!
Happy travels guys and keep those spirits shining.....hosting wwoofers is always a great reminder of how whenever we give, we receive soooooo much in return.

It was my birthday yesterday and somehow, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, I think I'm getting more childish.. I mean aren't grown ups meant to be stressed and super busy and serious about their lives?
I was just so happy to have my family with me in the morning, and I just know that lemon and lime curd tart is a perfectly nutritious breakfast!

I am also supremely stoked that my son used the word 'awesome' in my beautiful birthday card...

It was a misty morning and a rainy afternoon, and although it made my plans change, I was so grateful for the water on this earth and the cool air it brought...and it cleared up just in time for a ukulele playin, song singing, hula hooping, pogo sticking, hand tattooing, laughter filled picnic in the park!

Such wonderful, inspiring, unique, passionate, funny and gorgeous people in my life!!! And the kids all ran as a little pack, sharing toys, digging for crabs in the sand with friends old and new. Lucky, flush with money after the success of his slushie business, bought all the kids ice creams. It was a shiny, fun-filled afternoon.
Followed by pizza and champagne and a jam at the shop with lots of strings and voices dancing together.
I keep working at this growing up thing. Keep wondering if I should be more ambitious, more organised, more productive. But then I realise, that most of the time (not all), I am happy. Content with my lot,, the way I spend my days, the being I am in this life.
And that's what makes me feel 'childish' in the best possible way.