3 Beans and a Bruno: 'A little piece of heaven...'

This was the phrase Mel used to describe our day today. It was one of those epic summer days...where time seems to slow down and the pace of life allows you to just 'be'. I love getting into the world of children where the small joys of life become yours to share - little moments that you would never take note of unless children were around. Swimming in the pool is way more fun with kids - you get to swim away from sharks, escape to dry land, pratice water ballet and act crazy cos you're playing with kids! In a childs world you enjoy small creatures and marvel at things like a gekho whos shed his tail.

Today I bonded with my little nieces - Rach and Faith. We cuddled (even Rach accepted a little cuddle in her room in the midst of having an I am so over it all moment. I was the flavour of the day in Faithies world - recieving the most epic greeting when we arrived. And after being bowled over by Levi at the bottom of the slide we escaped for a little distracting adventure to watch buck and baby peacocks. I introduced her to the combo of honey and cheese...we finished the cheese...but loved every mouthful. Sorry Mel. And we chatted about what the girls would teach Ella because they are older than her: Rach - I am going to teach her to cook - when I am very big... Faith: Ja and I am going to teach her to ride a motorbike. Rach: I am going to tach her to walk, and use a computer to play computer games. Faithie: I will show her how to swim! Faithie dressed up as a princess - and asked me what I thought she looked like, my response: BEAUTIFUL! Her response - I am awesome!

Levi Brown has finally got it in his head that walking is actually cooler than crawling. Squeels of delight filtered the room and garden as he chased his sisters and mother, and my heart flippin melted watching Faithie help her little brother walk with confidence.

With the Browns we chill. We sleep, veg on the couch, and sometimes just stare blankly at the beautiful view. No need to be entertained or entertain...we chill. So a sleep on the very high double bed was compulsory. Loved the fact that I am not the only one who has a very messy bedroom at the moment! Love it even more that Mel does not care that I see her mess.

Breakfast was great - tons of family for Xmas with Jimmy, Annie and gran Crawford. Presents...food...laughter...no dramas...Ella behaved...aaaah life and its moments of contentment. So life is rich, summer days....full of super cool people, lots of sunshine, and that slowing down holiday feeling. Happy days.