a big jump!

Today we went to the beach. I meant to bring my camera - really I did. I didn't tho and so when a really big milestone of a moment came for my biggest boy I didn't get a picture.

What was that big milsestone? Mr. K jumped off Perry's bridge into the river and swam all the way back to shore all by himself.

He was so surprised when he asked if he could jump and I said yes - I don't think he thought I'd let him yet, and to be honest I kind of thought he would not go through with it yet.

He sat on the edge with his papa and his little brother for quite a long time - at least 30 minutes - wanting to jump, but not feeling ready. They'd all stand up .... and then sit.

Finally Papa jumped (as I'd asked him to be waiting nearby just in case there was difficulty)

Then with a holler of "Mama! Look!" He jumped!

OH was I ever a proud mama in that moment - shrieking and cheering from the beach like an excited fan at a baseball game after a home run has just been hit :)

He was so proud of himself that he laughed and giggled (making this mama nervous that he'd suck in water) his way back to shore swimming with the current, but needing to cross it which was difficult.

Mr.S who just isn't ready to make the jump yet, but really really wants to finally was allowed a compromise. He climbed down the side of the bridge.... (that boy is a wicked good climber! I'm sure he takes after his great-grandfather who was a mountain climber ) ... and with dad swimmming close to offer just a wee bit of help now and then he also swam back to shore. (while trying very hard to keep his ears out of the water as he has an ear-ache)

Around here jumping off that bridge is a rite of passage that eventually all the kids get to - Mr. S will be next. It's so lovely to get to be there to witness all these special moments in my kids' lives - it sure doesn't end with the first steps and first words - oh no it just keeps getting better I think! Today my boys grew up just a little bit more - and i got to watch. I can't imagine anywhere I'd rather be.

ice cream again.

So what to do when the baby accidentally napped from 4pm until 6:30 pm and has absolutely no interest in sleeping at ..... 11:30pm?

Make strawberry icecream of course ;) It's my solution to everything these days apparently ;)

And it's easy too.

whiz a bunch of strawberries - ok maybe it's 1 - 1 1/2 cups?

then add a good squirt of agave if you have it - then you don't have to feel the least bit guilty about eating all this icecream :)

Then add in a can of coconut milk and whiz some more.

Taste for sweetness - make just a bit sweeter than you want it to end up as it will taste less sweet once frozen.

chill in the freezer for a bit and throw it in the icecream maker.

Nursing a wee one at the computer for who knows how long is so much more fun if you have a nice big tub of homemade strawberry icecream right there with you :) ANd a thunder storm in the background is certainly a welcome bonus tonite :)

An ice cream morning

This series isn't the best photography - I was really really tired from a series really long nights with wakeful little ones - but it's a glimpse none-the-less into our life and it's real :)

Some days it's better to flop on the couch with some chocolate icecream (coconut milk and sweetened with agave, so not so bad really) and enjoy each other in icecream bliss rather than grump at each other :)

All you see of me is my legs ;) I'm holding the camera up over my head and randomly clicking away. Something just felt special about that morning - a transformation of sorts .

It was a success I think - we may have to do it again sometime.....

Why Many Skies?

I've been wanting to blog for a while now, but I'm one that tends to get lost in the details - I couldn't think of a name ;) Today I decided it was about time I chose one, so I got to it and started just jotting down ideas. And this is what I came up with. This blog is going to be about my life. My kids. My Family. Our many varied interests. The skies are pretty varied here :) We see lots of gorgeous sunny days and plenty of cloudy rainy ones as well. We see the odd rainbow - and lots of thunderstorms - yes the days and the moods are varied and keep me on my toes.

When my first daughter was born I didn't realize just how much she would end up suiting her name - Skye - I've never known someone who could encompass such an amazing array of skylines. Every sort imaginable and still she surprises me with new ones. She is a sunset and a falling star and a thunderstorm and a bright sunny day! Always surprising me once again with a new day.

And that is life really - all those changing skies - so many infinite possibilities for each day, month and year.