classic 80's flashback

Harry had to design and construct a clock in Woodwork (oh excuse me, I've just been informed the subject is actually called Technological and Applied Studies, or TAS for short).  Seriously though, how COOL is his clock!!? Harry was inpspired by the *vintage game Space Invaders. How old does that make me feel? Vintage old I guess!

NB. Having just read this to Harry...he says "It's NOT vintage Mum! It's CLASSIC"! 

I stand corrected.

oh sweet lens of mine

Swoon, I'm in love...with the lens of my dreams! Yup, you know that 70-200mm I've been harping on about for some time? Well it's mine, ALL MINE! Call it a very early birthday gift (or an extra extra early Christmas gift) if you will.

So I guess I'm out of the photography funk. A new lens will do that.

And yes, that last photo IS blurry. But I love it anyway.

Our day started with a morning walk. Harry and Till thought it was a little chilly. I couldn't say...I was too busy seeing the world at 135mm, f stop2.8.  LOVE I tell you!!!

nz adventures [the christchurch brick show]

Hi! Harry here.

On our second last day in New Zealand we attended the Christchurch Brickshow. The show was held in a newly built hangar at the New Zealand Air Force museum. The whole spaced was filled with all things LEGO! Surrounding the models were lots of stalls including several "shops", but also peoples own original creations, including a LEGO generating Spirograph and an enormous free-standing LEGO Technics tower. Some of the models were amazing. It was difficult for Mum to take photos because there were so many people!!!! Mine and Dad's favourite model was the Tudor style curved roof house as some of the angles were incredible, especially considering it was constructed solely out of LEGO! Some of the models on display were just themed sets of a particular type of LEGO put together to make a large scene. My favourite models though were the MOC (My Own Creation) models which people had designed and built all by themselves. Matilda's favourite was the Castle scene with a Princess kissing a frog and Mum really liked a super colourful underwater reef scene. Hopefully next year I might have my own MOC to take to a LEGO show! Overall it was really cool to see the original ways people used their LEGO and I came away with great ideas for my own designs!

ordinary everyday beauty

There are parts of my home that make me smile, especially our messy fridge door! There's beauty to be found in the ordinary everyday stuff; a tidy bookshelf, rain splashing on the window, washing drying on the line, paper snowflakes blu-tacked to windows! They are the bits I'm happy to photograph, because one day I know I'll be glad I did.  Ben teased me about these photos. Humph. Doesn't he know I read blogs with photos just like these all the time!!!!!! Men. What do they know about blogs or things worthy of a photograph!???

Remember that lens I've been lusting over? As luck would have it, a very VERY VERY lovely person loaned me hers to try *insert squealing with delight*. I was warned it is heavy and awkward, for which I thought phooey. I'm now eating humble pie. Man this thing takes some strength to hold. It's a bit like nursing someones baby when you no longer have one yourself and you haven't built up the muscle strength to do it. My arms just aren't used to holding up a lens this massive. I do love it though and can't wait to spy on the neighbours with it...JUST KIDDING. I'm really planning to take it bird watching!!! 

Oh before I go, that island tour series I mentioned a few days ago...it's coming I promise.

in my garden: part 2

I hope you weren't expecting more photos of pretty flowers!

kids live here

Sometimes I'm a bit slow to catch on. Some fellow bloggers have been sharing their 'kids live here' images for yonks. It's been on my must-do list for months.

I love everything about this photography challenge. It makes me look at the mess my kids make in a whole other light. A positive light. Children are such productive little beings, aren't they? At our house, there's always a project underway in one room or another, often several at once.  I can't imagine how sterile my home would feel without their imprints. It would be very tidy and clean, no doubt of that.

One day I'll miss treading on textas strewn across the carpet, the sound of Lego being sucked up the vacuum cleaner and toothpaste smears on the bathroom sink. Looking back at photos like these will rekindle the memories and sweeten my day.  

Even looking at them now makes my heart sing: I have kids - How lucky am I!

the rules

Here's a heads-up, in case you visit Miss Till's bedroom anytime soon.

Never say I don't keep you informed!

slip and slide

Run full pelt. Leap. Throw yourself head first - or bottom first. Hit the ground and slide. It sounds horrific doesn't it! Chiropractors must hate waterslides!!!! Ah, good old fashioned Summer fun I say.

I hope the chiro will be back on island soon! We may need him.

keep playing

My kids are getting older (why do they have to do that? grow and develop and thrive and all that?). I'm noticing they've outgrown some of their toys. Harry put Woody and Buzz on the op-shop pile not so long ago...Mummy put them back in his room! Sheesh, what was he thinking? He's been playing with them since he was two!!!! I'm certain his future wife will keep them on the marital bed.

Their approach to play is changing, evolving I suppose. It's still creative and imaginative and actually a whole lot more sophisticated. But still, it makes me a bit sad. I've always been a little sentimental when it comes to childhood.

Till pulled out the dress-ups today and it wasn't long before her big brother joined the fun...Buzz joined in too!!!!! Muchas Gracias Buzz!