Crammed Organisms.

Hmmm.

I'm not going to say a word about the fact that Jay has had to go away yet again.....

Instead I will keep my spirits up with something cool and exciting that has happened. Chris got in touch a while back and asked if I'd be interested in collaborating again on some toys, this time for a fair in the U.S. I said yeah, sure, as you do, and promptly put it out of my head.

So. I was amazed and thrilled when he rang today and said we've been accepted!



Have a look at their site here.

Also, if you want to see what we've done in the past see here and here.

Something Lovely.

This week I've decided to feature a family member on this regular spot of mine. Chris is one of my younger brothers. He sings, though not lately unfortunately, he paints, he draws, I could go on. Check out more stuff here and here.

So how do I choose what to put here? I have an all-time favourite.



I just hope you get to see the tiny little 'oof'. My favourite bit altogether. You can click on the picture to see it bigger.
And you can check out all his latest news here.

And watch this space for some more family trumpet blowing!

Edit: Check out this months (April) Image magazine p.44 for some pics of the opening night of his most recent exhibition in the Monster Truck Gallery in Dublin, a collaboration with Fergal Brennan. And I only found that out because I bought it to see the article on Zee over on Homebug, and there he was. Not that he told us himself...

A Pretty Thing.

My latest find in Avoca's bargain basket. A Rice handkerchief. I'm thinking a new cushion cover would be cute.



Or a centre piece for a little quilt maybe?

Hmmm...

Sweet Smallest.

Everyone's been slightly under the weather over the last few days. None more so than The Smallest. He has been permanently on my hip in the sling. Won't eat. Put him on the floor and he is so sad I can't help but swoop him up again.



This evening, snuggled in the sling, we stood on the lane, with the sea in our ears, the setting sun warm on our faces, and listened to the birds sing their tiny hearts out. Hot cheeks resting on my chest, silent listening, his big blue eyes gazed over the waving grasses, awake now as he hasn't been for days. The curlews soared overhead, the sound of their cry like a distant ancient memory that makes me want to cry and also shout for joy. In spite of my exhaustion.

Whoop to the sky!

Preparations.

I'm fascinated. This whole growing up business is amazing. I don't remember a whole lot myself. It's all a bit of a blur. But to be able to stand back slightly and watch someone who is not you but almost is, (you know what I mean!) is incredible. The subtle but enormous changes that take place under our noses, at our sides, is mind-boggling. One of the perks of being a parent.

Almost overnight, well, ok, the last few months, The Eldest has unfolded his wings. He has suddenly looked up and realised there is a whole other world out there and HE'S not the centre of it. There are other people who have needs and wants, and abilities, or not. He is Mr. Helpful, Mr. Responsible and Mr. Thoughtful, all in one. Not that he wasn't before, that generally is his nature, it's just it's now ballooned into 'Who I Am'.



Every year we have a big Midsummer party. It's a great excuse to do some work on the house. So lately we've been painting and clearing and re-organising and the minute we mentioned the party, when we recieved complaints about the amount of DIY that's going on, it was like lighting him up. He has risen to the task in an amazing way.

Clearing the patio and tidying the garden has been his contribution, purely his own idea.



So. We'll have various updates of how the preparations are going over the next few weeks. And I am getting excited too!