my cleaning team

liquid

prayer

Patrick got the boys to go off on their own this morning and prepare something for our family prayer time...
Jamie found these leaves, and explained so wonderfully how God spoke to him. He showed us how leaves grow from the tiniest bud on the left to the biggest leaf (2nd from the right). He felt this was how we mature as Christians - but only when we stay connected to the branches. He showed us a leaf which had been taken off the branch the previous day, and how quickly it had wilted. We spoke about the scripture where Jesus says he is the vine and we are the branches.
Braeden found all sorts of different leaves and flowers from the garden while he was praying on his own ...

and he placed them into a beautiful pattern, showing a picture of the cross on a hill. The flowers and the herbs gave off a lovely fragrance - which we all agreed was like the fragrance of Christ to the Father when he willingly died for us.

behind the scenes

This was the best pic we could get of these three together ...

it all just collapsed after that ... ;o)

tennis lessons

braeden loves his tennis lessons and he has such a kind and patient teacher
this friday he was learning to serve

the coach uses a fishing rod with a tennis ball attached to one end to help them practice their service

and then they get to practice on their own

looking spiffy

braeden was invited to watch a play last night, so I gave him a new hair cut, and he got dressed so nicely we thought it deserved a photograph!

the expo

braeden packs in his jelly and custard syringes just before we leave the house

resisting lots of temptation to have a few!

I had a steady stream of people at my table from the start

so the boys set their table up with Patrick's help

and then they waited for customers :o)

while I talked and talked and talked .....

Good friends of ours had a table in the sun selling their lovely herbs and other plants

note the hand-painted 'uniforms'!

... and still I talked and talked

The boys also had a steady flow of customers

when we finally got home that night - I was treated to a much-needed back massage - thank you Patrick!