A wonderful, whimsical time.

I'm not sure I can tell you how wonderful the last few days have been. How do I put down in words the feelings of love, the sounds of laughter, the cheeky wit, the joy, the excitement, the delight of opening our home to siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins who are true 'kindred spirits'? It truly was a wonderfully whimsical time.

We played volleyball. We held an early evening (and into the night!) tennis competition. We feasted like Kings and Queens. We filled water balloons. All 800 of them. We threw said water balloons. We held an Amazing Race, which involved among other things, rounding up sheep, hunting through haystacks, making 2 kilos of sausages per team at the local butchery, eating cans of kidney beans, jars of baby food, and riding rather rickety bikes around the cricket oval at break neck speed. Such fun!

We played backyard cricket, we swam in the pool, we drank endless cups of chai latte and coffee, we talked, we laughed. We held table tennis competitions. We ambled about the local markets,we played charades. And we held a garden tea party, which for me was the highlight of the organised activities.  How wonderfully blessed we are to have family that embrace the idea of High Tea, dress up for the occasion, and love the thrill of the dramatic! We ate delicate finger food, we drank iced tea, and we talked in rather refined English accents. Hoorah! We even sported mustaches. As you do.

 We gave speeches, we read prose, we performed poetry, we even sang songs. Mostly we laughed at ourselves and at each other!  Performances included a dramatic recital of The Walrus and The Carpenter,  a heartfelt Ode to Family, a  recital from The Scarlet Pimpernel, a Jane Austen inspired act, a sing a long that included The Silvery Moon, and several other readings, sonnets, and poems - many original. What talent! :)

And now, the house feels rather empty. We have farewelled our last, lingering guest after spending 4 wonderfully full and fun days with him. Just as well this nephew stayed on, as to say goodbye to everyone at once may have been too hard to bear. With him we enjoyed a swim at the gorge, pizza and gelati at the seaport, a competitive game of mini golf, some tasting at a local winery, a day at the beach, and a delicious brunch at the raspberry farm.

What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year and celebrate two of our children's birthdays.

Hazaar!

xo