Happy Days

Yesterday afternoon we were invited to an impromptu alfresco afternoon tea.  The three minute drive to our destination took us past gardens bursting with azaleas, crabapple trees and all manner of plants in full bloom.

But the most beautiful was the wisteria which miraculously appeared overnight outside the children's cubby house.

I suspect that the greater population of Sydney's bees descended on this lavender bush, and who could blame them?  It's been a long winter.

Homemade chocolate cake and pikelets, beautiful jams and mugs of coffee. 

Who could resist?

Last weekend two sweet little girls who are friends of our grandchildren happily agreed to model some of my dresses.

There was a lot going on at the time, as our daughter and son-in-law's "gang" had gathered for a football final, which meant a yard full of boisterous children running around and having the time of their lives.

My daughter picked up the dresses early in the morning and my son-in-law took time out from manning the barbecue and crying over the football score to take the pictures.

All garments now available in my Etsy and MadeIt stores.

The girls chose a dress each to keep and yesterday I was so delighted to receive these thank-you cards in the mail.

Children's art wins me over every time.

To top off the week, Sydney has a long weekend starting tonight and daylight savings kicks in on Sunday morning.  Happy days.

Grandparents

When life is getting you down and you don't want to carry on, stick around.  One day you may become a grandparent and then the fun begins.

This morning we were invited by two of our grandchildren to visit their school for Grandparents' Day.  Who could resist?

The parish church was packed to the rafters, the old mixing with the alarmingly young.  If the streets were devoid of seniors today, they were all here, or so it seemed.

After morning tea our granddaughter showed us around her classroom.

Quilt designs, surely.

Apart from all her special friends, we were introduced to the Class Plant.  'Ello, Vera!

There were lots of warm smiles and moist eyes when the class sang You've Got a Friend.

Complete with perfectly co-ordinated hand actions.  What stars.

Walking back to the car, we were stunned to come across a tree in full blossom.  It's mid-winter - what are you thinking of?  

But on reflection, it was so appropriate.  We had just left beautiful children blossoming into tomorrow's promise.  We are in good hands.

Children and education

We take it for granted in Australia or indeed in any developed Western country that education is part of our children's lives.  It isn't until we are reminded by some remarkable people that we realise in many parts of the world it's simply not the case.  Take Ethiopia for example.

Image courtesy of Kid Independent

The plight of some Ethiopian children is so desperate and without education the poverty chain will not be broken.  When I was approached by Indi of Kid Independent to take part in Best Dressed 2013 to help keep children in school in the small community of Liwan, Ethiopia, I jumped at the chance.

Image courtesy of Kid Independent

Here is a quote from Kid Independent's promotion:  

The funds raised through “Best Dressed 2013″ will be used by World Families Australia to educate a group of children from a small community in Liwan, Ethiopia. These children come from illiterate families and are among the FIRST to be educated. They are the future doctors, nurses, teachers, etc in their village and their education will not only change their own lives but the lives of their families, their local community and future generations.

I urge you to take a look at the  gorgeous dresses listed each day on Kid Independent's website.  The promotion runs throughout the month of March and remember, Easter is just around the corner.   My dress will be shown on 14 March, but take a look at the new dresses put up each day. What a great opportunity to buy a beautiful dress and help these little children at the same time.