It must be fete.

It's fete season again. Luckily I only had to buy two armbands this year. For a couple of years there it was a very expensive exercise to get the wee uns on the rides and out of the hair for the day.

When did these big ride fetes become the done thing? I remember taking the boys to fetes preschool when the wagon behind a ride on mower was the thrilling highlight of the day. Ironically they don't do that any more because it's too dangerous!?

See that boy third from the left in a blur of sweat and panic. That would be my second one, Twin 2- he, with astonishing eyesight for finding the tiniest objects and a serious dislike for anything high. It may be because of that time he fell off the bench as a baby. I had been bathing him after making inky hand prints (as you do) when the other one crawled across my foot wanting something. I looked down for a millisecond and the higher one did one of those bionic baby lurches and shot off the bench. He was always a good sleeper so of course he dozed off soon after but I was afraid it might be concussion as I couldn't wake him. He was a REALLY good sleeper. The ambulance men arrived post haste and bustled into the darkened room. I heard a panicked voice call out, "Quick. Get in here! His hands are blue!" I had to apologetically mention that it might just be the residual ink on his hands. Turned out he WAS just a good sleeper.

The other one never slept and has no sense at all when it comes to height, speed and danger. Twins! Today he is going to the Ekka to throw himself on as many rides as his meagre purse will allow. He is going with another twin who is of the same ilk. That twin's twin and my other twin will be staying home to chill because they see no sense in blowing all their money at the Ekka and have better things to do.

Planning where to meet, what rides to go on, what to eat and if we can squeeze a skate in beforehand.

This one, below, also has no fear of height and has also been leaving a lot of DNA on the tarmac around our suburb with the footy and the skateboards, etc. He also appears to be channelling Rodney Dangerfield which he has done since he was two. I  recall him staggering out of a bouncy castle when he was little, wet with sweat in a floral shirt looking for all the world like a frat boy emerging from a mosh pit.

Ah. Good times!

They were giving these hats away in case you were wondering. Mine like to jump the trash and treasure when the fete is finishing to bring home replacement stuff for the stuff we just donated...

 ...like this bunny. Yes. Another stuffed toy. Sometimes life is like walking up the down escalator.

Spring-a-ding-ding!

Spring has finally sprung in these parts with the most glorious of mild sunny days.It has also been heralded by many signs and you know how I love my 'signs'!

This bunch of blue lushness arrived on the last day of winter clutched in a little visitor's arms with yet another lovely meal. There is something about irises that just explodes with joy and spring and all things vibrant and new. 

The windows to the mountains were similarly vibrant on Saturday morning with Spring ringing in the blueness of the sky and blooming wisteria- already!

Of course, some see Spring as a time to set things in order.

 We were also celebrating my last visit hopefully, ever, to the keeno place. Since champagne and good food were not desirable, I expressed my happiness through a good pedicure with single coloured toenails. Ironically, a package arrived the next day containing another celebration which I suspect may contain many hued toenails from all over the world! When Anna dropped in Sunday it was still unopened. It will remain so until I feel well enough to open it without associating the keeno sickness with the contents. She apologised that it was late but I could not think of a more timely arrival than the week of the final treatment. I will share it with you when it is opened next week!

We did have a big week- end in spite of the keeno cloud. Our school celebrated its 100 year anniversary and it was just too much fun to miss. A lot of the celebrations have been compromised this year including the boys' concerts on Thursday and Friday nights. This time the good drugs were still on form for Saturday. There was a trash'n'treasure but no Bitossi this year although I was a bit taken with the shape of this little drawer set. It was already sold though.

What could be more Springy than baby animals drinking from bottles with that besotted newborn concentration...

and first timers on tea cup rides.....

 and first timers with fairy floss.

And FIREWORKS! I was grinning in the dark from ear to ear! It was a great celebration of one hundred years and spring and new life in many more ways than one!

Can you see the iris in this one?