Bubbles.

Out of sorts.

Little Freja is not feeling her best these days. A slight fever and a lot of discomfort makes the nights troublesome and the days tiresome. This is what happens when her mum won't pick her up instantly:

But true to herself, she will easily serve us a smile through the snot and tears!

It's funny how even these times have a certain magic about them.

Out walking.

The first, second, third and fourth step has already been taken by Freja, so we're expecting her too run around here with Stella on a lead any day now. Until then, we keep on building up those leg muscles!

Today:

Walked up, up and into our forest. The view, the smells, the flowers, the stream;
this inevitably calls for another romantic post about the wonders of spring.
Or shall we say summer, now?

Photo session!

In the event of Freja's one year celebration ten days ago, we went on a field trip to the photography studio at the school where I work, to try and catch her magic on camera. I had the chance to test my lighting and studio skills, which did feel a bit rusty, but not depressingly so.
I was actually quite inspired, so there might be more studio work to come!

Note: I have photographed a few kids in the studio before, and every time I do it, I am more and more impressed by the REAL photographers who do this for a living. It is so difficult, the kids move so fast, and it's a wonder that the photos are even in focus, haha!

Go west!

That's what we did, anyway. My dad, the girls and myself, to visit my grandmother, my aunties and cousins. My dad is from the beautiful town of Voss, and the drive over the tundra plus the fjords in Hardanger - amazing. I never stop feeling awe for the Norwegian landscape in all its diversity and grandeur. Wow!

Mr. Do-It-Yourself!

I am so proud of Mr. Payne. This photo says it all: The piles of timber, felled, cut and stacked by himself, are very soon going to turn into materials. Those materials are going to turn into our house (the one we're taking over, seen in the background)! Or, the new parts of it. We are keeping the house very much as it is, but making it a little bit bigger, a bit more functional and freshing up the floors and walls a little. All in all, these little things are starting to look like a big project though! Sleeves up, here we go!

Morning glory.

Today's catch: 5 five leaf & 2 four leaf clovers!

Before 0830 this morning:

Saw a hawk catch a thrush in our yard, found two four leaf clovers, went for a walk in the fields with Ronja & the dogs, saw a heartsease and a vole and now one of our chickens is lost. Time for a coffee, maybe?

Happiness is a warm gun...

...said John Lennon, ironically. Days like today call for the truth, the clichéd, non-ironic, romantic truth.
Because on days like today, happiness is green grass, seeds in a pot, buds on a branch, two eggs in a nesting box, seedlings bursting out of the ground, and laundry on a string, outside.
I am in love with my life, and spring.

Stop the press!

She finally did it. The bubble burst, it's all out there, a century-old mystery has been resolved. She told us. And even though we shouldn't say, a secret as big as this is nothing short of a sensation. So we're going to tell you. 

Coming down the stairs this evening, just before bedtime, Ronja told us, with grave face and big eyes: 

She is Superman. Clark Kent is just a decoy, she is the real thing. 

I am so proud. But sssh, don't tell anyone.

Paris, je t'aime.

Sometimes even aspiring farmers need to see a little of the world out there. So we packed our bags and headed off to the wonderful, breathtaking, stunning, beautiful city of Paris for a long weekend with our folks from abroad.
It was LOVELY. And coming back home was even better!

Happy birthday!

A year has passed since Little Wonder came rushing out. Words are superfluous, all there is to say is:

WE ♥ YOU.

Where we've been?

Have a guess!

OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

There, that's my spring holler! When it coincides with the discovery of pretty flowers in the forest and a very happy baby crawling on the grass for the first time, there's no doubt: Spring is hereby declared opened.

Traces.

Someone had fun in the wood burning stove, very quiet and secret, but hmmm, something gave her away...
(Just for the record: There was no fire in the stove at that point. We try not to scold or burn our children.)

Bring it on!

Freja definately has the right attitude when it comes to caring for her arm-broken (if there is such a word) big sister! A promising enthusiasm for big challenges, I must say.

What to do when bored:

One day at school, and then Ronja has to stay home again with a bad cough. Misery loves company, or something like that, haha. We're making the best of it though. Yummy!

New 'do!

We figured it was time to enter the 70ies-influenced space age in our family. Ronja was first up! Can you see who we're inspired by?

Ronja is thankgod a lot better after Tuesday's accident. Her arm isn't as painful, she's happy again, eating, sleeping and playing normally. Back to school again tomorrow to show off the plastered arm and the new hairdo!