Relaxing at Ellis Beach

My relaxing day started at 4:47 am when Arthur woke me to tell me he was tired!  I took him back to bed, but decided to sit outside with a cup of tea and watch the sun rise, rather than go back to bed.  I don't often have time to sit quietly by myself and this seemed like a good opportunity.  It wasn't to be, however.  No sooner had I made my cup of tea than I was joined by Arthur, who had decided he wasn't tired anymore.  Esther followed soon afterwards, and by the time the sun was up over the horizon they and all the other children in the caravan park were catching crabs on the beach.

4:55 am

5:20 am

5:40am

For most of the morning the children were happily occupied playing with their new friends and I did manage to go for a solitary walk later in the day.  It was also nice for both Philip and me to have some one-on-one time with the children, taking one at a time for a walk, helping them with something they wanted to do or sitting down together for a little chat. Arthur and I spent some time looking at butterflies, including the one below. We observed how with its wings closed it looks just like a leaf and you hardly notice it until it opens them to reveal its beautiful colours. 
Later Esther called me excitedly to see a group of curlews and i was able to get a photo of them in daylight.

Australian Leafwing - Doleschallia bisaltide

Portrait taken by Arthur, of me wearing a hibiscus flower we found together.

We finished the day with a night walk along the beach, after which they were both happy to roll into bed.  We are blessed with two sound little sleepers (albeit early risers!) and they are asleep almost as soon as they've been tucked in and we've prayed together.