~ our joyful moments - week 2/52 ~

We both chose stormy days this week.  

I try and walk along the beach most mornings when we're on holidays. This was early before a big thunderstorm later in the day. The pier burnt down 80 years ago...it's very photogenic. 

Karin ventured outside on what looks like a very bleak day ... brave lady!

#ourjoyfulmoments2015 is a weekly photography project between Karin and I. Our January photographs are all nature themed. 

What's your joy this week?

~ our joyful moments - week 3 ~

This week Karin and I have both chosen landscape shots.

Mine is the familiar and inviting landscape of my very own bed - probably the thing I missed the most whilst we were at the shack - I sleep so much better in my own bed.

Karin has chosen a much less cosy shot - but she found such stark beauty on her walk - how different to the hot, dry landscapes here at the moment.

This is our 52 week project - shared here and on IG (#ourjoyfulmoments).

♥ 

~ when the National Anthem came to school ~

The tatty looking limp rag that posed as a flag at our school was replaced last week.

There was a bit of a ceremony, the politicians appeared (as they do).  {well, they did supply the flag} and it was duly raised (and now will be raised and lowered every day by our very responsible Grade 2s).

The highlight of the day for me was when the whole school (and the handful of parents) stood and sang the national anthem.  All 98 of those little 4-8 year olds sang along with enthusiasm and pride.  They had learnt the words (first verse only.  its almost un-Australian to know the second verse isn't it?) that week and hardly needed the cheat sheets taped to the walls (I'm not sure how many of them can read anyway).

It brought a lump to my throat.  And I wasn't the only one.

Now they're going to sing the anthem once a fortnight along with the school song.

I know I'll feel a little teary every time ... and I think its great.

We never did that at school here.

Maybe slightly more frequently when I was in the UK (we seemed to sing "All Things Bright and Beautiful" more often than "God Save the Queen though.)

Do your children sing the anthem at school?  Did you?

Do you know the 2nd verse?

 ♥