EKKA 2012

I think for the first time I didn't heave a great sigh and declare 'I am never doing this AGAIN!'

Really kids do grow up and become better behaved! Hallelujah!

{until you run out of money that is... and they still have plenty of rides they want to try!}

Thanks to my mum who accompanied me {and gets me free entry} as once again The MR was out of town working. {hmmm I see a pattern here ;}

I constantly remind the kids that for us a trip to the Ekka is a group effort. It is an expensive outing, but thanks to their money boxes, parents, grandparents and great grandparents we can fund most of the things they want. It's always a little lesson in seeing how far your money goes {not far}.

Luckily the Ekka is nicely placed between Birthdays, Easter, More birthdays and Christmas. We seem to have a nice spacing of things to look forward to every two months or so in this house. Ekka is perfect timing to give us a pep, something to look forward to during winter and get us looking forward to whats coming next in our calendar. Mid year Fun.

It's a long day 9am-9pm.

Full of all the ekka traditions. We tick all the important things off our list. Rides, Fairy Floss, Baby Animals, Dagwood Dogs, Showbags, Strawberry Sundae Cones, Fireworks, Children falling asleep during fireworks and a long tired walk back to the car with hands brim full of treasures.

 

 

Previous Ekka Tales here and here

Newcastle

 

 

The Mr has been travelling for work for 7 weeks out of the last 10.

After several failed attempts we managed to get me to join him on one of them!

So I got 2 days in Newcastle.

Now I'll admit that Newcastle has never really been on my list of places to holiday...

But it was great!

Perfect little town for a getaway.

Wonderful beach views and several things to do in walking distance as we didn't have a car.

and the silence.. ahhh the blissful silence.

 

There should be some rule that says parents without their children should be able to sleep for 12 hours straight. What's the deal being sans kids and still waking several times a night and be up at the crack of dawn due to body clock and unfamiliar hotel beds??? Life is so unfair! All I want is some sleep! The upside is that is the ONLY bad thing that happened on the weekend! I had the best time I've had in a while.

 

 

We stayed here at Noahs on the Beach - gorgeous views from each room

 Ate the best dinner I've had in ages here at Jonah's on the Beach

Yum breakfast in cute vintage cafe Frankies Place 

 

 

It was super windy down there. In the blustering wind we visited

Fort Scratchley   Nobby's Head  The Obelisk  Honeysuckle

 

 

I enjoyed full days of sight seeing, walking and more walking, big breakfast at quaint cafes, beach views, dinners out, mid day naps, laying in and reading. I commented that it was sooo nice NOT to have to be anywhere. I can keep walking, keep sightseeing, wander down gorgeous laneways full of OLD beautiful houses and have no need to stop. I recalled that I haven't had this feeling since 2005 {when we were holidaying in the USA}

This might be the first year where in we reach a yearly goal we keep making and failing at. Each year we try to have one family holiday and 2 short overnighters/getaways for The Mr and I. I don't think we've ever reached our goal! This year we will! We had our birthday getaway, now newcastle and in a few weeks we are off for a family beach house holiday. Makes me so happy. This trip reminded me how amazing it feels for a little time out.

I also came to realise that my husband likes to read plaques. He even said "Stop for a sec...I like to read plaques".... Then you find out a town like Newcastle has LOTS of plaques! Several war memorials, old forts and lookouts and plaques on the ground.. they were everywhere. So cute to find out more quirky things about your spouse. He really is the most darling thing.

small collection of the many plaques he read...

Newcastle had an offering of everything -
nature : beaches, cliffs, rocks etc
historical: old homes, army fort with guns, convict works, a town with history dating 1797
industrial: fun ship spotting, cranes all about,  mining etc
lookouts: hills with views,
Food and rest.

A place that could cater to most peoples tastes.


and looking through all my photos makes me want to go on another holiday already!


I'm so greedy!

The Birthday Shirt

Last year I tried my hardest to convince someone to have their number 5 birthday shirt in tally lines { llll } I thought it clever no? However obviously my kids just don't get it, and there was a big NO WAY to that idea.

With another birthday looming and being a young easy going kid I made the decision to do 111
(not 'she's 111?' as The Mr pointed out - but 3  tally marks or fingers as kids are likely to show when asked how old they are!)

This is the easiest birthday shirt you'll ever make and could work well for number 1 and 2 ...
 or really any number up to 10. If you've got enough ribbon.

*****

Basically find strips of ribbon you like. Wider ribbon is easier to sew on in my opinion.

I used a little hemming tape to iron the ribbon into place.

Then sew around the edges of the ribbon.

And in 5 mins flat you have a Tally Count Birthday Shirt!



My previous Birthday Shirts found here:

Paint Stencilled Birthday Shirt

Letters {ONE} Birthday Shirt

Felt and Fabric Birthday Shirt

Reverse Applique Birthday Shirt

Zig Zag Stitched Birthday Shirt  {sewed mins before going to school}

Spotty Reverse Applique

2 Birthday Shirt

Recycled Corderoy Pants 5 Birthday Shirt

Felt and Fabric double layer 10 Birthday Shirt

Felt Cat and Reverse Applique 11 Birthday Shirt

Felt Snowflake and Stitched #6 Birthday Shirt

I started this tradition 4 years ago now. My third child was 2 and I saw freezer paper stenciling of numbers on shirts. I just used regular acrylic paint and it was so easy. Of course her older siblings {5 and 8 at the time} wanted them too when their birthday came. And thus began a tradition. Anyway I'm telling you don't think kids will think things are silly. Even older kids. I keep wondering when they are going to be too cool for it.. but at 11 my eldest still asks for her birthday shirt. Funnily enough its become such a family thing that the Mr said... I didn't get a shirt for my 40th! ha! that would have been so cool. Wish I had thought of it back in January!

I also like that it extends birthday presents. I buy $4 shirts to do these birthday shirts. Because it has now become a present, I often only have to buy  2 more presents and with their breakfast and candle ring the table looks oh so full of birthday delights.

Anyway just some thoughts if you thought you might also like to do similar.

Happy Birthday Traditions!

Do you have birthday traditions? Wanna Share?

Sports Day

One of the up sides of going to a small school means that on sports day you'll be sure to receive a ribbon of some sort. Which is lucky for us. We are participators and cheerers and love dressing up and team spirit but we are kinda mediocre at most things.

But that is OK!

A few action snap shots makes everyone feel better. Getting a few seconds and thirds (even if there are only 4 competitors ;) makes for jubilation. A reminder of trying our best no matter what is good too. And if in the end you get no ribbons its ok because you have a blue face and blue hair and you had fun.

Three of us had husky voices for a few days from all the yelling and cheering.

Lucky sports day only comes once a year.

We aren't a big sporty family {we more enjoy doing things slowly/ non competitional for fun - swimming, bike riding, walking, etc} but as evidenced on sports day some children are just so natural and good at sports and some not at all. So being in the middle is probably a fine place to be.

Winter Wonderland Faux Snow Party

Miss G has been in love with snow for a few years now.

Even though she has never seen snow.

A snow party is what she wanted for her 6th Birthday

{which is funny because the last 3 years of her  she always asked for a beach or swimming party -- which is a tad hard in winter}

Ironically last year for her carnival party in the park it was FREEZING! Wind blowing things everywhere and guests so cold I think I ran home for blankets.

And then the year we opt for a SNOW party complete with mittens and scarves?

IT'S HOT! It was almost like a summers day! Gah!



Anyway on to the details of the party {warning its long!}

I found so many ideas on the internet and came up with a few of my own. It was hard to limit myself! I think this may be my new favourite theme. I suggest you do one too! It is so easy and fun.

Foamerators

I think I orginally found this idea many years ago at Betz White. As we have a lack of real snow in Australia I was trying to think outside the box for similar looking fakeness! I thought our foamerators would be fun and provide white goodness.

To make a foamerator all you need is empty water bottles, an old towel and rubber bands. Basically you slice off the bottom of a bottle. Cut a square of towelling and attach it to the bottom with a rubber band. Then you dip your bottle in a bowl full of water and detergent mixed.

Then the fun begins. Take a big breath and BLOW into your bottle and a big snake of bubbles will come from the bottle. Very fun. Remind kids to NEVER breathe in with the bottle to your mouth {you will get detergent taste in your mouth} only blow out.  After 10 mins or so kids will be tired from all the blowing.

Ice Dig

I found this idea also many years ago via Crafty Crow . Originally we used it as a summer activity to keep cool. For this activity you just freeze a bunch of small toys/beads/whatever in a container of water. Then you allow the children to dig out the treasures using tools. We used forks this time.

Photobooth

Originally I started out making winter props - igloo, snowman, snowflakes, penguins etc. I was painting them on large packing cardboard with the intent to have photos beside them. When The Mr procurred a LARGE TV box from work I thought this would work as a 'insert your head' photobooth. One side of the box had a snowman, the other side a penguin.  As I've lost my artistic ability over the years to achieve this I used our trusty projector. Find a picture you like, project it onto cardboard and trace around the edges. I then painted the image {we have been gifted left over house paint, and acrylics over the years. I'm still using them for every project!} Using a stanley knife cut a circle large enough for kids head to fit in.

Spiders/Icecream Floats

All Miss G asked for in a snow party was that there be 'Spider Drinks'. I thought that a wonderful idea that suited the theme {orginally I was opting for a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings} White Fluffy Goodness in pretty cups. Just like Snow. These cups became the take home gift of the party instead of lolly bags.

Dry Ice

This one is all thanks to The Mr. I wasn't intending to have this but of course it was a hit! Miss G mentioned 'what about that white smoke stuff Daddy had at his party'? There is a place very close to our house that sells dry ice. A bag of the pebbles cost $17. Well worth it and we still have some left.
Place dry ice in warm water. Make sure an adult does it and do not allow children to touch the ice. Lots of squeals and ooohhh and ahhhh's with dry ice in the house!

Snow Globes

There are many ways to make snowglobes (baby food jars etc) but I wanted the easiest way for a party full of little kids. Purchase a tray of water bottles. Give each child a bottle. Ask them to take a drink from it to lower the water. Then lay out an arrangement of beads, trinkets, glitter etc - anything that will fit through the top of the bottle. {lots of glitter is a must}. When finished, place lid back on and secure with tape {so no little siblings will think it is good to drink}. Now shake and you have a pretty snowglobe. Also can double as a take home gift. All the children loved their snowglobe.

Snowflake Facepainting

I'll credit this idea to the lady from a Gecko's animal party I went to. After an hour of animal handling she asked who wanted their faces painted. I thought what a brave lady, how will she do all these faces in a few minutes? Turns out she just used a lizard stamp and stamped it onto the kids! Brilliant! EASY idea!

So I was very happy when I lucked upon a foam snowflake stamp in the clearance section of spotlight for $3. My 9 year old was the facepainter of the party. She did a GREAT JOB! We just used regular nontoxic acrylic paint in a tube. We applied the paint to the stamp with a small paint brush and just stamped it on to each child's cheek or arms. She then applied some shimmer dust over it. This was simple, easy, quick and looked really effective I thought.

Fake Snow

I purchased some of this fake snow from a party shop for $5. Two sachets {$10} were enough to fill a big plastic container. It kinda feels like a type of gelatin. Kids got very excited about this and ended up throwing it everywhere and 'skating' on it as it was very slippery all over my outside tiles. I suggest laying down the ground rules of just playing or building with it if you don't want a snow fight :)

Playdough

I made 5 batches of playdough and left it white {no food colouring} and simply added glitter to the dough. This activity was to make  a snowman. I left a bag of googly eyes out to keep it simple {just dough, googly eyes and sticks for arms} the abundance of eyes meant we had lots of alien looking snowmen!

Pinata

As you all know it isn't a party of ours if there isn't a pinata! This pinata was one of my most simple yet and cost virtually nothing to make. I used a cereal box as the body to hold the lollies and trinkets. I 'paper mache d' junk mail all around the box to make it sturdier. I then painted it white {same house paint used to make the photo props} I then cut out two big snowflakes from white cardboard and simply stuck them to the front of the box. I always lay down serious ground rules with pinata's. I state I've been doing pinata's for about 5 years {about 15 pinata's so far} and I've NEVER had an injury and that aint gonna change! We mark a line where the children must stand behind {measure with the stick you are using and swing it in all directions - then make the children stand back further than that} and remind them they are not to run for the goodies until the person has stopped swinging!


Cakes

I made a double layer vanilla cake with white icing and used fondant to create a snowflake for the top {I printed a snowflake off the internet and placed it on top of the icing and cut around it} It was a pretty quick and easy process. This was my first time using fondant so it didn't turn out as great as I envisioned. But the birthday girl saw it and said "Oh mum ... that is FANTASTIC!" so I suppose that is all that matters.

The day before the party I remembered about Chocolate Ripple Cake and thought that is the perfect kind of cake for a snow party. Wish I thought of that before I made the other cake! Ripple cake takes all of 5 mins to prepare and is so easy! So I made 2 of those also. The layered cookies and the whipped cream swell overnight to miraculously turn into CAKE!

I also thought oreo pops with white chocolate could be 'Snowball Pops' so I made a batch of them too. {2 packets crushed oreos, 1 package cream cheese - mix. Roll into balls and dip in chocolate ~ easy recipe}

Decorations

Paper Doilies are your best friend! On the walls, under the plastic table cloth, to eat food on. To hang like snowflakes. I used White lanterns {borrowed from a friend} and purchased Snowflake decorations from a party shop. I made scarves for each child by cutting up a $5 polar fleece blanket {gave me 12 scarves} and mittens for party favours. Icicles and igloo made out of cardboard boxes {taken from neighbours recycle bin} Photobooth made from a TV box.


Extra Ideas I didn't use but are still great:

I have loads of branches in a pile in my back yard. Paint branches white and use to decorate
Fill plastic pool/container with shaved ice
Ice fishing
'Freeze' music game
Igloo Cake
Party Bags in stocking shape
Decorate a Felt Mitten
Hommus Dip in snowman shape (olives for eyes and carrot nose)


And that was our Winter Wonderland Faux Snow Party! Phew!

Party Fatigue Prevention

Most simple yet my most favourite cake I've made

photo credit: Zanabelle Photography

As I gear up for another birthday party (make it two) parties are on my mind.

Sometimes I cringe putting up our parties.

And think no one will want to know these ideas, see our sad  homemade parties.

But then I feel it's my duty.

My duty to show:

A realistic, simple, themed birthday party that cost around $100

While looking for ideas for the cat party I came across a beautiful cat themed idea

I used said ideas, but immediately thought:

Those kids are models, there is NO actual party going on, who has white carpet, white walls, white couch and lets a party anywhere near it,  with beautiful sunshine lighting - the lighting is fake! The entire house matches the party - is that even possible?

So while I love the internets and the wonderful idea's I don't enjoy some of the depression that may come along when your party looks, sounds, ends up NOTHING like pictures on party design blogs.


Hence my willingness to share.

Real life. Real parties.

Back to the cat party - I walked home 10 kids from school.
They were extremely hyper BEFORE we even got home and ate sugared foods.

Yeah nothing like those beautiful kids and homes photo inspirations.

Here are a few of the parties we've done over the last few years:

Cat Party
Pool Party
Sci Fi Party
Carnival Party
Magic Party
Beach Theme Party
Spots, Dots, Polka Dots Party
Afternoon Tea Party
Easy Beach Cake
Birthday Traditions Ideas

My tips for birthday parties:

A theme helps me keep it all together.
A list starting 3 weeks out.
I buy decorations, ingredients in small amounts in my weekly shopping to spread the cost.
2 weeks out I start making props {photobooths, decorations etc}
1 week out start on pinata.
3 days out I bake the cake and freeze it uniced.
2 days out check I've done everything. {finish up unfished decorations etc}
1 day out prepare food, clean house, hang decorations.
Day of party - Ice cake and clean.
A written out schedule of the party - doing what when so you don't forget anything.

Now this might seem like a lot and overwhelming but it really helps to have no party stress. After the kids are in bed I'll paint a backdrop, or sew some paper decorations etc. Each day I'm only spending a small amount of time working on something. No long nights, no rush. Slow and steady.

The Lower Lights

Remember this post?  Let it shine {yes go read it now..}

Back now?

Well I was so excited when The Lower Lights contacted me a few weeks back.

They were googling researching blogs to find anyone who had blogged about them or mentioned them.

They came across the above piece I wrote.

They were happy and offered to send me their NEW ALBUM  - Out just last week!

'The Lower Lights - A Hymn Revival Volume 2'

Oh my I was so excited!

I've been playing the music and its making me think olden days, revivalist, folky thoughts.

Oh my I wanna have a hoe down!!

It's also making me sad that I can't play any instruments.

I wanna pick up a banjo, or a violin or something.

and have a jam with family and friends.

Well I can always do the knee clapping. There's plenty of that in this album.

Happy Clappy Christian Music.

Enjoy!

.......................

Go here to listen and if you download you get 6 bonus tracks!

Six years

The sixth birthday.

It feels such a special one? First year in school might be the reason.

Or maybe six just means you aren't a little kid anymore.

You've migrated up to kid!

Miss 6 has been excited for months.

A snow party is planned in her honour for the weekend {she LOVES snow anything!}

Last night before bed she whispered

I'm going to have candles in the morning right? Not the ones on cake... the OTHER ones??

OH did that make my heart soar. I love that my girls LOVE their birthday traditions.

They wake up to their presents set out on the table with the candle ring alight with the number of candles of their age. Those who choose, wear the birthday crown {sometimes they choose not to}, and they have a number Tshirt waiting for them to wear for the day. They choose what breakfast they want {usually doughnuts or pancakes} and recieve about 3 presents and a birthday letter outlining achievements, favourite things, happenings in the year.

This all means the day started nice and early!


Pancakes with strawberries for breakfast, Icecream cake and chocolate milk to share at school and an order for lasagne and icecream and jelly sundaes for dinner.

I'm happy to oblige.

Happy Birthday to my cheeky smile, twinkle in the eye, always on the go Girl.

Scarf Challenge

I've promised myself I am not going to be cold this year. {even with no heating}

So far its worked

Now we are entering the coldest part of year though, we shall see. IT was cold this morning!

Eating warm foods and making sure I'm plenty layered and a positive outlook - enjoy the cool.

After my post mentioning scarf styles I set myself a goal to try a few of them and wear a scarf often (usually every couple of days)

We rode our bikes to and from school every day last term so the scarf was often necessary in the cool morning ride but discarded later in the heat of the day.

So here is my scarf challenge:

It was fun.

I do love a good scarf. I was especially happy {can you tell lol} in that middle photo with the cream scarf. I was walking in the rain without an umbrella pushing a pram. A scarf also makes a good rain hat. Or the one where I said I look like the Queen. That was in the cold watching the sunrise last month. Brrrrr a scarf makes a good head warmer. But most of all I like how warm I feel when my neck is covered but with the flexibility to remove it. Like the day I found my daughter shivering on the concrete at school parade. The scarf is so big she wrapped herself and a friend with it. Or the time my legs were cold and I could lay it across my lap. So functional in so many ways!


Here's to the cold. And scarves.

This Morning

last week rugged up

This morning was cool.

My littlest had woken as cold as a popsicle at 5am and came and burrowed into our bed.
Once warm and snug drifted straight back to sleep.

Tv is allowed mornings on holidays. Big kids rushed off to sit piled amongst blankets.

I awoke properly at 7:30 {ahhhh bliss} to a big child sneaking my iphone from off my bedside table.

I looked over to the sleeping angel. It's not often we get to see our little ones so still and peaceful.

Her eyelids almost translucent. Her button nose. Her perfect cupid lips. Her creamy skin.

All surrounded by blankets.

I studied her face, she had a hand stretched above her head and her fingers twitched intermittedly.

Eyelids flutter, fingers stretching she was coming out of her slumber.

She awoke, eyes ablaze almost immediately, slightly wondering. She realised where she was and basically flipped over to Daddy. She cradled his face brushed his lips with her fingers.

A few mins later and her words were

'I have your Ipad Daddy?'

And we were in full on swing to the day.

I believe it was a gift.
In those few minutes she looked like a baby. Her hair back so her round face exposed.

Instead of using the quiet to check my phone, messages, facebook, read my phone was gone.

It was too cold to get out of bed. I've read all the books beside my bed.

Instead I had 20 mins to gaze at a sleeping babe.

I briefly thought I wish my phone was here so I could take a picture.

But it was because there was no phone I got to see such a treasure.

I will have to remember by these words alone.

Winter Solstice

Doesn't the year go fast?

I remember our last winter solstice celebration

Yikes!

It's nice to think of the bigger pictures sometimes and realise we are on this spinning mass circling the sun each year. I read someone say recently about her daughers first birthday - she's survived her first revolution around the sun! kinda amazing when we think about it.  I like to take a little time out to reflect that fact occassionally. I was even able to teach the girls a little about it. They want to know how it can be the shortest day when there is always 24 hours in a day - its funny how kids don't really realise the sun sets earlier and earlier each day.  And a brief talk how how thankful we are for electricity so we don't have to sit in the dark all winter long!

We did the same things as last year.
Watching the sun set (and I saw it rise) A fire with marshmallows. Soup. Early Bed!

Our day started with sunrise (which was 6:40) but we dont see the sun till around 7:30! The sky was crystal clear blue and then BAM! Fog rolled in from nowhere and stayed for about 2 hours. Very fitting for this day. It was cold and foggy.

The fog! mins after those first photos

Then the day warmed up and was hot! I was wearing summer clothes it was so warm. I just re read last years post and it was the same! warmest day in weeks! so funny that on the shortest day, midwinter the last two years (possibly more often than that even) its been HOT.


We spent the afternoon in the park playing and watching the sun set.

And then home for soup and a fire!

I love the shorter days and cozy home and early bedtime. I also love the anticipation of the sun gradually coming closer and warming us that little more. Slowly filling our home with light.

And that is why I like to take a little time to remember the sun and the seasons.

We can find a little happiness in each phase of the year

So enjoy the short days while you can.

BENTO!

my first online shopping experience! Bento things arrived. So exciting!

I've often thought I would be one of those mums that put thought and effort into lunches and snacks.

I mean I cook from scratch almost daily. My kitchen is always getting a workout.

But maybe I realised rustic big meals are more my thing than fiddly little things.

I think my 2 year old is lucky to get a folded in half peanut butter sandwhich tossed at her most days.

What can I say. Can't be perfect at everything hey?



Therefore I am pretty please with my new efforts!

A lovely friend has recently moved to Japan. Now that she is back in the land of all things cute she has opened her own store selling Japanese Bento goodies! 

Check it out over at Little Japan Mama . She has some good sales prices.


I've always admired those cute Bento lunches so I was one of her first customers saying

'SIGN ME UP'! 

(I'm in the middle of organizing my second order now I know the things we like, works best for us)

I  am happy for the most part that it has been easy! and cute! and probably cheaper than the lunches I was making before.

Here are some of the school lunches I've made the past two weeks.

Lunches include :

Rice Shaped by these Heart and cherry blossom onigiri moulds
Carrot, cucumber, cheese, kiwi fruit, Devon cut with these Flower Cutters
Egg shaped by  these egg moulds
 Cute animal picks to make you smile when you open your lunch
Flower Picks to hold fruit, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas etc

 I totally recommend Shinobu's  Hamburg Meatball recipe - these are delish! and the kids loved them
The flower cutters are great because you don't have to peel the carrot etc. Using the cutter discards the edges. The kids love picking out which animal fork they will have for the day.

Only negatives I've found was we've had varying success with the egg moulds depending on the size of the egg. Sometimes they just haven't worked out which = a sad 5 year old. {on the plus side the kids are having egg in their lunch. Something they wouldn't before} and of course as with everything from japan the items were smaller than I thought they would be! So check scale before thinking photo is real size! Also my 9 year old reported that some kids teased her about having 'baby food' for lunch. Anyway she worked through it and is still eating it but no such problems from my 11 year old.

Also these types of food {meat etc} are only something I consider during winter/spring. I think Australian climate is too hot for meat to be sitting in lunch boxes for hours during summer. Unless I get more organised with my ice packs.


Hopefully we won't get Bento Fatigue and we'll keep enjoying.


Do you have any fun lunch box ideas for me?

Long Weekend

I think that is the sunrise. That tiny orange smidge. 10 mins later it was black with rain.

Last week I mentioned in passing that the Queens Birthday public holiday was coming up and we better see what we could do with daddy.

A child pipes up with

But we go watch the sunrise every queens birthday remember?

oh yeah. right.

We have done that for the last two years - seen here  and  here  so it is obviously tradition now right!?!



So off I go insearch for a perfect sun rising watching location.

We live in a gully (well downhill I should say , innercity with tightly packed houses)

soooooo the sun is usually quite a ways up before we get to see it.

Sun rise watching locations can be hard to scout. By that I mean you don't want the location too far away so you don't have to get out of bed too early! {personally I would have loved watching from the Coast} no, I want a perfect spot close to home , too much to ask?

In the end we went the same spot as last year. But no sunrise! Just cloud and rain and cold wind.

There was one other car there on the top of the hill. And whaddayaknow... we KNEW them! Another group of young adults from our church! Love how small the world is sometimes! Or maybe we were the only crazy people hoping for a sunrise on a wet day!


On the plus side for the weekend - on Saturday we found a new 'country feeling' spot only 10 mins from the city. It was nice to walk in a place with river, trees, cows, swans, birds, dirt, sticks, rocks etc. Even if we walked really far and the little kids were too tired to walk back. I tell ya scarves are not only good for keeping you warm.. they also work as a rope to pull tired kids 2km back to the car. And to make kites out of to get them to giggle and forget how tired they are! Luff you scarf!

and we had 3 fires in the fireplace this weekend. So cozy. Thanks to The Mr for his chopping of wood. We like to pretend we are tough country folk and that our dreams of owning some land out in the bush aren't totally crazy for city folk like us. Ha. Well I did enjoy the heat and relaxation that eminates from wood fires. Oh and the pyro children. They love it too!

and that is how you have a Queens birthday long weekend.

{oh and you also include a midnight run to a friends house going into labour, to look after their other kids. I was so excited! and then I was tired the next day. You'd think I gave birth! lol.}

The end.

Glasses help everything.

Did you miss me?

All 50 of you. My beloved subscribed readers.

Sigh. Nothing is happening. No inspiration. Writers block. Dull Life.

Also...

I used to blog while kids napped.

Now there is no napping.

And those older kids hog the computer all afternoon.

Then it's dinner, cleaning, yadda yadda and its 9pm before I can get back here.

.... and I'm tired and still have nothing to say.

I even thought alot this week about  giving up blogging.
I've obviously run out of things to say {sacriledge!} or that I'm wasting my time.



It's nice to keep this little journal though.

But I don't want to be boring and mundane.

But then I tell myself that I follow plenty of blogs that are really not about much at all.

So I'll cut myself some slack. Why should I be different.

You all want to know about my regular ol life right??? right!?

{If only I wasn't so envious of big bloggers making money showing pics of the hamburgers they eat and walking around city and photos of their cute babies.... and not much else.... or a photo a day no words fashion blog, or some simple paper crafts, or life of those living overseas, or daily musings on farm, and a bunch of silly frivolous other things I follow}


Except I don't live somewhere exotic, I'm not crafting barely at all these days, I don't eat out nor have any cool recommendations, I don't live on a farm or have any animals, I'm not a fashion blog, I don't own a camera {luff you iphone }, I don't have anymore cute babies,


Oh so that leaves me with what?


Taking self portraits in my kids play glasses .... thats what!

Fires, scarves, rice pudding

First Fire of the season is starting to become a little special tradition.
{see here and here too}

We collect the wood, make sure we have marshmallows, choose a good night, dim the lights and lay/sit on the ground and move the couches around.
{we did it as part of Family Home Evening this year}

All to remind ourselves that yes! we love this!
and to remember to try and do it more often throughout winter. More! More!

{A good reminder on being organized. No good wishing for fire and wood/kindling at night when you haven't collected it during the day!}


This year I am determined to make our fireplace actually radiate some heat. The lovely thing is pretty much for appearances only and does not actually heat our house in any form. I am determined to change that! I've researched and have a few ideas on how to make a 'gaping hole in the house' actually heat.  I thought I had come up with a temporary solution to cover part of the hole. It seemed to be working but alas smoke was filling the house. The fire alarms just wouldn't quit! We had to open all the doors and windows and run a fan to get them to turn off.

Negative result in attempting to heat my house with wood!!

Fireplace 1.....  Me 0


And four day later after being shut tight, the house has a hint of lovely burnt smoke smell.


But I'm going to keep trying
{well I will keep telling The Mr what he has to do to get us some heat!}


I also made my first baked Rice Pudding with success. Yummy and Easy and a little different from how I usually make it {rice pudding is an easy snack, dinner, dessert, winter warmer etc in our house}

I've also begun in earnest my scarf obsession. Think I've worn one atleast 4 times this last week. I've been wearing them for weeks now. Love Scarfs. Love that it will be cool enough to wear one all day soon, instead of just when I'm cold riding our bikes to school, or in the shade. I have to take it off too much during the day still when it warms up. I've been experimenting with different tying styles. Wore a regular scarf tied into a circle scarf last night to a birthday party and recieved lots of compliments.  My favourite youtube scarf tutorial - lots of ideas and so good!

Some of my favourites

the fake knot
the european loop

the figure 8
the french knot

I just rewatched that youtube video.
I think it is a must that I try the bunny ears, the magic trick, waterfall, X, keytie, hidden knot!


Enjoy the cooler weather!

{though I think its been quiet hot this week!}... its coming. The cool is coming!

Feeling Blue {the good type}

{not edited in anyway. Randomly chosen from photos taken this past month}

Blue skies.

Blue Blue skies.


I {LOVE} this time of year.


Cool Crisp mornings.


Warm sunny days.


Have barely seen a cloud in about 2 months.


It's delicious isn't it?


I feel pretty lucky to live in a place with such wonderful weather.


In fact it makes me feel bad that I don't attempt to get out in it more.


This past couple weeks I've made a greater effort to take Miss N to the park, to eat icecream by the cliffs, to play badminton after school in the street {what a mothers day present, to sit and read on the deck, laying in the grass, biking everywhere.


Outside is where its at!


Soon I will be cold.


So its good to remember how perfect it is.


Then I will longingly wait till my next favourite time of year. September - November.


Perfection.


You can't always have it in all aspects of life. So its nice to have even in small simple doses.




{I wrote this earlier in the week and now after publishing.. the clouds are a coming! lol}

Mothers Day Duality

The tale of two Mothers Day:


The Snarky Mothers Day:

How can it be Mothers Day when woken up at 6am 
Children begging you to eat breakfast in bed even when it is the worst thing in the world
Forced to eat a cold breadfast that's been repeatedly touched
Copious amounts of handmade cards and presents which you are required to love and admire when perhaps you think they should be destined for the bin.
The 5 fererro rocher flowers you were given at church were eaten by said kids
Chocolates are a must give present only because the children know that they will get some
Begging children to get themselves ready for church, clean up around the place, go to bed early, ----- insert any prefered behaviour ----- as gift to you.
The holiday itself makes you depressed because it is far from the serene, kind, full of willing helpers to do your work while you laze the day away dreaming of just how perfect motherhood is. When in fact the best mothers day would be one where you are no where near your children. We do that mothering thing 365 days a year... how about a No Mothering Day...


The Sentimental Mothers Day:

Little ones climbing into bed early with squeals over making you breakfast in bed
Happy breakfast laid table sitting around it together 
Beautiful handmade cards with heart melting sentiments with ' If I could wish for just one present it would be you' 'You are the best mum in the world' 'My mum is special because she makes me my favourite chocolate and strawberry cake' (this made me laugh because 1- I didnt know they had a favourite cake and 2- I don't think I've ever cooked said cake ever) 
Presents from the heart, funny things they think you've always wanted, some surprising insightful. Handwritten signs welcoming those into our house on mothers day.
Tears shed at church from wonderful talks about motherhood
Afternoon tea shared with family.
Lots of kisses and cuddle


A child composes their own song for you and your heart melts. {to tune of this song }

I want this to be a good mothers day

I really really love you and I just want to say

I would not be here if it wasn’t for you

I really love you to
So I want you to love me as much you do

I don’t care about anything but you

I don’t want anything but love from you

If I had to choose a present it would be nothing

But to see you all the time
I want you to be happy because you’re  very lucky to have me

Please love me, please care for me,  Please care for me A lot because I love you

I want love from you, from me to you

I give you my love from me

Perhaps each Mothers Day is  a little combination of both. Too Snarky is just plain sad {and rude}. Too sentimental can feel so far removed from reality it seems a lie. Some years full on snark, some years full on sentimenal with tears and all. Some Mothers Days are hard, some easy and blissful. An emotional rollercoaster - Just like motherhood really!

As I gather my cards {to be stored in a special file I keep all my cards from my kids}
I see pure love and innocence, kindess and wanting.

The act of me as their mother will be to turn their words into actions.



Low key expectations, some food, and a little family love are keys to a successful Mothers Day in my book. Extra helpful Daddy and Kids makes a day. Don't really expect a day off.
And early bedtime certainly helps too! {please a gift you can give me.. go to bed early!}

and a Mothers Day Photoshoot. A must have.

I must have been a good mumma cause I scored lovely presents of tulips, a whisk, a large serving spoon, a smoothies cookbook, an egg timer, coloured cutting boards, mascara and a badminton set!