Christmas Countdown

(94 now :)

About a month or more ago a friend texted me asking if I had started Christmas preparations and what was I doing this year

Christmas? I was just recovering from two birthday parties!

She said she asked herself.. I want to be like Bobbie this year.

Ha Ha that had me blushing. Then I felt bad cause this girl was doing nothing!


{Coincidently My neighbour who is not computer minded was struggling with her daughters Cat costume for Book week. She said I asked myself "What would Bobbie do? - She'd google it!"  LOL she knows me! and subsequently found a great cat mask and printed it off! }


On a facebook group this week someone asked about Christmas traditions that involved service for little kids. My long winded answer(s) got me all excited about planning out what I want to do this year!

The next day a dear friend asked on facebook what were my Christmas Day Traditions.

Today I was asked to contribute to a Christmas Midnight Madness Craft night...


I feel like a regular Mrs Claus! The Pressure! And don't have just have the most darling friends!



If you know me I've never had an original thought in my life

I'm all about copying.

Which is why I like to share what I've found to do



I shared a few ideas for service but ended coming to the conclusion that the easiest way is to take a Christmas tradition you already love { baking cookies, Christmas Dinner, watching Christmas lights etc} and find a way to share it with a neighbour, friend or stranger or incorporate others into your activity. Why haven't I thought of that before!! It got my mind whirring on our favourite christmas traditions - I'm listing them here so I have them all in one place and thinking up a twist for service including them. Click on the links to see the photos and how to's.


Christmas Books      see here and  here
I love collecting Christmas Books and reading them each night the month of December. They are about the only books I buy. I've been a bit disappointed with the Christmas books on offer at the shops I frequent {aussie christmas with santa drinking beer, to babyish, same titles every year etc} and sad when I read about beautiful books available in other countries. So I just did my first online book order and ordered some of the ones I've seen mentioned around the internet. I'm so excited.

As we love this tradition it would be easy for us to share it with another. Pick up a few extra books to give another family. My girls would love to be part of a service like that. We have one book that was gifted us by friends who now live overseas far away. Each year the girls ask me to read out the inscription and ask all about that friend (who is now becoming hazy to their memory) it is so sweet and I would love for another family to enjoy and think fondly of us :)


Christmas Pillowcases    see here and here
Each year we make a (4) new Christmas Pillowcases for 'sweet Christmas dreams' the month of December. A few of my kids friends have commented they would like on too. It would be simple to make another to gift.


Jesus Ornaments  see here
A few years ago I noticed a distinct lack of religiousity in my tree decorations. We make little laminated ornaments using pictures of Christ from old ensigns and catalogues with a scripture included on the back. There is no excuse for me not to start now in making many of these to give away attached to treats and presents and for just because.


Grandparents Christmas Dinner  see here  here  here and here
One of our most favourite Christmas Traditions. A Christmas Dinner with the works for our parents (grandparents) a week or more before Christmas Day. A little bit of effort but so fun. I wonder if I could organize something similar to do for a friend or stranger to invite them along to.

Sleeping under the Tree
Once school is out we have a night where we sleep under the Christmas tree, under the twinkling fairy lights. Originally it started out as just the kids but the last 3/4 years us parents have joined in too. We grab all the mattresses and pillows and make the lounge room wall to wall beds and watch a movie and play games and have fun lazing around together.

Donating to a Charity
Each year we donate to charity of some sort. We've collected items for homeless shelters, shoebox appeal for children overseas, made food baskets to deliver ourselves and done pixie drops. It can be hard to find a way to incorporate little children in service projects. I usually take my kids with me to the shops to  pick out the items that will be donated.


Christmas Movies
Over the years I've slowly been collecting Christmas movies. With a projector it would be so fun to organize an outdoor Christmas movie night (if only the sun didnt set so late!) invite the neighbourhood, friends etc to our backyard


Christmas Pyjamas   see here and  here
Every Christmas Eve the children receive a new set of PJs. Its a fun tradition. You know what the present is, but nice to sleep in new PJ's and for photos christmas morn.
There are several charities that collect Pajama's for children in hospital or those taken into Child Protection. I think it would be a great idea to show the kids an extra set of PJ for charity or have them choose a pair to donate The Pyjama Foundation


Nativity    see here and here
December 1st is the day for 'putting out the nativity sets in our house. We put them up before the Tree (first monday night in December) to remember the true meaning of the season first.  I love Nativity sets and have to stop myself from buying more. Not many shops sell them so when they do I feel a need to buy and show support that YES! we want these sold in stores. Now I pick up a small and reasonably priced set to give to another. One year I gave one to single woman who had not a single decoration. She really loved the Nativity set.


Carolling
Oh How I wish our family could sing! {we could carry speakers around and just play music right?} Carolling is awesome. One year a bunch of young adults from church carolled outside my house. My elderly neighbour came out and said to me later how beautiful it was, that people just don't do things like that anymore. It is such a touching gesture. I'm going to have to figure out a way to make this happen {invite lots of awesome singing friends to sing with us so we can hide in the crowd }


Advent   see here here
This is still a big work in progress with small children and with a busy calendar but I try to celebrate Advent (the four sundays leading up to christmas) with our candle ring, a scripture and spiritual lesson and music. Including others in this would be very easy.


Personalized Christmas Ornaments   see  here  here   here here
Each year I like to attempt to make personalize ornaments. We've got a few now. Organize a day to do it with other mum's


Christmas Card Movie   see  here here here
I think we've made about 5 Christmas movies so far. Each year I look forward to coming up with a simple idea and turning it into a little Christmas Family Movie. They are really nice to look back on and the girls love to watch them.

Pinatas   see here  here
It isn't a party without a pinata right!? A pinata is instant fun and anyone would love to receive a Christmas Pinata. I'm thinking Christmas Tree shape this year. (or star or stocking shape - so many possibilities!)


Advent Calendars   see here  here  here  here
We have paper ones, cloth ones and make a disposable one each year. Love Advent Calendars Would be a perfect gift to make another family to gift in November (get the gift giving in early!) There are so many types - ones with lollies, ones with activities to do as a family, ones with scriptures.

Gingerbread Houses  see here  here  here
It's getting a little out of control now I have 3 kids at school, but each year we make gingerbread houses to share at school. If I can get organized enough I think making a gingerbread house to gift to another family would be a lovely idea. Dropping one off anonymously would be so fun.



What are your favourite traditions that could be turned into a service?


New traditions I haven't done before but I am going to make goals to achieve this year


See a performance of Handel's Messiah (booked the tickets!!)
Take the children to see a Christmas Play/Ballet
Do a Jesse Tree
Have a Street Party and invite everyone in the street to meet and greet
Have a yule log
Make an awesome advent calendar
Be better at sitting quietly and contemplating the season each night and holding nightly advent
Have my children practice Christmas Songs on their instruments so we can have a singalong



As of next week it will be 12 weeks till Christmas.
I know I easily have 12 things on my to do list.
One a week.
Time to get cracking!


What are your Christmas Traditions? Do share!

Daisy Chain Moments

Had a lightbulb moment via another today


There is a large park we have to pass through on our way to school.

Often Miss N asks to stop. Most times I have to say no.
{We are late, too busy, on our way to another place, have to rush home, on bikes etc}

All too often I take us in the car and we bypass the opportunity to relish in our community


Today I deemed it was the only day this week with nowhere for me to be

We would walk!

On the way back I offered - would you like to stop at the park

A BIG YES and a big smile


We sat and played.

Then I noticed all the clover coming out

Each year we sit and make daisy chains out of clover - see here and here

I thought we could sit and make some.

Picking and Sitting and Joining flowers



 I notice a young man sitting on the swings nearby watching us.

I thought it a little odd but kept going about our business

A few minutes later he approaches and asks if he can take a polaroid photo of us
{he was shy and said its really hard to ask people permission to photograph them}

He is documenting people in Brisbane enjoying 'free' pursuits

He was so intrigued and admired that we were sitting making daisy chains in a public park

It was for a university assignment but he hopes to become a documentary photo journalist one day

I gave my consent and four very expensive polaroids were taken of us.

(Polaroid no longer make the film but gave their 'recipe' to another company that has started manufacturing it - however they can not manufacture it perfectly and the film has different results each time and is often badly exposed and only half works out - which adds to its creative look)

Had the most lovely chat and we parted ways with words of I hope you achieve your dreams.
I thanked him for literally making my day.

Tears welled up in my eyes on the way home

That young man touched my heart. He reminded me of perhaps the hundreds of moments I have missed in the rush of life. The thousands of times I have had to say no. That he saw some type of beauty in a few precious minutes of time spent with my child.


That indeed the best things in life are free.


*and today a day later I was at the park and the field of clover was gone.

Mowed over.

Precious moments are truly fleeting and must be caught!

Toogoom

As I sat waiting in the cool grey, when that golden glow hit me I was filled with warmth.
Watching a sunrise is almost a spiritual experience in my book. The quiet, the golden warmth that burns into you, the awe, the feeling of renewal, that anything is possible. Life is a gift.

My favourite quotes from the kids:
We love this place - is this our new house?
I love it here where I can say mum I'm going to the beach and you let me go do whatever I want
{to a glorious sunrise} Mum! Heaven is on! Heaven is on!

I can look at the gorgeous shells sitting on my mantle and remember the memories.



We've just returned from our first proper family holiday!

{sure we've camped, stayed with family/friends who live in cool locations etc}

But this was our first proper booked, all the amenties, 5 day stay, beach holiday.

It was wonderful.

Usually hotels are out of our budget {they want us to book 2 rooms}
We're too noisy, crazy to be in a small room and would annoy other guests I'm sure
For a few years beyond his control The Mr was having to change jobs just before the 1 year period to entitle holiday leave. Poor guy went about 5 years without holiday!

I was so happy to find reasonably priced {$140/night} WHOLE houses for holiday rental on stayz.com.au

Perfect solution for our family.

We rented a 4 bedroom house right on the beach at Toogoom {outside Hervey Bay}

Toogoom is a quiet beachside suburb with nothing but a few houses along the beach and one store. We basically had 5km stretch of beach to ourselves! Locals would walk their dogs morning and night and that was about it. I had never heard of the place before our booking.

It had shallow gentle water perfect for children
{ahem perfect for adults who want to laze and let their kids go at it without help }
Low Low Tides for exploring
Sand and nothing else in the clear water {for scaredy cats like me}
Pefect Sunset and Sunrise viewing {I have ALOT of photos!}

Now for Photo Overload :)

 

We swam and played on the beach each day before breakfast.
We had a fire on our beach with marshmallows and star viewing.
We fed turtles and sharks at this hokey aquarium
Walked each sunrise and sunset
Lazing on the hammock
We kayaked around and around

Only downside was green fluffy seaweed everywhere on the shore which a local told me only happens once a year, he said what a shame about this seaweed on your holiday.


 We stayed here at Cedar Beach Lodge
{think 70's beachhouse with lots of brown wood, lime green bathroom, cork floors, mission brown outside}We since found out that half the town is a holiday rental so I'm sure more fancier places could be found

House came with all amenties
kayak and canoe {kids LOVED that}
washer and dryer {came home with clean clothes instead of piles of dirty washing!}
Big Double Hammock
Lovely rainforesty garden
Out door dining

If you've made it this far some photos of the house :

We would love to do this again with family and friends and we can all have a house each!

I'm still on holiday high - I'm searching online for the next holiday!

Favourites :: Beach in Winter

I love the beach in winter.

Granted lucky I live in a place with a great climate, but the beach is just so lovely to me in Winter.

We've been at least once each month of winter, sometimes more than once.
We currently gearing up for an early spring beach holiday!

It's just so much nicer in my opinion

No need for suncream, no burning feet on sand requiring me to carry children, we can stay longer than one hour (we burn to a crisp longer than that), I can sit fully clothed watching the children - play, wade, swim (the brave crazy two), less people, I can laze in the sand reading a book, sifting sand between my fingers, the list goes on...

yes best to get in all our visits in as I'm terrible at going to the beach in actual summer.

Farwell my winter beach... I love you.

 

 

Summer Beach is on it's way!

 

Fathers Day 2012 Musings...

The Mr is so hard to buy for.
{he's not into many manly pursuits - nix on sports stuff, fishing, car interests, building, clothes etc}

Poor guy has been recieving reincarnations of tie, socks, favourite chocolate and ginger beer for every birthday, christmas, fathers day for 11 years now.

I took the girls shopping with money for each of them to buy a small thing for daddy. They got distracted and started fooling around and/or shopping for things THEY want.

I was exasperated cause I also had NO IDEA what to get Daddy and begged them to just choose something! Cause behaviour is heading out the door and we better leave before they kick us out.

One daughter replied 'We dont know what to get daddy cause WE'RE GIRLS!!! It's impossible!'

 

 ***

Lucky our daddy loves copious amounts of ties and socks and ginger beer and homemade cards.


He's so easy to please.


Sometimes forced retail based holidays {think valentines, mothers day and fathers day} can seem a bit cheesy, annoying, sad {if you don't have that in your life}, and nothing like that portrayed in commercials.

But around Fathers Day I'm always a little grateful.

I often worry that my girls are mama's girls. I can justify thinking 'well they might prefer me as I am same sex parent', they prefer me cause I primarily look after all their needs as small children and with extended breastfeeding daddy didn't have to do much for them, don't all kids love their mother best?

I worry when they bypass their father to ask me something, come to me for comfort after hurting themselves, to feed them when they wake up, to put them to bed, to read their books, to soothe them when sick. Daddy is good for computer help. Climbing on the roof. Kiteflying. Bike fixing. Asking deep questions. A hug in the morning until the little one says 'Ipad Daddy?" There's nothing wrong with this differentiation but I want girls that will curl up and find deep connection and comfort with their father.

So I love Fathers Day.

To me a Fathers role with their daughters is one of the most important ever. Perhaps because I believe in a Father in Heaven but a good father on earth just makes that connection between the two so even easier. A Father is strong, level headed, full of guidance, will always have your back, provides for you in all ways. A quiet force in the background of your life never wavering.

So I love my kids on Fathers Day


I loved their excitement to give their presents.
To climb into bed with him.
To make him breakfast.
To steal his ginger beer and chocolates {kids know their parents are sharers }


Fathers can sometimes be harder to get closer to then mothers.

But when you do its such a strong connection that makes my heart soar.

and the coolest daddies wear homemade paper ties and love cheap plastic watches

 

 

and look gorgeous in portraits drawn during church {picture by Miss G}

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.