My Bikie Gang

I planned to get to bed early last night and write. It didn't happen.

Once I got both kids into bed, the house tidied, Ella's lunch made for the next day & the kitchen cleaned it was already fairly late. I then went on a scrubbing mission with a brush and a bucket of bleach. I cleaned {with a lot of muscle let me tell you - it was a good workout} most of the tiles gaps/grout in the kitchen and near the laundry. I kind of hated knowing Chris was inside a plane somewhere over the ocean, many many miles from home. I felt so unsettled and was just hanging out for the "I landed safely" text which was still a good 10hours away!

Anyways, I scrubbed and scrubbed and then settled in with a cup of tea and good intentions to write. Another hour or so later {and several resettling sessions with Ryder} I got sidetracked reading blogs and websites and Facebook. At around 10:30pm, I realised no good writing was going to come from me and headed up to bed to watch trashy TV shows, like; Kendra, old Glee episodes and The Real Housewives. Ryder came into bed with me around midnight and I curled up with him, finally drifting off to sleep.

Chris's text arrived this morning. He was safe and well, and already off to meet business associates in California. I could breathe easier once that text landed in my message box!

Today could begin.

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Rewinding back to yesterday.....after school, I promised Ella and Ryder we'd go bikeriding.

So we did.

Winter is definitely on it's way. Although Ella insists she can't feel it - Ryder and I were both rugged up. However, the sun was still shining and the sky had a magnificent blueness to it.

A gorgeous evening to be out.

We only just got this bike for Ryder on the weekend. A friend was given it as a gift - however didn't need it as they already had one for their child. It was still new in the box....so $40 later...it was ours. Ryder loves it.

Another way to get out and about with my kidlets. And the local concrete reservoir is always a wonderful way to get some fresh air, burn off some energy as well as a great, flat place to ride bikes.

And explore.....

Check out this week's forehead bruise :( Another stack on concrete on Sunday. I'm thinking about keeping that helmet on him ALL THE TIME!!!Ryder had a huge meltdown when I said we were leaving - getting him into the car was no easy feat. But a quick stop at the local park for a bit of wallaby spotting and swinging, softened the blow!

A lovely afternoon really.

Happy Monday All.

Weekend Wrap

I have a sleeping baby next to me, and only 20minutes to have this post done; before the school pick up. Ryder who normally goes down for his day nap between 11 & 12, didn't crash until 2pm today! So, in a cruel twist of the sleepless-baby-world that I live in, I'll have to wake him soon to get to Ella's school by 3pm at the latest! Ugh!

Our weekend was busy. But delightful.

Friday kicked off with a sunset park play with our special friends; Kirsty, Jet & Brodie. Followed by Chris cooking a delicious dinner and Ryder going to bed without a fight - BLISS! Chris and I enjoyed a slow night of red wine, peanut M & M's and lots of {overdue} conversation. It was so deliciously lovely.

We headed to an indoor playground on Saturday morning for one of Ella's classmate's party. And celebrated being five!

Ryder tagged along and enjoyed every moment.

When we returned home at midday, I savoured a long {much needed} nap with my boy, while Ella and Chris headed out on a sushi date.

Later that afternoon, we went down the coast to check out Chris's parents new house and stay for dinner. The house was fab - I love it! And can see many family get togethers there. The company was great, the champagne flowed and the Thai takeaway was delish. The kids enjoyed a bubble bath and danced along to Pa playing the keyboard. I haven't seen Tony play in about 5 years - it was lovely, and everything I imagined their new house would bring.

Both kids passed out in the car on the drive home and easily transferred into bed, allowing Chris and I some time to enjoy more wine and chats. Cold, wintery Saturday nights beg for wine and couch chats, don't they?

Sunday morning; the kids and I enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast out at a local cafe with a few of my girlfriends. Although chaotic {2 toddlers and 2 5yr olds}, it's these kind of things that make my heart sing. Things like still having a social life with kids in tow. Good food and the bestest of friends, who love my kids and embrace them fully - all of us enjoying life together.

And a quick park play afterwards to burn off some pancake/hot chocolate bursts!

Chris is in the USA this week. His first American trip. It's a very quick {and last minute} business trip and although he is only just about to board the plane now - I miss him already. Thankfully we have a special 'date weekend' planned on his return to soften the blow of being a single Mum for the next 5 days.

I'm using this week to get some stuff done around the house - tile grout needs cleaning, front door needs scrubbing, outdoor furniture needs oiling - fun stuff like that!!! As well as really dig into some work. I think I will use this week to finally finish my children's chapter book. I plan to snuggle into bed early each night with my laptop, a coffee and some chocolate and just write, write, WRITE! However, with a runny nosed boy - I know the best plans can still fall a part....so we'll just take it day by day!

How was your weekend?

Have a great week all.

20/52

{A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013}

Ryder: Not a fan of being confined to the straps of the carseat. Sometimes it's a battle to get him in the car. Until I distract him by telling him we're going to drive past trucks and motorbikes and birds. Then he's happily chatting and pointing out the window! 

Ella: Strapped in, ready to go. Excited and eager for me to put the camera down and start driving - we were party bound for a special little school friend.

Joining in with Jodi.

Hope you're all having a fab weekend.

I'm sorting out some domain issues and then the new blog name/url will go live. Stay tuned....

I loved Meagan's photos last week - so wintery and calm. And Belinda's photos always make me smile.

First Jazz Exam. Tick.

I have very vague memories of my first dance exam. I remember my Mum carefully criss-crossing the satin ribbons of my ballet shoes up around my ankle. I remember the old hall with wooden floor boards and the grand aged piano in the corner. But I don't really remember the emotions or music or flow of the day. I was probably around 5 years old.

My Mum recently told me that she had to take a day off work to take me to my first ballet exam, and she required a Doctor's Certificate to do so. So, off to the Doc she went....faking a bug of some sort. Oh, the things we do as Mums!

Today, was Ella's first dance exam. She's danced on stage and understands the notion of performing and entertainment. But until today, she had never been exposed to the experience of being watched and judged and assessed.

Our little sunshine did well.

She has been excited for weeks. Constantly blaring the song in the car and in the lounge room....practicing, counting, listening.

Dancing - always dancing her little heart out.

It was a quick exam. Four little five year olds - in and out of the room within a 10minute time frame. But she came out beaming. She had a medal in her hand and a sense of pride in completing something new. Something big and significant.

I felt so full of love for how awesome she is. Our little bug is growing up.

I love her!

And to celebrate, before heading off to school for the day.....we had a quick McDonald's treat...

Over pancakes and hashbrowns and chocolate milk; we talked about the exam and how great she felt. She told me all about the examiner.....all whilst clenching her medal close.

On arrival at school, {an hour and a half into the school day} a group of her classmates ran up to her, embracing her wildly. "Where have you been Ella?" "We missed you!" And I smiled and felt forever grateful for the wonderful life she has. Surrounded by so many beautiful souls, egging her on in this journey of life.

Happy Friday All.

We have a park play date organised for this afternoon followed by a weekend full of fun.

Cheers to that!

The School Fair.

Last Friday was the annual colossal school carnival. I say 'collossal'....because Ella's school are very good at making everything BIG.  Nothing is done halfheartedly there.

There were rides and stalls. Restaurants and show bags. Shows and performances. Competitions and fireworks. Plus so much much more.

Ella was this non-stop force of energy the whole time - whizzing from one ride to another and from one friend to another. She was having so much fun. And Ryder....he just wanted to run free too. We did the giant slide and the teacup rides, then devoured Churros and Fairy Floss. We watched Ella spin on the swings and jump with her friends on the blow up castle. We waited in line {several times} for the Ferris Wheel and enjoyed chatting and playing with friends; old and new.

We watched the dancing and snacked on McDonalds fries before heading home to cozy into the weekend.

Autumn was definitely in the air - hot in the afternoon sun but very chilly as evening bloomed. 

Pizza, bubble baths and snuggly bedtime routines greeted us when we arrived home.

Nothing like a good ole' school carnival to build some fun memories and kick off Mother's Day weekend.

P.S. Don't forget my STORE will be closing very soon. Stock up on my wall print designs before it's too late. And my new blog URL will be in action soon too....keep posted. x 

Being a Mum.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

Sunday, Mother's Day; a day to cherish the Motherly figures in our life.

Yesterday started like most Sundays - a groggy start after being up several times during the night, and the mundane routine of morning chores - the emptying of the dishwasher, clothes into the washing machine, breakfast for little hungry bellies & cleaning up messes.

But it was made so much more wonderful by the fact that it was Mother's Day. Chris's parents had stayed over our house Saturday night, and it was so lovely to discover Ella and her Nanny snuggled up together in Ella's sea of pink bed early Mother's Day morning. I was showered with beautiful gifts - handmade and bought, and a gorgeous card. Ella was so thrilled to present me with the goodies she'd busily made at school, and then kept hidden under her bed all weekend.

Here she was - the one who made me a Mother - buzzing with excitement over a day that was all about others - her Mumma and Grandmothers. She has a huge heart like that!

After a hot coffee and some baking with my girl, my parents arrived for a relaxing brunch feast.

We sipped on champagne punch and devoured platters of goodness, while chatting and laughing and watching our sweet little two, both busy at play.    

And when everyone left and the house was tidy, the kids and I bunkered down together in the king bed. Ella never has day sleeps anymore - she hasn't in years. But her restless night and rising temp started to take it's toll on her and a nap was needed. The three of us slept, coiled around each other for over an hour. As my eyes fell heavy, I looked over at these perfect two beings. Beings that their Daddy and I carried and birthed and are wholeheartedly raising, and I felt full of gratitude. Not a day goes by when I don't feel so very blessed to be a Mother. To be Ella and Ryder's Mother! Lucky I know.

The afternoon rolled on with a looooong trip to the Doc's to get Ella's deteriating symptoms checked out followed by a home cooked dinner by Chris.

Medicine was administered, The Voice was watched, symptoms pepped up and life moved on.

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To all the women in my life - whether Mothers or not - thank you for inspiring me to be a better version of 'Me' everyday, and more importantly; a better mother to my two chrubs everyday.

I am blessed with a Mother and a Mother-in-law who bring me so much insight, warmth, meaning and love. These two women love me, guide me and are always there for me. Both; my children love so so much. And they love them back with all of their Grandmotherly perfection.

Lucky, and don't I know it?!

Hoping all of you had a love-filled Sunday.

And I also have to say......A big cheers and glass clink to all of the mothers-to-be, mothers who have passed and women who are yearning so much to be looked at by little innocent eyes and called "Mum". Mwah....much love to you all.