To Market.

On Friday night, I packed the boot of the car with baskets and decor and a huge pile of my prints. My little helper {Ella} and I headed off to my school's Market Night. {I say my school....but I'm currently not working there.....so I wonder when I should stop referring to it, as MY school haa}

My helper - keeping track of sales, accounts and my social media sites!! {or maybe just playing Monkey Preschool?}I rarely do markets with my business. I love the atmosphere of markets and the potential they have to grow my business....but with young kids, I just find them not always worth the effort and time away from home. However, I wanted to support my school and my best friend Monica who organised the whole event....and if I could make some extra cash out of it too....then, we're winning aren't we?!

It was an awesome night. So much fun catching up with my teaching friends and families. Seeing past students all grown up. Mingling and laughing. Lots of supportive friends and co-workers cheering me on my upcoming book launch.

Two of Ella's prep friends came along {thank you Tahnia and Naomi} and she had an absolute blast running around with them, painting and shopping and enjoying sweet treats. She was knackered {as was I} by the time we rolled into our driveway at 10pm.

Thanks to everyone who bought a print or two, and popped by to say Hi. It was lovely to chat with the gorgeous Sarah, and see lots of awesome businesses doing their thing. It's inspiring seeing people working hard and sharing their passions with the world!

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Saturday, we had our usual morning of housework and dance lessons - with our cute little bunny.

Later in the day, once Chris was home from running training, the four of us headed up to the local forest to burn off some energy {the kids.....not ours....in fact, Chris and I were both exhausted & would've much preferred an afternoon of couch lazing lol}

But, the afternoon was perfect.

Koalas, birds, shade, room to run free and a ball. Happy kids = happy parents.

I love where we live.

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And then Sunday was the perfect concoction of relaxation, family time and great food.

We had lunch down at Chris's parents house and his Mum put on the most amazing meal. {which I Instagrammed of course!} 

Followed by swims and sunshine!

On returning home, we were bombed with a HUGE storm! We lost power at 5:30pm and didn't get it back until 3am this morning. {hence why this blog post is later than normal!}

All good....just a lot of debris around from the nearby forest. The streets are littered with leaves and broken branches! With news that another storm is forecast for this afternoon?!

Wishing you all a HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Santa Came.

Ella woke at 5:30am Christmas morning. Her fast footsteps pounding down the hallway to our room awoke me, before her excited whispers did. Ryder was already in bed with us....I had brought him in around 1am during one of his wakings.

"You HAVE to come downstairs Mummy! You just HAVE TO!! He's been! Santa has really been!" she said as she tugged at my arm.

So, the four of us headed down.....

Sure enough....Santa had been :) He had left a note congratulating Ella on her great sleeping of recent times and Ryder on his eating habits :) He left messages about Christmas Spirit and advice on doing what's right!

He had drunk the milk, eaten the choc ball and allowed his reindeers to nibble the carrot.

And of course....left an abundance of gifts....

Ella wrote on her Christmas wish-list many weeks ago, that she wanted a rocking horse. She had mentioned it MANY times during the year and now she was still persisting that Santa please bring her one.

That good ole' jolly man in the red suit..... He delivered!

To say she was excited is under statement.

She was beaming!!

Ryder, completely unaware of what was actually happening, was quite happy to play with packaging, wrapping paper and sister's new pony :)

And he rocked it out on his new guitar from Leap Frog. {which I scored in a comp on Kate's blog} Yay! Free gifts are always a bonus, especially this time of year!

We then enjoyed a home cooked breakfast feast of eggs and salami and vegetables. Followed by strong coffee and a few gingerbread cookies.

The four of us then devoured all the presents under the tree. Presents to and from each other, and from cousins and Grandparents too.

I scored an iPad Mini from Chris....with a pink case and a SIM Card pack. Lucky me, I know!

From our families, I also got a Kardashian handbag, a new blender and some Gold Class Movie Tickets {that come with babysitting...yay!} Very spoilt!

And Ella's gifts that she picked, paid for and wrapped herself for Chris & I? I got a gorgeous oversized coffee/tea mug and saucer with the Eiffel Tower on it, and Chris: a fabulous Christmas Shirt :)))))) She was itching for us to open them first! Our sweet little lady!

The aftermath.

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At lunchtime, we headed down the coast to spend the rest of the day with Chris's family. A huge chunk of the Chadwick family from Melbourne are up for this week and renting a holiday house on the coast. We all gathered in force to enjoy the special day together. Catching up with this side of the family was something I was so very much looking forward to.

We drunk my famous berry punch and ate way too much!! We laughed and connected. We cuddled and played and swam in the pool. We watched family movies and huddled over the Chadwick Family Tree. We listened to Pa {Ken} talk about his memories and past experiences. He sung us his favourite lyrics...full of meaning.

My kids were happy, and loved and surrounded by their blood heritage.

A great day was had!!! A great day indeed.

I passed out at 7:45pm putting Ryder to bed!

Absolutely exhausted :)

And awoke the next morning on Boxing Day feeling VERY poorly. Feverish and congested. All fluey and gross.

Completely run down! This Mumma finally hit the wall after a very busy December!!!

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So, yesterday was spent at home. Napping and swimming and being with my three Loves. I sorted through Ella's whole room - filling bags for charity and of rubbish. Bags of clothes to giveaway to smaller family members and friends. It felt good to clean out the clutter {again} and make room for the new toys and clothes. A refreshing way to end the year!

How was your Christmas Day? I hope it was rich with memories and happiness.

One Weekend Wonder {10} Early Nights

One Weekend Wonder - {a weekly link-up} - a special moment or experience captured during the weekend. One you want to cherish.

All photos are from the weekend - all taken on my iPhone through the Instagram app.

For the first time in a while, my good camera stayed in it's case, untouched for the entire weekend. It didn't get dragged along with us everywhere we went, and was not constantly turned on. It rested. And to be honest....so did we....

Saturday morning, I awoke still in my emotional funk from the night before. But routine called, so I abided. Breakfasts needed to be made and then cleaned up, ballet bags packed, Halloween costumes assembled {dressup day at dancing}, floors needed vacuuming etc etc.

I loaded the kids into the car and we headed to dancing 40mins early....so Ryder could nap in the car. A scoot through McDonald's drive-thru for a coffee for me, and a hashbrown for Ella slightly fixed my mood. Seeing Ella in her ladybug costume made me smile too. And Ryder waking in a happy mood definitely pepped me up.

Home again at midday. Chris suggested I head out & have a break. Something I've craved and needed so badly for a while now....and there it was...presented to me....no strings attached. He suggested I go shopping SOLO, or go have a coffee or massage. And do you know what? I didn't take him up on the offer. Crazy I know! But I was so tired and cranky and down. All I wanted was some lazy time at home with my 3 Loves! Who woulda thought???

The afternoon cruised on perfecrly thank goodness. Chris whipped up some awesome pizzas for an early dinner. He made the best dough - thank you to a YouTube tutorial :) Seriously Yummy!!

We were in bed at 8:30pm Saturday night! Yep! Eight Thirty!! Saturday nights rock around here these days :))))) We were both stuffed from a long week and too many sleepless nights!

Sunday was a fairly quiet lazy day at home. We had a business friend of Chris's stay over for the night from Sydney as they had a business meeting here all day today. I put together a pretty mean dinner, and Ella dazzled him with handmade presents and letters :) {Just what every successful business man wants I'm sure :) He came here baring expensive wine and left with pages and pages of 4 year old scribble! Lucky man I say!!!}

We needed a fairly low-key weekend. We needed to rest & recover. Some busy weekends are coming our way soon, so we're seeping in the quiet ones while they're here.

And a huge THANK YOU to the comments here and on my Facebook page on my last post. So relieving to know we're not alone with sleepless babies and the frustrating exhaustion that brings. THANK YOU!! The past 2 nights, he has co-slept with us. He's going to sleep in his own cot and then coming in with us at about 9:30pm. He then slept really well for the remainder of the night. Whatever works! Whatever.Works!!!!!!

How was your weekend?

Feel free to link up if you blogged about it.....

Have a great week all x

One Weekend Wonder {8} to the beach

One Weekend Wonder - {a weekly link-up} - a special moment or experience captured during the weekend. One you want to cherish.

  Friday evening I was unpacking Ella's Kindy bag, and as always I came across an array of little creations and art pieces. A bangle made from pipe cleaners and beads, a puppet made from paper and feathers and a gorgeous flower ensemble constructed from straws and cupcake cases. I loved the flowers. Thought they were perfectly 'Spring' and like all doting Mothers, I felt proud of my little creative girl. So I grabbed a jar and put them on show in our house, for all to see.

Ella comes downstairs.

Ella: "Ah Mum, why did you put the red and green headphones in a jar?"

Me: "Oh....headphones? Sorry darling...I thought they were gorgeous Spring flowers?! I was so proud of your art work, I wanted to put them on display!"

Ella: "No, they're headphones and my friend Amelia made them for me!"

Ok.....so they're not flowers and my girl didn't make them! Oops! But I think they look pretty good there in the old pasta sauce jar - so they're staying for now! Thanks Amelia :)

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Saturday was a crazy day. It doesn't even deserve much of a mention on this blog. It contained locked in the car - car keys, a fussy cranky baby, a missed baby shower, spilt formula and hot garlicy carbonara spilt all through my new car - which now reeks. Yeah - one of those days!

So........

Moving on to Sunday......

A much better day!

We headed down South. A day at Kingscliffe was had....

The weather was glorious. Warm and dry.

Families were out in force, enjoying the perfection of the day, at the beach.

We walked along the lovely stores and cafes, and stopped for a play on the beachside playground....

Fair to say - Ryder loves the swings!!!

We then headed to the Surf Club for a lovely lunch with some family. I saw my cousin for the first time in 16years! He lives in Germany. Him and his wife are here on holiday so we caught up with them over some great food and a few champers! With a pristine view of the beach and about 4 whale sightings not far from shore - it was perfection.

I didn't get a chance to take any photos during lunch {except a few Instagram shots} as I was too busy sipping champagne, downing fresh oysters, chatting with family and feeding fidgeting kids.

Tough life ain't it? :)

Afterwards, we slowly cruised back to the car with our two sleepy kids....

And headed back home.... Ready to start a new week!

How was your weekEND? Anything exciting happen? Or just the usual busy-ness of wrapping up one week and preparing for the next? Please feel free to link up with your weekend posts:

One Weekend Wonder {7} Early Morning

One Weekend Wonder - {a weekly link-up} - a special moment or experience captured during the weekend. One you want to cherish.

Today started early. Very early. 4:40am to be exact. After a bad night with a restless Ryder, he decided he wanted UP before the sun! I was not happy about it. In fact, tears may have been shed - yes....by me!

Our kid's sleeping issues is definitely the part of parenting I find truly hardest.

I'm tired. And when Baby wants to start the day before the sunrise after a sleepless night, I suddenly feel a whole lot more exhausted.

I took him downstairs, set him up with a bottle & his blankie, while I fired up the coffee machine.

As I clunked the cup down hard under the spout and cursed quietly under my breath, I decided I had to shift my mood then and there, or the day was only going to get worse.

So I took my boy and my coffee out onto the back patio. And we watched the sunrise.

It was beautiful.

With a forced mind-shift, the day started to look up.

Ryder's cuteness overshadowed the frustration I was feeling about the night before's effort.

Around 6:30ish, Ella and Chris emerged. Chris went for a run. Ella and I whipped up a pancake batch. They were good. Coz sometimes coffee and pancakes fix everything. They just do :)

Sure enough, like all the sleep-deprived days that start hazy - the coffee kicked in and we moved on.

Today ended up being great. A lovely lunch at my parents, which Ella stayed on for a sleepover there tonight, and then as we returned home; Chris cooked dinner. Bliss!

Now....here's hoping for a better nights' sleep tonight!!!!!

How was your weekend? Feel free to link up here with your special weekend moments.

Have a great week All :)

One Weekend Wonder {5} Cousins

One Weekend Wonder - {a weekly link-up} - a special moment or experience captured during the weekend. One you want to cherish.

My niece and nephew are here from the Solomon Islands for a week, while my brother & his wife travel in Europe for work. They're staying with my Mum and Dad; and are filling their days with lots of adventure and crafty fun. My mum is good like that.

We spent Saturday with them, and although it was as chaotic as any day with 4 children can be; it was still lovely. They had worked hard in preparing a puppet show which they needed Ella to participate in. It was gorgeous. Best show I've seen in a while :)

Sweet little cousins together! A moment to cherish.

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After the spectacular show and some lunch, we headed outside to burn off some energy.

Cricket, pond watching, duck duck goose & stuck in the mud - kept us busy & happy for a while.

Because our catch ups with cousins are so far & in between {due to all of us living scattered around the world} - we cherish them & savour them whenever they occur.

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Today, was a day full of nothing; yet a day full of everything. We stayed home most of the day and basked in the Spring day that actually felt more like a Summer's one. It was hot. Hot enough to get in the pool....

Chris and Ella got right in. Ryder and I just splashed around at the edge ;)

Chris took Ryder for a while, allowing me to laze in the sun. It felt amazing to have the sun on my skin - I shut my eyes and could smell the brink of summer. This summer is going to be a good one. I can feel it.

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Lots of inside play happened this afternoon, with the doors wide open - fresh air pouring in.

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Ella is really into 'charts' at the moment. Every solution seems to be "Let's make a chart for that Mummy!". It probably comes from me....I'm a visual person....I've made a few charts here and there to tackle parenting challenges like getting her to eat better, sleep more etc. However lately, she's started tracking all kinds of things on her own charts. Today she whipped together a "Work Chart"..... and whenever she sees any of us doing good work, we get a tick. Apparently Ryder's work is napping, mine is working on the computer, hers is completing some sounds & letters in her scrapbook and Chris's is working in his office. I got a tick today. Wahoo!!

Chris is always Daddy. However, I'm always CLAIRE on the charts! Ummm....Daddy's girl much?? :)

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Before heading out for a bike ride this afternoon, Ella & I baked up a fresh banana loaf. It was goooooood. We devoured it whilst still oven-warm, smothered in butter. It went down nicely with a cup of coffee too :) I've somehow outgrown my allergy to bananas {weird I know} so I'm thoroughly enjoying them these days.

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Tomorrow is the first day of the school holidays! Yahoooo! 2 weeks of no routine and rushed mornings. Two easy weeks with my girl in tow. Making the most of it!

Please feel free to link up with your weekend wonderful moments!

Have a great week all.