5 things i'm looking forward to right now

Saturday morning started slow and a little dreary. We woke to wet streets, grey skies and a cool dampness in the air. It was actually EXACTLY what I needed. Saturday's seem to be fast and busy. I hit the ground running every Saturday, coz I like to conquer the world before 10am ballet classes. So I rush from chore to chore, multitasking kids with housework and other busy-stuff! I get to Ella's dance classes feeling exhausted & on edge.

But not this past Saturday. I ditched the tradition of my Saturday morning vacuum session. I couldn't do washing due to the weather {oh damn!} and I left the dishwasher full {coz I'm a bad ass like that!}.

I didn't let myself feel guilty or lazy. I simply stopped to enjoy the morning.

I opened the back doors and let in the fresh air. It smelt like gum trees and rain - lovely.

I sipped my coffee slowly. The kids played out on the back deck & I ignored the to-do list, coz really - none of it was really that important or urgent. It's just a bad mind-set I get stuck in. I like to get stuff done & out the way. But I also need to slow down, especially leading into the crazy, festive season and simply enjoy.

A post I read last week, really spoke to me. I too have this natural habit of making everything so urgent. I like to cram in too much, I like to be busy, I like to get jobs done. But this constant feeling of urgency and busy-ness is starting to make me feel uneasy and stressed.

So, I'm making an effort to slow down. Cross things off my lists that really don't need to be done. Say NO occasionally to people & ideas & proposals. And simply; focus on my family, my friends, myself and the coming season. And also to just STOP....and breathe in all the good around me.

And there's so much good.

There may only be about 7 weeks left of 2012, but my-oh-my there is still so much to do and so much to look forward to.

Here's five things I'm looking forward to right now....

1. Chris & I are taking the kids to Japan at the end of this month. We'll be spending 12 days in a completely different place. We'll see new things, eat new foods, try new experiences and learn new culture. We'll be stretched out of our comfort zone and catapulted into a whole new 'world'. I can't wait!!!! I truly think that's the best part of travel - learning and seeing and doing! Perspectives are changed, gratitude blooms, life-lessons learnt. Ryder won't remember this trip in years to come, but I hope Ella does. I hope this holiday is another educational and memorable notch on her childhood belt. One she'll draw back on for years to come. Some family time that I'll cherish. We won't be distracted by routine or work or commitments, and that my friends is what excites me most! A break!
2. Christmas! Well, that's a given! It truly is my favourite time of year! The lights and decorations. The colour and traditions. The buying, the wrapping, the giving. The planning and organisation. The food and friends and laughter. the music and summer weather. The togetherness and fun. Oh, I just can't wait! I'm already nagging Chris in hope we can put up our Xmas Tree early this year, so it's awaiting us when we return home from Japan :) I just love this time of year!!!!!!!!
3.  Ella's dance concert is creeping closer. The lights, and costumes and makeup, oh my. A little girl's dream :) Last year's concert had me on tears. I was so proud of our little girl - spinning and skipping on stage. I can't wait to see what this year has in stall for us :) 
4. Family arriving. Some of the Chadwick crew from Victoria are coming up to Queensland for the Xmas break. I'm looking forward to spending time with them and being surrounded by their family fun over the festive season. Ryder is looking forward to meeting them too :)
5. The warmer weather. Days filled with swimming and sun. Ice creams and cold drinks. Longer days, early mornings, warm nights. Night swims, salads and sunkissed kids. Love it all :)

On that note, please tell me...what are you looking forward to right now....

Happy Tuesday All. Don't forget to slow down with me and breathe in each moment :)

Day Seven - Fathers Day

Both kids kicked off today at 5:45am.

Ryder was fussing for a feed {although he'd had his Mumma's attention 4+ times during the night!} & Ella was already up and fully dressing herself, ready to tackle the day:

Her choice of outfit. Not bad for a Sunday...in paradise :)

All week, Ella has had some wrapped gifts for Chris, for Father's Day; hidden away amongst her suitcase & belongings. She was so excited to finally be able to give them to him this morning. Although early, the sun was barely awake.....Chris enjoyed being smothered in 'Happy Fathers Day' songs {to the tune of Happy Birthday of course} and some pretty special handmade prezzies. He scored a glass drink coaster, that contained a drawing of him {very cute}, as well as a puzzle photo of Ella & him, and some new cologne.

Ella cuddled Chris tightly and said "Do you know what? You're the best Dad I've ever had!!" :)

He is a great Dad though. He truly makes our world go round!

We rallied. And attended breakfast.

The super early morning had Ryder wiped out by 8am. Back in the hotel room, he napped for an hour, so did I.

You're probably going to want to punch me in the head when I say this.....especially after the week of bliss I've had.....but I'm stuffed. Chris & I are absolutely exhausted :) Today, we acknowledged that traveling with kids, although exciting & busy & full of adventure, is actually down-right-tiring. And we even had it fairly easy. Our kids were relaxed and happy. We only had to deal with one sulk and one tantrum between both kids all week. However, we're both feeling completely wiped out :) We're going to need a holiday to recover from this holiday! Haaa!

I must say though, today, a morning nap helped.

We got on with it...

And hired another buggy....

This one had a horn, which we thought was great fun :)

And headed back to the Animal Park, to have a cuddle with this fella.... Willy the Koala.

Although smelly, he was very cuddly & fluffy......and much lighter than carrying Ryder, hehehe!

While there, we had another little looksey around the animal pens....

Happy Fathers Day Chris 2012.

We planned to go ten pin bowling, however on arrival learnt it didn't open til after midday. So we did a sot of shopping and then enjoyed a swim back at the hotel. Until, everything fell apart - 2 crying, tired, hungry kids and a tired Mum and Dad - you get the picture. We abandoned ship, headed upstairs, devoured hot chips and chicken wraps, had a pep talk with the 4yr old, rocked the baby to sleep and regained some calm.

Both kids snoozed for an hour, Chris headed to the gym, and I caught up on photo uploads.

Bowling could then happen :)

I swear Ryder has had a huge growth spurt this holiday. His appetite has been huge and his sleeping has been haywire. Even his hair seems longer. When people ask us how old he is, and we respond with "nearly 10 months!"....they freak!

Besides the few sleep fighting occasions and the crappy night sleeping, he has been a dream this week. I'm grateful for that. He's made this holiday experience so joyful and fun! Our {big}, lovely man.

She won a round.

On Tuesday, we discovered the glorious One Tree Hill. Since then, we learned that each evening {at sun set}, it comes alive as a viewing ground, complete with a cocktail bar. All week, I've wanted to experience this. We decided today would be best - being Fathers Day....and our last night here. Little did we know, it was going to be one of the windiest evenings and very chilly.

But, we still headed up for a little while. Long enough to snap a few photos and down a cosmo....

Holy sunflares Batman.

It would've been nice to sit and devour the view for longer and reflect on the week. But the wind had a really nasty chill to it and with two sunkissed young kids.....this is no fun.

It was a pretty amazing sight. Watching the sun go to bed, ready for the moon to make his debut.

So, we buggied on back down the hill to a scrumptious Steakhouse for dinner.

We still got a gorgeous view to end our day....

The food truly was scrumdiddlyumptious. Topped with a glass of Oatley's Shiraz {The Oatley family own Hamilton Island, a successful winery, and the famous sail boat: Wild Oats}. Just imagine!

Tomorrow is our last day here. We fly out back home tomorrow afternoon. And although I am sad to be leaving paradise, the jam-packed days and life-changing experiences, the crisp white sheets of the hotel beds, the no cooking or cleaning or grocery shopping or chores and the summery weather. I am looking forward to being back in the comforts of home, the warmth of routine and the ease of having our own space again. And as our bank account recovers from the cost of this week :) we will plan, and save for and look forward to our next family getaway......

G'Night All. I'll leave you with this.... :)

The ins and outs:

We stayed at the Reef View Hotel. Totally recommend it - the staff, food, accommodation, pool, facilities, and location were perfect.

Our helicopter flights {to Whitehaven Beach and back to Hamilton from the reef} were through Hamilton Air. A MUST-DO if you come here!!

And our reef trip via boat was with The Great Barrier Reef Adventures. An Awesome day!

Day Three - Soaking it all up.

This morning we woke to this; a volcano of light over the horizon. It made for a promising day.

Chris set off for an early morning run. He ran to the top of "One Tree Hill"...twice, because that's what he does. He stood on the highest rock and breathed in the goodness of the fresh sea air. Running on new ground, to new places; excites him. High on life is a good way to start the day, don't you agree?

Each day, our morning ritual looks like this:

Poolside fun.

Chris & I constantly notice how alike Ella & Ryder are....yet how different they are too. Both waterbabies.....but in their different ways. One a little hesitant, and not a fan of water on the face - the other, not a fear in the world and approaches the water with gung-ho force...splashing up a storm & giggling at it's consequences :)

Both have such a love for life, and adventurous little spirits, yet they each approach it in completely different ways. I like that.

I've been doing a lot of people watching here. I love sitting back & watching people interact, react, and go about their ways. There's a lot of love here on this island. There's a love-filled energy floating around. We've been breathing it in, feeding off of it. Lots of young families, just like us - getting away from routine & repetition...all the whilst giving our kids some great memories. Older couples reuniting their bond, over poolside lays & hand in hand beach strolls. Honeymooners....lots of honeymooners - relishing in the warmth of being newly wed, bouncing on that high that comes so naturally after the joyous event of a wedding. Pregnant women; soaking up their last days of 'freedom', alone time & peace. Gay couples, new couples, singles - all kinds of people here - enjoying this magical place, and loving it.

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We headed to the Animal Sanctuary today. A great way to spend a quiet hour.

Ryder loves being so close to Chris, strapped to his front - right where he belongs. He is such a Daddy's Boy. They fuel each other with happiness when they're able to give each other this much attention & together time. These two can go hours, strapped to each other; happily.....contently.

Chris works fairly long & inconsistent hours. Being self employed means he doesn't have 'set work hours'. Most nights he has work to complete, and sometimes work can overlap into the weekends. He rarely shuts off. And me; being a busy Mum who likes to cram lots into each day, all whilst running a business from home, is easily distracted and usually run-off-my-feet. But, this week has provided us with exactly what we needed. Some together time. Just the 4 of us. Instead of being passing ships at the end of long work days, we're present & close & rebuilding connections, as a family. This has got to be the highlight of holidays & time away, don't you agree? The picturesque place we're in, is just the big creamy icing on the top :)

I'm in a postcard setting this week ;) And absorbing it all.

Ryder had 3 naps today. Two of them were poolside, in the pram. Life's tough when you're nine months old :) While he napped Chris & Ella set off together. They ventured into 'town', then attempted some shore swimming with snorkels {Ella was not so keen once they walked out there}, so they retreated to one of the many pools. This pool was awesome - with it's swim-up bar :) One day, I'll enjoy those kinds of 'luxuries' again, but for now....we're more about this:

Calming and cuddling cautious kids. Making sure they feel safe and ok, inside their own skin, and in this big ole' scary world we live in.

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This evening we went over to the Marina side for dinner.

It looked like this:

Although, I can't at this stage of my life, indulge in swim-up bars {without a baby or child on hip, which just isn't cool}, I can still sure as hell enjoy a cocktail at dinner time! A berry mojito was mine tonight. Hello my friend:

It was gooooooood.

So was the view, as the sun set.

And our sleepy girl, busied herself with drawings & secret writing in her 'journal'...which is apparently for Fathers Day :) Whilst Ryder spotted birds miles away. The boy has eyesight to boot....especially when it comes to bird-spotting :)

My entree' : Scrumptious Calamari. So fresh. So delicious.

And here's me & my people :) I'm 30 and already have ALL OF THIS! Not a day goes by that I don't feel grateful.

Tired? Yes, all of the time! Stressed? Yes, sometimes! But thankful and happy....and wouldn't change a thing!

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I've just downed a thick chocolate mudcake and a glass of red. We're sitting out on the deck {our nightly routine}, the only light on is the glow of my laptop, while two sun-kissed babies sleep inside. And I'm excited because tomorrow we're doing something SUPER DUPER SPECIAL!!! I can't wait to check in tomorrow night to share the day with you :)

Until then.....

I'll leave you with this.....

Night'

Last minute trip & this past week.

The past week, looked a little something like this:

This afternoon, the kids & I got back from 4 days up North in Cairns. It was totally last minute and unplanned. The planning process went a little something like this: Chris's Brother Matty & Mother, Jen: "Hey, we're going to Cairns on Monday! You & the kids should come!" ME: "Ummm....ok!"

The 4 days away were the perfect mixture of crazy fun, and slowly quiet. I again questioned my impulsiveness of deciding to travel solo-parent with TWO young kids, but as always, we survived & had a great time. Traveling with kids is an overwhelming experience, and then there's traveling with kids as a single parent....it's a whole different ball game. Chris was away interstate for the past week, which is what made the invitation to head up to Cairns more desirable, as we were husband-less/daddy-less anyway! Thank goodness Ryder coped with his flights so well, perfectly in fact.....maybe another little adventure seeker on our hands? :) I did learn that I still hate flying though! And no matter how much I do it, it doesn't get any easier, or any more enjoyable. I HATE it! And if it wasn't for the fact that I had 2 little Souls to constantly entertain, talk to, feed, play with, assist, hold & cater for, I'd probably be a inconsolable mess. One little bump of turbulence and I am a hot, sticky mess. I'm not an anxious person normally.....but put me on a plane & I'm anxiety's number one friend! It's purely a means to an end. If I want to travel & explore....flying is part of it, so I just have to suck it up & go with it I guess.

Once we landed & hit Cairns' turf, I had family there to assist with the bags, transport & parenting. Thank golly goodness :) The 4 days rolled on by with some wining & dining, go-carting, relaxing, shopping, driving, catching up with family & lots of laughs :)

And everytime, I do something BIG like travel solo-parent style; I give myself secret high fives & fist pumps for making the effort....taking the plunge & proving my own capabilities. But at the same time, I miss Chris like crazy & question why the hell I would be stupid enough to tackle plane flights & hire cars & vacation planning without my number 1 support system - my husband. But sometimes in life, we're given opportunities......and I like to jump at them & seize them. No regrets baby!! But at the same time.....coming home today to OUR house, to OUR number one man, was PERFECTION and exactly what I needed to end an eventful & busy week.

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Rewinding back to the weekend......

With Chris away, I tried to balance our weekend with quiet time at home....just me & the kids - doing Mummy/Kid things.... along with finding time for friends & hanging out with them. So, on Saturday night, I entwined the "mother me" and the "friend me" and had the girls around for dinner & drinks. 

It was nice! Just what I needed in fact. And whilst my babies slept safely in their rooms, us girls sat up to the wee hours of the morning doing what girlfriends do best - TALKING, laughing, talking some more & laughing some more. We chit chatted about recipes & movies & fashion as well as tackling big topics like relationships & motherhood & money & work & travel. We talked about our worries & fears as well as our loves & plans. And although I love being a Mum, and a wife. I also love being a friend. Friends truly do calm the Soul.

{red wine & baby monitor.....us Mumma's can have the best of both worlds....I guess it's just about finding that balance...and snippets of time to entwine the 2 worlds}

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And my favourite photo from the week:

Last Thursday night {the night before Chris went away for the week} we went out to dinner down the coast, while my Mum & Dad stayed over to watch Ella & Ryder. Not only was it the BEST food & dining experience I'VE EVER HAD....but it was a FUN FUN night. Naoko {a family friend visiting from Japan} had a Polaroid camera with her. We took this happy snap at the end of the evening. I love it. Me & my hunky hubby! I love him.

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So, in a nutshell....that was my week & where I've been these past few days of missing from the online world :)

Tomorrow is friday! Yikes, these weeeks roll around way toooo quickly!!!!!!

I'm off to snuggle with my man after a week without each other :)

Goodnight!

How cool are these?

My Mum and Dad recently got back from a 6week holiday in South Africa. They had a blast....visiting family & old friends & enjoying the amazing coastline, wineries & animal safaris. 

One of the gifts they brought back for Ella & Ryder were these: AFRICA BEANS:

I was a little hesitant at first....putting some pill-looking beans into the bath with my babies.....but we did it & to our delight, the plastic shells slowly dissolved & out popped these little fellas:

Wahlah.....Animal shaped sponges :)

Our nightly bathtime routine is a whole lot more exciting at the moment! Ella pops in about 2 or 3 each night and we've got an awesome collection of new bathtime friends :)

Just had to share.....coz I thought they were pretty cool :)

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I'm loving all the photo submissions I'm getting for the 'A Message to Teenage Me' Photo Project....keep them coming & please spread the word on your Facebook, blogs, twitter account etc....THANK YOU! I hope YOU can participate too.....!!! 

Also, head over to my FACEBOOK page....there's a link that I'm asking people to share {about the photo project}. If you share it on your facebook profile, you go into the draw to win ANY ONE of my prints from my store. Drawn next Tuesday :) Good Luck & again, thank you!!

Happy Friday All xx

Post Holiday Post.

We're home! And I'll be honest in saying that I am suffering a mild case of post-holiday depression! Don't get me wrong....I love our little home & love the safety and familiarity of being here and I am so SO grateful that we had the most amazing week away! But, I miss that place! I miss the view, the beach, the fresh sea air, not cleaning or cooking or paying bills for a whole week! I miss feeling free & adventurous. I miss being in the moment with my family in a stunning part of the world. I miss it all! However, I guess that's the beauty of holidays......the reason we take them......to have a break from our everyday lives, to truly relax & embrace....and then re-book them so we have something to work towards, to look towards :)

So I'll stop my ungrateful whining, try to step out of my grumpy boots & reflect honestly on the last few days of last week. The rest of the week after I posted from Mooloolaba on Thursday continued to flow on perfectly. The week just got better & better :)

The best thing about being on a vacation, is the slow pace. Not having to be anywhere by any particular time. I love just going with the flow & making up the plans as we go. Late breakfasts out, long evenings admiring sunsets, snuggling with jammied babies & listening to the surf crashing onto the shore just metres from our window.....bliss! Pure holiday bliss!

One morning, as I got up to feed my hungry little baby, I got to witness this beauty of a sunrise! Gorgeous!!!! It made the sleep deprivation of long broken nights a whole heap more bearable. I stood out on the balcony patting my baby boy's back trying to get his post milk burp up....and I got to watch the sun peep up over the horizon & cast it's light over the gorgeous coast line. The world around me was so still & tranquil. Mother Nature at her best!

Then I snuggled back into bed, feeling very relaxed, hoping to get some more sleep :) Then Miss Ella appeared by my side... "Good Morning Mummy"......and the day officially begun!

So off to the beach we went for an early family swim & surf. We discovered {through trial & error} it was too hard to drag the pram, nappy bag & all our beachy supplies down to the sand to then combat the wind & sun with a newborn & 2 other kids. So Chris & I pulled out our best team work skills & did a bit of shift work! We took turns with lazing on the grass with the baby along with enjoying the sun & surf with the 2 bigger kidlets. We got the swap-over routine down pat by the 3rd day :) 

As the week rolled on, we got to enjoy catch up with friends and share this glorious break with them!

And soak up true summery things, like ice-cream's in the park...all sticky & sweet! And very delicious {until Mummy attempted to help Ella in licking the drips & lost the whole ball of chocolatey goodness on the wooden pier.....not a popular Mummy after that one!}

Chris & Jayden got up to all kinds of adventurous fun this past week! Body surfing, deep sea fishing and jetskiing! Happy Dad & Happy Son! Happy Days :)

And in between walks, adventures, beaching it, and swims....we enjoyed the peace & serenity of our unit. Siblings together. Some scrumptious cooking. Drinks on the deck & a few sneaky afternoon snoozes!

Ryder has been an absolute dream lately, he really has! And I know that with babies, there's so many stages....so many phases! So I'm just taking this delightful, happy, contented baby stage with big wide open arms coz I know it wont last forever, as teething & sick days & milestones are ahead of us. But for now, we're embracing his 'go with the flow' nature, his endless smiles & gorgeous giggles. This boy is amazing! I feel so blessed to have him! What a dream come true!!!

Ella took these 2 shots of Ryder & I :) Not bad I say :) {And Ryder & I were matching in our black & white stripes.....pure coincidence I promise!}

One morning looked like this:

A bewitching, dreary downpour greeted us by 7:30am! But by 8:30am.....perfect summer weather took back the stage & we enjoyed a day of blue, sunny skies! That Mother Nature knows how to keep us on our toes :)

The Chadwick family have a lot of history up on the Sunshine Coast. History that fascinates me! And Chris's Pa, Ken, has seen the Coast transform in so many ways {that I want to learn more about} since the 1930's. I love hearing his recollections of the way life was 'back when he was a boy' growing up on the beach! We hung out with him one afternoon/evening last week. Chris & Jay enjoyed a surf with him {yep....at the ripe old age of 83, he still catches a mean wave!} and then we enjoyed a lovely Thai meal with him! Generations coming together makes me happy.

And, on the last night, as the sun set and we tucked sleepy, sun-kissed babies into bed, Chris & I soaked up the last bit of goodness of the week that was! We clinked our champagne glasses & sat on the balcony admiring the glorious view! I sat there most of the evening.....drinking it all in!!!! Cheers to Mooloolaba! Cheers to being on holiday!!! Cheers to family!!! Cheers to following your heart!!! And a big cheers to 2012!!!!

Hmmmm.....just writing this post, reflecting on our week and looking back through the photos has lifted my mood :) That's what I love most about blogging & journaling. Sometimes writing feels forced, and I lack motivation or inspiration, but after a week with my family; living, laughing & loving....this post just rolled off my fingertips easily :) Life's a beach.....get out there & live it.....

P.S. As mentioned in my last post....Jayden & I went on the Mooloolaba Missile :) OMG.....freakin amazing!!! Here's the video of us on it......ENJOY!! Hold on tight :)

http://youtu.be/WPCqZ2-aiqc