Tis' the Season.

A little early xmas gift each :)

Tis' the season to be jolly. Isn't it?

I don't know about you, but I'm still in denial that we're 14 days into December, and just a fortnight away from saying goodbye to 2012. How can it be just days until 2013? A year has almost passed since this post, yet it feels like it was just a couple of months ago! CRAZY!

I love her little handmade additions to the tree this year.

Since returning home from Japan a week ago {today} we have done A LOT, yet hardly done a thing. If that makes any sense?! We came home to discover a little blow to the guts, that hurt us emotionally and financially; but like all blows - we're finding ways to accept, repair and move on. On top of that, Chris had to go away for most of the week on an interstate business trip.

But, he's home now......the count down to Christmas is officially ON......we're settling into December rituals and traditions.....and we're enjoying homey days as well as the social busy-ness of this time of year. Ella's ballet concert is just days away, which we're all super excited about and having family coming up soon from down South to celebrate the Christmas period is making the festive season even more delicious.

Chris organised Santa's Message for Ella - the Portable North Pole via email. VERY cool. I teared up watching her watch it.

I'm loving the process of gift buying and wrapping....and trying to make it as thoughtful and meaningful as possible. And of course: writing cards and taking corny photos of my kids in Christmas get-up makes me happy this time of year.

It truly is a magical time of year. Don't you agree?

A cheap, handmade piece of Christmas Decor :)

Brought these little Guys back from Osaka.

December is always about getting together with friends and family, enjoying good food and the odd drink, lots of laughs & gift exchanging, delving into a little bit of childhood magic and simply being appreciative of what we've got, and what we can do for others. 

However, with that said, it's also like every other month....where bills & payments are due, routine is required, appointments need to be attended, meals cooked, messes cleaned and deadlines met. Work continues. Life continues! But because of the Christmas touches everywhere you look and the contagious joy that is thick in the air - all of those things become a little more fun, a little more bearable and a little less mundane. Sparkly lights, wrapped parcels, baked goods, glasses clinking together in celebratory fashion, families together, memories being made and cherished - make this time of year my all-time FAVOURITE!!! Life seems simpler yet more abundant this time of year!

I know that is not the case for everyone. Unfortunately, there are people who find this time of year extremely hard - they're dealing with broken hearts, grief, shattered memories and hard times. And some people have shockingly negative memories of Christmas from their own childhood and this in turn causes a cycle of occurrences or actions.

This makes me more aware of people's stories, and more interested in people's pasts. This time of year, as we spend & celebrate & love & live big; I try to do what I can to give back to those people who are without. Without love or food or shelter, or happiness. I'm hoping it's the little things that make a difference....a smile, a listening ear, a monetary donation to charity, gift giving to strangers and spreading positivity; at what should be a time of joy. 

Cheers to making the most of what we've got and dreaming big for the future....whatever our past!

After all, tis' the season to be jolly.....

All of our Christmas books....easy access...under the tree.

Ella - armed with $15 - hit the $2 store with her Nanny and bought Xmas prezzies for Chris & I. She chose the items, and wrapped them. :)))

Busy Days. Slow Days.

We're creeping up to that time of year, when life becomes crazily busy. Mainly 'good' busy. Busy with dance rehearsals, concerts, end-of-year celebrations, Christmas preparations, holiday preparations, New Year planning, Kindy events, family birthdays, first birthdays, parties & work deadlines. But with that 'good busy' also comes an element of stress, chaos and lots of work. My poor little iCal is full to the brim with reminders and to-do's and important dates.

Two months tomorrow, and it'll be Christmas Eve. Seriously...where did this year go??? Is anyone else in denial that we're almost in November.

November means we'll have a ONE year old. November means our overseas holiday is happening. November means we're one month closer to saying goodbye to 2012 and welcoming in yet another year!

Scary and exciting....all at the same time!

Lately though, I've had a mixture of slow-home-days, where I go searching for inspiration and things-to-do, and then fast-busy-days, where I am in & out of the car a million times & my head is explosive with too many thoughts and errands and commitments! 

Balance! One of those things we all strive for, yet not many of us master.

Today, I had quite a few things to get through. Mainly emails, writing jobs, paperwork for Ella's schooling next year and custom print designs. However, Ryder decided to nap for only 20mins and Ella wanted interaction. With 2 busy kids in tow, I wasn't getting much done.

Until..... I got the kids set up in the water-filled clam shells, with the dribbling hose, some pots & pans and a few plastic toys. WAM! Kids happy - Mummy getting work done on the laptop at the table by their side. Win Win!

I got most of the work done, all while keeping an eye on content, playing kids. HAPPY HAPPY!! It doesn't always go that way - most of the time I have to shut screen and hold off 'work' til the night time when kids are snoozing.

But today......today the stars were aligned. Maybe for only 45mins.....but enough time to keep things moving....

And now, I'm getting ready to batten down the hatches as the silly season begins and the busy days outnumber the slow ones.

And it was a good Friday.

Today is Easter Good Friday. And what a GOOD Friday it was!

Like most days lately, it started in a blur {severe broken sleep is taking it's toll on me}, but once I was downstairs & had caffeine running through my veins, we were in full Friday speed :)

Ella & I kicked off the day with some more Easter craft:

I bought an egg painting kit to do today....however we opened it to discover half the stuff was missing from the box {jibbed}. So we dumped that plan and simplified it to painting some foam eggs & smothering them in glitter. As my Mum says "you can never have too much glitter!" :)

Her independence still catches me off-guard. Not so long ago, crafting sessions with her required me to do most of the work. Now, I get her set up, throw in my two-bob & away she goes. She's creative & arty & loves to do it her way!!

I love the lead up to special celebrations. All of this week, we've talked about Easter. We've crafted and we've planned. Whether you're religious or not, there's always something worth celebrating. Through basic activities with my kids, I'm hoping to instill in them a knowledge & understanding of special events and a love of celebrating & following traditions. Making memories each & every year. Using these times to reflect & learn & look forward.

The end crafty result:

Ryder woke from his morning nap after a piddly 25mins & I almost cried with exhaustion as this 9kg boy likes to be carried ALL.THE.TIME. However being a public holiday, Chris was only doing half the amount of work as normal {the joys of being self-employed....you never seem to 'stop' working} so he whipped up the most amazing healthy lunch. It was divine!!!!!!!! The man can cook :) teamed with a fresh fruit & vegie juice...yum!

The next occurrence was an amazing thing....Ryder slept for TWO HOURS!! This, my friends, rarely {aka...never} happens. He's famous for his 20minute power naps. Expecting him to do his usual mini-sleep; I shoveled down my lunch, skulled a coffee, played with Ella & then sat down to write, expecting to hear his cries through the baby monitor....they didn't come. So, I kept writing, Ella kept playing, Chris kept working. So, we watched a whole kid's movie {Coraline....man, that movie is weird!}......yet, the boy was still snoozing. I even had time to sit with pen & highlighter and READ!!!!!!! Read a grown-up book. All to my self.

It was lovely.

And due to his lovely lengthy nap, Ryder woke in a wonderful mood & the relaxation continued while he happily played & sister overtook my laptop:

She's discovered ABC for Kids online.

For the first time since Ryder was born, I got to sit & read & relax for more than 5 minutes, whilst having my content babies right there with me..... Friday bliss! I told you it was good Friday.

Ella asked if we would come upstairs to her room, so we could camp with her! No idea what she was on about, I grabbed Ryder & we headed up. She had set up her tent, built a ring fire with cotton balls and made 'marshmallows on sticks' {cotton balls on pencil tips}. Creative much?? So, we sat fireside & roasted marshmallows & all crammed into a play tent to sleep & hide from hoooing owls ;o) Never a dull moment with her around, this sassy little lady of ours!

"Mum! Enough with the photos! PLEASE!

We followed that up with some fresh air out in the front yard. Sprawled out on picnic rugs, we soaked up the peace & serenity of our new neighbourhood. Have I mentioned that I love it here? :)

Not the best angle I know. But I love how he grabs his feet...so cute.

Days like this. Moments like this, diminish the frustrations of all the sleepless nights & exhausting moments of Motherhood. I have two thriving, healthy, amazing, spirited children who love so big.....blessed truly is the best word to sum that up! The love I have for these two burns holes in my Soul daily.

We ended the day with a sunset walk around our 'hood', an early dinner, an early bedtime for the kidlets & a chance to relax & blog before 8pm!

Happy Good Friday to you all! Cheers to a wonderful, love-filled weekend.

What did you get up to on this holiday?

Wordless Wednesday......{We're on the Move}

{Playing along at Sarah's today}

Our house is officially on the market! We're feeling a mixture of sad, scared & SUPER EXCITED!!! I'm loving looking around for a new place to call home & planning for our future! But also sad to say goodbye to our family home we've known for the past 5 years....Ella's 1st home! Moving house is such a roller coaster of emotions....good & stressful :)

ENJOY your Wednesday and wish us luck for a quick & easy sale :)

No Cook Playdough Recipe.

Like most toddlers, something Ella loves.... rain, hail or shine is: PLAYDOUGH! I've been making playdough for years {long before becoming a Mummy} because it's a great thing to have in a classroom. I use playdough when I have a class in Years 1-3, because it's great for fine motor skills & can be used to make patterns, number, letters, shapes etc.

Today, Ella & I made some! Our last batch was about 6 months old & was starting to look & feel a little aged :) I thought I'd put the recipe on my blog...because it's the easiest & quickest recipe I've ever used for playdough, and it requires no cooking or standing by the stove-top stirring :)

You will need:

• 2 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 4 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil {I use vegetable oil}
• a few splashes of food colouring

Process: You basically put all the ingredients in a large bowl & mix! At first, it doesn't look like it's going to mix very well....it has a clag glue look to it :) But keep mixing. I then let it sit for about 10mins {to cool because of the boiling water in it} and then I get it out on the bench & knead it like bread dough & it comes together perfectly!!!! WAHLAH! That's it!!! And you can add glitter or coloured sand/rice to it, if you really wanted :)

I told you it's easy :) And so much cheaper than commercial playdough {and I actually prefer the feel & texture of it!}

ENJOY!!!!

Pinch Me......{Week-a-Boo}

 {Warning....photo overload of a certain 3 year old heeee!}

Do you ever have those moments, where you literally need to be pinched to wake up to the reality of something? Since becoming a Mummy.....Ella's Mummy, I experience 'those pinching' moments quite a lot. Through good moments & through tough moments! But, it was on Saturday....as I sat in the 'waiting room/foyer' of 'Miss Parker's' ballet school, all teared up and a ball of emotion, I felt like I needed to be pinched!! Because something was happening on the other side of the large brick wall, that was making me so full of pride, so full of joy, so full of nerves & so full of fear! Kids are so unpredictable, that's for sure! And even though, Ella has done 8 months of a 'Mummy & Me' ballet class @ our local hall, and she's been in part-time daycare for the past 2 years, and her independence has blossomed beyond belief....I still sometimes, can't but help feel a little anxious....that, that little baby of mine {the one who was so scared of people, so scared of noise} may re-lapse :) So....as she strutted off beaming with confidence & independence on Saturday morning at her first 'big girl' dance lessons, I pinched....HARD! She proved me wrong....in so many ways! And for that I am so proud! She's growing, she's learning, she's trusting and she's blossoming in more ways than my words could ever do justice! She may only be 3, still a toddler.....but my oh my.....what a gorgeous little lady she is :) Uhumm.....a gorgeous 'dancing' little lady I should say :)

 

{Above photo, edited with Paint The Moon's action set}

{Pinch Me.....my baby is THREE!!! My baby is no longer a baby!!! Ahhhh!!!}

Saturday afternoon, my heart still beaming so full....we spent a fairly quiet afternoon at home.....trying to ignore this state of chaos:

So, we breezed through the afternoon with movies & popcorn & lots of outside play:

{Ella LOVES her Rainbow Wands from Pinwheels & Pearls....the perfect gift from our lovely friend Tara}

Sunday....to be honest, Sunday started a bit slow! I felt queezy & sluggish after a sleepless night! So we filled the morning with coffee & lazing {while Chris went our running & cycling!!} and housework & washing. Ella painted my face, I painted hers. We did puzzles & drawings and watched Donald Duck on YouTube over & over again. We played Doctor's:

{I know you must all be worried about Bunny & Teddy's state of health....but rest assure, Dr Ella had it all under control. I am sorry to report that Bunny had caterpillars & zebras in her ears, a temperature of 12, a sore knee, broken head, buzzy ears & 1 tooth!! Eeks! }

{AND, we laughed.....oh does this girl laugh!!!!}

Sunday afternoon consisted of hanging out with my bestie, which is always lots of fun! Except for the constant calling of "Hey Aunty Mon".... Hey guess what Aunty Mon".... Excuse me Aunty Mon" .... "Look at this Aunty Mon"..... "Watch me Aunty Mon" hehehe!

I also got something new, pink, creamy & shiny for myself today....and as I write this post, I can hear Chris tinkering with it in the lounge......YAY! More on that later this week....

But for now....please tell me.....What did your weekend bring?

Blog about it, facebook it, tweet it, photo it...whatever floats ya boat....and please add it to the linky below so me {an my readers} can pop in to be apart of your weekend antics :)

Live Laugh Love!