Message to Teenage Me.

I know, I know.

Better late than never though!

This was meant to be posted online last year. But technology and life and general busy-ness managed to get in the way. And yesterday, it occurred to me how lazy it was of me...to NOT get it online!

We have a message to spread. So.... I finally got that message online for ALL to see.

It's so important to let today's teenagers know that life IS worth living. That high school DOES end. And THEY have the power to live a full, happy and successful life. They can BE THE CHANGE. They CAN be happy.

Here it is:

ENJOY! And a huge thank you to those who contributed to it. Mwah!

Share the love link :)

The day of LOVE.

It's Valentine's Day today.

And yes, I agree with some people that maybe it is over commercialised and that everyday should be a day to acknowledge those you love. BUT.....I also kinda like the concept of having one special day to stop and absorb the LOVE in your life. Whether it be your partner, your children, your friend, your pet. It's a day to cherish those special ones in your life! And I say cheers to that!

A day dedicated all to love. I likey!

It's like a birthday. Love's birthday.

Happy Birthday Love.

I do feel grateful for the love in my life. I am blessed with family and friends who rock my world. My kids give me the deepest love - a love I can't even describe. And my Husband truly is my best friend. He's seen me at my worse and at my best. He knows me better than anyone on this earth and has stood by me through almost 12 years {7.5 of them married}. Each minute, each day, each year - I learn more about Love. Our marriage has stretched us to all kinds of heights and hollows. Yet, through it all....we're still in love.

Yes...a different kind of Love, than what it may have looked like 10years ago. Kids, and careers and bills and life gets in the way and sustaining that Love can sometimes require work. But overall, I can say I am happily married and am married to the man of my dreams.

So, on this day - the day of LOVE. I say thank you to Chris - for giving me a life so rich in love. And for being there beside me, for yet another Valentine's Day.

May your lives be filled with LOVE too. There's so much to love in this world - in this lifetime. There truly is.

**********************

And Ella also spread the message of LOVE {well....friendship....she's five remember!} at school today by handing out these little Bubbles to al of her classmates....

As she handed them out this morning - most kids and parents, smiled and appreciated the gesture. Most said thank you. It made their day!

Some, however, looked at Ella and I like we were freaks. And maybe we are?! Freaks - high on love :) I'm ok with that!! One Mother awkwardly said - "oh, thank you, is it your birthday?" and when Ella replied "No, it's Valentine's Day!"....the mother looked a little thrown back! OOOOPS!

I will need to give Ella the 'when-you're-passionate-and-confident,-not-everyone-will-always-follow-and-agree.....and-that's-ok' talk soon. Coz this little bug of ours has a HUGE heart and a passion to love BIG and live well. I never want that to fade. I encourage that. 

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So, on that note. Happy Valentine's Day all xx

Go, get high on some LOVE :)

And get some love here.....win an Apple iPad mini:

Sons and Daughters.

On Sunday, we celebrated our niece; Elina's 7th birthday! Lunch was being held at a local hotel. So, I dressed the kids up nice and off we went.

It was all kinds of lovely. Just as birthdays, and lunches out should be. There was family and cousins and free face painting. There was great food and wine and cake! I enjoyed an Apple Cider to take the edge of the summer's heat and relished in watching my kids play & mingle with family.

HOWEVER.....Ryder  is now at the sweet age of 16months :) Which means he go, go, GOES...CONSTANTLY! He has no desire to sit still for long whatsoever. And he is being very fussy with who he gives his attention to & who is allowed to give him attention!

He is definitely not an 'old soul'. If something looks gross or dirty or dangerous - he wants to be a part of it!!!! He likes to climb and balance and run. He likes to touch EVERYTHING and even give it a lick while he's at it. He likes to follow the big kids and do everything his sister does. He DOES NOT STOP!

So, although the lunchdate was beautiful in so many ways. It was also tiring. I spent a lot of it pacing along the staircase with Ryder or salvaging him from some sort of mess.

Big Sister tries to grab him, to lure him back to the table. With no luck!

So she gives up and finds a quiet moment on the step...to drink her juice in peace.

Until....trouble comes along.

And tries to swipe her drink!!

So, I send Chris inside to get another kid's sippy cup full of iced water - to keep the boy happy! So he can be just like his big sister, and to save any meltdowns!!

Lucky he's so stinkin' cute....

I'm finding this age so very very tiring. I can not turn my back for a second. He's off like a rocket - with an appetite for adventure. He, like many 16month old boys, likes to live on the wild side.

With all that said though.....he's still so much fun. His cuddles are like no other, and his smile gets me everytime. He does little things to make us laugh and his energy is quite motivating. Having a son is so different than having a daughter. Both so different, both so perfect. Both so loved!

My TOP 6 finds - Free Valentines Printables.

Can you believe we're almost mid-February?! 2013 is already siphoning away!!!!

Some cute ideas to acknowledge Valentine's Day this year. I've gathered my TOP 6 FREE Printables from around the web. Hope something catches your eye and is useful.

MY TOP 6:

• Hugs and Kisses Free Printable Tag. By Tammy Mitchell Designs. 

• 14 Days of Valentines Cards. By Delightful Deets. 

• Monkey Free Printables. By Artsy Fartsy Mama.

• 14 Days of Cute Tags and Cards and Ideas. Free Printables By Mommy by day Crafter by night. 

• Free Printable tags - Valentines Day Sweets. By Shanty 2 Chic.

• Full Valentine's Day set. {my favourite} By Jen @ Lovely Living. 

Happy Season of Love, everyone!

Easy Love - Valentine's Day.

Next Thursday is not only International Book Giving Day {I learnt that today} but it's also the day of lurve! Valentine's Day!

Whether you usually celebrate it or not, there's no better time than 2013, to show that special someone that you care.

And showing you care, has never been so easy!! Simply head to Interflora's site - view their amazing range....and several clicks later you will have an organised bunch of gorgeous Valentine's flowers being delivered next Thursday to your partner/lover/crush/friend....or hey...even yourself! :)

Today, as I was pulling up in the driveway after school pickup, I was greeted by a courier. He handed me the most amazing bunch of long stemmed roses inside a glass vase. Beautiful is an understatement. And although Chris is quite a fabulous flower giver-er {yes, I just said giverer}....these ones were in fact a gift from Interflora!

Lucky me. I know!

So I couldn't not share their great site with you. It's easy & safe to use. Their prices are competitive and their flowers are stunning. Ensure your boyfriend/partner/husband is reading this, or leave Interflora's site open on the computer. Nothing wrong with a few hints here and there :)))

LOVE!! Thank you Interflora.

Do you like to receive flowers as a gift? 

Flowers seem to always lift my mood.

Ella's Alice in Wonderland / Mad Hatter Party.

On Saturday, we celebrated Ella's 5th Birthday - Alice style :)

It was fun!

Many, many months ago {probably not long after her last birthday}, she requested an Alice in Wonderland / Mad Hatter Party for this year. All year, I had ideas streaming through my mind. I went to Pinterest for inspiration and had mentally planned a grand party for our girl. But 2012 just seemed to wiz by, and before I knew it....we were well into January and Ella's birthday was here before I even had a chance to blink! So, I scrapped all my ideas and seriously simplified the whole event. 

Invitations were emailed instead of my usual print, cut, decorate, label etc process. Guest list was even cut shorter and a last minute venue change {Ella asked if we could have it at the local forest park, but due to recent weather and costs, we changed it to home}.

Although simplified from the original plan...it still went off with a bang,....and will add another page of wonderful memories in Ella's childhood story.

The awesome tea party cake. Made by Grandma.

Candy table....put together with little pieces from around the house.

Decorations made on a budget - lanterns made from Large scrapbooking card squares, and windmills bought from $2 store:

"I'm late! Late for a very important date!"

Family, friends...so many of Ella's specials. I always feel so full of pride and love when people come to celebrate our kid's birthdays. So much love here. For that I'm so grateful.

My Dad came in a "Mad Hat' and long blonde wig. It was hilarious. Ella had NO idea who he was!! Ha

Nanny and Aunty. Cake time.

Ella and Grandma.

I literally pulled the whole party together in a fortnight. One saving grace was; Chris ordered enough pizzas to be delivered mid-party, to feed all 40 guests. That meant the only party-shopping I had to do was a few days prior - to get some drinks, lollies and party bag fillers. Chris's parents {Nanny & Pa} got Ella the Alice dress from Mr Toys Toyworld as one of her gifts & my Mum made the cake :)  I also tried to make as much of the decor as possible {to save costs}. I also bought a $10 printable pack from Lily Bimble on Etsy.

Yet, the biggest saving grace....and HIGHLIGHT of the day.....

The 'real Alice' came to the party....

Be still my beating heart! Ella's shock when she answered the door to find 'the real Alice' standing there! Oh My!! Definitely MY highlight of the whole day.

{{'Alice' was from Ring Around the Rosie on the Gold Coast. We highly recommend her....she does many characters! And was FANTASTIC!}}

Early last week, as I started to fret about how I was going to get this party organised in time, I stumbled across a friend's link on Facebook to Ring Around the Rosie. It was so meant to be!!! I contacted her straight away asking if she was available at such late notice for this weekend...and she was!!}

She ran all of the games with the kids, and provided prizes. She also did facepainting, story reading, bubble blowing and singing. LOVE! I actually got to sit back, watch & absorb!

And as if it couldn't fall into place any better..... We decided to keep 'Alice' a secret from Ella as a surprise. Two nights later, during her nightly fairy wish - she wished that 'the real Alice' would come to her party! Then.....30minutes into her party....I noticed she was missing. I find her outside, looking very sad. Turns out she was looking for the real Alice and was sad her wish hadn't come true. I suggested she wished for it one more time, sprinkled some fairy dust on the grass and then got on with enjoying her party. She did! And wham...10minutes later....the knock on the door.....that truly made her day!!! Perfection!

Ryder and I.

Such a great day! And such a fun theme to play with. Good choice Miss Ella :)

Finished off with a pool-full of of kids, splashing and swimming and playing. Enjoying Summer.

And an early night to bed for our two, once furniture was rearranged, floors were cleaned and order was restored. 

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Sunday, we had a day of nothing. Recovering from Saturday's fun!!!

She's already throwing around suggestions for her 6th birthday party!!!! I've suggested a McDonald's hosted party. I've got 12months to convince her :)