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 

Just One More Day.

If you could spend, just one more day, as a child. How would you spend it? What would you do?

Me?

I would.....

• bikeride around the neighbourhood, not a care in the world.
• swim in the river and jump from the rope-swing.
• camp out under the stars, in the backyard.
• devour more of Roald Dahl's books.
• swim in the pool until my fingers were pruned.
• tell my grandparents I love them. ask for one more cuddle. 
• revel in the fact that my parents still hold hands and kiss in public, instead of be embarrassed by it.
• let mango juice and sticky ice-cream run down my chin. wipe my mouth on my shirt and continue enjoying my day.
• walk to the local grocery store and buy a bag of 5c lollies.
• make up a dance on rollerblades with my best friend & our booming cassette player. 
• fall asleep on the couch watching a weekend movie, knowing very well someone will carry me safely into bed.
• play with my Barbies, Sylvannians and Smurf figurines.
• write a handwritten letter and smother with stickers and hearts.

Wouldn't it be nice to relive just one more day of childhood? And relish in the carelessness, freedom and fun of being so young again!

This post was inspired by a post written by Chantelle last March. She asked her readers what they would do with one more day of childhood. I've been meaning to do this post for many months now :) Thank you Chantelle for the prompt and ever-inspiring blog. 

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 :)

A Perfect Summer's Day.

Yesterday was a little overcast and fairly gusty.

But today.....TODAY was perfect!

We were on the beach by 7:30am - the sun already high, the air had a gentle breeze to it and the water was crystal clear. The clouds slowly parted, revealing a blanket of blueness. All of my senses were alive to the tune of Summer.

Today was a perfect Summer's day!

With buckets and spades in hand, sun-hats on heads and layers of thick sun-cream oozing over our skin, we basked in the purity of the morning.

Although early, the beach was already alive with families and swimmers, runners and surfers. People of all ages and walks of life, together, making the most of this beautiful place.

Chris, Tony & Jayden headed striaght out into the surf - Chris armed with his GoPro water camera to capture some awesome footage, whilst Jenni, the kids and I hung in the washy foam of the shoreline.

We discovered Ryder's happy place....

The water was refreshing yet warm, and the sun's heat had a slight prickle to it - but still comfortable. Just that little whisper, that can only be heard on Summer's mornings. 

For almost two hours, we played, splashed, swam, ran, dug, explored.... and simply lived! I breathed in what was happening around me - the perfection, the bliss! Family and blessings and the true essence of Summer.

This is EXACTLY what I want for my kids - happy childhood memories of togetherness and fun. I want them to grow up with fond recollections of Summer and holidays and the perfection of days like today. I want them to know what it feels like to have salty-dried cheeks and sandy feet. To be knocked over by frothing waves and sweat-trickled skin. I want them to remember the giggles and faces and freedom. The easy, slow pace and the post-beach-exhaustion that leaves you feeling both tired, yet perfectly content.

Grandparents and Kids.

Pa and Ryder.

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

Having Jayden here is always a blast. He's such a good kid. We laugh and joke and basically.....have fun! He is such a good big brother to Ella and Ryder - patient and gentle, considerate and protective. Everything a big brother should be!

Father and Son.

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

At lunchtime today, we hired two jet skis and headed out for some serious adrenalin-pumping fun.

My muscles are aching and my skin has a slight burn to it.

I love summer!!

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

Holidays are exhausting, didn't you know?!

On that note, I'm off to bed.

G'Night All x

P.S. Pop in tomorrow for another great giveaway.... :)

Our Last Few Days in Japan.

After leaving Tokyo, on the bullet train, we headed back to Osaka for two more days.

We again stayed in the Universal Studios Port Hotel and devoured our last days of being in the culture of Japan and with Chris's brother: Matt. We checked in at around 1pm. And once we were cozied into our room, we got Ryder settled for an afternoon nap...to then discover we were in a smoking room. Although the room was spotless....the curtains and carpet and bedding wreaked with cigarette smoke. I came down with a headache and Ella with hayfever, so Chris requested we moved. Within minutes; a concierge was at our door and took us to another level and a non-smoking room. Ahh much better. {we're high maintenance I know!}

Ryder napped, baths were had and then Chris, Matt and Ella headed into USJ Park to do some rides and have some fun, while I had a stroll around and did a little spot of shopping with Ryder. The area looked so beautiful at night time. The glowing city skyline and fairy lights in every tree - along every path. With Christmas music blaring and the icey-cold air; nights in Japan seemed to come alive.

Chris called me at around 7pm telling me to meet them there, as there was some rides he wanted me to experience before the park closed for the night.

Matt paced the park with Ryder in the pram whilst Ella, Chris and I went on the Jurassic Park ride, Spiderman and Space Odyssey. Oh.My.Tootin.Gawd! Seriously, the BEST thrill rides I HAVE EVER BEEN ON! So stimulating, so scary, but so much fun! I still can't believe Ella went on them {many MANY times}. They were crazy! I haven't screamed and laughed that much in so long! It was awesome!!! Maybe one of the most gratifying nights of the trip?! {big call, I know!}

All adrenalin buzzed and high on life, we watched the parade again and then headed over to Bubba Gumps for a late dinner. After devouring huge 'American' meals and delicious cocktails, we headed back to the hotel to call it a night!

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

Our last day in Japan was just as full and exciting. We weren't boarding our flight home until 9pm; so we had a whole day to fill. Again, a spot of shopping, more dining and USJ {again!}. Ella and I went on the Space ride {again}, and JAWS! We indulged on more caramel popcorn and seeped in the last of the wintery goodness and travel experiences.

It was sad to say goodbye to Matt, after spending such fun, quality time with him! But also enticing in the prospect that we will see him again, yet.... where is the potentially exciting part?! Will it be back home in Aus? Or maybe back in Japan if he takes the performing contract again? Or maybe... just maybe in NEW YORK CITY?!

By the time we boarded our flight later that night, with two very tired kids {and in Business Class....a last minute upgrade!! HELLO!!} we were exhausted and ready for the comforts of home and routine once again. Nine hours later, and NO sleep; we landed back on the Gold Coast and into the brunt of an Australian summer :)

Our trip was truly awesome! I'm so amazed at how much we crammed into those 12 days.....but am excited about how much we didn't do - yet one day WILL! I'm proud of Chris & I for taking the jump and traveling with young kids, and I am in love with the change in perspective that traveling gives you. 

WHAT A TRIP!!!

You can read my other posts from Japan here:

We're in Japan, **** Universal Studios, ***** Kyoto, **** Observations ***** Tokyo Disneyland.

Thanks for following my posts along the way! I truly recommend Japan for a family holiday destination, if you're considering places to go!!

T'was the night before Christmas.

In a few words and with a sprinkling of photos, today looked like this....

There was calm and there was chaos. There was rest and there was work. There was food and champagne and plenty of excitement. There was family and gifts and wrapping-paper messes. There was swimming and dancing and plenty of kiddy giggles. There was music.... always music and some Christmas baking thrown in too.

And when our visitors had left and the state of our house was restored, we bathed happy kids in frothy milky baths and cozied them up in Christmas pyjamas. Ella and Ryder opened 'one more special gift' and then headed outside to sprinkle some reindeer food....

Treats and letters were left out for Santa....

And The Jolly Christmas Postman book was read one last time....

As I tucked Ella into bed tonight and she buzzed with excitement, I had so many wonderful memories of my own childhood coming flashing back. Memories of Christmas Eve's! Being with my family - my parents always making this time of year special and meaningful. I remembered the thrill of adrenalin and anticipation and hope that flowed through me as I would try to get to sleep on Christmas Eve night, and the sheer joy that followed the next morning.

I can only hope that my kids grow up with nothing but happy Christmas memories. Memories that will shape their characters and stay in their hearts for years to come.

On that note....

From my family to yours.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Thank you for coming here to my blog and reading my ramblings from day to day. May you enjoy this time of year with your loved ones and cherish the moments that make you smile. No matter how small they may be!

G'Night.