Overseas Trip. Part 3. Canada.

Leaving New York was super sad, because we had had such an AMAZING time in such an AMAZING city. But I was also filled with so much excitement with the upcoming next phase of our trip. We had to be up & in the cab to the JFK airport by 5am. Ella & I had only got to bed at 1am after a super fun last night in Times Square....so you can imagine how we both looked & felt on such little sleep {no photos of us that morning haaa}.

As the cab drove out of NYC, and the sun was rising, I snuggled my sleepy girl in the back seat & took as much of the city in for one last time. I tried to take mental note of the way it looked, the people, the chaos, the smells, the magic of this historic town before we hopped on yet another plane!

The flight to Toronto, Canada was fairly short yet quite turbulent {yikes! I didn't like that at all!} and Ella slept most of the way :)

When Chris & I decided that I would go on this holiday this year, one of the main driving forces in this decision was that I wanted to go to Canada to meet my dear friend Tara. Yes......MEET :) We have been friends since 2007......we talked regularly & know each other so deeply & so well....yet had never met in person :) We 'met' online {on a pregnancy forum} when I was pregnant with Ella & her with Aurora....and although we lived on opposite sides of the world....our friendship blossomed from day one. I felt some soulful connection to this girl & hanging out with her in person was on my bucket list ;o) And today....as I flew out of New York & headed north.....I was going to finally cuddle her in real life & mark a big fat tick off that bucket list again :)

The plane landed, we went through customs and then I steered our baggage trolley through the Toronto Airport scanning for Tara. I was filled with mainly excitement....but also some nerves...."what if I can't find her in this big place?" or "What if our connection isn't so great & we're stuck together for the next week?" or "What if I'm not what she's expecting?"....... But then I saw her.....and the gorgeous Miss Aurora baring gifts & balloons for Ella & I. We scooted across the room & hugged for the first time.....but it felt so natural as if we'd been hanging out as buddies forever!! It was such a beautiful moment, it really was! I was here......with Tara....for reals :) Very cool :)

Tara's husband Mike had taken the week off work so we could go & holiday in their country cottage. We drove out of Toronto & traveled for a couple of hours. Tara & I were already scooped together in the back of the mini van chatting away about absolutely anything & everything. There was no awkwardness and any fears I had had for a moment...were all gone. We laughed & reminisced & got the chance to really chat....face to face....not over a screen....it was bliss!

Then we arrived here:

{the view from the back deck of their cottage!}

So So Beautiful! Such a change from where we'd just come from in New York.....but a change that was so welcomed & thoroughly needed. This place was the epiphany of relaxation & beauty! The view, the lake, the nature, the scenery....it was like I was in the middle of a movie set :) So...to the lake we went, where we enjoyed the warm weather!! And Ella got to be a 'kid' with other kids...which was magic.....after a week of being with only 'grown ups' :)

{Little Logan stole my heart. What a gorgeous little soul of a boy!}

Later, on that 1st day in Canada, Tara & Mike took us to somewhere pretty cool.....WALMART :) It was quite an experience {loosing my Walmart virginity lol}.....this place is amazing.....I can't help but wonder why we don't have anything like it here in Australia?? But it was so convenient....it literally had EVERYTHING in the one store! And....OMG....so soooo cheap! $6 dresses, $5 Crayola packs....and my favourite new treat....POP TARTS!!! There was a whole aisle of Pop Tarts....and they only cost a few dollars per box {unlike the $15/box that we pay here in Australia}.  It was so much fun cruising the many aisles of Walmart.....Mike pushing all 3 kids in one trolley, Tara & I pushing the other trolley full of food, toys & treats :) We shopped up a storm & then  headed back to the cottage. It was then that I noticed Ella was crashing from the 4 crazy days in New York.....it was catching up on her......she was burning up a fever, her eyes were puffing up & she had the cranks....big time! So a fairly early night was had......by us all :)

Unfortunately, Ella was not 100% for our whole stay in Canada :( A doctor trip on the last day revealed she had a throat infection & virus. She was irritated, exhausted and sporting a constant fever. She was waking each night with night terrors & starting to miss her Daddy. But....in true Ella style....she didn't want to take it easy or miss an opportunity to have some fun.....she wanted to play & explore & learn!

Ella & Aurora were the reason Tara & I first crossed paths :) And seeing our 2 girls {born only days apart} playing together truly was MAGIC! Of course, we had to deal with normal toddler arguments....over important things like; who touched the pillow first, or who was using the purple sand bucket or who likes Tinkerbell more :) But for most of it....they were pretty tight :) Ella gave Aurora a BEST FRIEND necklace charm & it was so special to see these 2 little girls from different sides of the world, come together, like their Mumma's, and love each other :)

Tara & I have so much in common when it comes to parenting. We both like to embed some magic into our children's lives through imagination, make-believe, fantasy & play. So, it was only natural that a lot of our days were spent watching "The Ella, Aurora & Logan Show", or making fairy houses, or dressing up, or lounge room dancing or exploring the gorgeous surroundings looking for fairies.......

{this photo above truly shows Ella fighting her body's request to REST!!! She was exhausted & almost falling asleep on that rock.....but insisted on being in a tutu with a wand with her little pal Aurora....and not missing out on a thing!!} {I dragged her off to bed not long after this photo was taken!...against her will....but for her own good lol}

On one of the days, we headed into the local country town. It was such a sweet place. One of those quirky little towns full of character & charm. It reminded me of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls actually :) It was here that I experienced another 'first': Canadian Poutine {a scrumptious concoction of hot chips, gravy & melted cheese} YUM!

Cue lunch time break in the carpark:

I told you this town was pretty :)

If there's anyone who loves Christmas as much as me & embraces it for everything it's worth....it's Tara :) So, finding a Christmas Shop in August was pretty cool...and we spent way too long in there :) If I had no weight limit on my suitcases returning home, I would've bought most of the store :)

Ella & I fell in love with this interactive Advent Calendar :)

This sign {above} spoke to me hehehe :)

And if that town wasn't magical enough.....we then headed to Screaming Heads.....the finale to end a GORGEOUS afternoon:

And just when I think we've explored & played to our heart's content....Tara whips out this afternoon treat for the girls.......our 2 little Lovelies were in Girly Heaven......a tea party in a fairy forest....BLISS:

CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Topped off by a dip in the lake & some sand fun! Tara & Mike made this for Miss Ella:

 Most of the last afternoon was spent seeing the Doctor & waiting at the chemist for Ella's prescription.....but we then also headed into Toronto City for the evening & night. We did some shopping & went to awesome Rainforest Cafe, enjoyed a takeout dinner & cozied up in a hotel ready for our early departure the next day. That night, we simply enjoyed 'hanging out' & chatting. The kids had fun jumping on the hotel beds {shhh} and we mucked around with some photo ideas.

Above photo of me; taken by Tara, for a friend's handmade 'belly band' business. My booming pregnant belly, and a gorgeous piece of art to beautify my growing waist line....all in the comfort of a late night hotel shoot :)

And at some ungodly hour the next morning, we were up & on our way to the airport. Leaving Tara & her gorgeous family was a sad moment. Tara & I were all teary & sooky at the airport as we departed ways. I wish we had had longer there in Canada, spending time, catching up. But I'm grateful for the amazing 5 days we had there & am SO glad I finally got to meet my Soul Sister in the flesh. As the plane took off, bound for Kansas USA, I smiled at the amazing week we'd had with the Rose Family & felt very content & full :)

Thank you so much Tara, Mike, Rory & Logan for having us. You are such a beautiful family and Ella & I had a blast being apart of your family for the week. Love you x.

Who would've thought this crazy ole' place called the Internet, would play such a huge role in two kindred spirits meeting? Reflecting back on my meeting with Tara, I'm thankful for the world of blogs, online forums & websites! An awesome chapter of my life was written, thanks to the connections the online world can blossom.

Canada is a gorgeous, breathtaking place....and I can't wait to return one day :)

Part 4 of holiday.....7 days in Kansas USA....can be found here :)

USA Trip. Part 2. New York City.

The flight from LA to New York was long. I think it was about 6 hours long....but it felt longer! Maybe coz we were so excited about what was awaiting us at the other end? But I remember being VERY happy when that plane touched down at the JFK Airport!

New York! Oh my dear.....NEW YORK! Let me just say "New York had me at HELLO!" New York ROCKS and I am already excited about going back there again one day! We only spent 4 days in NY.....but it was some of the most amazing 4 days of my life! What a place! 

Chris's Brother, Matt, currently lives in New York City. He was there waiting for us at the airport :) After tracking down the missing stroller, we were in our 1st New York Cab & on our way into the city! Ella went from chatting Matty's ear off to passing out, all bobble-head & exhausted in the back of the cab, while I bombarded Matty with questions about the city, the place & the people! Experiencing NY has always been somewhere I wanted to travel to, a number on my bucket list.....and now I WAS HERE!!!!!!!

{Ella, Matty & I on top of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!}

Our first afternoon in NY was rainy, but we didn't let that stop us from getting out & about! Once we were checked into the Belvedere Hotel {about 100m down the street from Matty's apartment & one block from Times Square}, we braved the umbrella jammed streets of Times Square! WOW! Yep.....wow, is the best word I can find right now to describe those first impressions of this amazing city!!!!! We ventured into the GIANT Toys R Us store to keep the 3year old happy.....however even the 'grown ups' were having fun :) This shop has a Ferris Wheel.....INSIDE IT!!!! AWESOME! We then enjoyed a dinner at Bubba Gumps on Broadway with Matt, Takumi & Brian. The food was insane, the atmosphere was fun and I got to wear Forrest's Shoes :) Ella & I then headed back to our apartment at about 9:30pm....she bathed & fell asleep in an instant! I sat up & stared out the window.....overlooking the city.....admiring the view....trying to take it all in. I think I had to pinch myself a few times to 'remind myself' that I was really there! It wasn't a dream :)

Day 2....the rain had cleared....so we ventured out to tick off a few more things from my Bucket List. We spent the day with Brian & Matty {having them truly was a god-send....they knew exactly where to go, what to do and how to do it! They helped with the stroller, with Ella, with everything! They were the best company & LOTS of fun!!}. After breakfast at a local diner, we cabbed it to the pier where we enjoyed an hour river cruise.....under the BROOKLYN BRIDGE & TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY!

It was hot! In fact, Ella started to break out in a heat rash! But it was still so NICE....to be sight seeing in the warm sun, in NEW YORK CITY.....living, laughing, loving! AH-MAZING!

Next stop.....the West Side :) I loved the feel of it here! The amazing old town houses, the tree lined streets, the shops....oh the shops....and: Carrie's Apartment :)

A short stroll on...and we were at the Magnolia Bakery! It was everything I expected.....and at the same time, nothing like how I imagined it! BUT......OMG, the cupcakes......THE.BEST.I'VE.EVER.EATEN!!!! So So So good!

We headed over to an inner city playground & enjoyed our sugar-fest. Ella then enjoyed the simple things in life.....like being a kid ~ swings & slides & sand pits :) I think I may have been the only 'mother' in the playground.....amongst all the 'nannies & sitters' but it was cool! I had my 'mannies' with me :)

We then caught the Subway back to 'our area' & explored the streets & shops surrounding Times Square! 

The M & M Factory was a must-see experience.....such a cool place! The buzz there was contagious! I loved it! I bought a 'Red' Onesie for our bub, a few goodies for friends & of course Ella picked a bag of PINK M & M's :)  

{on the subway}

{in the M&M Factory}

Seeing a show on Broadway is something I've ALWAYS wanted to do! Growing up in a musical environment & performing being a big part of my life, seeing a show in the world-famous part of New York was something I wanted to experience in my one wild & precious lifetime! Before we embarked on this holiday, I did not pre-book any show tickets as I really did not know what to expect & how things would pan out. Hey, I was traveling solo with a 3 year old....there was a good chance that seeing a Broadway Show late at night was not going to be possible in my circumstances. BUT.....we were a week into our trip.....Night 2 into the New York leg....and Ella was AMAZING! This gorgeous little Soul of ours, amazes me daily.....but whilst in NY, I was blown away by her! She did not whine or stress or worry! There were no tantrums or drama! She simply went with the flow and absorbed it all in! If she was tired, she'd drift off....and it didn't matter if we were in a cab, or if she was being pushed in the stroller down a busy downtown street, she'd just close her eyes & relax. She talked & laughed & asked questions. She listened & followed. She understood! She was not my 'toddler girl'....she was my BUDDY! And together we were seeing the world! It was....PERFECT, really!

And on Night 2 of NY, Matty & Takumi were keen to see The Lion King with us.....ON BROADWAY! I.WAS.EXCITED :) Ella had a 1.5 hour snooze in the hotel bed early that evening, while I chatted to Chris on Skype. We then showered & headed out to meet the boys for a Sushi Dinner :) At 8pm, we headed into the theatre for the Lion King show. I was a little unsure at first if the $150/ticket was going to be 'money well spent' and OMG....it was!!!! The show was magnificent! I had tears & goosebumps of joy as soon as the music started! The costumes, the choreography, the singing, the effects....EVERYTHING.....it was all AMAZING! Ella was drawn in the whole time. She didn't know where to look, there was so much to take in ;) And when it ended, she was shattered that it was over. She wanted more....and so did I. Definitely the best show I've EVER SEEN!!! 

New York City truly is the city that DOES NOT SLEEP! We left the theatre after 10:30pm...to discover shops still open and the streets still as busy as ever! Crazy! But awesome-crazy :) We bought a few corny souviners at some local shops & strolled back to the hotel.

Day 3: Ella rose early after getting to bed near midnight.....but then she drifted off again & slept til after 8:30am {which is late for her LOL}. We enjoyed slow morning baths & a late breakfast at a bagel cafe :) YUM! Matty, Ella & I then walked a few blocks down to CENTRAL PARK :) A horse-drawn carriage ride kicked off my 1st view of the park :)

We then explored the park more, by foot. This place is PURE MAGIC! I imagined living in NYC & being able to throw a picnic rug down in this gorgeous park whenever I wanted & lay about there with a packed picnic & happy kids :)  Everywhere you looked, there was some form of magic.....

A short stroll later and we popped out of the park & were greeted by 5th AVENUE :) Holy Moly.....I'm on 5th AVE! One of the most famous shopping streets in the world :) It was just like the rest of NYC.....busy, bustling & amazing!! 

First stop......FAO SCHWARZ:

{everything in the USA was jumbo-sized} {including the GIANT PIANO that Ella & I danced along}

A walk along 5th Avenue then filled our time....and I indulged in my first Tiffany's purchase:

We then headed downtown {or uptown.....hmmm....still haven't got my NYC barings!} a little further & went to the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING! The line up was looooooong. But I couldn't be in NYC & not go up the ESB!! So, we waited! And for the 1st time during this whole trip....being heavily pregnant had it's advantage. A female security guard came up to us & said to be with her cool accent "I've got your back Mumma! Follow me!" We did.......and we ended up skipping the WHOLE {2 hour} long line up & get put with the VIP Express people.....YEEHAH!!! Within minutes, we were up top of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING looking over the amazing city! Very Cool!

And, just as I thought the trip couldn't get any more perfect or anymore FUN....we enjoyed a night out in Times Square, wining & dining & shopping with Matty, Takumi, Brian & Naoko {who was visiting from Japan}. And as Ella sat there all perfectly & well-behaved in this inner-city New York 5-star restaurant...I again pinched myself with how good she is & how lucky I am! 

Ella truly fits in with NY....the city that never sleeps....coz we were still out 'living it up' until 1am that night! And if it wasn't for our 5am wake-up the next morning to catch our next flight, I think we could've 'lived it up some more!' :) 

{Times Square after midnight - August 9th 2011}

Oh New York! I already miss you :) Thank you for having us NYC & thank you for the memories! I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE! It was everything that I expected....plus more! I can't wait to go back one day with Chris & explore it again!! Thank you Matty and boys for looking after us & showing us around! Both Ella & I were sad to leave early that Saturday morning! As the cab drove us back to the JFK airport at 5am, I watched out the window & tried to breathe in every last part & memory of that city....coz it was so surreal & AMAZING!

I heart NYC!

We caught our flight to CANADA that day.....that post coming soon ;)

Dream Chaser. Wild & Precious Life.

{Print can be bought here & here}

A week or so ago, I mentioned that I was planning something amazing! Something that was so fresh & so foreign to me, that I couldn't even put into words yet! I then mentioned that we had been suitcase shopping! Well....the dust has settled, the reality has sunk in & I can string my words together about my exciting news!

On this blog, I often refer to the closing lines of Mary Oliver's poem "The Summer Day": Tell me, What is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?" I was first exposed to this poem in highschool during an 11th grade English class, and although I read it & absorbed it, I didn't truly take those last few words in!! I was then reminded of this poem on Dig This Chicks blog & those words....that closing question dug deep into me! And I have been left asking myself {almost daily} WHAT DO I WANT TO DO WITH MY ONE WILD & PRECIOUS LIFE?

I can think of a million things I want to do during my lifetime! My heart brews ideas & dreams & desires constantly! Some I've already achieved: get a teaching degree, marry my true love, bring life into the world through children, make a difference via my career, love with an open heart, watch sunsets & sunrises, dance, celebrate, start my own business.....oh how I could go on! Then there's some things that I want to do so badly but have never had the time, or the money, or the opportunity, or the experience, or the patience to live yet! For my long-time readers, you may remember the BUCKET LIST I made last year, with 50 things I want to do before I die! As I read through that list now, there's already some things on there that I can already cross off :) Oooh it feels good to tick things off a list, whether it's an 'errands to run' list or a 'big things i want to do during my 1 wild & precious life' list :)

Anyways.....bear with me.....I'm getting there :)

On Sunday the 8th of May, {a few weeks ago}, it was Mother's Day! I enjoyed a day of family & love & gifts & flowers! It was nice! Then, that night, Chris & I did something we don't get to do very often these days.....we got in his car, just the 2 of us, no children, and drove! We drove with no plans, we chatted about anything & everything! It was perfect! We ended up at a lovely Indian Restaurant for Butter Chicken, garlic & spice packed parcels & wine! We got to enjoy uninterrupted, adult conversation. Although I love more than anything being a family & spending time as a family unit, I also LOVE having time to just be a couple again too! We were 'us' long before we were Mum & Dad, so the occasional 'date night' is so good for our souls & our marriage!

Over dinner we were chatting about life & money & experiences & the future! We discussed the exciting upcoming arrival of our 2nd child, we talked about our plans for when this house finally sells!, we talked about new cars vs keeping things just as they are and then somehow we ended up chatting about things we want to do before we die...during our 1 wild, precious lifetime!! 

24 hours later.....I had quotes & itineraries being drawn up for me, I was filling out passport applications & I was frantically emailing my overseas friends & family :) 

In a nutshell.......on August 1st I'll be heading off with packed bags, to cross off these things from my bucket list:

• 4. Explore New York City
• 8. Take my daughter to DisneyLand
• 16. See a show on Broadway
• 26. Holiday in Canada

Let me just say: So.Friggen.Excited!

Yep, I'm chasing a dream to travel to the USA & Canada. A dream I've had for MANY MANY years now! And it was Chris who convinced me to JUST DO IT! And although I'm the dreamer, he's the impulsive one out of the 2 of us! His words that night sunk deep "You only live once Claire, so just go! And do it now before the baby is born, so you have no regrets in the future about not chasing your dreams!" I re-play those words over in my head each day! Hell yeah.....i'm making the most of this 1 wild & precious life & I'M DOING IT! 

Of course, we then had to work out the logistics behind this last minute holiday plan :) Chris can't take time off work right now, I have to go before September before I hit the 3rd trimester, can we afford it?, will Ella come or stay?, do I go in school holidays or use some long service leave & go mid-term?......so many thoughts, so many things to take into consideration! And it was me, who decided I couldn't leave Ella for 3 weeks! And I could NOT be in LA or NY or Canada without her! 

After a few weeks of planning & re-planning & discussing, it's set! It's paid for! It's HAPPENING!

On August 1st, Chris will be dropping Ella & I at the International Airport and us 2 girls will be kissing our Prince goodbye as we embark on a loooong 3 weeks trip :) First stop New Zealand {just to shower, eat, change flights etc} then to LA we fly :) DisneyLand will take up most of that few days....yeehaah! We will then be bound for NEW YORK....yeah baby!!! I.can.not.wait! Oh my, we have so much to cram into those few days of New York City whilst we stay with Chris's Brother, Matty, in his Broadway apartment :) Oh the life experiences I can't wait to tick off whilst there!!! Bagels for breakfast in Central Park, a horse-drawn carriage through the amazing scenery, morning tea at Magnolia Bakery, tour the M&M's factory, spend way too much time & way too money in FAO SCHWARZ with Ella, go up the Empire State Building, see the Statue of Liberty, see Carrie's apartment :), see Mary Poppins on Broadway, live like Blair & Serena for a day haaa, OMG!!!!!! We then head off to Canada!!!!!! Here I will finally meet one of my dearest friends, Tara, and there we are spending 5 glorious days with her & her Husband & their 2 gorgeous kids.....her eldest is a week younger than Ella & the reason we 'met' :) OMG, I don't think I even have words to express my excitement, anxiety & pure bliss I am feeling about this part of the holiday!!! We will stay in their gorgeous lake-side, country cottage and I have butterflies at the thought of this.....yay! I always imagined my first meeting with Tara involving lots of coffee & late nights & wine.....but with my pregnant state, it will be replaced with lots of hot chocolates, late nights & PHOTOS....omg I can not wait for the photo fun we're going to have! {she's a photographer & makes pretty things here} Then....{are you still with me?}....we fly to Kansas USA to stay 7 nights with my brother, his wife & their 3 little cherubs! I am filled with so much joy at the thought of spending a whole week absorbing the American Culture & lifestyle, right in the brunt of their summer :) Spending time with family & watching my girl with her cousins! YAHHHHHHHH!

Although, Ella & I will miss Chris like crazy......and  they'll be times of stress when I'm pregnant & swollen & lugging baggage & an overtired toddler through many an airport, I know it'll all be worth it! Coz this is AMAZING! This is my dream! And this is coming true!!!

Have I mentioned that I'm excited?? 

And although we're 9 weeks away from departure, I *may* have already started packing, and not because I'm super organised, but because I am so friggen excited!

So, there you have it my friends! What do I plan to do with my one wild & precious life? I plan to LIVE IT!!

What about you? What are your plans?

Wishful Wednesday....

Hello All!

Well...I recovered from my Tuesday Slump Day as I thought (& hoped) I would :) But as this evening went on I developed a shocking headache :( After 2 Nurofen Plus, a shoulder rub from Hubby & a little rest in bed putting Ella to sleep, I'm feeling GREAT again! I'm sipping my cup of tea and ready to blog about this week's wishlist of lovelies that Tickle My Fancy!!!

Firstly, I wish for a new book to read :) My favourite Authors are Paullina Simons, Marian Keyes & Stephenie Meyer. I haven't read every book from these writers....but have read most of them and have decided I need to branch out into something different! I don't really have the time to read much these days (and BLOG reading has taken over a lot of my 'reading' time) but I do enjoy reading a few pages of a good book each night before I drift off! Any suggestions for a book I could read next?

(Book images found here}

Secondly, I'm in desperate need for some new winter pj's! Last year's are now too big (which is a good thing I guess)! When it comes to winter pj's, I'm all about COMFORT!! And these Paul Frank lovelies, tick all my criteria boxes :)

My wishlist wouldn't feel right without a little something for Ella...hehehe.....so here is what I wish for her this week:

Ella has so many pairs of jeans for this winter, it's ridiculous! Some of them are decorated with pretty embroidery, lace or pictures (of Dora lol)....but for the plain simple denim designs, I thought these cute little brooch buttons would 'jazz' up her jeans perfectly! Aren't they gorgeous? And I couldn't go past the cute little birdie Hair Accessory Kit as well ;o) I found these Handmade Goodies at Lulu Frou Frou's MadeIt Store. They are designed & made by the lovely Linda ~ a hardworking crafty Mumma ;o)

Ok....number 4 on my list has probably been brought on by the upcoming release of Sex & The City 2.....but I have New York Fever again! Every now & then I get this burning desire to travel to & experience this amazing buzzing city! And lately I've been dreaming about this holiday destination A LOT!!!

City image found here. Madison Square image found here.

Lastly on my wishlist for this week.....

I wish I was 'wining & dining' at a place as magical & romantic as this:

I fell in love with this pic & had to share it with you :) {I found it at Ada & Darcy} Imagine having this gorgeous setup in your backyard.....so dreamy & relaxing ;o)

Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!

What's on your WISHLIST this week?