To Market.

On Friday night, I packed the boot of the car with baskets and decor and a huge pile of my prints. My little helper {Ella} and I headed off to my school's Market Night. {I say my school....but I'm currently not working there.....so I wonder when I should stop referring to it, as MY school haa}

My helper - keeping track of sales, accounts and my social media sites!! {or maybe just playing Monkey Preschool?}I rarely do markets with my business. I love the atmosphere of markets and the potential they have to grow my business....but with young kids, I just find them not always worth the effort and time away from home. However, I wanted to support my school and my best friend Monica who organised the whole event....and if I could make some extra cash out of it too....then, we're winning aren't we?!

It was an awesome night. So much fun catching up with my teaching friends and families. Seeing past students all grown up. Mingling and laughing. Lots of supportive friends and co-workers cheering me on my upcoming book launch.

Two of Ella's prep friends came along {thank you Tahnia and Naomi} and she had an absolute blast running around with them, painting and shopping and enjoying sweet treats. She was knackered {as was I} by the time we rolled into our driveway at 10pm.

Thanks to everyone who bought a print or two, and popped by to say Hi. It was lovely to chat with the gorgeous Sarah, and see lots of awesome businesses doing their thing. It's inspiring seeing people working hard and sharing their passions with the world!

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Saturday, we had our usual morning of housework and dance lessons - with our cute little bunny.

Later in the day, once Chris was home from running training, the four of us headed up to the local forest to burn off some energy {the kids.....not ours....in fact, Chris and I were both exhausted & would've much preferred an afternoon of couch lazing lol}

But, the afternoon was perfect.

Koalas, birds, shade, room to run free and a ball. Happy kids = happy parents.

I love where we live.

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And then Sunday was the perfect concoction of relaxation, family time and great food.

We had lunch down at Chris's parents house and his Mum put on the most amazing meal. {which I Instagrammed of course!} 

Followed by swims and sunshine!

On returning home, we were bombed with a HUGE storm! We lost power at 5:30pm and didn't get it back until 3am this morning. {hence why this blog post is later than normal!}

All good....just a lot of debris around from the nearby forest. The streets are littered with leaves and broken branches! With news that another storm is forecast for this afternoon?!

Wishing you all a HAPPY MONDAY!!!

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!

Five Days.

She's at school. Five days a week!

It's going really well. As well as the first term, of the first year could go.

She's willing to go. Excited and happy. She's confident and full of positive energy. Whether this lasts for long or not, only time will tell. But for now, school and her and getting along just fine!

But....it's the five days a week thing that has me thrown!

There's always been days where she's been at daycare or Kindy; and I've either been at work or at home with Ryder. But FIVE DAYS!!! That's so many days without my little bug around! It's taking some getting used to. It really is.

Yesterday, Ryder and I went to the local shopping centre...just for something to do!? We spent a good 20 minutes in the pet shop, then the playground and then browsed the toy shop for a good long moment. We enjoyed a freshly made juice together and bought some new books.

I need to find a groove though. I need to accept that our Elly-Belly is at school five hours of every day - FIVE DAYS A WEEK! And to use this time to kick some big goals, get lots of work done and ENJOY the one-on-one time with my boy! I need to get back into the swing of beach days and park dates, picnics and library visits. Crafting and baking and that jazz. I need to get him out and about and fill his days with all kinds of love & adventure. Just him and I.

It just seems to be taking a while to remember that she's a 'school kid' now. Even this past weekend I was planning what we'd do on Monday - where we'd go, who we'd see - how I'd juggle the day! To then realise that Ella had school. And I had to do lunches and drops offs and pick ups.

You think it would be a simple concept to grasp wouldn't you?! Hmmm...not so!

With all that said. I am enjoying the quiet time at home with only one child in tow. While he naps I can write and potter and do things around the house. I am not preparing three thousand snacks for the always-hungry 5 year old, and I am not trying to juggle my energy between the two of them. It's good. Just different I guess. Something I'm not familiar with!

I'm pretty lucky to be able to spend my days with this little spunk though....

Gosh, he makes my heart hurt. A good hurt. So full of love kinda hurt.

Are any other Mummas out there feeling the same as me? Is it taking quite a while for you to adjust to the whole full-time school thing? {please don't tell me I'm the only one feeling way!}

And...at 2:45pm we get to head down to the school and pick up this little beam of light....

And hear all about her day! And the fun she's had!

P.S. My online store is open for business again. And to kick off the new year....how about a free iPad Mini??

Five.

Today, she turned five.

Tonight, surrounded by Grandparents, we celebrated HER!

On this day, five years ago, she entered the world. 8pound 2ounces of pure perfection.

She was long and chubby and perfectly pink. Her lips were so beautifully defined and her eyes a deep dark blue.

She made this world a much better and more beautiful place that day. Everything made sense when I felt her coiled in my arms. It all felt right. A shift in perspective jolted me that day. Life was no longer the same - it was now richer and fuller, and filled with elated opportunities and reasons to live well.

She made me a Mumma that day. Something I am so very grateful for. Today is my BIRTHday too. The day I was born into Motherhood - the most exhilarating and comfortable place I have ever been.

And here we are.....FIVE years on. From that teeny perfect newborn....to the sleepless, highly-strung infant....to the shy, timid toddler.....and the blooming Kindy Kid. Here we are.... at Five!

She's no longer a newborn, an infant or a toddler. She's a kid. A real, big, amazing kid. She's so FIVE!

She's confident and sassy. She's smart and funny. She's a much better sleeper these days and a ball of energy. She's armed with wit and a sense of joy. She's got a heart of gold and an understanding beyond her years. She's starting school this year; and more than ready! She's full of spice and love and all things nice :) She's perfect and she's ours.

She's five!

Happy Birthday Angel Girl. The love you bring to this family is beyond description. And the love we feel for you, is unmeasurable. You're everything to us. You big fuzz of five-year-old goodness!!!!!

xoxoxox

A painting done by her Aunty Bron.

Baby Brother thought he's lend a helping hand :)

The fairy door was installed during the night. Discovering it this morning was one of the highlights of her day.!!!! Fast asleep - her last night as a FOUR year old.

Linking up with Bron and Kidspot for 52 weeks of Gratefulness. So much to be grateful for right now. But Ella in all her five year old glory is icing the cake today!! {literally haaa}

Can you believe it's already been a whole year since THIS!?

Celebrating the end.

Since being parents of little ones, we've learnt to not make too many plans for New Year's Eve. It's best to have a few options but to just wait & see where the day, evening, night takes you. Even the best made plans can fall to rubble when there are babies and small kids involved. Or does that just happen to us?

Like the NYE when Ella was 11months old. We had plans to partay at Chris's parent's waterfront house. Moet was purchased. Fireworks were going to be involved. It was going to be homely but special and lots of fun! Until Ella came down with a shocking case of Tonsillitis and spent the whole night vomiting, screaming and refusing sleep. She finally passed out just before midnight, I had one sip of my Moet and went to bed, absolutely shattered. That next year was one of our most testing, challenging and by far our hardest yet. I blamed a lot of that year on the crappy start. Superstitious I know!  I vowed to make sure our New Years Eves were always FABULOUS after that....!!

Don't get me wrong! You can still have some awesome fun with little ones around. NYE 2009 {the end of our crapola year} - welcoming in 2010 was a top TOP night! With 23 month old Ella in tow we danced and partied in the new year. No dramas. And then last year, with 3yr old Ella, newborn Ryder and 13yr old Jayden - we managed dinner and cocktails out a Mexican restaurant followed by a midnight stay-up! You just gotta take the easy with the hard I guess......the good with the bad!

This past New Years, we had several options...... we were invited to a friend's house in the city to dine and celebrate, and we also had the option of picnicking by the beach with my parents. Both fun, easy and celebratory options. 

By 2pm New Years Eve afternoon, we knew it was best to stay home! I was still struggling with my chest infection from Christmas, Ryder was severely teething {back molars} as well as coming down with my fluey germs....he was tired and edgy and we knew the signs straight away - home was the best place for us!

So.....we celebrated as best as possible. Made the day special and different.....and all about US, as a family!

The afternoon looked like this....

We headed down to the local grass plain and had some fun on the mini bike.

My favourite shot. Check out Ryder's face.

He was thrilled to be wearing a Tinker Bell helmet :)

We got rained on. But the kids had fun. Lots of fun!

And then we headed back home for some home-cooked seafood, wine, dancing, glow sticks and a fairly peaceful night to end the year.

Fresh oysters with coriander and lemon juice. All for me!! Well played Chris, well played!

Chris cooked this beast - Whole Baked Fish {Red Emperor} stuffed with so much flavour. We ate out by the pool, alfresco style....

And delved into some chocolatey goodness....

Coz, hey...it was New Years Eve....

We didn't see midnight!

In fact, we cleaned up the kitchen, got the kids off to bed {which was a marathon due to Mr Teething!} and were in bed ourselves by 10pm.

During the evening, I felt a little sad that we weren't doing anything big and exciting. I saw other people's Facebook photos and statuses of their wild ventures, and questioned our decision to stay home. But then it occurred to me....I had everything I needed for the perfect night right there in front of me! My husband, my kids, my lovely house, food, wine, music! One day again, we'll be able to have big, loud nights out if we choose, and I look forward to having that option. But for now, my heart is happy right here....in these moments. 

How did you see in the New Year?

She Danced.

This weekend Ella had her annual dance concert. One show kicked off the weekend on Friday night, followed by two shows on Saturday!

Chris and I got to sit back, relax and be apart of the audience during the Saturday afternoon performance.

And again, just like last year, we sat there with the biggest corniest, proudest smiles plastered across our faces and happy tears welling up in our eyes.

She came out on stage - this year a little more aware and a little more confident. She danced and spun and skipped around. She kept beat and 'did her thing'. Her costumes sparkled, as did her eyes and she nibbled on her lips as she smiled nervously.

Her little eyes constantly scanning the audience for Mummy and Daddy. And a little thumbs up our way when she did!

From Funky Town to Ballerina to Woody's Cowgirl and then Gangnam Style, she seamlessly took on each role and danced her little heart out.

My heart felt full. To see her doing what she loves. What I love.

All the hard work, the many rehearsals and weekend classes, the money spent, the discipline needed - it was all worth it. It always is!

Through dance; she has special friends and respect for her dance teachers and a hobby she adores. What more could we ask for?!

We love you Ella......our little dancing girl.