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. 

**********

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 :)

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?

Party Weekend.

And what a weekend it was....

Cheers!

We celebrated two birthdays this past weekend. My good friend Kirsty{oh...make that 3....she had a joint party with her Husband....they were both the big 3.0.} and sister-in-law Mel. I found the weekend exhausting, but in a fun way. We got to drink wine, eat cake, laugh, celebrate & partay!

Saturday night; my parents came up to our place & stayed the night. This meant Chris & I could go to Kirsty & Brad's party...CHILDFREE!!!! Our first 'date' since Ryder was born....5 months ago! It was so nice {even though we were both stuffed by 11pm! haaa} I got to wear heels, my hair down & makeup :) I even got to wear chunky jewellery...knowing that no baby {swiper} hands were going to rip them from me :) It was karaoke.....and although we heard some terrible, TERRIBLE singing....we had a BLAST!

Chris & I...all spunked up on date night :)

The Birthday Girl & I.

And although it was fabulous to have a night off from being 'Mummy & Daddy', it was also pretty tootin' nice to come home & see this gorgeous face....

We had a big breakfast cookup with Mum & Dad on Sunday morning to say thanks for the night out :) And then enjoyed a birthday lunch with the Chadwick's!

Mel is totally rocking being 40.....40 & I fabulous I say:

Come Sunday evening, we were all pretty tired. But ended the weekend with plenty of cuddles:

Daddy's boy!

And a neighbourhood walk {Ella's request} which was kind of lovely....

I love our new neighbourhood.

Sorry ducks....Hurricane Ella swept through your parts of the hood.

And the new week kicked off pretty well too. Yesterday, Ella was catching the train into the City with Grandma & Grampy to go to the museum :) To say she was excited is an understatement!! After dropping her off at Mum & Dad's....Ryder & I stopped in at the local beach for some fresh salty sea air! It was a perfect, peaceful 20mins with my boy:

It's Tuesday morning now. I pulled a late nighter doing tax paperwork {just for a good time}, then was up approximately 3 thousand times with Mr R, but scored an 8am sleep-in :) We're just about to head up to the forest for a picnic when Miss Ella arrives back home. Life is good.

Happy week all.

I'm linking up with Life, Love & Hiccup's Wonderful Weekends :) Head over there for all kinds of weekend antics!

Peace out :)

P.S. All photos in this post were taken on my iPhone....feeling a little lazy to upload my DSLR ones this mornig :)

The Balloon.

Each guest at Indi's party, was given a red & white polka dot helium balloon to take home. I suggested to Ella that we make a wish for Indi on it, and let it free. "No hanks Mum" {I love how she says 'hanks' for 'thanks'.....CUTE.....I guess I should start correcting her.....but gosh it's cute!} "I already made a wish for Indi at her party, 2 wishes actually, so I think we should keep this balloon for a bit longer". I then reminded her that helium balloons loose their air after a while & within 2 days it'll be deflated & we'll have to throw it out....she was ok with that!

BUT......almost 5 days on, and the dang balloon is still flying strong in our house :) There's magic in this balloon I swear {Kate, where did you get these? lol}. It is still full & flying high!!!!

And it's kind of become one of the family :) It's bobbed around from room to room {and gave me an almighty fright the other night when I stumbled out to the lounge at 3am to feed Ryder & saw this dark round object above me!!}. Every now & then Ella will play with it & we will find it tied to something....Chris's bike, the microphone stand, the nappy change table...or Ryder:

Even he's loving having the balloon around.

Yes, I know, we need to buy the poor boy his own fold out couch. So Brother isn't always photographed on a pink floral background :)

And even Mr Tiger enjoys having the balloon here....nothing like a view of red spotty joy when you're being fed invisible mashed peas :)

I wonder how long we can keep this balloon in tact before science takes over & the pressure & heat forces the helium out......or until Chris or I can't resist the temptation anymore & suck out the contents for a hilarious moment of chipmunk talk :) Either way, surely this balloon won't be still cruising the inside of our house next week.....I'll keep you posted :)

Happy Thursday!

Four.

Four years ago, on the 25th of January, at 11:31am, I became a Mumma. After 40 weeks of carrying a little life inside me & excitedly waiting for her to enter the world, a 6hour labour & an all natural birth; Ella arrived. Like most mothers would say.....giving birth is such a surreal, bitter sweet moment. The pain is so extreme yet the end result so magical. I've given birth again since having Ella, but her delivery is still etched in my mind....such a fresh, raw memory. The physical pain was out of this world......but the emotional & mental pain is what I remember most. The anxiety & worry that naturally comes as you're pushing & panting & gripping on for dear life with each contraction added to the intense wonderment of what is happening. "She's nearly here! I'm about to be a Mum....for reals!" was what was going through my mind over & over again. And that hurt. One of those moments when love & joy hurts so so deeply.

And four years on, we have a spirited, energetic, soulful, AHMAZING little girl.....

{25th January 2012.....the big FOUR!!.....p.s; there is 4 candles there....one's hiding lol}

Although we partied 'farmstyle' last week, yesterday was her true BIRTHday. A day that is all about her! And there's something so sentimental about your first born's birthday each year......as it too is my birthday as a Mother! That's cool! And each year, I am so grateful that I am a Mother.....that I'm Ella's Mother......that I was chosen to be hers, and she was chosen to be mine! Life's good baby!

On the eve of Ella's birthday, I laid with her until she fell asleep. As she was drifting off, I told her about the day she was born & how excited I was to hold a beautiful little baby girl in my arms. She smirked & giggled....."that was me, wasn't it Mummy?" she whispered. I thanked her for being my daughter & told her how proud we are of her.

Once she was in a deep lull....it was game on :) Chris & I dug into a bottle of red wine & bravely began constructing the......FLAT PACK! A wooden doll house with 35 pieces of furniture that required building from scratch! BIG.JOB! But.....like all big jobs.....it got done :) Along with the extra presents wrapped & four balloons blown. I was exhausted as I climbed into bed late that night......but filled with excitement as what the next day was going to bring.

Somewhere around 4:30am, after I just cimbed back into bed from feeding Ryder, Ella came in & asked if she could sleep in our bed until it was morning.....{normally the sun would be rising by now & Ella would be UP to start the day....but a rainy downpour made the room dark & sleepy}.....Ryder then awoke {again} so our bed ended up full.......as tired as I was, I lay there wide awake. Admiring my view:

Ummmm......this makes me EXTREMELY happy!! {not the lack of sleep....or being squished out the side of my bed.....but seeing my 3 Loves all asleep in harmony......BLISS!}

The day then begun, full swing, like all Birthdays do :)

Ella's amazement & shock as she saw the doll house & presents was priceless. For the next hour, the 4 of us, rolled around the lounge-room floor enjoying our daughter & 'big sister'.

This day was not only huge due to a certain little someone's fourth birthday, but it was also her first day at her new school, where she is doing part-time pre-prep {Kindergarten} there this year! All dressed in her new uniform, looking so FOUR, Chris & I beamed with pride. What an emotional day.......my heart was swollen with amazement at this little girl of ours.....but also so sad that my baby is no longer a baby, but a school-going-four-year-old......my oh my!!

She had an awesome day! Awesome birthday, awesome teachers, awesome school and ended with dinner out & ice-cream cake back at home.....AWESOME!

Above: Two of my favourite photos :)

Happy 4th Birthday our sweet girl. We love you!

You are so clever, so wild, so beautiful, so perfect!

Although Mummy struggles to keep up with your energy some days, I never want you to change. You are a lively little girl with so much life & so much joy running through your veins. You're loved my little girl.....so much!

Enjoy being FOUR. I know you'll rock it out!

Dear Miss Ella.

Dear Ella, 

One day I dream of you reading all these 'blog posts' that Mummy writes. I sit here typing & journaling the 'doings' of our life as a family because not only do I love the process of reflecting, appreciating, analysing & acknowledging but also so one day you will have a photo diary of what life was like 'when you were a kid'. I want you to be able to look back at all the photos & words; and remember the adventures we went on, the upbringing you had & the blessings in your life! So, today.....I thought I'd write JUST TO YOU! 

You are 3 years old + 8 months. Wow, you will be a big 4 year old in just a few months!! Time has gone so fast these past few years. I love you Miss Ella. You are so proud that you are nearly 4....you think that's pretty cool. You hold up 4 little fingers when people ask how old you will be at your next birthday & I love the way your little fingers curl over & the concentration you have to bear to keep those 4 little fingers in position :) Several months ago, you asked if you can have a 'farm party' for your 4th Birthday.....so a farm party we will have :) You want the whole 'kit & caboodle'.....coz you love a good party {just like your Mumma!}. You asked Daddy if we can have real farm animals at your party. "Of course" he replied. Someone commented "Wow, they are probably quite expensive!" Daddy's reply: "Yeah, but she's going to 4! That's huge! You only turn 4 once so farm animals we will get!" He loves you Miss Ella......he does anything & everything for you, no matter what! Just the other day, you asked me why Daddy works more than I do, you wanted to know why I take you to ballet on Tuesday afternoons & Daddy doesn't. I explained that Daddy works....hard! And that he works so that we {you} have everything you need. You got it :) You smiled :)

Some people say it's dangerous to 'be friends' with your children.....but Miss Ella.....you really are one of my best friends! At 3 years old, you get me.....you know what makes me tick, what makes me smile....and that's a real friendship! We have fun together! We go everywhere together! Hey, we took on the world together last month when we went on 10 planes to travel around USA & Canada :) You are my buddy & I love every moment with you!

Parenting is a funny thing....it's all trial & error I guess! To be honest, In some ways you've made being a mummy quite hard for me......coz I too am learning.....but at the same time you are so, SO easy! You're a good girl Ella... & Daddy and I are so lucky to have YOU! We managed to get through 'the terrible two's' unscathed. You're not much of a tantrum thrower {except for last week......hmmmm.....the performance you put on when we were in Jet's car....not good! hehehe!} As long as I explain everything to you and give you real reason, you're fairly easy to compromise with. You're mature for your age Miss Ella.....for an almost 4 year old.....YOU ROCK :) 

As a sleeper.....you don't rate highly :) You definitely didn't get 'Mummy's Love Of Sleep' genes. But that's ok My Dear......coz you are good at LOTS of things.....you clever little chicken.....and I think I secretly like the midnight cuddles & early mornings that belong just to you & I. 

You're so smart! You blow my mind with what you can do! You have always been one to hit milestones early....walking at 10months, having conversations with full sentences at 20months & out of nappies at 26months, but it's the way your brain works that amazes me! You love puzzles.....and your ability to memorize every puzzle piece & it's position within minutes of doing it for the 1st time fascinates me. In fact it fascinates everyone. Pa videotaped you doing a puzzle one day because he could not believe you were only 3! Your daycare teachers, grandparents, Dr Rayner & other adults that know you, throw words around like "gifted" and "talented" and maybe one day when you're at school we'll confirm these! Or maybe we won't....and that's ok! But all we know is that YOU ARE AMAZING little girl & we are proud of you no matter what you can or can't do, what you can or can't say & what you want to be when you're all grown up :)

You're going to be a big sister soon! Wow....that's a special job! Mummy always wanted to be a big sister.....but I am the youngest in my family so never got to hold that special position! Soon they'll be a little baby boy in our family and he is going to look up to his amazing, spirited & loving big sister! He will copy you & want to play with you & learn from you! I think you're going to be a pretty cool big sister Ella! 

And I am savouring every last minute of our one-on-one time before he arrives. Life will change soon.....for the good I'm sure! And I am embracing for everything that that change may bring! And I'm hoping that you'll just take it in your stride.....like everything you do :) But remember that we always love you and us having another child in the family does not change the way we cherish you! You made me into a Mumma.....noone else.....just you! Your birth day...was the day that I was also born....as a Mother! And that's special.

 Oh, Miss Ella, your spark & energy & soul inspires me daily! You love life & you live it big!

Thank you for being you!! 

I love you!! Love from Mummy!

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.  ~Author Unknown~