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!!!

This Weekend....

This weekend....

Kicked off with a Friday afternoon park playdate.

And seemed to contain several early mornings watching the sunrise.

A second birthday party for a special little friend. Where there was lots of playing and giggles, party food and fun. A jumping castle and a wooden cubby - my kids were as happy as pigs in mud! Champagne for the 'grown ups' and sunset swims for the littlies. A gorgeous way to end our Saturday.

A slow Sunday morning with coffee, puppet shows and weet-bix messes. A long email written to a good friend and a two hour nap by Ryder.

We then headed to a local winery to celebrate Kirsty's 31st birthday. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the air was thick and hot. It felt like Summer all over again. We basked in it, played in it and watched the kids run free. Days like this - spent with good friends, and good food and my three favourite people makes me very happy. We tasted wine and simply enjoyed the perfection of the day.

A good weekend really!

How was yours?

My exciting news will be revealed soon. A Skype call today and a meeting on Wednesday will tie the last knots and put the final pieces into stone. Then, I will tell all :)

Have a great week All.

Fill Your Cup.

This weekend was full to the brim of things that makes my heart sing.

Mostly simple things...... Things that make me smile.

Saturday saw our usual routine of 9am dance lessons; where Ella does her 'thing' and has a blast - while Ryder and I wait out in the foyer with the other Mummas. Chris picked my parents up from the Port, where they returned from their 7day cruise.

The afternoon was a nice mixture of slow and homey, yet with a park play to burn off some energy.

Looking for birds..... Always looking for birds :)

I felt really present and in the moment with my two little cherubs at the park. We searched for birds, swung, hung, tip toed throuh gardens and dug in the sand. I was again reminded that sometimes it's the simple things - the cheapest opportunities - that can bring the most joy. I did some people watching while we played. I like to 'guess' people's stories. Does anyone else do that? You know....where you look at someone or a grop of people and guess their life situation!!! I could see grandparents running around with two young kids and 'guessed' that they were babysitting for the night - and were attempting to exhaust the kids before bedtime :)

I like people watching at the park - seeing people play and imagine and cherish the magic of childhood. I realise there is so much love in the world - in all it's different forms and faces. And there I am - witnessing it....in suburbia.

An hour into our park play, the clouds broke again and the rain poured down, without much warning.

We had to do a mad dash through the carpark back to the car - me carrying Ryder, Ella carrying our scattered shoes and hats. Dripping wet and happy as day; we headed back home.

Later that night, after the kids were in bed, I headed out :) I picked up my bestie, Monica, and we drove down the coast to Max Brenner. It was the perfect night. We got the chance to chat and laugh and simply catch up. The two of us; no kids, no chaos. It truly was what I needed....without even realising I needed it. 

Sunday rolled on beautifully with an early morning bubble blowing play, a quick grocery shop and takeaway lunch and a late afternoon bike riding session up at the local reservoir.

But, the highlight of the day - Chris taking Ella out {to Bunnings} while Ryder napped. I had the house basically to myself. I parked myself on the couch with a coffee and my laptop and simply relaxed! BLISS!!! Then the icing on the cake - they get home with a 'make your own fairy house' kit and then proceed to work together constructing it. They took another trip out - down to the hardware to get more glue and pink paint of course. It was pure joy seeing Chris & Ella together - Daddy and Daughter., enjoying some one-on-one time. My Mummy heart was feeling good. 

As the weekend ends, and a new week greets us, I feel re-energised and calm. My happy-heart cup is full and I'm ready to tackle this week with open arms and an open heart. Sometimes the enjoyment of simple things, some time alone, some time with friends and some time with family, plus a sprinkle of kind gestures - is all we need to change perspective and lift moods.

Something exciting starts today. A process that I'm bursting at the seems to share with the world....and I will in due time. Soon, very soon! Until then...a lot of hard work, wishes coming true and final knots to tie.....

Have a great week everyone,

Fill your cup up. Life is beautiful.

Week~A~Boo.......{Fairies in the trees & Proud Parents}

This morning we woke to this: FAIRIES IN THE TREES......

And why you may ask?? Hmmm....well.....little Miss Ella did something SUPER, hit a new milestone, grew that little bit more & did something that has me beaming with pride....but also has me mourning for my no-longer-baby .....but-now-an-official-BIG-GIRL.......

More to come on that with all the details....at the end of this post.....let's get to Saturday first:

Saturday started at 5:30am....with "Quick Mummy wake up!!! It's concert day!!" And.....Yep, it was concert day at Ella's kindy.....but at 5:30am c'mon Ella {I so wish she had my gene pool of sleep-loving! boo hoo}.

Ella's Junior Kindy class has been practicing songs for weeks to perform at the fun fair / family day! She has been soooo excited about this day...practising the songs to anyone & everyone who was willing to listen, talking about it NON-STOP, ringing the Grandparents to invite them along, the outfit picked....you get my gist?.....literally bursting for Saturday to arrive!

And.....it was GRAND....one of those amazing Mummy moments where you are just in awe of this little being that you created! {However.....after all that build up....she got stage fright & stood on the stage giggling her little heart out in nervousness......awwww bless her!}

She made a Christmas Decoration with her Nanny & Grandma :)

And got her face painted!!

I really love her Kindy! The staff are awesome, the facilities are top-notch & they really look after my Princess so well on her 2 days/week! It is a lovely 'peace-of-mind' feeling whilst I'm at work!

Ok.....after a morning of serious family fun at the Kindy Concert, we enjoyed a few hours of lazy couch time, snoozing & a whole lot of nothing! It was then that Ella & I were cruising an online toy store doing some xmas shopping for her cousins....when she started asking for things! I explained {again} that she can't have everything & to wait til Christmas to see what Santa brings....OR....let me know when she's ready to give her dummies to the Dummy Fairies & she might get some prezzies then!! We've had the discussion about handing the dummies over for a few months now....we didn't want to push it, because we know with Ella....everything works a lot better & fairer & smoother when we wait til SHE'S ready! I did try the dummy-weaning-thing when she was about 18months old...and I caved....after half a day of tears & heartbreak....I couldn't do it! So....we've let her have it for sleeptimes & car trips only since. The thought of weaning her off excited me.....but also scared the hell out of me for 2 reasons {1} she has NOT slept without it since she was a teeny baby....she has NO idea how to self settle of fall asleep without it.....EEEEKS! And.....{2} that would officially be the last of her baby-ness on it's way out!!! So, although I had promised her, the Dummy had to go by her 3rd birthday....I also didn't push it! We were all too happy just cruising along as is!

BUT.....on this Saturday afternoon....I briefly mentioned it {again} and she jumped at the chance....."I'm ready Mummy!!!!" she exclaimed!! We chatted more about it....I re-explained what it all meant....."Yes, I'm ready Mummy....let's tell Daddy!!!" {Oh sh*t, I thought.....the shops are near closing time & I don't have any 'presents' to give her from the 'dummy fairies'!} So, we raced to the local Big W, she picked out a "We're-proud-of-you-present' from Mummy & Daddy whilst I sneakily hid a few more little treasures in the trolley & away we went! We then did this:

She wrote a letter {in best 2year old's writing haaha} to the Dummy Fairies saying that she was giving her dummies to all the new babies in the world & she didn't need them anymore!

We parcelled them all up & decorated the envelope.....and.....

Hung them out in the garden for the Dummy Fairies to find :)

She seemed adamant this was going to happen & we just went with the flow {confession: with an emergency dummy hidden in the pantry.....coz we're easily convinced when this little girl's heart is breaking LOL}

The evening rolled on....we ate dinner, we bathed, we laid down on the couch & watched Ice Age as a family...all snuggled up & warm! She asked for her dummy....we reminded her she had chosen to give it to the fairies! I took her to bed & embraced myself for a massive bedtime meltdown....but NOPE....she asked for it once, accepted my answer & WENT TO SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course when she arose in the morning {after only waking once in the wee hours...which is also an amazing thing for her, she didn't make a fuss about the missing dummy!} there was some presents outside...covered in glitter {fairy dust} of course and a silver Tinkerbell hanging from the tree......OH THE MAGIC!!!!

Today...a little weep after lunch for 'THE DUMMY' but that's it!!! We kept her distracted & busy all day with trips out for sushi & ice-cream & to get photos printed & drew pictures to send to Pa Ken up the coast:

And at bedtime tonight....she crashed without a fight!! She's off to Grandma's for a sleep-over tomorrow night as I'm working super late {school concert time} and is Chris jet-setting off on a business trip soon!

But......OH.MY.GOD!!! My BABY is no longer a BABY!! Chris & I are so amazinlgly in love with this little girl! She has yet again, made us soooo proud! She's growing up.....sniff sniff!!

So...in a nutshell {Ok a really big nutshell.....like the giant macadamia nut up the Sunshine Coast that is a tourist building....yeah that size!!!} that was our weekEND!

What my lovelies, did your weekEND entail? I'd love to know! Join in below....please, getting to know other bloggers and to be inspired by them, is such a joy!

A Little List of Lovelies.......This Week, I'm Grateful for.....

Today, I'm grateful for a few little things! So, I thought I'd pop them all into a list....a list of lovelies that make me smile or make my life easier :)

• Slow cookers ~ raw food goes in, life goes on, cooked food comes out! What's not to be grateful about that??? Slow cookers are a godsend! Especially during my busy weeks of early mornings & late afternoons!
• I've finished my class's term 4 Report Cards!!! Yeeee-haaaah!
• Coffee ~ Oh my dear, sweet caffeine, how I love thee!
• Christmas!!!! Have I told you how much I LOVE the Christmas season? And we are now in late November and I can smell the silly season in the air......LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I got the last of Ella's Christmas prezzies on Wednesday {still waiting for a few ETSY purchases to arrive, but finished getting the store-bought items} and I had so much fun buying them & hiding them away that night :))) I think I'm more excited than her lol.
• I'm also grateful for TV SERIES on DVD! I don't watch much TV.....none really...except Dora, The Wonder Pets & Sid the Science Kid {haaa}, so late at night when I've finished working & craving a little bit of ME time before going to sleep, I love to curl up in bed & watch old TV Series on DVD....this week it's been Season 1 of Gossip Girl :))
• Helper Parents! It's concert time at school {Monday is the BIG night!!} and I would NOT have coped without the support, help, sewing talents & care from some lovely Mums {and Dad's} of children in my class to help share the load with me :) And my DAD, who is helping us out BIGTIME by being the Music/Sound Man for my school's concert!
• Overcast mornings ~ don't get my wrong....I LOVE sunny, blue-skies-kind-of-days so so SO much! But, the occasionally overcast Saturday morning, is the perfect excuse to stay in PJ's for a little longer, have breakfast a little later & cruise along doing a whole lot of nothing! It's a nice change :)

On that note, I'd LOVE to know....What are you grateful for this Saturday? Head over to 'Maxabella Loves' blog to see what other bloggers are inspired by & loving this week :)

{this image from here}

Happy Saturday All!

Week~A~Boo.......{with pink nails}

We enjoyed a slow weekend which was soooooo nice! This time of year is always so hectic {and for most people I believe}. There's work related responsibilities, birthday parties, Christmas parties, dance concerts, school concerts, graduations, assessment periods, holiday planning & end-of-year celebrations happening at every corner you look! So, to have a whole weekend with no plans, no schedules & no events {this time of year} was BLISS!

However, unfortunately this weekend was only slow & uneventful for me! Chris had work to do.....ALL WEEKEND! The poor thing was locked in our home office/computer room/studio pretty much every minute of the 2 days! He emerged out every now & then to eat, shower, go for a quick run & he even squeezed in a tiny bit of sleep at some ridiculous hour this morning, but he had proposals to write, invoices to create & quotes to prepare! Even though I missed our family time this weekend....I'm so proud of the time, effort & passion he is putting into his business!

So...Saturday, I decided to abandon ship so he could have the house to himself to work in peace! Ella & I headed down to Chris's parents house to help out with their 'moving house garage sale' & to enjoy the gorgeous warm day in their lovely swimming pool! It was sooooo nice! Just us girls {Chris's Mum, Aunty, Ella & I}, hanging out with snacks & wine & ice-cream & sunshine! Perfect really!

Today {Sunday} was a day mainly spent at home doing a whole lot of nothing really! {Oh I lie, we did leave the house this morning to do a quick grocery shop} We played outside, painted our nails {which Ella who is right in the Miss Independent stage insisted on painting her own  nails "BY HERSELF"} We watched movies, and ate totally unhealthy stuff like microwave popcorn, cold milo drinks & fluffy pancakes! We did drawings & played with baby dolls for many a moment! And....I even scored a 1.5 hour nap this afternoon, whilst Chris entertained Ella {and doing his work at the same time!}. Yep, he's a keeper alright :))

I have report cards to write & jobs to do....but I NEEDED a weekend of nothingness! And now....I'm ready to welcome the new week with arms wide open & energy to burn....and back to attacking my list of things to do!

These baby sized trolleys are so damn cute!

YEP....she got it all over her fingers! But she was proud of herself....and I was proud of her for having a go! I'm learning to accept this whole 'messy' concept nowadays :) But with a face like that {below} she could get away with anything LOL!

And then this evening, we ate dinner outside & ended the weekend a little something like this:

What about YOU? What did you weekend consist of?

I'd love to know....leave a comment below telling me all 'bout it! or even better.....blog about it & link your post back to here in the linky below! 

Have a great week my lovely friends!