Weekend Wrap

I have a sleeping baby next to me, and only 20minutes to have this post done; before the school pick up. Ryder who normally goes down for his day nap between 11 & 12, didn't crash until 2pm today! So, in a cruel twist of the sleepless-baby-world that I live in, I'll have to wake him soon to get to Ella's school by 3pm at the latest! Ugh!

Our weekend was busy. But delightful.

Friday kicked off with a sunset park play with our special friends; Kirsty, Jet & Brodie. Followed by Chris cooking a delicious dinner and Ryder going to bed without a fight - BLISS! Chris and I enjoyed a slow night of red wine, peanut M & M's and lots of {overdue} conversation. It was so deliciously lovely.

We headed to an indoor playground on Saturday morning for one of Ella's classmate's party. And celebrated being five!

Ryder tagged along and enjoyed every moment.

When we returned home at midday, I savoured a long {much needed} nap with my boy, while Ella and Chris headed out on a sushi date.

Later that afternoon, we went down the coast to check out Chris's parents new house and stay for dinner. The house was fab - I love it! And can see many family get togethers there. The company was great, the champagne flowed and the Thai takeaway was delish. The kids enjoyed a bubble bath and danced along to Pa playing the keyboard. I haven't seen Tony play in about 5 years - it was lovely, and everything I imagined their new house would bring.

Both kids passed out in the car on the drive home and easily transferred into bed, allowing Chris and I some time to enjoy more wine and chats. Cold, wintery Saturday nights beg for wine and couch chats, don't they?

Sunday morning; the kids and I enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast out at a local cafe with a few of my girlfriends. Although chaotic {2 toddlers and 2 5yr olds}, it's these kind of things that make my heart sing. Things like still having a social life with kids in tow. Good food and the bestest of friends, who love my kids and embrace them fully - all of us enjoying life together.

And a quick park play afterwards to burn off some pancake/hot chocolate bursts!

Chris is in the USA this week. His first American trip. It's a very quick {and last minute} business trip and although he is only just about to board the plane now - I miss him already. Thankfully we have a special 'date weekend' planned on his return to soften the blow of being a single Mum for the next 5 days.

I'm using this week to get some stuff done around the house - tile grout needs cleaning, front door needs scrubbing, outdoor furniture needs oiling - fun stuff like that!!! As well as really dig into some work. I think I will use this week to finally finish my children's chapter book. I plan to snuggle into bed early each night with my laptop, a coffee and some chocolate and just write, write, WRITE! However, with a runny nosed boy - I know the best plans can still fall a part....so we'll just take it day by day!

How was your weekend?

Have a great week all.

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.

Weekending.

There's one really great thing about this whole five-days-a-week-of-schooling business...... The WEEKENDS!

Friday afternoons seem to taste so much sweeter these days. There's a relaxed feel in the air - a sense of calm. It feels good to have our little bug home. Two days off to just BE.

No rushing home to 'stick to routine', or iron uniforms or make lunches. No strict bedtimes or commitments to uphold.

Friday afternoons are relaxed and easy. And for that I'm grateful.

Today, at 3pm, as the rain fell and the clouds darkened, we drove out of the school carpark and straight to the local store for chocolate milks. Our park date cancelled {due to the weather} but a cuppa and a catch up with a great friend at her place happened instead.

School shoes were kicked off at the door and socks strewn across the doormat. Kids played and caused havoc, while us Mummas sipped tea and chatted the afternoon away.

Takeaway dinner on the way home softened the blow of 'the evening routine' perfectly, and bathtime was stretched out until baby's skin was pruned.

Books were devoured. Playtime was had.

The night was slow and inviting and calm. The perfect end to a busy week.

And as I snuggled both kids to sleep - baby brother first, then big sister - I felt grateful for so much....but mainly for the joys and freedom of the weekend!

Happy Friday All xx

P.S. I'm off to my first 'writing course / forum' tomorrow. Eeeks - completely out of my comfort zone. And I'm totally excited! Wish me luck :)

P.P.S. Linking in with Bron and Village Voices tonight :)

P.P.P.S. Will raincheck Cass :) x

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!