Thursday, May 26, 2011

When your back is turned





When I was going through some photos on my computer the other night I found these precious memories and wanted to share them with you. This was Sienna, at 2 years old and I had stepped out of the room for a few minutes and came back to this, my little girl on top of the table pulling out flowers from the vase. It's not the activity that bothered me but the consequences of such activity that every mother fears. She could have fallen from the table particularly when wearing full on feet pjs' which can be slippery. Also the vase could have smashed on the floor and glass everywhere. Boy do I remember about 10 moments like this every day when you have 2 year old around.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Old photos












There is no doubt that kids grow up before our very eyes and you only really notice the time passing when looking through old photos. Here are a couple of beauties. James baking cakes at age 3 1/2 and Sienna trying to ride her older brothers bike at not even 2 years of age. These photos make you smile..... off to eat dinner now.... the microwave is beeping .. spag bog ready.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Homework - Backyard Safari







James had to go on a backyard safari as part of his homework and find four creatures and document it by doing a drawing and writing down where you found it. There were strict instructions that they were not to take the animals out of their environment and bring them to school. We did the first 2 on Friday afternoon, a spider and an ant and then this afternoon he found a worm and a lizard. If you are looking at the spider and think a bunting may have fallen across his face you would be wrong. When questioning James what is this he said the spider is wearing spy glasses and the thing at the side is a microphone. James got some spy glasses from the last school bookclub. I think it looks like a very trendy spider don't you. Loveed this little homework activity.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Prawns for dinner





My sister came over for dinner the other night and we were going to do some packing but instead she read bedtime stories to my kids and I made us Linguine with Lemon Prawns for dinner....YUM. Mind you most of the things that I needed for cooking had actually been packed away so the degree of difficulty was sort of like the contestants on Masterchef cooking without a recipe. I had only one small saucepan out, no measuring cups, no lemon juicer, no fine grater for lemon peel....after each step I thought this probably wasn't the best of ideas but the prawn recipe had been sitting next to my computer for about 6 weeks and I was keen to make it. It was nice, a little bland for my liking so we popped some chilli sauce in but I think I will use real chillies next time to give it a little kick. No packing but a really yummy meal.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Tonight at Bedtime








Tonight I read Sienna some stories from the Childrens Bible which she received when she got christened a few years ago. I had found the books in the spare room bedside table and had popped them in the box in her room which is half packed for our move. She had found the page with the story about the good Samaritan which she said she knew from school and I knew this because she had come home and told me the story. I love how both my kids tell me all about their school day. Today's photo of the day I had decided would be her wall decal that her Aunty Frances, Uncle Steven and cousins Matthew and Hannah had given her for Christmas. Given this has to come off the wall I thought we needed to include it as our photo of the day.

Next up was James in his bed waiting for me doing some Ben 10 colouring in. This is not the case every night as I'm usually saying hurry up get into bed I'm ready but tonight I insisted they must be in their bed ready for books for me as the last few nights it has been 7.30pm instead of 7.00 pm when I have finished the bedtime routine. They need their sleep, I need my "knock off time" and everyone is happy in the morning. As I had my camera with me I took some pictures of James as well. With all the packing going on around here the camera has been a little quiet lately even though I am taking my photo a day.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

By Day and by Night







By day we have hours of packing........ by night we have a full moon and in between we have Sienna looking like a clown. This was her attempt at packing toys, gotta play with them first which makes a lot of sense when you are 5 years old!!!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Prep's Mother's Day Pamper




























Last Friday the Mum's got a very special pamper from the prep kids at the Beauty Parlour at school. Sienna was beside herself with excitement all week and could hardly contain herself telling all my family and friends what they had planned for the mummies all the while keeping me out of it because it was going to be a surprize. I remember when James was in prep he was equally as excited, boy or girl it doesn't matter they all couldn't wait to make their mummies beautiful.

We started off with a lovely back massage followed by a beautiful foot spa and then my hair got done, some make up next, glittery silver nail polish on top of my already red painted toe nails and then pink and purple nail polish. I loved watching Sienna attending to making me look beautiful....umm... what is she trying to tell me I wonder!!! I just soaked up the atmosphere and the fact that she is just 5 I will treasure these moments for ever complete with clips in my hair and lipstick outside the lines, you are an amazing little girl Sienna. Love your Mummy xxxx

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Our new home



Well I'm very excited that I have managed to buy a home for the kids and I and can't wait to put my own decorating ideas to work. It is a Federation style home about 14 years old and has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, walk in robe, family/dining/kitchen area and another area for a more formal lounge/dining room which is carpeted. I don't do the "formal and informal" dining however what this means is another living area for us. The family/kitchen/dining and entry are all tiled areas and it's nice and modern inside.


It has a small backyard enough for kids, chickens and veggies however no pool (lookout my friends with pools we are on our way over this summer to spend time with you) but for now I am excited I know where we are moving to and can finish packing up the rest of the house. This has been a huge task selling and buying and all I can say is I am glad that process is not going to be consuming my life anymore. Now my little family can look forward to the future and creating more happy everyday moments together. A special thanks to my closest friends who have had to deal with the pain of this project with me but girls it's onwards and upwards from here. Let the good times roll.

Home made Chocolate Slice



Yesterday I got stuck into some cooking as my freezer was bare and since I've spent most days and nights on the real estate web site looking for a house I haven't been in the mood to cook up batches of food for dinner. First up I got the slow cooker out and made "Moroccan Lamb" (quick packet mix one) and then while that was cooking I made spaghetti bolognese and after that I made a chocolate slice. I need to make some anzac biscuits as well but that might be tomorrow's activity. I felt really good because now at night time all I just need to is cook some rice or pasta and dinner is ready, nice and healthy. My sister dropped in unexpectedly last night so she got served up the Moroccan Lamb as well which she loved. All that inspiration after our Monday Morning Menu Planning coffee with the girls (well, that's what we call it anyway to get us organized for the week's meals). I definitely love it when I'm organized.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day Breafast at the Cafe










Here's a few pic's from our lovely breakfast at a local cafe. Mum, Lisa the kids and I.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day to me.....







This morning both the kids came in very excited to give me my presents. James gave me a magnetic shopping list note pad with pencil and a block of chocolate. He also made me a "Do not disturb it's Mother's Day" sign for the door. I told him since we were going out early to breakfast I might have to use it tomorrow...he said no way, it's a school day tomorrow. He also gave me a laminated A4 sheet with the word Mother written down the side and the kids had to make sentences beginning with the words. He did a great job and I'll treasure it forever. Sienna gave me a dark pink glittering make up bag and a smaller light pink one which she picked out and also a picture puzzle of her at school cut into a love heart and surrounding pieces. All wonderful Mother's Day gifts.

Here are the traditional "Mother's Day" photo of the kids and I with the assistance of Mr Tripod and Mr Self-Timer who I couldn't live without. Breakfast at the cafe was lovely, photos to come tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day everyone, enjoy your day.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Conversation about Mother's Day





Tomorrow morning my Mum (Granny), Aunty Lisa (my sister) the kids and I are going out to breakfast for Mother's Day. Last year on the spare of the moment I rang Mum and said would she like to join the kids and I for breakfast and it was really enjoyable so this year we invited Aunty Lisa to come along. Just for the record Aunty Lisa is not a morning person which is why on the spare of the moment last year I didn't think it wise to wake her whereas my Mum is an early riser. Back to my story, when I was at Coles this week I bought 2 roses made out of chocolate (the only kind I say) so the kids can each give one to Granny and Aunty Lisa at breakfast.


While I was getting Sienna's bath ready tonight I said to her we have 2 roses and who would she like to give her rose to and she said "Aunty Lisa". I said because Aunty Lisa doesn't have kids it's nice that we give her something as well and she said "she will like that fing mummy (the real word, thing) better than kids because sometimes kids can be annoying"..... how gorgeous is that. Five year olds can be so bright can't they. I know Aunty Lisa will like the rose just as much as Granny will and I'd better get to bed so I can wake up early and iron our clothes. Both kids have bought a gift for me from the Mother's Day School stall so I am looking forward to what they got me. I really love that they get to make these big decisions on their own and put thought into what I would like. James had decided he was going to buy two $5 presents for me instead of one present however in the end he did get two presents and also 3 raffle tickets for the gift basket which we didn't win but he was so excited we had the chance to win. Sienna I think has bought two gifts also. I love the excitement on their faces and can't wait to enjoy the precious moment with them in the morning.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Awards at Assembly





This morning I stayed for the school assembly as it was the Mother's Day assembly and I was really pleased as both James and Sienna got awards presented to them. In the beginning Sienna got one (she was the 2nd kid to be called) and she proudly stood up on the stage beaming with her big smile and then a few more got read out and after a while James name got called up. I didn't even hear what the principal said why he got it because I was just so proud and pleased that I was there for both the kids today. That beats any Mothers' Day present I could get just being there for them seeing there faces and how thrilled they both were. My eyes were glassing over with a tear or two as I am so lucky they are in my life and they are beautiful kids inside and out.