A snapshot of June

The cold snap arrived and my stress levels rise a notch as we work a bit harder with Boo's health regime.
We have all had a fair share of icky colds and chesty coughs.
I spent two days in bed and am so grateful to have become unwell on a weekend. I was able to sleep on and off, read and rest while the Mr held the fort. I watched episode after episode of Twin Peaks. Have you seen it? I can't say I'm loving it but of course I've been sucked in now and have to find out who killed Laura Palmer.
There's been making of muesli bars and comfort food like pumpkin risotto and chicken soup-I used Lisa's recipe here.  It was absolutely delicious and how clever she was to slow cook it on the fire place. I just used my regular old slow cooker and it turned out GREAT! It has pumpkin in it too and I threw in a handful of quinoa for good measure. You should definitely make it.
Saturday morning soccer has been followed by visits to the Artisan Bakery for baked treats and hot chocolates. Our boys headed to Melbourne for a night to watch their team. Grammy and Grandy sent us some bagpipes they bought while in Scotland. We spent a happy but chilly weekend with friends in Tumut.

Tonight we have plans to don our beanies and polarfleece, light the fire and toast some marshmallows.
Happy Winter! Stay warm!

A snapshot of May

May was a big month.

• There were all the usual goings on... work, school, preschool, the to and fro of kids sport, music, activities.

• The Mr went away on a ten day fishing trip-the longest he has been away from us. I tell ya' I was daunted but surprisingly we moved along like a well oiled machine. Early nights were a key factor.

• We waved goodbye to Grammy and Grandy as they headed off on their UK holiday.
• The first lemon!

• Fundraising was BIG on the agenda forMay. Gah to be honest..It puts me out of my comfort zone at times. I'm sure we've all dodged a fundraiser in the street before. It's a tricky thing asking people for money or their time. But until there is a cure for cf..well, we'll just keep on keeping on. One day. If not for our child, then someone elses. All this fundraising..it helps. It really does. The advancements in treatment and outcome for cf and a range of illness/disease/conditions is truly amazing. Everytime you throw a buck into a charity, please know that it absolutely counts.

As many of you know, our big girl lives and breathes every day with cystic fibrosis. Living with a chronic illness is a roller coaster..for Bella and for us. It is part of our every day life. We try not to let it consume us..but there are times when it does. The rollercoaster. 

May is the month for our national awareness campaign and while we have always been involved in fundraising for cf..our big girl said 'mum, this year I want to do something' and thus 65km for cystic fibrosis was created. Throughout the month of May, she rode her bike a total of 65km to raise much needed funds and awareness for cf. We are incredibly proud of her positive attitude, maturity and commitment to keeping as healthy as possible. Kids with cf have a lot to take on. They need to manage treatments, medications, health and hospital admissions and they live with the knowledge of a shortened life expectancy. As parents, we try not to dwell on this and take each day as it comes but it is always there-in the back of our minds, in the bottom of our hearts.

Every weekend during May our girl rode her bike around our local lake. Sometimes with her dad and me running along behind, on Mother's Day, she and I rode 15km together and sang songs along the way, sometimes she rode with friends. But every weekend she headed out to the lake to clock up her 65km with enthusiam. 
I helped her to set up an everyday hero page where she shared her story and watched in amazement as funds rolled in.

This one little girl managed to raise $4752.39!!!

A HUGE thank you to each and every one of you who took a moment to read Bella's story, who shared her everyday hero page, offered encouragement, joined her for a lap or two or donated to her fundraiser. We are totally gobsmacked by your support. THANK YOU!!!

A snapshot of March

I know April is almost over but March you were beautiFULL!

•  A special birthday breakfast with the ones I love.
•  A night out with some beautiful girlfriends.
• I went to hear Microwave Jenny sing their sweet tunes-their last gig before they headed overseas. Love em.
• Finally, the citrus trees I have been longing for. A lemon, a lime and an orange.
• A birthday celebration for our big girl too. A pool party. Boys and girls. Donut eating competitions. Truth or dare. Hamburgers. An icecream bar. One very happy girl.
• The kiddos played their last game of softball for the season. 
• A FABULOUS day at Talbingo Dam. The kiddos had a ball riding the biscuit. Boo did a super job water skiing. Riley took them skurfing. So blessed to have extended family loving our kids like we do. Our children do not have any cousins of similar ages to grow alongside, to play with. But they are blessed to have patient and caring big cousins. Big cousins that take them shopping and out for lunch. That give drum lessons and take them water skiing. That listen to their stories and wrestle and indulge in their antics despite them being sometimes annoying. I digress.
•  The littlest love ate an apple with the skin on for the very first time. This was kind of a big deal.
• And I cannot forget a special visit with Bonnie. We puppy sat the sweetest little daschound for most of March. We all fell in love with her, including the Mr who has dug his heels in firmly with a big fat no, when we've all pleaded for a dog. I can at least see a glimmer of hope now and we'll keep trying to twist his arm.

Five

Our baby turned five this week!

She's a beautiful little girl. A bit bold sometimes and grown up in so many ways, a result of being the third child I think. And still such a baby, also a result of being the third child. The last child. Our baby.

She loves books and drawing. She has long hair all the way down to her bottom and every night it is a debacle to brush. We let her watch peppa pig on the ipad...a lovely distraction from the task at hand(knots).

She often pops into our bed through the night. She always comes to my side of the bed because she knows her daddy will take her back to her own bed. I savour these bed snuggles because I know they don't last forever.

She loves swimming and she 'canon bombs' in with gusto. She has such an expressive little face when she's telling you this and that. She is a big sweet tooth-like her mama. She is a fussy eater. She rides her bike with her training wheels really fast down the hill..yelling yippeeeee for effect.

She loves big! Oh my goodness, she LOVES SO BIG! She gives the tightest cuddles-so big they hurt. And she always has to love one better. So if I say I love her a gazillion...she says she loves me more or the most or double that.

Happy Birthday to our littlest love.
And just because I always feel a bit nostalgic on my babies birthdays...

That hair!

Today

Today I have done five loads of washing. The back from holidays wash!
Today we had breakie at 10.30am
Today we are sorting through pencils and textas, sharpening the ones that are blunt and tossing the ones that don't work.
Today I am in pjs at lunchtime. If I'm honest, that's not unheard of around here.
Today I am sorting out the tupperware draw. Is yours a crazy mess too?
Today the kids are getting ready for school. They are excited about new lunchboxes, new friends and old and new teachers.

I'll leave you with some snaps from our long weekend. It was a nice end to our school holidays. A change of scenery, salty air and cool breeze. My gang were starting to squabble and it was driving me a bit mad. They are ready for new adventures and a bit of routine. And I think I might be too.

This week

Lately, there has been a lot of eating and drinking, laughing and talking and late, late nights. 
Not this week though.
This week the littlest love picked a basket of her home grown tomatoes.

This week I have been thinking of my one little word and have been taking time to nourish myself with breakfast. Sometimes, I begin my day with nothing more than a quick coffee and a breath of fresh air. Not this week though. I've been taking the time to make myself something good.

This week we had a break from screens. There were cubbies built, board games played and books read.

Multi tasking

This week has been slow moving..just the way I like it. I have been taking time to sit outside and sip my hot coffee instead of sculling a luke warm one. I've been reading books and snipping flowers.

This week has been full of ideas and scribbling down notes.

This week I pulled out my poor, neglected weaving.

This week the kiddos had fun trying out some new art supplies.
Paint your own tshirt anyone?

This week I went wandering and photo taking on my own...just for fun.

All is calm, all is bright

We had a lovely Christmas. I hope you did too.

I let a few things go this year. While I love the Christmas festivities, I find it can get a bit crazy. This year I decided to be more intentional and choosy in the lead up to Christmas and I think our family was a lot better for it. We did not go to our community Christmas carols this year because we had been at a Christmas Party all day. We had a lovely day but we were tired, I had a headache, our kiddos were squabbling so we just let it go. There were a number of things I just let go. And our Christmas was just as wonderful as every other year. We had parties and friends over, work luncheons and school wrap ups. And on Christmas Eve we wandered the streets of our neighbourhood and enjoyed 'the lights'. I did not put pressure on myself to make gifts this year although I did make one. I avoided town and I did most of our shopping online or at markets. I supported makers and small business as much as possible.

We enjoyed Christmas lunch with my family and hosted dinner for the Mr's family. There were cocktails and prawns. Salads and cold meats. Frozen pudding and trifle and chocolate log and pavlova! There were water bombs and pool shenanigans! It was a very good day!

Once again, we gifted our children 'something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read'. We began this traditon five years ago now and it has been a wonderful thing. The children love it! Each gift is labelled-want, need, wear, read and they love trying to guess what might be inside. It makes for more thoughtful gift giving, I think and eliminates a lot of plastic fantastic. We have a large extended family so they receive many gifts by the end of the day. They also received a gift from Santa-this year, a trampoline.

So, a little bit of our Christmas in snaps! I hope yours was just as wonderful!

September Snapshots

September was joy filled!
On the very first day of Spring our beautiful boy turned 8!

Our boy, you are such a funny kid. Always up for a joke or trick, a play on words or anything to do with farts. This year you have grown in confidence enormously and I am just so happy for you really. You are friendly and helpful. You have enjoyed T ball and soccer and hip hop too. We gave you a big bike for your birthday and your minion cake earned me the title of best mum ever. You celebrated turning 8 on Father's Day and made sure your daddy got plenty of attention too. Such a thoughtful boy...

I've prattled on about Microwave Jenny before and I love them! I do! They make beautiful music and they are beautiful people as well. A while ago we applied for their House Concert Tour and we were lucky enough to have MJ come to our house!!! and sing their sweet tunes to our family and friends. There was bunting and fairy lights, chocolate pretzels and rocky road. We put all those chenille blankies to good use, enjoyed a picnic and a dance. It was just an awesome concert. As well as being super talented they are just the sweetest people too.
LOVE LOVE LOVE their song Mellow. Be sure to listen to the Part 2 as well!
Read more about them on triple j unearthed.
Love her vintage dress in this cover and adore the film clip.  

As if that wasn't fantastic enough for September!!! I also had a wee trip to Sydney for a few days. While I was officially accompanying our daughter on her school excursion-so I could do her CF treatments- I had plenty of time to explore and spend a glorious day with my bestie.
We enjoyed the most divine lunch at The Grounds. She, pear and duck salad. Me, beef cheeks and beetroot relish on aniseed sourdough. We snapped many a photograph and also enjoyed a spot of shopping at Koskela and Mitchell Rd Auction House. I picked up two vintage fold up chairs, just perfect for outdoors...photos to come. When I took them back to camp, the school busdriver asked if I was going to restore them. When I told him that nope, I loved them in all their patina and paint peeled glory, he thought I was a bit mad.

Finally, we ended our September with a few tears as we said goodbye to our Nanna Belle.  We are SO grateful to have had her for so very long. So happy that our children knew their Great Nanna Belle and so thankful that she was well for almost all of her 100 years. What an amazing life! Her children, grandchildren and great granchildren all lit a special candle during the funeral service. Her grandchildren carried her from the church and our Bella participated in a prayer. It was lovely celebration of her life.
Our Isabella is named after her so I like to think a little bit of Nanna Belle lives on in her as well as in our hearts and memories.

Snapshots of August in September!!!

When I sat down to write August Snapshots I just felt a whole lot of busy. The diary is scribbled with school activities, soccer training, dance and music lessons, birthday parties. There has been a lot of driving around from a to b to c and then back again.

So I closed my diary and went to see what snapshots I caught during August. The things that really matter are usually caught on camera.

In no particular order...

Harmony's first painting
Sick kids
Visiting the baby lambs at Grammy and Grandy's place
Book week parade
A new dress and a new do..well a new colour.
Signs of Spring
The Mr started his new job.
I began working 3 days a week, which accounts for the feeling of a whole of busy I suppose. I am hoping the warmer weather and longer days ahead will give me a bit more time in the day.
A spot of stitching-a new dress for loobylu. She of course LOVES it!
Bella made the most delicious crepes with orange sauce from the Masterchef Junior Cookbook.
Quiltmaking

Cross August snapshots off the list!

Good things lately

1. A spot of making- cushion cover made from thrifted cross stitch, vintage floral and some too small for me jeans.
2. Lemon Crinkles. Thanks Miss Kylie!
3.  Floral tin $5 from a new found treasure trove in my town. I was going to put it in the garden but now I'm having second thoughts.
4. Seedlings sprouting. The littlest love gave me the little biodegradable pot for mothers day this year. It came with a peat pellet and a little packet of mixed seeds. We planted them together and now we are watching them grow.
5. Goodbye Winter
6. Littlest love being her funny little self.

Please let me know if you have a 'good things' type post. I'd love to see what good things make you smile.

A snapshot of July

July has been another busy month with loads of good things for our family.
Lots of special moments and lots of opportunities and rewards for which I am very grateful.

• School holidays with special friends. I treasure these times and the memories being made. 

• We went to the movies to see 'Dispicable Me 2' as well as Ten Pin Bowling. There were park days and playdates, visits to the library and a morning at the Naidoc celebrations. A fun filled holiday that's for sure!
• Our Great Nanna Belle turned 100! Yes! Isn't that amazing! We had a high tea to celebrate with a constant stream of visitors and a three piece band-thanks to our nephew and his muso friends. The oldies smiled and clapped along. It was just lovely. I felt very teary as I watched Nan throughout the day. 100! Just incredible really! While she didn't reallly remember all the family and friends celebrating with her, she soaked up the celebrations and enjoyed being the centre of attention.

• Bonfire and a camp oven roast. Again! Well tis the season isn't it?

• Saturday morning soccer. Bitterly cold. We hit the fields at 8.30am each week.
• A day with baby Harmony.  Love her little pout in this picture. I think it's important to capture the spectrum of faces.

• The Mister got a new job! It is a bit daunting to be leaving his current position but he's been there a looong time and wants to sink his teeth into something new. He has been looking for a while and the stars have finally aligned. It just feels like the right thing and the right time. Fingers crossed.
• Our big girl applied for a scholarship. The very worthy recipient was a high school student but our girl came runnerup! She won an ipad and made the local paper. She did such a great job writing her application and was beside herself with her win. There were over 70 applicants so she did very well. We are so happy for her. It has been a great year for her this year. The past few years have been quite the challenge for her (and us at times!) and so my mama heart is just so happy that she is having some success, has made some new friends and developed a bit more confidence. She is finding her niche and the things that make her happy.
• The children performed for Education Week. Choir for Ollie, dance, choir and band for Boo. On top of this, they had a school disco and each celebrated a friends birthday.
• A bbq at Bunnings for CF. Just over a thousand dollars raised! So grateful for our family and friends that give up so much of their time.
• I have been working between one and three days each week. It is busy. (Remember I have been a stay at home mama for 12 years!) We are managing okay and the children have coped very well with the transition. We had takeaway twice this week(real takeaway too-pizza and McDonalds eww) but I balanced it out with a roast tonight ;)
• We finished up the month with a big night out for G's work farewell.

August, I wonder what you have in store for us.

A snapshot of May...and June

• Family day at the races
• Our boys had a weekend in Melbourne cheering on their team.
• Mother's Day-Lulu's first preschool present, spilt porridge and many tears from my big girl who wanted everything to be just perfect for her mama.
• CF Clinic review for the big girl
• 65 Roses Day fundraising
• We enjoyed the last of the autumn colour.
• A wonderful weekend with our special friends Yvette and Tassy-cooking, laughing, eating and more!
• The kids had a great day with their Daddy and Grandy in the vintage car rally.
• The cool weather required a spot of pyjama making-3 pairs with plans for more!
• Fresh farm eggs gifted from one of Boo's school friends.
• Unexpected happy mail from thoughtful blogging friends.
• I ran 10km. I have never been a runner but I have been learning. Slowly but surely I am getting there. 
• I had my first day of paid work in 12 years! Yes. It was a big leap for me after being at home for sooo long. I loved it though! 
• We went to watch Monsters University at the movies.
• We watched Boo's band concert.
• We took the big kids to a fabulous concert at our local theatre and watched our drummer boy nephew perform.
• Our big girl represented her school in Public Speaking and came 2nd place. She was totally thrilled. We were so proud of her efforts and so happy to see her shining. 
• Last but not least...Bonfire at the farm with family and friends. The stuff the childhood memories are made of. 

 Phew!

April Snapshot

• The boy went on an origami making rampage
• Littlest love had her very first haircut, 2 inches off but you wouldn't know it!
• Holiday reading
• The bigs had their cross country
• Finger nail painting and earring changing most days of the school holidays for Bella
• Afternoon at a favourite cafe with favourite friends
• A spot of gardening and enjoying the gorgeous Autumn sunshine
• Our boys went on a four day camping trip. Real camping by the river. The kind where there is no running water. The kind where the amentities are a little walk in the bush! Toasting marshmallows. Chopping wood. Throwing sticks into the fire. Fishing. Father, son and Grandy.
• Ten Pin Bowling with friends
• Lots of playing at parks
• Sick Kids
• The Mr and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! We enjoyed a rare night sans children. Indian for dinner, drinks at a newly opened bar and a movie.
• The boy made a mosaic pot at art class!
• A new sewing skill was learned-make your very own piping! And a cushion made for a very dear friend who is FORTY!

Wow April was busy!

March Snippets in April

In no particular order...

• I became a 39 year old
• Our big girl turned 11 and an ombre pink cake was made with success.
• The boy lost his top front tooth
• He is finally riding his bike with confidence and did the 5.5km ride around the lake.
• We began a new weekly ritual of Boo cooking dinner with her daddy on Sunday nights. It's been a SO good- daddy/daughter time, independence and responsibility, trying new meals, a night off for the mama. SO good. 
• The weather is finally cooling. 
• Miss 11 enjoyed a day excursion to Canberra.
• Lulu has settled at preschool. They told me she 'has found her niche'.
• Enjoyed the best breakie ever! I urge you to make a batch. Yummeeee!
• The bigs finished their season of softball as did the Mr. His team made it to the grandfinal. He played a super game as catcher.
• Making the most of the weather with lots of outside playing, painting, walking, bike riding. We are enjoying our park morning with friends each Wednesday.
• Fish and chips for tea on Good Friday at Grammy and Grandy's place.
• Roses galore!

13/52

The boy yanked out his top tooth. It's been wobbly for months. 2 bux was the going rate.
I cannot even imagine how he will look with big boy teeth.

The 52 Project

Why hello there

A funny thing happened today. I was heading out to pick up the girls from my parents place-only 5 mins away and I asked Ollie to grab my camera. Now I often take my camera when I am out and about but I'm not really sure why I decided to take it in this instance. Ollie grabbed the camera and passed it to me saying 'as long as you don't stop on the road to take pictures'. Odd. Not really because I have been known to stop for a photo opportunity but more so when we are holidaying, not simply driving from one suburb to another to pick up the girls. Hang in there, the real story is coming, I promise...

Anyway, as we were driving along I spotted this little guy.

Saving his life was definately the highlight of the day. I picked him up and moved him to safety. Thank goodness he didn't wee on me and fingers crossed he will stay off the road.

He was very lucky to have dodged a few cars and we were very lucky to meet him.
And how lucky I had my camera!

So we've been googling this and that in the hope of identifying him and we are certainly learning a lot about turtles, tortoises and terrapins.

After all the excitement, we got back in the car and the boy said to me 'I told you not to stop on the road and take pictures' and we laughed.