Art by Anya

Family visiting

2012-01-21T12:38:00.001+11:00

We've had family visiting from London, Sydney and New Zealand for the past week and a half

We've done the usual tourist things like terrorising the local wildlife, bbq's, catching up over coffees, dinners out, swimming, it's been fantastic!

Cousins have been introduced for the first time

We went out most days making every second together count

Hanging with family

There's been some crazy noisey times

like so many kids in the pool

and like dinner celebrating Ma and Pa Bartles 50th Wedding Anniversary

And now it's mostly over I'm sad, sad that we don't get to hang out like this that often,

sad that these cousins haven't meet sooner,

sad that work keeps us apart

sad that I wont hear this cheeky little monkey say my name for years

but also happy, so happy, fueled up on family time and laughs

Our Christmas day photos

2011-12-29T09:40:00.000+11:00

breakfast, at 6.30am, 2 hours after the kids got up and checked out their santa stockings

it was an early start friends, waaaay to early

then we went to church, lovely service

then home for presents and coffee for us parents

me and 4.30am starts don't get along too well, coffee was needed

i love christmas

i love celebrating the day Jesus was born

then it was lunch time

neo's first christmas

christmas day lunch was at muz and lisa's, they are our family away from family

it was a beautiful day, i didn't take enough photos

some other people with not much family around joined us too

that made it even more special, christmas is not a time to be alone

lisa's dad and his wife were there too, thanks for the ham Wazza, yum

it really was fun, chilling, eating, laughing

we played balderdash, im not too good at it, my general knowledge is terrible

i can not compile a feasible statement that anyone would choose to save myself

don't pick me to be your partner for trivial pursuit either

but pictionary.......pick me for that and we will win

i can draw

but more importantly i can work out what weird squiggles and stick figures are trying to be

what can i say, im gifted in this area

i hope your christmas was as relaxing and delightful as mine

love and peace to you and your families

and on an unrelated note 'Red Dog' you gotta watch it

i did last night, great movie

One bowl the kids don't get to lick

2011-12-22T17:13:00.000+11:00

is the meringue bowl

that's all mine

i love it

so these puffs of snow are going to be made into a christmas tree

with chocolate and strawberries

to be demolished on christmas day

i will show you another day as right now they are doing their cooking thing

i wont need dinner tonight

uncooked meringue was my dinner

thank you kitchen aid

i love you for your brilliant meringue making abilities

excuse my dirty oven

yum yum

(i had to double check id written bowl not bowel

i dont want you to think i go around licking bowels)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T17:08:00.001+11:00

It's Friday

2011-10-28T12:46:00.000+11:00

Levi says this morning

"Last night I had a dream that I don't think is going to happen. You had another baby boy and he was huge. But he was very smart and he was in grade 9."

ha ha...... ain't gonna happen

3 huge boys is enough for me

have a great weekend everyone.

Kids craft time killer

2011-10-26T17:18:00.002+11:00

Take a little bit of this and a little bit of that and you have a rocket in space

black paint

old cereal box/ cat food box (for space)

old maple syrup bottle (for rocket)

tinfoil (for stars)

glue (for gluing.... not sniffing :)

piece of A4 paper to draw around bottle, decorate then wrap around bottle and stick with sticky tape

which leads to sticky tape (for sticking)

draw a few more planets and stars with left over cardboard

ta darrrr

look, there's a box of Nesquik in the background waiting to be turned into something.......

Coconut slice with orange syrup

2011-10-13T14:31:00.002+11:00

This recipe was originally a coconut slice with lemon syrup which I think would be delish but I only had an orange so substituted lemon for orange. I'm going to make it again as it was very nice but may even try it with lime. I loooove lime.

Coconut slice with orange syrup

155g soft butter
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups desiccated coconut
1 cup self raising flour
2 tablespoons orange juice
orange syrup
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 180C, beat butter, sugar and rind in bowl until light and fluffy, beat in eggs until combined. Stir in coconut, flour and juice. Spread mixture into greased pan 20cm by 30cm and bake for approx 20 mins (took me closer to 30). While cake is cooking make syrup by placing ingredients in saucepan and cooking over low heat until sugar melts then simmering for 10 mins or until syrup thickens slightly. Pour syrup over hot slice, cool in pan before cutting.

Baby pics

2011-10-10T13:36:00.001+11:00

Neo is 4 months old now, he's such a happy baby, sleeps well, feeds well, giggles and chats.

I had to count his toes in this pic, he looks like he has one too many..... surely I couldn't have missed that at birth!

He's now reaching out and grasping his toys, and of course they go straight to the mouth.

He's not quite sitting up yet so woops, over we go......

He's becoming more and more ok with tummy time.... for short periods

And look at this double chin.

I'm enjoying this bubba, I know this time is fleeting, soon he will crawling,

then walking, then running...... away from me!

I know this stage is precious and I don't take it for granted.

So, about my squishy tummy.....

2011-10-06T17:26:00.000+11:00

Kids say the funniest things. Mine make me laugh every day, they also make me want to pull out my hair......every day!

So here are a few recent sayings.....

Phoenix "What happens if I eat too many yoghurts?"
Me "You'll turn into a pot of yoghurt".
Levi "And have a squishy tummy like Mums!"

Thanks Levi!

The boys were playing a game of 'wouldn't it be funny if.......'
Levi "Wouldn't it be funny if you married a toilet! When people went to the toilet you'd yell STOP SITTING ON MY WIFE!"
I thought that was so funny..........and still do.

There's more, but they are all poo and wee related (the joys of boys!) like
Me "Phoenix what do you want for breakfast?"
Phoenix "Nothing, I'm busy pooing an egg." he says as he drops a ball from between his legs.......
anyway I'd better leave it at that for today before I horrify you all any more.

The fun of yesterday

2011-09-29T16:09:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was fun, I finally got to meet Leonie from Kiwi at Heart, yay, she's way cool and I hope we get to meet up again soon.

You may be wondering why we have mustaches, or you may not, but it's in response to all of this

You should try wearing a mustache in public, it's kinda fun.

Mine made me dribble a bit.

Nia called me over to show me her trick, way to go Nia!

Brooke had a meltdown because she couldn't do the same trick. I took a photo but felt it would be too mean to put it up. If they had been my kids I would have showed you.

I will pass the photo on to Lisa to show you!

Phoenix, isn't he cute!

I like this photo of Lisa below, and there's some of our boys eating ice blocks in the background.

Lisa's saying "I want a nice camera like you girls" (Leonie and I have the same canon), Leonie is saying "I want an iphone", and I'm saying "feeding my baby" in a deep voice (watch this to see why).

Neo stopped talking every time this mesmerising ice block was held in front of him.

and Rico..... well lets just say don't let his cuteness fool you, he is in to EVERYTHING, do not turn your back on him for one minute!

fun, fun, fun, life is for laughing don't you agree?

Mustache madness

2011-09-28T18:53:00.001+10:00

watch this space....... more photos to come

Living the dream

2011-09-26T20:51:00.001+10:00

'Living the dream' is a line my buddy Lisa and I are throwing around a lot these days.
You know......... house work, small children, cooking, groceries, bigger children, homework, sleepless nights, we are 'Living the dream' aren't we?

Rico and Neo

Only in my dream I wasn't sleep deprived, I didn't have bills and a mortgage, I wasn't flabby, spotty and going grey!

Now that I'm where I always wanted to be, is this it?

It's not quite what I expected.
But I guess I'm learning that it never really is what I'm expecting.

Nia, Phoenix and Brooke dressed up for book week

And you know what, I wouldn't change if it meant I couldn't have these 3 precious noisey boys, and this one hairy cat.

Nana visiting

Neo is 4 months old tomorrow. Yip.... it's ages since I last blogged.

My Mum came to stay for a week to help with Master 4's tonsils out/gromits in operation. Hubby had to be away for work and I wasn't able to stay in hospital over night with Phoenix since I am still feeding Neo. Hubby's work came to the rescue and got my Mum over from NZ and she stayed the 2 nights in hospital beside him. That was a very full on few days, Phoenix did not bounce back from the op as quickly as I'd hoped he would. It ended up being a very exhausting 11 days for us all before he was back to his normal self. The photo above is a pre operation photo of him with Nana..... little did he know what was ahead. Little did I know too. My Mum is amazing. She had 2 sleepless nights holding onto her grandson when he needed her. They have a special bond.

We've had random fires going on behind our property over the past few months. Some idiot keeps lighting them in the dry scrub. These photos are of the last one. In the top photo you can see a man, that's not the idiot, that's a fireman doing some back burning to stop the fire from getting out of control. The bottom photo shows the corner of our house and our fence. Looks pretty scary ay! To be honest it's not that scary any more. There's been so many there's not much more to burn out there. We think it must be a local wanting the scrub cleared up in the reserve behind us. Stupid way to go about it though. We hope that's all it is.....

Lisa and I made this for a friends baby shower. It'a a nappy cake.
I wouldn't try eating it though without a glass of milk or cup of tea, rather dry in the centre.

And here he is, Mr 4 months old. He's a delight, he's a smiler, he's a chunky little monkey but I wouldn't expect anything else, hubby and I breed giants!

'Living the dream'...... Yip, that's what I'm doing!

Just letting you know

2011-07-21T15:54:00.012+10:00

We are all good!

Wow, where does time go?

Thought it was time I let you know that we are ok, that although life has been busy and a big adjustment has been going on we are still here. One day I will blog again on a regular basis but at the moment I just can't get my head around it.... you know how it is.

Neo is 8 weeks old tomorrow. It was a very testing first 5 and a half weeks before he started to settle into some kind of routine.Thankfully my Mum was here to lend a very much needed helping hand. Those first few weeks when sleep was lacking and my eyes were popping out of my head (I don't cope too well on little sleep..... who does really) I was in a daze. I also put my neck out so for the first 3 weeks I was on pain killers for that and the headaches. My Mum and hubby really did keep this family together.

Neo and I did zap off to New Zealand for 9 days which was a crazy feat with a 5 week old but something I just had to do. The photos were captured for life of Neo with his great grandmothers, he only has two left and the are both nearly 90 and 90. I just had to grab the opportunity of taking Neo to meet them. It was worth the money and slight craziness of the trip to do it. Mum flew home to NZ with me but I came back on my own. Neo was a little gem on the plane but boy was I glad to get home.

Whilst in NZ I got to catch up with some lovely blogger friends. Showed me I'd fit right back in if we ever moved back to, not that that's on the cards. They are a lovely bunch.

Here are a whole lot of random photos to get you up to date.....

Nana Bartle in NZ

Grandad Needham

Miss Becky Boo's View

Whangarei bloggy girls
Basset Blurbs and Banter
Jacksta-B
Sima J
PaisleyJade was there too holding my baby
Miss Becky Boo is holding the camera

Levi 7, Phoenix 4 and Neo 4 weeks

Snuffy bunny from PaisleyJade

Mum and I on the Gold Coast

PaisleyJade

It's hard work this growing business

Aunty Middle Name Jane

Cute hat borrowed at Aunty B's

4 generations
Nana May turned 90 on our visit

Uncle Matt, Nana and Grandad Needham

The dummy is my friend

Now things are a lot better. Neo has a little routine going on, hubby has been away for 3 nights and I coped all on my own with the 3 kids and getting them off to school and pre school and picking them up again and feeding them and washing them and even keeping the house tidy and play group coming over so I'm patting myself on the back here. I did have a bad night with bubs but we even survived that. I can only see things getting better and better as time goes on. I will catch up our your blogs too slowly, one day. (insert smiley face here)

Neo Jeremiah

2011-06-08T17:51:00.007+10:00

Neo Jeremiah

Born 27th May
8 1/2 lb

Life is a bit of a blurr right now but we are happy. My Mum is staying for the month of June for which I am truly thankful. She has stayed with the birth of each of my babies and I wouldn't know what to do without her support and company.

Just thought is was about time I posted some pics.

Once my head comes out of the haze of newborn sleep deprivation I'm sure I will have more to say.

Dear Baby

2011-05-25T15:58:00.003+10:00

A little letter/poem/song to the baby within me.

Dear Baby
Please come out now
It may be noisier, colder, hotter, louder, brighter out here
But at least you will be free............. from amniotic fluid!

Don't be shy, don't be scared
Your biggest brother arrived at 34 weeks, and was fine
Your other big brother 38 weeks, and was fine
You are now 39 weeks, you will be fine,trust me, it might be a tight freaky journey, but you will never remember it

I promise to look after you, love you, give you what you need
Just get out
And I will show you
Get out now!

When you get out I will still carry you around
But so will Dad, Nanas and Grandads, Aunties and Uncles, friends, possibly even the cat
In fact there are so many people waiting to carry you around
That you should get out now and see

I am ready for you
I am ready for you to not be pushing your head on my bladder
I am ready to feel my ribs again and to see my feet
To put my undies on without falling over, to moisturise my legs and to be able to sleep on my tummy again

So baby
As you can see
I want you out
Please, tonight works for me, see you soon.

Mum xx

Saturday mornings

2011-05-21T11:46:00.006+10:00

The weekends in our house are about negotiating time. Mum and Dad both want some time out for exercise and both want some good family time. Hubby and I have worked out what works for us. Saturday mornings are Dads cycling mornings and Sunday mornings are my running mornings.....( although I haven't run for some time for obvious reasons but am looking forward to getting back to it soonish.) Saturday afternoons and Sunday after church and it's family time, relaxing, more park visits, afternoon snoozes and the likes.

So Saturday mornings have turned into park mornings. The kids are up bright and early and I see the morning stretching out ahead of me so the idea of letting them burn energy at the park is far more exciting than the idea of breaking up fights/doing housework/kids sitting in front of the telly all morning.

It's usually Duck Park or Secret Park (our names for the local parks). We are usually one of the first families to get there, but not the first, kids waking early is a universal problem I guess! I have usually made a coffee to take with me. The kids jump out of the car and head off to play. I drink coffee, push a kid on a swing every now and then, and just enjoy the morning chatting to my buddy if she turns up, people watching if not.

We don't go every Saturday, some Saturdays we have company (they are always the best) some Saturdays are colder than others, some Saturdays end up surprising us (like last Saturday where we ended up in the middle of a community celebration with jumping castle, petting farm, stalls and lots of people). We are usually out for a couple of hours and all come home feeling good.

Coffee in hand, my view

I know how you feel swan, I know how you feel

Not just ducks at Duck Park...

but Duck Park does get its name from all the ........

Levi and Phoenix climbing and Brooke watching on from the swing

Rico conked out, he loves sleeping on his tummy

I really enjoy our Saturday mornings out.
I'm looking forward to taking our new baby out on our Saturday morning adventures too.

A lovely surprise

2011-05-20T16:16:00.007+10:00

Did you see this?

Well my baby is the "someone special" who received this beautiful gift.

I think my lovely friend heard my cry out of love for grey and white stripes don't you! I feel very spoilt, this blanket is lovely and soft and cosy and a perfect size for a new little man..... now we just need the new little man to arrive!

Thanks Kristy, you are very thoughtful. Can't wait to hang out with you in July and have a coffee with you and some of the local bloggy girls. xx

Recent makings

2011-05-19T07:03:00.002+10:00

Is it just our area or are you too experiencing a baby boom in your neck of the woods?

There are new babies and bulging bellies everywhere!

I have been busy creating unique 'scrappy blankets' for my friends. I'm always a bit unsure if the fabric combinations are going to work but am usually really happy with the end results.

One day in the near future I will be making things to sell again.......

Big... Bigger... Biggest

2011-05-18T16:49:00.010+10:00

Yesterday I had a cleaning frenzy..... I don't think I was nesting as I wasn't overcome with the urge to clean.... I was over come with the need to clean, things were looking bad.

I don't particularly like photos of baby bellies.... especially boring ones like mine, the arty beautiful shots are cool, mine are just mirror reflections and hardly interesting. I do however remember how big I felt at each stage..... but now feel massive and uncomfortable and wonder what I was complaining about before.

What? Where? Can't see anything really but I thought you could
7th Dec 2010
15 weeks pregnant
(great armpit shot)

My shorts are getting too tight and are done up with an elastic band
28th Jan 2011
22 weeks pregnant

Definitely something going on there
8th March 2011
28 weeks pregnant

My baby shower, Lisa (looking stunning I might add) and me
30th April
35 weeks pregnant

and now, 18th May 2011
38 weeks pregnant
still marvelling at the gift that is growing within
excited about meeting this new little man
knowing the journey that lies ahead yet anticipating it eagerly

The whole process is a miracle, I am in awe of God and how He created us. I love these verses from Psalm 139
verses 1-3
O Lord you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive me from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
and on to verses 13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Each one of us is a miracle, each life no mistake.

Juniors bedroom

2011-05-17T15:57:00.008+10:00

Here are some photos of Phoenix's bedroom (mostly) finished.
It has been done for ages, it's just taken me awhile to photograph it.

It feels good having refreshed all the boys rooms
click below for
baby's room 1 and finished 2
big boys room

Phoenix chose orange. I also love orange so was happy to splash it onto the wall. He also wanted a red wall which I even bought the paint to do but once the orange wall was up decided a red wall would be a little too much on the eyes.

The cubby house is currently in his room, there's no where else to put it right now (apart from outside which is where most people put them!). But it's his (he got it for his second birthday) and he has the space for it in his room. He hardly uses it (the more I think about it now the more I want to put it outside, near the sandpit perhaps) but then there will be a big empty space in his room. Anyway...........

Good old IKEA storage cube

His bedding is reversible. The other side looks like the pillow case.
It's nice being able to change it around.

Side note.......
Someone was up late with me the other night browsing ebay baby items!!!

Phoenix and I did this painting together. I did the outlines and back ground, then he coloured everything in (with paint) and then I did the final black outlines. He is so proud of it. I really enjoyed this little project together. It ties in really well with his bedding.

I really love walking past the boys rooms now and seeing the different colours, tastes and looks. They also take better care in keeping their rooms tidy now they love their own spaces.
It was a fun project...... what next...... the play room/spare room needs painting, it can wait though, I can barely move at the moment!

The waiting game

2011-05-10T19:52:00.004+10:00

yip...... not long to go now and this baby is going to make an appearance...... hopefully sooner than later. I feel like I'm going to POP!

The baby's room is mostly done, mainly just needs the baby now! I am 37 weeks..... Levi was born at 34 weeks and Phoenix 38....... so anything could happen at anytime........ but nothing could happen for awhile yet.......... these things happen in baby's timing not ours.

bags are packed..... nearly

birds are the theme for the room

fabric stretched over small canvas

wooden birds from Cotton on Kids

painting and quilt made by me

lights made by a friend

branch from the bush, spray painted white

Maisy purring at my feet

wall stickers from baby shop

(change mat to go onto hubby's childhood dresser)

and this my friends was the lovely gift I was given at my recent baby shower, all the girls pitched in, isn't it so cool and funky!

The rug is from IKEA

I will keep you posted..................

We are still here

2011-04-16T14:00:00.003+10:00

Yes we are............... just having a few computer issues. The kids are on school holidays so I have a few park visits planned. We had a bit of fun at the markets this morning with some friends..................the highlight......

Fairy Floss!

Baby in my belly growing well....... not long to go now, 6 weeks or so. More photos and up dates on the kids bedroom maker overs to come as we get our computer sorted.

I plotted to kill the dog

2011-03-15T13:57:00.006+11:00

Sometimes in life things don't turn out quite as planned.

We got a dog.

We loved the dog.

The dog was hyper.

The dog barked at all who passed by.

Many passed by as the dog lived beside a walkway.

The dog barked lots.

The mother of the house (me) could not cope.

She plotted to kill the dog.

The dog was too lovely to kill.

The dog was sent to a new home.

The dog is now happy.

The mother of the house is now happy.

The end.

ps. the mother of the house has returned to her roots as a cat lover, cats do not bark, cats purr, purring does not send this mother up the wall, barking does.

This is Maisy
Listen........ see, no barking.

Baby's room

2011-03-09T07:32:00.005+11:00

So the baby's room is coming along nicely.
I'm hoping to get a big carpet square to dull the noise a bit. I still need a few things, like a change mat that will go on top of the old chest of drawers that used to be hubby's, a few more pictures and things but on the whole it's ready.......... and waiting, and I love it,
it's calm and peaceful, at the moment :)

The cot is about 16 years old, I got it second hand from a work mate when I was pregnant with Levi. I love second hand things, they have history and character and best of all they are cheap or free or cost a case of beer and a bottle of Midori (that's what we paid for the cot).

The curtains are from IKEA, there is a roller blind behind them to block out light.
I love the birds on the curtains.
I love IKEA.

I found this old rocker/recliner at the second hand shop for $25. Bargain.
It's not in bad condition but looks more inviting with the cover and cushion on it.
It's comfy and will be perfect for late night feeds and settling bubs.
I love a good bargain. That's probably why I like IKEA too.

And here is the quilt, finished.

It has this lovely leaf material on the back.
IKEA, they do material as well!

And look at these, so cute.........

I have a thing for stripes.........and put grey and white together and I'm in love!
I don't know why?

This baby is going to be stripey!

And this is my view right now, in the baby's room, as bubs kicks from the inside.

Four

2011-03-08T07:57:00.005+11:00

Yes it's birthday season here.
Phoenix turned 4 yesterday.
We had traditional morning presents on our bed.
This time he was happy (see previous post!)

He wanted a spider man costume!

He got a cool decorate yourself plate and couldn't wait to decorate it.

The day was spent doing our normal Monday housework and clean up after the weekend,
then after school we had a little party.
The swimming pool was put into good use again.
Us Mums sat around chatting while the kids played. (I should have taken a pic).
Pretty low key.
A cake full of food colouring is always good for these occasions.

It was a bit windy outside so I held the cake cover over the candles
while we sang happy birthday

Happy Birthday Phoenix
You are such fun, so determined and creative.
We love you lots

Seven

2011-03-01T14:32:00.006+11:00

Levi turned 7 on Sunday
Where have those years gone?

His brother wasn't too impresses with the present opening part!!!

this photo cracks me up!

He celebrated with 6 little friends and his brother.
Swimming, playing, eating, a treasure hunt, more swimming........

Levi's the tall one, just in case you didn't know!

and cake.

I love this boy.
He's funny, he's imaginative, he's so tall and handsome. He brings joy to our lives.

Happy Birthday Levi

The treasure hunt was a success apart from a few squashed feet in the stampede to get t0 the next clue and hubby deciding to put the washing on just before everyone arrived which turned one of the clues and a packet of lollies into a sopping wet mess!!!!!!

I love you more than chocolate,

2011-02-14T21:51:00.002+11:00

just!

Happy Valentines Day!

Big boys bedroom

2011-02-09T10:54:00.006+11:00

So moving on from yesterdays outburst here is Levi's updated bedroom.

He has moved into the spare room which used to look like this.

The spare bed is now in the playroom/guestroom which will need a bit of love but that is on the bottom of the to do list right now.

Levi has moved into the spare room so Phoenix can move into Levi's old room and the new baby can go in Phoenix's old room which is beside our bedroom - got it?

His old room looked like this.

Now here is a shot you wont really want to see but this is the change in progress. It was such a hot week last week that I had to dive into the pool in between coats of paint.

I painted Levi's old pine bed frame red. It is just a cheap IKEA frame (thanks Mer!) and looks so good now it's red

There is a fence going up as we speak which will give more privacy between us and the neighbour. You can see the frame work out the window. Yes this side of the house is very close to the boundary.

There is a white wall for a bit of light reflection and contrast. There are more pictures and photos to go up yet. All in good time.

The curtains are from IKEA (of course).

The blue wall colour is 'Hello Sailor', the bed is 'Red Alert' and the white wall is 'Ocean Pearl'

There is a whole world of imagination and activity going on in this corner. He explains it all to me, Spongebob is fighting the Storm Trooper who has a new weapon, Squidward is angry about something, the car is in the garage on the floor and there is a elevator to get up to the top level....... and so it goes on for ages if I let him but it starts sounding like "wa warrrr wa warrrr wa warrrrrrrrr" and I guess that's exactly what I sound like to him when I'm asking him to do his homework, put his school bag away, pick up his socks etc etc.

He doesn't have a chest of drawers in his room which makes for more space. He instead has these hanging drawers from IKEA. I think my kids have a lot of clothes but when I look at this photo I am happy to say they don't have too many. Plenty of shorts and t-shirts which they wear all year round.
(There's a bit of junk stored in his wardrobe too like my empty kitchenaid box, hundreds of hubby's cycling magazines and the Christmas tree. It's a good sized wardrobe, double the size of what you see in this photo.)

There's also some storage boxes under the bed for toys.

I love it.
He loves it.
The neighbour, well never mind.

Not my finest moment

2011-02-08T19:46:00.004+11:00

So, just a quick update on the bedroom makeovers
Levi's new room is blue
and white
and red
and I will show you more pictures soon, perhaps not the picture of me painting in my bikini as it was stinking hot last week, but more finished room pictures.

And today, well today I lost the plot.
Phoenix has an ear infection that is driving him and us up the wall, poor fella, and if he's not moaning about that he's scratching new itchy bites, note to all mosquitoes and fleas..... please leave my kid alone, right now is not a good moment!
So in my sleep deprived state I had an encounter with a "ever so helpful" neighbour who loves to give his advice and opinion. He means well and is a nice man........ he didn't expect to get what he got....... me........ great mood blazing!

It goes like this.......

The neighbour felt the back of my over tiredness and emotion when he came in to offer helpful advice on painting and immediately tutt tutted, shook his head and frowned and said "too dark" at my choice of blue in Levi's room. He was there, I thought, to offer advice on HOW to paint not WHAT colours to choose. I then proceeded to tell him how rude he was, that I would never come into his house and tell him what I didn't like, that he could leave and I didn't need his help, that is was after all a child's bedroom and I wasn't going to paint my whole house that colour and so on and so forth...... and it got a little worse!!!!! He did however apologise and I did too and I told him you should never criticise an emotional pregnant woman's house. We ended on good terms and the guy was only trying to help but that kind of help I don't need thanks, especially after a week of little sleep and a child grizzling at every kind thing I do to him. Never mind, tomorrow is another day..... and just wait to you see what colours Phoenix's room is going to be!

Footnote
Sorry Mr Neighbour if you ever happen to stumble upon this blog which I know you wont but just in case you do.......... I would, however, like to say to you that you need to learn a little tact.

"M" is for Maggie

2011-02-07T12:48:00.005+11:00

"M" is for Maggie
you've just turned two
and here is a canvas
just for you

We love you Maggie

Bump has a painting

2011-01-30T13:32:00.000+11:00

peacock? bush turkey? who knows.....

I'm about to buy paint, lots of paint, so I can start Big Boys room, which will then mean I can do Juniors Room and then finally Bumps Room....... stay tuned for more.

But the painting is done..... and isn't that an important place to start!!!! :)

13 years later

2011-01-30T13:18:00.005+11:00

and the journey continues.......
we have him.........
and him..........
and one of these on the way.........

I love you babe, you are my best friend, you drive me insane, you make me happy, you put up with me, I put up with you, you love me completely. Thanks for the past 13 years and here's to the rest of our lives together.

Current projects

2011-01-18T20:04:00.004+11:00

This is 2 canvases I finished just before Christmas.

With another baby on the way we have a big bedroom shuffle and makeovers planned for all children's rooms. Once I'm ready to get started I'm keep you posted on the makeovers. There is 'operation baby's room', 'operation big boys room' and 'operation juniors room'. Should be fun.

Here's a glimpse of baby room colours with a bird theme going on. The canvas is a long way off being finished and the quilt is also a work in progress.

What have you been making lately?

The flood from where we sit

2011-01-14T11:57:00.010+11:00

So you'll know by now that a lot of Brisbane is under water. So devastating and horrendous for those sadly effected by the flooding. We live 40 mins south of Brisbane and thankfully not in the path of the Brisbane river
and we have still seen plenty of rain.

This morning I went for a walk with the dog and here are a few shots of our local area. It hasn't rained for 2 days and the levels are still so high

The photo up on the right hand side of my blog of my Mum and boys and dog was taken at the park last week. This week the park looks like this.....

on the home front the boys are still getting outside to play even in the rain
(no Phoenix is not wearing a dress, he's dressed as a pirate)

Yesterday Phoenix and I also went for a walk to check out the pathway along from our house. This water is a fair way from us and any housing.

My heart goes out to all those experiencing flooding and loss
I'm praying the worst is over and the clean up as swift as can be
may the rains stay away
may no more lives be lost
may everyone pitch in to help where they can

and on a brighter note here's baby bump at 19 weeks

and also when I got home from my walk this morning I found this,
big brother had made breakfast for himself and little brother
and he'd even sealed up the new bag of cereal and put it away in the cupboard and the box in the recycling

see, it does pay to neglect your kids now and then
(they weren't home alone just in case you were wondering just how
neglectful I am)

love and blessings to Queensland!

Things I'm loving and loved over Christmas

2011-01-09T17:57:00.007+11:00

The pool, which is providing fun even though the weather is terrible!!

New release dvd's, just what's needed for rainy school holidays

These guys from Paisley Jade, they are so cute, especially the teeny tiny green one
buy them here

A trip to GOMA with the boys, my Mum and sister in law, Gallery of Modern Art
This was a long table of white lego where you could sit and build
The ribbons in the background are a wishing wall where you could take a wish and replace it with one of your own. I took "I wish I had a house on the beach", I'm not telling what wish I left but so far it hasn't come to pass :) and I'm not holding my breath for it to happen soon

This was another art feature at GOMA
Mum took this photo of us under the water
It was a fun illusion

The precious time that was spent with the family over Christmas

These 2

My brother cutting the last post on the hours and hours spent helping around our place fixing drainage problems, making the deck, fixing the fence and making a gate

A work of art

Lemon meringue pie
recipe from here, yummo

Recent happenings

2011-01-05T07:02:00.009+11:00

Wow, what a busy time of it.

Loads going on, where do I start.

Well my close friend has just had a baby boy, he's too cute. Little Rico. Congrats Lis and Muz. I'm so pleased to live close by and get loads of cuddles.

I'm expecting a baby boy (my third boy, I'm 18weeks pregnant) and although I was hoping for a girl I'm so happy to be having another boy, I just need a few more days to get my head around the fact that I wont have a daughter (just daughter in laws one day). Our journey to having children has been a long and emotional one so to get 3 boys is a real blessing and one I will never take for granted. Thank you God.

My family invaded over Christmas and enjoyed a few days of rest and rain before the sun came out and the hard work began. My youngest brother Rich is a builder and my Dad and other brother Phil are rather handy and experienced in building so they got to work and sorted out some major problems around our place. My other brother Matt, well he helped out once in awhile too, especially when it came to eating lunch. Us girls/ wives tried to keep the blokes well fed and watered. The rain has fallen only when it didn't matter (God is good). The work done is amazing, I can't thank my family enough for their labour of love. I am blessed.

Problems like this

and this

our first meal on the deck

Mum and Dad head home to NZ today. Phil and Bex left a few days ago, Matt just before them. Rich and Mel are here until Friday and then it's back to just us, 3 more weeks of school holidays, a garden to develop and a baby to grow. Never a dull moment.

I hope you've all had a great Christmas and New Year. I have a bit of blog reading to catch up on. May 2011 be fantastic for us all.

Christmas deco swap

2011-01-05T06:36:00.004+11:00

It's time for a little blog catchup! Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year. Life has been crazy as you will seen in the following posts............

Every year my friend Bex and I do a Christmas decoration (or two) for each other and send them off just before Christmas. This year the theme was buttons and this is what I sent her. I must admit this years deco didn't take long to make, life has been busy lately and I was even contemplating making it after Christmas, but I got there just in time.

Bex sent me the loveliest decorations...... will photograph them soon.

A bit of this and that

2010-12-17T16:34:00.010+11:00

Hubby and I went out the other night for my work Christmas dinner.
The babysitter brought her pet blue tongue lizard for the kids to touch.
Phoenix looks a little scared but he's actually just tired, and he's seen the lizard before, the babysitter is his preschool teacher and she takes it along to preschool now and them.

It was hard to photograph his blue tongue.
He whips it in and out so fast.

My family invade next week, in stages. Big bro Monday, Mum and Dad Wednesday, middle bro and wife and littlest bro and wife all on Friday. I can't wait. All together again.

It really is time my brothers decided to add to the grandchild count. I mean I'm doing my bit but really, come on boys!

School is over for the year. Yay!

We drove close to the length of NZ over last weekend, taking 4 days. Hubby's work takes him many places and we decided to tag along. We wont be doing that again in a hurry but it was a good experience. We left at 3.30am thinking the kids would drift back off to sleep...... they didn't. Instead 20mins into the drive Levi turned pale and looked like death. Thankfully he didn't vomit, I was prepared though, I moved into the back seat beside him with a towel (that's all we had) ready for the fun. He came right eventually.

Hours of this.....

The look of boredom

The view

and this was our destination.
Gladstone.
A mining town. The noise of this refinery going 24hrs.
This was the view from our motel.

That pool was lovely.

At night there was an eerie glow about the sky.
The frogs were loud.
It rained all night the first night..... all night..... loudly.

We visited so many swimming pools on our trip.
To pass the time of day as hubby worked.
This was a nice one in Bundaberg.
I googled "things to do" as we drove into town.
The pools were the best option after sitting in the car for hours.

We stayed for an hour and a half.
I'm a few shades browner now.

This was the pool we also lounged at for an hour and a half the next day after we'd checked out of our motel in Noosa.
We had nowhere to go waiting again for hubby.
It's a good thing my kids love the water.... and that it's summer.

The bubbles kept them happy for ages.

Filling their rash shirts with air.
They giggled and giggled. So did I. So did the garden. And the cleaner as she walked past. It was a nice motel. Nice people to let us stay on a bit.

We are home now.

It's hot and muggy. Beautiful sunny days followed by stormy afternoons. Hail stones falling from the sky (I was out driving when they hit).
This is what our backyard looked like yesterday, today it's not so bad. Later it may look like this again.

I braved the shops today.
It's getting crazy.
I wont be taking the boys next time.

I hope your week leading up to Christmas is fun, not stressed.
Take it easy.

Secret Santa

2010-12-01T15:49:00.003+11:00

What to get for that some one who you know, but don't "really" know, who you work with but have never been to her home?

I thought for awhile..... soap?...... pot plant? ........ Christmas tree decoration? ......

or home painted art? .......

I hope she likes it.......

Lisa's baby shower

2010-11-28T16:56:00.007+11:00

was beautiful...... if I do say so myself. ha
Organised by myself and another friend Bonz with desserts made by the talented Miss Tess and wow, what a team of baby shower organisers we were.

Lisa and Tess

Food.... delish, spring rolls, spinach and feta triangles, mini quiches, rice paper rolls, spicy chicken in lettuce and dessert..... where do I start? Tess had made 6 (I think) different sweet things, I can't even name them but there was gooey chocolate puddings, "boy" patty cakes in the shape of rattles, and mini cheesecakes to name a few.

Lisa and her sister in law Toni who is also having a baby and due any day now

Me, my massive forehead and Lisa

Jana and Lisa

Lisa scored the most massive pile of gifts I have ever seen.
This is going to be one well dress little man.

We also did a piece of art work for the baby's room on the night. I traced around different cookie cutters onto a canvas then painted the background leaving white spaces to be decorated in by the guests. I finished it off the next day by outlining the pictures with a paint brush and black ink and adding a few extra touches. Lisa's baby's room looks amazing, I'm sure she will post on that soon.

It was such a lovely relaxed evening. I can't wait to meet this little baby and have plenty of cuddles. Not long to go now.......

Some things I haven't shown you

2010-11-12T17:17:00.005+11:00

Arrrh where to begin

2010-11-08T20:43:00.012+11:00

What the blazes has been going on you may ask (and you may not ask since no one has actually, apart from my sister in law, love you Mer for caring).

Well I've been having a break from blogging, and quite enjoying it actually, and think I will not be blogging that often anymore for I have found that without the pressure to blog I am free to roam where I like, read what I choose and comment when are where I please. Not that I wasn't free to do so before hand but felt more obliged to keep up with everyone and everything, but not now, now I am free......... and besides, no one misses me anyway, except for Mer, love you Mer.

So anyway here's the last month in pictures, for those that care and those who don't.

nature, in our kitchen
Mr Munchie

Mr Munchie turns upside down

Mr Munchie makes some drastic changes

baby admiration

fun with the Mac

heart by Becky

magic sand, oh so magic..... and sandy

Mr Munchie still busy inside his little house

a quick reminder of what our trampoline used to look like

and what it looks like now, after the dog was left unattended for one night and destroyed the whole safety net system. Sorry no photo of carnage, was in too much of a hurry to tidy up the MESS!
That will teach us for leaving the dog.... alone ......... for one night.

more magic sand fun

ooooh that's good

yeah life is good, especially when I can destroy things and still be loved

And I will keep blogging randomly, as it's like a personal journal that I can look back on, I just don't have it in me to be a regular blogger anymore. But I am still enjoying your blogs xxx

Wordless Wednesday (on Thursday so sue me!)

2010-09-30T13:36:00.001+10:00

My week in various shades of pink

2010-09-21T19:05:00.011+10:00

As some of you may have heard already my Mum surprised me big time by arriving on my birthday, from NZ, to stay for the week. Lis and Jana managed to keep it a secret from me as they organised with my Mum the whole set up.

Upon seeing Mum for the first time I was extremely surprised and happy followed by the "ugly" cry of pent up emotion. This year has been a challenge for me and I was really looking forward to Mum visiting earlier on which never eventuated due to various reasons. So for her to appear out of nowhere (to take my order at the restaurant) I was completely floored.

Mum has now left after a great week of hanging out. We also had hubby's parents staying on their way home to NZ after their trip to the UK where they visited my sister in law. We had a lovely time with them too with the early celebration of Ma's 70th birthday (which is coming up in November).

So it has been a busy week.

Here are a few pictures capturing many fun moments......

Antique store browsing with Lis, the suitcase by my legs was my one and only purchase

The surprise arrival of my Mum from NZ for the week

More antique store photos

Phil, we located your missing glasses, you can stop looking for them now

My new machine

More antique store treasures

My birthday breakfast

Ma's (my mum in law) 70th birthday dinner

Friends delicious new baby, Lucy

In laws have gone, Mum has gone, the busy week has slowed down to a walk again but due to pick up to a run this weekend with the arrival of my sister in law and her cheeky hubby and spunky funky twins. I love family.

I also love friends who collaborate behind my back to surprise me. I never thought it would be possible to do so, but surprised I was.

Thanks for the many birthday wishes, it truly was a day I will never forget.

Pancakes for breakfast and a trip to Canberra

2010-09-11T18:47:00.004+10:00

Pancakes for breakfast.......

Hubs and I scooted off to Canberra this week for his work. I tagged along to help out (I hope I was a help!?) and Lis manned the fort for 2 nights back home moving her family into our house to look after kids and dog. Thanks Lis, and yay for good friends!

I now remember what it feels like to be cold and I do not miss it.

This week

2010-09-04T07:20:00.004+10:00

has seen the start of a new era.

My little boy has started pre school (or day care or kindy or whatever you like to call it). I feel so churned up about it. I know it will be good for him, in the long run, as it's preparing him for school but I feel so sad. Sad because I know it's a big deal for him. He's such a little home body, enjoys playing with his things and being close to the ones he loves and knows. This is the first time he's been away from people he really knows, for a long period of time. When I picked him up both days he cried when he saw me and said "you took a long time". He's ok, I know that, but it's me.... I don't know if I'm ok????

On a brighter note it's SPRING and I do declare it has been warm this week. Time for nudie trampoline jumping and doggy ice blocks!

Love it!

My crafting moments

2010-08-27T07:22:00.005+10:00

have been few and far between this year.

I'm getting into the swing of things again.

I have however made a few special requests along the way.

I wanted to keep this quilt..... but didn't.

Whose belly is this?

Tweet, tweet.

Arrrrrrrh it's good to create things.......

Cute kid quotes

2010-08-24T07:30:00.000+10:00

A couple of quotes from Master 6, this weekend.

"Mum, when you go to Heaven can you send me a postcard and tell me what it's like. I don't know what Heaven's like."

and I get called into the bath room to this question with this rock held up.....

"Is this what a clean rock looks like?"

Ummmm yes Levi it is.

Gotta love it!

Baby shower

2010-08-23T08:15:00.007+10:00

Last Sunday I had a little baby shower for a friend here at my place.

It's an exciting time, leading up to the arrival of a new bubba.

We are looking forward to cuddles with Michelle's little girl when she chooses to arrive.

It was a lunch of club sandwiches, a rice dish (can't remember what it was called Lis), spring rolls and feta and spinach pastries, green salad, a fruit platter, marshmellow balls, chocolate ginger and date slice, meringues and fresh fruit juice. Phew we were a little full at the other end of all that!

Mum to be Michelle, on the left

guests

place settings

scented candles

food

flowers

Hand massages for the Mum to be (and guests).

A little memory game.

Presents.

Chit chat and laughter.

presents

and look at the amazing nappy cake Lisa made, it was such a work of art!

4 months or so and it will be Lisa's baby shower......... stay tuned

It was a warm sunny day.

It was lovely.

Latest find

2010-08-20T15:40:00.005+10:00

I popped into the local op shop last week.

I always love it when I find something I wasn't looking for.

It came in handy on Sunday for the baby shower that was at my place, have 6 chairs, needed 7. I found myself comfortably seated on this.

It goes perfectly at the front door under the painting my Mum did when she was young.

Mum loved horses, not sure if she's that fussed about them now???

It's a self portrait and looks heaps like her.

I love it.

Don't you just love the light switch too?

I left that in the shot for effect ;)

My floor needs a clean!

Speaking of new old things you should check out my sister in laws new blog middlenamejane.

It is very cool, she is so talented.

Random things to note today:

I've nearly finished an order for Sophie ...... sorry it's running late, will post it tomorrow!

Master 6 is eating me out of house and home.

It's raining today, dog is soggy.

Chicken for dinner tonight, with sweetcorn and pasta bake.

Loving that I'm not working tomorrow, working Sunday instead.

Enjoy your weekend.

The pancake pen

2010-08-18T19:12:00.005+10:00

For all you pancake lovers out there here's a bit of pancake fun.

Anything to do with pancakes always grabs my attention so when these came in at work I had to have one. They are fun for kids and adults.....

The pancake pen.

They can be used for all sorts of things like cupcakes and poffertjes. More on the poffertjes another day!!!

They are easy to fill with batter, squeeze and clean when the fun is over.

I heart pancakes!

A visitor of the slithery kind

2010-08-16T14:41:00.011+10:00

I've got lots to blog about as it's been a busy week but I HAVE to blog about my visitor today.

The dog, bless his cotton socks, started barking in a mad consistent manner which made me think 'there's something out there bothering him' and so with caution I stepped outside to see what the matter was.

Sure enough around the corner was this

This time, unlike the first ever time I had a snake visit, I did not scream and run in the opposite direction. This time I calmly got the dog and Phoenix inside, told hubby to get off the phone and come see, grabbed my camera and took photos!

He slithered along the house wall, under the fence and around to the front where hubby's new work ute was sitting.

I remember that watching where they go is the best thing to do, safely from a distance of course.

I don't know if you can see him here but he's climbing up the inside of the far wheel.

Here is the end of his tail dangling down.

Houston, we have a problem.

The snake is now in the ute somewhere.

So what do I do??

I ring Lisa of course, I download my photos and email one to her to get her opinion as to what kind of snake it is, I ring the council then ring my hero 'the snake man' who comes to the rescue.

Whilst waiting for the snake man to arrive I decided it was best to keep my eye on the ute and make sure Mr Snakey doesn't leave.

Standing there I think if I'm real quiet I may just hear him moving or see him so I drop down and stare at the ute.

And then I see him.........eeck!

Mr Snake man arrives and fearlessly goes in for the rescue.

The snakes a good size, in my opinion!

Snake man suggests I touch it so as to show my son that I'm not scared......

ha!

I say "No Way!"

But I couldn't be a wimp in front of Phoenix and since he had it's head securely in one hand and tail in the other I touched it's tummy.

I did however refuse to hold it's tail!

Hubby and snake man are discussing where snakes can enter cars and houses!

Snake man doesn't mind snakes but has a healthy fear of them.

I on the other hand hate snakes and have an unhealthy fear of them!

Mr Snakey gets put in a bag and driven away to be released back into the wild..... I told him to take it far far away but I have a sneaky suspicion he'll be returning it to the bush near us from which it came.
The dog is still barking frantically so we keep going outside to see if it's another one..... but I think it's just the left over scent he's getting.

I loved how Oakley was our alarm. He barked and barked and yet didn't go too close to it. Somehow he knew it was not to be messed with.

It was a carpet python, they are non venomous but pack a mean bite as they have heaps of teeth. They also wrap around you tight, at this size you can still get them off you but any bigger and you can get in trouble so you really don't want to go near them. It's getting warmer now so it's time to keep our eyes open for these slithery visitors. Oh the joys of living in Australia!

Fun in the winters sun

2010-08-07T19:03:00.006+10:00

Today was fun.

Lisa and I took the kids to pirate park for the whole day. We packed the food, the spades and buckets, the towels, the change of clothes, the suntan lotion, the swimmers, the spare change for coffee and ice blocks and of course the camera..... and off we headed.

Lisa did declare that there was one person out and about with whiter legs than mine.

I did declare that person was probably from England!

Click here for some of our dribble chit chat. I had trouble downloading this so can only link it.

So it's still winter here on the Gold Coast.

Can you tell from these pictures?

It was too cold for us old ladies to get in but the kids, well I think they'd still be swimming if an iceberg floated past.

It was a yummy taste of summer to come. I am such a summer girl, bring it on.

Obama was in the airport!

2010-08-06T12:19:00.007+10:00

So about Obama.

well you'll just have to read on.

Some days you bake.

and some days

wellllll

you just fake bake

We are fake baking today.

It's been one of those weeks, full of grumpy children and snotty noses.

My legs are aching and I have a cough.

As I type a frowning 3 year old is sitting at my feet under the computer table.

Hubby is away

in America

AMERICA I tell you.

Can I shout that at you?

I just did.

I wish I was in America.

I really want to go to America.

He sent me an email.

He says quote

It is amazing to be here. The weather is awesome. Please search Madison and you will see. I have not tipped any one yet but will have to soon as it’s their culture.

That cracked me up. He is contemplating his first tip.

He also said

All the cars drive on the other side its really funny.

That cracked me up too.

I want to go to America where tipping is expected and the people drive on the wrong side of the road!

Lastly

On the way to Chicago one of the planes in front of us had a fire so we were left to wait for 1 hour and we didn’t have much fuel left. Also Obama the president was in the airport so there was stress.

Oooooh America sounds so interesting with it's plane fires and presidents causing stress. I'm not being sarcastic. I loved this email from him. It was so informative coming from the guy that sends me one word responses to my 10 sentence text messages!!!!

Look out America..... here I come...... one day........ don't hold your breath........

The dog

2010-08-05T07:50:00.008+10:00

So how's the new dog going I hear you ask.

Well I haven't heard you ask but I'm sure you are wondering.

No? Well I'm telling you anyway........

Oakley is 5 months old now and we love him, mostly.

He's slightly annoying, yes, but we can forgive him for it as well, he is a dog after all.

He has made my big brother a "cat" man.

He barks.

He licks.

He barks.

He licks.

He barks.

He licks.

I could go on.

He sleeps inside because he barks at night.

He chases the ball and every now and then returns it to me.

He has a short attention span and can easily be distracted from the task by birds flying past, butterflies, cars, people walking past our fence, anything that moves really.

He digs.

He likes carrots and apples.

He hates being brushed.

He is hyperactive.

Running with him is interesting, he tries to chase every car that drives past.

I now run with him early Sunday mornings when there is hardly any traffic.

He also hasn't learnt yet to stay on one side of you as you run therefore you have to constantly watch what he is doing or else you may just trip over him.

Gotta love him though, with his bad breath, constant licking, lack of obedience, 10 poos a day in the yard, I could go on....... but his devotion and readiness for fun amazes me. No mood swings here. Just a consistent, loyal , somewhat stinky companion. I do love him........

....and for a somewhat boring video clip of him in action click here, Obedient Oakley.

More busy ramblings

2010-08-03T13:21:00.015+10:00

So life has still been a little crazy.

My body is telling me enough already as it packs up and has a hissy fit.

Things are set to quieten down this week and I plan on spending some glorious hours in my crafty space.

My big bro has been visiting.

He kindly babysat for 2 whole days and a night and a half plus another evening, during his 5 night stay. What a kind sister I am, sharing my kids with him!

I think he's left us feeling somewhat more tired than when he arrived,

and hopefully not put off having children.

However he has a few fun memories imprinted on his memory for life, like the famous "Levi meltdowns" and the joy of bottom wiping.

Thanks Matty Splatty, see you in a year and a half. (He's off to Africa to preach the gospel and share of God's love, awesome stuff).

So hubby and I got to hang in Sydney for a day or two. He had some work stuff to sort out and I got to hang around like a bad smell, something I do well.

It was fun though. It's the first time I've been back to Sydney since we moved to Brisbane nearly 2 years ago.

This tree had arm warmers on.

I tried to photograph it as we drove past but these trendy Balmainians got in the way.

Black is Sydney's dress code.

You must wear it at all times. Children are exempt from this rule.

Arrrrh peace and quite without the children.

This is what hubby looked like for 80% of the time.

And this is a self taken shot of me wearing Sydney's uniform.

I did catch up with an old friend ever so briefly. She's a bit camera shy so I promised I'd only post photos of her hand. She really is beautiful inside and out and I really really wanted to post this cool photo of her that I took and that I know she'd like but I just can't, cos I respect her.

So here is her lovely hand.

and here it is again with the cool beads she found at the market.

and oops, how did this get here??

Now changing the subject quickly......

This was a cool art instillation

especially appreciated by hubby who lives and breathes bicycles!

There was a boat show on in Darling Harbour I think.

It wasn't obvious or anything.

I'm just guessing.

Our flight home was until 7.45pm so we didn't have to rush all day. Plus have I mentioned we had no children??? so we could walk further, shop longer, talk quieter, visit toilets less, all day long.

and there was even time for a drink and cake on the harbour before heading home.

and what better way to end your great weekend than finding a big fat juicy slug on your plate after you've eaten it's holiday apartment!

Yummo!

Busy week

2010-07-23T07:58:00.007+10:00

It's been a busy week, catching up with some friends from way back, traipsing around the countryside, hanging out in my pjs, a hair cut for Master 3 which looks worse than if I'd done it myself - wont go there again, a spot of shopping, throw in some work and a day of illness and there you have it, it's Friday again.

This is my friend whom some of you know, Rebecca, she got me into blogging, it's all her fault! Rebecca is awesome. She has 4 kids and is the best Mum ever. I loved catching up with her. She has a wicked laugh which you hear all the time.

(Don't worry Rebecca, my forehead is way bigger than yours!)

And then here I catch up with Nadine in Urfers Paradise, that's what happens when you give your camera to someone else.

Urfers Paradise is a bit under construction at the moment, getting ready for summer again and an influx of holiday makers.

Nadine is my "drinking friend" from Sydney who now lives in Christchurch (NZ). We are planning a winter holiday to Christchurch to hang with them....... in the next few years, hopefully! I'm excited about it already, you know, being able to hang with my "drinking friend" again....... (private joke)

After dropping Nadine and her friend back to their hotel (they were over for a work conference) Phoenix and I headed to the beach to play.

I built this, one of my finest pieces of work ever I might add

and of course he wants to destroy it

please can I, please......

the excitement of naughtiness and destruction is too much, he's wriggling and giggling in anticipation of destroying Mum's handiwork......

smash

and so it goes again and again and again.......... simple pleasures. Fun times.

The day we went to IKEA in our pajamas

2010-07-20T16:18:00.005+10:00

and by we of course I mean Lisa and I.

Lisa rang me this morning

her "How you feeling"

me "Much better" (was quote "disgustingly" sick yesterday)

her "Want to go to IKEA in your pajamas with me and get a $100 gift voucher?"

me - no hesitation - "Yes"

10 minutes later I was back in my PJs in Lisa's car, Phoenix in tow, on our way to IKEA.

A very thoughtful friend had rung Lisa to say that the radio station b105 was doing a promotion at IKEA and if you turn up in your pj's you get a $100 voucher. Hardly anyone had turned up so we were in luck big time because not only did we get the $100 vouchers (kids also got the voucher) but they had some amazing prizes to give away. We hit the motherload!

Between the 4 adults and 6 children (we rang some more friends to come quick, if you turned up in your slippers you received a $50 IKEA voucher) I think this is what we took home

$800 worth of IKEA vouchers

1x digital camera

1x rice cooker

1x hair straightener

3x dvd's

an iphone cover

and Anna (who told us about it) even got some free tickets to a comedy festival. I think we scored pretty well. What a fun day.

Look what this chick is wearing!!!! I hadn't even noticed I was so excited about the prizes but would you go out in public in those short pants????

Here are our friends that turned up in their slippers for the $50 vouchers, so worth the effort!

So we then had to go shopping at IKEA to spend these vouchers. We had come this far in our pajamas we decided we may as well keep going. We did get a few stares. We even felt we needed to explain ourselves a few times but for the most part we didn't care what people thought of us. Lisa and I so had to try out an IKEA bed since we were in our pjs!

We even stopped to eat we were that confident within ourselves, ha!

Thanks Anna for letting us in on a good thing!!!!

Would you venture out in public in your pj's for $100?

The truth about friendship

2010-07-16T20:22:00.008+10:00

is that it puts aside many trivial things

like distance

physical differences

amount of contact.

Friendship is about a bond

a connection

picking up exactly where you last left.

These 2 are friends

Levi P about 8 months on the left, Levi B about 6 months on the right

the cutest pair of Levi's you'll ever see

they now live miles apart

they rarely see each other

here they are at 2 years old

they may have chatted on the phone once in the past year and a half

they are now both 6 years old

they are at opposite, and I mean OPPOSITE, ends of the size chart

(and that's Phoenix 3 years old, he's tall too for his age let me add)

but they have a connection and it was lovely to see tonight that connection

take place again.

It was too short and very sweet and so worth the hour and a half it took to get to where they were holidaying (due to Friday afternoon traffic, a car crash (not me thankfully) and a wrong turn!). I would have happily driven much further to make it happen.

Not only was it the two Levi's catching up, it was their mothers too.

Visitors of the blogging kind....

2010-07-12T11:26:00.005+10:00

Over the weekend Lisa and I got to catch up with Simone and her family from Great fun 4 kids. It's so cool to be able to get to know fellow bloggers in person. We feel like we know each other already from following each others highs and lows through blogging but getting together face to face is even better.

A bit of chit chat in the book nook.

Cheers..... Lis on the heavy stuff and Simone holding her imaginary glass.......

The kids clicked immediately, here Nia, Miss Fab and Brooke hang out.....

and in the other room the boys Dash, Levi and Phoenix........... little Scrag with his cute smile entertained himself from room to room all evening.

and a moments peace when they all knuckle down to draw...........for a minute!

Fun times, thanks for visiting us Simoney (said with a Scottish accent) and co, was lovely to see you all Friday night and even better to see you again on Sunday. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

ps I think you left a pair of Scrags socks here.....

School holidays and what not....

2010-07-07T13:36:00.007+10:00

I can't believe how fast this year is going. I always think the second half of the year goes faster so Christmas here we come!

We've been enjoying the relaxed, no rush out the door, school holidays. Not doing too much, plenty of days at home mixed between a few fun adventures outside.

We've just spent the past 2 and a half ours at "Wriggle It" a local indoor soft play. Now the boys are tired and under blankets, snuggled up watching tv. Great stuff! .......... Wait a minute, I just heard Levi say "Pheeny, wanna jump on the trampoline??" I thought they were tired, where do they get their energy?? We should bottle it and sell it, we'd be millionaires!

You've gotta give it a go

2010-07-05T20:23:00.009+10:00

You have to

You really do

It's hard work, dedication, discipline

Getting up in the cold mornings, leaving the warmth of your bed

Or heading out after a long day at work

But the feeling, you can't describe it

Afterwards, you feel great, you feel healthy, you feel alive

It helps your mood, it helps your body, it helps your confidence

It helps you think, clears your mind, puts life into perspective.

Start today

10 minutes

Then 11 tomorrow

Then 12 the next day

Then continue more and more

Set some goals, little ones, then bigger

Because you will NEVER regret it when you feel healthier

You lose weight

You tone up

Go for a run

Go on

I dare you

But don't give up because it hurts

Of course it hurts

It will always hurt

It will get easier, but it will still hurt (if that makes sense)

Think of someone who inspires you, whose been to hell and back and survived

I think of Joe Simpson

It could never hurt as much as that

But do it

Or at least do something

Walk, swim, cycle, jump on the tramp, take the stairs, surf, play tennis, do sit ups at home with the kids, stretch while you're watching telly

You owe it to your heart

You owe it to your family

You owe it to God who created you

You owe it to yourself!

(support crew)

This Sunday just past, like I said I would, I ran the Gold Coast Half Marathon and

my friend Finchy ran the full Marathon

We both finished what we set out to do

We are both sore today, the day after the run

and will be sore tomorrow too

and perhaps even the next day and the next

But we are both proud of our achievements

And so are this couple who got married, then ran the marathon

in their wedding outfits

I'm not sure if they got married the day before or when

and I do think they are crazy

perhaps they are on their honeymoon!

But isn't that kinda cool?

He has a sign on his shirt saying "we just married"

They are off to a good start I think.

Summertime .... somewhere else in the world but not here

2010-06-30T11:26:00.004+10:00

RAW(e) theme for this week is 'summertime'.

I've showed you this photo before but it is an all time favourite so I'm posting it up again for the little competition Sailor and Co is holding. This is completely untouched, unedited and pure summertime in NZ.

Love it!

That's Phoenix splashing out in the water, hubby in the red, Levi flying the kite, my brother next to him and my sister in law in the white.

I took this one first, then pushed my brother out of the way as he was ruining the composition of the shot.

Oh Summertime how I miss thee.........

Wordless Wednesday, more of the bird visit

2010-06-23T21:22:00.009+10:00

Chocolate cake for breakfast

2010-06-18T09:55:00.011+10:00

So yesterday was hubby's birthday.

Obviously he's not as important as the cake I made as I didn't take any photos of him but plenty of the cake.

Oh the cake.

Chocolate mud cake.

I've never made one before and now I know why they are so bad for you....... and taste so good.

The boys were allowed some for breakfast.

I'm that kind of Mum.

I gave hubby this card.

We had a tandem bike once. I hated it. Hated not being in control. Hated not being able to turn around and ride home when I'd had enough. Hated it! We sold it!

Perhaps one day this will be us??

Hope not!

And what else have I been up to?

Oakley is growing..... and growing.

He's been to puppy school and can now sit, when he wants to, drop, when he wants to, stand, when he wants to, come, when he wants to....... so all in all puppy school was a success, when he wants it to be.

We may have to repeat it though!!!!

He chews everything.

And is hard to photograph. Can't sit still for a minute.

We took a visit to the birds. See Lisa's post for more details and a very cheesy smiling photo of me.

I've finally hung my favourite 3 pictures from our Christmas/summer holiday in NZ. They remind me daily of what a great relaxing time it was with all the family.

Sigh.

I found this great old picture frame a few weeks back.

I'm working on what I'm going to do with it.

For now it looks like this. It will probably look like this for another year before I get to the next stage.

That's us for now.

Blogging is on the go slow in my life.

Maybe for ever, who knows. I'm still lurking around though. Reading your posts. Enjoying your photos.

What to do with a sick pumpkin

2010-06-04T17:03:00.007+10:00

You check it's heart beat

Take it's blood pressure

Apply some sticky plasters

Pray for it

Take it to bed

Talk kind words to it

Tuck it in

And leave it to rest

Just in case you ever come across a sick pumpkin

Now you know what to do.

(and if all that fails and that poor pumpkin dies make pumpkin soup out of it!)

Doggy snuggles

2010-05-21T11:13:00.002+10:00

This week...... Oakley is feeling more and more at home with us, his new family now.

This is my raw(e) unedited photo for the theme: This Week.

Click here to join in the fun.

Ankles into Goo

2010-05-18T17:44:00.007+10:00

so I've been slouching around for long enough this year. It has been for good reason at first but after the miscarriage I now need to pull myself out of the sludge and slump that I have eaten myself into.

There's nothing like signing on for a couple of events to get you motivated.

First, on Sunday 27th June, is the Brissy to the Bay fun ride which is a fundraiser supporting Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Please, please, please sponsor me here if you can spare a few dollars. I'm doing it with some friends (Go Team Finch!!!) and it should be fun. We've opted for the 25km. This is a cause close to my heart.

Then the following weekend I'm doing the Gold Coast half marathon (will do a full marathon one day I hope!). I started training last week with 5 short runs which nearly killed me. ha! I laugh in the face of death!

The results of my weaknesses,this,

this,

and these,

are about to be blasted out of this world. Hang on to your fat cells Batman, we are in for a busy 7 weeks of sweat and tears!!! Well hopefully no tears but definitely plenty of sweat.

It's time to get my A into G.

(Ankles into Goo if Levi ever asks you OK!)

and there's nothing like a little bit of sponsorship to get me going, hint hint.......

The ghost fish

2010-05-17T17:44:00.004+10:00

See him?

lurking in the background

he's whisper white

(made that up, I imagine a whisper is the colour white)

he needs a day in the sun

or a holiday in Fiji

or even just a visit to the spray tan salon, although that would wash off pretty quick

he is a bit pasty

compared to his flatmate

his name is Milky

I wonder why

he likes himself

so far I haven't killed him, and that is a good thing

The End.

A bit of this, that and a muffin

2010-05-14T13:36:00.004+10:00

This week has been a bit of this and that.

I love this sign, it's down the road from us, kinda. Needham is my maiden name. Anyone miss their maiden name (apart from those of you who kept it once married)? I do.

We've been sticking pretty close to home due to the new puppy, but still sneaking out now and then. I heard an amazing speaker this morning at Her Time, a women's get together run by my church. She made me cry, not by being mean and poking me in the eye or anything, ha ha, but by sharing her life story and how she got to where she is today. Some of you have read a bit of it already. Click for part one and part two. It's time she wrote some more don't you think! We all have a different story to tell.

One of these things is not like the others.

Oakley is settling into our family well. Puppy school begins next Wednesday. He looks like a little wolf. I can't wait to go jogging with him when he's a little older. Right now he'd take 30 steps and then I'd have to carry him the rest of the way.

I made these today.

Slightly Healthy As They Have Wholemeal Flour, Apple And Cinnamon Muffins

Place 1 1/2 cups wholemeal flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl and mix well.

Lightly beat 2 eggs, add 2/3 cup milk and 60gm melted butter.

Add egg mixture to flour mixture with 1 grated apple and a handful of sultanas.

Drop spoonful lots into muffin trays and bake for about 20 minutes. Eat and be thin.

Have a great weekend.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go, tomorrow...........

Zoom zoom zoom

2010-05-12T17:07:00.007+10:00

Sailor and Company's Raw(e) theme for the week : automotive

Heading home

This photo actually makes me feel sad. It was taken after an amazing trip to Sydney from Brisbane with my parents and Levi (5yrs) last year. I'd dropped Mum and Dad off at the Sydney airport, they were heading home to NZ, I'd then had breakfast with my brother and sister in law and was now heading home to Brisbane. This massively high and long bridge is not far north of where we used to live in Sydney.

The party was over. Long trip ahead of me. I hate saying goodbye to Mum and Dad. Sad.

Ahem.....and yes I was driving whilst taking this photo!!!

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T21:00:00.009+10:00

I just had to start by showing you this, it's a Mothers Day cup cake Levi decorated for me at Church this morning, he presented it to me saying "Happy Mother's Day, I ate the icing, it was yummy." He was so proud, yet a little unsure about how I'd handle the whole icing situation ,when giving it to me. I couldn't help but laugh and tell him how awesome I thought it was. I didn't actually end up eating it, and he didn't want it either! Man I love that kid!

Some indulgences this weekend......

and................

Meet Oakley......... I luuuuve him already!

I hope your weekend was as good as mine.

Running with splash

2010-05-07T14:36:00.007+10:00

Sailor and Company's Raw(e) theme for the week, running.

I love this photo of Levi chasing his uncle into the water. Uncle Phil does the best ever run and jumps!!!!

Show us your best "RUNNING" straight out of the camera shot.

Please only post one photo, don't link up until you do.

When you link up, link up to the photo, not your blog as a whole.

(Makes it a whole lot easier for people (me) to find it.)

I've also attached a series of Uncle Phils gazelle like jumping, we all had a go, fun fun fun!!!

Dividing up the pie

2010-05-06T07:01:00.004+10:00

This was a yummy chicken pie. I did have photos of the inside but they got lost in outer space. It looked really good inside. Lots of vegetables, heaps of corn, broccoli, and carrots cos' that's all I had. Trust me on this one. There's no mistaking whose piece is whose. The kids enjoyed eating their own letter........ and mine.

A long post about a pair of wedges

2010-05-03T07:38:00.005+10:00

Now girls. Let me start by telling you I am not 'big' on shoes. Really, they are just shoes. I live for 90% of the year in jandals (thongs or whatever you call them). And that's ok with me as they go with my 'stay at home mum sometimes retail assistant' vibe I have going on at the moment.

Anyway a special event calls for special shoes (like my white jandals are for Sunday best, the black ones for shopping at the mall, the camo ones for hanging out the washing and the grey ones for the school run, you get my drift). But some events are just too special for the jandal and your brothers wedding is one such event. Although I don't mean to offend as my sister in law wore black jandals to this wedding with her long black dress and looked amazing. But me, well I needed a whole wedding outfit I was comfortable in and thus choosing some slinky black "hammertime" pants with side gathers I needed some heels. Me and heels don't really mix. a. I'm tall enough already and b. why pay good money to be uncomfortable? But slinky black "hammertime" pants with side gathers need heels. I am a one shop shopper and found the heels of my desire at the same time as slinky black "hammertime" pants with side gathers and simple dusky top with ruffles. This is how it unfolded.....

In change room

"Oooh I love slinky black "hammertime" pants with side gathers, I will need some heels though. These display wedges are perfect. A little tight. Can I have a size up please?"

Size up arrives

"Oooh I love these size up heels although they are still a little tight. They will stretch you say? OK I'll take em"

Make purchase

Lunch happily with friend

Husband picks me up from mall (long story)

Home for fashion parade

"Oooh I love slinky black "hammertime' pants with side gathers, simple dusky top with ruffles and heels babe" says husband (I took liberty to add the babe bit)

"I do too, but heels are a little tight. Let me walk around the room for 5 minutes and see how they feel"

Walking around room commences

"Still a little tight, let me try them on again in 15 minutes to see if anything has changed"

15 minutes passes

"Still a little tight. I think I will need to return them tomorrow for a larger size, feet must be really massive. Hey wait a minute, size up heels are actually the same size as display heels so no wonder they are a little tight!"

Decision made to return little tight heels for size up heels tomorrow

Tomorrow arrives

Children in car, husband off to work, leave home approx 9.28am

Arrive at store to exchange little tight heels for size up heels

They have no size up heels but the DFO store does (that's at the Direct Factory Outlet Mall some 25 minutes further north of mall in opposite direction of home), shoes are put on hold for me I am assured and off I troop with boys in tow

Arrive at DFO and drag boys to Witchery shop where no size up shoes are waiting for me and no one knows anything about my shoe problem, boys run around store driving their cars on piles of shoeboxes and touching clothes with sticky 'please be good' lollipop bribe covered fingers

Helpful store assistant has a good idea, rings the airport store and yes they have them, I have come this far so think a further 10 minutes down the road drive, a $6 parking fee, a scan through security at the domestic airport, a few "where are we going" questions from the boys and a stinky nappy will not deter me from getting those shoes

Now finding I cannot exchange little tight heels for size up heels because they were brought from a department store not a Witchery store I am forced to purchase size up heels and now have 2 pairs, one little tight and one size up, in my procession

I know, I know, some of you would have given up on these shoes long ago but I just didn't want to have to go shoe hunting when I'd already found the pair I liked

Kids back in car, 2 pairs of shoes beside me I set off home with one more stop to make, that is a stop at the department store which sold me the wrong sized shoes in the first place, to get my money back

Amazingly the boys are still happy and finally we arrive home again at approx 2.32pm

I'm due to fly out the next morning to NZ and I am a happy girl as the shoes fit perfectly....... well almost perfectly, they seem a little on the loose size...............

and if you have made it to the end of this post you deserve a medal!