Me, the lolly cruncher!

Whilst very kindly and somewhat sacrificially sharing my all important supply of lemonade ice blocks with my kids I noticed something about myself. All my kids sat and slowly savoured their sticks of white coldness, I on the other hand chomped through mine like someone was waiting around the corner to steal it off me. Of course there wasn't but it didn't stop me from finishing it in record time.  I have come to the realization that I am a somewhat greedy kind of gal who chomps through lollipops, ice blocks and big pieces of chocolate. Yes people I am a lolly cruncher!  I have tried a number of times in the past to be a lolly sucker and made a huge effort to slow down and savour each tasty sweet morsel of yumminess but once the conscious effort has worn off, before I know it I have already chomped into it, scoffed it down and ready to pop the next piece of whatever into my mouth.  I can't help it. I am destined to be that way forever.  I will reluctantly share my chocolate only when put under pressure though and with only those who I hold dear to me.

The ultimate sign of being sick!

Bed Hair!

The common pastime of the last few weeks in the infirmary that is my house.



However I do not what to be that way in every facet of my life.  I have this inner need that drives me all the time to slow down and savor each and every moment. (In saying that I am not really wanting to slow down and savor each moment of being sick so would be quite happy to press the fast forward button on this one).  Lets face it - life is busy, busy no matter what you are doing, how many kids you have or how old you are.  We are always busy at doing something, and if you are anything like me then you are always trying to squeeze in more to your already busy day.

I try to have things through out my day when I make a conscious effort to stop, breath and be. Something I do everyday. Like my morning cup of coffee and my late afternoon cup of tea. I pour and sit and be. My morning coffee just doesn't hold the same appeal if I have to drink it on the run and have to reheat it 33 times. Coffee is made to be enjoyed. Also if I have someone to share a morning coffee with its just that much better. Jamie doesn't drink coffee so most of the time its just me and the coffee pot going it alone. I just love it when good friends stop by and I can share a cup of Joe with them. Same with my late afternoon cup of tea - tea I might add that is to brew in a tea pot.  Not heaven forbid a tea bag in a mug deal! shudder I generally don't need to eat anything but if there is a piece of lemony lemon slice going then yup I am all in!

 

Other things that remind me to slow down and breath are intimate moments that I share with my children. You know the moments when you are actually looking into their faces and are actually seeing them and who they are as if almost for the first time.  Sadly sometimes when this happens I feel like its been too long since I have looked at whoever like that. That always breaks my mamas heart.  Why oh why does it always take such a conscious effort to savor such moments?  If we aren't careful they can almost appear like they have been stolen.  Conscious effort is just that conscious effort, yes I did say EFFORT!  To truly savor a moment you have to 1. Recognize there is a moment to be had and 2. Choose to be truly present in that said moment. Which means one can not be thinking about how you were just about to hang out the washing, thinking about checking out Facebook or having you phone attached to your hand just waiting for the next text to come through.  I can say this because I have been there and done that at one time or another.  I truly believe that most people, maybe even everyone, wants to savor moments of their and/or their children's lives. I can't imagine too many people actually want to live in a lolly crunching scoffing place.  I don't. I want to be a lolly sucking gal all the way!

          



Check out this great big ball of cuteness!



There is things that have been plaguing my thoughts over the time that I have been sick.  Plus or minus side to being sick, you choose.  One of them being how to manage the multi age/stage family that I have.  Ages around range from 12 years to 9mths and I wouldn't have it any other way.  My challenge is at the moment is, How do I protect and nurture the magic and innocence of childhood for the younger ones whilst still engaging on a more maturing level with my older ones. Any suggestions or helpful pearls of wisdom from other mamas of multi age/stage families?

Three pet ducks introducing themselves to their temporary neighbours!

Time for Me!

I remember reading something not so long ago that went something like this...

"Give your child a gift....Take better care of you"

I love this. I need this.

Historically I am not good at this at all. For some reason I (and probably a lot of other Mamas out there) have this perception that we aren't being a good parent if we don't continally put our children and their needs before ourselves, consquently neglecting our needs. 

 Our need to rest, replenish, rejuvenate and refresh.

Why do we do that?

 

So.....

After self-imposed isolation for weeks on end due to Whooping Cough and Jamie going away (and due to go away again soon) I felt that it was high-time for a me break - well me and Jesse.  Breast-feeding babes go everywhere their Mamas go.

 

I didn't need to wonder where I would go, I already knew.  I needed some girl time with my bestest friend (and sister-n-law) Tash.  I really struck it lucky when I married into this family. (in more ways than one)  Often one hears of horror sister in laws but not me - no way.

My adventure starts with a trip on the bus and I must say that its no easy task that.  One pushchair/carseat, two bags and one baby all in tow.  Fortunately for me the bus driver in our wee town is super friendly.  She actually remembered me from last time I came and I was a heck of a lot bigger (pregnant).  The people on the bus are super friendly too. From the elderly lady behind me who thought I had beautiful kids and congratulated me on 'getting away' to the gentleman across the aisle from me who 'oohhhed and ahhhed' over Jesse and ended up showing me pictures on his phone of his sisters identical triplets!! 

This bus driver let the kids hop on and investigate while we were waiting to go.

 

Jesse slept all the way to the city - so kind.

Once in the city I had the difficult mission of transferring buses but fortunately for me I nice young man (gee I sound like I am 70) offered to help me with my bags. Bless him!

If you haven't been on a bus lately I suggest you try it. They are quite nice these days and the view is great!

 

So after I reached my destination, my sister-n-law picked me up for my well deserved break away!



Yes I didn't go to some retreat or the like but the very fact I didn't have to tidy mess, do any chores, had dinner cooked for me, didn't have to constantly answer question (although I did talk a lot) and was spoilt with time of friendship, walks, talks, good food and a change of scenery.

Bliss!

 

One thing that I am aware of is that I don't have a lot of photos of me and the kids, the reason being is that..

 1. I am always the one taking the photos.

2. I don't particularly like having my photo taken so I avoid it. 

So I am trying to make an effort to have more photos taken of me but usually someone needs to remind me and I may reluctantly agree.

 

Fortunately children are either too small to know or care about having their photo taken OR absolutely love it and jump at every chance to have one taken OR even steal your camera when you aren't looking and take 'many' themselves!

 



Jesse having some Aunty Tash time - doesn't he look like he is having fun!

 If you are anything like me, you don't have a lot of chances to browse around town or peruse through shops in a mall.

But first things first...

... coffee and cake!

 (make that good coffee and very yummy cake)

Love the view overlooking the city.

"Milk and Honey Cafe".

Ahhhhh...!

 

 

This was the lift going down from the cafe, the one that we had to lift the pushchair down the stairs to get too and the one that we got momentarily stuck in!

Wasn't quite sure how long you wait before you push the emergency button and we were just beginning to argue about who was going to push it (neither of us wanted to). Tash decided perhaps she should ring the cafe and tell them we were stuck when someone from down the bottom push the button and the lift started to go down.

Phew!!

But what an adventure!

A dressing room, isn't it cool!

 

Lunch

We found this dinky little cafe at the back of the Anna Stretton concept store.

It was decked out in all things retro. Very very styley!

 



I grew up with a table and chairs very similar to this!  Who knew that they would be so trendy in years to come.

Day Three we walked along the river which is smack bang in the middle of the city!  Who knew ah?

Such serenity and peace!

 

My time away was so what I needed but I missed my husband and my kids. My kids I think missed Jesse more than me as they showered him with kisses and hugs as soon as they saw him, but I'll take a close second!

 

I can only hope that every women can take the time to just be or to spend some time with your closest friend who you can just be fully yourself. Half an hour, a lunch, a day, three days...etc. Its worth it.

Just so you can be your best!

 

A Sweet Wee Girl turns 3!

They say that time flies when you are having fun.  Well I must of been having oodles amount of fun because I don't know how she got to be turning 3!  Its absurd I tell you.  She has been long anticipating this day, especially since big sister has had her turn. I have to admit it was a little difficult to keep up the momentum and energy for another birthday party, as the day before her birthday I felt awfully unwell.  I really didn't want to be ripping her off so all day I tried really hard to conjure energy that was hiding from me.

But her day came....at last!  That morning she rolled over and kissed me on the lips and snuggled in for her morning snuggle.   I opened my eyes and sleepily asked her "Good Morning, What day is it today?"  and she said "Tuesday".  Very clever little girl.  So I said "Whats special about today?"  and she gasped and said "Its my BIRTHDAY!"

Happy Birthday to you!!!  OF course there was nooooo lying around in bed after that. We were all up, bleary eyed and matted hair (precisely why I stay behind the camera) to watch her open her pile of presents.  Its all very exciting!

Check out this girls 'bed hair'

 

Clothes clothes and more clothes!

 

Could there be anymore pink?  Pink clothes, pink seat and pink lollies!

And pink tea cups!   Just right for two little ladies!

And again don't look at the sugar (she chose cocoa pops as her breakfast choice)

I love how the sun is shining on her hair and the balloon behind her, very angelic!

Sophie chose her own cake this year. Up until a week ago it was going to be a pink, purple and green fish but then it suddenly changed to a 'Pink Flower'.

Fortunately butter cream icing and I are much better friends than fondant is!  Phew!

Wee thing blew out the candles before we even had sung her 'Happy Birthday'

and then it took her seven goes to blow out them after we did sing it!

Thanks Grandma, Aunty Naomi, Uncle Joe, Uncle Dave and Aunty Tiff, Samson and Phoebe for coming to help celebrate this special girls birthday! 

(its the great thing about having a big family, if only a few of them come you still have enough for a party!)



Sophie had a very special day. She had a whole day with her family doing the things that she loves to do. I love her so much, her smile, her kisses, her midnight cuddles, her sense of humor, her dancing and her beautiful spirit!

Thank you God for giving Sophie to our family!

She truly is a blessing!

A Very Special Birthday

I am rather tired tonight.   Looking forward to hopping into my bed and snuggling down with my book and then drifting off to sleep. Maybe tonight I won't get any nighttime visitors?  I probably will though.  Not that I mind. I love the way Sophie snuggles down into my back and drifts back off to sleep.  Its when she wakes up asking for a banana in the middle of the night that tries my patience.

Anyway......my Biggest Little Girl turned the big  "5"!  Traditionally its this number that marks the end of the pre-school chapter and the beginning of the formal schooling one. Its the birthday where school bags, pencil cases and lunch boxes reign supreme in the present-giving.  Its the number where most parents and children are anticipating/dreading the elusive 'first day of school'.  Its almost a rite of passage.  

But not for this little girl.  Her time at Kindergarten ended yes. But this birthday marks the beginning of a new chapter of schooling at home.  I am looking forward to spending time, loads of time with her.  Its my gift to both her and me.  I truly love that I have all this unhurried time with my children.  I am excited. Kaitlyn will be the first of my children that has not been to school. She will not have the 'school' way of learning ingrained in her. She will be free to learn the way God has designed her too.  That in itself is such a blessing to me.

And as with all momentous occasions and birthdays we celebrated in style.   Celebrations started the day before her birthday with a "tea party" with three of her most special friends from kindy.  It was the most fun decorated the house for this. A ladder was even required!

 

We even had tea cups filled with "Pink Tea".

(Lemonade with a few drops of pink food colouring in it)

Lacey table cloth and pretty flowers, a must for a tea party!

The look of anticipation on little sisters face is priceless!

My big 5 year old in her favourite tea party dress!

Kaitlyn decorated her own ice cream cake (you can stop thinking of all that sugar)!

Its a cheats versions of an ice cream cake. You tip a tub of ice cream upside down on a plate and go to town decorating it with sprinkles, wafers, choc fingers and chocolate sauce!  You have to work fast mind you as it starts to melt, then plonk it back into the freezer until you need it.



Then it was time to say goodbye to her friend and we sent them off with a special 'thank you' gift!

It was such a lovely afternoon!



That night I spent a considerable amount of time and energy constructing her cake, which was a surprise this year!  Actually I had a temper tantrum over it and even swore a couple of times. My husband will tell you that he feared for his life but it wasn't THAT bad.

Here is the final product.

We mamas are super special I tell you!

No sleep in for us, its up early on Birthday morning to open presents of course!!

 

Miss '5' was super excited to discover her bestest present!!

Of course you have to try it out immediately, even if it is inside!

Once again stop looking at the sugar!

Tradition has it, in our family the birthday person gets to choose whatever they want for breakfast.  This year she chose 'Froot Loops'! I was so embarrassed I had to hide them in the bottom of the shopping trolley along with the Cocoa Pops little Sophie chose for her birthday three days later!

Thank you for all the gifts she got given.  She spent the evening talking about all the presents she received.  Very Pink!  And VERY girly!   Right up her alley!

AND last but certainly no means least

THE CAKE! THE CANDLES!

THE SONG!

and all the

ATTENTION!

After all, isn't that what birthday party's are all about!!

I THINK SO!!

Happy Birthday my

Princess!

Thank you to all who came and celebrated this day with her and with us.

 You are all important people in our lives!

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.-- Oprah Winfrey

Now on to this sweet little princess's birthday...