Summertime.....

Hello and Happy New Year to all! We have been away since the 22nd Dec and are finally heading back home tomorrow. It will be a 6hr drive to Mt Eliza where we shall collect our Christmas goodies from Aunt Junes and most likely stay the night. We've had a wonderful warm, relaxing holiday. Lots of swimming, bike riding, soccer games, to much eating, a couple of surfs, lots and lots of laughs, some amazing new friends for all of us and a New Year's Day sunrise on the beach. The kids swimming has improved incredibly and the girls have both learnt to whistle...finally.

Today I was great-full for a wonderful weekend....
I thanked my children for getting ready so well this morning......
I told my girls how beautiful they are.....
I made Christmas tree shaped cheese and biscuits......
I went for a walk with my husband and son and we bumped unexpectedly into numerous friends that we otherwise may not of caught up with before Christmas.....
I held my son tightly and kissed him each time I got him out of the car....
I got my children a cup of milk and snack before they asked.....
I was extra patient and calm today....
I read to my children two extra books this evening.....
Last night while driving home quiet late from Ocean Grove a car that was speeding and overtaking on a bend narrowly missed us.....head on.
In the previous town i'd slowed down a little to show the kids the lights, if I'd not done this I'd hate to think what could of happened to my family.....
After we were safe I honked my horn, we didn't need to swerve of the road or anything , but I can still just see the headlights in our eyes.
Thankfully a few moments later we had to stop for a train...I held my husbands hand, tears wanting to fall, I looked back at my children, safely asleep....what if? was all I could think, I thought of my family and the loved ones we'd just kissed goodbye ....what if....?
Thank you for looking out for us and protecting us...I wish everyone especially the young could be guaranteed safety and protection....but they cannot...our hearts break and we sob why? Tonight i am thinking of the many precious young souls and those brave heroes who were taken from their families.

One happy day from many on our recent camping trip.........

Nethercote Falls, Pambula  NSW

                                     

                                     

                                      

                                      

                                      

                                      

Eddy Spaghetti..........

Love this age.....

Love the games....

Love the cuddles and the snuggles.....

Love the funny stories.........

Love the belly laughter.....

Love the acts of kindness...........

Love the boy things, the fascination with diggers and "fighting things" and how things work....

Love the bond between his siblings and his Dad....

Love him.........

Holiday fun!

Sleep ins (in theory), not having to rush out of the door (stay at home mum),  weather warming (very slowly) Yes It has been been September holidays!  Some holidays we spend at home intent on staying in our pajamas for as long as possible, others we might go away as a family usually a beach of some description. These holidays (of which Ben has been away for most of) we've been enjoying day trips. It's been relaxing and exciting, coming and going as we please and only travelling an hour or two here and there so apart from a few snacks not much planning is involved...relaxing.

There is so much to offer children these days and much of it dosen't need to be expensive.  I recently  came across an app which locates the nearest and dearest local parks,  fantastic if your'e planning a road trip with children and also for discovering new playgrounds in your local area. Also the local library, I think many family's have forgotten about the old  library.   Library's are such a great tool for children's imagination and learning they offer a range of Cd's and Dvd's as well as storytimes and activities for school holidays, not forgetting the thousands of books on offer.  The best part  is that its  free and younger children can enjoy a little independence browsing and choosing there own books. Another loved  freebie is of course play dates!  What child does not enjoy having friends to play with while us parents enjoy the company of others, whether its at a park with a picnic or inside with a coffee its so lovely to ignore the call of the ironing and catch up with friends instead.

With a little more free time on our hands we've made a couple of trips to the beach these holidays, wind in our hair, salt on our lips and the smell of summer evoking glorious memories!  My children love the beach as do my husband and I and we love to nick down for a coffee while the children run free and we all reinvigorate!

  My sister and brother also live in Ocean Grove and Geelong so it's lovely to catch up especially with a new bub in the family...we are all absolutely smitten, she is adorable....Ahh!

With school holidays comes the release of many new children's films at the cinema and I try to take the children most holidays.  It is, as many of you know quite expensive but its such a lovely holiday treat for all.  These holidays we saw Madagascar 3 it was fantastic the children and their cousin loved it as did my sister in law and I.  Another treat for the children was a visit to the Werribee Open Range Zoo.  We caught up with a bunch of Ben's family and had a great day.  The weather was glorious! The children were free and the animals were beautiful especially the Meerkats and Giraffes.  All Miss S wanted to see were the Giraffes and while we were driven through their paddock the keepers were feeding them they came so close we could of touched them so so beautiful,  it was a wonderful experience. We love Giraffes!!

And so now we are coming to the end of the holidays and they've been wonderful, even the days spent at home tackling the ironing while the children put glitter everywhere.  We made popcorn and planted veggies and picked flowers too.

Next week is the begining of  the final Term for the year, wow where did that time go?!!  I'm excited about summer and the girls Ballet recital and my up and coming first ever fun run! The count down is on....

We are delaying the new term though with an impromptu camping trip!!  Ben is home and we're taking the camper trailer up to Mallacoota and then on to Pambula for a week or so where we will meet up with my Brother and Sister in law and their bubs at her parents beautiful property.  All very excited, the girls have already packed  and once the weather clears we are off.

I hope everyone has enjoyed themselves these holidays and kept safe and well! xx

Reflecting on their first....

Today I have sore tonsils (thanks Emmy!) and am a little bit Blah and although I've been good and hung out the washing, vacuumed and mopped I cannot be bothered doing anything else, I'm done!! This is frustrating  but I'm not going to fight it, so here I am on the computer while Ben and the children are out....Bless him.

We've had a ball these school hols and I cannot believe that after one more term my girls will be in PREP and Mr Spaghetti  in 3YR KINDER.  I'm so excited for them and yet I can already feel the sadness and sentiments rolling  in.  We are nearing the end of such a large chapter....Their first.  What a long beautiful journey of amazing accomplishments and sleeplessness, watching these three little babes grow and become these wonderful, funny, beautiful, clever people with such big personalities and hearts.  I did not know that I could love them so much, I did not know that they would make me laugh and feel so proud and also drain me of EVERYTHING at times.....

I did not know that I would find some aspects so easy and some aspects so challenging...a work in progress.

My advice to women thinking of babies is to be proud and confident as a woman,  accept change, love and appreciate yourself, know yourself and be ready to give and to learn extreme amounts of patience. Be honest, enjoy and indulge in the little things and trust your self.
I love being mama to Lily, Scarlett and Eddy and Step mum to Cooper, four special little hearts held within mine. xx

Sunny Days

Happy Fathers day (for yesterday)  to all of the dads out there.
 We had a beautiful sunshine filled day at home spent with my Dad, Sister and brother in law and of course my three cuties (unfortunately Mum and Ben were at work).  We enjoyed a light lunch, bush walk, lots of catching up and the kids played very excitedly with Aunty Laura and Auncle Sam, everything from Barbies and throwing rocks into the dam to an hours play on the Trampoline while dad and I tackled the lawns.  We finished of the day with scones jam and cream.  Its these moments that Ben and I cherish, it's why we bought our block of land, we can come home and chillout, no need to be entertained, you can wonder and be with your thoughts or laugh as loud and excitedly as your lungs will allow and its okay.
 Scarlett and I planted some seeds in the veggie garden earlier, Spring onions, Cos, Rocket lettuce and Carrot seeds and we noticed our Radish seeds are beginning to pop through, we're all very excited by this and are hoping to improve on last years "beginners" crop or lack of.  The chickens are also looking well, Poodles the black fluffy one should resume laying soon and Neville the rooster is looking glorious and shiny strutting his stuff around the yard, we shall  be purchasing some new chicks in the coming weeks to replace those we lost last year.
I'm hoping everyone has had a marvelous week we were luckily enough to, of course welcoming Spring with open arms was easy and glorious, we felt the need to celebrate with french toast and berries (Miss S couldn't believe we were eating "french" food, exclaiming  that we were eating what people in other countries are eating!.....adorable), and of course celebrating the arrival of a new bub...ahhh. Also this week our car has been (unexpectedly) at the mechanics the past week and although I was heavily disappointed to miss training and  meet my little niece it has been a wonderful sunny week to stay at home and hangout.  Speaking of training as well as  missing Wednesdays session I missed today's run, I have done some core training (of which I'm supposed to be doing every 3rd day at least...oooops!), It's another challenge I'm taking part in through Fitness Food and Style although  I haven't given it 100% I'm probably managing 3 work-outs a week however it's not the complete Killer Core and Cardio routine that Jackie at Crabtree fitness organised for us .  I want to take this seriously and I will hopefully get back on track by allocating specific time for this.
Two other challenges that  I'd mentioned in earlier posts were the sugar challenge and also to cut down on my spending. I managed the latter quite sucesfully  and I'm enthusiastic to keep going  although  a change in the season means a change in wardrobe!  The Sugar Challenge was a great success and I'm now reaping the following benefits:

 1.  My energy levels are balanced, I'm no longer falling in a heap at 6.30pm and no longer having "tired and         grumpy" moments
2.  I'm going to bed earlier each night.
3.  I'm falling asleep without a struggle.
4.  I've created healthier eating habits.
5. Am generally more energetic which was ultimatley my goal!!
Good night and Happy Spring to you all. x

Spring has Sprung!

I never mean't to have such a break in between posts and I've never felt stuck for anything to say in this blog so far, until recently....I think I was just quietly content, enjoying a comfortable silence.
Ben is of course back at work and we enjoyed such a warm sunny day one of three in the past weeks, blossom on the trees, our radish seedlings are sprouting, the birds are singing every morning, the sun...oh that glorious sun I LOVE YOU! and most recently and so excitingly I have a new niece Malia!!!  I'm so so excited and what a perfect time of year to be born, she is one day old today.
 Love Spring and also Summer, Autumn and Winter the beginning of a new season means change to our eating, style and activities, it changes our perspectives on our surroundings, living in the bush amongst the gumtrees I love to watch the changing colours and textures around us It's so inspiring to me and definately puts a smile on my dial.
This morning the kids have played tea sets, cubby's and block cities with basket/pipe cleaner semi trailers carting the blocks around the house.  I love seeing them play in this way and I'm so excited that my niece Iluka now has a best buddy to grow and play with, you just cannot beat it...joy.
 This afternoon the children and I are going to get muddy in the garden, there is SOO much to do out there but rather than get frazzled I will look beyond the overgrown grass, felled trees that need stacking and sticks and bark to be raked and I will do little by little and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings.  Another mission we have in the garden is to fill up the sand pit and improve the kids play area with a swing, mud kitchen and gravel pit for the trucks...we will get there.  I will post photo's of before and after, am yet to improve my skills in those areas, I shall one day have beautifully shot photo's with amazing light and juxtaposed objects!

Weekend pieces

Little Bears favorite thing in the world,
found like this.........

and like this.......
A naughty puppy making her mark.

Fixed by daddy with love.

Secrets shared on top of the ute.....

Miss S.....

Where there's Heidi there's a stick...

Mr Spaghetti.....

Gumboots all the way....

Plum the naughty puppy and me....

Thoughtful hubby....

Good food after hard work.....

Playtime....

My boys...sent me this while
I was at the hairdressers...

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY

I felt a little lost this weekend, It started Thursday morning  my beautiful Mr Spaghetti awoke pale and with a sore stomach.  Poor little thing was miserable so we cancelled kinder for the girls and a long awaited play date with a much loved little family.  By lunch time Mr Spaghetti was actually sick and  then seemed to pick up however I rang my brother and cancelled our 5km run together along the coast, oh I was soooo looking forward to this run....not to worry poor Mr Spaghetti cheer up little buddy. On our way home from the coast we'd planned to pick up my stepson so that he could spend the weekend with us and some family friends that were coming to stay, however you guessed it... we cancelled.  I sound as though I'm feeling sorry for myself don't I? It wasn't that bad,  I was more worried about Mr S although as I've mentioned before our family has spent a lot of time being ill of late, colds and flu and the dreaded gastro and now my heart just sinks, I'm beginning to feel  "over it", "over" the weather, grey cold and wet, "over' the bugs and virus's and "over" being stuck inside, I was craving fresh air.  So Friday afternoon, fully recovered and everyone healthy yet maybe contagious?? We rugged up and took the dogs for a walk along the road  through the bush, bikes, prams, scooters, three children and two dogs.  I gained my fix of fresh air, the kids shook the wiggles out, we walked up and down hills, through puddles, swapping bikes and prams and scooters and taking turns to walk the puppy.  Once we arrived home warm and relaxed, calm and content the children played and I had a quick play on the computer, I came across the words "we choose to be happy" or there about ( I would of made a link although I didn't  bookmark the page).  There are choices I make, I choose to be positive as opposed to being negative, I choose not to be quick to judge, I choose to do the dishes before the children are in bed, I choose not to litter (major pet hate of mine), I choose not to put my fruit in a plastic bag at the fruit shop and I choose to wear pajamas all day some days sad but true. But choosing to be happy, aren't you just happy or not? I know positive thinking and exercise and being kind to others etc effect our moods, but actually choosing to be happy??
 I slept well last night and awoke this morning and said to myself  "I choose to be happy" it seemed to make sense  "I'm going to be happy today... all day?"  That's what I've done, the children were non responsive to the " please pack up the lego, get dressed and finish breakfast so we can get to swimming on time" request and  three requests later I stayed happy and they eventually responded after turning of the TV and pointing out on the clock when we were leaving dressed or not.  And so on and so fourth, I had this little mantra going on in my head all day and perhaps today was going to be a great day with or without me saying this to myself but it seemed to put an extra skip in my step on this cold wet day and we made it to swimming.
Right now the children are all asleep, the house is cosy and warm, i'm enjoying a glass of wine while watching the football and writing this and tomorrow while enjoying breakfast with my lovelies I'll tell them that its only three sleeps until Daddy's home.
 Sometimes there's no choosing. x

Melting moments

My darlings are in bed,  they've been asleep now for nearly two hours I've just been down to check on them and they've not moved.  Last night Mum and Dad came for dinner which was lovely and relaxed although Mr S did not want to go to bed he's so stubborn and yet so gorgeous.  When he's fighting the idea of sleep we have a little routine,  if that fails  I put him to bed once again and then after closing the door  (he sleeps with it closed) I wait in the room with him until he gives in and snuggles into bed.  I usually sit in the rocking chair trying not to count the minutes although I've had to stand lately as  he's been getting on my lap, I don't want to get into the habit of rocking him to sleep no matter how lovely it is.  So Mr S is snuggling into my legs as little ones do, chatting away and eventually asking "why aren't you speaking to me mummy?" followed by  "mummy I love you, I love you, why aren't you answering me" so once again I repeat that it's time to sleep and once he's in bed I'll tuck him in.  Three times he walked towards his bed and then turned away at the last minute "stubborn!"  Eventually he snuggled down and we had our kisses and our "how much I love you's"  and then half asleep my three year old said to me "mummy I'm sorry I hit you before" tears welled up in my eyes as they are now.  My beautiful boy did throw a tantrum earlier and did whack me gently though surprisingly in the face as a result.  Now just before sleep he's thinking of what he'd done and is saying sorry to me, oh melt my heart I would go through it all again for that moment with my handsome boy.
 It had been a funny few days before this highlight, I've mentioned before at times I feel as though the children are getting a little cheeky, not listening or doing what is asked of them, and Mr S seemed to be crying in protest more regularly, I was lacking patience and tolerance at times.  I wish I was always my calm, happy self  that's how I would describe myself although some days its as though I've run out.  I'm now recording these days to see if it's hormonal.  If so can anything be done? Damn those hormones honestly don't we women have enough to deal with!

Anyhow my point is that today compared to the previous three was easy and flowing, a normal good day.  And this is how it began....I was awake lying in bed wishing I could make the children breakfast and myself a coffee and crawl back under the covers with my book, although I had my group training session that I do love.  Right at that moment "bang crash!!!!! Time to get up.  As I got to the kitchen the girls almost started crying worried looks on their faces "mummy it just..."   Oh those angels, they'd decided to put away  the groceries that had not yet been put away and after a few to many heavy items on the top shelf of the fridge the shelf slipped out, ooops....  I hugged my darlings what a sweet sweet gesture,  I was so proud of them and as I looked up from our cuddle I noticed the large box of fruit that they'd unpacked high into the fruit basket a beautiful colourful prism. Bless them...

I am often upset with my efforts as a mum I find some parts come easily and other parts or times are such a struggle, sometimes I'm so riddled with guilt and other times I'm cruising along dreaming of another! Looking back on moments like these though I'm thinking at this moment that its okay and that they are beautiful, caring children and Its not so bad the job that I'm doing, at this moment.....x

Shake things up a bit

Morning all!  The days are getting slightly warmer and we've even seen the sun for a moment or two recently.  One cannot help but think of sunny happy days ahead where lifestyle turns to outdoors, bare feet and sun kissed cheeks. Oh I cannot wait, have recently begun feeling a bit of cabin fever, I feel as though we are watching to much t.v, we need to get outside for an entire day and play and play and play.  I'm also over colds and such bugs....yuck!!! so over it although I have noticed this month that bugs are short lived, our immune systems are finally gaining some strength.
Earlier this week I was reading Planning with Kids  Nicole gave an overview of her routine during the week, I love getting insight into other women's days how do they manage? What do they let slip from time to time? Which are the main priorities within that household and most importantly I always come out with a handy tip or two.  The thing that stood out for me in this blog was that playtime with the children was included, it's obviously an important part of the day and one that I sometimes find tricky to include each day.  So after reading this blog I felt inspired and changed things around in my routine, we usually have play time in the arvo and usually its after the cleaning or a busy day out of the house and before cooking dinner and bathtime, looking back now I'm thinking "der Jodes!!!, tired, busy, hungry time of day!!!" what was I thinking???  So last week we changed things, after breaky and clean up we played (it worked out well as Little Bear was recovering from a bug and we weren't planning on being anywhere all day) It happened naturally actually the children were asking for me to join in and so we built towers and Mr Spaghetti the dinosaur knocked them over, we built leggo houses and castles and after an hour or so I set up a little doctors bag with bandages and syringes etc and the children went on to play nurses while I began on the house work.  I couldn't believe the calm through out the house everyone happy and satisfied, and in giving the children the full attention for that hour they were content on letting me do my thing for an hour before lunch.  After lunch we made muffins together as a yummy treat.  The girls made rasberry and chocolate (cocoa) and Mr Spaghetti and I made Date and Sultana, all without sugar and packed with oats, almond meal and chia seeds, a drizzle of Maple Syrup before putting them in the oven and fingers crossed.  Wow, these were great!!! I am still getting use to this old oven and create more disasters than wholesome goodness in the cake department, but these worked a treat I forgot to mention we used Jalna Vanilla yogurt (no sugar) also and it gave them a lovely moist texture. MMmm mmmm, we were very proud.
So what is on for today, well you wouldn't believe it Little Bear and I came down with sore throats last night and Little Bear a temp also, so today another day at home no ballet or kinder.  A light  lunch lots of fruit and I think a bush walk afterwards.  We fed the kookaburras on Sunday it looks as if they're building a nest in a tree at the front of our house we shall take the binoculars out with us for a closer look.  And a bit of house cleaning ....of course.
I went for a 4km run with Mr Spaghetti in the pusher yesterday, my leg felt great and I noticed myself smiling half way through.  It felt so wonderful,  a beautiful day at the lake, still and misty and not as cold as previous mornings and Mr Spaghetti and I were just happy.....Such a lovely way to be and jogging 4kms I had time to enjoy it,  a lovely distraction for the hard work of my legs and lungs!!
I hope you all out there are enjoying your happy days and if your missing out on them lately hang in there and  perhaps shake things up a bit.  x

 I would like to introduce.......

  

Little Bear....  Mr Spaghetti....   and      Miss Rabbit....  X

Simple and sweet

 Siting here in our backroom looking out into the surrounding bush watching the heavy clouds rambling through with each gust of wind, I've a moment to stop and enjoy one of the most rewarding yet simple things in life....A peaceful cuppa.
 Little Bear and Miss S (who now prefers to be called Little Rabbit) have had an exciting dress-up day at kinder and Mr Spaghetti has had an unexpected nap  and so now after healthy snacks in the car and warm milk at home they're content on being content...yay!!!
So in this moment of calm I'm looking out at the view and thinking back over the last few days and looking forward to the weekend ahead. We are now on holidays, we've a relaxing weekend approaching, I'm feeling happy and not drained as is often the case (new work-out routine to thank for this),  and my big accomplishment this week running the local lake 6km non-stop!  The thought however that is lingering in my mind at this time is when my darlings came to my bedroom recently requesting that I hop back into bed while presenting me with a bowl of  Weetbix and cold milk a glass of water and three beautiful smiles....Breakfast in bed! Melt my heart and how I cannot wait until they're old enough to use the stove and make me a coffee.
Simple little things that when taken note of  can be delightful and add difference to your day.  Letting a smile from a stranger reach your heart and uplift your mood, chatting with a neighbour as people generations before us did, complimenting someone knowing you may have helped turn their day around, catching up with good friends who make you feel great, three empty plates at the dinner table veggies and all, seeing the dining room cleared of ironing, a beautiful bird call that can be heard over everything else, a party invitation, listening in on a sweet imaginative conversation between children, romantic text or compliment from a loved one, chivalry and beautiful manners, and of course the smell of fresh washing that has dried on the line. Ahhhh.....Take note and let the simple things delight.x