Chill out ...

That's what my kids said "Mum, you need to chill out"
and if I am being honest that is exactly what I need to do.

It doesn't matter if the beds are made
or if they don't do their hair (although brushing teeth DOES matter!!)
It doesn't matter if they watch TV after school
or if they play a computer game
It doesn't matter if I cook dinner or buy take away

What does matter is that we are happy together as a family.
That we are being kind to each other and to others
That we stop and take time to laugh, and dance, and enjoy ourselves

So this weekend is all about chilling out
Starting with a good nights sleep and some cuddles with the kids in the morning
Happy weekend everyone x

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A night out

Last night my very lovely friend Beth came to babysit (on a school night!!) so we could go to Melbourne and see The Temper Trap.
I owe her big time!!
But it was SO very worth it
They were absolutely fantastic
Captivating
Cool
and I danced ... maybe not quite how the youth of today dance, but I danced anyway
and it was fun!
They played lots of new songs and the best of their songs on the first album - a perfect balance.
And it was fun ... did I say that already?

Have you been doing fun stuff lately?

Getting ready

Now that there are only 17 sleeps until we head off to the UK we are getting pretty excited
Passports ... check
Suitcases ... check
Kids meals ordered ... check
Nights out with friends in London ... check

BUT the thing that is now on my mind is packing.
I wont be doing it until the day before but what to pack??

And I plan on doing LOTS of shopping while over there (think H&M and Primark) but I still need to take a few things, would be scary if I turned up at my in laws naked!!

So I will be taking a few essentials - jeans, dress, sandals, scarf/wrap, tshirt ... but the rest I think I will shop for.  I haven't been to the UK for 6 years so I need a little refresher on where I should go to get some cool threads.  You lovely UK readers or Aussie gals who have been to the UK, what are my MUST visit shops/markets/areas??


So excited just thinking about it!!

Mr Morrison

While I admit James Morrison is not my ususal "type" he has me a little weak at the knees at the moment
We have been listening to his songs non stop in our house and even the kids know all the words
I am sure you already know his songs but I have added them anyway just because I can
I am not sure if you have the same crush on him as I do but if you don't that's okay, more for me!!

Op shop love

So I like most people love a good rummage through an op shop
We have one here in town where I live but there are 4 in the town 5 mins drive from us.
Anyway this morning after a coffee at the cafe over the road I thought, you know what today may just be my lucky day .... AND IT WAS
Firstly I scored 3 pairs of jeans for a grand total of $9
One pair is a super comfy pair of Levis, one is a Gap pair - kind of boyfriend style and then a pair of no name skinnies.

And then I thought - mmm Don't want to be greedy but maybe its worth the drive over the bridge to check out 2 others as well ... and I am so glad I did.
I scored 6 pretty pink pillowcases for $1
and then this purple floral sheet set for $4

PLUS my most favourite of all favourites these boots for $10 - hardly even worn, perfect condition, leather and in my size.

HOW LUCKY AM I!!

Add all of these to the green jumper I scored 2 weeks ago for $5 and I am now fully kitted out with
3 pairs of jeans, a jumper and a pair of boots for a grand total of $24
plus lovely bedding for a fiver!!

So chuffed.
And after my post yesterday about my wardrobe dilemma kind of ironic.
Now I have scored these great oppie finds I have promised myself that I am going to spend some money on good quality tops / cardigans that I love ....

Have you had any op shop lucky recently?

How much would you spend?

I am having a major wardrobe crisis
OK ... well that sounds kinda dramatic but you will know what I mean
My wardrobe is slowing filling up with some things that I love but I always tend to shop "cheaply"
I tend to go for quantity not quality which is great when there is impromptu painting with the kids and your new white tshirt looks like a rainbow of colours .... but not so good on days when you don't want to wear cheap out of shape tshirts,
Some days I just want to be able to get up and put on a rockin pair of jeans, some killer shoes and a top that suits my shape, in a great colour and actually does something for me ...
I don't need to look like a model (cause while I may have the height I don't have the body!) but I would like to look like the best version of me

So this brings me to the question "How much would you spend on something?"
Like Jeans ... if your a jeans girl, like I am, and they are your thing .... what is the most that you would spend?
And shoes?
And a jumper?
A dress?

At what stage of children growing up do you get to go past the Vegemite fingers and the play dough and just say "stuff it" I want to look great in clothes and I don't care about sitting in the grass at the playground with kids, jam sandwiches and snotty noses, I am going to feel great?

I love love love Sincerely, Jules blog.
She has AMAZING style ... yes that is her up there in those pictures!
Hair to die for
Clothes ... oh the clothes
And while I totally understand she doesn't have 3 kids and isn't hanging out at the skate park while reading stories and distracting a 4 year old like me I wish I had her wardrobe or the ability to look as fantastic as she does.

So tell me ... while I know most of us shop at Target, Sportsgirl, Country Rd, Sussans and the like if you were going to buy yourself 3 things to make you feel a million bucks what would it be and what's the limit?

Lately ...

On the weekend we had Joe's birthday party at Ten Pin bowling
I took the girls to a friends birthday party at a house that was totally AMAZING
So amazing in fact I couldn't help but invite myself back to have a proper look again another day
The kids had a babysitter on Saturday night so Chris and I could go and see Boy & Bear -
Completely captivating and sitting in the 2nd row (in the middle) meant we could soak up all their coolness
My brother, Dad and my Nan came to visit
So did some of the kids friends meaning at one stage we had 14 people in our house and garden laughing, squealing and carrying on
We ate chocolate biscuits, chips, ham and salad rolls
We drank tea, coffee and beer
We waited to hear from some of our best friends about their new babies arrival - still waiting!
We were busy but in a good way
And by 7.10pm last night all 3 kids were sound asleep and Chris and I sat on the couch exhausted.

Today we followed it up with school, an exercise class, kinder, a play date, Coldplay tickets, surf shop visit to buy new shoes, some donuts, and now ... now I rest and catch up on all of my favourite blogs!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend
Have you been eating any yummy food?  I have lost my cooking mojo!
Have you got a new favourite song you would like to share?
Have you got a new favourite blog that you think that I might like to visit too - I am in need of some new inspiration.

Love to you all x

(if this is your pic of Dave from Boy&Bear please let me know and I will happily credit - thank you!)

Joe turns 7

This is our little man Joe and today is his birthday
He is a kind hearted kid who loves to read
He loves his mumma (and will still give me cuddles and a kiss on the lips)
He doesn't like girls - "yuk Mum"
He loves playing soccer
And riding his skateboard
And going surfing, "but totally only in summer!"
He loves Lego
and drawing
and music
And he loves his best mates

He says many funny things
For example - he had to get up at school assembly and do a little talk with some other boys about joining the soccer team.  When I said that I was proud of him standing up in front of 350 + kids and parents he said
"Grade 1 today ... but one step closer to school captain mum!"

I am one very proud Mum and can only hope that as he grows he will still give me cuddles, still love his sisters, talk to us about whatever is going on, and be happy.

Love you Joe Joe xx

The last few days ....

My Mothers day was the bestest ever
Breakfast in bed with my munchkins
I was giving a gorgeous book full of drawings and writing by the kids
We had a family outing for morning tea
Then Chris took the kids to a soccer match and told me to go shopping - so who am I to refuse!
The kids wanted me to buy a dress
Miss Maggie even gave me $10.65 out of her piggy bank to buy it ... so sweet I got a bit teary!
A dress was purchased
A homemade dinner made by Chris was eaten
And the kids went to bed and slept all night
See, the bestest ever

We are getting VERY excited about our trip to the UK mid June
We are wearing our warm jumpers and cardigans on these cold days
We are watching Barbie movies
We are doing lots and lots of drawing
and we are enjoying cafe visits for coffee and muffins

Hope your week is going wonderfully too x

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**

After spending the last 24 hours in bed feeling well ... crap I can think of nothing better than relaxing with my family this Mothers Day weekend and having lots of cups of tea, yummy crumpets with raspberry jam and a snuggle on the couch.
I hope your weekend if wonderful too x

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Colour, Food, Photos, People

Travelling in India at the age of 24 was one of the most amazing things I have ever done
It was also one of the hardest
It is one of those countries that you either love or hate
I loved it (although I will admit there were some, OK many tears along the way)

Anyway, when I saw this book (Tasting India by Christine Manfield) in our local bookshop
I knew that I had to have it
So I bought it for myself for Mother's Day (lucky that was coming up!!)

It is amazing. breathtaking, almost too good to touch in case you ruin it
Its a story, a cook book, and a visual beauty.

So if you love colour, food, photos and people you will love this.
Now to decide which recipe too cook first
And how to get myself back to India for a holiday as soon as possible.

Voice

So yes I admit it .... I like many others am hooked on the Voice
For the record I love the Madden boys
but even more than those cheeky, tattooed dudes I AM IN LOVE with Megan Washington.
I totally love her ...
So go on be honest - are you hooked to?
Do you have a favourite?

Alice in Wonderland

I had heard whispers of a new play centre that had opened
One like no other
Its more of a magical wonderland than a play centre
There are no climbing frames or slides
Oh no ....
This is much more exciting than that

It is called The Imaginarium and it has themed play rooms with the main one being
Alice in Wonderland
There is also a pirate ship room and a wild west room
There is drawing and hula hoops
There is face painting
There is a rabbit hole and so much more
There are SO many wonderful things that my girls (and the 2 boys that were with us) would have happily stayed longer than the 2 hours that we had already been there
And if Alice in Wonderland is not good enough .. the next addition is a Wonka themed room - yes Charlie and the Chocolate factory.
So if you are in Geelong or near by make sure you stop with your little ones as we had the best adventure ever today!

(There is also another write up here with more photos)

And thank you for all of your messages about our dog Fraser - he is on the mend which is fantastic x

Our poor sick doggie

This is our doggie Fraser
He is not feeling very well
This morning he couldn't walk ... his front legs are working but his back ones .. not so good.
We had to take him to the vet
He has a prolapse disc in his back that will hopefully get better with 3 weeks rest
If not, best case scenario an operation on his spine is required
Not quite what we were expecting when we woke up this morning.

We have had Fraser for about 7 years
We rescued him from a shelter
We think he was about 3 or 4 years old when we got him
He cant chase a ball
He doesn't really like the water (although he is getting better but it has taken my husband a lot of time to teach him to love the beach)
And while we may not walk him as much as we should
We love him very much and only hope that we can make him feel much better soon

Please send good healthy dog vibes our way
Poor Fraser needs a cuddle!

Oh the Hokey Pokey

Miss Edie thought that on this rainy day she would sing you a song ....
(although it may take a little while to load properly as I am not so good at the old Vimeo thing!)
Its all about craft, glitter and stamps at our house today
Hope your day is wonderful x

I couldn't help myself

I drove past it at a shop in town today
My heart started to beat faster
I knew I wanted it without even getting out of the car
I had to stop ... and I am so glad I did
She is 3.3 metres long (and even has old school chewing gum still stuck underneath her!)
Oh how I love our new bench seat.
And the best bit ... in summer I can put her outside and we can all sit on her and enjoy the garden!

Struggling with patience and importance

That's me ... struggling to be patient
I love my kids completely but I have to admit some days I just want to scream at them

We have a pretty similar morning routine
We eat breakfast together and then the kids have to go to the toilet, brush their teeth and get dressed.
Its the same thing every day, it shouldn't come as a surprise to them that I am about to say it but every day it is a battle with at least one of them.
Either Edie wants to pick endless outfit changes, Joe cant find his socks, Maggie says she has brushed her teeth when she hasn't, apparently you can sleep all night and not need to go to the toilet in the  morning, did you know that .. well Miss Edie will tell you that is exactly what she can do.

And then once we get through that start to the day ... I already feel like I am running on empty.

Empty patience.

So when the kids say "mum can you please read me a book /  play lego /  help me do craft / sing the song that we sang 125 times yesterday, I want to say
"NO I want to just sit in the sunshine and drink a cup of tea"
(and there are times when that is exactly what I do) but I try and say "sure no problem"
And just get on with it,
But sometimes it's just hard.

And I know with winter days coming our way I am going to have to restore my patience somehow as we will be doing lots of rainy day indoor activities ... but how does one do that?
Find patience that you just don't have?

My husband is very patient
But he also doesn't care if beds get made / if we have any food /  what the kids wear and if he has to put the same pair of shoes on and off one of the kids 6 or 7 times
He is at ease with it all

Me ... not so much.

We have 3 rules in our house
To listen
Use your manners
And be kind to everyone

And all in all my kids are great kids, other parents always tell me so, and I think that they are going up to be such lovely little individuals, but how do I learn to just stop,  to be present, to not give a shit about my bed being made (especially to let my house be messy if a friend comes over?)
How do I just breathe, take it easy and be so patient that if my kids want me to do rolly pollys across the front yard that is what I will do?

How does one find balance between household chores and happy time with their kids?
Does it matter if my kids have yoghurt and fruit for dinner if it means we have played for 2 hours after school?
Does it matter if we wear dirty socks if it means that we all drew pictures together?
Does it matter if my house is a pigsty when people come over if the kids are free and happy?
And while I know ... no its doesn't really matter, clean socks and a tidy house are important to me.
Is that the problem, what I am thinking is important doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things?
Is it time management?
If I do all of the chore type things that are important to me once the kids go to bed will I feel more patient during the day because the "jobs" wont be there? ...

So as you can see I am struggling just a bit
(But I am happy just in case that bit doesn't come across as you read this post!)

HELP!!

Mr Efron ... you do funny things to me

Last night my friend Beth and I FINALLY went and saw The Lucky One,
and while I will admit it is not the best film ever made,
Zac is delicious to look at and Ms Taylor Schilling is gorgeous,
A fun girls night movie .... that may or may not help you have dreams about young men with muscles - just saying!

Things I am loving

A favourite mag with a cover so beautiful I want to frame it - I still LOVE Alexa
An amazing top (well its probably a dress but on me it would be a top)
This bright bunting .... just because it's fun.
And thanks to Kerry and Jen who both featured this moon as he is coming to live at my house.
Hope you have lots of great things that you are loving at the moment too.

Now to make a cup of tea that I have promised myself that I will drink while it is still hot!
x

Dancing ...

Today it is rainy and cold
We have the heater on
We have all our craft stuff out
We have lego spread out pretty much from the front door to the back door
We have coffee and hot chocolates from the cafe
We have books
And we have music - our favourite choice for today is from the band Walk The Moon
The kids love the "moves" from about 2 mins on .... Hope it makes you dance too!

Wishing this was my dinner

I know its wrong, but seriously, how good would it be!!

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Edie found some make up ....

Yep ... the pictures say it all
Happy weekend everyone x

Thanks Mum

My Mum has knitted me the most fantastic scarf ever - thanks Mum I love it !!

And yes I do feel like a fool taking a picture of myself 

but sometimes you just have to do it 

as a scarf hanging on the wall doesn't look anywhere near as good.

A pretty new song

Miss Lisa Mitchell .... I am in love!

A gorgeous baby shower

Is there a better spot to spend a sunny day?

Our gift to bubbie

I knew the moment I met Jules that I liked her

We were friends right from that first chat and I love her dearly

And what is even more wonderful - next month she is having her first baby

So yesterday I drove back up to my old hood and was lucky enough to be going to Jules Baby shower

Normally I don't do baby showers but I knew that this one would be gorgeous
 And it was

Glorious baby bump

Lots of sunshine

Cupcakes and cups of tea

And lots of laughter ....

Hurry up "toots" we cant wait to meet you and give you lots of cuddles

In the skip

The other night I was visiting some friends
As I walked up their driveway I saw a skip - nothing unusual about that
BUT in this skip was a chair
A cane chair
I love cane chairs
So I just had to take it out of the skip and bring it home with me.
I mean isn't that exactly what you normally do when you visit friends - take stuff home from their rubbish!
With a little clean and some cushions she has ended up in the girls room
The perfect place to sit and read a story I think.
What do you think?