Looking out the door

Because I have small children, sometimes I will look out of the room I am in, just to check what's going on in the next room.  

Sometimes, I just love what I see.

From the office I sometimes catch Helena twirling to the music

From bed it might just be our hallway

From the living room it might be Tia, who wants out!

Camping

It was lots of fun camping last weekend.  Although the weather was ordinary, and we had to stay undercover of the Kombi's annex for a lot of the time, it was fun hanging out with friends and family for three days.  

This is our little campsite, with Kombi, car, annex and two tents set up. Little squishy.

All the kids loved the hidey places in the Kombi.

Sarah and Laney played Barbies inside, while it rained.

We "grown-ups" enjoyed talking and ...

sensible activities like putting nappies on our dogs.  Oh Fraggle, you patient dog!

Oops, forgot Ro

OK, so a friend of mine pointed out yesterday that she thought it was funny that Rohan didn't make it to the list of things that excite me.  Clearly she hasn't been married for 11 years, and doesn't realise that the excitement has gone.  No!  Just kidding.  (Goodness me, wouldn't want to give the wrong impression.) 

In all honesty he is definitely one of the things in my life that brings a smile to my face every day. (He makes me laugh more than anyone.) And there is no need to worry, because we say "I love you" to each other every day, so I'm sure he realises that he has that affect on me.

Just in case - Love you, sweetie. 

 My special man, having cuddles with Tia

Excitable me

This year has been pretty awesome so far.  Ok, Ok, so it's only been a 12 days, but it's a good sign.  I have already started a new work schedule, and am not allowing myself to work when the kids are with me, so that I am "with them" properly.  The kids are happier. And this makes me happy.  

Since I am happier, I am noticing lately that there are lots of things around me that get me excited when I just look at them, so I thought I would share them with you.  They just make me smile.

My lovely new case with my lovely new camera in it.

When my girls spontaneously start dancing in the living room.

My newly bought, but old, basket with my new project in it.

Our kombi who's just waiting to be taken to the beach this weekend.

Our new travel journal from Lark, which I can't wait to write in.

OK, so this shouldn't really excite me probably, but in this heat, it does!

My My Sister Pat bathers.  Yet to be christened.

Home again, home again

I haven't posted any house pics for a while, so thought it was time...

I had to share these beauties with you.  They are enormous!

And these are just pretty...

  I think we might have to work on the shape of the heart, but you get the idea.  I got quite emotional looking over the photos. Aah... memories.

Laney and I made these lanterns this morning.

Christmas and New Years over

Well I know I have fallen back into my bad blogging habits, but I have excuses.. really.  I have been busy getting myself into some new good habits.  Over the festive season, I, like many others, have been reflecting on the past year, and realised that I really wanted and needed to make some changes in my life.  

The past year has been a rollercoaster of a year.  And although it was really tough at times, it was also kinda special at others.  We bought this home of ours, which was a definitely a highlight.  We celebrated our baby's first birthday, and watched her walk for the first time.  Our big girl started kinder, and ballet - which she has really enjoyed.  Our magazine has grown and changed, and helped me learn so much - about people, running a business, and myself. We also bought our sweet little Kombi, and took it for fun trips. On the other hand, this year has brought some tough times.  With the magazine putting a lot of stress in our lives, the renovations being tough on Ro's body, moving house (which Laney really didn't enjoy) and Ro and I generally feeling overworked, and underappreciated a lot of the time.  BUT wait, this year is going to be different!  And I am already organised and ready to face the year with enthusiasm.

I have written a list, of all the things that I want to achieve this year.  I have already cleaned up my desk, and started a new work routine that will allow me to prioritise my time better.  There are going to be more trips away - with nothing but R & R on the schedule.  There will be more playtime with the girls.  There will be work days that are planned and productive.  And there will be a healthier lifestyle with plenty of walking and water. And there will also be time for just Ro and I to have adult conversations that don't involve children, thaw or house stuff. Oh, and lots of dinners with friends and family.

I hope you are having a wonderful start to the year, with many positive thoughts about the future.  I know I am.

Cheers,

Kim

Some Christmas snaps (with my lovely new camera)

We dined alfresco on Christmas day, with family

This was the biggest hit on the day - Tia's new car

Tia has a new favourite nook

We recently spent the afternoon at Kate's farm.  (Thanks Steph for suggesting it!)  She crocheted up a storm while I watched in awe.

Tia loved the chooks

Laney ran around with the other kids while we just chilled here.

Kimbo in the Kombi

We have been away for the weekend and I am now frantic with all the things I want to do before Christmas.  Aargh!  I love this time, but I am a little crazy at the moment.  I guess I could have not chosen to go away and relax on the weekend. But with our Kombi beckoning us away, how could we resist.  I think I might just be more crazy now, if I hadn't taken the time off.  It was so nice. 

Highlights of the weekend...

Holding Tia's hand as she did laps of our campsite, because there were tears whenever we stopped.  (She will be walking so soon!)

Watching Laney run away from the waves, and then run straight back to the water.

Watching Ro fly our new super stunt kite on the beach.

Sitting around drinking beers with new friends.

Talking to Ro, with no (Thaw, computer, housework) distractions.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

These photos are courtesy of Ro's blog. He took some lovely photos.

Craftiness

Not that long ago I joined a group of crafters who are a very talented and gorgeous bunch of chicks.  They are all lovely to hang out with and I have lots of fun catching up with them once a fortnight.  Although initially I felt a little intimidated by the talent they all have for their chosen craft (as I am a wannabe, and not really good at anything crafty) I have found that they have inspired me to do things more creatively in general.  As I started planning for Christmas, I have been thinking, "what can I make for....." or "how can I wrap these".  Instead of just going to the shop and buying presents and patterned wrapping paper, I am willing to give myself a go at doing it myself.  This is not something I really would have attempted in the past. And I am really enjoying it.

I love to cook and bake, and generally struggle to find time for it, but I have been making time to do it.  Making cupcakes and chocolates. And I have also been practicing my new crafty skill of crocheting. It's nice to find something that relaxes me, and involves "making".  So thanks to all of you lovely girls, for inspiring me.

My first attempt at a crocheted flower, which I made into a brooch for a friend's birthday.

My first crocheted heart.  It's hanging on our tree now.

My little hand-made chockies which I gave my crafty friends at our last get-together.

What's going on?

Our little Dottie is sick, and hopefully will be OK by the weekend.

Laney is coming down off a week-long birthday high.

We've been enjoying dining alfresco in our new pergola - until the weather turned! This is Ro showing off his homegrown potatoes.

Kisses...

Barbie roasts with all the veg from our own garden.

Discovered we actually had a kitchen table under all that mess.

Love this picture Laney drew of me in my car.

Crazy house

OK, so I know I have been slack.  My Mum, blogging friends, old friends in Melbourne and anyone else who I see tells me I "really should update" my blog.  I realise I have been slack, and I apologise wholeheartedly.  Just to let you all know what has been holding me up - it's this little thing called Thaw.  My, how I would like to swear as I write this, but I am just not that rude.  OK, so maybe I would if this was verbal, but I just can't bear to write it.  This issue was a.. well... hard one.  We left lots of things to the last minute, and consequently had a rough couple of weeks leading up to the print deadline.  There were temper tantrums from the adults instead of the children, there was lots of wine consumed, and a lot of late nights and restless sleeps.  But in the end we got it done, and came out the other end with a magazine.  And I think it looks pretty good, just quietly. I promise I will post more regularly now.  

Tia loves that tinsel

No real tree for us.  First we have to put it together.

Our little backyard is an awesome oasis now.  So green and now with a table and chairs under cover.

This is where we  have hung out every night since Ro put the roof on the pergola, and we got our second-hand table and chairs.

The kitchen table represents the last few days well.  Laney's birthday presents and thaw orders ready for the post.It's been a crazy balancing act.

A special day on our advent calendar. Our beautiful Laney's 4th birthday.