happy birthday

Today's birthday was low key and relaxed.  Usually we just have a basic chocolate cake however this year suggestions were made as to the theme of the cake.  Hopefully via the montage below you can get a bit of an idea how the cake was constructed.  A theme well suited for a man that loves playing golf. 

Later that evening our good friends offered to baby sit so we treated ourselves to dinner at a Thai restaurant. As you can see, baby flutter-bug needed one last cuddle before we headed out the door. 

Happy Birthday to you or your loved ones this month!
xo

52 Weeks of Grateful...Cairns Holiday (Pt 1)

Before leaving for Cairns we took advantage of the post Boxing Day sales. We browsed Ikea and Freedom in search of a new kitchen/diner table.

 



- all photos above: ikea -  

 

- all photos above: Freedom -

 

We are still looking and deciding on what to purchase. 

 

The next day we took a two hour flight from Brisbane to Cairns.  No words can describe the excitement on these little faces when we finally arrived at our destination.     

 

 

While waiting to check in to our accommodation we explored Holloway's Beach.  

 

- beautiful Holloway's Beach -

 

On Saturday we visited Rusty's a well known and popular fruit and vegie market.   

- Rusty's -

 

In the afternoon the relatives converged at my cousin's unit to meet the newest member of our family, Alexander (9 lb 2 oz).  With so many cousins, aunties, uncles, nanas and grandads it I was lucky to get a nurse. 

 

Does this little guy know how much he's loved already and by so many?

 

After an early morning swim at the resort pools on Sunday we spent a beautiful day exploring Muddy's and the Esplanade.  The play equipment was utilised at Muddy's and we checked out the swimming lagoon at the Esplanade. 

- Muddy's...plus extra child in photo.  4 kids suits him don't you think! Seriously I am joking -

  - Esplanade -
 

After lunch the hot weather beckoned us to try some ice-cream which had to be devoured quickly as it melted down the sides of the cone (due to the extremely hot weather) - messy, but so delicious!



See you back here tomorrow to share a birthday celebration. 

xo

 



weekending...

Happy Birthday, Mum!  We look forward to celebrating your birthday with you soon.

 

This weekend we have been recovering from our week away to tropical far north Queensland.  After much unpacking and washing etc. it's back to finding our daily rhythm. 

While I was away I realised that I am going to have to be super organised this school year so I purchased a weekly diary.  This morning I concentrated on selecting recipes for our meals in the next few weeks. The other reason for planning our meals this way is to use up ingredients in our pantry/fridge, budget and reduce food wastage.

At this stage I am snipping recipes and paper clipping them into my diary.  From there I am making a shopping list for what we require this week.  I am trying to keep things seasonal so I have been digging out some old magazines as well. 

 

 

As the kids are all attending different educational organisations each organisation has their own food policy so as well as planning our main meals I have been keeping an eye out for some healthy lunchbox snacks.  (Note: The photo above doesn't exactly show healthy snacks - we did get a little side tracked - Ooops!). 

 

The plan is to spend more time in the kitchen with these little ones on the weekend baking and preparing our meals for the following week. 

- some tired faces from our holiday away-

See you back here tomorrow with some photos from our holiday in Cairns.


xo

 

moment from the week...

We are back from our holiday in tropical far north Queensland, Cairns. Next week I will share with you some of our holiday snaps including some photos from the markets, swimming, Port Douglas, the zoo and Kuranda. 

xo

Hello 2014

Here's hoping 2014 is full of love and happiness for you and your family.
xo

Goodbye 2013...

Hello dear friends,
This holiday season I have been living in parallel worlds.  One world is where motherhood requires little ones to be engaged and making the most of our time together as a family.  The other is spending time with our beautiful friend, Cobie.  Each day we get to spend with her is a blessing; each moment is truly precious.  Cobie is so amazing and brave and despite everything, she always smiles, she never complains and she never gives up.  

I really hope you can understand why I have been absent these last few months.  I do miss this space and even though I have taken a lot of photos to share with you there’s another part of my life that is taking priority.  Thank you for taking the time each day to visit in 2013.  And yes…I am planning to be back here in 2014.

It’s no secret that we are hoping and praying for a miracle in 2014.  What do you hope for in 2014?
Much love to you and your family. 
xo

my how they grow...

 

Today was our Day Care Christmas party.  It always gets me thinking about how much these little ones have grown.  It's a bit sad that this is the last time they will be together for a while in the one place.  Master flutterbug is starting Prep next year.  Although Miss flutterby is only three she is starting Kindy with another organisation and baby flutterbug is staying put for now but moving up to the 'big kids' room - the toddler room. 

 

 

2011...

 

2012...

 

2013...

braving Santa on his own!

 

Christmas craft ...

 

A brother to look up to...

 

Miss independent...

I would have liked to taken a photo of all three together however, once Santa arrived Miss flutterby and baby flutterbug cried and cried (that's putting it mildly) as they were scared of the big man in the suit. Suddenly I was juggling kids, cameras and the heat.  Unfortunately the mental note I made in the morning...'have to take a photo of all three', was quickly forgotten. You'd be pleased to know they did recover.  Nothing like air conditioning, a cool drink and morning tea to pacify upset toddlers. 

xo