Point & Shoot - what my mother taught me

In my day to day life, I come across little things that make me stop and think about where and how I learnt to do a particular thing.

Like this morning for example, it was a normal morning. Wake up to the sound of the kids playing in their rooms.  Get up, make kindy lunch for Mitchell and pour myself and the little ones a nice warm drink to to start the day.  Drop Mitchell at Kindy, watch him cry for me at the fence as I drive off. (it lasts until I am out of sight and then he is happy).  Arrive home, put Liam down for his morning nap and get stuck into some housework.

Mitchell's favourite sheets

Today it was change sheets day.  I was in the middle of making the beds after stripping them
and I had started tucking the sheets underneath the mattress with a hospital corner.  It was then that I stopped and pondered where I had learnt this and why of why must I do hospital corners every.single.time.  If Quentin makes the bed, I go back and fold the corners my way.  In my eyes, there is only one way. Hospital corners all the way.

Hospital Corners...your sheets stay put with corners like these!

I know exactly where I learnt this and it is one of the many things that my beautiful Mother instilled in me from an early age.  My mum has taught me many things and this is just one of them.  I am sure I will teach my kids too...when they are old enough to make their beds!

What did your mum teach you?....

Point & Shoot: Birthday Wishes

It was my birthday last week and I turned 32.  It seems kind weird to see that number on screen, I really don't feel that number.  I had such a busy day planned on my birthday and it wasn't all fun, in fact it was a lot of driving around lugging kids in and out of the car and following up business issues for my husband.  There was no cuppa in bed, but to my surprise, my hubby came home at 9.30 and spent the day with me and the kids.

Instead of lost of driving around with the kids, I was able to go kid free...yay, i'm sure you all realise how much easier it is to just pop out to pick up a few things without the kidlets. It is amazing!

After completing all my errands, we all headed out for lunch in Subi and to pick up a bargain I got off Gumtree.  Lunch was wonderful, Hubby fed the kids while I sat back and soaked in the suns rays and sucked up a big fat chocolate milkshake!!  We headed back home for the boys to have their afternoon, and i even managed to fit one in for myself - I am not a napper, I actually hate naps - I just don't feel the same when i wake up - I'm not left feeling refreshed, in fact, completely the opposite.  It takes me a good 30min to get withit and wake up.  Its worse than waking up in the morning...haha

I was amazed at how many birthday wishes and messages I received that day, you know I really felt loved.  awwwww.  All my friends and family sure know how to make this girl feel better.  

I am so lucky to have such a great husband that spoils me and writes mushy romantic birthday card messages and am so lucky to have kids that singing "Happy Birthday cake" to me all day.  You Rock Family!!

Although I didn't get to see my mum & dad on my actual birthday, we did make up for it by heading out to lunch at one of my most favourite places in Fremantle - Little Creatures.  It's such a wonderful, relaxed, laid back pub, it even has a large kids sandpit out the back.  The weather wasn't the best for stting outside, but that didn't stop the kids - they had a ball out there.  My folks even took it turns watching the kids so i could enjoy some kid free time with my friends.

Thanks all for a wonderful birthday, turning 32 doesn't seem that bad after all...

Footy and Bike Riding

There is nothing better in this world than spending Sunday morning walking around the local nature reserve with your family.

We took Mitchell's new bike so that he could practice riding outside of the backyard - doing bog laps around the table, chairs, swings and whatever obstacles the kids leave lying around out the back gets old pretty quickly.

This was our Sunday morning in pictures....

After our busy morning at the park, we went home for lunch and to watch the Eagles play GWS.  At least both WA teams had a win this week....yeeehaaawwwwww

Wow...3 already

Can you believe it! I certainly can't.  3 years ago we welcomed you into this world and you have changed our world ever since.

You have become quite the little chatter box over the last few months and you can now officially ride your big boy bike...after just 3 days of practice! Each day you just get faster and faster and better at turning.  To date you have had one stack off your bike.

A few things we have learnt about you in the last three years:
 - you prefer cucumber in slices, not sticks
 - Dump Trucks and Diggers are your most favoured things to watch out for when we are in the car
 - You are still a parrot (you copy anything/anyone, even your little brother)
 - Your favourite colour is Blue (and occasionally green)
 - Peanut butter sandwiches for lunch
 - Chippies are also a favourite on the menu, along with Stir-fry noodles and Curries
 - Watermelon & Strawberry's would have to be your most favourite fruit
 and lets not mention cake...of any sorts...
 - You love talking on the phone now, to Daddy & Nanny especially.
 - On the special occasions we get Maccas, you want to "say it", "Happy meal, cheeseburger & apple juice", quickly followed by "thank-you".
 - Lately you want to push your brother around when he is in the stroller - and you do a pretty good job.
 - Your favourite TV Show is Handy Manny & Dinosaur Train
 - You love to have your back rubbed when going sleep and ask Dad to rub your head every now and then
 - Sometimes you don't like to listen to either of us, it seems to be selective of course!

We love the everyday moments with you that make us smile, you bring lots of love into this family and we love, love, love you!!!

I wish we could do this very weekend mum.

So as far as weekends went, this was a good one.  But there were a few moments I would like to forget.

Like the constant cleaning of the floors, due to copious amounts of sand M & L brought into the house from the sandpit.  

Like the "discussion" with Dad, the Father in law. The one where we were left with more answers than before and a feeling like it was all us - our fault - the whole thing.  I won't go into any details, but to say that Q & I are still feeling, well sick to the stomache.  

Like the washing, the ever present washing and the never going to get any smaller washing pile.  

But, on a brighter note the things that made this weekend great was the Breakfast with my Mum, Nan, Q and the boys at the Blue Duck in Cottesloe.  What an awesome view - pity the service wasn't 100%, but the food was awesome.

Summer Crepes with berry sauce.

The walk along the beach to the playground.  Seeing my family play together and spend time with each other without the distractions of the last few days and weeks.

    

Endless playtime in the sandpit and water table.

Sunday - Sleep in...

Family time doing productive things around the house, mowing the lawn, watching Liam chase after the lawn mower and try and put the earmuffs on his head, the boys actually playing happily together (for all of about 15mins).

The four of us, enjoying just us, playing, laughing, chasing and battling the 1year old with a very sore mouth and making some awesome BBQ fish with Thai sauce and coconut rice, with extra tasty prawns and side of Garden salad.  Thanks Taste,  you completed our weekend.

Point & Shoot

I wish every weekend could be like this one.

This is the first time I am participating in Sunny & Scout's Point & Shoot. I know it's usually just one or two photos, but I just couldn't pick one... 

This was our Saturday morning...

Thanks for looking!

Firsts.

Liam, The 4 of Us, Mitchell

Today is a day of firsts.

My First ever post.  My First Blog.  A first time blogger, but a long time follower of some of my favourite blogs - check them out and see for yourself.

I guess I am behind the 8 ball for starting a blog.  Everyone's doing it.  But it's something I wanted to do way back when my first son was born (2009), but just never got round to it - as you do.  So with fresh new year, i decided to create this blog.  Yes the title is a play on the Eat Pray Love, but all the other ones i wanted have already been taken - see note about the 8-ball!

So it may have taken 6 weeks to get to my first post - but i'm here and i am not going anywhere.  The main reason for starting this blog is to record my family's journey through everyday life.  Life is so busy and we always have the best intentions to preserve our memories, but sometimes there are just not enough hours in a day.  I figured if i could find half an hour somewhere in my day to write a little about what goes on in our day to day life, we might just be able to look back one day and see just how good life was/ still is.

I have butterflies in my tummy as i type this first post....will anyone read it, does it really if matter if no one follows it.  This is about me, my little family, my love of photography and all the little crafty things in between.


And...This is for my family to follow - to see what things the kids have been up too.  To show her how quickly they are growing up, in the weeks that we don't get to see each other.