Back to school..........

Term 1 has started for us here.  

Today Bell started back at school and Tom back at kindergarten.  I was planning on getting up early but due to the night antics of George I ended up sleeping in!  Thankfully Bell did not start till mid morning and there was no rush to get Tom to kindy until around 9am.  Apart from the slightly later than planned start it was a fairly calm start to the day.

It was a quiet morning here at home with just George and I pottering around, tidying up after the long weekend.  The week will be an easy one and then from next week it is all on with Bell's after school activities starting and Tom taking on an extra kindy day.

Clothes were laid out the night before and Bell's uniform and stationery were sorted in advance as well as lunches, this always makes a huge difference to a busy week day morning.

I loved the summer holidays, it was a very Kiwi/laid back one but I'm now looking forward to getting back into a routine with the kids and hopefully sorting out George when it comes to his sleep (I feel like I need match sticks to keep my eyes open today).

Bell and Tom are now back home and despite initial butterflies and worries (and Tom insisting that he would cry when I left) they both returned happy and looking forward to the week ahead.

Do you have children starting back at school or kindergarten this week?  Are you all ready to go?

Do you have a school/kindergarten routine that helps you get out the door easily in the morning?

 

Happy Term 1 everyone!

4/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."


Bell - Waiting.

Tom - Watching.

George - Searching.

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

Things I'm loving

Photo courtesy of Dear Molly.

Loving Tammi's - Dear Molly vintage inspired dresses.  All dresses are handmade using recycled and re-purposed vintage fabrics.  Visit Tammi's blog, shop and Facebook page for a peek at her gorgeous dresses. 

I've been enjoying alot of reading time this week - taking moments when I can.  I have just finished Maeve Binchy's final book "A week in Winter".  Best read when in a big comfy chair.  

I grabbed two of my favourite magazines while in town.  Also enjoyed with Whittaker's Peanut Butter chocolate.  So much for me cutting back on sugar.  It's addictive..........you have been warned!

Love it when this wee man draws on paper and NOT my walls and furniture.

Love that when the children are outside, our pup Charlie is always at their side.........

Loving EZCovers!  Thank you Meghan for mentioning this in last weeks "Things I'm Loving" post.  I clicked on the link and ordered up after we had finished Bell's stationery list.  I am not a fan of duraseal.  I usually do one good book and all the rest have bubbles and lines in them or don't end up closing properly.  The EZCovers come in various sizes and loads of different colours and prints.  They slip on and off (just like a books dust jacket) and best of all are re-usable.  I'm never durasealing again!

Check out the website here - there are also links to the UK and Australian sites too.  The covers took only a couple of days to arrive and Bell put them on all her books in just a few minutes.  Easy!

Have a great weekend!

"I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is."

Joining in here.

Water play

I'm feeling a bit beached out this week (I never thought this would be possible).  We have had a lot of sun and sand over the holidays but I was keen to head to the pool in town with the boys for a bit of water play.  No sand in my picnic lunch today please!

We went early to avoid the mid day heat and crowds and I was happy to see we had the entire toddler area to ourselves.  This worked well as Tom was a little unsure of the water slide.  After a lot of walking up and down along the side and hesitant dips of toes in the water he made his first attempt albeit half way down.  After that he was hooked!

George did his usual thing of pottering around, in and out of the water and then eventually joining in and following big brother Tom down the slide.

There was a lovely sea breeze blowing in and with lots of shelter from the sun and the fenced in area it made for an easy and relaxing morning.

Hope your week is a happy one!

Still......

It is not very often this wee man is still...........

George is our adventurer, climber, escaper and runner.  Don't let those big brown eyes of his fool you.

I like to let him be as much as I can, he likes it that way.  He does not like to be crowded or fussed over.  He is however cuddly............when you can catch him.

While out for a walk today with Nana and cousins, George and I hung back while the others were off playing in the stream.  He took a shine to this bridge.  Standing on tip toes often to peek over the side.  Watching the running water............and me, to make sure I was still near by.

I think we will be back there again very soon.

3/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Bell - not too big to hang out on the swings.

Tom - even superhero's wear pj's.

George - always to be found in the chicken coop.....covered in dirt.

Very happy to be joining in with Jodi's "52 project".

Things I'm loving

"I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is."

Joining in here.

Hydrangeas - I love having them in the house.  You don't need to be a florist to arrange them, instant bouquet in a vase!

Our favourite orchard has re-opened after their Christmas/New Year break.  Looking forward to the golden queen peaches.

I'm going fruit and veg mad at the moment.  Am changing my eating habits for the better.  Bananas are my new best friend at the moment and they seem to curb my sweet tooth and need for chocolate........so far.

We have grapes growing along the fence line to the vineyard.  These are table grapes and not the wine variety so will be delicious when ready.

Mementoes from our Christmas and New Year road trip sitting on the mantle-piece.  Lots of lovely memories.

My Saltwater Sandals - Mr H hates them but he surprised me with a pair anyway because he knows I've been wanting a pair for ages.  I was keen on the yellow or red ones but I think he chose the gold so they don't stand out as much (insert giggle).  They are so comfortable and pair well with my inner granny!

Have a happy weekend!