And then he turned four...........

 

 

Today we celebrated Georgie turning four.  A simple afternoon tea with friends at the park.

 

A low key and easy way to celebrate.  He loved it, especially the cupcakes which were made by a clever friend.

 

Happy Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Boy xoxo

 

 

 

 

"The Season"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things have been busy around here - the last two weeks we have been getting used to the new school year and after school routines.  I have been settling into my new job which (so far) I'm really enjoying. 

 

February and March for us also means birthday "season" - and to start the ball rolling, Tom turned six years old.  He is our Valentines baby and has been counting down to February 14th for at least the last three months.

 

So on Friday we had an afternoon with close friends after school.  I made an M&M and Kit Kat chocolate cake for the occasion, we sat in the sun under the big tree and ate afternoon tea.  The kids played in the garden while we mums chatted and drank (beer) cold drinks.

 

On Saturday Tom has some class mates over and despite the rain we played party games and had a Birthday lunch.  My friend Rebekah (who is The Sugar Princess) made us the most delicious Lego cupcakes topped with buttercream icing and fondant Lego pieces.  As much as I love organising a party, it is exhausting and I love it when everything is cleared away and I can sit down and relax.................and listen to Tom as he plans his next one!  Just as well there is a whole year to recover.

 

We had a cold spell over the weekend and had the fire going (in February, crazy).  I made chicken soup for dinner and we spent most of Sunday making Lego Creations.  A really nice ending to a full on weekend.

 

I'm looking forward to a quieter week............... how is your February shaping up?

Happy Birthday little man Tom xo



 

Nice things and changes

With Easter and the first week of the school holidays under our belt things have been busy.  Not frantic, just family life, running around here and there with the kids.  The first week went quickly so I'm going to saviour this week a little more.

 

Here are some nice things from the past week.......

 

Craving colour at the moment so new cushions have been bought.

 

 

 

And a new rug.

 

 

 

Feijoas (Pineapple Guava) season in full swing.  My nephew dropped of another box, just when I had nearly gotten to the bottom of the last one!  This week I have been making Feijoa crumble and sponge cake.  More jam is on the cards I think.

 

 

A parcel from overseas and a friend.  Sewing goodies galore.  I just love the little wicker basket.

 

 

I have finished sew school now and will update you next week of my progress.  I have a few projects on the go that I'm hoping to finish soon.  I've been spending a lot of time in the garden lately and enjoying books and movies in the evenings.  I don't know if it's the change of season and recent bugs but I've been feeling so tired in the evenings.

 

 

A very sweet pin cushion - love the chicken print.

 

 

More washi tape.......

 

 

And new to me fabric tape.  I've bought it for gifts before but have never used it before.....any ideas?

 

 

Pins for my quilting.

 

 

Hazy afternoons and leaves disappearing from the vines.  I love the sight of washing hung on the line.

 

 

We have been moving furniture off the grass and back onto the gravel for the colder months.  Clearing and weeding gardens and lots of tidying up around the house.

 

 

Just love these three.  Bell turned fourteen this week, can you believe it?

 

 

I'll back tomorrow with the 52 project although from now on it will be a little different.

 

I'll just be photographing the boys.  I have noticed a shift with Bell lately.  She has been wanting more independence and with that she spends less and less time hanging out with us.  It has become more noticeable in the past month or so.  A letting go has been needed on both sides.  She is craving more freedom so with that I won't be including her in the portrait project anymore a decision that was decided between us both.  My girl is growing up.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

 

Joining in here with Meg and here with Em.

 

 

 

Weekending

I turned free roadside stall quinces into jam - the best batch I have ever made.  Super thick and tastes really good.  Such a pretty jewel colour too.

A quick banana cake on Sunday afternoon.  Trying really hard not to let anything go to waste.  We always seem to have a surplus of bananas round here.

Vanilla cupcakes for George from a very clever friend - edible decorations on top of buttercream icing.  Say no more!  The kids loved them.

Freshly picked mushrooms from the garden.  Mr H is going to eat them, me not so game.

Have planted in my winter vegetable patch.  After keeping the soil covered in grass clippings for the last 6 months and then mixing through sheep poo and compost the soil is so much more healthier than last year.  It was so compacted and dry but now is perfect for winter planting.  I've planted savoy cabbage, silverbeet and kale.  My sister n law Em is going to plant different vegetables in her garden so we can swap produce when the time comes.

I have only planted half the vegetable garden as I thought it would be too big, but I'm now thinking I may need more room.  I still have the patch under the apricot tree planted up.  I put down stepping stones to make it easier to navigate over the wetter months.  And a border down one side of marigold plants.

An old Dove Cote from our neighbours.  I've been cleaning it out and will put in some hay for any new bird families that may want to take residence over the winter.  Hanging bird seed feeders are next.

Yay!  It's that time of year again.........Feijoa season!

Farmers market bread and tomatoes for lunch.

Snippets from around our home.......

My growing washi tape pile.  Love the stuff!  I have had a couple of months of Birthday and Swap parcel wrapping and I love being able to use my washi tape.

 

Hope your weekend was a good one, here's to a happy week!

Joining in here with Meg and here with Em.

And just like that........

You turned 3!  Low key with dinner at your favourite place in the world (McDonalds) a brand new bike and some great pressies from family.  You are so easily pleased and never expect a fuss.

It has been a busy couple of weeks here,  I have been absent from this space and have been so looking forward to returning.

With George turning 3 it also meant that he started Kindy.  Here in New Zealand, once children turn 3 they are entitled to 20 hours free childcare each week. 

We had his name down on the waiting list for an amazing Kindy in town.  Situated on a 40 acre farm, complete with animals, organic gardens and Steiner based Philosophy.  Because of the huge outdoor space and high teacher numbers we new it would suit George perfectly. 

We did initial visits and as of last week he started on his own (without me hovering) 5 mornings a week.  I was going to start with 3 but Mr H said we should go with the 5 that was offered - and I'm glad we did because he loves it.

He has settled in so well - and runs into the centre each morning and after doing a puzzle or reading a book, I kiss and hug him and say goodbye.............and that is that.  Easy.  After being such a clingy little man, this has been a huge surprise.

And there you have it.  I am now a mum to 2 in school and 1 at Kindy.  And 5 mornings a week free.  Someone said don't underestimate how quickly the time will go - you were right!  I'm getting lots of things done, but some days I'm also racing to get things finished in time for the midday pick up.  I've been loving the quiet house and coffees in town.  I have been keeping a beady eye open for a suitable part time job, ideally mornings and term time only......wishful thinking?  The biggest adjustment hasn't been for George I think but for me.......funny huh?

And now it's the weekend.  Pizza night, movies and lollies.  A favourite round here.  Everyone is suitably tired from their busy week.  I'm looking forward to getting into the garden, the weather is going to be great for the next few days.  The mornings are freezing but the days are turning out bright and warm.  Hope life is treating you well in your part of the world.

Have a great weekend lovelies!

Loving

Birthday treats from my sister.  She didn't know that I love Orla Kiely- but thought the patterns were very Retro and that I would love them.  So very right.  I'm going to pop these on my sewing table for storing buttons and threads.  Too good to store leftovers in I think?!

Flowers that last - Mr H delivered these to me last Friday and they are still going strong........

Favourite breakfast at the moment.  Avocado and tomato on Vogel's toast with sea salt and cracked pepper.  Washed down with an almighty mug of sugary sweet tea.

Tom sat these two together on the chair in my room and covered them with a scarf.  Love seeing this gentle side to boys, instead of throwing them around the room.  "They can be friends, mum".

 

 

  

You may have seen the portrait of my three for week nine of the Portrait Project here.  This is where we had our tea Saturday night.  On the first day of Autumn.  There was a very cool sea breeze blowing but the light was glorious.

 

This week was the first time I have not had to pop a carton of eggs in with the groceries.  At the moment we are getting an egg or two a day from our bantams.  We currently have four ladies, and am hoping to add another two.  I love being able to hear them clucking about as they fossick around in the grass.  They are funny things, and there is most definitely a bossy one in the mix and that would be Betty.  I think her name suits her.

Hiding under the asparagus bed..........

Chicken run!

One of our new girls.

Movie night - I bought Pride and Prejudice over a week ago and finally got to watch it last night.  After much eye rolling and commentary from Mr H he sat at his laptop and popped his ear plugs in.  Amy I thought of you when Basildon House was featured - lucky you for being able to work there.

Tonight Bell and I are going to watch Beaches (insert rolling of eyes here), eat chocolate and hopefully enjoy the movie in peace and quiet!  Love a girls movie night.

Happy weekending!

"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 with Meg and here with Em.