With plans in my head to simplify my life next year and have more time to do the things I enjoy, one must do project is to revamp the vegie garden.  I am thinking totally pulling it apart and starting again.  My dream one consists of corrigated containers off the ground, with rustic paving,  but at $200 for each container, I may have to improvise and come up with a cheaper (well free) alternative.

Luckily I have always been a bit of a scavenger, so am sure a few trips to the local dump and keeping a firm eye on Freecycle should help me to find something that will do in place.  Currently we have some railway sleepers, but I would really love some more height to avoid the bending.

The garden has been a bit hit and miss this year, with some things that we normally have an abundance of, failing dismally (zuchinni for instance).

Even though I have more fails than successes with the produce, it still makes it all the worthwhile trying when I can head down the back and choose some vegies for dinner, such as the carrots picked today for tonights meal – love roasted baby carrots.

The other advantage is the kids will eat the vegies straight from the ground, and with one that is a bit hit and miss with food, that is always a bonus.

Jemma

Such a lovely afternoon was spent at the Christ Church Cathedral here in Darwin for the baptism of Esmae. We had a combined ceremony with our dear friends whose daughter is 8 months and Esmae’s little buddy.

It was such a steamy wet season Sunday afternoon! I don’t think the 3 litres of hair gel, serum, de-frizzer I used was any match for that type of humidity so I had to embrace curls/fuzz. I was comfortable in my cotton dress at least, the bargain I got from Target after searching high and low for something to wear, I would have been horrendously hot in my back up outfit of pants. Sabre wanted to “tutu it up” and handsome daddy in a shirt and pants makes a nice change from the usual singlet and boardies! But the most beautiful little cherub was in the form of Esmae. I made her a dress as couldn’t quite find what I wanted to buy and the family dress from Dan’s side is too small as we had left it so late, as well as being long sleeved so a little too warm for the conditions. I sort of had a plan for what I wanted to make, simple and modern, but when I found the lace it all came together and I think was just perfect.  I think she was cool and comfortable, as much as a crawling baby in a dress can be, and looked oh so pretty.

Adorable Amelia was dressed in a family gown which is just so special. To think it was worn by her mummy is so precious. And adorable she is! Big blue eyes and never stops smiling. Such a placid happy little thing, love her so much! Once the ceremony was over the pair of them enjoyed a bit of cool down time on the grass outdoors.

Then it was of to a bar close by for a bit of food and drink ( in true Darwin style) to celebrate.

May both their lives be blessed xo

Kobie

It is part of living up this way, part of the tropical environment. We have been warned that this year there will be more cyclones than normal due to the La Nina weather pattern for 2010/2011. It started like any other morning. The family was up and sitting around the breakfast table talking about what the day would bring. What wonderful adventures would be had that day. Laughter rang out through the air. Then without warning it happened. There was no preparation. No sheltering the children. A cyclone hit.

Tables were upturned, windows ripped out, chaos and mess every which way you looked.

Like all cyclones a name was given to this one too.

Cyclone ………….ESMAE!

Cyclone Esmae!

The calm before the storm

Approaching Storm Front

Chaos

Destruction

Devastation

The eye of the cyclone

Aftermath

Yes, that is right, NOTHING is safe around here anymore. The baby is well and truly mobile and loving getting into everything leaving a trail of destruction behind her. There is no need for baby toys anymore….not when big sisters things are much more interesting.  We call her Cyclone Esmae. “Look out here comes the cyclone!…quick ….pack up the little toys here she comes!”

Kobie

Our Christmas tree has been up for a little while now.  Normally I am an adamant no Christmas decorations till December person, but with a free day in November, it was time to get it happening before it was Christmas night and I discovered I had no where to put the presents.

I did have plenty of help and instructions from a 3 yr old telling me where I must place the balls, hence why it is not all that neat and structured, but managed to get most things on (still a few in the boxes, but am kind of over it now).  One year we may manage to buy a star for the top, every year I say that and every year our tree goes star less. 

I was going to start popping a few presents underneath, but I have no doubt that Mr 3 will open them up each morning saying “it is Christmas”. He is rather excited as has understands now the hype behind Christmas.  Unfortuantely he does not under the Christmas threats of Santa wont come if you be naughty. 

Well for the last week I have been saying I will finish those Christmas cards and every day I still have not done it, so had better stop this and actually achieve something completely before time really does escape me.

Celebrate, Rejoice, Happy Happy….Joy Joy! After 3 days of living at the shopping centre my shopping is complete! This is despite having shopped online and in store for Christmas all year…..somehow every year by about October I think I am all organised but then there are always more gifts I need to get. I guess it is mostly the kids I can be organised for before but as for the families pressies I usually put these off or wait until some Hint Lists are out. 

I also spent at least one of those shopping centre days looking for something for me to wear for the Christening. I got about 5 outfits…was so nice to have choice for once…and then had to take 3 back as I wanted to try them on at home and be sure. Kept 2 as one was just a pants and shirt that I will wear anyway. I ended up keeping the cheapest option too which is always a bonus. I was prepared to spend a fair bit too as I just wanted to find something that was not only cool for the hot weather, something that I could wear whilst holding a baby (not strapless! hehe) , something I might wear again and something I was really comfortable in, so it was much to my joy the one I liked the most was the least expensive and fitted all those criteria…when does THAT happen! 

So done are the Christmas gifts..TICK, done is the Christening outfit for me…TICK  and Esmae’s dress is finished…TICK and DONE is the Christmas decorating around home…TICK! 

The Colourful Tree

 You may notice a distinctive lack of decoratoins around the bottom….this has something to do with this small creature who loves living under the tree pulling everything off! 

Girls "decorating" the tree

Extra twinkles

Sparkle in the shell bowl

An extra zing of colour

Advent House

Merry Sideboard

Gorgeous Garland

Fairies, butterflies, birds, snowflakes and balls....so pretty!

Santa's little helper

A cuddly friend

 So I am feeling much more relaxed that a few jobs have been ticked off the list….TICK. I might even get to a bit of sewing this week! 

Kobie

Friday saw us celebrating Ari’s 3rd birthday.  I know everyone says it, but wow where did the past 3 years go?  I feel like I have blinked and he has become all grown up.  Such a little boy now and got a real kick out of telling everyone it was his birthday.

Dump Truck Biscuits  ~ The Birthday Boy ~ Party Table

We had a little party at home with the kids from my Mothers Group and a few other friends.  Champagne Slushies are brilliant for 3 yr old birthday parties, helps one cope with the noise levels.

As Ari is digger and dump truck mad, I decided to go all out with a construction theme and attempted making some items myself, such as my rather interesting dump truck biscuits, whilst not the worlds neatest, were still pretty effective and Ari loved them.

For his cake, this year I made a nice and simple one which consisted of a chocolate cake, a raid of the toy box for some decorations and lots of crushed crunchie and maltezers to hide the slap job icing.

All in all it was a lovely afternoon and thankfully not scorching hot like it usually is in December. 

Jemma

Big deep breaths…………big deep breaths………

It has been a crazy crazy month around here. The store was closed as I was going interstate to see family which I was so excited about. It has been more than 7months since I have been back to WA and I was really looking forward to it. Busy times trying to get the last minute things organised for Ollie Rose and upcoming stock along with packing all I need into one suitcase (all be it a VERY large one) and a overnight sized bag for the 2 girls and me.

Then away we went on our flight that took just over 4 hours. Here comes the what was I thinking moment…………well more than a moment………more like 4 hours of WHAT WAS I THINKING!

I think that the airlines should have some sort of system in place that when you are booking your flights and you put in one adult and two children a big window pops up…….”WARNING WARNING, are you SURE you want to do that?”…then when you proceed “NO REALLY …have you thought about this…ARE YOU SURE!?”  …..then if you still continue “Please note our system has indicated that you plan on flying with a 4 year old and a 10month old on your own. Please be aware that in doing so you may not make it to the other end sane……….that is if you already aren’t insane by even thinking this is a good idea”.

I mean I knew it would  be horrible as Miss 10months is a wiggle worm and always on the go, but I thoguht “Oh it will be ok…horrible but I am sure it will be ok?” Well, it was REALLY horrible. Miss 4 was fine, she was content to draw and just revelled in the fact she was served food and could look out the window and it isnt so much the travelling with 2 kids but the fact that a 10month old is completely the wrong age to take on a plane. She can’t sit still at the best of times let alone expect her to sit on the confined space of my lap for more than 4 hours.  Then we got there and had an hour and half at the airport before getting on another hour long flight to mum and dads. From the time we left home that day it was more than 8 hours before we got there and I was able to collapse. During the flight there was lots of crying (I nearly joined in at one stage!) and lots of wrestling for her to stay put, lots of shaking, squeaking, rattling every toy and object I could find. Lots of shoving  food in her mouth and lots of avoiding the stares of other passangers around me.

Once I was there I had to ring up Dan and tell him, “sorry dear but I don’t think I am coming home….there is no way I am doing that on the way back!”  But well it had to be done  and on the way home we had an Alice Springs stop over that at least broke the trip up half way so we could get off and I could let Esmae crawl around for 10mintues. Only thing on the way back was that we had a third person next to us so I spent a great deal of time making sure Esmae didn’t kick her tray table and cover her in her lunch and wine. I did notice our lovely neighbour got 3 little bottles of wine and wore her headset the whole time….I would too if I was sitting next to me!

So apart from the travelling bit I had a really nice time away. Great to be in cooler weather and the kids could get outside a lot more and so nice to catch up with both sides of the family. Will share some pics once I have been through them all.

But  I have to tell you about some of the newer products we have in store that I took along to test run and that definitely made the travel a bit easier.

The laminated bibs with the pocket was a life saver for in the car and on the plane. I filled it up with sultanas and Esmae was able to reach in and help herself. This was a brilliant distraction and the concentration needed on picking up each sultana and guiding to her mouth kept her busy for ages.

Secondly this dummy/toy clip was THE BEST. Mid tantrum when Esmae was trying to throw the dummy away on the plane I could squeak the squeaker to distract her and if she did toss it away it didn’t hit the horrible floor. Brilliant!

And lastly this tip was given to me by a lovely customer Catherine,   http://www.raspberryrainbow.com/ who told me that she uses her Sandwhich size Saks as a mini wetbag for a wash cloth. This is a really great idea! So I too wet my face washer, wringed it out and popped it in the Sak and in my handbag. This is so so much nicer than using chemical wipes on babies faces and hands. I used it endlessly this way along with another one to hold snacks for both girls.

No rest for the wicked…….Christmas tree is going up around me…yay 1st December…..so off to save small child from sucking on glittery balls and injesting too much tree fur!

Kobie