Just a short post to show you some scrapping I did a few weeks ago when Nathan and I had a weekend away just the two of us. Yep I scrapped! It was raining so I scrapped and he watched the cricket - PERFECT!
Scrap the Boys Dec ch
Show us your Stuff Dec 1st Sketch - I moved the sketch over...I'm hopeless and sticking to a sketch LOL
Scrapbook Savvy Dec quote ch
close up
Beyond the Door Jan sample
Daring you to Scrap Jan sample
A couple more to get done before the end of the month...hopefully these kids will play nice for an hour so I can scrap!
As I sit here at another swimming lesson for isobel, she's been going since she was 7 months old and is 5 now, when is it appropriate to say something about her progress?
She can do backstroke really well, can do arms for freestyle well too but the side breathing part she is struggling with.
Is it her? Is it the teacher? Is it bc she's had two weeks off bc of dance photos and concerts?
With her starting prep next year I'm wondering if she should stop swimming but I'm reluctant as she enjoys it and I feel it's very important for safety obviously.
When I talked to her the other day about her activities and school she said she wanted to continue. She knows she's going to get tired next year, that it's going to be a full on year, especially in the beginning.
So I suppose I'll just sit here and keep wondering. See you next week.
And the first week was Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
I got the idea of a themed play area from Katie Toland (check out her fantastic photography at
Www.katietolandphotography.com.au)
Each week I collect everything to do with the theme. Toys, books, DVDs, activity books etc and set it up in the play area. The kids love it. They aren't bored, not sitting in front of the tv, in fact they play for longer and bc there's stuff for all ages and both sexes everyone is happy.
This week was Isobel's choice. Next week will be in the kitchen. Other themes will be babies, fairies, outside.
I normally rotate toys, when I remember but this forces me to do it. All our stuff is stored in our study atm whilst our unit was being built and painted so this has forced me to sort more of it each week. I know Katie sets hers up for a fortnight, mine must have a shorter attention span, they only want it for a week.
The first 3 are using the fantastic AUTHENTIQUE KIT from Scrapbooking from Scratch...I seriously think this is my all time fav kit!!! Boy or Girl, young or old...it's unreal!
look at this
for KRAFT IT UP November...
I loved it until I did the string border...but was trying to do something different with the journalling...different for me...it's missing something but I don't know what...maybe some ink splatters...
Show Us Your Stuff - 1st Challenge - sketch - loving printing my instagram and photobooth pics at home at the moment...
using a MASSIVE lollipop from Charm's Creations...plus some extras from Purple Pumpkin
and the Second challenge at Show Us Your Stuff - using a quote
and a sneak of my sample for Beyond the Door for December
plus I have done my sketch sample for SFS for December....
well scrap stuff is still on the dining table, packed up but still there...but am pretty tired...big day today and just got faster modem today so might watch a movie on new tv.
Yes I was lucky enough to go away for 3 days child and husband free!!! and I got to scrap with 9 fantastic creative women!!! We stayed at a house that slept 10!! in Barwon Heads. Drank alot, scrapped heaps, ate way too much and laughed and laughed and laughed!!!
Clockwise from me - Bronny Koch, who drove over from Mt Gambier, Crystal Goulding, who flew down from Brisbane, Raquel Pert, Laura Overdyke, Melissa Millar, Marelle Jackman, Leonie Neal-Dawson, Jasmine Shea, and Kerry Murray, who flew over from Adelaide,
It was perfect timing for me, and, I think, everyone else too. I really needed a break. And a full night's sleep lol. Mind you late nights and my body used to getting up early meant I probably got less sleep than when at home, but at least it was 6 or 7 hours straight and not broken.
We're already talking about the next one...perhaps in January sometime!
I scrapped 11 pages which I'm super happy about. Will show them over the next few days.
A new regular post from me. This is what we are up to today
Playing at the park. Not 18 months old yet and so confident.
Watching and dancing to barbie movie. I feel terrible today-sore throat, achey body, so girls will have a quiet arvo and I can rest.
Feeding, feeding and getting Henry on track with sleeping. Going well so far. He self settled 2/3 sleeps yesterday and his sleeps today. Only did a 45min naps but at least he self settled. Bit frustrating but he'll get it.
Did some baking with both the girls. weetbix slice for snacks. Isobel, Nathan and I have already made a serious dint in it tonight.
can't wait to be outside, watch the girls play, have washing dry on the line and a happier household all round!
so I'm joining the 30 day photo challenge...as suggested by Felicity Wilson (her blog is amazing...I love reading it!)
So day 1 - self portrait - this was hard LOL
right off to feed the little man - we're having a much better day today...thanks for all the comments of support...in fact I think things are finally coming together for him...bit of tough love yesterday and he's sleeping much better!!! will enjoy it whilst it lasts LOL
girls are at MIL's for sleep over so about to pick nathan up and head out for dinner...hope the little man behaves himself...
Now before I get a whole lot of comments saying hugs mal and don't worry it will end, it's just a stage etc etc. I know all this...I just need to vent.
I didn't want anymore kids, two was enough. I struggled with the sleep deprivation with Beatrix and was very happy after 3.5 months to know I was in my bed for a good 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night.
I was also happy to see the end of
Bottles
Burping
Wind
Spew
4 hourly feeds
Etc etc etc
So whilst I do love Henry, and how could I not love this
I am struggling. I'll admit it, i don't feel like I'm coping very well atm. As each child has come along I have let go of a bit of control when it comes to housework stuff so it's not like I am upset that my house is a mess. In fact I've taken a leaf from another blog I read Tatum Woodroofe's
I don't attempt to keep my house spotless at all times, that would be crazy and really wouldn't be fair on the kids...kids are kids and they make mess, trying to keep the house in perfect condition all the time would, to my mind, be nothing short of insanity.
What I'm struggling with is just when you put everything together. And the noise. And having a toddler, who is being a full on toddler. Whinging. Teething. Damn eye teeth.
And then as Nathan says I over analyse things. Like should I premake henry's thickened formula bottles? I didn't last night. Is that why he didn't sleep as long last night? Why isn't he settling during the day? Does he have a reflux? Is the Zantac a help or a hindrance? Etc etc. That's my problem. I overthink things. Lol
And I can't find 30 mins to myself atm. I get to sit on the couch of a night. For about an hour. I should be folding clothes but I just want to sit there. I could scrap then but I want to spend time with Nathan.
I need to scrap. I have DT and CT commitments. But I NEED to scrap, for me.
I'm also over having activities to go to, to drive kids to everyday. We were meant to go to swimming today for isobel but she had a pain in her chest so it didn't take much convincing from her for us not to go. Just couldn't be bothered.
So what am I going to do???
My mum is OS atm which means I don't have the support I normally do during the day. So in 7 weeks she will be home so that will help. And my ILs whilst 40 mins away will take the girls overnight, which they are doing on Thursday and Friday.
And yep in terms of Henry I just have to go with it. It will be over soon. He'll grow out of somethings and if he doesn't we'll just go insane. Haha
Me time? So whilst I was letting Henry cry, doing tizzie hall's method, I scrapped. And I love it. So I'm just going to have to fit it in and not have a nap in the arvo.
And not overthink things. Easier said than done. Lol.
Not really enjoying today. That seems to be a common occurrence these days. But Only 8 to go. Then tomorrow is a new day. Right? Two are asleep ATM. Thankgoodness Henry id sleeping.
ALL OF THESE ARE USING THE GORGEOUS BOY AUTHENTIQUE KIT from Scrapbooking from Scratch....only 1 left....get in quick!!!
right...well need to get my WW1 sample done for September....but that might have to wait until tomorrow....oh and my sketch sample for SFS for September!
there's going to be a GREAT SKETCH COMP HAPPENING OVER THERE IN SEPTEMBER-stayed tuned!!!!!
A perfect day in Melbourne today, in fact most of this week is going to be gorgeous.
The girls were playing outside and I didn't want to be stuck inside folding clothes so I took the baskets outside along with the baskets I use to put the kids folded clothes in.
See the white baskets, one for each child.
So I folded two loads already brought in, in the wicker basket and then the load on the line. Brings new meaning to folding straight off the line.
The end result:
Will definitely be doing this again. I could still chat to the girls, watch them play and enjoy the sun, all whilst doing my job!
Firstly the girls go to my mil tomorrow arvo for a sleep over and the day there on Friday.
Then Nathan and I are out for bday drinks for my friend bronwyn on Friday night. Am really looking forward to going out. Haven't been out with friends drinking in, um, no idea how long. Could be years if you don't count weddings.
So menu for the coming week is
Wednesday - marinated spicy chicken pieces with Veges
Thursday - no kids, so I'm thinking bento box
Friday - night on the town
Saturday - Nathan will cook
Sunday - zucchini slice
Monday - zucchini slice
Tuesday - chops and Veges, including potato gratin.
What's on your menu this week? Please post on your blog, then I can borrow ideas.
Last time I shopped I did it for a fortnight. And I'm getting my fruit and Veges (and milk, bread and cheese) delivered again, through Aussie Farmers Direct, which is making life very easy.
If you haven't already guessed it, I'm all about making life easy.
I'll post more things I do, shortcuts I have to make life easier in different areas around the house.
Would love to hear tips you have for meal times, shopping etc.
I normally wouldn't condone the use of something other than real spices etc to make a curry what with my background lol, but mum of three, newborn in the house, kids have to eat at a certain time, so some meals can't be out of the gourmet cookbook.
This was sooo yummy.
Much yummier than the McCormicks ones. You could actually taste real spices. I think it's so good bc it's a wet meal base.
Definitely having this again. In fact we're having it tonight lol. Made enough for twice. Yay.
Coles have these meal bases on special atm 3 for $5. Always good to have in the cupboard.
