Summer days: the beach!

We have been a little slack in taking the kids to the beach.  te idea of sand between the thighs, in the hair and up the nose has put me off.  But there comes a time where we need to put these things aside and just pack a could of towels, a few drink bottles (and about $50 for fish and chips) and head down to the coast!

It was Lilys first time at the beach too... it was like it was her 1000th!

Us adults did spend most the time splashing, putting hats back into heads, smothering sun screen, running after Ellise as she fearlessly waded into water and supervising the bigger boys jumping off the pier.

for this reason we dont have many photos, and I will say with much disappointment, I didn't bring my camera!  All these were taken on my phone.  In my defense, I didnt want to get sand in it!

It was the most glorious afternoon, very little wind, just warm enough for the beach, but not hot!  I am so glad that I put aside my bias and took the plunge!

Summer days: Berry Picking

Today for a bit of a treat we took the kids berry picking.

can you spot Ellise?

Walking up and down strawberry isles looking for the illusive red berry!  And reminding Lily that you cannot eat the green ones!

Lily following along behind, stuffing as many blackberries and raspberry's into her mouth as she possibly can.  

Raspberry's, blackberries, strawberries, and also a few others that I have no idea what they are called.  And then on the way out some export quality cherries! 

One of our little helpers.

5th of Blogtoberfest

My georgeous biggest boy

Happy Birthday Mitchell

My big boy is now 7.  That's 7 years from when he was a baby, and 3 years from being double figures!  He is growing up so fast.

We wrapped his presents the night before, and put them on his bedroom floor, so no photos of him opening them, but he did come running in proclaiming his approval of his shorts that I had made.

Happy Birthday Mitchell

Shorts Pattern Ottobre 3/2009

Spring rainy day

Its September the 1st, and in true Melbourne style its been raining.

So what do you do when it rains... you jump in puddles!

and then when you realise that jumping in puddles makes your (odd) gumboots full up with water, and your clothes all dirty, you burst into tears.  Then mummy takes everyone inside where its warm and gives everyone a bath.
And once again blogger wants the pic sideways.

And yes for those who were wondering my daughter is in her nightie

and also please forgive me for the blurry photos, I am learning to use a new toy.

Happy Mothers Day

I love my little brood of kiddies, and I must say that they have given to me more than they will ever know. 

Mothers day to me is a celebration of all mothers.  Mothers that give birth, mothers that take care of kiddies that someone else gave birth to, step mothers,  mothers that take on surrogate daughters when older, spiritual mothers and mothers that have passed away.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy 4th Birthday Ellise

Such a beautiful precious little girl!

Growing up before our eyes!

Happy Birthday Ellise

and that fringe seems to be getting shorter before our eyes too!

HotCross Buns

Easter- a significant date in our diary!  Every day we thank God for the sacrifice that He made for us.  Easter is the dates that represent this sacrifice.  Friday we thankful that Jesus died on the cross for us, on the Sunday we thank Jesus that He rose from the grave to live again!

In todays society much of this has faded.  Today we tend to eat chocolate eggs (eggs represent new life)- and eat hot cross buns (representing the cross that Christ died on) - often taking advantage of the long weekend and going away with family.  Although my kids do know what we consider the real meaning of Easter, they still want easter eggs and hot cross buns.

So this morning I bought some for breakfast.  Tyler wanted butter on his, and helped himself to the butter.

Sorry Tyler- but that is a tad too much butter!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter!

Just amuse yourself while you wait for me to return...

We have had a kind of rough few weeks.  We are all healthy and plodding along, and in the scheme of things its really not that rough.  But its kept me away from blogger, and also the computer in general.

As you can see from my previous post, and anyone who lives in Australia would know, we were hit with a major hail storm around 2 weeks ago.  Well it has taken the insurance co just over 2 weeks to finally give us the verdict and say that the car is not going to be repaired.  We kind of knew that already, but we have been borowing and begging for the past 2 weeks for a car, and now its going to be another 2 weeks before we see any money.  One thing I am greatful though is that we have the opportunity for insurance.

The Tuesday after, my computer died... no warning just died! 
again greatful that we have a friend who is good with computers and was able to save what was on it and change the hard drive, and we are hopefully updating to Windows 7.  Not to mention my parents had an old work computer that I was able to get my mits on.  It does take a whole kettle to boil before it boots up, but hey! its better than nothing!

Then the dentist on Friday... following in typical family tradition my kids have weak teeth.  No cordial in our house, no soft drink and lollies are for special occasions.  Make sure you brush your teeth when you go to bed and get out of bed... and still the 6.5yo in the house needs at least 2 fillings!  Possibly under general anaesthetic!

So I have spent the last few weeks working at every opportunity, trying to save for what is an expensive time for us. 

God has been really faithful to us though, providing in many ways.  I have the opportunity to work, and although I am tired, I have my health and a profession where I can work when ever I can.  My mother has lent us her car from time to time, limiting the moments where we need to hire a car.

But as for softie time, well its still sitting here...

Happy (belated) 2nd Birthday to my baby girl

Wow how time has flown, and I tell you what, it has been a most delightful time getting to know this little gift from God.

She has blown my "i have 3 other kids I know what I am doing" right out of the water.

She is so different from the other kids.

Firstly she was born undiagnosed breech (c-section).  She sucks her thumb, she slept through the night, gained weight at a normal pace, met all her milestones exactly when she was meant to, is STILL breastfed! Eats the way that you want a child to eat.  She is such a little character!  No pulling the wool over this little girls eyes, she has 3 other sibblins to compete with and she makes a very good go of it at the best of times!

And as per usual have to show you all the brag pics!

It brought tears to my eyes!

Look what my oldest son made for me!  He is just over 6yo. 

The other day, during the holidays I was asleep in bed and he brought me in a drink to say good morning to me.

I was so impressed that I didn't drink it!  I left it there looking at it all day.

The straw with the paper is meant to be an umbrella (btw I am not sure he has ever seen a cocktail) and then there is a strawberry on the side for decoration and a straw as well.

This is reminicent of what happened a few years ago.  I had done kinder duty and came home feeling quite unwell.  I rang my husband who was about 1hour away.  I basically collapsed on the bed and sort of fell asleep (which is unlike me).  About 5min later the 2 boys came in with cornflakes with milk and milo on top, for me, to help me feel better. (I have never put milo on cornflakes, so they thought this up themselves).  I think at the time they were 3 and 4yo.

Or when we were in Spotlight, and I said "there is a lot of ladies here isn't there" and he replied "yes but I chose you mum!"

Moments like these still bring tears to my eyes!

Love to hear what happy moments bring tears to your eyes.

How to eat a Cornetto

Happy 5th Birthday Tyler

rom birth to 5yo, this young son of mine has been such a delight. 

He sure does keep me on my toes, but I figure that this is a sign that he is fit and healthy.

 

He is a climber, he asks why at every turn (why is that car blue? why is he driving a truck? but why!?)  he loves to help is brother and sisters, he loves cuddles, and he loves cricket.

 

He is a typical boy, loves his vegitables, and has a very cheeky look about him, that suits is actual personality.

Happy 5th Birthday Tyler, its been an absolute honor to be your mum!

[and yes I did have him on boxing day, the little one decided to come 2 weeks early. 

I was woken at 7am needing to go to the loo, got up to find I really didnt need to go.

 Came back to bed and my bed got wet!  Told my husband who just grunted!  Told him again and he jumped into action! I didnt go into labour right away but was by 3pm. 

Went into hospital and requested an epidural as my prior labour I had blamed not progressing due to stress so I wanted to try the epidural.  My husband sat watching the cricket and my mother knitted.

 After a while I was checked and a few more efforts were made to try and increase my labour.  After a little while the babies heart rate began to drop, and while the Dr watched the cricket and discussed Chirstmas lunch he had cooked he also got me to sign the papers for a c-section LOL!!!

So little Tyler was born into the world! And he took to the breast like a duck to water!  They wanted to make the video out of it he did such a good job. 

I was a little woozey.  my haemoglobin was very low and had also a rough labour, despite not feeling any of it due to the epidural.

But here he was, such a healthy little boy, so ready to meet the world and has not stopped since! (and our older Mitchell was just 15mo)]