Mothers Day

I had the most wonderful mothers day! The kids came bounding in at 7:30am... that was the compromise.... LOL they really wanted to come in at 6:30! They had lots of presents and cards, and of course kisses and cuddles. I got some lovely handmade presents from the kids and a few soaps and candles from the Mothers Day stall at school. Todd, Ben and Emily made me a wonderful potted herb garden, after getting rid of our vegie garden I was really missing my fresh herbs! I also got this really cool weather station. A sensor stays outside and relays to a display unit inside the humidity, barometric pressure and temprature inside and out. I love knowing how hot or cold it is outside, although sometimes its best not to know! LOL Here are some pics of Todd and the kids making the herb garden.... looks fantastic!

So after a nice sleep in (yes I did manage to go back to sleep after all the excitement) I awoke to the aromas of a cooked breakfast. The kids had set the table and picked flowers for the middle. Todd cleaned up the kitchen afterward which was the real treat! We then had a nice quiet day..... no bickering from the kids....that was wonderful! Hope all you mums out there had a great day too!

Photo Shoot

It was a beautiful sunny day at the end of April after 2 weeks of rain. So nice to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Took a few photos of the kids,shame they can't be that nice to each other all the time!

Visitors.....

have a look at this, how lucky are we to have these beautiful visitors... King Parrots on my back deck...wow. The kids get such a thrill seeing wildlife in our backyard.

We often get visits from Wallaby's too. Usually its the same mum with a baby in her pouch.... a bit too fond of my roses though!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME......

well, I am only almost a whole month late with my birthday post.... better late than never right? So, I turned 41 on Friday 18th April. Seems like forever ago already. My birthday started early the Friday night before (the night Kerry, Jaimee and Lis were here for tea). Jaimee gave me a lovely handmade card and a gorgeous wee box with bits and pieces of stationary in it. Its so pretty Jaimee, I cannot bear the thought of taking everything out of the box! Thanks luv!

The Wednesday before I had a lovely visit from Lisa. Awesome to see her as always and she came bearing gifts! A very yummy heart shaped sponge cake and the most gorgeous pressie for moi.......

How nice is this toiletry bag? and little matching make up bag???? Love it, thank you so much Lis!

The morning of my birthday started bright and early with Ben and Emily running in with lots of kisses and cuddles. Em made me the most beautiful card.... I have to say, its my favourite!It was not long after there was a knock at the door and it was the florist with the most gorgeous delivery of flowers from Todd's parents. Thank you so much Shirley and Spencer, they were beautiful and lasted 2 weeks!

The kids and I spent a quiet day at home, had lots and lots of emails, sms messages and phone calls. Thanks Janey, Sandra, Lis, Annette, Kerry.... I hope I have not missed anyone.

My dear friend Nickie in Christchurch (hey girlfriend!) sent me this beautiful bottle.... cant believe it made it all the way here in one piece! Thanks Nick, its on my kitchen windowsill, looks fantastic!

So late afternoon mum arrives bearing more gifts. From her, a voucher for a facial... oh I am so going to enjoy that, and also a pressie from my sister Christine, a really gorgeous blue glass perfume bottle.

Todd arrived not much later with cake....its not a birthday for the kids in this house without it! We sang happy birthday and I had plenty of help blowing out the candles.

After dinner was organised for my mum and the kids, Todd and I got tarted up and headed off into Newcastle to eat at Sesame's at the Junction.... oh yummo, its a mixed Asain resturant....very, very noice!

I am involved in a card swap at TSE. I received so many gorgeous cards from the girls...

back: Marcela, Crystal and Kristine front: Kerry, Katherine and Judith

back: Donna, Skye, Sandra front: Annette, Al

Thank you so much girls, never had so many birthday cards before, I love them alllllllllll!!!!!

Now this lovely present was given to me by the gorgeous, generous Vita when she was in Sydney for Janey's birthday bash. Just love it all Vita, and I cannot believe you made that little bag and those felt flowers....how clever are you????

Then one last wonderful surprise in the mail from the ever so talented Jane Jones. Wow Janey, I so appreciate the time you spent making this, when I know time is so rare and precious for you. Thanks girlie, love it so much!

All in all it was a great day. Thank you to all my wonderful friends that made it even better! *mwah*

Janes 40th birthday bash..... April 12th

oh wow! what an awesome weekend! it all started on Friday evening when the gorgeous Kerry flew into Newcastle airport. Lisa and Jaimee made up the welcoming commitee and then they all made their way to my house for some dinner and lots of laughs. It was not long before a few drinks were had and we were all having the best time. Dinner was a combined effort, Jaimee made a lovely chicken curry, Lis bought a cake and bread and I made a big salad with balsamic dressing (as Miss Lis requested!) and some rice. Janey rang to check in and see what we were all up to. I wish you could have been there with us luv!The girls headed off pretty early to rest up for a big day ahead.

Kerry, Jaimee, me and Lisa just about to head off!

The next morning we all met up at Lisa's house and at 9:30 we hit the road. I so appreciated being able drive the landcruiser and the lovely Miss Sat Nav got us to Cronulla right on lunchtime. A lovely lunch was had at a beachside cafe with a few wines.....yummo! Annette and Vita joined us at the cafe then we headed up to our room to wait for the arrival of the quest of honor. Janey made her grand entrance along with Marcela and they chatter, laughter and high jinx began in earnest! It was so much fun to surprise Janey with her pile of presents and we ooooooed and aaaaaaahed over her loot.

We ventured down to the beach to hang out with Annette and her family for a little while. It was a beautiful afternoon. Before long it was time to head on back to the room to get ready. With us all tarted up off we went to Opahs at Cronulla. OMG, the BEST Greek food, and soooooo much of it. We ordered the banquet and had about 10 courses, all delicious. I cannot believe the girls ordered dessert as well???? LOL I could only manage about 2 mouthfuls of the shared chocolate platter and death by chocolate.

After gorging ourselves we headed to the local bottle shop (all class girls LOL) to stock up and headed back to our room to hang out. I was a little disappointed we were in our jammies at 10:30pm, however the next morning after only 4 hours sleep I really appreciated not having a hangover!

The next morning was a delicious brekkie at a local cafe then we loaded up the car and Miss Sat Nav again delivered us to our destination with no problems at all. We found a great car park at the Opera House and had a lovely time wandering around Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Rocks. Before we knew it, it was time to sadly say goodbye to Kerry and Vita. What an absolute priviledge it was to meet you guys. The effort to fly in from Queensland and Victoria is so appreciated. You are both gorgeous girls, I feel so lucky to have made two new friends!

So then Lisa, Jaimee and I headed off back up the freeway to home. The most beautiful rainbow followed us all the way. I had a very enthusiastic welcome when I got home. My wonderful hubby had dinner all organised, so all I had to do was unpack, enjoy a lovely hot shower and eat. I was so tired I don't think I moved all night!

Thank you Jane, Lisa, Jaimee, Kerry, Vita, Marcela and Annette. I had the most wonderful time and cannot wait until we do it again.

Ben's first cubs camp

On a Friday afternoon in early April, Ben went on his very first cubs camp. He was very excited. We made our way to the Gosford District Campsite, it is a gorgeous camp in the bush. There was a great flurry of activity, cubs from all over the Hunter district were attending. After finding our leaders we made our way to their home for the weekend. Tents were erected, beds inflated and Ben could not wait for us to leave. After a tour of the facilities we left him to it. No digging trenches for toilets for this lot....flushing loos and hot showers....very different to when I was a Girl Guide! By the time Sunday afternoon came round I was very anxious to go and get my boy. When we found him he was dirty, smelly and exhausted and we could barely get a smile or a cuddle out of him...... I asked Ben if he had missed us. He said 'no mum, I was having too much fun'. That was the best answer I could have gotten and we put the lack of enthusiasm down to him just being very, very tired. Ben was a different boy after a nice hot shower, dinner and being in familiar surroundings. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and he cannot wait for the 'cub-a-roo' in September. 800 cubs from NSW will be attending. Cub and Scout leaders deserve medals for all the hard work and time they put into these events and the kids have the best time abseiling, swimming, campfires, singing, games and lots of adventures......

school athletics carnival

at last our school has seen sense! For the past several years our athletics carnival has been held at a sports ground about 15mins from here, in the middle of winter! No fun at all for kids competing and even less fun for parents helping and watching in the freezing wind and often rain. This year our canival was held locally at the end of March, a glorious, very warm day, such a contrast! We even got a little sunburnt! Ben and Emily had a great time, Emily even came home with a ribbon for third place in the javelin throwing, she was so very proud of herself.

Ben had fun competing too, he tried very hard.

TSE blind scrapping challenge.......

was held over the weekend. Just love getting involved with the cyber crops at TSE, a fantastic bunch of girls and we have so much fun. The DT girls did an awesome job of running the games and challenge, thanks so much! I really did enjoy it and it made me get some scrapping done YAY! It was great to see everyones different take on the challenge, all the LO's were just gorgeous. I am lucky to hang out with such clever ladies! So, here is my offering

Emily wanted to share.............

her lastest creations. My beautiful baby girl (sorry Em, she hates to be called that now....its big girl) often writes us messages of love, these just happened to be in a card form, one for me and one for her Daddy.......very occasionally there will be one for her big brother. I keep all of these wonderful treasures.

What a difference a day makes.......

After a grey and showering Easter, today, Monday was a huge contrast! A bright, very warm and sunny day that saw my clothes line full to capacity and not a spare peg in sight! Even warm enough for a swim after a session of family backyard cricket.

Easter Sunday

Todd and I were rudely woken at 5:30 am by 2 very excited kids who were busting to see if the Easter bunny had been.........we shooed them back to bed, they came back in at 6:20 so up we got to see what chocolatey goodness had been left around the house and deck. With much excitement and delighted squeals, all the treasure was found........while the kids chowed down, Dad made an espresso and I went back to bed! Far too early for me lol It was a good day for sleeping, grey and drizzling again! Here is a pic of the kids with their stash....going to take a few weeks to work thru that lot I think!

Good Friday

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

A miserable, drizzly day.....Todd working in the office, me and the kids just hanging out. Decided to decorate a Kaisercraft storage box with lots of help from Emily. Ben was engrossed in the playstation, so it was nice for me and Emily to do something crafty. This was my first attempt.....pretty happy with it, although need to figure out the best way to stick the paper on. Kaiser girls......what do you use? Emily is most impressed and I am sure it will end up in her room sooner or later...oh well, good excuse to make another one! When we had finished the box I surprised Emily with the dvd of Hairspray, and we sat down and had the best time....its a great movie, lots of fun. I think she has watched it every day over the Easter break! Dinner was a lamb roast with all the trimmings. The kids and I set the formal dining room table with all the good crockery and cutlery, tablecloth and linen napkins......they just love it and behave so nicely when we eat in there. Em and I picked roses for the centre, Ben lit candles and got out wine glasses. It was a lovely evening. Best part, Todd cleaned up...YAY!

Something I made for Christmas.......

Todds parents spent a week with us way back in December 2004. They had lots of time to hang out and play with the kids and I had many opportunities to take some photos. I always meant to do something with those photos for Grandma and Grandpa and finally got round to it in time for Christmas last year. I used a BG mini album as well as BG Figgy Pudding papers and it became part of their Christmas present. I think they liked it! Sorry the pics are out of order, have yet to work out this blog stuff......all tips and hints welcomed!

Here we go...........

well, I finally succumbed to peer pressure from my friends at TSE and have taken the leap into blog land. Hopefully I can come up with something interesting and read worthy! LOL
First, let me introduce my kids, Ben and Emily. This was taken on the first day of school this year. Ben is in year 4 and Emily is in year 2. They both have awesome teachers and we are all looking forward to a great school year.

We are all settled into our school routine with after school activites on most days, makes for a very busy week! Its good to keep the kids busy, squeezing in homework is a bit tricky sometimes though.

Hopefully once I get his blog thing worked out, it will be a more interesting read.

Well, thats it for my first thrilling installment, LOL, bet your glad you stopped by!!!!