13/52

"A portrait of my children, one a week every week in 2013"


Grace: All set for the kindy Easter bonnet parade. I made sure she crafted her hat by herself - I just made a few suggestions, gave her a pile of collage-type bits and pieces and let her go for it. All too often as a teacher I would see projects come back to school, the majority of which had been obviously completed by parents. I wanted Grace to feel a real sense of ownership over her creation. The kindy Easter concert was very sweet and I must admit to getting all teary as I watched our big girl standing out the front with her classmates singing 'Little Peter Rabbit'. A proud Mama moment.

Sophie: Watching intently, in awe of her big sister riding her bike around and around the driveway. She followed Grace everywhere on our holiday like a cute little shadow.

Joining in with Jodi

Favourite snapshots from last week included Jo's photo of her icy-pole covered girl and Steph's shots of her two darlings.  

Three Day Getaway

Going away on holidays with little ones always feels like such a big effort... so much to pack, to have to anticipate and to organize, even for a simple three day sojourn.  I find myself making list after list and leaving post-it notes all over the house as I pack for any family getaway.

However, the precious time spent away together is always well worth it.  Over the past few days, we've been at Paul's uncle's holiday house and while we've returned home today feeling exhausted after a combination of late nights, fresh air and time spent by the Harvey Estuary, there were many highlights that have more than made up for the tiredness...

There's been net fishing (with a handful of blue swimmer crabs caught as well as one mullet), a bit of exploring (a drive to the Lake Clifton Thrombolites - an interesting natural spectacle where a sea of rounded rock-like structures can be seen from a boardwalk platform), outdoor fun on scooters, bikes and swings and games of hide and seek made all the more exciting in a house with plenty of new spots to discover.

The girls have loved the novelty of sharing a room together with lots of laughter after lights out, plenty of giggles and numerous warnings of 'back to bed' as they pitter-pattered down the hallway after being tucked in.  

Today we enjoyed hot cross buns on the gorgeous deck overlooking the estuary.  The sun warmed our backs as we enjoyed the freshness of an early morning outdoors, listening to the birds singing and chickens next door clucking away as they welcomed the new day.

Now we're home again slightly regretting not staying longer on our little relaxing getaway. However we're also looking forward to some slow paced, simple days at home over the Easter break.

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend ahead...

12/52

"A portrait of my children once a week, every week in 2013"

Last Wednesday, the girls and I spent the loveliest of mornings at our beloved spot by the river. The water was ever so calm, the sky beautifully overcast and not a wisp of a breeze was to be found... perfect for a picnic and play...

Sophie: Ever the adventurer, keen to explore the water's edge independently... glancing back now and then though to check that I was still watching

Grace: Aspiring artist, happily sketching away on her sandy canvas 

Joining in with Jodi

This shot of sweet little Liam and this photo of adorable Olive were among my favourites from last week's portraits.

Morning Bliss

Having Paul home on long service leave has already been SO good.  Small projects have been worked on around the house.  Ikea furniture has been assembled (yes, I finally have a new desk). I've been able to pop out to run the odd errand despite Sophie having to be home for her mid-day nap.  The best perk of all though has been the little outings we've been able to do here and there.

Yesterday, the four of us headed out early morning on the family boat for a few hours, cruising up the Swan River.  It was bliss.  Watching all the cars banked up along the freeway stuck in traffic jams on their way to work made it feel all the more holiday-like.  The temperature was mild, the sky clear and blue and a sense of adventure filled the air.

We went under the Narrows Bridge, alongside the ferry terminals and past the city skyline, dotted with its  towering office buildings.  In East Perth, we pulled up alongside the jetty in the Claisebrook Inlet and stopped for morning tea at Toast, a quaint and cozy cafe with a distinct retro style of decor.  We enjoyed milkshakes, coffee, tea and delicious thick challah toast topped with Nutella before continuing on our journey.

To top off our great morning, we spotted a pair of friendly dolphins and so we stopped the boat for a bit and just drifted, watching them pop up out of the water all around us.  You can see in the photo above how they reappeared right up close next to us.  So magical.

The return journey was a bit bumpier and windier, but as I sat at the back of the boat, enjoying the fresh breeze, city views and blue sky together with my three loves, I was ever so grateful to be enjoying a much happier end to our week than the previous one.  Sophie thankfully dozed off nestled under Paul's arm (she'd been in a rather grizzly mood again) and Grace counted jellyfish as they bobbed past us.  We returned home with full bellies, sand between our toes and an eagerness to go for another little family boat cruise very soon...

A Nod To Australiana

Image above by Everingham & Watson

I've been finding myself drawn to homewares with an Australiana twist over the past few weeks. Gum leaves and blossoms, sprigs of wattle and anything in hues drawn from the colour palette found right outside our windows is catching my eye.

In my aim to simplify our living space, it seems I have a desire to bring more of the outdoors in... to add touches of greenery, to make use of more natural materials and textures like wood and pottery and to fill our home with little snippets of our surroundings at every opportunity. Even the scents I've been drawn to are those with undertones of eucalytpus, tea tree and sandalwood.

Image above by Mango Frooty

This print above (the full image can be seen at Mango Frooty) is currently on my wishlist.  I'm just trying to decide on where it will fit best before I make a purchase.  I'm picturing it paired with a lovely timber frame.

What type of homewares or colours have you been drawn to lately?

For a whole plethora of homewares and products with a stylish nod to Australiana, check out the Everingham & Watson website.

I have one of their hurricane lanterns on my wishlist...

11/52

"A portrait of my children once a week, every week in 2013"

Grace:  My poor girl was struck down with a tummy bug at almost exactly the same hour as her Mama on Thursday night.  Since then, she and I have been 'in quarantine', resting in bed, sipping on chamomile tea and looking after one another.  Lethargy is still lingering today.

Sophie:  Our little one woke in such a funny mood on Wednesday morning thanks to a pesky eye tooth which is making an appearance.  She was very quiet and a tad grumpy at the breakfast table which is unlike her.

Joining in with Jodi

From last week's portraits,  Claire's photo of darling little Saskia was pure sweetness in my eyes.

The Sadness Of Old Age

This morning, as I popped down to Fremantle, I drove along soaking in all the beauty of a sunny autumn sky, mentally taking notes about what I was planning to post today.  Instead, I've returned home and sat here at my computer to compose a whole different set of words instead.

My visit to Fremantle was to visit my poor Nanna in hospital (Dad's Mum).  Last Tuesday night, she had a fall which left her with a broken hip and after a three day wait for an operation which frustratingly kept being postponed, she is now slowly recovering from her surgery.

I made my way up to her room and found her drifting in and out of sleep.  I held her hand and stroked her wrinkled cheek.  Her skin was paper thin and she seemed so much older than usual (although at almost 92 years of age, I'm not sure quite how possible that is actually).  Her usual spritely smile and greeting were only half there.  Chatting was difficult for her, but we managed a little bit of conversation as I tried my hardest to be cheery.  Phrases were repeated over and over and she seemed very confused. 

She did manage a little joke though, and that made my heart very happy indeed.

And when I could see that she was having trouble keeping her eyes open, I kissed her forehead, told her I loved her and let her rest, walking back to my car with tear filled eyes and thinking about how horrible it is that old age sees people in such a state. 

A natural part of life I know, but a sad one nonetheless...

The photo above of Nanna and I was taken on my fourth birthday, when I was almost the same age as Grace is now.



10/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2013"


Sophie:  Things were a little too quiet for my liking on Friday morning.  Certain Sophie was up to no good, I went to investigate.  Instead, I found her standing as still as can be, hiding in the small gap between our couch and piano. 

Grace:  A scooter has been on her wishlist for some time... yesterday that wish came true.  It's only 8am and she's already outside now whizzing around. 

Joining in with Jodi



My favourite portraits from last week's series were Sarah's.  The contrast of little brother and big brother was just beautiful.

My Un-Birthday

Sweet banner above available from Tucke & Bonte on Etsy

Yesterday, we had a day of birthday celebrations for me, or more accurately, an 'un-birthday'.  Today is my actual birthday, but seeing as Grace has kindy on Tuesdays, I decided to pretend yesterday was my special day for her sake.  There was present opening in bed, a family breakfast at a cafe in East Fremantle and tea at the local pub for us four, complete with a 'happy birthday' serenade all the way home.

Today, has been an equally wonderful day.  Besides being my actual birthday, today is officially Paul's first day of over two months long service leave.  Knowing how eager I am to sort out our home office makeover, he suggested we take a trip to Ikea.  We headed there for a wander this morning, unfortunately returning home empty handed however, needing to do a bit more measuring before any purchases are made.

Anyway, after my post the other day reflecting on my decade between birthdays, I wanted to share with you a poem in one of the lovely birthday cards I received.  The words just seemed so fitting...

When you find beauty in the world around you

And satisfaction in the place you've earned,

When you prevail, though challenges surround you,

And take the best from each hard lesson learned,

When you reach out to share the joys of living

And look with hope upon each new day's start,

When you remain both trustful and forgiving

And keep your cherished friendships close in heart,

When you still feel the proud anticipation

Of precious dreams and goals worth striving toward,

Then every birthday is a celebration

And every coming year its own reward.

9/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2013"

Grace: Playing dress ups with my high heels... "Hi everyone, I'm Mummy," she announced as she came clip-clopping down the hallway in these sparkly shoes

Sophie:  A bit cautious at a large birthday party gathering... you can see the slight look of worry in her eyes here as she searched for me among the crowd of unfamiliar faces

Joining in with Jodi