17/52

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


Grace: Such a sweet, gentle character...

Sophie: Her face says it all - terrified of most animals at the Animal Farm…

Joining in with Jodi

Last week I loved the shots of Katrina's sweet boys and this darling bub sleeping soundly...

Where The Forest Meets The Sea

As Paul’s wonderful stretch of long service leave enters its final weeks and as the school holidays slip away, I’m finding myself desperate to make the most of every last minute of precious family time we have available to spend together.

Yesterday we returned home from four days spent down south in Denmark. Four days of slowing down and soaking in the magic and beauty of this town, a picturesque retreat where the forest meets the sea and where our hearts feel at home... a place that we all love and that I know will be a part of our future for many years to come…




Arriving on Sunday afternoon, the air was brisk and had a definite feel of autumn. Chillier temperatures than we’d left in Perth called for jackets and beanies and the lighting of a wood fire, a nightly ritual which created a cosy atmosphere in our little cottage as it continued to glow well into the night. Winter pyjamas and slippers made an appearance and morning snuggles in bed together were enjoyed.

Days were spent visiting favourite haunts, exploring the stunning forests and farmland and simply relaxing. Nights were spent soaking in the peace and quiet, sipping on tea and nibbling dark chocolate (wine and dark chocolate for Paul). After dinner and with the girls tucked in bed, we would read. The only interruption to the silence was the crackling of the fire. It was refreshing to experience such stillness as opposed to nights back home spent in front of the television or with my laptop nearby.

One of my highlights of this visit was the delicious lunch we enjoyed at The Lake House… a winery with not only a stunning view and gardens, but also with exquisite food and wines. Paul and I shared a tasting plate, filled with such amazing produce and paired with such flavoursome condiments, that I’ve been singing the praises of that dish ever since…

Grace’s highlight was without a doubt the Denmark Animal Farm where we spent most of Tuesday morning. We were all pleased to see that the missing koala who had escaped from her cage when we last visited had since been returned to her mate after a neighbouring farmer heard her cries in the bush one kilometre away.

It was so sweet watching the girls interact with the farm animals. Camera in hand, I snapped away as Grace gently embraced joeys and lambs. She exuded such confidence feeding even the larger animals such as horses and alpacas, and tenderly stroked guinea pigs and kids. In stark contrast, Sophie was petrified of pretty much every animal except for the chickens and the camel. As we encouraged her to feed the sheep and pat the rabbits, she would answer with a stern ‘NO’ and spent most of our two hour visit with a furrowed brow, clinging to Paul’s shoulder, a look of definite concern on her face.

Now, at home once again, as I unpack our bags and gradually catch up on washing, my mind wanders back to our beloved Denmark… and my heart yearns for our next visit which I’m already looking forward to…

16/52

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


Sophie: Such a cheeky little monkey, her mischievous grin a common expression.

Grace: Finally on holidays after her first term of kindergarten. She has had tears at many morning drop offs and a sense of anxiousness still lingers. However, she has made friends and come so far in the past eleven weeks.

I feel like these photos really capture our girls' characters so well... Sophie, full of life, energetic and oh so lovable and Grace's gentleness, sweet nature and beautiful spirit... all personality traits that make my heart burst with pride.

Joining in with Jodi

Bringing A Room To Life Through Art

Any progress in our house when it comes to decorating or renovating is always painfully slow.  Firstly, I am the world's biggest procrastinator and my perfectionist tendencies often work against me when it comes to making design decisions.  Secondly, any shopping is always done with my girls in tow and nothing makes browsing for homewares more difficult than a strong-willed toddler who detests being confined to a stroller.  However this week, a new piece finally found its way into our home...

Whilst we were in Fremantle having an anniversary lunch and collecting a print which was waiting to be picked up from the framers, a gorgeous painting caught our eye and is now hanging above our 'fireplace'.  I'm not usually drawn to bright colours and this piece is not what I had originally pictured for this space.  However, the longer this painting has been in its new position, the more it has felt 'right' for this room... a room which had been looking rather dull and uninspiring and in definite need of a lift.  It is an original acrylic on canvas titled 'A Stroll In Fremantle' by artist Anna De Jager.

I love that it depicts an every day scene in an every day Perth suburb.  I love the way your line of sight is drawn down the road in the painting as you walk along our hallway.  And I love the life and vibrancy that it brings to our living area.

So now, slowly slowly, as with any progress around these parts, I will look for ways to make the rest of our living area flourish and to complement our latest purchase.  This room is the centre of our home and I want it to feel warm and comfortable for both us and the girls. Now I need to look for ways to make that happen and to have the patience to accept that those 'perfect pieces' that are the right fit for both our home and for our family will find their way to us eventually... it just may take a little bit of time.

Eight Years Of Marriage

Sweet hearts by Paulova Ceramics

In the early hours of this morning, I woke up to rain falling softly outside my window, just as I did on the sixteenth of April eight years ago on the day Paul and I were married.  Only today, when our girls toddled hand in hand down to our bedroom with beaming smiles and good morning kisses, I was reminded of how much has happened in these past eight years and how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband by my side...

Someone supportive with nothing but my best interests at heart.  Someone who 'weathers the storms of tough times' together with me as a team.  Someone with whom to share all of the precious moments that are experienced every day as parents to two little ones.

On this day eight years ago, I became a 'Mrs'... and I have been grateful every day since for the life we share and for all of the happy memories I know will be part of our family's journey in the coming years...

15/52

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


Sophie: It's been all about 'that hat' this week, a sailor's cap given to Paul as a joke one birthday which has now been added to the dress-up basket.  Sophie has claimed it as hers, usually wearing it 'fashionably styled' to the side.  Her 'baby' has been constantly tucked under one arm or pushed around in the toy trolley... she's a real little mother hen.

Grace: Hesitant at first, she finally worked up the courage to jump off the jetty at our favourite little riverside spot with her Daddy.  

Joining in with Jodi

Last week's stand out shots for me were the one of sweet Matilda looking ever so cosy and those of Catherine's gorgeous girls.

14/52

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


Grace: Practising fishing off the verandah with the rod she spent a portion of her money box savings on... eager to catch her first real fish very soon.

Sophie: Solid legs, chubby feet and that 'spot' again.  In her efforts to be independent, she is often found on tip-toe, desperate to be taller, older, faster and to do more than her seventeen months allows.  

Joining in with Jodi

Last week I loved the two moments Andrea captured and Bron's sweet shots...

A Balanced Holiday Break

Sometimes as a Mum, you make decisions not based on any specific reasoning, parenting philosophies or age-old wisdom, but solely upon what can only be described as a ‘mother’s instinct’ – that strong feeling of what is ultimately best for your children and your family. After returning home from our holiday house stay last week, we were meant to have three days reprieve at home (one of those days being Easter Sunday) before embarking on a five hour plus car journey to Bremer Bay, joining my brother-in-law and his family who were going to holiday there.  However, at the last minute, we chose not to go, forfeiting the bond we’d already paid on a chalet but with Paul and I both feeling such an overwhelming sense of having made the best decision for ‘us’.

Instead, we enjoyed a relaxing few days at home. Easter itself was a simple, casual affair at our place with the obligatory egg hunt followed by a small lunch. The rest of the long weekend was spent at home pottering, playing and spending time together. We went for a morning swim at the beach, had friends over for a fish and chip dinner and took advantage of the balmy evenings by lingering outdoors as long as possible.

Then, on Tuesday afternoon, we returned to the holiday house. We had a fabulous dinner at a little Italian restaurant in town, ending the night with a delicious crème brulee dessert which the four of us shared. On Wednesday we went for a boat trip to the marina for morning tea, accompanied once again by some friendly dolphins, including one who playfully did a two metre high ‘Sea World style’ leap and twist out of the water not far in front of us. This morning, we woke to Grace and Sophie carrying Paul’s present into our bedroom for his birthday. As always, breakfast was enjoyed in the first morning light on the deck, this time with the added treat of croissants to feast on. And then, once packed, we headed home late morning, eager to settle the girls back into a more normal routine and to make sure Grace was well rested for kindy tomorrow.

As a mother, only you know what is best for your children. It’s so important to trust that little voice inside and to go with that gut feeling of what is right for your family. For us, with our girls at the ages they are, what’s best for us are simple days, still filled with adventure and fun, but balanced with down time and rest too.