Living my dream

Saturday Sketch Day

Here's a sketch for this coming week. Let me know if you use it. Would love to see how it turns out....

 

Thanks to my sis and BIL we are kid free today, which meant one of the things we did was to go fishing. Unfortunately, we didn't catch anything. We both had a few bites, but no luck otherwise. Nevermind. But I thought I'd share a typical conversation between Andy and I....

Me (getting in car): yahoo, we're off!

Andy: I've never been fishing with anyone who's been so excited to go fishing.

Me: Yeah, you have! The kids! They love it.

Andy(grinning): Yeah, but I can tell them to be quiet.

Hope you had a good day too.

T
 

Aren't these the cutest?

Aren't these the cutest summer sandals? I got them the other day when we were buying Matt his summer school sandals. I love the ruffles and can see a LO or two being inspired by them.

Talking of cute. Check out our big boy Dan....

In the weekend he wandered around without a nappy. Quite happily going to the toilet in the right place whenever he needed to. So this week, after many times of Dan taking off his nappy to go toilet, I decided I needed to bite the bullet and toilet train our wee man.

And I have to say its been easy. He was well and truely ready and it was only this mothers hesitancy holding him back. He's had a couple of accidents. But both times when he was really engrossed in play. We are really really proud of our little man!

And today I got my man back. He's been in China again. He wasn't meant to be home until tomorrow. But I got a call last night saying he was on his way. I kept the news to myself, so when we both picked up the kids today, they got a surprise. And what a wonderful surprise it was! They really missed him this time around.

Thankfully his trip to Pakistan later this month has been cancelled. Not looking too friendly over there right now.

Wishing you a fun and safe Guy Fawkes.

T

YUM

I was a bit late having breakfast this morning. I got the kids ready, took them to school, came home cleaned up and went to feed the chooks. While I was down there, I checked out the raspberry bush. It had heaps of ripe berries. So I picked some. As I was coming back towards the house, I suddenly thought about our strawberries. I wondered if we had any ready to pick. Thinking to myself that fresh raspberries and strawberries would be a great form of 'live' food to add to my breakfast. There were. And this is what I ended up having....

I added some yoghurt and tada, the perfect healthy breakfast. So lucky.

I created this LO last night. In response something that happened with Sarah and her friends last week. I wanted to keep the focus on the journaling. I hope that it might help Sarah in the future as she grows up.

And a couple of close ups...

 
Went for a short run yesterday. Only 2kms. In the past I wouldn't have thought it worth me putting on my running shoes for such a short distance. Yesterday it nearly killed me. LOL! My how times have changed. LOL. At least I got out there. Tonight its netball. Am looking forward to it.

Have a great Wed.

T

Fiji catch up - photo heavy

This is what you see when you walk into the Radisson - our favourite kid friendly resort on Denerau. You immediately feel like you're on holiday. The first thing we do, is change into togs and hit the pools. This time was no different.
 
Isn't this the epitomy of tropical? We went here for half a day to snorkel, see some fish and hang out on the beach. It was pretty cool.

 
Most nights we would meet the Lamers at this deck and have a few of these....

(that's Jane and I) while the kids played hang man, added/subracted sums, and ran around. Then we'd head to dinner and watch the sunsets....

 

The kids loved playing in the pools. So much water, so much fun.

They also loved playing in the fountain at the port.

And general playing around....

 
Face painting from Kids club

Sarah got her hair braided and it looked amazing! It hurt to do, but was well worth it. She only took it out yesterday morning (and that was under duress! LOL).

While we were away it was Sophies 6th birthday. We had a lovely day celebrating with her, especially her wonderful cake....

One of the things the kids loved the most was the fire lighting ceremony they took part in. It happens every night and as part of kids club, they can get dressed up and help light the fires around the resort....

And one shot I just love....Andy and I having some "down time"

And thats about it. Some of my fav photos shared here.

Have a great Tues.

T

I did it

This is me doing a bit of supporting after my 10.5 kms was over. My BIL and a friend were doing the full thing! And I've gotta say I'm very proud of both of them!

My BIL was doing the half, but got an entry into the full at the last minute, so decided to make it a fundraiser for the Iconz group he helps run. For every km over 21 he got people to sponsor him. And he did the whole thing! Wow! So impressive.

I did my 10.5kms slightly quicker than I thought. About 1 hour 19mins. Which is actually alot slower than I used to run, BUT, I did it. I ran the whole thing!!!!! I don't really talk about my beliefs much, but do believe that the big guy upstairs was looking out for me today. So far no aches and pains and I finished it without stopping. I was really really proud of myself. So its over for the moment. I can honestly say that I feel so much joy from running, and being part of a big crowd like that has made me feel inspired.

I missed my friend Gary who died earlier this year. He was always either doing or supporting these events. I was reminded of him constantly and missed him alot.

If you were there, did it, or watched. Good on you!

And a huge thanks to all those who supported me with encouragement and donations to the 'Set them free' charity. Much, much appreciated.

T

Saturday Sketch Day + a LO share

Haven't done this for a while. Eeeek. You still with me?

Here's this weeks sketch.

And here's a LO I did this week. I tried REALLY hard not to put some Prima flowers or vines on, but this one somehow dropped on the page, and never got removed. LOL.

We're doing a bit today. Some of which involves getting ready for my run tomorrow. Eeeek. Wish me luck.

T

Cairns

Ok, so a bit of a holiday wrap up so I don't forget it all. Cairns was amazing. So hot, so summery. So amazing. The first morning we all woke up and saw Sammy and Tyla walking along the beach. Of course we had to join them. Dan was even in his PJ's. Hey, it was only just across the road. LOL.

The kids soon lost their clothes, and just started enjoying the water.

After breakfast we headed off to Green Island. Wow! Just a short boat ride from Cairns, it was amazing. Such white white sand. Warm water. Loads of fish. Everything young children dream of.

Sarah was afraid of the jellyfish, and there were heaps of them, but only little harmless ones and we eventually got her to join us in the shallows, watching the fish swimming by.

The next day we went out to the Great Barrier reef. Where the kids learnt to snorkel. And Andy and I went for a dive. It was lovely. Really lovely.

Here's Andy and I having a snorkel.

And Sarah (on right) and Tyla with Wally. Funny story about Wally. These fish are actually born females. Then at around 6-8 years of age, they change to males. So until a couple of years ago. This 'Wally' was actually 'Sarah'. Our own Sarah thought this was the best thing! That she is famous cause of 'Wally/Sarah'. LOL.

The next day was Eve and Drews wedding. And a more stunning location has not been seen! Seriously. It was AWESOME!

 Right on the top of a cliff. Wow. 

And that was Cairns.

Hi Honey, I'm home

At 6pm last night our flight touched down. The kids on seeing their first glimpse of NZ from the air screamed out "There's NZ, our home, our homeeeee. We love NZ". They had a wonderful time away, but it was nice that they were happy to come home too.

It was freezing cold, well we thought so anyway. LOL. The kids this morning have been wandering around in long trousers, long shirts and their dressing gowns. I've been in long sleeves and trousers too. We are wimps! LOL.

But this is where we've come from

White sandy beaches, clear blue skies, hot summer days with a lovely one of these to top off the evening

First stop was Cairns for a family wedding. It was beautiful. Warm and incredible. I first went to Cairns in 1993. It rained the whole time. I didn't like it. This time was wonderful. Truely. I want to go back.

After the wedding we jumped on planes to get us to Fiji and the next morning I woke up to being a year older. We were lucky to celebrate with my best buddy Jane and her family.

Over the next few days I want to record some of the things that happened including some photos. But for now here are some highs/lows off the top of my head:

Lows:

Dan getting sick (throat and ear infection) and then it seems he was allergic to the antibiotics coming up with the biggest ulcers I've ever seen. He didn't eat for 5 days. It was scary. But once we stopped the antibiotics, he quickly came right.

Missing the reception. Bit of miscommunication. Bummed. But sounds like it was a wonderful wonderful reception and at least Andy managed to go.

Getting stung by a jellyfish when surfacing from our dive on the Gt Barrier. It stung, but worse, got hugely itchy and blistered.

Putting my back out. Not once, but twice. What the?! LOL.

Saying goodbye to Jane on our last night in Fiji.

Highs:

Diving the Great Barrier reef and teaching our children to snorkel there.

Dan starting to eat again.

Arriving in Fiji and swimming within minutes of checking in.

Green Island in Cairns.

Hanging out with family in Cairns. So cool.

Eve and Drew's wedding. Amazing setting. Beautiful. Beautiful.

Having dinner at 'Cross' restaurant in The Radisson, Fiji.

Having a facial at the spa in The Westin, Fiji.

Hmmmm, to say we were spoilt is an understatement.

Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments on the posts I did while away. Especially the birthday wishes! And what an exciting bit of news to see I won the Prima Sept sketch. YAHOOOOOO!!!!!! So excited.

Alrighty, its been a slow start for me today, but I'd better go and try to get back into things.

Would love to hear what's been going on for you, what the weathers been like. What news I've missed.

T
 

Just had to share

We've had some classic kids sayings lately, and I keep forgetting them, so I'm writing this one down so I don't forget.

Matt, Sarah and Dan are all playing on the tramp. Sarah screams. Matt laughs and says....

"Sarah you scream like a boy".

ROFL! I think its meant to be the other way around my sweet boy! LOL!

Happy Birthday to me

Today is my birthday.

I'm celebrating up large cause its a pretty big birthday. The big 40!

OMG! I can't believe I'm this old, and have children that are nearly 6. I can't believe alot of things. But am very grateful for a wonderful life. A wonderful husband. A great family. Lots of fun and love. I'm a lucky lady!