Eden

This morning while Junior and Hubby were out and about, Bub and I went for a little wander around my sister-in-laws' permaculture garden.
What a wonderful thing for a toddler to explore - we spent about an hour pottering about, looking at sunflowers, butterflies and bugs and sampling the delights on offer.
Strawberries, cherry tomatoes, blackberries and blueberries were all ripe for the picking and, being chemical free they could be enjoyed straight from the bush. Bub, who is the King of finger food, was in heaven (or should I say Eden?). A reminder that I really should make more effort in our little garden - perhaps there is a New Years resolution in the making?

Beaching

This morning we took a dip at my favourite beach.
It was Bub's first visit to this beach and my first this year. Hubby and Junior went swimming when we were here last January (see my banner photo) but Bub was much too young for swimming then. Despite the cold water he seemed to enjoy it.
Junior got to test out his new wetsuit (a Christmas present) ...
and even tried a little boogie boarding with some help from Dad. He didn't feel the cold at all but soon worked up an appetite.
We will have to try it again tomorrow.

Belated Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a (belated) Merry Christmas.

Yesterday was a bit hectic celebrating with hubby's family in the morning; which involves visiting the leprechaun rock to collect a sock full of goodies for the kids while the parents get to have fruit mince pies and a cup of tea for breakfast. We just had time for a quick photo with all of Junior and Bub's cousins (on hubbies side of the family) before ....
.. jumping in the car for a long drive to have lunch with my family (including Junior and Bub's only cousin not in the previous photos). The weather was nice and the boys slept in the car. After a leisurely lunch and lots of present opening the boys had a quick dip in the river crossing to cool off.
We head back to the south coast tomorrow for a week or two at the beach and lots of relaxation. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Advent activities - week 3+

Our summer solstice has been and gone (and Bub is now waking up at 5am with the light!) and Christmas is almost upon us - where has the time gone.
Junior and I have continued with our Advent activities but as we are now on holidays visiting family there has been much less crafting and much more socialising. Last week we fitted in a bit more card making but the rest has been visiting friends and family (for morning tea, lunch and dinner), picnicing at the river .... ... singing carols, watching movies and venturing out after dark in search of Christmas lights. We found some truly spectacular light displays but Bub has walked off with my camera cable so alas no photos for now.

Hope you all enjoy a very Happy Christmas.

Baker's Delight

Junior and I like to cook together so, inspired by the Dipe Squads efforts, I made him his own little apron for Christmas using this Montessori apron pattern.
I also added a little cooking set which I hope will inspire some New Years cooking.

Wordless Wednesday - Brothers

A lot can happen in a year

You have been with us for a whole year now and boy have you changed and grown;

• You have learnt how to wriggle, roll and grab all sorts of things,
• You love to eat (including lots of sand),
• you have learnt how to sleep (well sometimes anyway),
• You have grown 7 teeth,
• You have learnt how to crawl, cruise and walk,
• You love to climb (boy can you climb),
• You follow your brother almost anywhere,
• You have bumped your lip, and knees and head,
• You love to clap and dance to music,
• You have found your voice and chatter away ... I'm sure your "ack" is Jack and "muhm muhm" is Mum

You have melted our hearts and bought us such love and joy.
We love you little man xxxx

Happy Birthday Bub

Happy birthday to our gorgeous happy little man. Lots of love Mummy, Daddy, Junior and Jack Dog xxxx

Advent activities - week 2

Oh what a busy week with lots of fun outings, a little bit of craft and some preparations for a very special birthday.We have written a letter to Santa, read lots of Christmassy books, and been to the playgroup Christmas Party, ...
... We made paper snowflakes, ... ... some chritmas gifts, ...
... and some presents for a very special little birthday boy.

I'm feeling ...

Happy!

Bub has a first Birthday coming up and I have been planning to make some bunting for ages. Now, with the pressure on, I have finally finished. For the last couple of evenings I have been neglecting poor hubby (who thinks motherhood is slowly sending me potty) and finally put together a couple of strings of bunting. There are loads of tutorials out there but I mainly used this and this. I cut a pile of triangle pairs from some cheap colourful cotton. Sewed two edges right sides together then turned them out and pressed them.
I printed out the letters using Comic San MS font at 300 point and transferred this to some heat and bond, which I used to 'stick' the letters (cut from fabric scraps) to the triangles. I then sewed around the edges of the letters and along the edges of the triangles so they sit nicely.
Lastly I sewed a strip of bias binding along the top. I'm glad I went to the effort of finishing the triangles properly because it should last for a few birthdays and survive a couple of trips throught the washing machine. I still have some spare triangle left so when I find a bit more time I would like to make a couple of strips of bunting with the boys names on them - but that might not happen until next year.

Advent activities - week 1

We have had a busy week opening the advent calendar, tasting a little chocolate and doing a bit of craft.
We have put up the Christmas tree ...
... made a Christmas wreath ... ... made some paper chain decorations ...
.... done a little bit of baking (spice biscuits) ...
... taken our dog to the beach ...
... and made some gift cards.
Lots more things still to come.