Recently I received a lovely present in the post - a gift voucher for kikki-k thanks to Sarah at Ah the Possibilities.
This morning I had a chance to visit our local store where I picked up a lovely 2011 diary and pen, and a set of wooden stamps. Thank you so much Sarah. I think I will have to make another visit (minus children) again soon because it is oh so nice!
I can't believe Puggle is 3 months old already. He is a bright little spark who loves tummy time, 
playing with the baby gym, 
cooing and gooing, 
talking to anyone who will pay him some attention, 
reading books, taking a bath and feeding (every couple of hours). He is not so keen on sleeping very long in the day-time or getting out of the bath but hopefully that will get better soon. He really is part of the family and I can't imagine life without him now.
Last week Junior and I started our Advent Calendar - this year I decided to use up a pile of toilet rolls which have been sitting in the useful box for a while.
I love this calendar I saw at maya*made last year, so we made a similar one and it was super easy. (She has made an even cuter calendar this year but it is a little more complicated for little hands). Junior helped me staple the bottom of the rolls to make a little pocket.
Then we painted them with a roller and some white acrylic paint. 
To finish them off we stuck on a little red star and numbered then with a red pen. 
I printed out our list of activities adding one to each pocket as well as a little treat for Junior and Rascal.
Then we pegged them to a red ribbon using miniature clothes pegs. Done! Now I just have to get started on my Christmas present list - Sigh!
This afternoon I thought the boys needed to let of some steam so I started to set up an obstacle course outside. 
I grabbed some sidewalk chalk to make some footprints on the pavers for them to follow and they both joined in. 
They were far more interested in colouring in the bricks than following the footsteps. Quick easy entertainment - just how I like it!
What quick and easy play activities have you been enjoying this week? “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up”
Earlier this week the boys and I went to Spotlight looking for some curtain fabric (yes I know I'm insane taking three young boys shopping but as a mum I sometimes have to do these things). Anyway, with two of my nieces expecting babies next week, I couldn't resist buying a little of this cute fabric to make some "On-the-go Nappy Bags".
I saw these at Lovely Designs recently so when I saw the fabric I knew what I would make with it. I had planned to start making my Christmas bags this week but they have been put on hold for a week or two.
I used Sharilyn's tutorial but made the bags slightly bigger and filled them with a washable changenmat, wipes, nappies and a little one piece suit.
Junior helped me with threading the ribbon for the bag ties so of course he wants a little bag of his own too - might be good for filling with pencils, note books and stickers to keep him entertained when we are out and about.
It seems boys just can't resist trains. This week we have had the box of wooden trains out and the boys have been playing with them every day.
We started our train collection when Junior was a toddler and it has grown over the last couple of years and is still popular with both my big boys.
I'm sure Puggle will love them too when he is old enough to join in.
Junior likes to be the Station Master but Rascal just loves putting the tracks together and playing with the magnets.
What toys have you been playing with this week? “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up” 
Well there has been much excitement in the Aussie household this week because, after several years of talking about it, we have finally "gone solar". We have made many changes to our home over the past couple of years (more efficient lighting and heating, better insulation, double glazing etc) to try and make it more energy efficient, so this was the next logical step. 
This beautiful German built 5kw system from Swan Energy should cover all our electricity needs (even in our house full of electronics gizmos) and hopefully allow us to credit some back to the power grid as well. 
The system was only installed yesterday afternoon and by late afternoon we had managed to credit 2kw back to the grid so we have made 96c so far! The true test will come in mid-summer and mid-winter when our electricity use peaks due to heating and cooling.
I was going to write about our weekend at Rottnest last week but time just seems to have got away with me. We had a fabulous time at our favourite little overseas destination (well a short ferry ride from Perth anyway).
Rottnest is a nice relaxing island close to Perth with very little traffic and great beaches for families.
We did a little bit of everything - swimming, bike riding, playing in the playground, snorkelling, paddling, playing in the sand, collecting treasures and relaxing.
A perfect spot for a family weekend away. Just a shame about the sleeping bit!
What family holiday spots have you been enjoying lately? “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up” 
This weekend Aussie Dad took the boys to the pool on Saturday and the beach on Sunday so I was finally able to get a couple of sewing projects off my desk and finished.
The first wasn't very exciting, curtains for the bedroom. I had cut these out ages ago but with three small boys I just haven't been able to find the time to finish them off. Once that project was out of the way I was able to tackle something much more fun - a simple reversible bucket bag for Aussie Mums beach gear.
With all these boys around me I think I needed something a bit girly so I made it with pink flora and candy stripes - not me at all but nice for a change. Hope you had a nice weekend and found a little time for a project of your own.
