Decorating the Tree - Dec 2nd

We decorated our tree on December 2nd. It was a lot of fun and Joel was right into putting things on the tree. He loved all the sparkly baubles and other decos. We opted to leave a few of our more precious ornanments off the tree this year - nothing breakable or sentimental! Life with a 2 year old hey! Joel is really good with the tree though so far. He doesn't really touch it and has already worked out how to turn the lights on (first thing in the morning and they are on all day!!)
Here are a few pics of Joel doing some decorating.

Till next time

December so far

I know I know. It's been a few weeks. So much for Friday's five hey. I will try and get back to it this week.
Life the last few weeks had been busy and hectic and crazy and I am looking forward to some things finishing up for the year so we can have a bit of a break.
December so far has been lovely. We have finished our Christmas shopping which feels so good. Christmas cards still need to be made but that will happen this week hopefully!
We spent the night of December 1st with some lovely friends, the Bests and the Battens.
We enjoyed a yummy tea together and then headed up the road from the Bests house to see the light display at one of the neighbours houses. It was gorgeous. Santa came out to see the kids, and the got given lolly bags. Then the kids helped Santa turn the lights on with magic powder thrown in the air.
It was such a delightful way to start the Christmas Season

I'll be back tonight or tomorrow with a tree decorating post
Till next time

When did you grow up?

You are such a sweet and caring little boy.
If anyone is crying, you are always there to stroke their face, give them a cuddle and say "S'Alright Mummy, s'alright" You love cuddles and kisses and spending time with people. And you especially love babies. You are always wanting to hold babies and kiss them and cuddle them and just lavish love on them.
When your cousin Bradley came over one day, he was a bit upset and all you wanted to do was cuddle with him on the couch. You even managed to get him to fall asleep on you. You look so grown up in this photo - my baby has well and truly gone. You are definitely a little boy now.

I hope you continue to be so caring and sweet as you grow older.
You're such a sweet and caring little boy.

Friday's Five

So here it is another edition of Friday's Five. I'm thinking I am going to do an current Etsy faves every fortnight and then alternate it with another list on the other weeks.
To get into the Christmas mood early, i am going to share with you some of my favourite Christmas movies (nicking this idea from Tam) So here we go.... in no particular order

1. Elf
I think this is a great movie. Funny and sweet all at the same time. And I love Will Ferrell.

2. The Polar Express
Love love love this one and can't wait to watch it with Joel this year. It is so magical and fun.

3. Love Actually
This is probably my favourite movie of all time - Christmas or not!

4. Home Alone 1 & 2
I loved these as a kid and still enjoy watching them once a year. 3 & 4 are not so good though! They should have left it at 2. Love the scenes in New York in number 2. And the bird lady!

5. Miracle on 34th Street
I love both of these movies - the classic and the modern one. Do you believe??

6. Joyeux Noel 
I know it's called Friday's FIve but I really wanted to share about this movie. I saw it last year and it is really good. The film is about the World War 1 Christmas truce of December 1914, told through the eyes of French, Scottish and German soldiers. Sounds boring but it's really beautiful.

So there you have it. Some good movies to watch this Christmas season

Till next time

Triathlon Pink

I am going to enter a triathlon. Not a crazy Olympic one but Triathlon Pink - raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. My sister Beth and I are going to do it together (although secretly I think she is going to kick my butt!)
It's happening on the 31st January 2010 which sounds awhile away but I have a lot (A LOT!!!) of work to do before then if I even want to finish this race.

We are hoping to do the long course - 300m swim, 9km bike ride, 3km run but we will assess the situation (and my fitness) closer to the date. I may opt to do the medium - 200m swim, 6km ride, 2km run (walk)
I am starting my training today. Aiming to exercise every day and eat a lot healthier. Cut back on my serious addiction to chocolate and start pumping my body full of healthy yummy foods.
Need to start working on the 3 things I will be doing in the triathlon - swimming, running and bike riding.

So it's out there. I've told you all my goal. Now to stay on it and keep accountable to you guys about it.
I'm a little scared but excited as well

If any of you are interested in doing it as well, or just want some more info, you can find it on the Triathlon Pink Website here

Till next time

Fulfilling every boy's little dream....

of being a fireman



Joel at our local Community Services Expo last weekend

Friday's Five

Inspired by my Blogging for Scrapbookers Class, I am hoping to start a weekly tradition of Friday's Five. Five things I love at the moment, five things I have seen online, five of my fave movies, five of my fave books, five things I would love to buy right now. Get my drift. It could be anything.
For my first Friday's Five I am going to share with you some of my favourite things on Etsy right now. Etsy is one of my favourite places to look and shop online. It's an awesome site where people can buy and sell all sorts of handmade stuff. Not your typical nanna knitted tea cosys and stuff (although I am sure there are some on there) but very cool things.
So here we go (in no particular order)

Crazy Sparrow Nest Necklace
This is so so sweet.

Felt Pancakes Set
This looks like so much fun

Vintage Messenger Bag
I think this would be so handy when I go overseas next year. Hmmm Christmas present!!

Green Bird Journal Notebook
Cute as. Would look great in the bag above!

Baby Pixie Hat
Oh my goodness. Does it get any sweeter than this.

So there you have it my first Friday's Five. Stay tuned for more blog posts and more Friday's Five in coming weeks!

Till next time

2.7.2007 - The day you were born

For our Day 2 prompt one of our tasks was to share a story about one of the most amazing days of our lives. I've chosen the day Joel was born (2nd July 2007)
So here goes...

I went into labour with Joel around 2:30 on a Monday morning. Your daddy and I were so excited. We tried to get some more sleep but we couldn't believe that this was happening. We had waited such a long time to meet you and soon you would be here. We got to the hospital around 9:00am and after 5 or so more hours (and no drugs) you were born. Our gorgeous little boy. They laid you on my chest and you had your eyes open. You were looking up at me. Big brown eyes and long eyelashes. And there it was. Love like I'd never felt before. You were ours. And we were (and still are) so blessed.
The next couple of hours were some of the best of my life. Just laying there. Snuggling with you. Watching it rain outside. Staying warm and safe together inside.
The 3 of us.
Can't believe that was almost 2 1/2 years ago. You are still the sweetest little thing. And we still love snuggles
Just the 3 of us.

Thanks for letting me share
Till next time

A new blogging adventure

So as you all know I am not the most consistent blogger out there. But I really want to change that so I signed up for one of Shimelle's classes - Blogging for Scrapbookers. I love Shimelle's stuff - I have done her Journal your Christmas class for the last 2 years.
So I am undertaking this new journey because I want to make this whole blogging experience bigger and better - for me and for anyone who reads it.
I am however already 2 days behind so I am going to do all the things for those days today - which means there will be 3 posts today!!
So here goes number 1 - my intentions for this class

• I want to blog more regularly
• I want to write more meaningful posts
• I want to be able to use my blog to make my scrapbooking better
• I want to inject both my blogging and scrapping with more life and energy

So there you have it. I am really excited about taking this class.

You can sign up for the class here - don't think it's too late

Till next time

Bon's Scraps

I often visit a lovely little forum and online scrap shop called Bon's Scraps.
The lovely owner Bon is having a giveaway on her blog - celebrating 100 posts.
It is an awesome prize pack worth $100. If you want to have a chance at winning go here to Bon's Blog
Good luck!

Bon is also running a competion on the forum to win a 3 month scrapbooking kit subscription. Bon's kits are lovely and always so well coordinated. If you want to be in the running, check out the thread in the forum here

I'll be back tomorrow for some more blog love!

I'm Back

I simply cannot believe that it was August that I last blogged. That is shocking. I doubt that anyone still even checks this little place but I am going to pick it up again. I just went through a patch where I didn't feel I had anything to share and if I did I really couldn't be bothered. BUT i'm making the effort to blog more.
So what's been happening. A bit. We've had 2 weeks of school holidays just finish so it was lovely to have Andrew home. We did a few outings - the zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, the Silvan Tulip Festival. All lots of fun.
Joel has been going great guns. His speech is going really really well. Putting together little 2 and 3 word sentences and chatting away lots during the day. He such a sweet little kid. Very kind and affectionate. He does have his fair share of tantrums though. We are in the thick of the 2s at the moment. So that can be a little frustrating for all concerned at times, but we are blessed to have him in our lives.
I am doing well. At the start of September I became a Learning Ladder advisor. I am really enjoying it. I love the range of books and games that they sell and I am enjoying doing get togethers to share the stuff with others. Also nice to make a bit of money to go towards my overseas trip next year which is fast coming around.
I was also chosen to be on the Design Team at a local scrapbook shop called The Scrapbook Scene. I am very excited to be part of the team at this shop. It is such a great little shop with so much great product. I have done my first few LOs for them and am looking forward to the next challenge that comes up.
Oooo and I turned the big 3-0!! I've been 30 for almost 2 months now and don't feel any different. I had a party which was lots of fun and i am getting a Digi SLR soon with the money my lovely family and friends gave me. I cannot wait!
Andrew is doing well too. Looking forward to the end of the year but not so much the reports he has to do before that comes around.
Not a whole lot else to tell. Just wanted to do a little catch-up before I get stuck back into sharing stuff on here.
Can't have a post without a photo so I will share a few

First 2 LOs are ones i've done using my own stuff


The next 2 are DT LOs for The Scrapbook Scene
This one using the new Allison Ellis Christmas papers.

This one using the new Imaginesce Christmas range. These papers are really cute!

This is a photo of Joel and his cousin Jessie at the zoo in the school holidays.

These were taken at the Silvan Tulip Festival.
Joel loves rabbits at the moment. I really want to get him one. Just have to convince Andrew!


Aren't the colours delightful!


Hope you made it this far. It was a bit picture heavy but I don't care.
Till next time.

A cybercrop tonight!!

Just wanted to let you all know that there is a cybercrop on tonight at Bon's Scraps. They are always so much fun. Lots of chatting, great challenges and lots of inspiration

If you get a chance, why not pop over to the forum and sign up. We'd love to see you there.

Click here to get to Bon's

Bon's DT Call

One of my fave places to hang out online is Bon's Scraps. The girls on the forum are awesome. Always lots of fun and inspiration there.
Well the lovely Boss Lady Bon is having a Design Team call which is starting this Monday (24th August). Here are the details if anyone is interested in having a go

Bon's Scraps DT Comp will commence on Monday 24th August!

If you are interested in applying make sure your name is in the DT registration thread here:
http://www.bonsscraps.com.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7606

First and foremost forum interaction is a big part of being on the DT...

Whilst the competiton is running please try to interact on the forum the amount that you would usually...

There will be 2 spots up for grabs each with a 2 month trial leading to a 12 month contract.

The comp will run for 4 rounds.

If you make the design team you will recieve an exclusive monthly kit and also a store discount, in exchange you will create an average of 3 set pages a month.

Full Design Team expectations will be posted shortly.

I'm giving it a go. Why don't you!

Back later with some 30th party photos.

A catch-up

Well it's been awhile (seems all my blog posts start with a similar theme) Our time with mum and dad has been and gone for over 6 weeks now and I still haven't shared photos. There are so many and I just don't know where to start so I keep putting it off. I'll get there eventually.
So what's been happening. Not to much. Firstly and most excitingly (is that a word, i'm not sure) my sisters and I have booked tickets to go overseas next year to visit mum and dad. Very exciting. We'll be going in March/April next year for 3 weeks. No kids, no hubbies, just us!! We'll be visiting London, Paris, Venice, Moldova, Athens and Istanbul. Sounds awesome, doesn't it. Now the countdown is on - 31 weeks to go.
Other than that, life is cruising along the same. I am turning 30 in a couple of weeks and am having a party on Saturday so I'm getting stuff prepped for that. Should be a fun day. Lots of food and good friends to share it with.
Been doing a little bit of scrapping when I find the time. Here are a couple of my latest LOs
This was for a challenge at Bon's Scraps

Using June's Studio Calico kit and my gorgeous niece

A sketch challenge at Bon's Scraps

Using a kit from Bon's scraps

Thought I'd share a couple of pics of Joel as well. He is lots of fun at the moment (and can be a handful as well - all about being a 2 year old I suppose!) He loves his trains, The Wot Wots (a show on ABC kids, Elmo and playdough is also a daily request. He also has a thing about hats - loves wearing them around the house. Starting to get into dressing up - i feel a trip to the local op-shops are in order for some dress-ups.

Snuggling with Elmo and some toast under a blanket

A bowls hat that Andrew had for a dress-up party. It's now Joel's!!!

I think that's enough for today. Really want to share some holiday pics. Might get on to that after my party.

Till next time

More LOs to share

Just got a few more LOs to share. Am hoping to share some pics and stories about our time away with Mum and Dad in the next couple of days. Just trawling through the 1000+ photos we all took and trying to narrow a few down. It will be up by the end of the week

First LO is using stuff from the June Boy's Kit at Bon's Scraps (see sidebar for a link)

Second LO is using stuff from June kit from Studio Calico. The pics are of Joel and my Grandma taken at Easter this year.

And lastly I just whipped this one up today. Pic is of my sisters and I used stuff from the July Studio Calico kit. Such pretty stuff (and such pretty girls!)

Well that'll do

Till next time!

Some sharies

Well well I am still alive. Had a busy but extremely happy last month or so. Mum and Dad came back for a holiday, Joel turned 2, Sadie turned 1, went away. Lots and lots. Will share more in the next post.
The reason for this post is to share some LOs I have done. I am the guest design team member for Arty Pants this month and Jodie sent me some of the cute Basic Grey Lime Rickey papers, some Buzz and Bloom chipboard and a Hambly Overlay - little circles in Teal. Was fun to work with


Arty Pants are also having a cybercrop on this weekend. It's their 3rd birthday and there is so much fun planned to celebrate. Come along and take on a challenge or play a game.
Just click here on Arty Pants

Anyway, i'll be back in the next couple of days to share some holiday pics (have to go through them all first!)

Till next time

4 things

Well firstly, the DT comp at Arty Pants has concluded and although I didn't get a permanent DT Spot, I have been given the privilege of a guest DT spot for July. Very exciting. Congratulations to Kerry and Laura who did get the DT spots. Looking forward to seeing their work soon

Secondly, Andrew had a bone scan yesterday to determine exactly wants going on with his rib. He is still in a lot of pain that doesn't seem to be getting any better. Turns out he has actually fractured 5 ribs (yes 5!!!!) not just 1! That would probably explain the more pain! So he is home from work until after the Long weekend next week (it will be interesting! Hee hee)

Thirdly I have another LO to share. Was a sketch challenge from Bons Cybercrop on Tuesday night Pretty happy with how it all turned out.

And lastly, I just wanted to jot down a list of Joel's current words (don't worry, there isn't that many!)

• Peese (please
• Piggle & Daisy (from tv show In the Night Garden
• Mummy & Daddy
• Eyes, Ears, Nose
• Ta
• Momo (Thomas the Tank)
• Nanna & Poppy
• Hi & Bye
• Play
• Beep beep
• Toot toot
• No
• Joel
• Baby
• Cheese, Toast, Cereal, Nana (banana)
  
• Car
• Ball
• Fish, Turtle
• Harold (helicopter from Thomas)
• Shoes
• Beabie (beanie)
• Bowl
• Wiggles
• Eagles (much to Andrew's delight

Not bad hey. And he says them in such a cute voice too!
Anyway, that's long enough

Till next time

Some more LOs

Well thought I'd share a couple more LOs. The first one is my last entry into the ArtyPants DT comp - we had to put together a mock kit and then use the supplies for a LO. I love these papers so wasn't hard to use them at all.

The second one is using my very first Studio Calico kit. I still have more than enough stuff left over for a least 5 more LOs. Such cool stuff. Can't wait to get more.

Life is going along well for us. Andrew is still pretty sore from the broken rib but is getting through his reports well so that's good.
Joel is as cute as ever. Saying lots more words. Making all sorts of silly faces and generally enjoying life. I might blog about all the words he is saying tomorrow or Thursday. Just for keepsakes.
I'm doing well too. Busy but not too much and enjoying life.
Thought I'd share a couple of recent pics as well. Joel is a huge fan of leaves at the moment. Loves running around in them, throwing them, collecting them. You name it, he does it!!




Cute isn't he!!
Anyway, must go. Oo oo there is a cybercrop on at Bon's tonight if you want to join in the fun. It's going to be lots of fun and chatting. See the link in my sidebar.

Till next time