Create...

I think I am in love with the 8.5 x 11 inch layouts! I may well and truly be a convert! LOL! I guess I'll just have to see what the road ahead brings me. For now it is this...

I've recently seen a T-shirt (plus the above blog header) with similar tree-like emblems displayed on it. I was hit with inspiration and this photo seemed ideal to try it out on.

And some detail:

Thanks for looking.

Kung Fu Panda

The kids (and Mark too!) have been hanging out for Kung Fu Panda. They have waited and in some cases not too patiently, for this movie to come out at the cinemas since we first saw a sneak preview for it, sometime back in March.

So as a reward for good end of Semester Report Cards (Tahlia got straight A's!! and Liam a very impressive parent/teacher report - no report card for Prep) they got to go to the movies.

And of course, as it really was expected, for the rest of the afternoon, they have been displaying the fine arts of being a Kung Fu Master!!!!

Picnic Lunch...

What better way is there to start off the school holidays, than with cousins and a picnic lunch?

Answer: None. These guys adore each other and always have the best of times! And we have great options as to where to go as well. We love Bullocky's Rest as it is usually quite and the kids are free to run around crazy. Or go off and sit quietly with their partners in crime!

I also wanted to have a few photos of myself with the kids. They are very rare. I tend to be the dedicated family photographer, simply because I carry my camera everywhere and don't want to miss a single moment. I have come to realise that because of this, I don't even have any photos with me and my nieces and nephews. So, with a few words in Mark's ear, these are some photos from today. I'll probably cringe each time I look at them, but at least I was there, being recorded as part of our family history.

Ethan and mummy looking at the birds.

Liam and I sharing a cuddle.

Tahlia and I having a quiet moment together.

And here they are...all six!

Hockey Game...

They could be professionals one day...but for now, it's all about the fun!!! (Or at least I hope!) Between Tahlia having an attack of nerves and Liam being extremely relaxed on the field, they managed to play some hockey. And I would hope so, considering we drove up to the Sunshine Coast for them to participate! Now that they know what is involved, hopefully it will encourage them to be better prepared for next time.

Here's a photo of Tahlia protecting the goal area...

...and Liam warming up... Love the "tongue of concentration" with this shot of Liam!

But he did manage to give me a reasonable photo as well.

Thanks for looking.

Dragonfly...

Sometimes it's nice to see the little secrets your back garden is willing to share.

I've been wanting to take a photo of a dragonfly that I've kept seeing, for some time now. This particular one likes to rest on the kids swing set early in the morning. But every time I happen to glimpse out the window, see that it is there, then fumble around to get to my camera and put it on the right settings, the dragonfly has inevitably gone on its merry way.

So I was pleasantly surprised on the weekend, when I was outside in the late afternoon playing with the kids, with my camera in hand, that I saw this dragonfly resting nearby. When you least expect it, small accomplishments are made I guess.

Create...

I finished this layout today. Again I was following Belinda Venables' steps in her Scrap Therapy, Calendar class (see side bar). I'll try to upload this pic to their gallery later tonight. I think I'd better wait until Mark comes home to help me with that one though! The journaling says: At every opportunity SHE dances because she can.

 

"she dances" (Scrap Therapy LO)

This is so Tahlia at the moment. She has to twirl or spin or perform some dance move or another to get from place to place. I'm happy to see her so happy. Today is Tuesday and that also means it is ballet and jazz ballet day, today...So Tahlia is in an even dancier mood than normal! (If that's possible?)

My Mum is coming for a visit tomorrow. There's going to be some spoilt kids living in our house for at least the next two weeks! Plenty of squeals and laughter!

Sunday Lunch...

Today was our little "luncheon club" meeting, where friends come together for good conversation, strange conversation and some conversations that probably shouldn't have happened! (i.e. the Friday night viewing chat, probably could have been one of those to be left out! LOL!!!)

It's always great to catch up with these guys and it's still wonderful to think that we've kept our tradition going for a number of years now. Other than the fabulous company, it's good to get together because the food is always superb, especially the dessert (even without the cheesecake!). Well, at least Ethan thinks so!

The kids have a good time exploring and playing while the adults sit back and relax (or set the barbie on fire! - depends on who is cooking!!)

And of course, on the way home, we get to see the sights of the city.

Create...

I wanted to share these layouts. Especially the new one of Liam. He never seems to stay still long enough for me to get a decent photo of him. So sometimes I feel he misses out on my "show and tell"! LOL!!

This layout is of course about his Secret Agent Magpie performance at school.

"magpie"

He was very pleased with his performance and watched it again at home as I had videoed the show as well as took a few photos. I tell you, there's never a second pair of hands when you need them!

The next layout is called Fierce Beauty. Tahlia and I enjoyed watching America's Next Top Model on tv earlier this year. So much so, she kept asking to be photographed. Well, you've got to love that!

 

"fierce beauty"

And finally, one of Ethan. This layout is called Balance.

"balance"

Thanks for looking.

Creative License...

We woke this morning to a wall of mist and fog, much to the delight of the kids! But after it all lifted, the fences in our neighbourhood showed heaps of spiders webs, that were barely clinging for survival, between the wires. It was quite pretty when the light hit them just right.

I'm not sure the photo does it justice! But I'll keep trying!!

Secret Agent Magpie...

Today, Liam had his first ever school performance. It was a special presentation at assembly where the Prep A and Prep F classes performed a musical number about a magpie who, strangely enough, was a secret agent!! They did a great job singing, flapping their wings and peering through their magnifying glasses!

That's Liam sitting first in line, in the front row, on the left. Good job guys! Magpie season is now in full swing!!!

Create...

I did this layout on Monday, following Belinda Venable's steps in her calendar class over at Scrap Therapy (see side bar). I love the simplicity in her work. This is also the first time I have worked on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch page.

"swim star"

Ethan was standing at the side of the pool, during our holiday on the Gold Coast, wishing he could get back in but was also feeling very cold because of the rain. In the end, I had the last say and we went inside out of rain. After all, I wasn't nice and warm, sitting in the heated pool!

Happy Birthday new neice...

We have a new baby in the family!!! How exciting. A little girl was born this evening. We have no details, not even a name. The only thing we know is, she is a she!!! Congratulations Dave and Jenny. We can't wait to know more!

Happy Birthday Auntie Lorraine...

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Auntie Lorraine! Happy Birthday to yoooooooouuuuu!!!! (Sung in perfect pitch, of course!) Hope you have a fantastic day with lots of friends and family around you. We wish we could give you a big cuddle in person but this will have to do until the next time we see you. MMMwah! MMMwah! MMMwah! One big kiss from each of the kids!

I won't make the mistake of introducing you, as one of Mark's oldest friends, again! Not today anyway. Let's leave it as...one of his longest standing friendships!!! Have a great day. We miss you.

ps- hope you got your pressie and dvd on time!

Sports Day...

Go, Maiba! Go! And go they did because after a long day of sprints, relays and ball games...guess who won. Yes Maiba won!!! Who would have thought. Anyway, this achievement meant even more because Tahlia is the junior school House Captain for her team!!! Go Maiba! She got to accept the trophy with her male counterpart from the school principal. How proud does she look? I think if she could have been any prouder, she would have burst!!

She held onto that trophy like it was a baby, while everyone around her admired the hard work the team had put into getting it, throughout the day.


Ethan was his usual angel self. So well behaved and patient enough to sit in the pram and watch everything going on around him. I really didn't expect him to stay still as long as what he did. He even had a sleep in the pram when things got a bit too much. He really was a good boy for the day...even more so, considering how sick he has been lately.

Liam did brilliantly today in his race. He came in second to his friend Mason (who is probably one of the smallest kids in prep!). I just love the look of concentration on his face in the following photo.

The prep kids only get to have one sprinting race. No finals, relays or ball games. That really all starts for them in Grade One.

Tahlia didn't let her team down either. She came first in her heat and then forth in her final. Not bad at all. We are very proud of both her and Liam's efforts today and their good sportsmanship. Congratulations Maiba!

Don't panic...

I've been playing with the settings on the blog. Well..., playing with maybe a little bit of help from Mark. Okay, with a lot of help from Mark. (Thanks babe). But I am getting better. I've been adding thingies and moving thingies around. Sorry if I'm getting too technical!!! *grin* So, I hope you like the new look...It's here for now until I get restless again with the whole blog look.

Let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for looking.

ps - The photos of the kids were over a year old and I'm aiming for a new banner photo when the opportunity comes knocking.

I'm letting it go...

Let's really hope everyone gets well soon. I had to get the kids early from school today. I didn't think Ethan would have made it waiting in the car for 40 mins...So I went to the office to get early slips and they took one look at him, gave us a tissue and said "Okay, no problem, you are taking the kids home because..." and I said "The kids aren't the issue, I just don't think this little guy is going to make 3 o'clock" and they said, "Oh yeah, he doesn't look too good" and gave us another tissue!

Tahlia's teacher took the blue slip, looked at Ethan and said "Oh, you poor thing (to Ethan). He's the one who is sick right?" and Liam's teacher had a similar reaction. He must have looked dreadful to the outside world, but after cleaning up vomit (that went up the walls, onto the carpet, tiles, bed, bathroom floor, Ethan, oh, and ME!!!!) most of the day, being clean with just a runny nose, was looking pretty good! Hope it's not that hectic for anyone else - because I was truly cursing Mark for being at work today, when clearly I needed an extra pair of hands!! *grin*!!!! That's life...and now I'm letting it go...

Just like our new neighbours parking system. Huh? Yes. The council easement between our properties has become his parking ground for his rather large semi-trailer!! Our covenant says no vehicles are to be larger than a family car...or something like that. Bottom line, NO TRUCKS!! But it has been wet the last little while and I'm letting it go...Nobody wants to get on the bad side of new neighbour upfront. Even if they park their truck outside MY room's window. *sigh* I'm letting it go...

Just like the school class photo kerfuffle last Friday. Tahlia's photo's were to be taken at 12.20pm. I know because I asked twice at the office to make sure she would get back from the funeral in time for the photos. However, her teacher had other ideas (and plans - because she was leaving the school at 12 noon for the day) and decided that the photos would be taken before first break! I'm letting it go... Even though Mrs Dean (deputy principal) was aware of Tahlia's absence for the morning and understood the arrangement I had. I'm letting it go... After speaking with her teacher on the Monday explaining the circumstances of the funeral... After that said teacher, denied having said conversation with me, to our poor neighbour, who had taken Tahlia back to school for us, after the funeral... And after said neighbour, was getting quite miffed on our behalf and rightly put a complaint into the system for us. I'm letting it go...

I really am.

Create...

A meeting on the slide ...

This week I wanted to share a layout of Liam and Jesse. These two cousins always have the best time together ... playing, laughing and sharing. Their faces are always so expressive and if they aren't playing nicely together, they are usually up to their eyeballs in mischief together!!! They truly enjoy each other's company and I wanted to show that special bond between them.

And here's a little detail...

The next layout is from when Tahlia was in preschool. I don't scrap in chronological order and I thought it was about time I put something together (while I still remember!). Her teachers in the photo have each written down a special memory of her from that year and I will place them behind the "notes" pocket.

And the detail...

Thanks for looking.

New bed?!...

Yes, here he is grubby, tired (again) and very stubborn! My new hall table has become his very own bed... away from his normal bed!!! Very cute though, with his feet up, head resting on a pillow and finger in his mouth. Looks like he has settled in for a spell!!! LOL! Sweet dreams kiddo!

Drawing...

We had a very tired, little boy yesterday and he fought the urge to close his eyes at every opportunity. He did very well coping without having a nap at his usual time of day...however, as soon as we were in the car and out of Grandma and Granddad's driveway...he crashed into a sound, snoring loudly, kind of sleep. It was much needed! But this is what he kept himself amused with while waiting for the grown-ups.

And he was entertaining us all with his "PRETEND" shyness concerning Uncle George!

Great-Grandma loved the cuddles though!!!

Check this out...

Liam is so proud of his new hockey uniform (which he calls his suit!!). And he is still enjoying the game immensely. Go the RAZORBACKS!!!

Create...

This week I have two pages to share. The first one is of Tahlia and her friend from school. Jess had invited Tahlia to go to a rock concert...Her first one! And at the age of seven! They had a great time at Australia Zoo.

And the detail...

The note card and heart embellishments are designed by Jen Hall.

The second layout is about what the kids do on the cold mornings before they go to school. Just their little quirks!

And the detail...




Thanks for looking.

Ballet sneak peek...

Here's a little sneak peek at what Tahlia may be wearing for one of her recitals at the end of year concert. Since she has volunteered me to do more sewing this year (and it's not even for her group!!!) I have no qualms about showing the following photos.

Ignore the lilac leotard. The whole outfit will be white and very flowing....Perfect for budding ballerinas!

Sadly missed...

On Friday the 30th of May, this wonderful man, sadly passed away...We will miss him dearly.