School holidays....

are in full swing. It seems getting time to blog, is hard to find.

We had a lovely Christmas and New Year, celebrating with various friends and family, and have spent most of the holidays being social, sharing meals, and trading children for sleepovers and playdates. Last week I actually went grocery shopping with 6 children!, and lived to tell the tale.

Sarah received some plain t-shirts and fabric crayons for Christmas from her Nana. This is her first design.

School goes back in 2 weeks, and Monday Craft will start up again, so maybe I will actually have some craft to blog?

What do you do all day?

It really is a funny question. Being a stay at home mum means that no two days are ever the same.
Take yesterday for example. I ...

Made a birthday card for my nephew.
Hung some pictures on the wall.

Washed (actually, scrubbed is a better word) a recent op-shop find.

Tried to make baba ganoush. (Note to self. Pierce the skins before you bake eggplants)

Cleaned the oven, lol.

Went to the library (and paid $10 in fines!! yikes)

Bought the last few things Matt needs for camp.

Played a few games of cluedo.

Helped Sarah bake cupcakes.

Cooked Pad Thai.

Did 3 loads of washing.

Nursed a baby at least 6 times.

Thats all I can remember, after all it was 24hrs ago, but I know there was more.

What did you do all day?

School Holidays

School holidays are in full swing.

The craft box has been getting a workout.

Bubby is loving hanging out with his big brothers and sister.

And a trip to the library. There can't be too many crafters in my area because the good craft books are always available.

Happy things.

A sweet big sister with a sleeping baby on her lap.

A pile of books from a newly discovered library, including the one about boys I have been told I should read.

And something finished off my to-do list.

A scarf for Sarah.

Yes, it is a bit wide for her tiny frame, but it is finished!!!

It is backed in pinky/purple fake fur and is very soft and cosy.

Any hint of itchiness or scratchiness near a childs neck, and you know they will never wear it!!

Yay for Dr Jan!!!

On Saturday I had the absolute pleasure of watching my Mum graduate with her PhD.

It was so exciting to see her publicly recognised for so many years of hard work and study.


She was nervous, the rest of us just enjoyed basking in a bit of her glory. The party afterwards was a roaring success, and beautifully catered by my clever sisiter Lisa.

Well done Mum, you are an ispiration to all your daughters, and your 12 grandchildren. We love you and think you are awesome.

You can read a little bit more about Dr Jan here.

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Snailblazer swap items have been finished, wrapped, posted and received by Cass.

Can't wait to see what everyone has made.

Almost!

I almost managed a photo where everyone is smiling, looking at the camera and wearing vomit free, yet co-ordinating, clothes.

almost.

Help!!!

As a mother of 3 boys I am crying out for help.

I am completely clueless.

I'll admit I know next to nothing about boys.

They are a complete mystery to me.

I have only sisters, and if you include my step-sisters and half-sisters, I am one of SEVEN girls, no boys.

Dave and the boys are always telling me to relax when they, and their mates, are outside wrestling, setting up skateboard stunts (by the way, I always make them wear helmets, this photo was a staged), playing tackle rugby league, doing their own made up martial arts.....and the list of risk taking behaviour goes on, and on, and on...

They tell me to relax, I tell them I can't, I'm a mother, and it's my job to worry.

Room reveal and a sneak peek!

School holiday smiles.

Despite my cleaning and de-cluttering frenzy, the kids are having a great break from school.

That pile of stuff in the corner is no longer after our trip to IKEA on Saturday. We took the trailer and went to town!! That corner now has a floor to ceiling 'pantry' cupboard.
A place for little used appliances, bulk food (Dave always goes nuts when he goes to Aldi), lunch cooler bags, cartons of beer, soft drinks, and anything else that doesn't fit in the kitchen cupboards.



And here the colour of Sarah's room is revealed. In the morning sun it is almost flourescent!

Some curtains, and the pictures put back on the wall will help it look less green I'm sure.

It does look nice and fresh and clean though, and she really loves it so that is the main thing.

And lastly, a sneak peek of what I am making for the Snailblazer swap.

Screen Free Day!!

Every so often Dave and I declare 'screen-free day', which means no TV, DS, playstation or computer. The kids are never impressed at first, but if I can be strong and resist the pleading they always have a great day!
They eventually start coming up with really creative and fun ideas, and by the end of the day they are getting along with each other much better than normal.

So what did they do today?

a trip to the library
played at the park
made a spider home and caught a spider to live in it (there are VERY big airholes on the top so the spider will probably escape overnight)
cooked meringues with Dave, YUM!!
touch footy
scalextric racing

and made these bookmarks, including one for Dave to take with him when he travels, with pictures of everyone on it.

All you need are some photos printed out 'contact sheet' size, some cardboard, and a laminator. Simple.

At the moment...

...this is what is happening here. Dave and Sarah are painting her bedroom.

This is what she asked for for her 9th Birthday which was a few weeks ago.

I would show you a colour picture but it is rather bright. I am hoping when the furniture goes back in it will calm down a bit.

And as Dave is on holidays, he has the job of making me lots of these, because I sneakily have not learnt how to use the new coffee machine yet. Pretty clever hey!

This is how Benjamin spends alot of his day.

When it comes time for me to have lunch, something very simple is required, and this is my favourite. I can just manage to put this together with a baby perched on my shoulder.



Of course I don't mind, especially when he wakes up and flashes me one of these. xxx