Easter Preparations.. Part 1

Just thought i'd share these cute Easter Baskets that I made for our children and the kids who are coming to our family Easter BBQ. Instead of buying individual presents/chocolates etc for each of the nephews and neices we have decided that each family coming would buy eggs toward the egg hunt and the kids would get whatever they collect (of course we'd even it out so the big kids didn't have all the fun/chocolate!) I hope the idea works well..

I bought the baskets for $2.50 each from the $2 shop and lined it with either pink or blue tissues depending upon if the basket was for a boy/girl. I then added a name tag to the front (the cute felt bunny's are actually on mini pegs.. these to were from a $2 shop! So cute..) Throw in a set of bunny ears (also $2!) and a tube of Easter Bubbles and the kids are all set to do some serious egg hunting!!

I thought this was an inexpensive way to brighten up the BBQ and give the kids a basket they can not only use on the day but perhaps put out for the Easter Bunny too!

*~Daily Note to Self~* The phone isn't going to ring at 6am tomorrow body clock... please let me sleep in!!

Project Life Tuesday - Week 3

Well technically it is Wednesday morning but its still Tuesday in some part of the world, so here goes..

Monday:Went to the park after school to take advantage of the great weather. Kids had a lot of fun, have decided to make it a weekly trip until the cooler weather/shorter days set in.

Tuesday:Starting participating in Project Life Tuesdays!

Wednesday: We played a board game after dinner, the kids love it when we do that. They had a lot of fun playing 'Whatever Next' a drama/role play board game.

Thursday: Now that the weather is getting cooler in the mornings/evenings we are in our Autumn PJ's at night and the cats are trying to find warm places to cosy up in. Here is Jack after being tucked in by hubby.

Friday: Another beautiful sunny day, quite warm - a great way to end the working/school week with a cool off at the pool.

Saturday: Met up with Mum and went off to Soccer. After soccer spent the day browsing the shops/markets and did some serious retail therapy!

Sunday: Spent the afternoon doing some of the layouts in my Project Life and planning my Easter BBQ.

Things that I have loved this week!

1. Getting lots of things done around the house & making the most of my time @ home.
2. Seeing my Pop and doing his washing.. thought it was pretty cool, its nice to help out!
3. Going swimming on Friday afternoon the water was so refreshing in one pool and warm in the other, was very relaxing and started the weekend off right!
4. Watching my Mum and Son play Soccer together on Saturday morning so nice to see them running around and laughing.
5. Spending the day with my Mum doing the local markets and deliberating over pretty hand made bags.. so many to choose from!
6. Hell Pizza.. soo yum! Hubby and I ate way too much on Saturday night, 2 pizzas & kahlua and white chocolate cheesecake! YUM..
7. Printing out my pictures for a full week of Project Life and figuring out my layout for April.
8. Making a headstart on my Easter Shopping
9. Doing the 'open home' thing and imagining how life would be in a larger home.. LOL.
10. Apricot Chicken! The meals get yummier as the weather gets colder!

Project Life Tuesday - Week 2

Decided to start with Project Life Tuesday, I am loving doing Project Life, a photo project that involves taking a photo (usually daily but people can take photographs less frequently if they wish, after all it is their 'life') and inputting it into the Project Life album alongside journalling cards to tell their 'story'. You can find out all about it here or click on the Project Life Tuesday button above to get back to other peoples 'Project Life' pages.

It is certainly making me notice and appreciate the 'little' things that make up 'everyday'. I truly do feel it is those little things that make us who we are and are a true representation of our lives.. Im 2 weeks into my Project Life and iv had people comment about how hard it must be to photograph something everyday.. but really, its not.. some days I have 4 or 5 photographs to choose from.. I will photograph my completed layout tomorrow as it looks in my album.

Monday: Spent the day tidying the house.. was so happy once it was all clean.. sat back and relished in the freshly dusted, vaccumed, mopped and tidied home..

Tuesday: My first teaching day ever! And waiting at home for me was my Project Life Kit. Felt like I embarked on two exciting journeys in one day!

Wednesday: We spent the afternoon kicking the soccer ball around the backyard. The dogs thought it was fantastic after all this wet weather to have us back out in the yard again!

Thursday: After just 2 days teaching and spending my nights planning I was completely exhausted. I fell asleep with the laptop just within reach and apparently spoke a lot in my sleep that night.

Friday: Another day of teaching and I still have a smile on my face! I made it to the end of my first week back @ work!

Saturday: Soccer Saturday and my little mans first 'big game'! YAY

Sunday: The boys set up a 'school' and played for about 3 hours the game was fantastic! They even put us into 'time out' for not raising our hand to answer a question! LOL. The room took a bit of tidying at the end of it!

Til next Tuesday..

Labour of Lunch..

I just finished making 6 lunches.. an entire loaf of bread, packet of ham, 3 tomatoes, 1/4 block of cheese, 1/2 kilo of yoghurt, packet of shapes, 4 muffins, 4 pikelets and 7 pieces of fruit later I have a mountain of Tupperware ready to go in the morning! Not to mention storing it all takes up pretty much the entire fridge..

However, I find I like to prepare the lunches in the evening (with the exception of the cut up fruit..) because it gives me the time to 'create' something special for each of us.. something to look forward to at break time. It is pretty depressing when at work or school, counting down to break time to be greeted by a Vegemite sandwich and a muesli bar (although it could be much worse...) So I like to think of some tasty things to pack the lunchboxes with..

Last week when working in schools I found it pretty disheartening to see what some kids have in their lunchboxes, some children don't bring any food at all! I know snack foods can be expensive and sometimes the things the kids ask for can be outside of the budget, however, there are many different ways around this - baking, buying larger boxes and packaging your own into containers/bags etc, utilising cheaper alternatives and keeping an eye out for bakery specials. Today I got 20 pikelets for only $2.00!

Sometimes I feel like the kids have 'boring' lunchboxes because theirs aren't filled with all of the commercialised products we see advertised on TV, but then I consider that these items, aside from flashy packaging aren't much more that that..

For example tomorrow the kids have;

• Ham, cheese and mayo sandwich on grain bread.
• Cherry tomatoes, cheese stick and kalamata olives cut up
• Shapes crackers
• Mango yoghurt &
• Piece of fruit.
• (the older two also have a fruit muffin and lettuce mix added to their sandwich)

All of these items didn't cost all that much in comparison to the commercialised products, because when you are packing lunches for a large family, boxes of such products usually only last one lunchtime ( 6 Le Snacks = 1 box etc) I sometimes make my own versions of the products and put crackers alongside cheese spread or if I do buy a commercial product such as LCM's, I will cut up 1 LCM and dice it into bite size pieces - it then becomes LCM bites for 2 kids instead of 1 etc..

Instead of poppers, I pack drink bottles of water and a smaller drink bottle with cordial or juice in it, once again minimising packaging, providing a longer lasting option and saving money.. Its a win win situation.

What type of things do you pack into your child's lunchbox? Is it something you would be excited to see when you open the lid?~*Daily Note to Self*~ Participate in Project Life Tuesday tomorrow :-)

Where did the week go.. and things that I loved this week..

Time flies.. I cant believe its been a whole week since I last posted! Each morning I have been woken up at 6am by the phone ringing - calling me in to do some relief teaching work. I ended up accepting 3 days and found each day to be interesting, challenging and rewarding. It certainly has increased my organisation skills and has made me wonder what on earth I did with all of my 'free days'?

What did I love this week?

• A little bit of sunshine! and staring up at the tree's swaying in the wind..
• Seeing how happy the kids were when Ravioli night became a weekly thing not just a fortnightly thing.. Because they are a part of it too now..
• Cheering on the kids @ Cross Country!
• Movie and lunch with Hubby - Valentines Day & Fasta Pasta..
• Lots of early nights.. so tired after working days!
• Getting back into the working world.. and feeling able and organised enough to be there!
• Still knowing I'm a 'SAHM' at heart..
• Receiving my 'Project Life' kit in the mail & finishing 2 weeks!! YAY
• Getting through 1/2 of my MASSIVE ironing pile this afternoon (it was twice the size of the basket!)
• Sunday Roast night - yummy roast pork.
• Getting to spend the entire day at home.. not having to go anywhere..
• Blueberry Muffins in the oven and their baked smell wafting through the house..

*~Daily Note to Self~* Self belief is the most important thing.. If you think you can do it.. you will!

This second food journal I am posting isnt much better than my first.. less water is the most noticable thing to me.. I have already started off on a better foot this week and plan to cut down on the 'snacks', however, I have found the food journal has helped a lot in making better food choices and reminding me when I haven't eaten etc.. which isn't uncommon for me to do! I will definitely keep using it.. Tomorrow I am going to start back on the Wii fit also and will probably modify the chart to include my BMI also.

Baby on the brain..

Today I sat down and completed my sons baby books.. One of his baby books spanned until he was 5 year old and the other 2, til he was 1. I had the majority of them filled out, but I just had a few photographs to add in and a couple more things to update. Was so nice looking back over all of his baby pictures and reminicing, its amazing how fast they grow. My reminicsing didn't stop there, however, everywhere I went today I noticed his 'baby' things..

It all started this morning when I realised I hadn't washed his prep sheets for the week. So I went into the top of his wardrobe to find out a set of his cot sheets, I kept a few sets that I absolutely adored, taking these little white sheets covered with elephants in sailing boats brought back so many memories in itself. In the top of the cupboard I also came across a nappy, so tiny, nappy stacker and some teensy clothes! then glancing around his room I noticed all of the 'baby' things that I still had in his room.. his mobile, his nursery rhyme wall hanging, his winnie the pooh photoframes/keepsake box. All of the gorgeous little things I could never put away.. So out came the baby albums and baby books..

I spent the afternoon noticing EVERYTHING baby and came across the realisation that I am pretty 'clucky' but at the same time realised I would take the opportunity to update Indi's room to a big boy room.. I have decided to go along the lines of a 'space' theme and found the cutest doona set by Hiccups that I will decorate around, got it at a great price only $20 from Pillowtalk reduced from $70!

As for the cluckiness I may get around to sorting that out at some stage this year, but right now there are many many things to do.. but in the meantime I shall REDECORATE! Dont know what would be cheaper really. LOL.

~*Daily Note to Self*~ Make a list of the things you would like to scrapbook.. at the moment there are piles of photographs and many albums.. need some direction with it all..

Things I have loved this week..

Things I have loved this week!

• Falling asleep listening to the rain on the roof each night!
• Wearing my flanny PJ's to bed and bedsocks on cold mornings!
• Doing craft with my Son - Paddlepop photoframes and he took his own pictures to do his own scrapbook.
• Taking a 'Milo' break with my Son and he wanting to use the 'Daddy' cup as long as I used the 'Mummy' cup.
• Wandering down the aisles at the shops getting ideas for Easter..
• Checking the PO Box daily in hopes my 'Project Life' kit may appear! .. No such luck..tomorrow, fingers crossed!!
• Using 'Smilebox' to do pretty things with my pictures..
• Making the 'Its Friday Box!' and playing with Playdoh with my Son.
• Homemade cooking! Yummy Ministrone and Vanilla Pana Cotta YUM!
• Taking the kids to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D.
• Reading.. reading to the kids, reading a magazine, the junk mail, a novel, other blogs, I just love reading..

I think there is a reason why we open the card first..

To me the 'card' is the real present because ever since I can remember I have kept cards that I am given for birthdays, Christmas's etc and store them in a dry mount album. I think this started shortly after my 10th Birthday when my Nan gave me a gorgeous red card with balloons on the front, it had gold edging and a 3D design - very special. But what made it even more special was the writing inside it, Nan's writing; she passed away later that year, but the card was something I could look back on always. Ever since then I started to collect my cards and I have also done the same for my children. I updated my Son's album tonight with his fifth birthday cards and looked back on all of his other cards, they are all so beautiful. His album contains; baby shower, birth, christening, 1st Christmas, 1st Birthday, 1st Easter, subsequent Easter and Christmas cards, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Birthdays. I have popped them in with adhesive squares and decorated the pages with scrapbooking embellishments. I have come to the end of this album, so will purchase another to continue collecting his cards, I'm sure it will be a real keepsake and something he will love to look over in the years to come long after the presents have been outgrown, worn out or donated..

The other day I was fortunate enough to pick up these cute Dr Suess Primary School albums for $10 each! I got them for my two youngest to document and record some of their school experiences, it even has a spot to keep their report cards, certificates and photographs of the year. I sat down with Indigo tonight and we filled in his 'Prep' information he had so much fun and called it his 'scrapbooking time'.

~*Daily Note to Self*~

Slow cookers are your friend! How yummy was the Silverside Roast tonight?! Endeavour to use it more..

Kitchen Challenge.. Day 1

I am a week behind in my kitchen challenge.. 2 weeks to organise my kitchen and all of its contents! Last night I tackled the interior of my fridge, cleaned it out and pre cut all of my salad/vegetable items for ease of use and less waste.. I then took some 'before' pictures of the remainder of my kitchen.. what a job I have ahead of me! These are some of the things I plan to do;

Short Term Goal Plan:

* Declutter the bench tops, cupboard tops and any other area that requires

decluttering. * Reorganise the plastic ware cupboard and buy some new items for the Kids. * Buy some magnetic fridge frames and reorganise children's artwork/pictures on the fridge. * Actually 'use' the canisters I have on the bench tops and * Clean out the pantry!

Long Term Goal Plan:

* Repaint the kitchen..

* Replace the dishwasher with a newer model.

* Polish the floors..

* Buy a kitchen island from IKEA and two benches.

Pictures of reorganised fridge! Definitely needs more food in it.. LOL.

Next Job to Tackle: The Freezer & The exterior of the Fridge!Deadline: 8th March 2010

"Its Friday Box!"

Fridays are a funny day in our household, they are probably my hardest day of the week. This is unusual in itself I guess, as people often love Fridays, but for me it is a day of transition. One week, Friday marks the day my three stepchildren return from a week at their Mother's place; Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I am simply saying it brings with it a change of pace - the house becomes busier, harder to keep clean, the kids fight more on this first day back and everyone's moods are out of whack - So that Friday is chaotic, but I sleep very well that night having all the kids back under one roof!

The following Friday the kids return back to their Mothers so the morning is chaotic trying to ensure that nothing is forgotten. I also spend most of this Friday stressing about my Son going off to his Dads for the weekend, don't get me wrong they do a great job and he has a lot of fun, it has nothing to do with that, I just worry endlessly about everything -separation anxiety I guess. I get little sleep that Friday night (which is tonight by the way) The week just goes from one extreme to the other and even coming down from the busyness or quietness of the week can make Fridays rather unsettling.

So I do a few things to make Fridays a fun, less stressful day; One thing we have done for a little while now is have 'Ravioli Night' it's my Son's favourite food and he looks forward to it each fortnight. I am going to make it every Friday night as of next week as the other kids have asked about it. We often watch a movie together or play a board game also.

Today I started up the "Its Friday Box!" I bought a simple storage box and each Friday will fill it with a different activity. I decided to start the box off with Playdoh today, I made 3 different colours of microwave playdoh and filled the box with these and some playdoh tools. I left the box on the table for when my Son got home, he was so excited, got straight into it and it was a great way to fill in the rainy afternoon. I thought some other ideas would be painting, woodcraft, beading, drawing, bubbles, ball games, cooking.. the ideas could be endless.. It was quite the novelty! Already he is looking forward to what may be in next Fridays box

~*Daily Note to Self *~ Best to stick to a list when grocery shopping! And smile at grumpy check-out operators, at least you are having a good day, it may rub off!

Happily Married, 5 Months Today!

Today the 10th, marks my five month wedding anniversary.. Five months since I made a special comittment to my best friend, the man who takes the time each day to make me feel loved, well looked after and secure - the person who stands by me and supports all of my choices (no matter how crazy!) and most of all the man whom I love!

I adored our wedding day, it was uniquely us, it had all of the elements that I had hoped for and there wasn't one 'hiccup' the entire day. The day came and went so quickly, however, so each month on the 10th I am going to 'revisit' my wedding - the planning, the people, the before's, the ceremony, the reception and the afterwards.. because it truly was a day worth remembering and a day worth celebrating.. a day that was special for us and our children.

Today I will revisit my proposal, a proposal that was 'foiled' several times by my unwillingness to cooperate and ruin 'surprises'. My ring was delivered via a peice of 'Ebony & Ivory' cake at 11pm on the 27th April 2009 after Damian tired of waiting for the 'right' moment.. He engineered and created the right moment, despite my protests that I didnt want to eat desert at 11pm at night (he wasn't going to let me destroy another attempt!) The ring, all sparkly sat atop the cake and I was told I could have the desert on one condition.. "If I would do him the honour of becoming his Wife.." Of course, I had to accept, I wanted the cake.. what could I do? LOL.. no seriously, it was very heartfelt and genuine and after accepting he put the beautiful ring onto my finger and it fit perfectly.. he has great taste.. if I do say so myself.. We started planning our beautiful wedding almost straight away, the sooner the better.. why wait? Six months later we were Mr & Mrs.

Five months on we are still very much Mr and Mrs.. loving married life.. next month, I will write a little of our planning and how we ended up getting our dream wedding for under $5000!

~*Daily Note to Self*~ Start the Wii fit in the morning! No excuses.. LOL

Tip Toeing Back Into the Working World..

**As explained in my blog last week I have not been a part of the working world for a little over five years. When I commenced my degree 10 years ago I had planned on being a full time teacher, however, at this point in my life with a different set of circumstances I am going to embark on casual or relief teaching. I still feel like this will give me the best of both worlds; the ability to work and earn some extra money teamed with the freedom and knowledge of being here for the kids**

**Last night I sat down with the arduous task of updating my resume and creating a one page summary to hand in at prospective schools. I used to find these tasks relatively easy, almost like second nature, however, last night after a 5 year absence I found the task quite difficult and foreign. After 3 hours, however, I had created both a resume and one page summary that I was proud of, complete with a pretty red title!**

**This morning I found myself preparing for the working world - getting dressed up, putting on makeup and racing around like a mad woman preparing the kids for school. By the time I reached my interview at 9am I was exhausted and spared a thought for all of those amazing women who do this every day!! I walked away from the interview confident that I had made a good impression and happy that I had taken the first step back into the working world**

~*Daily Note to Self*~ Dont leave tasks til the last minute (or the night before!) Get organised and make a list, cross off that list and reward yourself for making progress.

Honorouble mention of the day: I would like to thank my Son and Stepchildren this morning for supporting me and being proud that I was going for a job interview. I thought it was so cute when they all wished me 'Good Luck' and it made me more confident that I was doing a good thing for us all.

Organic Dreams..

**Whilst in the City earlier today Mum and I stopped into a store that I had long been interested in, an Organic Supermarket! I have never taken the time to stop in before today but I'm glad I did as I was pleasantly surprised at all of the natural options available! I have since decided I will endevour to switch over to as many of these products as I am able. In particular I would like to switch my body wash, handsoap, dishwashing powder, toothpaste, deodorant and fabric softener to the plant based alternatives. Anthing to minimise the chemicals used within the home and of course in our bodies!** **Whilst at the organic supermarket I also purchased organic apples and beetroot, surprisingly it didnt work out to be much dearer and the taste is absolutely amazing compared to the supermarket vegetables I have been used to buying. One very yummy product that Mum and I bought for the drive home were Beetroot chips, thinly sliced beetroot rounds, sprayed lightly with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and baked in the over to perfection! So Yummy I have decided to make my own, I will post how they go!**
*~Daily Note to Self: Smile, be yourself and radiate confidence tomorrow at the teaching interview and in no time you will have a class of 30 in front of you! Eeek ~*
Honoroble mention of the day: I would like to dedicate today to my lovely Mum, she has had a rough year but her strength, determination and love is awe inspiring.. She looks fantastic and is fantastic! Love you Mum xoxo.