Friday 17 April 2015

15 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: She's loving being on school holidays, and is relishing in some one-on-one time with mum and dad! Here she is doing twirls on the beach.

Leila: A late afternoon walk on the beach after another party! That beautiful smile melts my heart.

Archer: An impromptu visit to the beach after picking Leila up from Montessori, very unprepared, but the kids loved it and the girls had a swim. This little man mainly chased the seagulls, which he mimics surprisingly well!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

Sunday 5 April 2015

14 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: She/we survived the first term of primary school, which deserves a star jump or two! They had an Autumn Festival on the last day of term, and all the classes did a little performance. I wasn't sure she would do it, but she did, and with a big smile! She sang loudly and did all the actions, I had a tear or two. Afterwards she said 'it was very nervous'! Very proud moment! She is now looking forward to a couple of weeks off, and I'm looking forward to not spending 2 hours a day driving back and forth! On the odd night, I've been letting her stay up a bit later and we've been reading The Magic Faraway Tree—she's loving it, and so am I.

Leila: My big four-year-old got a big-girl's bike for her birthday. We spent Easter Sunday on a lovely bike ride, she is so close to being able to ride unassisted. She is slightly obsessed with being a 'big girl' now, comparing herself to other kids when we're out, saying 'I'm bigger than them aren't I?' and we are definitely not allowed to use the word 'little' in the same sentence as 'Leila'! Her defiance seems to have stepped up a level too…

Archer: And he is definitely turning into a big boy! He loved joining in on the Easter egg hunt today with the girls, and they were so good with him. Once he had tasted some of his haul, he was desperate to get back outside again to find some more!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

13 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: An afternoon at the beach, requested by Leila on her birthday. And big news of the week—she lost her first tooth! She actually pulled it out herself! Much excitement was had and also a lot of relief as it was getting quite sore!

Leila: A walk on the looong jetty - she didn't really enjoy it! And my little girl turned 4! Separate post to follow.

Archer: He seems to be enjoying the water more and more each time now. He loved finding crabs and trying to catch them on the wall.

Joining in with Jodi.

Saturday 4 April 2015

12 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.



Mahlia: She was standing on a bull ant nest here, seconds after this photo she was bitten on her big toe. The screams were awful, the poor thing. The next day we went to the zoo and she forgot all about it, until we got him and suddenly she couldn't walk anymore! 

Leila: Her eyes set on the top of a huge climbing rope frame, which she conquered with no help. This one is very determined - a great quality to have, unless you're her parent!

Archer: He absolutely loved the zoo! He's pretty happy just being outdoors. 


11 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




An after-school play at the rocks with some friends.

10 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: At a friend's birthday party/obstacle course. She's a really good runner and quite competitive too!

Leila: This week we got to meet the new addition to the family—a new cousin! 

Archer: In the tunnel at the obstacle course with daddy, happiest boy ever right there.

9 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.



Mahia: A late afternoon cool down at the rock pool.

Leila: A mid-week outing to see a Cat in the Hat Show. She was a bit unsure to start with but was up and joining in with the dancing by the end.

Archer: Just before a HUGE storm came through. He loves watching the birds, and sandy apples.

Monday 23 February 2015

8 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: After a long bike ride with daddy on a hot, muggy day we all had a play in the park. She is still finding her feet at Steiner, and has said she is a little bored. We've spoken to her teacher so hopefully they can give her some extra work to keep her busy. She has such a passion for learning, and I'm worried she might lose it if she isn't stimulated more.

Leila: Rosy cheeks and a sweaty forehead, she is counting down the days to her birthday. She makes friends wherever she goes and at the park a little boy was cuddled, kissed and hands were held. That hair is always in her face.

Archer: He is an eating machine at the moment. I stopped breastfeeding him this week, which is bittersweet. I'm ready to have my body back and hopefully get a bit more energy, but I am struggling with cutting the cord with my baby again. On a positive, he is actually sleeping better though.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

7 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: Cooling down her sister, and everything else in her radius.

Leila: This is her smile for the photo face.

Archer: Reading books in his room. I hope her loves books as much as his sisters do.



Monday 9 February 2015

6 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: After her first full week of Steiner, she stated it was good but very tiring. She is still having sleepless nights and a sore tummy every morning, but once she is there she is happy, and comes home telling us about her day. She's spending lots of time outdoors and learning German! It will take some time for her to feel properly settled but we are getting there. She ended the week by going out for a paddle with daddy on the lake—she's doing it all by herself now!

Leila: This little one has settled right into school. She has been moved up into the 'big kid's' group as she's starting to read and write quite well!! She has such a lovely group of friends. Here she is at her friend's birthday party, where they dressed up in they're favourite fancy dress outfit. Cutest little nurse I have ever seen! I loved listening to her talk to her friends about her upcoming birthday and princess party!

Archer: And he's walking!! At 14 1/2 months, he just got up and toddled along, and he's been waddling around ever since! And he's climbing too. He is very proud of himself being able to get onto the sofa and back down again. Two more teeth have also emerged, which explains his clinginess recently. With little hand gestures, he's communicating quite well, and if we correctly say what he wants he lets out a a cheeky giggle. No more baby but he's at such a fun stage now.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

Sunday 1 February 2015

5 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: At the end of her first day of primary school! And flying high. The build up has been pretty intense for her, which resulted in nightmares most nights for the past few weeks. After a rocky start to the day, she went into her new classroom and had a good day! She started on Wednesday, and by Friday it all got a bit much and she had a bad tummy and a temperature so had the day off. She assures me she is looking forward to going back though. Fingers crossed. I must admit, I was very teary (not in front of her).

Leila: This cheeky monkey takes forever to eat her breakfast most mornings, and it drives me crazy!! But those eyes, and her smile… Hubby went in to give her a kiss when she was asleep one night, she stirred and said "I love books". Bless her.

Archer: Daddy and Archer have been going on a few walks together, and Archer loves it. Today he grabbed his hat and crawled/shuffled over to daddy showing it to him, indicating he wanted a walk. He gets so excited when his daddy's around.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

Sunday 25 January 2015

4 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: Last week of school holidays, before starting at big school. We had a mummy/Mahlia day out, just the two of us. She asked to go to Sydney on the train, so we did! We got the little train through the Botanical Gardens and hopped off near the art gallery where Mahlia wanted to visit. She loved looking at all the different paintings and sculptures. We then went to Hyde Park for the Sydney Festival but missed most of the activities. She was happy just looking at the buildings and wandering around. It was a perfect day.

Leila: Her first week back at school this week and she is now going three full days. She's settled right back in and we've had no tears. I think Mahlia and Leila are enjoying a bit of time apart from each too. Archer and Leila's bond is growing and they play chasing games nearly every day, Archer squeals with delight.

Archer: A classic Archer expression, where he screws his little nose up! He took two steps this week, but is in no way inclined to try it very often. He still prefers his funny crawl where he has one foot up pulling himself along. He also has to feed himself nearly every meal - I don't remember this independence happening so soon with the girls!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

3 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: A play date at the beach with friends. She is becoming so much more confident in the ocean now, duck-diving under waves and trying to body-surf back in. She's also mastering stand-up paddle boarding on her own!

Leila: This is the face we get when we ask her to smile for a photo. She tries so hard to give her biggest smile, that her hands are in fists!

Archer: He loved sitting on daddy's paddle board at the beach and was practising climbing on and sliding off again. He had to have the paddle resting on top too. Sandy cheeks, sandy ears, sand everywhere!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.



Sunday 11 January 2015

2 | 52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.




Mahlia: After catching waves on an overcast afternoon at the beach, she came in shivering. Those eyes are so deep and kind of enchanting. I could stare into them all day.

Leila: A face of determination, one that we see a lot of. She had to follow her sister up to the top, despite my warnings. Looking rather bedraggled after getting dumped by a little wave.

Archer: Watching on as his sisters climb on the rocks, he points and grunts to indicate where he wants to walk to, and expects a walk into the garden after every nap.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.


Tuesday 6 January 2015

1 | 52

A portrait of my kids, once a week, every week, in 2015.




2015! How did that happen?! With all the festivities over and done with, we have spent most of our time so far this year at home. I'm getting back into doing my groceries online in order to avoid the shops and spending money. The kids are enjoying having the time to play with their new gifts, and I think they need the down time, as do I! Here they are enjoying some cooling water play, and probably getting bitten by mosquitos.

Monday 5 January 2015

52 – 52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.




Mahlia: We had a day trip up to Nelson Bay and went on a dolphin watching cruise. When the skipper let her steer the boat, she nearly wet herself with excitement! 

Leila: We spent Christmas Eve at a friend's house with their three girls. This smile just lights up her whole face.

Archer: Christmas Day at the beach – a perfect day. He found it hilarious to knock down the sand castle I built for him. He also took his first step on New Year's Eve! 


51 – 52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.




 A much-loved, special visitor from England, Christmas carols and some friends. Kids had a ball!