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!

50 – 52

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




Mahlia: She graduated from Montessori and did not enjoy it at all. She wishes she could stay there and just be one of the teachers. She wasn't a fan of everyone looking at her, but a few of us gathered for dinner after and she and her friends had a ball staying up late, screaming and having fun. I love the similar expressions of Mahlia and Archer in this shot.

Leila: Decorating gingerbread Christmas trees for their friends and teachers at Montessori. I don't think many of them were eaten in the process, but Leila's cheeky face says otherwise!

Archer: Loves his swimming lessons, but only really with daddy. Not that fussed about going into the water with me! He has developed a very close bond with his daddy recently, and squeals with delight when he comes home.


49 – 52

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




Running a bit late with the photos from the last few weeks of 2014! Busy times!

Mahlia: Decorating the tree, very serious business.

Leila: Watching on and doing as big sister tells her, for a short period of time.

Archer: Waiting for his chance to pull everything off again. Many a decoration was ruined this year!