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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.

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

We had a trip to the zoo this week, with my sister-in-law and her three kids. The cousins all had such a great time, and the only drama had was a thieving bush turkey stealing our lunch!

Mahlia: We have finally made a decision regarding Mahlia's schooling next week. We have put in an application for her to attend the local Steiner school. It should be a smooth transition from Montessori, and she already has a couple of friends there. I can't believe she is starting school next year.

Leila: Having a 'swim' at the zoo, as you do! She was so enthralled by all the animals at the zoo. She was always the last one at each enclosure, watching and screaming with glee when the animal came close. Lions and tigers were the top of her 'must-see' list, but all of the animals were her favourite.

Archer: Another cough and cold this week, but he still enjoyed the zoo and the animals. I can't wait to take him again when he's older. He is shuffling around on his bottom, and trying to crawl but it is hard on our floor boards. No rush little man.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

After a beautifully warm start to the week, it has ended freezing cold! We headed down to the park today to sit in the sun and get some fresh air. The girls walked the dogs, much to the dogs' dismay and went down the slide umpteen times!

Mahlia: Talk of starting primary school next years not going down too well with Mahlia. She loves her Montessori preschool so much and desperately wants to stay there, to the point where she said she will stay and be one of the teachers! As parents, we are in denial about her starting school next year, and have not decided where to send her. Ideally, we'd like her to go to a Montessori Primary but there isn't that option on the coast. Hubby is dropping the home-school idea a lot! Decisions, decisions!

Leila: She saw the ENT doctor this week and I was so proud of her. She was so nervous, if her tongue wasn't sticking out, her fingers were in her mouth. After passing her hearing test with flying colours, we now know for sure that she is just being defiant, and there are no hearing problems. She's very excited about the prospect of her first long day at preschool next week. I am excited about one less car trip there!

Archer: Two top teeth are emerging, so he's been joining me in bed a lot earlier in the night this week. He's also learnt to clap this week too, and is very proud of himself! He joins in when we sing 'If You're Happy and You Know It', and story time at the library with Leila he brought a smile to everyone's face when he joined in. Gorgeous, he's just gorgeous.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.