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

Mahlia: I found some old bubbles, and the screams of delight at popping them could be heard for miles around! Mahlia is now reading pretty fluently and needs little help. I love that she can now pick up a book and read it to herself. It opens up a whole new world to her.

Leila: Leila is also now reading! She's sounding out the words and putting them together, and even read a simple reader to Grandpa on Skype! Smart little cookie.

Archer: This little man has worked out how to tell us he wants food – he opens and closes his mouth like a fish and leans towards to fridge or pantry! Today, it has been constant! I think a growth spurt is on its way! He turned 11 months yesterday—1 month left of being my little baby. 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: Having fun in the park, just throwing the ball around. This once shy, little girl has grown into such a self-assured, out-going confident girl. I can't believe this is her last term at Montessori.

Leila: Hubby's parents took us out for breakfast, such a novelty for the girls. Leila ate her own weight in bacon!

Archer: Finally got round to putting Archer in a forward-facing car seat. He thought it was great being able to see everyone! I keep getting a giggle from him when he catches my eye in the mirror. 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity. 

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

Mahlia: Psyching herself up to jump off the wall onto the beach. It took a few attempts, but eventually she just did it. I loved watching her mentally trying to will herself to do it. She was so happy. Needless to say, Leila jumped as soon as she saw Mahlia had done it. Mahlia's confidence and self-assurance is gaining every day!

Leila: Leila's cheekiness is gaining every day! Pulling funny faces in the sunlight at breakfast. She finds it impossible to sit still, especially at the table. She makes me laugh, that little blue-eyed monkey. She's just started putting the sounds together in simple words to read them too, another smart little cookie!

Archer: We went for a late afternoon play in a playground today and Archer had his first go on the swing and see-saw. He loved them both! I love the look of pure joy in this photo. He is on the move, in his own special way. He still hasn't mastered crawling, with one foot getting stuck under him, but he pulls himself along with his hands and other foot in a sitting position. His first word, Dada, has been well-practiced over the past couple of weeks. And he's loving pulling himself up to stand. Growing up too fast.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: After a week of saying she didn't want to do nippers, she decided she did want to join and today was the first day of the season. She had an absolute ball, she had a smile on her face all morning during every activity. It was a hot and exhausting day, but she can't wait to go back next week. She was once so shy and nervous, I'm so proud of the confident young girl she has become. Hubby had a hernia operated on this week, and, being the sensitive soul that she is, she has been so worried about him. It meant the world to her to have him come to nippers to watch her.

Leila: Leila loves books. We go to the library once a week for story time, and she'll 'read' the books we borrow over and over. We borrow a handful of books for Mahlia to read, and now Leila has another person who can read to her.

Archer: Suffering from yet another cold and cough. He has learnt a new trick this week, and can now pull himself up to stand, his place of choice being in the bath—not ideal! 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: is happy. (Mahlia just typed that herself as I asked her how she felt this week - I'm happy too, if she is!). Here she is in Terrigal climbing the cliff after watching the seal pup that had come in to rest on the rocks.

Leila: is very funny. (This is Leila's response when I asked her!). She is very funny.

Archer: is just too cute for words! He was a bit out of sorts yesterday, but once in the bath he's settled and happy. Went to bed with a temperature… here we go again.

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.

An after-school play at the beach, celebrating the arrival of some warmer weather (finally)! The girls have had a growth spurt in these last couple of weeks, and it has resulted in a very overtired Leila this week. Look how big she looks!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.