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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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

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

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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.

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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.