13 – 52

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

Mahlia: I've taken to bathing the three kids together, and Mahlia helps me by holding Archer, and Leila 'helps' by pouring water on him. Mahlia loves mothering him and being given the responsibility of looking after him. She's excited about Leila going to school with her next week too.

Leila: My baby girl turned three this week. We celebrated with pancakes at breakfast, followed by present opening. She asked for a school bag and a guitar. She got both, together with some Shirley Hughes books (she loves them!), and some clothes. Daddy took her to kinder gym where she played with her best friend Maeve, then we went out for sushi. Her birthday dinner request was roast chicken, and a strawberry and chocolate cake. My feisty little girl is growing up so fast, and she starts at Montessori on Monday!

Archer: He loves his sisters so much, and always has a smile for them. He keeps an eye out for me at all times though, glancing back to check I'm still there for him. He's found his hands and is sucking and gnawing at them frequently, which comes with lots of dribbles! He loves being in the water and kicks frantically until he splashes himself in the face and gives himself a shock, but gets straight back into it.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity. 

12 – 52

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

Mahlia: We caught up with friends today, whose son used to go to Montessori with Leila. Yesterday he called to speak to her on the phone (her first phone call from a friend), to find out her favourite colours as he wanted to make a bracelet for her. We enjoyed time at the beach, and before we knew it, three hours had passed. Here she is, rock climbing in the nude, as you do.

Leila: After dropping daddy off at work, and before dropping Mahlia off at Montessori, I took the kids to feed the ducks. The water was so still and the sun light beautiful. We watched the ducks from the bridge before heading off again. Next week Leila turns three. We are having quite a few ups and downs at the moment. I think the build up of starting preschool is getting to her. She is more than ready though, she unpacks Mahlia's bag for her every morning at school and asks to practise her sounds nearly every day. She knows them all now, clever little cookie! One of the downs is the ridiculous length of time it takes her to eat, especially breakfast—two hours today, and she still didn't finish!! I love her dearly, but she can drive me crazy!

Archer: He was enthralled by the ducks! Two people today thought he was about 6 months old. He's just about to turn 4 months, my big boy! Very close to rolling over onto his tummy this week, and he giggles when I bellow my long dresses or skirts over him on the floor. This little man completes me.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 Project over at Practising Simplicity.

11 – 52

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

Mahlia: Running through the backyard with a rainbow ribbon, dodging the mosquitos.

Leila: She loves her books, sitting quietly in the cubby, dodging mosquitos.

Archer: He had his first 'swim' in the ocean this week. It didn't faze him one bit. Daddy was proud.

Joining in the 52 Project at Practising Simplicity.

10 – 52

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

Mahlia: With the return of some warmer weather this week, the girls have been having lots of fun in the paddling pool. Mahlia's enjoying a 'backwards cuddle' from Leila. The downside to all this water play is the abundance of mozzies that are feasting on the girls.

Leila: After losing her confidence at swimming, for no apparent reason, she is finally regaining it. She loves her swimming lessons. That tongue always pops out when she's shy or embarrassed—I don't think she wanted me taking her photo.

Archer: Keeping a safe distance from the splashing in the paddling pool, he takes in all his surroundings. He loves being outside and currently he loves his hands. Sporting a bit of a comb-over due to the balding sides of his head! Mozzies don't seem too fussed by him for some reason, which is good.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 Project, over at Practising Simplicity.

9 – 52

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

Mahlia: We've finally had some decent rain, but the girls got a bit of cabin fever so we ventured off on a walk—three kids, two dogs, three umbrellas + rain. Chaos! But they had fun splashing in the puddles. We found an old face painting set, and Mahlia wanted to be a tiger. From a distance it looks quite good, but I need a bit of practise. We've also started finger knitting together with the aim to make this woven hula hoop rug. She picked it up so quickly and it's a lovely activity to do when she wants some quiet time.

Leila: She has been on her best behaviour this week, sharing and using her manners without any prompts, and just generally being lovely. Daddy set up hopscotch and taught them how to play. There were lots of giggles and not many hops!

Archer: This poor little man has been suffering from a bad cough this week, but it hasn't taken his beautiful smile away. Giggles are starting and he loves any attention he gets from his sisters, no matter how rough! 13 weeks old this week—must do that introductory post on his birth!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

8 – 52

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

Mahlia: She's had a busy week this week. She has started going to Montessori four days a week this year, and together with rock pool swims, bike rides, dentist check ups, and play dates, she is exhausted. We spent Friday morning making paper dolls, after being inspired by a library book. I made some too, and when she saw mine she got upset as she didn't think hers were as good. I begged to differ, so I gave her mine, and she gave me hers. Peace was briefly restored.

Leila: This girl loves her food, but takes FOREVER to eat sometimes. Enjoying fajitas al fresco, albeit deconstructed ones. Recovering from a cold, she has been very tired come bedtime, and every question is answered with a no, followed by screaming because she really meant yes, but when asked again, the answer is no, and so on. Trying times! I think you can see some of her cheekiness in her eyes in this shot.

Archer: 12 weeks old! How did that even happen? He is happiest lying on the floor, with a vantage of all that is going on around him. Coming down with a cough and he still has the biggest smile on his face. And those eyes, I just can't get enough of him!

Joining in with Jodi's 52 Project at Practising Simplicity.

7 – 52

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

Mahlia: We found some fairy dust lying around the house, as you do, so she liberally sprinkled it throughout her very overgrown fairy garden.

Leila: Well, my baby girl had her first day in the prep program for Montessori today. She was shy and nervous to start with, but it didn't take her long to join in. She enjoyed choosing her work and is looking forward to going back next Saturday. I shed a tear as I stood back and watched her taking it all in. She's been singing the sound songs all day. We were running late, as Leila takes a looooong time to eat her breakfast, especially when we have to go somewhere, so this was the best shot I got of her. It sums her up quite well!

Archer: This is one happy little man. He had just woken up and enjoyed stretching out and looking around the playroom.

Joining in with the 52 Project over at Practising Simplicity.