25 – 52

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

Mahlia: We went to a Swedish Midsummer Solstice party, even though it's our winter solstice. Mahlia enjoyed playing with her Montessori friends, creating a flower head garland and jumping on the trampoline.  

Leila: Our feisty little girl. She is so clever yet so cheeky. She continues to test her boundaries and assert herself. I'm trying to be as patient as possible as she moves through this 'phase', but my goodness it is hard!

Archer: About to hit 7 months. He's getting the hang of the solids now, and his first tooth is just about to erupt. He continues to smile and babble and just be gorgeous.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

24 – 52

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

Mahlia: The cautious one, she climbed through saying she couldn't do it, but she was. This week, Daddy took the girls to the museum, a long awaited trip to see the dinosaur exhibition, while I sat my citizenship test. They both found it very scary, with the moving, noisy figures.

Leila: The not-so-cautious one. Chatting to Mahlia in front of Sydney's icons.

Archer: We all went on a bush/beach walk to Lobster Beach on the public holiday. With 300+ steps up and down back to the car, the rain started at about step 5. Dripping wet, this little man wasn't fussed. He's enjoying sitting up and finger foods.

And here's one of my friend Jodie with the kids, just as Leila fell off the wall. Somehow Jodie caught her with her foot while holding Mahlia and Archer!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

23 – 52

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

Mahlia: She loves cuddles with her brother. She was reading stories to him and he turned and gazed up into her eyes. She can make him giggle when he's upset, in fact she brings a smile to everyone's face. I was struggling with one of Leila's tantrums this week, and Mahlia came and gave me a cuddle and told me it will be OK. She's an extraordinarily kind girl this one.

Leila: Leila, Leila, Leila. She's been pushing my buttons this week, but we're working through it, one day at a time. She surprises me every day with her sharing. And she's incredibly protective of her brother when we're out and about, keeping other kid's little hands well away from him. She is still loving Montessori, and every day gathers the sound cards and a mat and leads her teacher to help her, not that she needs help as she's mastered all of them!

Archer: After I enjoyed a delicious onion gravy this week, poor Archer suffered terribly with wind pain and had a very restless day and evening. He is not overly fussed on solids as yet. We are having a break for a few days to let his tummy settle before starting again. He has now mastered sitting up by himself and enjoys the new perspective on his surroundings. I can see a great similarity between Archer and Leila in this week's photos.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

22 – 52

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

Mahlia: She loves daddy picking her up from school. I tend to get a very disappointed look when she sees me waiting for her. They stopped off in Terrigal on their way home for some Daddy-Mahlia time. She wouldn't ride her bike, but had a go on daddy's skateboard, to practice for snowboarding. We are off to the snow again in July - our first family-of-five holiday! We had some Mummy-Mahlia time today, and went for a run together - she's a good training partner!

Leila: We went to the Avoca Markets on Sunday. At first it was just Leila, Archer and I, and we had a lovely time wandering around. She had her handbag and purse, with a few coins, and went shopping. She selected some new hair accessories. Last time she had her face painted she chose a spider, this time a whale. I love her uniqueness! Daddy and Mahlia joined us, Mahlia having found her belly dancing outfit! Poor Leila was sick yesterday. I hate seeing her ill, but I do love the opportunity for long cuddles - a rarity, as normally she won't sit still for 5 seconds. She was back to her usual self today, and, for some reason, on her best behaviour!

Archer: This little man got the all-clear from the paediatrician this week after his virus when he was 2-weeks old, as we knew he would. He was mesmerised by the grass here in Terrigal. We've been trying new foods with him this week, including pear, carrot and broccoli, and rice cereal. He's not really impressed with anything other than his mummy's milk. He's also just starting to sit up by himself, albeit for just a few seconds! And he turned 6 months this week. I can't quite get my head around the fact we are now on the count down to his first birthday, when he's still my little newborn in my eyes. It's funny how things change with the third and last. With Mahlia, I couldn't wait to hit the milestones, and I remember starting solids at four months. This time, with Archer, I just want everything to slow right down, and I've been putting off the solids. I love this age, the interactions and the joy he radiates.

Joining in the 52 Project with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

21 – 52

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

Mahlia: This week has been unseasonably warm, and we've spent much of it at the beach. Our once quiet, shy little girl has blossomed into a confident, social little butterfly. Playing with old friends, or easily making new ones, she's enjoyed the many salty play days.

Leila: Just before a spectacular sunset, this little one has no problem with shyness. She approaches kids and asks their names, and joins in with the big kids. And she is currently obsessed with car models – she names them all from Holdens to Subarus, and Hyundais to Mitsubishis. 

Archer: I love waking up to these smiles. We co-sleep for most of the night. He had his first taste of sand today, literally, and didn't mind it a bit. He also had a go in the jolly jumper this week, which he absolutely loved, as did Mahlia, who stayed very close to 'help' him.

Joining in the 52 Project with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

20 – 52

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

Mahlia: When did she get so big? We got to spy on her this week at Montessori for an observational. She sat practising her handwriting for the 45-minutes we were there. I could have watched her all day. We've enjoyed many afternoon trips to the beach over the past couple of weeks, and every time a few friends have been there to play with.

Leila: Oh so cheeky this one, she pushes me to my limits. So different from her big sister. She loves her lego at the moment, and we've been enjoying story time at the library again. She was adamant she didn't want to go in the water so didn't put on her swimmers. She ended up going home in the nude.

Archer: I went to  yoga class on Thursday night. His mummy-radar went off minutes after I left and he was still up when I got home.  He still has a cough but continues to smile so hard and intensely, he looks like he could burst. He gets so much joy out of watching his sisters too.

Joining in with the 52 Project at Practising Simplicity. 

19 – 52

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

Mahlia: We headed to the beach after school one day this week to enjoy the last couple of hours of sun. Our house is surrounded by trees so is now quite chilly, so we chase the sun to keep warm. We gathered a few friends to join us. Mahlia was brave trying to climb as high as they did, but needed a reassuring hand close by should she need it.

Leila: Preferring to go nude, she loved playing with the big kids and her best friend. She is still loving school and has stated that she wants to take her bed there so she can sleep there too, and stay there all the time!

Archer: Just chilling out with a friend, watching his sisters. He's finally on the mend, but still a bit sniffly and coughing after a sleep. But there s more sleep happening now thank goodness! And he rolled this week, from his tummy to his back, five times in a row, and nothing since! It gave him a bit of a fright at first but giggled on the subsequent rolls!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.