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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.

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

It's Father's Day here today. We haven't seen much of daddy recently, he's been so busy with this last semester of uni (thank goodness the end is in sight!), building up his prac hours at the hospital, all on top of working and getting his business set up. 

We had a lovely day, with French toast for brekkie, swimming with Archer, then lunch at Avoca, before a restful afternoon at home. I would like to make it a regular routine for a Sunday!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: Extremely proud moment today. She mastered riding her bike not long after getting it, pretty much straight away, but wasn't quite tall enough to start or stop herself. So hubby would run along next to her to get her going and stop her. When the rain subsided today, we went to Terrigal and she went off with daddy and came back shortly after and stopped, all by herself, in front of me. I then showed her how to start by herself, and after a few attempts off she went! She rode past me, tears running down her cheeks, saying 'I've got happy tears!'. She was so proud of herself, rightfully so. Round and round, for the next hour she went. I predicted a growth spurt was coming, and it would seem it has, as she can comfortably put her feet down now. Tonight she also read daddy a story in bed. Reading and bike riding all by herself—growing up way too fast.

Leila: We all had hair cuts this week. This is Leila's nervous/concentrating face. She woke with conjunctivitis this morning, so all 3 kids have now had it this week. On her balance bike, she has no fear and just goes, just not in a particularly straight line. A magpie kept swooping at her head, and I kept trying to get her to move along, but she didn't care.

Archer: He has been hit the hardest with conjunctivitis, waking each morning with his eyes glued shut, but still smiling. He's now come down with a cold. This winter has been horrendous for bugs for all of us. Thank goodness tomorrow is the last day of winter! Archer turned nine months this week, and also had his first haircut. He looks so much older now. He is getting closer to crawling, moving from sitting nearly onto all fours. Won't be long, and life will get busier!

Couldn't resist including the next two photos from the week too. Sibling love x

Off to a party!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: She came home from preschool on Monday with conjunctivitis, and had the rest of the week off. I've enjoyed having her around but it's been strange not having Leila here too. It's been a very wet week, but whenever the sun broke through the clouds we hastily escaped outdoors to burn some energy.

Leila: She came home from her morning at preschool on Monday feeling unwell, and went to my bed for a sleep (I can count the number of day time sleeps she's had since she turned 2 on one hand, so I knew she was unwell). When she woke, she vomited everywhere, the poor thing. She went to bed that night and woke the next morning as if nothing had happened, so off she went to school! Today we went on a bush walk, armed with umbrellas for the inevitable rain. The girls ran and splashed in the puddles, and Leila fell over numerous times.

Archer: His first swimming lesson started with some trepidation, but soon his little legs were kicking away. He loved it. We celebrated with a rare lunch out after, followed by a long afternoon sleep for him after all the splashing! Another tooth emerging and now suffering from conjunctivitis himself, he's had a rough week but is still smiling.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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

Mahlia: Getting ready to dive, she takes her swimming very seriously and doesn't like not being able to do new things. Her current hurdle is the turn underwater. We keep encouraging her to practise, practise, practise and she will get there, but she wants to be able to do it now. Apparently she is the same at school, reluctant to try new things for fear of not being able to do them. My little perfectionist.

Leila: She had her first full day at preschool this week, and loved it. Today she cleaned the kitchen cupboards and dining room chairs, and loved it! She also loves her swimming but doesn't take it seriously at all!

Archer: He's just about over his cold but is still teething. He comes into bed with me earlier and earlier in the night, everyone gets more sleep then. And he starts swimming lessons with daddy today! He loves he water and kicks away in the bath, so I'm sure he will enjoy the pool!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.