Sneak peek

Here is a sneak peek of Miss Boos birthday outfit, I finished it today.

Treasure

This morning we went for a walk to enroll monkey in school and on the way back stopped at the playground on the way to the playground I mentioned that there might not be many people there as it was so early. Monkeys only response was "good it will be nice to have some space to think".
After a hunt for pirate treasure, a pirate booty break, and watching the trench digger we headed off looking for colorful leaves. Miss boo and Monkey had a ball running through the leaves and finding colorful ones. It was such a great feeling just being able to enjoy that time together without having to rush to be anywhere.
When we got home, well this is what we did with them...

Everybody dance now,

Miss Boo went to a trial ballet and tap class today with a difference... all the teachers dress as fairies.

Needless to say we will be starting on Thursday, though maybe with a slightly smaller fairy dress!

Denim blue

Sewing....

not the best photo but he's howling off the new clothes I made him... Pants are fully lined and really cosy

And Eating...

Mmmmmm Peas and Zucchini

I have a list a mile long of things to sew for family and friends so bringing back from NZ almost all mums fabric collection and a pile of clothes I can repurpose from my mum-in-law has been great. I really have no excuse to go to buy new fabric now.. not that it has stopped me looking. Its dangerous living less than 5 mins from a fabric shop. I have been forcing myself to use what I have rather than get new...  

I wish I'd put a label tag in the side..next time!

These ain't too pretty but do a great job

Anyone with a reflux baby will tell you that there is no such thing as too many bibs.. we go through at least 8 - 10 bibs a day around here and have done since Froglets birth. However after being used constantly for 4 months + they are beginning to get beyond manky so it was time for me to make some new ones. Conveniently my husband wore through the knees of his older jeans a week or so ago so I had the perfect fabric for the bibs. I also decided that there is no point in keeping my maternity jeans so decided to cut them up too. I made 6 bibs for Froglet all backed with super soft flannel and two art smocks for Miss Boo and Monkey. As soon as I'm out of my "fat post-baby jeans" (Im nearly there) I've got a project lined up for them too... I can't wait. Worn Denim jeans are so great for lots of projects that I might have to start pilfering other peoples once we run out. 

In the mean time I have a bunch of other things to sew for Miss Boo's birthday, some presents for friends and family, more clothes for the kids and some new burp cloths for Froglet. I can't wait to get started either.

This week has also been the week of Monkeys first sleepover at a friends. I was more nervous and had more of a hang up about it than Monkey did thats for sure... I didn't even get a good night or good morning call, he was having too much fun!  It did help having him able to stay with a friend he is so comfortable with. He and P love playing together whenever possible. We also got a chance to catch up with G and H whom we haven't seen for ages. G and Monkey always play really well together and Friday was no exception

G and Monkey playing dress ups.. yellow is his colour isn't it?

Meet happy husband off for the first Hockey game since moving here!

Movie night with the kids. 

4 month stats

Visited maternal health nurse today for Froglet and he's growing well.

Mmmmm Chocolate.

When it comes to Easter chocolate do you let the kids gorge themselves on it all in one day or do you make them eat it slowly over a period of time? I wasn't sure which way to go this year. Eating it all in one day gets it out of the house and stops the constant "can I have an egg now?" situation. However making them ration it out teaches self discipline (according to He-Man) and prevents the sugar rush. We went with the second option but I have to say I think it's enforcing more self discipline in me than the kids as I am the one faced with the chocolate each time I open the fridge. I think they might know if I had a bit. Sundays positive pic has to be a double up.... Mmmmmmm Chocolate for breakfast!

Today was cold. Gloriously cold. Now I'm not one who likes the cold but today was good just cold enough for the heat to be on but not cold enough to make your nose freeze. I'm really enjoying autumn this year. It's no longer so hot you feel like you are going to melt when you go for a walk, and the leaves in the park are awesome. Monkey, Miss Boo and I are going to be breaking out the seasonal crafts this next few weeks so stay tuned.

Positive Pic: Love ducted heating!

Here is a sneak preview of Miss Boos Birthday preparations for next month!

Tigers made from foam sheets, goggly eyes and vivid!

Focus.

Right so my focus has been elsewhere lately. Partially on getting better post op but mostly on my family. Now that I have returned to being a fully functioning member of my family again I have been celebrating it and taking the time to be truly present with them.
At 4 almost 5 I've noticed that while monkey is fairly independent in most things he is craving interactive play. He loves playing very involved games with all sorts of rules or social structures, so while Miss Boo and Froglet sleep we have a chance to play alone. Today it was shops. The food is ordered according to colour, (something I've noticed he is fixated on, I even have to use matching pegs for the washing when he's around) it's changed regularly and sometimes you can't get what's on your list as it is out of stock. A lot of thought goes into how the store is set up. And when monkey is the customer he will have 3 or 4 lists to fill which eventually result in having everything he needs for us to have a picnic. Lots of forward planning going on here.
As for Miss Boo her coordination and balance seem to have made a leap and she is now has way more control when jumping on the tramp. Consequently she's on it at least 5 times a day.
Finally Froglet is getting stronger by the day and is currently chewing on anything he can find. We have tried a little food but there is absolutely no interest so we'll give it a break for another week or so.

Now although I've been taking a pic a day I'm not going to post them all right now so here is today's. The battle I'm not going to win!

Holiday Photo dump

Due to being away for the last little while I haven't been able to update until now. We had a fantastic trip to NZ. It was wonderful to have time to catch up with our friends and family. It reminded me how lovely it is to have family around and how much love there is for my children. It was beautiful to watch my babies loved and appreciated by so many people. 

We got to meet our niece T and it was so funny how the cousins just seemed to get it and be able to spend time together very happily. T seemed quite taken with froglet, and spent a lot of time kissing Miss Boo. 

Anyway here are my Positive pics for the last little while... 

23rd Feb - there was a Festival down in Albert park. It was great fun the kids really enjoyed the wavy slide and bouncy castle.. there was even a snake and reptile handling area, wasnt too keen on that. 

24th Feb - the kids loved the flight so much and were so well behaved.

 

25th Feb - A picnic with family and friends

26th Feb - Meeting up with Granny and Pop for lunch, Miss Boo found someone else to wrap around her little finger.

27th Feb - So sweet to see them having a mini picnic for lunch.

28th Feb - Sisters love

29th Feb - Holding Grandads hand at the Auckland Zoo.

 Froglet is 3 months

1st Mar - Sliding and climbing at the snakes and ladders playground in Point View, Auckland.

2nd Mar - Happiness is a morning at Playcentre.

3rd Mar - Green tea with dinner

4th Mar - Cousins checking out the view.

5th Mar - New bunk beds for the kidlets!

6th Mar - My keys.. so happy to have found these... Slight panic this morning when I realised they were locked in the car and I had to get Monkey to kindy and get lunch for us all!!! Poor He-Man had to make a mad dash home on the tram to free them!

New playgroup

Today we Miss Boo and I went to our new playgroup. This is the third time we've attended and the first that there have been some of the same people as the previous week.

It has been hard for me to find activities for Miss Boo and I to do, without monkey as most activities for toddlers are on in the mornings and we needed something for the afternoon while Monkey is at kindy. This playgroup is held at Apples and Jam a local arty party place which focuses on sustainable living. It is a beautiful environment. Hopefully we can make some local friends there.

Miss Boos first stop is the glue/craft table at the moment!!! 

Todays Positive Pic... I love watching my little girl being creative and happy

The fabric sort

Is it sad that today my happy pic is fabric. I was recently inspired to sort my fabric collection, mostly because I couldn't find anything when I wanted it. I do wish I'd taken a before shot now as it looks so flash, but it may have been a little embarrassing to have shown the state they were in.

Now however......They are all rolled into bolt shapes on pieces of card. I do need some shallower containers that only hold one layer at a time ( making it easier to see what I have), but hey beggers can't be choosers and these are the containers I already had. They'll do for now.

Weekend

This weekend I'm grateful for the friends I have made in the year and a half we have been here. The way they have embraced us and helped us to find a place in this beautiful city we now call home. This year I hope to widen that group further especially now I am getting back to normal (not pregnant) as well as cement the friendships I have.

As for Sunday. Baby breath do I need to say more.

Recovered

This evening I have been going through the recovered images (93000) from my old computer trying to find any pictures from the first day of Froglets life.... And although I still have a long way to go but my positive pic is...

Tuesday

My happy pic may not look like much to anyone but is the result of some serious sorting of monkeys lego. Sorted by colour and piece shape. We are over half way through.

Today we were sick

Today was a yucky day. Sick in bed but at least it's only a 24hr thing for me as He-man had it on Saturday and on Sunday he was fine. Monkey however might be a bit worse with a temperature. Fingers crossed tomorrow we are better.

Today's positive pic (oh I like how that sounds...positive pic) is of froglet. Today he did his first real laugh. Not a chuckle a real laugh, at his daddy no less. Made me feel a 100 times better instantly. (taken with camera+ an awesome app designed by my friend L's amazing hubby)

See you tomorrow.

My positive year.

Life with three children is a little busy to say the least.

I have recently been inspired by a lady who spent a year taking daily polaroid pictures of things that made her happy. The project was called grateful365. She found that by focusing on the things which made her happy in her life on a daily basis she became a happier and more positive person. I have been thinking that this just might be a help for me too. While taking meds for PND works to some extent I need to feel a little more in control of my happiness. So I am going to attempt a similar project with my cell phone. Taking a picture with my phone and posting it to my blog a daily basis. My positive year starts now!

So picture number 1 is of the sidewalk art I walked passed which made me smile.