One Sentence to describe the last week.

I still haven't done the yoga video. 

Cats don't need a video!

... Or maybe they do!

# 7 came to play

This morning, Ms 3yo (7th of 8), woke up early.  She told her mother that after Kindy she was going to Grandma's house to play with M.  How cute is she?!

Not long after Ms 3yo arrived this afternoon, we had a conversation about her new shoes.  This picture is the closest image online that I could find.  Below the picture is a recount of our exchange. 

Me: wow, did you get new shoes?
#7: yep! Frozen shoes!
Me: Frozen?  Are they cold?
#7: (bends over and touches the toes of both shoes for a moment before saying) no, they hot.

I laughed out loud!!

Just now, we had another exchange about the infamous shoes. 

Me: "hey #7, where are your shoes?"
#7: I don't need them.
Me: (LOL) but where are they?
#7: I don't know.
Me: can I take a photo of your shoes please?
#7: okay. :D
Me: can you get them for me please?
#7: Uuummm... they are at the door. 
...


They are NOT at the door. 

Oh well!  I better go find Shelly.  She doesn't enjoy visits from the children as much as I do. 

Love

Holidays are Over... =(

By the time this is posted I will starting my first day of Term 4 at school.  That means it's time to review the "To Do" List and see what I have actually achieved.  It is important to celebrate success.  I hope there is some success to celebrate. 

1. Walk at least 6 times.
I managed to walk 12 times!  That should count as credit for the next item. 

2. Do my Yoga video twice
This one didn't happen.  Perhaps I will do it before school officially goes back.

3. Clean out the Linen closet
Tick! 

4. Complete and Lodge my Tax Return
Tick!

5. Visit the Warra Animal Shelter to finally deliver the donations that are filling up my house.
The donations are ready to go, but we haven't quite got to the shelter yet!  I am hoping Mum will be able to help me with that this week.

6. Catch up on the medical appointments
I went to the Specialist and the Physio but there are still two medical professionals on the list.  Oh well!

7.  Do more tidying up in the back room- this room is going to take forever to get right!
I put more stuff in the back room but I didn't do a lot of tidying.  Oh dear, we were doing so well and it seems the wheels are falling off the wagon. 

8. FINISH organising my bedroom
Oh, I did that! =)

9. Spend time with THE kids.
I did this one too! =D

10. Catch up with some teacher friends
I caught up with one teacher friend for lunch and another friend on the phone.  While I didn't get to everyone on the list, I am ticking this one.

11. Have a PJ Day
Yep, I did this too!

12. Blog
Der!

13. Set up my Teacher Folder for Term 4
It is as set up as it can be.  So this one counts as a tick too!

14. Go Shopping - clothes, storage, stationery
I went shopping last week.  I bought two tops for work, a few storage items and some stationery.  I also bought stuff for my prize box at school, craft supplies AND Christmas gifts.  I'm ahead of the game on this one.  =D

That's that then!  I am going with mostly successful.  The jobs to catch up on should fit into my weekends between now and December, so I'm okay with that.

More to come, More to say, Always More.

Why I Love Quality Time with Kids

  I'm exhausted today after spending the last two days with my nephews and nieces. 

The first day was spent watching Mr #1 (he's 15yo) play futsal.  They played in the Schools Championships, unfortunately they didn't make it into the Semi-final, but they played well.  I'm not a sports fan. I don't see how some people get so attached to players and plan their lives around game days.  I don't understand all the rules and the emotion attached to a score. I wasn't that great at sport either which probably explains why I don't follow any sort of team.  When it comes to my nephews and nieces and their sports, I am an enthusiastic supporter.  I dress in team colours and shout encouraging platitudes with the best of them.  I love it, because I love my nephews and nieces. 


Any time I get to spend with "my" kids is a blessing.  I love being with them.  We love to do so many things together.  I love it for various reasons and I hope they have more than one reason for spending time with me. These little ones inspire me.  It is an absolute pleasure to watch them grow.  They welcome me with open arms (literally).  They remember little things that make me seem magical in their eyes. They all have their own special skills, loves, desires and ways about them.  I truly enjoy our time together. 

They inspire me as they live entirely in the moment at hand.  Of course, as a toddler one doesn't have any real worries beyond those of the present.  However, it highlights the joy available to us if we let go of everything else and just be in the moment.  I have so much fun when I spend time with my nephews and nieces because I put everything else aside and make them the most important person in the room.  I hope that is why they like to see me.  I enjoy it because I am not worrying and I'm not even thinking that hard.  It's glorious.

Watching my sister's children grow is a delight! When I see Mr #1 with his friends, with his little sisters, with his parents, I remember holding him in my arms the night he was born.  An interesting journey it has been.  I see first steps, I hear first words, I sing happy birthday and I'm invited to school plays and sports days.  I have been to doctor's appointments and sat by hospital beds. I have been the baby sitter on call and the favourite aunty for sleep overs.  I get to take part. I'm so lucky.

Who doesn't love cuddles? Who doesn't love seeing someone's face light up when they see you?  No one! That's who! 

Each of them have a different story of when they have had a sleep over at my house or just been for a visit.  We have built cubby houses in the living room with sheets and furniture.  We have painted a sheet by throwing paint dipped cotton balls and balls of paper.  We have dropped Mentos into Diet Coke and stayed up late watching movies. I have painted faces and had my face painted.  I have had my hair styled beautifully. What a wonderful way to spend my holidays.

I could go on for hours telling stories about the little things my angels have done over the years, but there is no time for that.  There is far more fun and frivolity to be had.

That's that then!

Look what I made

I promised that you would see the card I made for Mum for Mothers' Day.  I have also made cards for my sister, nephews, my dad and some work colleagues.  I have a lot of decorative paper- I bought them for some reason.  Anyway, I decided that I better stop buying craft and card making supplies and start using them instead.  So, this year, I am not buying cards, I'm making them. 

I would give you step by step instructions with each card image, but it really wasn't that complicated and I just stumbled through it myself.  If you are new to the card making thing, my advice is to look at various websites and use Pinterest to keep images of the cards that you like, then use them to inspire your own designs.  That's what I have done. If you check out my board you will quickly see the inspiration of my own cards. 

Enjoy!

Click here to see my Pinterest board of card making inspiration. 

The "crooked" card I made for mum!

Birthday card for my brother-in-law.
Balloon paper, Happy Birthday paper, a circle cutter, scissors, glue and a Sharpie!
Easy as pie!

 

I'm particularly proud of this one.  A 'good bye' card for one of my bosses who is going to another school for the rest of the year (then going on leave).  We anticipate that he will return next year. 

 

I made this for a work colleague who is off on long term leave which will probably be followed by retirement!

Front and Inside of the card Shelly (and I) made for my dad for Father's Day.

 

Another in the Fathers' Day collection.  For my Dad, from me!



Birthday card for my nephew: made from a card template and Kmart washi tape.