Happy Easter!

Well we sure had an early start to our Easter Sunday! The bunny had just hidden the last egg, when the kids decided to start their day at 5am. The sun was only just starting to come up, and the grass was still wet, but they were ready to hunt!


Their baskets were so heavy by the time all the eggs were found. Hopefully all that chocolate will last them for quite a while. (so long as I can stay away from their chocolate stash that is!)





As soon as all the eggs had been found, the kids were keen to do some Easter craft, and they made a nice big mess with all my paints. Later on we got together with mum and dad, and my brother's family for a walk down to the beach, and then a big roast dinner at our house. We made some YUMMY cupcakes (definately the yummiest ones I have ever made!), and I even made some little cupcake toppers for some of them with paper and felt. Pretty cute, huh?


Well, I'm feeling kind of sick from eating way too much chocolate, so I think it's time for a cup of tea and bed for me. I've got plenty of scrapping to share, but I think that's going to have to wait until tomorrow! Hope you had a wonderful Easter :)

She's 9!

Well, she actually turned 9 on April 1st, yep, she's my little April Fool. The birthday festivities started on Friday, and Em was so happy it was free dress day at school. She was pretty excited to wear her "Birthday Girl" badge too, just to let everyone know it was (almost) her special day ;)


Because her birthday is so close to Easter this year, Em wanted EVERYTHING to be "Eastery". So the birthday cupcakes for school HAD to be topped with little chocolate bunnies :)

Luckily we woke up to perfect party weather on Saturday, and even though the party wasn't til 2, it was still a mad rush to get everything ready in time. I spent the morning making party yummys, and cutting up cardstock to make Easter bunny baskets (because my cricut mat decided to become unsticky, and I couldn't cut ANYTHING on it!) Before we knew it our little guests were knocking on the door, and it was on!


I only took about 10 photos during the whole party, it was just so full on. So glad I got a quick group shot in before we started playing games. The whole theme of the party was 'An egg hunt with a twist', and the twist was, that they had to follow a heap of clues and challenges. After following a clue out to the letterbox, the girls found 2 spoons, and 2 plastic eggs...yep, you guessed it...an egg and spoon race! Look how far we made them go, lol!...


Almost down to the end of our street. Unfortunately Em's team didn't win, and she sulked for the next half hour or so while I entertained her friends. I couldn't believe it! But that's just kids, I guess. She did get over it eventually though, thank goodness! So, that was the last photo I took until it was cake time, as I was too busy keeping track of kids racing around for more clues, and stopping for 'challenges' like musical chairs and musical squares, and even a hopping race. One of the last 'challenges' was to make Easter bunny baskets. Well...I certainly overestimated their crafting abilities! It took forever for these to get put together, and everyone needed some one on one help. I guess I'm so used to Em crafting with me, that I just assumed they'd all know what to do. But we got them all made in the end, and then the hunt was on! By this time the parents were arriving to collect their kids, so while they hunted for their goodies, mum and I finally got the party food out, and quickly sang "Happy Birthday". This is the cake Em requested - chocolate cake with speckled eggs on top, thank goodness it was an easy one!



There are so many things I'd like to go back and photgraph! Em with each of her friends, the cute cupcakes and chocolate bunny pops that mum made...the list goes on. I think I'll have to get someone to come and just take photos next time, but hey, at least I got a few :) :)

Sunday was Emma's actual birthday, so she wanted a breakfast tea party with pancakes up in her playgym for brekky, with her cousin Natasha who was staying with us for the weekend. Then it was off to the movies to see Mirror, Mirror, which she absolutely LOVED. Later on it was off to dinner, where she was pretty happy to find a balloon and a birthday muffin waiting for her on our table. The perfect end to a fun birthday weekend.


Phew! So glad I got all that in writing! Now I'm all set to scrap about it :) Em has 'requested' a mini album to keep in her room about it, lol. She's been raiding my scrap room to decorate her bedroom lately, and has some things I've made stuck on her wall with blu tak (eek!), and I found this little tin...


in her room, with some of her eraser collection in it!! I love that she loves the things I make, just wish she wouldn't love it all so much!

Well, I am in the scrapping mood, so it's time for me to start this Easter long weekend by digging into my stash. Hope you have a great long weekend!

We've Been Busy!!

Just like everyone else these days, I guess. I'm finding it so hard to believe that the 1st term of school is nearly over. Next week is the last week of school before the holidays!! Em is especially excited because her birthday party is going to be on the first day of the holidays. She literally cannot wait! She so badly wanted an Easter themed party, and even though I tried to talk her out of it, she wouldn't change her mind. So an Easter party it will be. Here's one of the invitations we made...


Now I can't take credit for the idea, I saw a pic somewhere that had an invite with ears and a fluffy tail, and I just had to make some for Emma's party! Pretty cute, huh? And I got the little poem at the top from some website that had Easter party ideas, it was just perfect. We haven't decided on exactly what sort of cake she'll be having just yet, but I have been checking out pinterest, and there are just so many cute Eastery things to make. I want to make them all!!!

So, we're planning to have an egg hunt at Em's party, and an egg and spoon race. And we'll be making little Easter baskets. Just need to think of a few more Easter themed games to play. Do you know of any fun Easter games that would suit 9 year olds? If you do I would LOVE to hear them!

The Dolphins...

I've done it again...I've neglected my poor little blog. I so badly want to keep this updated, to record all our memories so we don't forget them! I've got so many photos to post, but for now I'll just share a couple of favourites that were taken last week, when the kids got to pat some gorgeous dolphins at seaworld...




They were just so precious and beautiful, I really wish I had taken more photos. I can't wait to scrap them! I haven't scrapped for AGES, but I've got plans to start a Project Life type of album, and I can't wait to get started. Just need to find some time...

Back to School

It was the kids first day back at school today, and boy oh boy, did I enjoy those peaceful hours between 9 and 3! They actually ended up being very excited to start back at school, partly because we had some special little pressies for the kids to give their new teachers. We decorated some empty coffee jars with some Imaginisce Geek is Chic papers and die cuts, and then filled them with things like notebooks, pens, paperclips, 'good work' stamps and stickers (that hopefully will sometimes grace the kids homework books!), and some lollies and choccies.


This is Em's little note that she wrote for her teacher. She's such a sweetie :) I didn't get a chance to take a pic of the note Jack wrote for his teacher, but it said something like he was looking forward to working hard in grade 6. The kids were pretty excited to give them to their teachers, and the teachers seemed pretty happy to receive them. I guess they don't get first day pressies from students all that often!


Em was up quite early (around 7am), and wanted me to do her hair before anything else. Then she was more than happy to pose for a few photos.


Dunno what's going on with her standing like that with her hands behind her back. I think she was trying to look smart or something!


And I got a shot of the new school shoes, which will be scuffed and gross by the end of the week, I'm sure...


My big grade 6 boy wasn't too keen on having his photo taken. In fact, he didn't even have his shoes on here. He was running late as usual and had to put them on in the car!


But they got to school on time, and they were both so happy when I picked them up this afternoon, so it was a great day for them. And those 6 hours of peace and quiet? I'm looking forward to some more of that tomorrow :) :)

It's Almost Over...

On the last school day of the year, it always feels like there is so much holiday time ahead of us. Nearly two months of doing whatever the heck we want, without the horrible morning rush, and daily homework dramas. And every year, the summer holidays seem to race by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, there are only 5 days before the new school year starts.

I wish we could go back to that last day of school and start all over again. I don't want it to end!

But on the other hand, I am looking forward to some peace and quiet during the day, so I guess there are some good points to the kids heading back to school :) I am looking forward to not hearing Em watching a dvd, while Jack is playing the Wii. During school terms, the tv doesn't get switched on at all during the week, so that will be nice!

At the moment, Jack is hooked on this game...


If you recognise this little critter, then I'm guessing there's a Skylanders junkie at your house too! Jack is desperate for more of these characters, but they seem to be sold out everywhere. It seems like you need to buy a heap of different characters in order to complete it, which is a pretty clever idea of whoever made the game!

Em has been enjoying lots of pj days. She LOVES days when we don't have to go anywhere, so she can stay in her pjs all day. She got loads of art supplies for Christmas, and has been drawing non stop.


And playing with her barbies...


We've had lots of trips to the beach too, and had friends come to stay. And I think we've seen every kids movie at the cinema these holidays too!



I have to admit, the kids have been really well behaved these holidays, with hardly any fighting, although they do have their moments.


I guess that's why I don't want it to end! Of course, the kids don't either. But they are a bit excited I think. They keep nagging me to cover their school books with the new contact they chose, so they can pack their bags! I've been following Becci's Domestic Bliss, which is full of lots of back to school organisation ideas, and I have to admit that I'm a bit excited to get everything super organised for the kids for this year too.

And I am definately looking forward to finding a bit more time for scrapping!! I think I might have to spend one of my child free days doing that next week :)

Goodbye 2011

2011 has been a great year for us, and I guess I'd have to say that I've loved pretty much every crazy busy minute of it! Sure, there have been some ups and downs. We had a heartbreaking death in the family, and a bit of a health scare and hospital stay for me, but on the up side, Jack is the healthiest he's ever been, with hardly any asthma at all this year, and just a few of his nasty migraines. The kids are both happy and healthy, and doing really well at school, and that's pretty much all it takes to make me happy :)

One thing that did kind of suck this year, was not having much time for scrapping. Although, I did do around 80 layouts, so I guess that's not too bad. Here's ten of my faves, in no particular order...











Ahh...I've missed scrapping these last few months...most of these pages were done in the first half of the year! Most of my spare time this year has gone into Purple Pumpkin, and scrapping has had to take a back seat. Hopefully I'll be a bit more organised with my time in 2012 to make time to scrap!

With only a couple of hours left of 2011, it's been so nice to look back at some of my photos from the year. Here are some of the highlights of our 2011...

LOVE this pic of the kids with their cousin, when they were flower girl and page boy at my brothers wedding :)



Jack turned 10 this year!


And Emmy turned 8...



Love my mum and dad! Family time is always the best :)


We got 4 beautiful new family members :)


Jack is famous! So excited to have my layout on the cover of SBM.


We had a holiday in Sydney. SO MUCH FUN!


Waiting for New Years fireworks on the beach tonight...


And of course, no NYE is complete without sparklers :)


Happy New Year! Hope your 2012 is wonderful xx

Our Christmas 2011

As it always does, Christmas day seemed to come up way too fast. There were so many things that I had planned to do in the lead up to the big day that never happend, but in the end, it didn't really matter. We had a great day!

On Christmas Eve, the kids dad came up to stay the night, along with his little puppy who peed all around the house. But he was so cute that we all forgave him. The kids were in bed by 10, but not before they left out a special snack for Santa!


I was pretty impressed by the earlier than ususal xmas eve bedtime this year, but Em was up at 4am, ready to open presents! She dragged me out of bed to show me all the pressies under the tree, and off to the side there was a desk and 'spinny chair' with her name on, with a cute little fish in a pink topped tank, just for her. (oops, forgot to get a piccie of those!)

After she showed me the stocking hanging on her door, stuffed full of goodies, I managed to convince her to lay down for a little while longer, and not to wake Jack up just yet. So I staggered back to bed for a little while, but before long, both kids were up, and ready for Christmas morning to begin!


Hmmm...I tried to get my usual Christmas morning photo of the kids in front of the tree, but they were too busy singing and swaying in time, for me to get a decent pic, so this is it!


Then it was time to rip into those pressies! Jack was thrilled to finally get a Wii, the look on his face says it all :)



And Em was so excited to get the Powerwing that she had wanted sooo badly :)


And that's where I put my camera down this year, for Christmas morning at least. I just wanted to enjoy the kids opening their pressies, instead of watching it all through the camera lens. And it was awesome, and over so fast. Jack of course was pretty happy with his Wii, and he got 5 games for it as well, including the Skylander game that he REALLY wanted. He got a couple of big legos too, and some DS games, some board games, ds accesories, touch screen MP3 thingy, water pistol, and some other stuff that I can't remember. And that was just from mummy and Santa.

Em was thrilled to bits with her desk, her little fighting fish, which has been named Santa Fish (the kids are not sure how Santa transported him from the North Pole, but they were pretty impressed), her powerwing of course, a TONNE of art and craft supplies, DS game, a couple of Barbies (she got 5 new Barbies all up this xmas, they are taking over the house!!) Hmmm...what else was under the tree...a touchscreen MP3 thing, board games, hula hoop, pin board for her 'art'. I should really have taken a photo of it all like I usually do!

A bit later on, Em had to try out her new scooter...


And then it was time for the kids to open their pressies from Poppy and Gek.





Portable Dvd players and DS games for both of them, as well as more Barbie stuff for Em, and clothes and shoes and I can't remember what else. Lots of stuff!

And lookie what I got from my gorgeous mum and dad...


OMG, I have never been so excited in my life!!! My first DSLR camera! I think I nearly died of shock when they gave it to me. Best present EVER!!

So in the afternoon, my little brother and his family came over, and there were MORE presents, and lots of time to just hang out together :)





Mum saved this pressie for all the grandkids for last. 3 monkeys for the 3 little monkeys...


The kids were so happy to have their cousin sleep over for 2 nights, and on Christmas night, the girls didn't go to sleep until 1am! It was such a great Christmas, the kids say it was the best Christmas EVER (they say that every year though), I think I have to agree though, I loved every second of it, but at the same time, I'm glad it's over for another year :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too :) I am looking forward to getting my house back to normal now, and seeing as the kids have gone to spend a couple of days with their dad, I'm hoping to get some scrapping done too!