friday funday!
i love fridays .... they are good days. I guess it the start of the weekend, end of the busy week - chance to have a glass of wine and relax (in the late afternoon of course!!!!)
today has been a lovely friday - its been raining - which we SO need here in QLD. Feels like a sleepy sort of a day - usually I would have swum, but motivation went to nill when I saw the weather. Had coffee with a couple of friends who i really enjoy being with, but don't get a chance to see very often - that was so nice. Then we were fridge shopping - and I manage to talk hubby around to my point of view - long story, but my idea made heaps more sense (if you know what I mean) Had a friend drop by for a coffee, chat and a lamington - hello, yes we love lamingtons in this house! and now hubby is picking up the big girls from school and I have the pleasure of being able to blog and chill - yay! of course I will have to go and make a cup of tea soon ... as I really feel like one!
Funny story ..... hubby did this online IQ test the other day, so hilarious! I saw the test sitting on the desk yesterday and decided to give it a crack ... WELL, I was 2 points less than him (which he was surprised about, and totally offended me that he thought he was so much smarter than I am - hello, we all know who keeps this house running and its not HIM!) but we obviously scored points in different areas as our results then analysised our personalities as quiet different - it was very accurate too! if you are keen the website to check it out is http://web.tickle.com/tests/uiq the test is called the the Classic IQ test. would love to know if you try it - post me a comment and let me know. another bookmark - i made this for a friend during the week

fun day
i have had such a fun day today ... went swimming this morning - and that was really hard work, but very satisfying (once it was over) rushed home and got dressed and my lil sis did my hair before heading to meet my two girlfriends for lunch. I honestly can't remember the last time I went out for lunch by myself (you know without kids) it was so so so lovely to have some free time, especially after the past couple of weeks of being house bound - it does so much for your soul. These girls are dear friends too, and we always have such fun when we are together - we solve the world's problems and try to fix our own too ... its usually quite hilarious. I went straight from lunch to school to pick up our biggest girl ... so really a different day for me.
After school we headed out with lil sis, and all girls in tow to do a couple of errands - then ended up at Kidspace. I can't remember the last time I swung on the swings it was seriously SO much fun ... like when you were a kid and you could do it for hours - i think we need to do these fun things more, it makes you feel alive. Sis and I were cacking ourselves taking pictures of each other on the swing - real belly aching stuff!
Finished off with a delicious lamb curry for dinner from the new Donna Hay mag - awesome!

see post below for details!


today i have made hotcakes, dropped off eldest child at school, posted mail for hubby, been swimming, picked up new dancing shoes, had passport photos taken for 2nd child, bought herbs and potting mix, hung out washing, cleaned up after major mess in kitchen was made at breaky, hung out washing, planted herbs ... oh i have forgotten to have lunch ... better go do that now!!!!!
enjoy!

trying times ....
we go through ups and downs in this life ... most of the time, my life is so fantastic that I can hardly contain myself. I feel so blessed in a billion different ways, that truely sometimes I feel like its too good to be true. Then your kids get sick - I know I hear you laughing, but seriously the past two weeks have been full of interesting things with each of our 3 girls. I think i generally cope pretty well - but friday night after taking the littlest one to the hospital in the middle of the night with a scary dose of croupe was the straw that broke the camels back. So I will come clean with you (and I know I'm putting myself out here with this one - but honesty is a good policy) yesterday I didn't feel like doing it - being a mother that is. now I will explain:- I still wanted everything I have, but just not the commitments and responsibility that goes with it ... just for yesterday, I wanted to just care about myself - not even hubby. JUST ME! You know just get food for me, just read a book if I wanted to .... have a nap if I wanted at anytime I wanted. I seldom seldom have days like this, but yesterday I was pining for it. I think every mother in the world must have a day now and again when she feels like this .... just wanting to switch off, and the realisation that the job we do is so completely and utterly HUGE!
Well, good news is today is Sunday and a NEW day, and I am feeling fine again and happy to be caring for everyone again and moving on and enjoying this completely wonderful life I have. I had a fun day today with my girls. Hubby was having a blokes day with a mate at the V8 Supercars - grunt grunt! So we went visiting this morning to my girlfriend (her husband was the other one grunting with my hubby) we had a cuppa and a chat and ate delicious yummy chocy biscuits - I mean how could you not enjoy that! then with my sister we went to the movies and saw Over the Hedge. It was fun, and good to have an outing. The girls and I then went to church and I felt uplifted even tho it is only an hour, it does give me time to reflect on some things - usually pretty important things. Made Donna Hay's Meatball Subs for dinner (a take off of Subways meatball sub) they were scrummy!
I am tired now .... I have been playing with my new printer ... I love how I can just print my own photos out, how totally cool. Here is a small notepad I sent my sister ... couldn't show you until I knew she recieved it - she was the one who got the bookmark too! nighty night from me ..... ok can't get the photo up, so check that for next time ....

fun
today some of my friends and i gathered at our lovely friend's house and had a bit of a crop session. A couple of the girls wanted to try scrapbooking and it was just an excuse to come together have a bit of fun and a good chat. I had some new MM stamps which i loved trying out and am totally in love with now ... they are "love" stamps too (how corny) this is the page I did ....
also very excited because I went and purchased a new photo printer and have just installed it and printe two photos out and they are great. Now I'll really be in my element. Time to bath the littlest one .... I'm glad its friday! A glass of wine is calling my name ..... better go!

the damage!!!!
read post below for details!!!!

early start for me ....
well, this is a different start to the day, usually right now I would be rushing into the car and zooming out of my driveway on the way to school - but both big girls are not 100% so I made the call to let them rest and try and get in front of the sickness we've all been fighting. Its amazing how busy school life is ... not today tho!!! Ha ha! I too have been fighting whatever they have, so have been laying low this week, no exercise so far - early to bed last night and consuming heaps of vitamin c! i am so determined NOT to get it. will keep you posted! my lovely sister bought her God-daughter and my littlest one these really cool Nemo wall stickers yesterday - she is in love with Nemo and Dory. It was hilarious watching her reaction yesterday when her wall was transformed into an aquarium.
Did have a fun day yesterday too - spare of the moment, spontaneous shopping spree engineered by on of my friends. We have this favourite shop called Petrol which has the coolest clothes in the world - well, they have a massive sale on - all winter stock is down to $30 a peice, that is shoes, clothes, bags ... awesome. So within a 5 sec frame 4 of us were heading straight from school drop-off up there to do some damage. I was the one who did the most, which I'm not sure if I'm that surprised about - i really do love clothes, and I did get 2 pairs of shoes .... so that was seriously 1 1/2 hours of great great fun! I should photograph my items that would be funny - i'll try and remember to do it later. thats all for now folks .... check back later and enjoy your day!

catching up
its tuesday night, and we have FINALLY watched the final of Prison Break .... it was a bit of a let down, after all that build up - anyway, look forward to the next series and to what may happen next. Have had a bit of a catch up day today, did some baking, did some tidying up, just caught up on some odd jobs that have been stock piling - its amazing how time consuming all those little jobs are. Made a few small gifts that are overdue - this bookmark is one of them, you can see the rest in a day or so (or the recipiant might see)
A good day - my girls seem to be on the winning side of their colds, and it was a beautiful sunny day here today too. Off swimming in the morning .... so better get some beauty sleep. have been working on some LO's for a project (under cover for now) but will show you a sneek peek (just because I can't help myself)

sunday night
the end draws near to another lovely weekend ... i am tired, a late night last night and early start with the littlest one waking a tad earlier than usual today - it has finally hit me and I am TIRED! So as much as I'd like to go a create something ... as I had a fun night doing so last night, i can't do it .... sleep takes priority this time.
Our smallest one had toncilitis and I am SO thankful I took her to the doctor on Friday night and got on top of it. a couple of nights sleep deprivation seriously turns you into a different person. I feel so calm now she is lovely and better again! I realise now how long last week was too ... I already feel this week is going to be a wonderful one! I was going to blab on about all the things we did ... but my eyes are slowly shutting and I don't feel like sleeping right here on the keyboard tonight. So I will do that tomorrow and leave you with this photo of our very first baby ... this is her cutest face ever - because food was right behind the camera!!!!!

here is the LO I was telling you about ... will have to keep scrappin my Sydney trip - am a bit behind! Have some other cool projects I'm working on at the moment - can't tell yet tho!
this is another photo i wanted to upload the other day. We had to get IN the teacup with our littlest ones - and have to say those teacup rides have a few G forces - HA! ok i'm only kidding, but I had consumed a beer, so maybe that was why! LOL!
I seriously can't believe its Thurs! This week is screaming by. I did have a working day today so I have achieved a bit here in the office. Still some to go tho ... so will have to keep it short. Did get out for a ride on my bike today. Am really enjoying riding ... even went by myself in the cold and dark - oh know, I hear you saying that is pretty awesome, and quiet frankly I felt pretty awesome after doing it today too. I popped my radio on and enjoyed a ride by myself too! Of course I had to cook hotcakes when I got home. The littlest one has had a bit of a virus I think, and has been a bit grumpy, always makes for a longer day ... hopefully she's at the end of it now. THe bigger girls are back into school and enjoying that .... have had a few minor hiccups with the computer, thats been a bit of a pain, but nothing a bit of time and software won't fix!
better get back to it ....

tuesday and back to school
how fast did the holidays go? we had such fun and enjoyed the change of pace. Now its back to usual business! Monday was teacher only day, and the weather here has been so stunning, and because Katya needed a new pair of character shoes for ballet we all went to Sandgate to the dancing shop and took the bikes and a picnic lunch and made a few hours of it. The kids love the beach, and the big girls are loving riding their bikes. It was a nice way to finish the holidays.
We had a great weekend too - seen as I haven't been online for a bit (due to our computer going in for a bit of a check up and make over) we got it back yesterday and its working like a dream! The rugby was on Sat night - big game, All Blacks vs Australia ... so we organised to go to this great local hotel and watch the game - they have this amazing park their so the kids could play and everyone was happy happy! how cool is this ride - the kids just love love love it!

I think this photo of the girls is so cute ....

we had a friend's son's 4th party on Sunday morning - so the girls had a fun fun fun weekend. I must say I was quiet wiped out on Sunday arvo and just couldn't be bothered doing anything. .. i actually hate it when that happens - i am used to being able to find motivation from somewhere, but when the body just shuts down - that is not good. I finished this page from our Sydney trip ... I love Bill Granger since going to two of his restaurants on our trip and eating just awesome food. Have been making Ricotta hotcakes at least 2 - 3 times a week - so addictive! ok ... i can't get the picture on, so will post it tomorrow when I post again ... off to watch Grey's Anatomy (taped from last night)

school hols
i love the school holidays ... so good to go with the flow, not stick to routine or having to be rushing by the clock. I went swimming this morning - it was pretty hard actually, i guess that counter acts the chocolate biscuits I've just consumed! I am trying a new tactic this week - i have bought a packet of mint slice biscuits (don't you just love them!) and once they have gone, that is it ... so its is giving me the incentive to ration them out and make them last till monday when I do the shopping again! I had two tonight ... couldn't help it!
Took the kids to the park - they have this cool mini road, so we took the bikes and they just love blatting around there pretending to follow the road rules. met some friends with their kids too, it was good school holiday stuff. the mums had a cup of tea .. very civilised, I must admit I do love my afternoon cup of tea.
am working on a page that I need to drop to my local scrapbooking shop tomorrow (its for a monthly comp they run) I enjoy doing them as it makes me have to think outside the square, as you only have a few things to work with. so I will go finish that now - as hubby is watching the State of Origin and I'm not that keen on the league! Off for a ride in the morning ... not so early, 6am which is nice (usually its 4.45 during the week - ahhhH!) so 5.45 is a sleep in! Hope its not too cold! here is a page i finished earlier in the week

weekends

i really really love weekends. Just the ability to go with the flow, and not race around. The phone is quieter on the weekends too. the weather this weekend has been glorious. After visiting a friend in hospital yesterday (he had a bad accident in his truck, had to have surgery on his hip and is now recovering)i decided to go for a ride - seize the day. I have been in hospital in bed, not being able to move - too much time on my hands, and its horrible. Made me want to make the most of the day. It was such a beautiful afternoon too, that going for a ride and enjoying the sun and seeing the water was brilliant. we got a dvd last night - the Last Samari. It was really good and I'd have to say Tom's best work. The scenery is stunning, and it gave you an appreciation of just how beautiful Japan must be. Hot cakes for breaky today - delicious! some scrapbooking and a small nap .... just about to make a cup of tea and have some chocolate brownie - that I why I love the weekends! this layout I just finished ... the photos were sitting on my desk and I decided to use them ... i love the blue!
the one above i finshed a couple of days ago ... more beach photos (these one taken on my birthday)

Oh I have had one of those "tired" days today. I was supposed to meet my friends for an early ride this morning, but I was just too tired to get up .... and I have struggled all day! So early to bed for me I think! The middle of the night soccer game on Monday night is catching up on me. This photo here was taken at 2am, when after 2 hours sleep we got up and went to Park Road with 20 000 other people to watch Italy vs Australia in the World Cup soccer. Such a great game, still can't believe how it ended. This is a friend who came with us .... we got home about 3.30am .... hilarious!
Its been a busy week - even tho its school hols! Today has been crazy ........ some of it is self inflicted - I was at Target at 8.30am because they had sheets on SALE! and I knew the chocolate ones would sell out asap. then stumbled over this really cool chocolate bean bag (the fake fur type) and thought that would be a great idea ... it was half price too. Got a few more good bargains - man I love Target! Got home and decided we needed another bean bag to match, and after much discussion with the girl at Target she allowed me to put it on hold for an hour so I could go after dropping the girls are dancing and get it. So hubby has to get a heap of beans to go in them now - he loved them too, as they will be perfect for when we get the big screen upstairs!!!!
this picture was taken yesterday, hubby got the girls some clay to make some creative things ... which they have loved doing. well ... nighty night from me .....

Nearly bedtime for me .... its been another wonderful weekend - highlight was the ColdPlay concert which was incredible. They are so good live, and it was worth every penny - I would definitely see them again! We had a friend's Lawn Bowls Party today, it was such fun - as they threw in the twist of wearing a funny hat - when I get some pics I'll post them - very humourous! A friend of mine asked me to try Bikrim Yoga - my philosiphy is "don't knock it until you try it" so I went along and gave it a go. It was much harder than what I thought, and the room is so totally hot .... which at times I didn't like - as I sweat alot and was saturated, but I must say I feel so very very relaxed and chilled out, and the stretching side of it really is needed for my unflexible body! Its probably not something I would do alot - i guess because it takes 11/2 hours, but maybe once in a while would be good. I will go next weekend as I have this special I can use within 10 days, so maybe after the next go I'll reevaluate. Was a good experience tho. We had dinner at our friend's restaurant afterwards, and I must say it was one of those nights where it just would have been easier to be at home, maybe its because of Gianna's age - as she is on the go, and has such a short attention span. Anyway, the food was delicious. well I am stinking and need a shower before going to sleep! holidays for us now ... yay, keeping fingers crossed that the kids will sleep in .... wonder how much of a chance that will happen?

I am so TOTALLY excited ... tonight we are going to see COLDPLAY! Yahoo ... I love love love them .. they are such a great band and their music just totally does it for me - gets under my skin! I just saw an interview on TV and am going to go and play all three CDs back to back now and get in the spirit .....
Have just finished this LO of my nephews. I took this photo out of a frame as my sister just sent me a lovely black and white photo of all of them - so I decided to scrap this photo of the boys straight away - they are so cute, and of course really big now, not little like in the picture. Wish we could catch up more as our girls love playing with them. They will chat on the phone later, but that is not the same ....
Hubby has taken our little princesses to dancing this morning ... nice to have a bit of piece and quiet to myself. I always use this time to do something creative ....
do have to go and hang out the washing now tho & rock on to ColdPlay for the rest of the day ....

as promised the finished product from some bead creations that have been happening in this house over the past 24 hours! The girls are enjoying making this cute things, hopefully it will carry over onto the holidays!!!! (it does take some time to do ..... fingers crossed - ha!)
Another good day here, after waking to rain this morning I did manage to find some motivation and go swimming. We did quiet a big set, so after having lunch with a friend, I did have to have a nana nap ... next thing I know the afternoon has gone and its time to pick up from school .....
Prison break is on tonight .... yay! bye for now

Its great to see rain here in QLD .... water is a real problem at the moment, and now we have a water tank its good to know we are saving some for the future!!!!
Its a real "stay inside, cosy - drinking soup" kinda day. Actually I think I feel like a roast for dinner! The littlest one is having a sleep, and the 2nd daughter is watching The Sound of Music. We bought it the other day (I got a bit sentimental - as it was the first movie I ever saw) the girls LOVE it. Its really really cute.

This photo was taken under pressure (as you can see the littlest girl wasn't co-operating, and the battery was going flat on the camera) so its out of focus and not the best, but it was Yani's 9th birthday yesterday and the girl's were giving her a hug. She shares her birthday we dear JJ who is in heaven, so we think that is pretty special. We've had a fun day today, I was going to ride with the boys this morning, but it was showery - and actually I was just too tired from not enough sleep last night, so was happy to get another 2 hrs sleep this morning. We went to Playgroup (a friend of mine runs) was fun and the girls really enjoyed it, so will do that again in the future. Went to a couple of cool toy shops, got the girls these cool beads they make creations with and then you iron them and they become groovy shapes. Here is an action photo - will post the finished product!

At the Brisbane Scrapbooking Convention I picked up these cool MM oversized letters, one for each of the girls, I have did this one on the weekend.

Ok so I'm a bit behind with my blogging ... this was taken on Monday the holiday we had nearly a week ago! I went for a ride with a friend and we came back and met our families at Sandgate for a play. The kids had their bikes and wanted us to ride around with them. It was fun.
How is it the weekend goes so fast? I can't believe its Sunday night again ....
We did have a fun weekend. The school had a bush dance on Friday night, which was really fun. Unfortunately I didn't get any really great photos, its hard to get good bush dancing photos - lots of movement and not enough light!
We had our good friends son's Christening today. It was a lovely day - Hubby is the Godfather ... and did a great job. Food was awesome at the lunch ... very very nice day! Well, it is time for me to get some sleep .... before I take on another week.

Today I went back to swimming after having 2 weeks off being sick. I do love being in the water - even tho it was alarming evident how much fitness I had lost in a mere two weeks! Today has been a gorgeous day ... absolutely beautiful.
I decided to make a lamb curry from a Delicious magazine, so at lunch time decided to get a jump on that - glad I did cause I am so organised now - I LOVE THAT! Time to play with my girls .... cherio!