Smiling

Do I look happy? Well I was and I am, after a lovely mini escape to Melbourne this weekend.

We stayed at the very beautiful & historic Windsor Hotel, such a fantastic place to stay.

I loved every second of it.

After chasing ducks and chooks around in the morning, rushing to the Farmers Market, heading to Ballarat for a full day of ballet etc, it was a dream come true to end up at a gorgeous hotel,

with the one I love.

Breakfast this morning, so delicous,

  

  Kate & William, such good company,

and of course the whole reason we were there in the first place,

Chris's birthday! It was so fun to catch up with friends and to celebrate with

a truly special person who we adore.

A new baby who arrived safe and sound, a big win to the Tigers, home to love & cuddles & cards and homemade gifts from the best kids in the world,

no wonder I'm smiling.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend too,

see you soon lovely friends xo

Five kinds of beautiful...

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and although it was lovely to receive some gorgeous handmade cards and poems, flowers & chocolates, cuddles & kisses, it wasn't an easy day. Seven people in different stages of illness & recovery, all together in a confined space...a bit tricky at times! It was cold and grey outside and inside it wasn't much better. But in between the tough bits there were some happy moments, some laughs & some loving & a tiny bit of time to reflect on mother hood & my children.

When things aren't going well, when the kids are narky, bad tempered, moody & grumpy it can be really hard to be the patient, loving mum that I want to be. I've got better at riding through these times, better at managing them and working our how to deal with the different moods and personalities but it's still a huge challenge.

Individually my kids are all great people, all different, interesting, good people. Sometimes it's just hard to be together in a harmonious way. Lying in bed last night I was thinking about all the fun we have, the games the kids play, the silly songs & funny dances, the loving cuddles, the caring for each other - and I was thinking how we are all just growing up together, Mark & I as well. Learning to be together, learning about each other, it can take a life time.

Creative, beautiful, brown eyed, funny, gorgeous, thoughtful, special girl.

My blonde, blue eyed baby. Gentle, tall, dreamy, crazy, fun & sweet.

Funny, clever, kind, lovable, cheeky, chatty, enthusiastic, helpful, lovely boy.

Gentle, loving, wacky, sweet, intense, sunny days, blue skies, purple hairties, long soft hair & sleepy goodnights, our sunshine girl.

Lively, moody, passionate, loving, soft toys with funny names, colourful, energetic, huggable, beautiful, imaginative whirly girl.

Yes I think it's the hardest job in the world sometimes but there is nothing else I'd rather be than mum to my five. Hope you had a happy, loving weekend, see you soon xo