Simple Family Pleasures.. are the greatest!

I just read a post on the Organised Housewife about one's favourite activity or past time to do with one's family and pondered some of the things that we do in our home.  Some of my favourites are;

•  Cooking together, baking and making yummy treats.. most recent was mini pizzas!
•  Having a movie night with blankets and pillows.. whether it be at home or the drive in, this is a great way to have a relaxed night.
• Board games! we have tons of board games, perfect for all occasions and frustrations!
• Playing the Wii together as a family (although this can get quite competitive!)
• Gardening together, or playing in the backyard together. I love watering the gardens..
• Taking a drive as a family to a new or favourite destination.
• Visiting the local art gallery, park or swimming pool.
• Cuddling up every night, tucked up in bed and reading a chapter from our Enid Blyton book, 'The Wishing Chair'. 

Life can get super hectic, so the time that we spend doing these things is really special and I try to fit in some of this quality time each and every day.  The other night we made really yummy pizza's and had so much fun mucking about in the kitchen (safely of course!)

Carefully placing his toppings.. so proud of his creation..

Before they were popped into the oven..

Making a pink milk while we wait for dinner to cook..

(and eating leftover toppings of course!)

Yummo! It tasted Divine..

Mine had a few more extras.. spinach and tuna..

And even the baby 'bump' got a piccy in.. must have wanted pizza too ;)

A great night was had by all.. xo

Here's to simple family pleasures!

Shopping for Baby..

I must admit, this is something I have yet to start.. which is highly unusual for me! Any excuse to go shopping is usually good enough for me & you would think shopping for an impending arrival would be a great excuse! Initially I held off for the first 12 weeks, then til my next ultrasound, then til I started working again and now I figure I may as well wait until I know if I'm buying pink or blue (which I find out in approx 2 weeks).

 I'm a little over 17 weeks now, with 21 weeks until my delivery date (to the day! - eek)  so I've still got plenty of time to gather supplies.. no need to panic..  but if the last 17 weeks are anything to go by, time flies & the newest addition will be here in no time!   In the past week, I've visited the baby shop a total of 5 times to gather 'ideas' BUT I'm so indecisive.. Here are some of the products I am ogling at the moment..

The Strider Plus pram/travel system from Steelcraft.. Colour choice pending boy or girl! I think I may also use it in conjunction with the travel system capsule, however, as my Son was a larger baby I am still contemplating the practicality of this as bubs mightn't be in it very long..

The cot really has me stumped.. If the finances would allow it, I would go straight for the Boori Sleigh cot... But then common sense tells me, this cost more than my own King Size bed..

So perhaps I would choose something like this for a boy..



But then again, I don't know if this would be my choice if I were having a girl.. Perhaps I would choose something more like this..

Bedding choices are a little easier.. for a boy I love..

And for a girl I adore...

But Hubby, My Son and My Mum all love the following for a girl (thankfully they agree with the boy choice!) I don't mind this one either.. it will still brighten the room..

The following products I am loving also;

Avent Steam Steriliser (literally used mine til it blew up last time.. so its on my list..)

More than likely Avent bottles to go with.. Although I used NUK bottles last time as my Son didn't like the Avent bottles, I think the Avent accessories/teats etc are going to be easier to come by than the NUK ones, last time I found only certain stores stocked them.

I am interested in getting another baby swing this time round also..

And the list goes on and on and on.. car seat, baby carrier, wraps, dummies, nappies. I think the list may be never-ending and or endless, however, I guess I have the next 21 weeks to fill as much of it as I'm able.. (And I really don't think that will be a problem hehehe)





Meal Planning Monday...

Well technically it is 'Tuesday' but it's still the middle of the night (and I fell asleep earlier..) and Meal Planning Tuesday just doesn't have the same ring to it! So here is what's on our dinner agenda this week!  Cupcake Monday due to my crazy cleaning urges of late has been delayed until tomorrow!

Monday -       Beef Stroganoff (My ultimate favourite!!!)

Tuesday -      Homemade Mini Pizza's!

Wednesday - Chicken Taco's using chicken breast & Soft taco shells.
                   (So looking forward to these..)

Thursday -    Beef Provencale Casserole - so rich and tomato infused!

Friday  -       Night off from cooking - YAY!

Saturday -    If the weather is fine a BBQ, if not, Spaghetti Bolognaise..

Sunday -      Roast of the week.. (ummmm.. Chicken??)
                   followed by Apple Crumble and custard.

Now the meal planning is taken care of for the week, shopping tomorrow will be much easier!  

Oh and if you've got a little time spare, feel free to check out my new blog page which you can access across the top tabs, 'Before Chaos and After Organisation'..

It's the Little Things, gifts kids give to make your heart smile xo

Its the little things each days that make your heart soar.. I have been truly blessed with an adorable little man who loves to leave me little handmade surprises of cuteness, he has always done this and although my storage box of all of his necklaces, paintings, drawings, craft ventures and gifts is HUGE, I love that he is so giving and thoughtful, it really does make my heart smile..

He has also constructed this wall of his own artwork, drawing and handwriting that he is proud of and I was happy to let him pop it outside his door. Im not usually one for attaching things to walls, but seeing his pride in creating and presenting his work, how could I say no? Im not too sure what we'll do when we paint the walls of the dining room, I guess Ill find a cute little cork board for him to display things on outside his walls. They also have one in their room, but it's much nicer im sure to have it all out on display! :)

The other day before I returned to work, he created this gorgeous little sticker holder for me to take along to school for my student's rewards. After a tough first day back, it was so lovely to sit and stare at this very thoughtful gift he had made me during my lunchbreak and smile.. smile for all of his thoughtfulness and care.. He even filled it up with his own stickers and prizes from his room.  When I got home that afternoon he wanted to know how many stickers I gave out.. he was so proud 

 And I always am!

Where I hope to Holiday this Year..

I've taken to the web for blog inspiration and found a site called Bloggy Mums, which has laid out a blog dare with various topics for daily blogging inspiration today's topic caught my eye as its something iv been thinking of lately.. a holiday *bliss*

With a baby on the way in 21 weeks or so, a holiday is a top priority for our family before the impending arrival and I thought it would be nice to return to our holiday spot from last year, Stradbroke Island.. Stradbroke was such a nice holiday for us, such a change of pace - even with 4 kids in tow, it was sheer bliss (which is saying something! as some of our holidays have been horrendous).  We took long daily walks, swims at the beaches, watched the whales on the horizon (and dolphins, turtles and stingrays) ate gelato, BBQ'd on seafood and genuinely had some great bonding moments as a family. 

It is my goal in the next couple of months to return back to this gorgeous gorgeous place.. and then return each year after that.. this year we are thinking of even throwing a camping trip in whilst we are over there, just to mix it up a little.  If I could be anywhere, I would be there right now! Wont be too long and we'll be soaking it all up again.. xo



Happy Valentines Day 2011

I think that Valentines Day has always held a soft spot in my heart & has been a day that I have always been happy to celebrate. I don't know if this is because I haven't really been single before on Valentines Day or because any day that is a day to express the love you have for those around you, is alright by me!

My Son was born on Valentines Day 6 years ago, which was such a lovely Valentines gift, my best so far (even diamonds wouldn't compare..) Usually my husband and I don't exchange gifts until the evening for this very reason, so we don't take away from the little man's birthday. But this year, I decided to include the kids into Valentines Day, as they too, get just as excited about it and after all, Valentines Day is about 'Love' overall.. our family of love.

So this year I bought all the kids a chocolate rose, I thought they were so cute (and tasty) and at only $1.25 each from Kmart, a bargain too! And a block of choccie, laid it onto their place mat with a handmade card and some Valentines Day themed balloons attached to the back of each of their chairs.  A simple gesture, but their little eyes lit up when they saw it in the morning.. It was nice to see them reading their cards and messages and sharing their chocolates around, my eldest stepson even gave me the chocolate rose back as a gift to me, very touching. 

That evening, being my son's birthday and Valentines Day, we went to see Gnomeo and Juliet at the cinema which was  a nice touch for both occasions we thought. 

For Hubby, I left out a little dangling heart at his coffee station for the morning (knowing full well i wouldn't be awake) and a very daggy, but heartfelt bag of lolly banana's..

We didn't exchange gifts in the evening this year as I fell asleep quite early on in the evening after the movie (who said your energy comes back at 12 weeks pregnant! 16 weeks and still exhausted!) And I awoke to find a delicious box of Lindt Desert Chocolates (how very evil) and a gorgeous card on my side table, how sweet.

So that's Valentines Day for another year.. but thankfully in our household it doesn't mean the love stops there :) 

Happy 6th Birthday Indigo! xo

Dear Indi,

6 years ago, I was handed the most precious bundle of joy.. Even before they passed you over the curtain, upon hearing your first cry, as the happy tears rolled down my cheeks - it was love at first sight and my love for you has grown each second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year since the 14th February 2005.  You are truly an amazing little man who is growing into a person Mummy is very proud of.  I love that you are caring, that you think of other's, that you have such a passion for learning and doing well at school, that you are funny and make us laugh with your infectious giggle!, that you have your differences and that overall, you are you..

On your 6th birthday you enjoy Scooby Doo, Ben 10, playing your DS and Wii, digging in the dirt/rocks, drawing, making craft and exploring - your favourite toy is Maxi and your favourite food is BBQ Pork. You have great friends at school,  you can nearly count to 200, read and write well for a little person who has just started out in the world of schooling & I love love love that you want to hold Mummy's hand still, sleep in our bed and snuggle up with Mummy.. after all your only little once & Mummy doesn't mind if this goes on forever xo

So on your sixth birthday and throughout your 7th year of life, remember that we love you so so much, that we are so proud of you, to have fun and to keep dancing to the rhythm of your own drum - no matter what anyone tells you, you truly are amazing <3  xoxo

Lots of Love

Mummy xoxoxox