happy new year!

Rock on....!

I am not into the whole new years resolution, but I can tell you that this image is the sign of my year ahead. And if it all goes pear shaped, I will just jump in the air and look at all the beautiful things around me and remember that life is awesome.

happy new year x

eat pray love

I have finished the book I was reading, Eat Pray Love. I read a book that has been around for years, and one that I didn't even know existed until Julia Roberts made it look so good. But truly that still did not make me pick the book up. It was my lovely friend who told me I had to read this book. (For the record, I have not seen the movie yet).

At first I was a little hesitant to read a book that had a big element of religious beliefs. But you do not have to be religious to read Eat Pray Love. For me I grabbed my inner spiritual self and felt what she was feeling in my own way. I loved Eat. I loved it that much I wanted her to go back there, or more like I want to go to Italy, eat, and find myself some more.

I was very close to the end of the book, and sadness came over me. I knew I was back in the reading world and I was feeling that disappointment you feel when you close the book for the last time. I rushed out and bought another book before I had a chance to turn the last page.

I have taken a lot out of this book, and I am sure I will continue to do so as I walk through my life. I love to read words that help you take another step in your own life. My friend has not finished the book, but I do know why she told me I had to read the book, the same reason why she told me I need to eat more food; to survive.

our christmas

The man has been and gone, but I still feel like I am in the thick of the christmas spirit. Well maybe not as tolerable as what I was a few days ago, but I am still feeling silly. The little people are overtired, are all out of whack, and I have loved a glass of wine each night more than I have any other week.

In saying all of this, christmas rocked. A day of eating way too much, drinking during the day, a few beach swims, and watching little people giggle and smile was worth the chaos leading up to this day.

Santa came. He was an aussie santa!

Santa asked, "is there a Taj here? If so put your hands up!" Taj was here!

Little people played.

Food was served.

Consumed.

And nothing else mattered; four cousins together for christmas day.

I hope you all had a beautiful christmas with your families.

christmas cheer

It is that time. The time to sign off for a few days and enjoy some festivities. I will be working pretty hard over the next few weeks with the Little Pinwheel shop. I will come and say hi when I can.

We hope you have a beautiful christmas with your families.

xx

that was the best family shot I could capture... happens to be the one with my mouth open! rock on....

character books

There is something about an old book. It has character, it has history, it smells great, the pages are yellow and if you are lucky you will even know the name of the person who once owned it. I read a lot of Enid Blyton as a child and I could not think of buying my children better books.

In about a year Keely will be reading herself, but for now I love having her curled up in my lap and listening to me read.

To Wendy from Jane, 1976

keely's 5th birthday party preparations

With all of the preparation for christmas I am also busy preparing Keely's 5th birthday party. This year I felt very disoganised until I went to Pulp and did some shopping with the owner, Sabina. I knew I wanted to do a tea party for Keely and after talking to Fairy Skye, from Keely's last birthday, I got all excited to do a Mad Hatters Tea Party.

The invitations are tea party inspired, with floral, and Keely's favourite colours, purple and pink. I bought bunting, fans, and some pink paper doilies to hang from the trees. Keely and I are going to make the invitations and they will be in the shape of top hats, finished with a ribbon and a feather. (Do not ask me how I will find the time to do this with her this week)! I hope to also finish table decorations, and the party bags with some of Sarah's awesome party printable tags from her beautiful shop, Style Me Gorgeous.

The cake this year will be all individual cupcakes stacked up on a cupcake tower, unless of course I get all creative in the kitchen and whip up a secret cake, or completely cheat and order one! Right now that is what I feel like doing. Either way I am sure it will be a beautiful party full of laughter.

jingle all the way

Last week we were singing jingle bells at Keely's preschool carols. It was fun to watch Keely and all her friends singing and dancing to the songs they have been practicing for the last few weeks. There was even a DJ. Mind you at the beginning he was not looking very enthusiastic. But when there was the lead up to Santa arriving and the little people singing he was great, and entertained everyone.

All I want for christmas is my two front teeth!

A busy week ahead! I cannot believe that I wrapped all of the presents today, (including one for me), cleaned my home, had a walk, packed orders, and also managed to get some groceries done.

I am ready. I think. I hope!

SUDO & POLKA spot sale

For 3 point 5 days Little Pinwheel online store is havng 25% off all Sudo and Polka summer stock. Sale ends Monday. Enter coupon code : spot25 {cannot be used with any other offer}

walkin' the dog

I find dogs hilarious. I think it is because my mum used to sing songs to her dog. They were made up songs just for him. Sootie was his name, and he pretty much lived in my mum's bed, and was her little side kick. He was the ugliest dog you had ever seen, but the sweetest dog. He had nice eyes, and loved mum to bits.

Taj is a lover of dogs. He gets a little obsessed, and gives them big squeezy cuddles. Picture a "footy head" giving his mate a big headlock, well that is Taj, and any unsuspecting dog. We are lucky to have a few local dogs that adore Taj and love to have one of his awesome cuddles.

Today we took Taj's dog for a walk to meet the locals. I sung Sootie songs, as Taj flicked his dog into the ocean for a swim.

the local santa party

We had a great weekend with our yearly Santa party for the little people. The same dad has played Santa for two years in a row and he cracks me up each year. Last year I was paid out by the fact I had not put gift tags on my parcels, and had used brown paper instead of christmas wrapping. This year I escaped the fact I did exactly the same thing. He spoke with an accent, obviously trying to avoid being spotted by his own son, who asked Santa, if he wanted any alcohol as he left! Next year Santa is coming from Fiji.

Both my children were scared of Santa, and Keely made a point of telling me that Santa had grey hair sticking out from his white hair. Is this the last year of Keely believing in Santa? Oh how sad. I still believe in him, and have managed to buy at least one item for me from Santa!

beach bums

What better place to be then bumming around on the beach. I am still allowing some down time and fun at the beach with the little people. I don't think I could get through this time of going crackers without putting our feet in the sand, and swimming in the icy water. (Limb hurting temperature).

I have started to read a book which a friend recommended I read. I don't remember the last time I read a book, and it has made me realise just how much I have missed it. I have two other recommendations up my sleeve and if I can get through the first in a reasonable time I will be out buying the next on the list. I will read a bit more and then let you know what I am reading.

What are you reading, or have you read that you can recommend to add to my list?

keely's graduation from preschool

A beautiful afternoon spent being the proudest mum ever. Sunflowers for my little sunshine, who for some reason became really little to me again.

"Keely loves playing in the playground, and drawing. She wants to be a doctor!"

This is the first I have heard of Keely wanting to be a doctor. Actually I don't think I have even asked her those words, 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' As my mum always said to me, she didn't care what I did as long as I was happy. I believe the same for my children. I know I will always be proud.

growing up

I am starting to have mum freak out. I never thought I would be the mum to freak out. She is only going to school. It is not like she is leaving home at the age of 5, she is going to school.

Keely is getting so big. I mean everyday something changes about her. It is to the point I am freaking out. She is looking long. The face is becoming longer, and all the limbs are stretching. She says things that are too old for her. Well I believe they are, but maybe I am behind the development times of little people.

I received her pre school report for the end of the year. She gets a little report written by her teacher outlining her abilities and her as a person. I cried when I read the first line. I was bawling by the end of it. Seriously I am going to be that mum at the gate on her first day of school crying like a baby. I never thought that would be me. I always imagined me sucking it up to show her that it will be ok, but nope I will cry. I have no doubt. I will have to warn her like I did when she put her uniform on for the first time.

Happy tears. Yes they are happy tears.

Who am I kidding. She is growing up everyday and there is no stopping her. It is exciting, but please slow down!

To freak me out even more, I received a newsletter from her school last night. There are 8 weeks until she starts. She is graduating preschool this thursday. I think that is enough to bring a mother to freakiness.

I am crying now after loading the images I took today. Keely is beautiful, and almost 5 years on I still pinch myself. I am one lucky woman to have such a gorgeous girl.