8/52..

a portrait of my children...

harvey: the weather turned cool, much to your delight, and you turned suddenly fashion conscious, catching your reflection in windows and changing your pants to go down the street 

olive: loving this old sea fence, just the right height for you to walk around, and around and around 

eddie: giving a run-down of the game in progress, I love that you stop to narrate for me

james: you beautiful sensitive soul, you see the sadness on the news and in people around you, your heart breaks and you sob heavy tears. you are a shining light sweet boy


once again linking in with jodi and the 52 project.. 

7/52...

a portrait of my children..

olive: forever reaching!

eddie: its all about lego, all of the time

james: painstaking (lego) movie making, the patience you have

harvey: downtime after spending saturday morning trying to understand long division

all from behind not wanting to disturb, and all from yesterday morning.  its been a big week with emotions running high and managing one day at a time.  saturday morning the house was quiet and still, except for that mischievous little one with those stretchy arms, everyone happily taking time out to themselves.

linking in with jodi..

the ribbed cowl..

When I purchased this beautiful alpaca wool I knew exactly what I wanted it to be.  I wanted it to be something I would wear and love and be true to my traditional same ol same ol, but different.

It's simple and plain and so deliciously soft.  There's something beautiful about the ribbed pattern, cosy and encompassing like a hug.  I love it.  There's bound to be more of these on the hook I'm certain of it..


linking in with Kirsty..

6/52..

a portrait of my children..

olive: I love to watch you exploring your world, such wonder in the simplest of things..

james and eddie: here we go again, making the most of summer days..

harvey: another hot day, unlike your brothers, you cant wait for the summer to be over..

join jodi with the 52 project here..

just so you know.. a letter to my boy

Our big boy.  You started secondary school last week and you're taking it all very seriously indeed.  I know you are nervous, anxious too, but no one else can see it, you are carrying yourself well, all confident and sure looking.  

You may be broodily approaching 13, but I'm seeing the intense toddler you used to be creeping through.  A stickler for rule following, it would be a fate worse than death to be in trouble, or to be addressed for not wearing your uniform correctly.  That, we know, will never happen.  You clean your shoes daily, you will not wear a white shirt two days in a row if it has the slightest pen mark..my home duties have certainly had to step up a notch.  It might be time I taught you how to was by hand.

I remember your first day of primary school so vividly.  Coming home and setting up your desk for homework (that you didn't have but craved), making the odd office announcement with your toy phone, all official business.

You thrive on learning, you did then and you do now.  It's frustrating you that you've had to spend the first three days doing orientation and not just getting stuck into the school work.  Bless you! I dare not remind you of this when you are feeling overwhelmed once the work begins to flow.

You really are growing up before our very eyes.  You've been taking your chores as seriously as the school work. Often without being asked, watering the garden, emptying the dishwasher, taking care of your baby sister, but that's hardly an effort, your face fills with happiness every time you lay eyes on her.

Dad's teaching you how to do floorplans so you can help us out during busy times.  You love the idea of being paid for this kind of work, it's right up your ally and you can't learn them quickly enough!

While I see the baby, and the teen, I also see the man, and this fills my heart to the brim with such pride...just so you know.

summer lovin'..

some days are, dare I say it, perfect.

the sun was shining, the breeze was cool, no tantrums, no accidents, no meltdowns.  A day without these kind of happenings is beyond rare, this was our once in a blue moon day.

sure, the beach was c r a z y busy considering holidays were over and we did lose the little guy for one heart stopping moment, but overall, today was simply the best summer day ever!

this season has been hodge-podge to say the least.  air conditioner one day, heater blaring the next, but finally it feels like summer.  

school is back, routine is back, but its weekends like these that make me feel totally blessed.

we came home, showered, ate lunch, the kids watched a movie while Nick napped and I crocheted, finishing off in just a minute with a wine and pizza..pretty darn perfect.

on a personal note, I braved main beach in my bathers, I let go of my insecurities and body image issues and I had fun.  Of course, I only used the most flattering shots my adoring hubby took of me today!  Still, it was just a bit liberating.

5/52..

a portrait of my children..

olive: my not so helpful helper, unloading folded laundry..the tippee-toes they kill me!

harvey: it's the way you look at her, the light in your life

james: sitting on the shore line, knocked down by every wave..it never gets old

eddie: those beautiful legs and their year round tan

joining in with jodi's 52 project..

one..

the baby turns one..

here you are, as rugged as you are gentle

with your sweet soft voice, you try to mimic everything we say
you've also discovered just how loud your voice can be when you think its necessary

you crawl, you climb the stairs and use furniture to pull yourself up to stand

you look for any opportunity to grab at something you know you shouldn't have, you're quick 

you scream broken hearted when the stair gate closes behind us

your face lights up when we can't bare it and come back for you

you'll only wear a hairclip until you realise its there

your 7th tooth just cut through and suddenly the tireless clinging and grumpiness makes sense

food is 'nya-nya' and you'll eat just about anything especially when it comes from someone else's plate

breast feeding is still fairly frequent, and I think I enjoy it as much as you do
that soft new hair growing on your forehead, sigh

you captivate your brothers and they are thrilled with everything you do

water is your favourite, bath, pool or beach

you clap your hands, 'sing' twinkle little star and the I love you song

you tell everyone to 'sshh' at bed time and early in the morning
you will play and discover for ages, content and happy in your own company

when you pull me close and bury your face into my neck, I can feel your wet lips on my skin and I'm overcome by the love in my heart
I could not love you more.

happy first birthday darling girl x