To Mummy with Love from Ella

With the birthday's going on here this week, I forgot to post this!

Ella came home from school with some beautifully handmade hearts for me for Valentine's Day.

I really treasure those handmade gifts as I know all too soon they will be buying gifts instead of making them. They are very special when handmade.

Classical Childrens' Books

I've been really enjoying reading to the girls books from my childhood. My Mum introduced me to Milly Molly Mandy when I was about eight years old. I remember sitting on her knee beside the warm open fire during the winter listening to another chapter. We often shared a hot chocolate. Being the youngest in my family of four, I don't recall having to 'share' her knee with a sibling, which was great!

I loved the Babar series too. I wanted to be part of that family ~ they all had such exciting adventures!

What books did you enjoy as a child? Do you still have them? Have you shared them with your children?

Happy Reading!

Twenty Years Ago Today

We welcomed our first daughter into the World. 2:23pm on a hot Monday afternoon, in New Zealand. 7lb 8oz. Black hair and beautiful blue eyes.

Happy Birthday Amie!

The Start of Ballet for Our Princesses

Today Miss Ella & Miss Kate started ballet. Ella especially was so very excited. Kate has been doing other dance for 2 years (tap & jazz) but decided to start ballet this year too (and acrobats - aren't we going to be busy!) So of course Ella wanted to join too. She can hardly wait until next Tuesday! Bless her!

Happy Birthday Ella

I can't believe my 'baby' is five! Where did that time go?

Our little Aussie baby - Born 2:23pm on a hot Monday afternoon! 7lb 4.5oz. Black hair (who would know it now??) and blue eyes.

She was so excited waiting for the big day. Two little friends stayed on the eve of her birthday, which was super exciting. Awoke to a pile of pressies of which included a new bike, a keyboard and the requested Dora dressing gown!

(more pics to come)

To The One I Love

February 8 ,1986

Today Phil & I celebrate 22 years together.

That's a long time to share your dreams, your life, your soul and your bed together.

We 'got together' when I was 15 and Phil had just turned 18.

Two years and one week later our first daughter was born

Followed 13 and 15 years later by two more beautiful daughters

A beautiful Grand-daughter followed our youngest 22 months later

We've cried many tears together

Shared many hugs

Lots and lots of laughter

Plenty of fun

Moving to Australia

Disagreements

Plenty of love

Peace and Joy

A good life

Sunshine

Harmony

Our

Little

Family

Here's to the next 22 years ...

We have rain!!!!

It's been a long time coming, but finally we awoke to it falling steadily from the sky above.
It looks like most of the country will experience some rain today. The garden & lawn will love the good soaking.

I'm taking today off work as yesterday I had a migraine (at work) and still don't feel 100%, so seeing as the weather is like this, apart from the school drop offs/pick ups I'm staying put.

Might even get a wee nana nap in.

Have a great day everyone whatever you do.

Ailsa xxx

And now it has happened ...

In the blink of an eye ... she's now a big school girl ... no hesitation ... no tears ... no worries.
Our last baby is at school. The Y.R 2 with attitude ...
Isn't sisterly love a lovely thing ...

And the three muskateers ...

The Last of the Summer Holidays

And so the holidays come to an end

in

Western Australia

School Returns tomorrow. Kate starts Year 2 and Ella Pre-Primary. For the first time in six years I will have some 'me' time when I'm not at work. Bliss.

We spent the morning finishing off all the labelling/book covering. What a job! Uniforms are ironed and ready to go. Water bottles are half filled and in the freezer. Bags and hats are washed and ready.

The holidays are over. How they have flown by! I've enjoyed the slower pace of life, but no doubt will soon get into the rhythm of routine once more. Especially once the girls activities start on the 11th - tap, jazz, ballet and acrobats.






We took the girls for a swim at Wet n Wild after lunch. They loved the water slides, but the water in the pool was freeeezing!

Goodbye to January, Hello to February

I thought 2007 flew by, but I think 2008 might go even quicker!



It's been a really hot month for me ~ I've really struggled with my job and the hot weather. I know February will be just as bad, if not worse.

The school holidays officially finish today. This weekend is my first one of no longer working in almost a year. We have lots on though so won't be bored.

Let's share some of our January successes shall we?

• I've started a holiday fund. We are planning to go to Fiji later this year.
• We finally paid off a very very huge phone debt that we incurred while Phil was working in Indonesia.
• We have a new and better budget set up.
• I've cut out heaps of junk food and drinking more water. Also I'm trying to get to bed at a more reasonable hour - and feeling better for it already.
• We got a few more things done around our house that have been put off for nearly 3 years!
• I've started a huge decluttering project.
• Tax Returns are done!
• I'm making more of an effort with a friendship that was slipping away.

Now it's your turn.

Today I had a much needed day off work. I really really wanted to stay at home and rest, noodle on the computer, maybe a nap? But as I was having my shower I though with my heart and decided to take the girls to Maylands Waterland

It was a place we hadn't visited before, so the girls were excited to go somewhere different. As as it was 38.6 degress, it was a perfect thing to do today. A few swims, a round of mini golf, an icy pole, a play on the playground was enjoyed by all.

Ruby and Ella waiting for their turn at mini-golf

Ruby enjoying an icy pole

Kate enjoying the water fountain

Ready Steady Jump! Ella jumps, Ruby getting ready!

Having a ride on Amie & Brendans backs. What fun!

Ella tries her hand at mini golf.

Running down the river!

Ella enjoying the cool water

Hmmn, I wonder what Ruby is thinking about?

Ruby's turn at golf (sorry missed the ball in the shot)

Kate's turn ...

Kate under water

Ruby & Kate enjoy a slide together

"Come on Kate, get in with us"!!!

Isn't she gorgeous?

A girl needs a sandwich you know!

Who said a girl can't swing with one arm?

Ella has a go too!

Don't you just love her face?

A Busy Day!

Today I feel like I've achieved alot. That's a good thing b/c lately my energy levels have been pretty low. It probably has something to do with only having one day off in the last fortnight. The type of job I do is very physical so it does make me exhausted at times.


Anyway I worked from 8am until 12pm which was so good to get an early finish in.



I got a huge pile of ironing done which mostly I don't mind ironing, but I battle with the heat so I always put it off until it's so big it turns the job into something much bigger. I do love nicely ironed clothes so it's a good feeling when I've finished.

Next I tackled the kitchen. Okay, so we have a dishwasher but there was lots of bits and pieces that don't go in it. After I handwashed a few things, I wipes all the kitchen cupboards inside and out. They are all sparkling now.

Cleaned out the fridge and had a big chuck-out. It's amazing what had been long forgotten at the back. Yucko!

Then we did some decluttering, the girls helping me. Sorted out a few drawers and wardrobes and had a big chuck out. It felt so good.

I was a little weary by the time we had finished, but happy weary. :)

Hope everyone had a good day too.

Love and Peace to you,

Ailsa x

P is for Phil

Phil. I thought I would write about my man today seeing as he is celebrating his birthday. (albiet at work)

Phil is a really nice guy. Everyone who knows him loves him. He's generous, hardworking, funny and honest. He's a very loyal partner and a good friend.

He's a great Dad. The girls all adore him. And miss him like crazy when he's away.

He is the complete opposite to me which gives us a nice balance.

Happy 40th Phil. xx