Teacher's gifts

I'm half way through. Still got the Rocky Road to cut up and bag, Peanut Butter, White Choc and Sea Salt Biccies to make and one more Fabric basket to make.

Now we're off to see Santa!!!

When you wish you'd just handed over the money.

Some of the girls, namely Kath, Lisa , Sniff and myself, along with the lovely Mr. Charlie, took a lovely road trip on Friday just gone to the Mornington Peninsula to frequent a fantastic event called Christmas at the Studio.

Great hilarity ensued on the journey there, so much so that we were told, "Be quiet, please, I can't hear my movie!" from the smallest traveller, even with headphones on head!

There were lots of lovely things to buy.

There was lovely food and drink to buy too! 

And balloons!!!

One lovely thing to buy was a Handmade Advent Calendar. 

It was $75. 

"Too much!", says I, when I can easily whip a couple up myself!!

I went to task on my project that very night. 

By the next day I was about ready to stab myself in the eye. 

What a bloody faff! 

Cutting out all those ruddy numbers, pulling off all the iron-on sticky paper, pressing them onto all the pockets then sewing around the little buggers almost did my head in. 

So this is it. 

They're getting one calendar and I'm putting two chocs in each pocket!

Next time I shall be mindful of how long "handmade" actually takes. 

And fork over the money!!

A certain 5 year old.

Well, the little man has turned 5 after what seemed like months of waiting! 

The birthday celebrations went on for 2 weeks, as he had a big party with a friend 2 weeks before the actual event, for all the kinder buddies.

Check out those Cake Pops!!!

Then came the actual day...Halloween! 

There was trick or treating...

 ...at spooky looking abodes....

...well, actually, only our abode looked spooky...

and a second cake this time, one for the actual day, which was just as much fun!

Our little boy is five. But he still gives us a cuddle in bed in the mornings, and lots throughout the day too, just like his big brother. That's my favorite part of being a Mum.

Must like kids

I like kids. They make me laugh. I used to be a teacher. Most of them like kids!

I love my own kids with a fierceness that is sometimes overwhelming and I am constantly amazed by their uttering and antics. I'm so very proud of whatever little achievement they...well..achieve.

I always feel that I don't spend enough time really playing with them, though. Classic Mother's guilt.

Today, I had the pleasure of witnessing one of my friends, a new friend, playing with my five year old son for an hour or two. They built Lego - the Ninjago he got at his birthday party yesterday. Then he sat on her knee with the iPad and showed her his games. She was right into it with him, on his level. He had an absolute blast!

We were at sewing group, at Sniff's house. Well, it used to be sewing group, but we've diversified into, let's say, an activity group! There are bloggers, laminators and a good bit of sewing goes on too. It's good fun!

It was beautiful to watch. He had the best time, I think, that he's ever had there. I go there to sew and chat to the girls. I have a great time every time I go. He doesn't mind it, but I always fob off his attempts to join in the sewing. In fact, I pretty much expect him to entertain himself. We all chat to him, suggest activities. But this week he was the centre of someone's attention! And Tori bought chocolate!

I'm going to get some hessian this week, a big blunt needle, some wool and buttons. I'm going to let him sit beside us and sew too if he wants to.

Thanks, lovely Kath! You made his day, and mine too. It was so kind of you to take the time to connect with him on his level for all that time. Looking forward to the big Halloween/ birthday celebrations including aforementioned Lego, with your young Lego master. Oh, and there may be a few drinks involved too!!

Back to School/Kinder - Blogtoberfest Day 10

God, it's hard yakka on the first day back after the holidays! Kids and self to get organized and out the door, lunches to make, Charlie did the usual and slept in, so had to wake him up just after 8 and shovel food in, arguments with Dom about getting dressed before the telly goes on and taking thine own crap upstairs, not leaving it for Mummy to do later. And all while my significant other slumbers in bed! The Joy! You can imagine my mood by 8.40! Very tweezer-lipped!!

But I've been having some lovely lie-ins and some very lazy days. The boys and I had a very relaxing holiday on the whole.

But it's kind of nice to back into the old routine again. Less time to sit about and eat!

Kids are eating their dinner now and soon will be in bed. I plan to take a nice long bath and sew the binding (finally) on Charlie's new quilt.

Went into the city today to Cake Deco to get prepared for the Cake Pops I'm making for Charlie and his buddy Lou's Kew Traffic School party on Thursday.

 I'm making them fairly simple - you can get some pretty amazing results if you know how, but this is my first time. Will post numerous photos, post party.

Happy Monday ! X

The Old Red, White and Blue

If you have been taking any notice whatsoever of my little progress bars on the side, you will have seen that one of the quilts has recently seen some action!

For the last couple of days of my in-laws stay, I've been making new curtains for Charlie's room.
Yes, we live in a rental.
Yes, it may be a waste of money to make new curtains you may never use again.
But the old ones were;
a) the shittiest faded salmon pink color you can imagine
b) come summer they may as well be open as are virtually see thorough. I need something better to con him that it's night time!
c) they were on rods and the gap had been sewn too narrow and they wouldn't slide. Tiebacks do my head in.
d) until we leave these isles and return to The Homeland, I refuse to live with any more "other people's crap" than I have to. I have been doing this for 11 long years of rental properties in 8 countries. The pink Austrian blinds in the lounge are bad enough!

Anyhoo...I have had this project on the back burner for a while and thought it the perfect time to complete one of the infamous WIP's that I have vowed to wipe out by 2012.

I'd like to say I'll get it done tomorrow but I'm dreaming.

Biggie Smalls has a 7th birthday on Friday and I have to knock out 2 dozen iced and sprinkled cupcakes (school), and ice cream party cake and party food (family, little friends party, Friday Night), Beyblade cake (Sunday, Laserstrike party) .

Plus go to the gym and Costco tomorrow.
They all have to be home made according to his lordship, as "your things taste perfect, Mum"
How can I argue with such wanton bias?!

I LOVE Mothers Day....

...because I have 3 beautiful boys who love me!