Happy New Year

Source

Little Fantail

Right ... this is a just a quick shout out, hopefully back with some q&a from the CEO herself, but for now, if you've got a chance check out Little Fantail on Facebook.  Created by a friend of mine, I am constantly amazing how creative she is and following her passion! 

Check out her Facebook page and have a drool over the yarn

KIWI MUMMY BLOGS: REVIEW – BABY BELLY BUTTONS

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KIWI MUMMY BLOGS: REVIEW – BABY BELLY BUTTONS

I was lucky enough to be chosen to review a “Baby Belly Button”  via Kiwi Mummy Blogs which I was able to on-gift to two friends (one due Jan, one due March) who will try out it’s practicality and I’ll report back then as well J.   It is always great to be able to gift on products that our usual budget wouldn’t cater for – thank you KMM and Baby Belly Buttons!

So … the Nitti gritty details …

This is a fun and unique  idea where you can “create a unique memento of your baby's first moment on earth with a Baby Belly Button and add style to your baby's umbilical clamp.”  You can choose from a variety of colours and styles and what I liked best was that for those of us who didn’t find out baby’s gender, there were still lots of options.

I had a bit of a fiddle with the clip, and it is clean, tidy, sturdy and would nicely cover that hospital yellow clamp with a bit of bling.   Order it (they promise delivery within 7-10 days) ; pop it into the hospital bag and once bubba has arrived, it can be simply clipped onto the clamp – easy peasy – and it doesn’t add much bulk to the clamp, so shouldn’t get in the way of the newborn nappy either.

The part I liked best was the presentation box.  I don’t know about you – but in my keepsake box I have five yellow (probably eew gross by now) clamps sitting somewhere at the bottom.  This clip is packaged in a small box (7cm by 5cm approx.) that magnetically holds shut, and the clip is cushioned inside.  GREAT presentation – especially if you are buying one to on-gift,  or are planning on popping it into that memento box.

KIWI MADE – this was the biggest HUGE incentive for me as it is something I look for when  gifting or ordering anything baby related.   I love buying and supporting NZ business (especially smaller ones) and the Baby Belly Buttons are made right here in NZ out of safe, non-toxic materials. 

Price range:  Above $29

If you are very sentimental, a hoarder or want a gift that is out of the box – then this is the product for you (or if your loved one is one of the above).    

I probably wouldn’t get it if I wasn’t one of the above – as the price range would limit me personally.  My product also came with a pen (VERY handy to have in the hospital bag) and a bookmark with a list of hospital essentials for mum/dad to check off (and the list was nice and sensible, no namby pamby suggestions) – little extras any new parent would appreciate. 

ps ... Cuddly toy is my daughter's ... Thought it would make a cute photo!

Teary

You know, there are just some things that make you go all teary at certain times - songs, stories, end of year school concerts ... Spot the mushy mum.

 Yip - I did, totally got weepy as I watched my two big boys stand with their classmates and sing the school song, followed by being awesome dogs in a jump jam rendition of "Who let the dogs out". We have an amazing school community - and I'm amazed at the energy their teacher had towards the end of the year, pulling it all together.

 I thought I would share with you the song that's gotten me teary this week ... I love his music, find the words have meaning - and make you think. Hope you enjoy (don't watch if you don't have tissues!!) Mark Schultz - Everything to Me 

Birthday season

My middle child has just turned four.  I have no idea where that has gone ...
Life is trucking along amazingly - I have a review for you nearly written up - lots of ideas in my head and lots of photos of cooking to share ...

Until I manage to get the birthday cake pictures onto the computer ... I hope you enjoy this view from my deck the other morning.  I love it!

Taking a Break

Hello ... I have been taking a bit of a break from the blogging lately - it was getting to a stage where I didn't have anything that useful to say - and I need to concentrate of my real life wonders .... I am so blessed with them and the husband and friends.  Hoping to get back into it with some new ideas ... possibly a switch of direction with some more food/product focused blogs.

Some quotes

Keep on keeping on ...

It has been a full on weekend at our house.  My big boy (nearly six) complained of a sore hip on friday and i put it down to fridayitis and bundled him off to school with promises of checking up on him at lunch.  He was fine at lunch, didn't do pe, but was still grizzly when he got home.  By 1am and four wake ups in tears and owies we decided i would take him into A&E  .... Best case scenario, nothing wrong and since it is the middle of the night we get seen quickly and are home for breakfast .... Worst case ... Well ... Turned out to be a case of blood tests, CAT scan and Xray ... Then off to theatre at 10am to have a germy appendix removed.  

So thankful that we got in in time, as while it hadn't ruptured, it was leaking.  He spent the next three nights in the children's ward, with my mum and DH taking turns and dh staying overnights.  i was camping at home as we were down to one car (hopefully fixed soon) and Miss A is still breastfeed very regularly, day and night.

We are thankful for the care from the ED and Theatre and Ward, the doctors and nurses were amazing.  Have a tired wee boy home now again ... Siblings all over the moon to have him back ... A week off school at least, so will be just hanging out here for a while longer.

Down but not out

This week has been flu season at our house, myself included.  To tell you the truth I am still shattered, I haven't had the fu in a long time and definitely not keen to repeat this.  Very thankful for a dear husband who managed to take a day off work to do all the town stuff like groceries, and an amazing friend who bought us round dinner last night.  It made such a difference to my day!  Thanks lovely lady!

In other news ... We were given thee beautiful babies earlier in the week, the girl (foreground) is called Fluff and the boy is Buzz.  So far they are doing great - they will the boys to take to school for pets day in late October and I ill make sure I have gripe water in hand incase we get the dreaded six week bloat.

Risky business

My happy heart  took some filling in this past weekend with amazingly wonderful  friends and fellowship.  Two friends took time to be with us and our family, be a part of our day and night.  Words seems so little to express how much it meant to me.  I love having people around, I love hosting and cooking for others, so to get a chance to do this, was a blessing.  We have a sleep out, so at least one of our guests didn't get woken at the  crack of dawn by my darlings after a late night, and to be honest, the kids were kids, but I thought they did well, considering they are not that used to it.  Yesterday afternoon once the rain cleared we headed down to the beach to let them run off some steam, it was great to get some fresh air.  Friday night we played Risk ... Those who know me know that I'm not the world's most competitive person, but somehow I managed to win ... Looking forward to playing again with the same great company!!

Nappy Review

With our eldest turning 6 in a couple of months, the baby just gone one and three in-between it is fair to say I’ve spent a lot of the last 5 years dealing with nappies.  We’ve tried the cheap disposables, the high-end marketed disposable, the old-fashioned flat-whites, the AIO, the wraps – basically – we’ve tried most of them.  However, I’m still in the market for a good cloth nappy that ticks the boxes of affordability, usability and most importantly LEAK-PROOF!!  I was stoked to be chosen to review the Bambino Miosolo nappy, through the Kiwi Bloggers Community.

For me the best part of this nappy was it’s versatility.  With adjustable poppers and Velcro fastenings I used it with success on a 3.5yr old, a two year old and an 11 month old – and they’re all very different sizes.  I can imagine that it would work well on a younger infant as well.  

After washing before use – it dried quickly on an airing rack next to the fire overnight, I used it first on the Miss 11 months.  The directions said to change after 2-3 hours – so I left it for the max and we had no leakage at all onto her clothing.  With Mr.2 (a  heavy wetter, also walking/playing as opposed to crawling) again, a full nappy, but no leakage (3hrs).  I used it on Miss 3.5 overnight, adding in one of my own boosters as I didn’t have any of their branded ones.  This was a great success, and I think I will try and get hold of a second one to use until she is over-night trained.  The inner layer stayed quite dry on her skin, and again, pj’s were dry.

The only issue I can possibly foresee is that a smart baby/toddle who isn’t wearing a domed crutch type singlet could easily pull the fastenings off – which if you’ve got a no.2 happening, could create an interesting art work.

Other than that … really stoked with being chosen to review this product – something I would recommend to a new mum considering doing cloth full-time.  It washes well, dries quickly and is simple and effective to use.  

Getting ready for Father's day ...

Check this out!!

http://www.newcreation.org.sg/events/2013/06/19/father-s-day-celebration-2013

Baby Leg Warmers

I've always admired cute little leg warmers on babies - chubby little thighs kept warm by snuggly cotton or wool mixes.  That in mind - when the opportunity came up to review some Bubbly Bubs organic baby leg warmers I lept at the chance.

I have an 11 month old with excema - this means I have to be careful with what goes against her skin - so the fact that these are organic cotton was a huge plus for her.  She wore them all day with no reactions on her skin.   The product was a good size (marketed as one size fits most, unstretched length: 31 cm, unstretched width: 8.5 cm) covering her ankle to upper thigh, and I reckon that I could have put them on her older sister (3) also.   A spandax content of 5% ensured that these stayed put, even with a crawling baby - they didn't cut into her thighs or ankles - a very important design feature.  The thigh opening was a good stretch and I was very impressed with the softness of them.

We were given the 'Midnight Miss' to try out - a cute chocolate and baby pink - but the range they have is impressive, from various colored stars to many mulit-colored stripes.  As a Mum - at the end of the day, it often comes down a toss up between usefulness and the price.  In the case of Bubbly Bubs - I didn't have to make that choice.  The website prices them at $9 - which is less than a couple of cups of coffee in a major centre.  I think they would be an amazing gift for babyshowers, 1st birthdays, christenings - pretty much anything baby related - so stash a few away so that you've got one on hand to use yourself and one to give away :-)

Early

In a past life, before kids, I used to be an early bird.  I grew up in a family where 7am was a sleep in.  Everyone was pretty much in bed fast asleep by 9pm - I think I could have counted the times I stayed up till mid-night before I was 18 on both hands (and they were probably sleep-overs at friends). 

I'm sitting here wondering why I am struggling (more frustration and grumpy feelings) with getting up with my children.  They go to bed at what I deem a reasonable time (between 6.30-7.30pm, depending on the littles ones last naps).  That happening - any-time from 5.30 is an eleven hour sleep - which is very reasonable.  They don't last much past that bed-time, with Mr.4 often putting himself to bed if we don't.  He's a very light sleeper; some days I think he's often awake from the baby's 4am feed.

I think (ok, I know) it is my attitude rather than them.  If I find a magic cure to help them all sleep through (last night was one of those nights where I was up with a scratchy, itchy baby girl) I'll let you know ... but until then .... I need to rest in God's strength that He will help me re-adjust my attitude and enjoy these early mornings.  One bright spot for today - the bread is raising, the fires both started first pop (somehow I forgot to load them when I crashed into bed last night, so they were out when I first got up) and apparently it's not meant to rain - so maybe a beach trip.

Blessing for Sunday!!

Source

Fellowship Friday

I'm lucky that I can still do this, even though it is Saturday morning on this side of the world.

It has been school holidays here - for the past two weeks I've been blessed to have my big boy home with his younger siblings. After a trip into town with a sick baby last week Tuesday - I've actually stayed away from town for nearly two weeks. Let me tell you - what a blessing! And that isn't by my strength. Usually I'm straining at the bit to get away and have some space, to buy, consume and blob in town. I love exploring the op-shops, slowly doing the groceries and catching up with friends. BUT ... it has been amazing just being at home and allowing God to work in me and be at rest where I am. We have had absolutely amazing weather for this time of year - it feels more like spring than the middle of winter. This week we have taken a lunch-time trip to the beach (15 minutes away) and also had a trip to the school playground for the past three afternoons (2 min drive away). I love that we've been able to get out and do things just around here.

If I look at where I am at, there are still things I don't like about where we are at - but aren't we all a work in progress. God is redeeming the time!! I have been able to get on top of some extra (well, not extra, needed to be done really) jobs. Not going into town has meant I have had time to just relax into some more routines. While I am looking forward to school starting again (I'm really not the home-school type and find teaching little ones very hard and trying to my patience), it is also hard as it will be my last term with my next boy at home with me as he starts school in the fourth term. I think I am more concerned about him starting than I was his big brother. He's just got a different personality - but we'll work towards it.

 So thankful for these sunny holidays. So thankful for amazing everyday blessings. Thankful for cupboards that are being emptied (eat the pantry clean week) and a sparkling fridge (one of those extra jobs). Right ... I have a load of sheets in the machine and four little people to get into play clothes. Blessings everyone!

 Ps ... if you're into an amazing birth story check out the link to the blog Talia Christine on my side-bar .... turned me to total mush within two seconds. Amazing lady!!

 Fellowship Friday (link not playing ball today - my bad not the link)

Congratulations

Not that they are every going to read it - but just because I get mushy with any baby being born. Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son. Any life is special - and I wish them every blessings. And as a post on my FB page yesterday said ... remember, 2000 years ago another Son was born - and that son adores you and wants the best for your life today, to bring peace and healing, grace and love.

See saw

Right now I feel like a see saw.  One day I am fine, my faith seems to be strong, the next I am a crumbling pile of cookie crumbs ready to hide out in the nearest cave.

I may have to take a wee break from blogging.  Some things are just too personal to put out there in cyber space, and where I am at now is that space.  I might get up some stuff that speaks too me, but as for my voice, right now it's just needing some tlc from the Creator.

It is a new day

Let us rejoice and be glad in it ....

I am not going to lie to you.  Right now there is some stuff happening in my life that I am struggling with, but with support it is getting easier.  Dear friends who care amazingly for our family gave me a DVD to watch those week and I watched it last night while folding this wash.  One thing really struck me and that was the lies that we let ourselves believe, voices in our head that we start speaking out and  taking for a truth, and slowly but surely they eat away at us.  Today I want to refute those voices and speak God's peace and authority over my life and join with me and do the same in yours.  I was reading this morning (thank you technology) and had two translations beside each other. 

Psalm 120:1,2 I'm in trouble, I cry to God, desperate for an answer.  Deliver me from the liars God, they smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth. (The message version)

I didn't have to read past verse one and two this morning for God to speak to me.  Here I am desperately craving for peace and answers right now, a solution right now.  I know I am in trouble, I cannot solve this on my own.  All the lies do seems sweet, they tell me what I want to hear, but it is empty.  Really the only thing that can help is this.  God and his peace and protection over my life and family.

Psalm 121:7,8
GOD guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.  He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.  (The Message version)

I think these two psalms must have been in some way connected, first the speaker is crying out from the depths of his soul then the answer  came, the rest aNd reassurances he needed.  For me personally m to tell  the honest truth, it has been too long since I have opened the WORD and let it soak m mind amid calm my fears. I have trained ago make things work on my own, but they haven't.  I have leaned on everyone else but God.  Yes, prayers of desperation, prayers of I don't get it, why?.... What now?  Then .... Nothing it seemed.  

Today, and tomorrow and hopefully the days after that I, not through my strength, but with amazing grace - I want to listen for the true voices of the Holy Spirit as he speaks to me throughout the WORD. Maybe I'll get a chance to share this journey with you more - right now, baby is awake.

http://christianmommyblogger.com

Friends

Friends are amazing!  I am so wonderfully blest to have some amazing friends who listen, care and pray! 

The windy is howling, the rain is pelting down so it will be an inside day today - I have Mt. Foldmore to attack and feeling thankful for the dryer that I will put some of the little things in.  I'm not sure what else we'll get up to, but it will probably include a healthy does of play-dough and cutting and glueing.

Leftover Lamb

We're having a version of lamb curry from dinner.  When growing up my Mum used one similar to this.

I have changed it it a bit, adding garlic and cumin and using red curry paste instead of curry powder.  I also add raisens.  Serving it over rice with brussel sprouts (my kids hardly ever get brussel sprouts, so they are a treat food to them .... great huh?) on the side.

"borrowing"

Borrowing a couple of images today from www.timewarpwife.com   They sum up me today - after a very fleeting night.  We have decided that it really is time to cut out bottles for mr.2, or at least transition him to water as otherwise he's going to have no teeth by 3 from all the milos.   So, last night was not a very happy space for him or us.  To be honest, I caved by 11pm and gave him a milo, but by then he was wound up and I was wound up and it went downhill.  The baby girl is still struggling with her excema.  We can't get testing done till August (need to wait till she is one).  Thankfully not to far off, and in the mean time it is a matter of finding a cream/lotion/potion that helps her itching - any advice gladly received.  Throw in me forgetting to nappy the middle one - and a 3am bed change ... today is about gratfully receiving the grace from God to keep on keeping on in this job I've been given.  Thankful for a husband who has gone out in the cold to work for our family - thankful the fire is going and thankful there are friends on the other end of the telephone if I need it. 

Just for the night-nurse!

Hope you have an amazing sleep today.  Thanks for the overnight chit-chat and will talk later!!

Girls

I took a photo of the girls playing together this evening.  Miss 3 thinks that the baby is ready to play with her at all times as her baby, so it was nice  to see her playing with her at her level.  It made my heart go awwww.  I hope and pray these two will grow to be best buddies as well as sisters.  While I have several very special heart sisters, special SIL's - sometimes I wonder what a blood sister would have been like.  I'm super thankful the girls have each other and also pray that they will have heart sisters who are as amazing as mine are when they grow up.  I hope you know who you are ... Love you all loads!!!!

Lists

I like lists.  I like writing them, looking at them and best of all, checking them off - I especially like it if someone else writes the list for me.
I've found an app that does this!  It's brilliant - It is called Motivated Moms and it is available as an app or as an e-book. 

I have to admit, I did pay for the full version, which was about $5 - but it is great.  I can add in things the night before if I have any extra jobs or things I need to remember (today I had to ring the Tuppaware person), but it also has it's own extra jobs above the daily chores that we all do (well, the ones we want to do) daily as well.  I like the load/run/empty dishwasher checkbox ... I can do that pretty much first thing in the morning.  I like that is has a daily bible reading if I want to follow that.  I just like it. 

Right ... off to get the little man to bed, he had a big afternoon sleep, so he's not quite ready, but I am :-) 
Blessings.

Mid week

It's a Wednesday.  Wednesday for us usually involved playgroup in the morning - then tired kids in the afternoon.  Today we only went for a short while as we had an unscheduled hair-dresser's appointment.  Miss 3 chopped her hair last week, and DH and I decided it really needed to be given some attention by a professional to even it out.  So now she is sporting a cute little bob cut just above her chin.  It has tided it up nicely, although her own hair-dressing efforts are still a little obvious.  Mr. 2 also had his first hair-dresser cut.  Neither DH or I are keen to give him the buzz-cut yet, I am sure once we do his blonde hair will disappear - it's already starting to darken at the roots.  So he's looking more big-boy and less baby - which I guess is inevitable - but still sad.  He's still my baby boy, even though his baby sister is only three weeks shy of being one!!  Time has gone so fast.

10 Years

Ten years ago my world changed.  A family lost a daughter and sister.  I lost my best friend. 
Sarah went from driving her car to heaven in the twinkle of an eye through the hands of a young man driving under the influence.  Back then, if felt like life would not be livable - it was a heinous time for everyone.  Now - I have lots of thoughts going through my head.  So much has changed.  While Sarah will remain forever nearly 21 - life has moved on.  I'm hoping to see her younger sister today - might get back later to write some more.

Saturday

How you can tell it's a Saturday in our house .... everyone (minus the adult who gets to sleep in) is up and awake by 5.30.  I'm sure in some households with young kids it's the same story.

This morning I'm excited because once I've cleaned up - and providing the kids are happy to play - I'm going to get some sewing done.  It's a fine line between it being economical to be honest.  I wanted to make some leggings that fitted well for Miss 3.  The material was $23 a meter (probably cheaper if we had a spotlight around) - and I should get at least two pairs for her from that.  I did buy a pattern that also had a skirt and top in it, just because when I'm remaking my old clothes I've been having a bit of trouble with the arms, so wanted to get a handle on that.  Am hoping I'll get a top out of the metre as well, but that could be pushing it.  If not, I should get a pair of leggings for the baby (she's still a baby at 11 months right?).  So at least three pairs of leggings.  It is thicker knit than if I'd bought them from somewhere like T&T but it is no wonder sewing goes out the window in favor of bought goods sometime. 

Lucky for me, I like sewing and as long as it is even with or less than the shop prices I can justify it.  Photos to follow.

Sunday thoughts

Yip ... on a little roll

This is probably one of my favorite songs.  Listen and may you be blessed this Sunday - where ever and however you worship today, in a church, in your home, at your workplace - may the AMAZING GRACE of God wash over you and through you today - and flow into mighty rivers that touch others.

New Creation Church worship song

All done

It's 6.53am according to my kitchen clock and we're all breakfasted. Not all out of pj's yet - but I'll leave them in snuggly warmth until I've sorted out the dishes and put the dishwasher on. It's still raining here - I'm expecting another day of it at least according to the forcast. The country (NZ) has been a bit battered, some of the photos from down south show extensive damage. I'm thankful that here at least the worst of it for us seems to be a few duck ponds created in the paddock and some overflowing drains. DH is going to switch the water tanks around (we have three, two tiny ones that fill, then one big one - so you have to remember to move it over) as the little ones should be pretty full now.

I just wanted to share an amazing thing with you ... about 8 weeks ago I went to get my sewing machine out. Now, my sewing machine is an older model, kinda on it's last legs, but it is still working and does the job that I want it to do. Cue opening it up and not seeing the pedal foot with it. Slight mad dash checking all the places I might have put it (you know, when you don't put something away in the right place but somewhere where you'll just grab it in a few minutes time). Well, it wasn't in any of the usual spots I put things. Not up the bookcase, not in the craft cupboard, not beside my bed and definatly not where it was meant to be, inside the sewing machine cover. For the next eight weeks I have been searching - the linen cupboard, our cupboard, under DS2's bed (he a hoarder) - everywhere I could think. I have trawled TM looking for new pedal foots, gone into our local dealer to check out new machines. That exercise found me redefining my savings goal, with a decision on the machine I liked and a price range in mind.

 I was just over half way there WHEN .... I decided to tidy up our kitchen breakfast bar. This meant I had to go to the pile of electrical cords and find the surge protector thingy (not sure what correct name is). That was under a coiled up extension cord and in the middle of the coiled up extension cord was my sewing machine pedal and cords. I couldn't believe it! I am so thankful. But what I'm most thankful for is not just the sewing machine pedal, it is the lessons I have been taught in the last eight weeks.

 a) Put my things away in the right place straight away - this is a huge thing for me. I'm not so great at doing it - and waste much of my time searching for things I've just dropped into a 'safe' place away from little fingers.
b) Patience is a good thing ... I nearly bought a whole new machine when I didn't have all my savings (CC) because I wanted to do my sewing NOW. A wise friend reminded me that if I waited (and it was only a matter of waiting another 8 weeks or so) the prize would be even sweeter. I am so thankful for her voice of wisdom. Now I can keep saving - and who knows, the machine I am looking forward to getting might even be on sale closer to the end of the year.

c) Sometimes what we think we NEED and what we really need are two different things. I thought I needed my sewing machine - what I really needed was a lesson in patience, perseverance and listening to God's voice inside.

My new dream machine ....

Fellowship Friday (or Saturday here)

Not quite sure if that link up will work, but hopefully.

 I really do want to become a more intentional blogger - but first I (not by my own strength mind you) I want to become an intentional wife, mama and friend. I am blessed with an amazing husband that I am so proud of. I probably don't tell him that enough - but he has been setting up a business and working so hard for our family.  It's different to a year ago when I had him home full time (unemployed) and it has probably taken a good half a year to find my own groove back BUT I am so thankful for the way he works for our family.  He loves us and works hard to provide for us.

Being a mama is a work in progress.  I am learning to count to twenty lots (ten just doesn't cut it at the moment).  A God-given attitude is what I crave the most ... and somehow to impart that to my little people.  We're in the middle of crazy nights - but if I go by the rest of them, there should only be about 600 more nights of broken sleep ... but I want to aim to enjoy those 600 nights of night-time settlings and snuggles and feedings.  I know I all too often wish things away ... but now I am finding myself going ... I don't remember when ... I want to slow down and remember.

Every time I think of my friends I get these amazing warm fuzzies.  I am so spoilt and blessed with my friends.  And even more amazingly - some of these wonderful women I haven't even met in real life, but I count them among my closest friends.  The ones who I know will understand if I ring up and cry out or count to twenty with them on the other end of the phone.  The ones I ring because I need to get off my butt and do some housework (tell you what - amazing how much I can get done in 20mins while yakking on the phone).  The ones who sing good-night songs to my wee ones over skype (love you!!!!) who take the time to love me, my kids and our family.  Those who gently challenge my thinking, encourage my walk with God and bless me with prayers. 

Right, my five minutes are up ... I need to go and sort out whether DS2 is going to be a pirate or a fire-fighter.  Big decisions here for make-believe play.  Blessings my readers and sisters!

- See more at: http://christianmommyblogger.com/fellowship-fridays-42/#sthash.p9Ts3kF9.dpuf

We did it!

My DH came back yesterday with our eldest from a week-long camp at the very top of the North Island.  The whole school went - it was an amazing experience from the sounds of it - and while currently all pictures are residing on DH's cell-phone, I will try and post some later.  They left very early on Tuesday morning, driving to Wellington, flying to Auckland, then driving to Piahia - with the reverse on Saturday - arriving home at 9.30pm.  Yip - long trip for a wee five year old, but seeing his face glow - despite the fact he managed to get an ear infection on the trip - and hearing DH's excited report - totally worth it. 

And as for me - well, with the help of my friends and Mum - I survived a week at home with the four wee ones.  Thankfully there was only one really manky night - and the next day I had an extra pair of hands around.

While we were flying solo we visited a friend for the night with the munchkins - that was a first.  It went pretty well, after a room switch at 10pm they all slept for most of the night. I am so thankful for friends who are happy to host us, it's a big ask (well in my eyes anyways) ... with a whole bunch of inquisitive, touching preschoolers - it's pretty full on.  Our amazing nanny came out for two days while DH was away as well, which meant one day I could zap into town and do all the town things - including picking up some new curtains and a feeding chair (thank you Salvation Army and Savemart) for the girls room.  The two girls are now together and the three boys are together.   We decided to go for a second cot instead of bunks, as for now Mr.2 can stay in the cot for awhile, he's sleeping well in it - so why stuff up a good thing.  Missy needed to move from the portacot into a cot (weight/sitting up etc) and I wanted the little enclave where she was sleeping back as the toy area to tidy up the lounge.  So, up went the new pink and purple curtains (replacing plain navy ones) - since the room is painted an icy light blue (such a cold color) the new curtains have already warmed the room up.  Once I either find my sewing machine pedal foot (honestly, some elf has taken it - I've searched everywhere) or get into crocheting I'll do a set of bright bunting to go on the walls.  They're still getting used to each other's noises at night - but hopefully within a couple of weeks I may get some good stretches out of the littlest one.

That's about it from this end. My time-wasting thing at the moment if Farmville2 - so if you want to be my friend on there ... feel free to let me know :-)  Speaking of time ... I'm going to attempt an early night ...

Blessings to all!!