All partied out

I can't beleive it's already Monday. The weeks are flying by.

I'm loving this warmer weather we have been having. Party season is definitley in full swing.



We had a weekend off from open homes so took full advantage and jam packed the weekend with lots of socialising, a trip to the beach and two birthday parties. I love kids birthday parties but they're really not good for the waistline. I mean really, who can resist Tim Tam chocolate cake, mmmm it was delicious. Remind me not to ever get that recipe because it's deadly I tell you. We enjoyed an impromptu pizza night on Friday night with our good friends who popped in. Drank way too much wine. Then on Saturday night we had our old neighbours come down for dinner. It's been way too long between visits so it was lovely to catch up. They were such great neighbours and we miss them a lot. Cooper had a blast with Alexis and well Blake just annoyed the two of them in true Blake style. Blake is just so adorable but so cheeky. Which reminds me I really need to post some photos from his birthday party.

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

Now to tackle the week ahead. It's going to be a busy one.

Almost 30....

4 more weeks left in my 20's.

Surely it's not the case. Surely it's not already October. This year has just flown and in 4 more weeks I will no longer be in my 20's. I'm really looking forward to my party, if only it was more organised. Mental note, must send out invitations this weekend. At the beginning of the year I was feeling very unsettled about turning 30. I'm not even sure why but now that it's even closer i'm not so hesitant any more. In fact I can't wait to embrace the next chapter of my life. The dirty thirties ? So are they really dirty ? I certainly don't intend on rolling around in mud to celebrate. So i've got my gorgeous dress all ready to wear. I just need to find some party heels and organise a cake and i'm ready to PARTY!!!! Oh and I also need to figure out who's going to babysit my kids for the night. That could be quite difficult considering everyone I know will be at my party.



Here's to celebrating one chapter of my life that has passed and embracing the next.

BRING IT ON!!

Exciting times ahead....

I've had some really good things happen this week and i'm really excited about times ahead. I feel like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I think i've come out a much stronger and wiser person. Well I hope so anyway. I feel like i've ridden a rough wave but there is definitey smoother waters head.

I can't share my exciting news just yet but I promise I will as soon as i'm able.

On other big news. I'm enrolling Cooper in to 'big boys school' tomorrow. I've finally decided which way to go and i'm actually very excited for him. It's the most lovliest school and i'm just so happy with how things have worked out. Even better news is that it's the same school that I actually went to so it's very special. He's so.... excited about the idea of having a uniform and even more excited about the fact that the school has a 'really big swimming pool'. Oh how I love how kids appreciate the finer details in life. So whilst he's worried about the size of their pool i'm super impressed with their approach to learning and just how up to date they are with the latest technology. They're a research based school so it's going to be very interesting times ahead for my little Cooper. I still can't believe he's going to be going to school next year. I guess i've still got 4 months to get used to the idea.

I hope everyone is well, ciao for now.

My baby turns 2

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous little man Blake.



You have given me two of the happiest and most wonderous years and I love you so much. I still can't believe that was 2 years ago that you came flying in to this world kicking and screaming and full of life. You haven't changed a bit. You're growing up way too fast for my liking but at the same time i'm so proud of the little boy you're growing in too. Cooper loves having a little brother like you and your Mummy & Daddy adore your cheeky and affectionate nature.



I still can't believe you were once that little. Who would have thought something so sweet and innocent would turn in to a stubborn and independant little toddler. But I wouldn't change you for the world. You are perfect just the way you are, attitude and all.





Today it's just you and Mummy at home so I think we'll go and have your favourite lunch, Sushi Train of course. And then tomorrow night when your Daddy gets back from his work trip we'll have a cake and special dinner and then of course your birthday party on Sunday with all your friends and family. The party that Cooper has insisted be a "Wiggles" party which I know you'll love because for some reason you love those silly 4 men dressed up in colourful skivvies.

Happy Birthday my big 2 year old spunk. I can't wait to watch you grow and learn as each year passes. I'm so proud to call you my son. Being your Mummy is the BEST job in all the world.

No words

No words for this post.
I think the picture says it all. It's been a VERY challenging week.

The simple things

I am really starting to appreciate the simple things in life. Things that 12 months ago I might have taken for granted because I wasn't open to them or I was just too busy to appreciate them. The last 12 months have been some of the hardest times of my life and i've had some really low low's but i'm actually grateful for all of it because i've learnt so much. So much about myself, about the people I surround myself with. It's made me appreciate what I do have and not worry about what I don't.

Simple things like this morning watching my boys take turns turning the handle on the Quick Chef washing strawberries. I just stopped and watched my gorgeous boys that I have created and watched them get so excited over such a simple thing. I love watching them do things, learn different things and see life through their eyes. It's so innocent and pure.






It feels amazing to be more present and in the moment. Slow down and smell the roses. Appreciate all the small things and NEVER take them for granted.

Missing in action

It's almost been a week since my last post but I do have a decent excuse. I've been really quite sick and so has Cooper. It all started last Friday night when Cooper was complaining of a sore ear and he had the high temperature to go with it so I knew something was up. By Saturday morning he was really lethargic and ended up bringing up his breakfast so it was off to the doctors for us. We spent an hour and a half waiting to see a GP. Gotta love our health care system. But when he was finally seen he had actually started to perk up which was good. He was prescribed some antibiotics and off we went. This is only the second time he's ever need antibiotics so because his body wasn't used to it they took pretty quickly and that night he seems almost 100% because he was starting to ask for pizza and ice cream. Don't you know ice cream fixes everything Mummy ? So our grand plans for Saturday night of going down to Palm Beach to an outdoor movie were cancelled and we had a quite night in.

Come Sunday morning the 'bug' had hit me pretty hard and I was feeling lethargic myself and I started to get that tickle in my throat. I knew it wasn't good. Because i've had Tonsilitis before I knew the feeling. The fevers started Sunday afternoon and my Sunday night I was a mess. I was up half the night shaking uncontrollably and my throat was so sore it hurt to breathe at times. So thankfully I was able to get in to a doctor first thing Monday morning and yes, they confirmed. I had Tonsilitis. I was feeling very sorry for myself. I haven't had it for years and was actually due to get my tonsils out a few years back but then when my name finally came around for surgery I was pregnant with Cooper and never bothered to go back on the list because I never caught it again, until now of course. So I was popping the antibiotics like lollies and pain relief and thankfully within 48 hours I was feeling half human again. I am still not 100% but feeling miles better than 3 days ago. The AB's worked pretty quickly which was a relief.

The only up side to this sick weekend/week is that I managed to finish a book that I started a few weeks back and never got around to finishing. It's called "Half the Sky" by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn about women around the world and it's a very empowering read. I actually first heard of this book on Oprah of all places and i'm so glad that I happened to watch the show that day because to a certain extent this book has changed my life, changed the way I look at certain things. Got to love a book that can do that. Please give it a go because it's really brilliant and inspiring.



Check out their foundation for more information and also how you can help and make a difference.

Anyway here's hoping this weekend and following week coming is going to be a better one.

Goodbye sickness, hello good health.

We have grass

We have grass!! And no not the funky kind.





The kind that my kids can finally run around on. Although not for long because now that the house is finally finished it's time to put it on the market. It has been such a long drawn out process trying to get this house finished. But it's been worth it because the place looks amazing and the selling of the house means that L and I can move on with our lives and we can finally have a direction with the kids and start working out how this co-parenting thing is going to work. We first bought this block of land back in January 2009 and it took a year for the land to settle and then the building process of course so we didn't actually end up moving in until January of this year. Trying to build a house with two kids had it's challenges that's for sure. But I think the end result speaks for itself.





Now for the pain staking task of actually getting it on the market and weekends of open homes. Running around on a Saturday morning cleaning the house with the kids probably making more mess as I go. Gosh this is going to be fun. My fingers and toes are crossed that we get a quick sale and everything goes smoothly.

My big 4 year old

I'm so proud of my gorgeous Cooper. I still cannot believe it was 4 years ago you were this small and angelic.



You were such a sweet and gorgeous little baby. So happy and content. Mummy's little angel. You loved your booby and loved your sleep. You were never a hassle and smiled and gooed at everyone that looked your way.

And now you're my big boy. My big 4 year old boy. Where have those 4 years gone ? I look at you now with such immense pride but at the same time i'm sad for the years that have gone by so quickly. But you'll always be my baby. I love that you still let me smother you in kisses and blow rasberries on your belly. I love that every single day the first thing you say to me when I wake up is "How are you feeling today Mumma" and I love that know matter how crappy a day i'm having you can make my day by handing me a compliment. "Aww I love your hair like that Mum" or "You're so pretty today Mum" He's full of compliments. You're such an affectionate and compassionate little boy for which i'm so proud.

And clever, gosh you're clever. I blame Mummy's genes for that one ;-)
You have come such a long way and you amaze me every day with the little things you come out with or the things you manage to do that totally blow me away. I love how passionate you are about writing and drawing. Just like your Mummy was.

This is the drawing that Cooper did last night of his aeroplane. You were so proud and made Mummy take about 20 photos to make sure we got the perfect one. You're also a perfectionist. Another trait that you got from me.



I love you so much my big boy. And I love being your Mumma more than anything in the world.

Go Julia!!!

Phew!!!! Massive sigh of relief from me.



I hope you come through with the goods Julia.

And that's all I have to say about that ;-)