OH I DO LOVE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE

Given the chance, and with minimal encouragement, I have full confidence my children would live at the beach.

They go mad for it.

This particular day it was freezing. Take no notice of the tutu. There was a wind blowing straight off the Artic - yet these three...happy as clams.

Julia trench dug her way to China.
William ran around after his football until even the Asian tourists taking pictures got bored and wandered off.
And Gabby... Well.... Let's just say that all of this sand here, ended up inside her.

Hours of screen free / money free fun topped off by ice cream and a spa. 

Boom. 

Jacq out...

HOLI MOLY

Holi, a traditional Hindu festival, celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil.

Strictly speaking we celebrate this festival at the beginning of Autumn (oh Southern Hemisphere you backwards temptress), yet as Spring has well and truly sprung - what better excuse than to share a few snaps of what has to be the happiest festival on Earth.

There may be nothing extraordinary or inspirational about these pictures, but I will be forever remember the sunshine, the colours, the sheer delight and energy of everyone on that field.

Take that evil.

Pow.

PS - Information on Auckland's holi festivals can be found here.

MY LITTLE LOVES

That moment you pause and realise just how big they've all become.

My little loves. 

xoxo

BIRTHDAY ALLEY

It may be the beginning of April, but something on the horizon lingers.

Birthday Alley.

In this household there is a one month period of frenzy. William's birthday is late May, while Julia's falls 10 days later at the beginning of June.

In this day and age kids parties appear to have taken on a life of their own. You can disappear down a rabbit warren of pinterest, instagram until it is all quite overwhelming.

While I am not immune from the tantalising photos adorning social media, there comes a point when you have to get a grip. This is a children's party. For the most part they come to see their friends and eat cake. I'm sure there is a lesson in this...

To inspire me into creation, I thought I might share some of our birthday's from previous years. Hopefully you'll find something to inspire you too.


William's 5th BMX Bandit Birthday

One of my favourite to date.

On arrival the kids were given a party bag which contained streamers, stickers and other pieces which they used to decorate their bikes.

We then had a parade (within 5 seconds three kids had fallen off...there was screaming and tears...and that was just me).

I didn't have a huge amount of time in the lead up, so turned to the incredible Karinne at Glamour & Grace who provided the back drop, cupcake toppers, bag tags, bottle wraps and personalised cards.

Julia's 3rd Fairy Princess Party

As a young girl I never dreamt of being a Fairy Princess. If my mother ever deigned adorn my hair with bows, they would be ripped out....along with fistfuls of blonde ringlets.

I've been gifted a daughter who is determined that none of us miss out on the deluxe Princess experience.

Lucky for us we have Fairies on speed-dial in this household and the day was more than a little magical. 

Julia's 2nd Birthday - Butterfly & Cloud Dream Cakes

I realise "double cakes" are crazy but when you have children in daycare they are also a necessity. 

This Butterfly still gives me nightmares. 

William's 4th Birthday - Spiderman Cakes

Question. Is there anything better than a superhero cake? 

Answer. Two superhero cakes!? 

The second of the two cakes took me about 30 minutes to ice and turned out brilliantly. Small win. If you don't have children and can't understand one day you will. Oh you will. 

Julia's 1st Birthday - Wish Bear

Nothing says Happy 1st Birthday like a Care Bear. 

Nothing!

William's 3rd Birthday - Octonauts

If you're not familiar with the Octonauts I suggest you look them up. We were first introduced to this seafaring gang back in 2012 while living in the UK. 

I was in a pinch and the Gup X turned out to be perfectly delicious. 

William's 2nd Birthday - Thomas the Tank Engine

I think I was even more excited than Will, that his 2nd birthday cake turned out so well!

William's 1st Birthday - Rufus

My sister-in-law and I have fond memories of decorating this cake close to midnight the day before Will's 1st birthday party. 

So many lessons were learned in the making of this cake. 

So many fond memories. 

PS: This should go without saying but I wanted to add it anyway. Most of the above pictures are as shot out of my camera. I am simply working at posting. Not prettying. Be kind.

TIME FOR ANOTHER FAMILY PHOTO

Scott and I have this little joke.

Following an argument one of us announces (as they run shrieking from the house) that it "must be time for another family photo".

Why is it that moments of brilliance are often preceded by downright cataclysm? If you tell me that after a hurricane comes a rainbow I will throw a shoe at you.

The day of our most recent family photo started promisingly. Scott and I had set aside an entire day for "family time" - usually the exact ingredients required for the perfect storm.

We started the day by celebrating the Holi Festival - because nothing says "I love you" like a handful of chalk to the face - followed by a sun drenched afternoon of music and entertainment at the opening of the Hobsonville Point amphitheatre.

In fact we were enjoying ourselves so much that we forgot to argue.

At all...

So as the sun dipped below the tree line, turning the landscape that delicious honey colour that looks as though it should be served on toast, we admitted defeat.

There would be no argument this year. We would just have to make do with amazing memories and happy family snaps.

I know right...snore!

Enjoy ;)

ONE LITTLE RED SUIT

Today I was reading a book with Julia.

A book about sounds.

On the page was a Dog, a Sheep and a Cat.

ME: "What noise does a Dog make?"
JULIA: "Woof! Woof!"
ME: "What noise does a Sheep make?"
JULIA: "Baaaa"

In the picture the Cat was purring.
ME: "What does Fox do when you pat her?"
JULIA: "She bites me"

Me. Palm. Face.

On a completely different matter in 2010 I purchased a little red suit in a sale from Farmers. I wanted to take some pictures to remember Will's first Christmas.

In 2013 I pulled it out for Julia's first Christmas. As there is only 10 days between their birth dates I thought it would be cute to have pictures taken at a similar age.

In 2016 I pulled it out once again for Gabriella. It swamped her. I put it away and waited another few months. It's still a little big (she really is our baby) - but the thought was there.

It's funny how these seemingly ordinary items become part of the fabric of a family. It's stretched, stained and probably just needs to be binned yet I've fondly put it to one side ever hopeful that one day it might make an appearance.

I'm well aware that we are now in March and this should have been shared in December. But check out these little faces below and tell me it doesn't bring a bit of festive cheer to the middle of your week.

Jacq

William - 2010

Julia - 2013 

Gabriella - 2016

OUR THREE CRAZIES - 2016

Okay, okay I confess. I took advantage of the fact they will wear Santa hats and pose for pictures...What?!

(No children were embarrassed in the production of these photos...babies that fart just happen to be hilarious to 6 year olds)