everything by twos

time to separate the twins

2012-01-27T16:43:00.000+10:00

Its one of those dilemmas every parent of twins faces

same class or separate classes?

Last year for their first year the girlies were in the same class. I was unsure whether this was the way to go but it turned out to be the best thing for them.

They thrived under the care and guidance of their teacher and had no anxiety issues to deal with about being separated.

My only concern was that during parent teacher interviews the teacher would talk about how they were doing PLURAL not about each one individually and there were times when I wondered if she even knew who she was talking about.

But then again even I get them mixed up and I'm their mother.

This year being their first 'offical' year of curriculum I wanted to ensure they had a chance to shine on their own merit, and a chance to be known for their own talents.

A chance to not be asked "which one are you?"

The first day was full of excitement to be returning to school after our summer holidays.

I was a little nervous about it all

but the girlies

NOT AT ALL.

Hubby was at work so I had the job of settling them into their classrooms.

one upstairs one downstairs

Both with stationary to be unpacked, bags to be put away and most importantly teacher welcome speeches to be heard.

I missed both teacher talks.

Miss B I dropped off first, gave a brief kiss and told her I would be back after I settled Miss N. (who was waiting outside the classroom with boyboy, pram and HUGE box full of books.)

Then downstairs (around the ramps due to pram) to settle Miss N.

The teacher was just wrapping up her speech, all children seated and parents listening attentively.

Oops.

I quickly go about my duties and kiss her goodbye, she looks at me with big silent eyes but assures me she is OK and i leave.

Back upstairs (around the ramp) where i walk in on the tail end of Miss B's teachers speech.

Miss B is all smiles so i help unpack her box and head off.

via Miss N just to make sure she was OK.

Thankfully she is sitting happily involved in classroom activity.

I had survived.

My advice to parents of twins... first day of the school year in separate classrooms take another adult with you.

The first week has been an interesting adjustment.

I had wondered if they would miss each other.

They don't.

I had hoped that they would play more and fight less when at home.

The are.

One thing I hadn't considered was the classrooms moving along at different paces and learning different things. So one of my girls is grappling with the reality that not everything is the same for them.

She keeps asking, 'how come I don't have home reading yet?" or "how come we don't do...?"

She is comparing, as am I.

I'm trying not to, trying to give each teacher a chance to shine on their own merit just like I want for my girls.

So I am reserving judgment.

waiting and watching

and praying that they both get the education they deserve.

WEZA xxx

Eat, Enjoy & Lose with me - recipe share

2012-01-22T23:30:00.002+10:00

Healthy delicious recipes needn't be difficult to come by.

Weight loss is hard enough. Lets make this easy.

Share your healthy recipes here each week, or simply pop by for a healthy meal idea.

This weeks Recipe:

Basil chicken with tomato and zucchini risoni.

sourced from Weight Watchers Programme Cookbook 2011

Guilt free cooking doesn't get much easier than this.

Packed full of fresh veggies, basil and whole grains it promised to be a hit.

The ingredients:

in no particular order. there are no favourites here...
Rocket, Basil, lemon, risoni pasta, olive oil
green beans. zucchini. grape tomatoes chicken stock and fresh chicken breasts. Oh and I totally missed the garlic.
Gotta have the garlic.

Now lets get cooking.
Set a large pot of salted water to boil.

once its got a good bubble on add the risoni.
Cook for around 11mins or until just tender.

Then prepare the chicken.
Be warned you are going to have to handle raw meat.
But your tough, you can do it.

Slice the chicken breast in half and lay in a shallow dish.

Add lemon rind, lemon juice, basil, garlic and olive oil and toss to coat.

heat a large non stick frying pan or grill over a medium-high heat.

add chicken and cook for approx two minutes each side.

By now its starting to smell OH SO GOOD!

Once it is cooked transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

In yet another pot...

(or if your like me use the pot from the drained pasta)

heat a little olive oil

add the beans zucchini and tomatoes, toss to coat and cook for around two minutes.

add some chicken stock, the drained risoni

and cook stirring for two minutes or until heated through.

Stir through some more basil and season with salt and pepper.

Serve, eat and enjoy.

I loved this meal. Great flavours, full of goodness and I felt good about eating it. The beauty of this meal is that it can be prepared in advance and is a quick cook for busy nights.

I would pop this onto my weekly food list however my girlies would be unimpressed. I plan on making this again, perhaps when friends come for dinner or when the the girlies aren't here.

So here is the recipe:

Basil chicken with tomato and zucchini risoni

Serves 4

Pro points per serve 9

Ingredients

1 Cup of risoni pasta

3/4C fresh basil leaves

4x120g skinless chicken breasts,

fat trimmed and halved horizontally

1tsp finely grated lemon rind

2Tbsp lemon juice

1 garlic clove crushed

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

300g green beans, trimmed

200g grape tomatoes

1/4C chicken stock

rocket to serve.

Method

Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water. Until just tender. drain.
Meanwhile finely shred 1/4C of basil. Place chicken, lemon rind, juice, basil, garlic and half the oil into a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. toss to coat.
Lightly spray a large non stick fry pan and heat over a medium-high heat.Cook chicken for two minutes each side or until cooked trough. transfer to a plate, cover to keep warm.
Heat remaining oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Cook zucchini, beans and tomatoes stirring for 2 minutes or until vegetables are softened.Add stock and risoni and cook, stirring for two minutes or until heated through. stir in remaining basil and season with Salt and pepper. Serve risoni with rocket and chicken.

Enjoy!

This is my first ever linky so I'd love it if you would join me.

Post a healthy recipe on your blog before Friday and link it up here to share the love. (here's hoping the linky works)

WEZA xxx

Beautiful friends - another reason to be thankful

2012-01-21T08:47:00.002+10:00

I have moved around a lot. and with every move i have wondered at the friendships to be made.

As i get older I am aware more and more that beautiful friends are a precious gift not to be taken for granted.

On Wednesday evening we headed out to farewell our beautiful friend Bonnie.

She suggested we dress up fancy, don heels and head out for a girls night.

She had me at fancy.

Any excuse to get out of the jandels and put on some stockings.

The restaurant Libertine was inspirational.

Chandelier's, gold and purple wall paper

vintage light shades

PLUS delicious food.

Fun fun fun

Bonnie is the reason we are all friends.

A woman who is doing what she is passionate about.

and it truly shows.

I am going to miss her.

Im going to stop talking for a moment just so you can drool over these pics.

then we headed to Park Road for coffee and dessert.

A little Italian place with the most wonderful sweet cannelloni,

Affogatto for me and cake as well.

all dressed up

close to midnight and still kicking up our heels.

So loving good friendships.

Loving and thankful for these girls.

Linking in with Paisley Jade and Kate says Stuff

(does it count if I started writing this on thursday?)

A very hungry caterpillar party

2012-01-17T09:28:00.001+10:00

Boyboy has officially been welcomed into his one year old status.

birthday falls in late december, everyone busy, away blah blah so had party this weekend. Which actually suits me fine as i am normally late to give gifts, if I even do and I rarely do anything on time.

Pinterest is a treasure trove of wonderful party ideas that I have blatantly borrowed to put together this party.

So thanks to others wonderful creative ideas, my mad skills and a bunch of friends this party turned out just the way i imagined.

irony: we dont own the very hungry caterpillar book. I have never read it to boyboy. But I love the theme and really the first party is about the parents making it through the first year without falling apart. RIGHT.

lets get to the pics:

The invite:

Idea adapted from this picture.

The Party

Upon arrival all children were given a cup of Caterpillar food.

Apples, pears, plums, strawberries, oranges... healthy, colourful and pretty.

Simple card idea from here

and now for the Saturday food.
One cupcake, one sausage, one piece of cheese, one piece watermelon, one lollipop. might i say this food was eaten quickly. I wonder if all the little caterpillars went home with sore tummys?

This hungry caterpillar watched from on high. keeping the beetles bugs and birds away.

Thanks to hubbys sister for the idea.

remains of cupcake. gone in 60 seconds.

present time. the way the children gathered to see the gifts thrills me. Excitement to see how their gift was received. its good to teach our children to be givers. That the world is not all about them. and these kids were wonderful at it. the best part.

It was a fun fun day.

Although forecast to storm the rain stayed away until the next day. and has set in ever since.

Blessed.

Hope your weekend was fabulous and bliss filled.

WEZA xxx

Linking in with

Living a thankful life

2012-01-13T12:06:00.001+10:00

I know im going on about this a lot lately, but the stopping and taking notice makes me so happy.

Thankfulness is to a weary soul what antibiotics is to an infection.

there is something about a good cup of tea

with my girlies.

Swimming intensive everyday this week = more water confidence than ever before

with the added benefit of hanging out with some lovely mamma's at the same time.

Whats not to love about ice blocks

Love how little girls like to dress the same

and finally I am loving organising two parties at once

My big boys 21st

and boyboys 1st

Linking in with Paisley Jade and Kate Says stuff 

(i know i know its not thursday)

wordless wednesday - flashback

2012-01-11T22:07:00.000+10:00

 From this (2006)

to this (2009)

to now (2012) 

Blink of an eye!

Linking in with My Little Drummer Boys

All things bright and beautiful

2012-01-10T06:46:00.002+10:00

There really is something about stopping and taking a picture that adds to your life.

Snippets of time forever grasped by one small click of a button or in my case tap of a screen.

Hasn't photography come a long way!

Now I am no photographer but i do love a good challenge so when I saw

the January photo-a-day challenge over at fat mum slim I couldn't resist.

The premise is simple - take a photo a day and post it to twitter or instagram with the hash tag #JANphotaday. or you can do it on your blog, flicker or really anywhere web based and link it to this page.

There are loads of people playing catch up so why don't you jump on board.

Its fun

There are thousands of photos to peruse

and most of all it gives me another way to pursue JOY.

My first week of photos:

Day One: {you} or me.

Day Two: {breakfast}

Day three {something you adore}

Day four: {your letterbox}

Day five {something you wore}

BTW this little owl true vintage. Can anyone tell me how old it might be?

Day six {favourite}

Day seven {your sky}

This weeks challenges are interesting.

It includes whats in my handbag. and we all know what that can look like. eek

I am on twitter and instagram. To follow just click the links in my side bar.

Hope you are all loving your summer holidays

and for all my northern hemi friends, wear a funky hat and scarf for me today. OK.

LOVE WEZA

Thankful Thursday - open eyes

2012-01-05T15:26:00.002+10:00

This has been a week of tremendous blessing. Not in a monetary kind of way - we weren't one of the 31 people to win Gold lotto on Saturday - but in a much richer way. 

My eyes have seen, my heart has felt, my ears have heard just how very loved I am.

Loved by my husband who put together this video for me on the last day of the year. Warning, do not watch this if your husband is not romantic, it will make you extremely jealous and you will want to scratch my eyes out. But if you havent seen it already, its a good watch. Promise. except hubby didnt think about any of the outfits for him and the children. (im choosing to look past this)

Loved by my children who cuddle and hug me ALL THE TIME.

Loved by my friends.

Loved by God.

Being loved is one thing but KNOWING we are loved is another. Our eyes can be closed to it, our hearts hurt and therefore switched off from it and ears that only hear the noise of life, never still enough to hear the whisper of truth. YOU ARE LOVED.

This week, as with most of the world I set myself some goals, to see joy in my world.
The profound effect this has had on my life is already blowing me away.
You see I can be a Negative Nellie, always asking the silent question "do you love me" and often answering with a silent NO of course he/they/she doesnt! If so then he/they/she would have done this.
This of course happens because I am a girl from a messed up world. Life messed me up, messed with my head and my heart.
But I dont have to stay messed up. I wasn't created to be that way, I was created in the image of God, created to be whole, complete and loved. Why? Because that is how God works, and God has sorted it so i can be set straight.
It seems to be a straightening period in my life right now.
I am thankful for it.

What are you thankful for this week?

If you want to know more about what I have talked about today then flick me an email and I would be happy to share. everythingbytwos(at)gmail(dot)com

WEZA

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2012-01-01T22:51:00.002+10:00

I love a good party

a reason to celebrate,

 to get the girls together and laugh loudly

and NYE that is exactly what we did.

Dinner with a few of my nearest and dearest friends.

It was wonderful and in the middle of it I found myself stopping to capture the feeling of joy, storing it away in my heart

savouring the wonderfulness of it all.

This Year i choose to be happy. To live in JOY.

Joy

That is my word for this year.

JOY
noun 
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success. 
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy. 
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety. 
4. a state of happiness or felicity.
Everyday I am choosing to take delight in my world. I have been stirred to do this of late. Everything seems to be pointing in that direction for me. But that is how God works isnt it. When he speaks to us, a reoccurring theme surrounds us till we get the message... we for me anyway, i need it to be LOUD AND CLEAR.

Heres how im Joying in my world.

First and foremost I am ensuring I get time to read the word. I have it on my phone and have been using the devotion app now for awhile. Its great. Anywhere anytime i have the bible with me. If i have 5 mins spare I can open it and read. Kids playing nicely, open the bible. soak, read, get inspired.

I have downloaded the One thousand gifts app to my phone. This allows me to take photos of the gifts in my world and store it away. 1000 moments of gratefulness, moments of seeing God at work in my world. 

Heres a pic from yesterday:

Beautiful trinkets to brighten my day.

I am reading Pockets of Happiness an ebook by Naomi Ellis.

Its is like she has tapped into my pondering and answered all my questions.

Having seven children I am sure she has walked the mumma path before me. Experience is a good teacher.

Its good, I promise.

Each week I am setting our children a character focus.

This week is Kindness.

We are learning about and practicing kindness.

next week: gratefulness

I am choosing to wear nice pjs to bed.

A small act for my husband as I am known to crawl into bed in old undies and a singlet. But I kind figured it was time to be a bit more... Im not sure what the word is but its time anyway.

 Joy is something we choose,

choose to see the good,

choose to soak in God

choose.

Im choosing.

WEZA xxx

today hubby gave the BEST gift

2011-12-31T18:15:00.000+10:00

I had another post planned for today. 

A post about our year, a year in pictures so to speak.

But then Hubby boycotted the computer and my phone. I was sent off to shop and he made me was has to be the best gift I have ever received!

I would love to share this with you. 

<br><br><br>You

This comes after posting about family and balance. After a little moan.

I don't think he read it, but he knew i needed this. and i feel so very very blessed.

Happy New Year my dear friends.

WEZA

Its Boyboys day

2011-12-30T19:57:00.000+10:00

Goodbye baby

Hello Toddler

Its boyboys birthday!

A whole year has passed!

Today as we enjoyed a family beach day, I found myself reminiscing...

"Honey this time last year we were...

It was such wonderful day, the day he was born.

My first glimpse of him had me thinking 'oh my he is UGLY' but then he was covered in blood and goo and screaming his little lungs out.

But the time I held him my arms i had changed my mind. I was so in love, and I still am. 

This little man bring us such joy. He is our little Koala, he loves to cuddle, and kiss. His affection for his sisters is beautiful, every morning he crawls as fast as he can to find his sissys and then its cuddles, kisses and playtime.

Singing 'you are my sunshine' will always settle this little man, as well as 'the rainbow song' and the song from Busby. "Theres a buzz buzz buzz in the meadow, theres a buzz buzz buzz in the trees..."

Boyboy you are the joy of my heart. I love you more than words. 

Happy Birthday my precious little man. xxx

Oh to be a man...

2011-12-29T07:57:00.001+10:00

This deliciousness is all mine,

Yep

I got lucky

But then again so did he.

Hubby loves to surf, it is his place of peace. His happy place. and the surf around us at the moment is EPIC apparently. So the boards have been in use, on boxing day hubby got up at 2am so he could be in Noosa by dawn. he surfed those waves long and hard along with 200 other addictees just like him.

yesterday hubby proposed another dawny surf. But I love the way he puts it.
"Ill be back by 9 and all you have to do is pop on a DVD for the kids."
yeah right! Cause parenting is THAT easy.

5am I woke to screaming boyboy.
The empty bed reminded me of the dawny...
One lone board propped up in the corner mocked me (does anyone else share a bedroom with their hubbys boards?)

Boyboy had created a pootastrophy... it was everywhere. Hubbys surfing waves, I'm changing sheets and cleaning poo. HMMM

By 5.40am I had done a load of washing, broken up two fights, made breakfast and washed all my windows.

So I might be exaggerating on the window front but you get the picture.

The balance is kinda out of whack right now. But then again hubby is on holiday after a LONG year of working very hard to put food on the table. and I do appreciate it I really do.

But I wonder when my time will come? My 'dawny surf' equates to a good book, a beach and sleep ins.

I have heard it said a thousand times, you are no good to your children if you don't take care of yourself. But really that is easier said than done. I try to take time for me, have my sleep ins, go for a run/walk, however, most of the time I put it off for the families sake. A child is screaming when I'm trying to sleep in. A family outing awaits when I want to walk for an hour, and when I do get time to myself I feel a little alone to be honest. and I don't quite know what to do.

Family has kinda become my life.

I don't really have an answer to my dilemma, I know I need to take time for me, to get myself a 'hobby' as hubby so rightfully puts it. but I am torn. I think most women feel the same, our children come first, then everything else, then us last. And really is that a bad thing??? This season is so short and before we know it our little everything's have grown up and are living in the big city about to turn 21. GASP.

Is it that we are created this way? To care for and nurture our babies. To find joy and laughter in their joy, their laughter. To give to them until we are empty, only to refill and do it all again the next day. Or do we, do I need to find balance? Do I need to take time for myself, even when the kids are screaming? Do I just need to put on my runners and walk out the door for an hour?

Anyone found an answer to this? How do you take care of yourself? revitalise?
I would love to know.

WEZA

Christmas calls for creativity and charm. - on a budget!

2011-12-23T20:59:00.001+10:00

Only two more wakes until christmas! EEEE

We are nearly ready, grocery shopping is done, house is decorated, tomorrow is all about baking and cleaning. Preparation for Sunday. I am feeling so excited.  

i have been busy making the past few days.

These biscuits come from HERE

Thanks Pasiley Jade, they really are GOOD!

I have just finished making and hanging pompoms over our table.

 These are super easy to make and only cost $2 each.

Cheap and cute... DONE!

Excuse the picture quality, iphones and night photography dont mix.

But I just couldnt wait to show you.

 And last but not least...

Its boyboys first Christmas, and every child needs a stocking right?

After careful consideration I decided to turn an old woolen turquoise blanket into stockings for my three little everything's living at home.  The girlies stockings were ones I'd brought from Coles one year. There was no way I could make one for the boy and not for my girls as well.

Upon discovering that they were allowed to choose from Mummas stash of fabrics the girlies eyes lit up and excitement reigned.

Just because they are twins does not mean they have the same taste. Oh NO it doesn't.

Miss B choose polka dots and stripes.  She was not leaving the stripy tape alone, it HAD to be used.

Miss N headed straight for the vintage goodness. She chose the little girl first and then built her idea from there.

Then it was my turn to intervene. Fabric chosen, now Mumma will arrange and sew.

Boyboy of course was happy just to sit at my feet and attack the machine peddle whenever he could. I'm sure he loves what I came up with for him. 

I think they turned out alright to... In fact I am loving them hanging from my makeshift 'mantle'.

Here's wishing you all a very merry and fulfilling Christmas.

Thanks to all of you who faithfully stuck around while I found my mojo under a pile of washing, dishes and dirty nappies. I love all of you who stop by here.

See you on the other side of the most wonderful time of the year.

God Bless

Weza xxx

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-22T05:25:00.001+10:00

There is always so much that we can find to be thankful for.

As Miss B so aptly put it yesterday 'Only three more wakes until christmas'. I love her take on it.

This week has been such an eye opener for me, its like a cloud has lifted from my eyes,
perhaps it was the deleting of FB?

But I really do find myself more thankful,
more ready to enjoy,
more PRESENT in my world.

I am loving the unforced rhythms of school holidays.
Mornings spent in pjs

Time spent MAKING with my girlies
These are a work in progress.

So thankful to have found my Christmas spirit.

I havent made it to the shops this week

we have been hanging at home and at the park.

Im also thankful for finding so many awesome Aussie blogs around the place,

how it took me so long to realise this is beyond me...

Loving Life.

Linking up with Kate @ kate says stuff

Wordless Wednesday Aussie style

2011-12-21T06:51:00.001+10:00

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys

Five little kittens

2011-12-20T09:59:00.000+10:00

Milly is a Mumma cat

5 little kittens born Dec 19th

All the colours of her fur

One white

One Grey

two tortishell

and one peach and white.

She is such a wonderful mumma

not leaving their side even to eat.

her bowl came to her

I wondered how whe would be

She is so young herself

not quite one

I know how she feels

Teenage mother

and Multiples

the girlies stayed at there karanis lastnight

they will meet our new additions this afternoon.

What a wonderful christmas gift.

New Life!

Weekend Bliss

2011-12-18T11:20:00.000+10:00

Its a bliss filled weekend here.

Birthday celebrations for our nephew River.

Chilling out

Listening to this album

The children and hubby went back to bed this morning and I read a book!

a beautiful rare opportunity not to be squandered.

I love this line from the book.

'to Sissy, her father was normal enough - a stomach, yes, but flesh that seemed lived in and worn, like a favourite chair.'

is your flesh lived in and worn like a favourite chair?

I like to think of myself like that, comfortable and favoured.

About to head to the city for a stroll through southbank with the family.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend

WEZA xxx

Holidays are here! (a week ago)

2011-12-14T17:17:00.000+10:00

School has finished here for another year.

One whole school year has passed and both my girlies thrived under the care and guidance of their teacher Miss Morton and aide Miss Guthrie. Ignore the Miss label, they may be Mrs or Miss, it doesnt matter all teachers are called Miss or Mr. No other title. weird.

Anywho, as usual i digress.

We are three days into our 6 week summer holiday break. At least i think its 6 weeks. i havent counted properly and if its longer I dont want to know. if its shorter i will be pleasently surprised. Im like that.

Monday was spent mostly at home, with a brief visit to the library to pick up some reading distractions.  Miss B, ever my director, was most displeased and lamented about the B O R I N G day we were having every.five.minutes!

i discovered something on Monday. if my kids are bored they want to eat. which is not a good thing when your on a budget and trying to scrape money together for christmas.

Tuesday was awesome. Which is what this post is actually about. Our awesome day.

Lets just pretend we started here ok.

********************

Adventures to the city in search of Santa and "THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE WORLD!"

We live in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, an hours train ride to the city. 35 minutes in the car, but of course thats no fun when your a kid. So along with two other friends and our kids we set off on our first adventure of these holidays.

The search for Santa 

Theres something about the city
The hustle and bustle
suit clad bodies and high heeled feet,
buskers,
little coffee stalls,

and of course BIG department stores.

MYER is where we found Santa.

Their window displays are awesome.

I loved that the Navity scene was in window number 1.
The christmas story has not been totally lost you know.

Each window was crowded with children wide eyed and opened mouthed.
It truely is magical and fun.

Finding Santa took some time. First we had to go to the forth floor,

write a letter to Santa, take a train ride through santa land

and then you could meet him. After of course going through two waiting rooms each watched over by Santas very friendly helpers.

We tried to get a photo of Boyboy on santas knee but he took one look at the jolly man and was having none of it.
Rudolf would have to do.
The girlies on the other hand totally believed they met the real santa. Beautiful.


the tree was my REAL reason for our trip.
I wanted to see her.

She really is so beautiful
and BIG.
So very very cool.

At night she is even more magestic,
clothed in blue sparkly lights
she is a sight to behold.

How does your city decorate for Christmas?

Are you going to see the sights?

Goodbye Facebook

2011-12-12T14:24:00.001+10:00

I have just ripped of the band aid.
De-activated Facebook.
Goodbye
It feels surreal. Silly even, but I knew it needed to happen.

When I first started my FB account it was to keep in touch with a few friends and family back home in New Zealand after we moved to Australia. A place to share photos of our life and let people know whats going on in our world.

But it slowly became something I no longer liked. A weird sort of voyeurism, and it was taking over my world.

In essence the idea of facebook is good, but I was spending far to much time on it, reading about the comings and goings of people I hardly even know, friends from long ago and really it was all false relationship. I was also tired of having conversations with people that went something like this "How have you been?"...begin response "Yeah I saw that on Facebook" Its kind of a conversation killer.

So this morning i began to delete people who I didn't really need to communicate with, but it was CRAZY slow and I began to think again, just delete your account. I searched around for a while to see if I could download my photos and when I found the archive button under account settings I decided it was time.
I saved my pictures and deleted my account.

Gone!

Well not quite, they say its all there if i want to log back in again. Grrr.

Of course this means i will now use this place as a forum to share our lives with friends and family. Which is a good thing, because I want to continue blogging, I want this to grow.

And in order to grow I actually need to post. Haha

And now for a few gratuitous photos of my gorgeous children.

Eli when he was here in June.

Yes I failed to post about it. hehe

The girlies have been learning to skate. daddy is well pleased. apparently they are naturals. unlike their mother who will fall over just looking at the things.

Us. taken at a recent carols event.

And finally, Boyboy, cuter than ever and nearly One.

Hope you are all still alive and kicking.

WEZA

life is H.O.T HOT!

2011-11-19T10:01:00.001+10:00

Things are heating up here in a big way. This week temperatures were 8 degrees higher than the average for this time last year.I LOVE HEATWAVES!

There is something about the passing of time that just blows my mind.

Where oh where has this year gone? This time last year I was heavily pregnant eagerly awaiting the arrival of boyboy, and now here we are with this gorgeous boy who just LOVES being at the beach.

Who knew?

Its Saturday here. 10.04 in the morning. Hubby has just called to say that he is going to be working later than expected. Which is a two edged sword. One one hand it means there will be more money in our bank account this week (MUCH needed), but on the other hand I just want him home here with me and the kids so we can hang out, connect and be family.

Our church has recently introduced a Saturday evening service. I am super excited about it.

It means we can now go to church on a Saturday and have a WHOLE day on Sunday to explore the fine beaches around us. Last Sunday we had such fun together. All these beautiful pics are from or day at Currumbin. I LOVE IT!

After months of having nothing to say, I now have a thousand posts running through my head. All I need now is some time to sit, type and assemble them into some blog posts.

My girlies have gone to play in the garage. I can hear them singing about nothing while they learn to skip with a skipping rope, if you ignore your children for long enough they will amuse themselves.

One last thing:

If I could have you over for coffee and carrot sticks I would. ( yep dieting again.) haha.

Have a bliss filled weekend my friends.

WEZA

The bad, the good and forever true

2011-10-27T14:23:00.002+10:00

Husband is away

Boyboy is sick

Not a lot of sleeping going on

Girlies are behaving magically

Got my house cleaned on Tuesday. Such a frivolous expense but oh so worth it!

My beautiful friend gave me flowers

I lost 2.3 kgs this week

I brought another new bra

I feel Gods presence so strongly through it all

He is always there!

So so Thankful

Love Love Love

2011-10-22T15:21:00.001+10:00

This week I have decided to join in with

Paisely Jades Things I'm Loving

She says:

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

PJ is SO right. Its something I need to remember to do. To stop and take account of the blessings in life.

To utter thanks to God for all we have.

Cause I so easily could miss it

so easily I default to moaning about how hard life is

Today I am taking stock.

This week I am thankful for:

Children who play together

including my little boyboy who is obsessed with his older sisters!

Finding random photos on my phone:

Having a vision for something and having friends who are skilled enough to work with you to create it:

Anya took this shot!

Im sitting in the background with my friend Bonnie.

It took hours to make the props and get this picture.

But it was worth it!

The event is going to be pretty fun too!

If you live is Brisbane COME ALONG!

LOVING this picture I saw an FB.

So very very TRUE!

LOVING instagram!

My friend Liz introduced me to it a few weeks ago and I am slightly addicted!

The filters are so fun to work with and your mobile phone pictures look FLASH AS!

LOVING baking days

Loving first discos

And last but by no means least I am loving

that weaning is going so well!

Boyboy is now only breastfed first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

It is a joyous thing to be lifted properly again.

What things are you loving this week?

From the archives

2011-10-20T16:53:00.000+10:00

I recently came across this footage in the depths of my computer.

Its of the girlies when they were about 16 months old.

We were still living in New Zealand.

With no thought of moving across the ditch.

Watching this causes my face to break out into the biggest smile

and my eyes to leak.

Our children grow up so fast.

Scary things about this footage:

I still wear the same dressing gown

My house is VERY brown

and messy, HA.

Im still about the same weight:

5 years later and having been trying to loose it for that whole time.

mmm

Fun things about it:

My girlies mullets.

They hadnt learnt to talk yet, but I UNDERSTOOD them!

My funny singing voice.

ENJOY

hormonal confusion

2011-10-08T09:34:00.000+10:00

This week I have had two ginormous zits. Those mammoth ones that are so very very sore and have loads of pressure underneath. You know the kind right? Like the ones you got when you were fourteen and three quarters.

I am breast feeding and trying to wean boyboy so come his birthday in THREE months time I can begin to wear a normal bra again.

I am thirty five and have just brought my first jar of anti aging moisturizer.

My 'friend' visited for the first time since having boyboy and she was heavier than ever and stayed for over a week! An unwelcome guest.

Hubby swears he saw a white hair on my head. I don't believe him. What cant be seen in a mirror does not exist.

My body is all. over. the. place.

Am not a teenager, so should no longer need Clearasil. Or today's popular equivalent Pro-Active.
Especially when I am fighting the SEVEN signs of aging.

falling asleep, mouth open, during riveting early evenings with hubby
subscribing to Real Living rather than Cleo.
thinking EVERYTHING is far too noisy
complaining of my achy back
preferring easy listening, melodic music over the thump thump boom boom stuff my neighbour plays
considering wearing shoes with arch supports and comfort factor
and the worst of all - owning suck me in and pull me ups!

Thankfully I can console myself with these little beauties.

And of course some of this.

Have a bliss filled weekend. Its stormy and raining outside, We have hunkered down for a Saturday in. Miss N is chomping at the bit to use the computer.

Is nothing sacred!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T20:32:00.001+10:00

Am I right to giggle?

2011-09-25T21:12:00.001+10:00

My lover and I have reached the six year mark.

INCREDIBLE really
we are going the distance
this race called life is a team sport.
Him and I urging each other on.
Running ahead, lagging behind
and sometimes we even manage to run together, hearts in sync, pace equal.

Those times are magical
reminders of why

It is a courageous thing to commit to one
FOREVER
To walk the uneven paths
talking, sorting, compromising.

I am full of love for this man

he calls me his
i call him mine

BLESSED INDEED

Desk Love

2011-09-15T19:30:00.000+10:00

My adventure north on Tuesday was nearly all about this little beauty!
$33 from ebay.
BARGAIN!

She is perfect to sit in the corner of my lounge to house my laptop and stationery.

While I decide how to refurbish her she is hanging out in her ordained spot and learning the ropes.

I had heaps of fun putting together this little corner.

Glass Jars and bottles hold the girlies colouring pencils and brushes.

Hoop art is everywhere.

Here is my take on it.

A little reminder of home.

Childhood memory

These coffee coasters where brought with art in mind.

I have just been waiting to find the best place for them.

The montage all together.

Over time I will add other bits and peices.

Im thinking the word 'dream' in there somewhere

and perhaps some framed artwork the girlies have made?

So my fellow blog friends,

any ideas on what I could do with this desk to make her pretty again?

hour by hour

2011-09-14T07:53:00.000+10:00

One day
One photo
Each hour

7am
We get up early in our house.
6am is a sleep in,hence our ability to make a car this early.

8am
This is what happens to boyboy while his mumma is showering.

9.10
Girlies are at school.
Boyboy and I are off on an adventure.
(Look closely Cat he is wearing your gift)

10 ish
Still driving, I am 45mins up the motorway from my place.

11.30
Look who I get to hang out with!

12.30
Leonie and her fam are doing so well.
BLESSED beyond measure with gifts from friends to help them set up a new home.
I set her a loving post challenge
Cant wait to read it.
This girl puts on a fab gluten free, diary free spread
as you can see its all gone!

1.30pm ish
On the road again

2.40pm ish
School pick up with Anya. Check out Neo's thighs!

3.30pm
Afternoon tea and TV
Washing to be folded

4.30pm
On the phone to my sister in New Zealand.
She is smiling for the photo
Can you tell?

5.30pm
Bath time

6.15 ish
Tuesday is takeaway night
I love Tuesdays!

Just before 7pm
Kids in BED!
Whew
Ready to watch Home and Away
(ps washing is folded and away)

How was your day?

WW - Lets get it started

2011-09-07T15:57:00.000+10:00

Day One DONE!

The Creative Crafty Miss Becky Boo

2011-09-06T14:14:00.002+10:00

Unexpected gifts are just the best.

Especially when they are made with love like this one.

My family in bird form!

Miss Becky Boo and I have been friends for ages now.

The moment I met her I knew we were going to be mates.

She was the first person I connected with when my 11 year old son and I moved all the way to the top of New Zealand for my teaching position.

Around before hubby was boyfriend

before marriage

before the twins

before relocating

It was fitting that she be a bridesmaid for my wedding.

Cassandra, Becky, Me, Ange, and Tania on my wedding day.

She was invited the the birth of my twins, to be the calm influence in the room, but I ended up having a c-section.
Yes she is THAT special.
I miss her now we live so far away.
But she is one of those friends who I know will always be there.
It doesnt matter how long the gap between visits, we will find something to laugh loudly in the corner about.

Am am so greatfull for fabulous friends.
Miss Becky I am grateful for you.
Thankyou for my awesome gift
I love it
I love your friendship
I love your blog and
I love you.

Monday-i-tis

2011-09-05T13:16:00.000+10:00

Have you ever had it?

Today I've got it BAD!

Normally I like to spend my Mondays setting up for the week. Cleaning,tidying and organizing my little corner of the world. The girlies get packed off to school, boy boy tucked into bed and I hit the house HARD. The beauty of what I like to call 'monday mop day' is that for the rest of the week I feel 'on top' of things. I can rest easy knowing the floor is clean, bed linen is fresh and all germs have been vanquished from the house.

source

Not today

Today I just cant shake the blahs

I had a rough nights sleep, the kids decided they all needed to wake at 5am and while I was like a bear with a sore head they were full of exuberance and very loud giggling. The sound of their joy DID NOT bring mine bubbling to the surface. Yes today I am the Grinch.

So while the girlies have been packed of to school, with hugs and I love yous (we have to do this even if we don't feel like it) and boy boy has been tucked in bed, I am sat, here at my computer, with weekend dishes on the bench, washing yet to be washed and the clean stuff to be folded, beds unmade, floors dusty and sticky. And you know what... it feels kinda OK, and kinda not OK at the same time. I want to cut myself some slack, but then again I know what the week ahead looks like and part of me just feels like I gotta suck it up and just clean the house. Anyone wanna come help me?

Are you still there? Or have I scared you away with my Mummy moan?

Sometimes I just kinda wish I had stayed single and climbed the career ladder.

But then I wouldn't have these guys in my life. And they are pretty cool to be around actually, even though they are little difficult to get a decent picture of.

These guys are what my life is all about right now. This man, well I love him, and these kids, are the beating of my heart.

The truth is that 97.5% of the time I am happy to be a mummy. To wipe bottoms, change sheets, mop floors, cook dinners, shop for food, wash hair, clothing, dishes. BUT 2.5% of the time I don't want to do it any more.

Why am I telling you this?

In the hope that others can see that those 2.5% moments are normal and OK.

We don't have to be super women who have got it all together. We can admit our feelings to one another without fear of failure or judgement, and we can be the kind of people who support and encourage others when they are struggling to.

While my washing may or may not get folded, and my kids might grate my frayed nerves,I rest easy knowing that this feeling will pass and that there are others out there who go through the same thing. Well at least I hope they do...

Happy Monday peeps.

WEZA xxx

viruses, fatties and lions.

2011-08-26T13:52:00.000+10:00

Hello hello hello (voice echos into an empty room)

Im back! TAAA DAAA

My computer has had a nasty virus

So nasty that I couldn't use anything on it all all.

And then I kept forgetting to drop it into be fixed.

For four weeks I could neither find the time or the brain function to drive the 15 minute drive to

the computer man. In fact every Wed and second friday I was in the same building as him and I still managed to forget.

Opps

But I will not dwell on that. Today is a new day and my computer is fixed.

So here I am blogging again.

AGAIN.

Quite a bit has been happening here.

Boy boy is 8 months old next week!

Im rocking glasses these days, which is good because the new glasses distract from my getting fatter by the day body. And no Im not pregnant, just addicted to chips.

What is it with weight loss anyway? An old teachers college friend has lost a heap of weight. Like extreme makeover loss, went from tubby bubby to teeny tiny, amazing smoking hot chicky. So Im chatting with my sister who was telling me about it. And Im like "WHAT DID SHE DO???" Looking for some miracle cure. When of course there is none. If I wanna loose weight I have to quit the chips and move my ~~ass~~ *ahem* backside.

The girlies had book week this week and on Wednesday they got to dress up as a book character.

Can you tell who they dressed up as?

Miss B is wearing the pink.

Im going to leave you with a little something I heard at "Her Time' today. It is based around Daniel 6 vs 17 and then vs 22 which says: A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his royal seal and the seals of his noble so the no-one could rescue Daniel... My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me...

There is nothing that God cannot rescue you from. Things may come at you, sickness, debt, crazy naughty children, (you get the picture) and you may feel like the situation you are in has no way out. BUT GOD can rescue you from any situation. So today if you are feeling under the pump, turn to God, cry out to him for rescue. Thank him for the good things he has done and the good things he will do. He will hear your prayer, he will come and rescue you. That rescue might not be removal from your situation but he will be there with you so you can come out the other side un-scarred.

Lovely to be back.

xxx

Everyone loves rainbow ice-cream!

2011-07-28T13:57:00.001+10:00

Hello from the depths of motherhood.

Where poo-tastrophies seem to happen daily, kittens get suck on roofs, washing never seems to end and husbands long for some lovin'.

I am stretched

I long to sleep past 7am

To read a book uninterrupted.

To go to a movie

In the meantime I take joy in my children and their wide eyed enthusiasm for life. Where learning sight words is quite the accomplishment and a pencil and paper produces treasures.

The abyss of the mundane threatens to overwhelm me, so I turn my eyes upward.
"help me! I need you" the he comes and shows me joy.

My freedom muffins

2011-06-11T10:16:00.000+10:00

I am talking about gluten, soy, diary free, chocolate goodness. Not my backside. Although thats feeling kinda free now too. Cheers restricted diet.

Living with multiple food allergies sucks. Life can get kinda boring on the food front so I'm always on the look out for good recipes that I can eat.

Dont have allergies... imagine this. Your at a cafe, scan the menu to find something that is soy, nut, diary, wheat, tomato free. Most of the time you can find gluten/diary free, but then it normally has soy in it. I always end up ordering plain chips/fries. (if im hungry) or I have a piece of fruit in my bag.

Its even worse when your invited to someones house for tea. Its awkward and I get embarrassed that I have to bring up the menu.

So when a whole lot of readers asked for my freedom muffin recipe, I got it. I get it.

And they really are so yummy. Everyone agrees.

I adapted this from my favorite cake recipe.

1 2/3 cup of White Wings gluten free flour. (found in most supermarkets)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup of cocoa powder (gluten free)

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups of rice milk

100g of Nuttelex melted

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

Put all ingredients into a food processor and mix until smooth.

Poor into greased muffin trays. Makes 24 normal size or 48 mini muffins.

Bake at 180 degrees for 10 -15 mins (mini muffins) 20ish mins for large muffins. or until the center springs bake when touched.

This is a very runny mixture so don't be tempted to add more flour. Its meant to be like that. Also im not sure how this would bake as a whole cake as it has no gluten to hold its form. If you try it and it works let me know.

Enjoy my friends.

WEZA xxx

A vlog from my dining room to yours

2011-06-09T09:55:00.001+10:00

Well hello there.

Just for fun I thought I would vlog for you today.

Linking in with Gail (yes the same gail from yesterday) over at delightfully diva-ish.

how very strange and fun it is to be recording myself for you guys.

It took a few goes before I was happy with this take.

If you want to see the weird out of sinc one I first did you can watch it here.

Love you all

WEZA

PS I really hope this works.

The diva has spoken

2011-06-08T12:34:00.001+10:00

Sometimes we all just need a gentle shove to get motivated. Or a simple comment on a fb status in my case. Thanks Gail

and yes, i did mooch at home and sew.
and clean, cook, look after Miss B who is sick, and of course cuddle, feed, sing and play with boy boy.

So er what to write about...

How about some things Im loving? Linking in with Paisley Jade. (Hehe tomorrow)

Do you like my hat? Im LOVING IT!

the perfect little winter accessory made by Carissa over at A little knitting. She makes hats for all ages. Go check her out.

Bad hair day? Cold? Just throw on the hat. The charcoal colour is so me and have been enjoying a little bit of mustard colour so thought this flower was a good match.

And the best thing about it: No one else in Australia has one... YET.

Long time friends

I LOVE long term family friends.

I love how our kids are so comfortable with each other.

These two are betrothed you know. Hubby and I approve. He comes from good stock. ;)

And because all our kids need a mate to play with the same family had to have another bubs for my boy boy.

Isnt Neo gorgeous! Yep Im loving him too. All that hair. yummy

Gluten, diary, soy free mini muffins and dandelion tea.

Im gonna call them my freedom muffins.

Fresh from the oven. ahhhh BLISS.

A delicious little treat just for me.

The best things about these is that they actually taste good, are light, and chocolaty and hit the spot.

And lastly I am loving you! Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for sticking with me while I work out how to balance this new stage of life.

WEZA

so i promised a funny story...

2011-05-25T20:46:00.000+10:00

It was dark except for the glow of the interior dome light.
Beside me hubby eats his tuna salad in silence.
Behind me the girlies munch away on their six inch ham and cheese subs.
A chicken salad sits untouched on the dash, waiting for its appointment with my lips.
Boy boy drinks from me, sighing with every gulp.

This is not how I imagined our dinner to turn out as I got ready 3 hrs before.

I was excited to be going to meet my Auntie, her husband and friends for dinner. Having not seen her in 6 years the 40 minute drive was insignificant. Whats 40 minutes when she lives miles away in New Zealand?

The destination a Bowls Club on the north side of Brisbane. Yes a bowls club. A place where you can eat a bistro meal or roast, the kids can get a meal with the bonus of an ice cream sundae and we can catch up in a fairly peaceful environment. Or so I thought.

The street was BUZZING with people. Men in suits, ladies in dresses with cute little hair pieces.

"Maybe we are under dressed" hubby looks at me as we park the car.
"Surely not hun, its only a bowls club." As I open the car door I am struck by the smell of horses.
Then it hits me...

Race day

The bowls club is right next door to the racetrack and the racing has just finished.

A man is been escorted from the building as we walk up the drive.
The girlies are wide eyed, why is that man walking funny?

We weave our pram through the people, excuse me, excuse me.
Hubby holds tightly to the girls hands.
I look at him, he looks at me.
What should we do?

We decide to go and find Auntie. I leave hubby outside with the children and enter the club. Its like I'm scoping out a new land. This isn't a great place for children. Drunk race day patrons party all around me oblivious to my jeans and jacket clad body trying to get past them. Then I notice the restaurant. The comparison between the bar and the restaurant puts my mind at ease. Perhaps we could stay after all.

Auntie is looking fantastic. We embrace and I leave to get the family.
"its OK once we get to the restaurant, we just need to negotiate our way through the people"
Hubby looks sceptical but agrees to continue. Our children are hungry, and we have come all this way.

As I am signing us in a man a little older than us is chatting with Hubby and the girls. You can tell hes had a few as he chatters away about his children to hubby. Hubby introduces himself and the man says 'Murray, that's my brothers middle name'
"Must be a good guy then" hubby jokes.
"No not really. Have you heard of Andrew Symonds?"
"Yeah"
"well you know the streaker he took out on the field... that's my brother"

Getting through to the restaurant proves to be quite the adventure. The easiest way is to drive the pram across the dance floor and sneak through some wall dividers and around some chairs. Only to discover 15 minutes later that our meals will take at least 40 minutes to reach us, that there is NO WAY our children can last that long, and if we were to stay eat and socialize the chances of getting the pram back through the increasingly drunken patrons would be nigh impossible. So we decide it is best to cut our losses and leave to find somewhere else to eat.

Goodbyes are exchanged and midweek lunch plans made to replace our failed get together. We hug and head to the car. Now what to feed the children? Something quick as they are starving? Healthy? And close to us? Thank the Lord for iphones and google. Subway is less than 1km away.

While driving home we marvel at just how bad our evening had turned out. This is the kind of thing that puts stress levels through the roof, causes spouses to fight, and kids to crack it. Or on the other hand, you can choose to laugh, to see the funny adventurous side, try a new salad and get to bed earlier than you planned.

No voice, no problem!

2011-05-15T07:23:00.001+10:00

So this week I lost my voice.
Well not entirely
It is now rather husky, low and quite.
So I'm resting it.

and drinking lemon honey drinks.

Oh so thankful for a lemon tree full of lemons.

The good news about me not being able to speak is that I have so much to say, that I just had to blog instead.

Ha ha

It takes me weeks and then all of a sudden I have ten thousand blog posts in my head.

Here is one day in pictures

with subtitles (sub paragraphs)

Reading James (message version)
This scripture really challenged me this morning
This is what it says

Act on what you hear
post this at your intersections, dear friends. Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue,
and let anger straggle along in the rear. Gods righteousness doesn't grow from human anger.
So throw spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage.
In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word,
making a salvation-garden of your life.

It goes on... and all of it is like drums in my ears.
Funny that God leads me to this when all I can really do is listen.

This cat is a pain in the ...

But the girlies love her so

HAVE

To ~~SUCK IT UP~~ adjust my attitude

and try to love her too.

never before have a disliked a cat.

But she is one moaning Milly.

She is outside my kitchen window moaning to get in,
only five minutes before she was moaning to get out.
.

This boy I LOVE!
Every inch of rollie pollie silky skin.
Daily I thank Jesus that I listened to my heart and decided to have 'just one more baby'

Have I told you I prayed for a little boy that looked like his daddy?
You think God heard my prayer..
HA HA

Oh and a MASSIVE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MINDY over at Marigold Road.
This is one awesome girl. Why don't you go on over and wish her a happy birthday.
She has been celebrating all week by hosting loads of giveaways.
There is some cute stuff on there too.

Have a fabulous weekend lovelies.

Pop back soon, I promise to have another post up sooner this time.
Cause I have the funniest story to tell you.
Just need time to draft it.

bloggy bliss

2011-05-05T22:34:00.003+10:00

Its late

10pm

I should be in bed but instead Im doing this:

Yep just had a glass of wine while reading your blogs.

It has literally been days since I did this!

It feels like my arm has been removed.

I have been sitting up waiting for my cake to come out of the oven.

MMM it smells so good.

Freshly pulled, now cooling ready to be iced in the morning.

Gluten and diary free chocolate cake.

And its good...

REALLY REALLY GOOD!

Remember way back in January when the girlies were featured in our local paper.

Well I found the link.

Check it out.

They spelt our names wrong, plus a few details, and you can hardly see my girls.

But still, they were in the paper.

We have been featured again.

This time for mothers day.

It was fun being asked about been a Mumma

and getting our photo taken.

Miss N is fake smiling.

She went all shy so I whispered in her ear

"if you smile nicely, I will buy you a treat"

IT WORKED haha

Mother of the year stuff right there.

Thankful, so so thankful.

2011-04-24T21:58:00.000+10:00

happy easter

everyone

he is risen

he is risen indeed!

happy content and silent

2011-04-19T15:32:00.000+10:00

its 3:14 pm

right now i am typing this with one hand while feeding boy boy,

there will be no capitals this post.

i just woke from a nap
having sent all children to 'rest'
so with iPhone in hand i snapped these pictures of what our first school holidays looks like at home.

yep im still in my pjs and still there is toothpaste spit on my mirror. i have cleaned it i swear!

play dough, couch side

miss n must have fell asleep while spelling her name. this is totally unstaged!

miss b and milly crashed out

boy boys rocker

how are you holidays going? im just loving the unscheduledness (not a word i know) of ours.

tommorow is a bit different. i am been filmed for a radio promo thing. ha should be funny.
then im taking the kids to see either hop or rio. cant decide which one. anybody seen them?

all around me - beauty

2011-04-13T15:25:00.001+10:00

Autumn has got to be the most beautiful time of year here in Brisbane.

The temperature is lovely and warm

The skies are blue and clear of rain

The grass green and lush

I just have to share

Care to take a walk around my neighbourhood?

We are picking the kids up from school

We live just around the corner from this street

The school is 900 meters downhill from here

Looking left , then right

but instead I head straight through the green

This lollipop lady faithfully helps us to cross the street everyday.

Every. single. school. day.

voluntarily

FAITHFUL!!!

School is just around the corner now

The cars are lining up to pick up the kids

traffic jam in suburbia

Oops we are a bit late.

The girls have taken to climbing the trees while they wait.

and now to walk home...

See the top of that ridge

We are walking up to it!

A much needed break halfway up the hill

Home sweet home.

Our house has the little green car parked outside.

Thanks for walking with me

I hope the fresh air revived your bones and

that your strength was renewed by the beauty around you.

Bubbler fun

2011-04-12T21:56:00.000+10:00

Wild or tamed?

2011-04-11T23:51:00.000+10:00

Don't you just love it when your man reads a book.

In my house it seems that my bedside table is piled high with half finished books. Books about marriage, raising kids, loosing weight and the odd bit of chick lit thrown in for good measure.

Hubby's bedside table is stark naked by comparison. Until now.

Recently hubby began attending a mens group where all the guys are reading through and studying John Eldredge's 'Wild at Heart'.

I figured that since he is reading it I would read it too. Slowly mind, (I get into bed and within minutes my eyelids are too heavy to read)

What an eye opener! Have you read it?

Our men need adventure girls! They need to take risks.

Enter the skateboard lesson

Hubby has been talking about getting a cruiser skateboard for well over a year. In fact I think it could even be a couple of years.

My reaction was to smile, ooo and ahhh about it, then change the conversation. In my mind I'm thinking 'your a bit old, your gonna hurt yourself, and if you hurt yourself who is going to go to work etc etc etc'.

Then he convinced me to get one for his birthday.

A few days later we are driving to the park to have a BBQ dinner and some family time. The boot contains one pram, two scooters and hubby's new skateboard.

Halfway there the following conversation takes place:
"Ive got a great idea, when we get to the park you could tow me on my skateboard"
"No"
"come on babe it will be fun"
"No, its too dangerous, what if you fall off and hurt yourself, you will ruin our night out. NO!"
"Honey come on, its not too dangerous, Let me take a RISK"
sigh.... (bloody book) "OK, but if you hurt yourself Ben (the mens group leader) is gonna get it."
Hubby is now grinning from ear to ear.

So we arrive at the park, I tow hubby down the long driveway into the parking lot. We ALL have heaps of fun, the girls are laughing at daddy, I am driving and taking pics at the same time, and most importantly my husband is having the time of his life. Nobody got hurt, our evening was in fact better because of it.

I learnt a valuable lesson that sunny afternoon.
I learnt to let go
To trust my husband to know his limits
To allow him to be a little wild

I don't want to tame the adventure out of my man. For him to be all that he can be he needs me to support his risks. He needs me to let go of my fear and trust him in our journey.

Funny what a skateboard can teach you.

it aint over... just

2011-04-09T19:53:00.000+10:00

34 days has passed!

As has four family birthdays

I turned 35

Hubby turned 38

Miss N turned 5

Miss B, well she has turned 5 too

Here is the one and only pic I took of the girlies birthday cake

You may not be able to tell, but the sand looked so realistic! Thank you vanilla dusting sugar.

The only thing i could eat on this cake was the jelly. Fun fun.

March and April are busy busy months in the EBT house. But we have been making sure that plenty of fun has been had by all.

Hubbys birthday present was a cruiser skateboard, it has supplied us with hours of fun.

Our first school term is nearly over.

The girlies have taken to school like ducks to water.

The days go so fast now.

Blur into weeks and before you know it its the weekend again ~~and you haven't blogged for 34 days~~.

At least 50x a day I am asked how to spell something.

I have to say it slow so they can write it down.

each letter repeated back to me.

"Mum how do you write flower?"

"Flower... F f l l o o w w e e r r"

"I did it Mum! I wrote flower"

"Awesome honey, you are so very very clever"

50 x a day.

Isn't parenting AWESOME

This little man is growing up so fast.

He is no longer a new born

has discovered his hands

giggles

smiles

chats

reaches for toys

LOVES his mumma, his daddy and his sissies.

Everyday I thank God for him. My boy boy

the everything bag

2011-03-07T10:06:00.000+10:00

While on a coffee date with Hubby last week I came across a very funky bag that I coveted to own.

Upon glimpsing the price however I could in no way justify future ownership.

You see I am a thrifty gal.

I will often consider if what I am wanting can be made by me or can be purchased elsewhere for less.

The bag was awesome, but I figured i could probably make one myself.

Hubby and I talked it over, dreamed a little of a small business and went on with our day.

But you see I couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities...

'Could I do it?' 'Could I make a bag as good?'

'Could I make a business out of making accessories?'

What could I call my business?

A dream began to settle on my heart.

So on Friday I purchased some material, found a pattern and spent the majority of the evening and early morning sewing. I created what I like to call the 'everything bag'.

This bag is perfect for my needs.

I can fit bubs change mat and nappy stuff in it, plus all my stuff.

All the while looking very funky indeed.

The only thing missing is some pockets in the lining.

Easily fixed and for the next ones I will certainly be making pockets.

Now my friends I need some advice...

How much do you think a bag like this (with pockets) could sell for?

I have an idea but need to know if the price I have in mind is realistic.

A little giggle

2011-03-05T19:39:00.001+10:00

Friday while shopping we walked out of the shops to see this:

Has the rapture occurred and we've been left behind?

On another note I have been creating...

Such a wonderful satisfaction that comes with each stage of a project. More on that later.

We also have a new addition to our family.

Meet Milly

A little pet for the girlies.

She is fitting in nicely

There is something about having a little kitten to snuggle u with. Calming, peaceful, lovely.

We love her already.

Saturday Bliss - ahem

2011-02-19T07:03:00.001+10:00

Here's to a great weekend!
What's on your agenda for the day?

Me

I have turned down a day at a surf comp for...

A smashing great time of sorting out this!

Wish me luck.

Made with the stuff I can eat.

2011-02-17T09:59:00.001+10:00

Lastnight while dreaming of choccy bickies I decided to make a healthy version of a slice that I love.

I substituted the wheat flour for gluten free flour and the sugar for rice malt.

It was a big flop!

One very bland, crumbly flop.

Back to the drawing board for me.

Green tea for me

2011-02-16T20:12:00.001+10:00

What are you having today?

So yesterday after our coffee I took boy boy for his 6 week check. He is doing very well. The bruiser is now 6.2 kgs! He is in crawler nappies and has started shaving ;). Doc is happy with his progress. However he did have a red throat and was unsettled yesterday + he has had some crazy stools happening so doc has advised me to cut dairy out of my diet.

No biggie I hear you say. Um yes VERY big biggie for me. I already have cut soy tomatoes wheat and nuts from my diet as I have allergies and don't want him to react to them, and I am about to get an even more restricted diabetic diet so I am feeling a little sad right now. You see I actually love food. If you wanna hurt me take away my food. Mmm. So hence the green tea.

On another note how cute is this girl! Miss N is doing really well at school. So well in fact that she came home yesterday with a student of the lesson certificate. And (just to brag some more) she is getting a very special award this week for been a star student. I feel so very proud of her. Part of the minefield of raising twins is that when one twin gets an accolade the other twin can get quite upset. Often people try to compensate by praising the other child or rewarding them even though they haven't earned it. We are working on teaching the girls to be happy for their sister without feeling jealous or sorry for themselves. So when Miss N comes home with the certificate we are prepared for Miss b to be upset and need a little bit of help to be happy.

Time to put my feet up.
I'm dreaming of a chocolate biscuit and a cup of sugary milky tea. Instead I will sip my green tea and be happy with your company. Time to go read some of your blogs.

But not before waking boy boy for a feed.

Xxx

Over coffee

2011-02-15T10:58:00.001+10:00

What are you drinking?
Latte, cappuccino, mocha, flatwhite? Whatever your brew take a seat and I'll make it for you.

I have so much to tell you so we may have to have a few coffees over the next few days.

So life has really changed since having boy boy. My days are full from start to finish. I have heard it said that the third child really ups the anti in the house... Well it really does. When I'm not seeing to him I am organizing school lunches, the girlies uniforms, dinner, washing. I see you nodding, you understand right!

I have a new toy. I LOVE it! The iPhone 4 is the only way I am getting onto the net lately. In fact i am blogging from it right now. Honestly I have barely had time to get out the laptop. So I browse fb and check emails while feeding. I have not read your blogs in days/weeks. Still have to figure that one out. The best bit about this phone is the different photo apps. I have been having lots of fun with those.

Hubby has been unwell. He got a chest infection that just won't budge. Last week he was off work for one whole round which meant that we actually had him home for 12 days. A good amount of those days were spent nursing him but it also meant I got to have plenty of time with him and boy while the girlies were at school. NICE!

So my breasts now officially give Pamela a run for her money. I have been surprised to find they are just as big this time around nursing one than when I was nursing the twins. What's with that?

I also need to tell you that my eating habits have got to change! The gestational diabetes I got while pregnant has decided to stick around post pregnancy. Yep type 2 diabetes is now part of my world. I would just like to thank mum and dad for passing that gene onto me. On Monday I see a dietician to get my eating plan. I'm quite excited actually. It means I get help to get this weight off which I have been trying to do for sometime. I am looking forward to trying some new recipes as well.

So I feel like I've done all the talking. Ha

Come back tomorrow. I have so much more to say.

BIG week... a really big week

2011-02-01T20:09:00.000+10:00

Oh I was full of good intentions last Monday morning as we headed off for the girlies first day of school.
I took numerous photos, girls with their friends, sliding down the pole in the playground, plenty of 'first day' pics.
I was looking forward to sitting down in the evening and writing a very cool post to make this most auspicious occasion.

AND THEN

around 5pm I started vomiting

I was home alone with 3 kids

Dinner was cooking on the stove, boy asleep in his cot, girlies hanging out and starving for their dinner. And I could NOT STOP SPEWING. Not even to call my hubby at work and get him to come home. So Miss B was given the task of calling him. (of course he freaked out and dropped tools asap and came home)

An hour later my vomiting had stopped but HUGE lumps had formed in my breast and I was feeling very very sick. MASTITIS.

Have you ever had mastitis? It is really a horrible horrible thing to get. You feel so sick. The next day it was 32 degrees here and I was in bed wearing my winter dressing gown with a heat sac and a hot water bottle and under a duvet and I was still freezing. Teeth chattering freezing. I called my dad to cancel our plans for Australia day and slept as much as possible.

THEN guess what happened!!!!

My gorgeous sister surprised me with a visit. All the way from NZ. The last thing I was expecting was to see my sister. I had resigned myself to the fact that none of my NZ family or friends would be meeting Rico for ages. And then my sister turns up. Right in the middle of my mastitis. What a GIFT!

So you can imagine I have a lot to tell you. There are at least three posts I will write to tell you more. I my even share the video of me when sis surprised me. I am in my jammies, looking very gorgeous, but I will share cause I love you and well we all know we cant look beautiful all the time.

One month already

2011-01-31T21:19:00.000+10:00

Where has the time gone?

So much has happened in one month!

Rico you have changed our world.

I cannot begin to imagine our family without you.

Its like you have always been here.

Actually you have been, beating away in my heart,

a dream that is now a reality.

You are my boy boy and I love you!

You are smiling already, but only for a select few of us 'special people'

You have even cooed at your Mumma.

You giggle in your sleep and I am looking forward to the day when you light up the room with your laughter.

Your big sisters love you to pieces and would hold you all day, well at least until playschool come on.

Your Daddy loves giving you your bath and you love every minute in the water.

Daddy is already planning your first surf.

You had your visit to the beach and even handled nursing from my salty body.

A true beach boy.

We love you Rico!

Saturday Bath Bliss

2011-01-22T14:14:00.000+10:00

Today at my house its all fairly low key.

Hubby is at work so the kids and I are in chillax mode.

I have just finished bathing the boy.

He was so relaxed after the bath that I just had to get out the camera and capture the scrumminess!

Sigh

There is something about a freshly bathed, fuzzy haired baby.

PURE BLISS

How is your Saturday?

Big School Girls

2011-01-21T11:00:00.000+10:00

My gorgeous twin girls Miss N and Miss B start school on Monday.

This morning we went to purchase their uniforms and find out who their teacher/s will be.

I cant quite believe we are here already.

My girlies are BIG school girls.

We just had to have a try on of the uniforms and a photo shoot when we got home.

I love how they both have different tastes. I doubt Miss B will ever wear the dress that Miss N is sporting. She needs to be able to climb and run and jump, dresses are a 'nuisance'. Ha ha

I got quite the surprise when we went to find out what classes the girls were in.

I had requested that they be in adjoining classrooms with separate teachers,

however the powers that be have decided to put them in the same class this year.

So prepping the girlies to be apart has been in vain. They get to stay together after all.

Their reaction: Miss N "I wanted to be in the same class anyway Mum"

Miss B "Me too"

I am not too worried, I kinda feel like its all in Gods hands and whatever will be will be.

The other cool news is that they will be in the paper next week.

The school has 5 sets of twins starting on Monday which turns out to be quite newsworthy.

Perhaps the influx of twins was the reason for the girlies not been separated???

We are all looking forward t Monday. The year feels like its about to begin.

Time to get into routines again and settle into what God has in store for us this year.

I wonder what the year will hold?

Here is another pic of Rico

Just cause I LOVE HIM!

and one with Daddy too

Flood update

2011-01-21T08:15:00.000+10:00

Hey everyone,

The floods have been here in Brisbane and now the clean up has begun. Thankfully the flood waters did not rise to the height that was first anticipated however there is still a HUGE mess to clean up around our city.
Our premier Anna Bligh has likened the clean up to post war proportions. It is going to take months to fix parts of our city. Who knows how long it will be before we can once again swim and play at Southbank.

ABC News posted some incredible before and after pictures of the flood. Amazing technology where you hover your mouse over the picture and it will change from before to after. Check them out here.

Unfortunately there are so many people who have lost their homes and possessions. And to top it off many have found that their insurance companies are refusing to pay out due to 'loop holes' in their policies. I tell you that makes me so mad! People pay into insurance for years and when they need to claim the companies pull a swifty! I have a good mind to boycot insurance all together. I will be going through my policy with a fine tooth comb now.

So please continue praying for the people of our city and if you are so inclined please feel free to make a donation to one of the many flood relief funds out there. Here are a few you could try:

Salvation Army Appeal
Vinnies Flood Appeal

On the home front here we are busy getting prepared for the girlies to start school on Monday. It is all go, buying stationary, shoes, bags, lunch boxes and in about 45 minutes we are off to buy their uniforms and to meet their teachers.

The girls are super excited to be starting school. The have been wearing their school shoes and bags everywhere. CUTE CUTE CUTE.

Crisis

2011-01-11T16:19:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I posted about the rain we have been experiencing here in Brisbane. Since that post the situation has become much worse.

Yesterday flash flooding ripped through the town of Toowoomba, leaving absolute devastation in its wake. 9 people are dead and 66 missing. The water was described as a 3 meter wall of water likened to an inland tsunami, it ripped houses of their footings, picked up cars like they were toothpicks, the footage is unbelievable. You can see some of the footage by clicking the link above.

Today I have spent much of the day following the news updates on TV. The area where my Dad lives is flooded and the police have urged people to leave their homes. My Dad lives on 'high ground' which is a relief as even if he wanted too he is unable to get out of Caboolture.

The Brisbane river has burst its banks in the CBD. Southbank where we often take our children to play is underwater and we have been warned that over the next two days Brisbane will see major flooding in low lying areas. They are expecting at least 6500 homes to be affected by the floods. The council is currently setting up evacuation centers across the city and has asked residents in high areas to be prepared to put people up for a few nights.

Please pray for our city and our state. It is currently facing a huge crisis and is bracing itself for major damage.

We are fine here at our place, like I said yesterday we live on a hill, and today hubby went out and stocked up on grocery items so we will be OK. The worst that can happen to us is loss of power, water etc and perhaps our suburb getting flooded in.

These photos were taken by Maggie my step mum who lives in Caboolture. They are nothing compared to what we are seeing on the news. It is scary stuff.

Please do pray.

WEZA

Rain, rain, rain.

2011-01-10T12:00:00.000+10:00

When I moved to Queensland 2 1/2 years ago the state was in drought.
Our church was praying for rain
The farmers were losing out big time with no water
We had to have timed showers and were on water restrictions.

This summer there is certainly no drought.
Flooding is wrecking havoc in this state.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes
Townships completely underwater.

Today I am ever so thankful that I live on a hill.
That I am not flood affected.
I am trying not to grumble about the lack of sunshine, instead I am choosing to be thankful.

So here are a few things I am thankful for around my house:

That while outside it looks like this:

Inside my children are discovering

how fun Rico's play gym is

AND

The joy of Memory!

I am loving dreaming of all the ways to use this in baking

and I am thankful for high speed fans to dry all of this

But if I am honest

Right Now

I am

most thankful for

this

What are you thankful for today?

Te Oneroa a Tohe - 90 Mile Beach New Zealand

2011-01-06T08:07:00.000+10:00

This morning I was given a beautiful gift.

Neets from Bassest Blurbs and Banter

sent me this photograph of Ricos beach.

What a thoughtful gift.

Thank you so much Juanita!

Whats in a name?

2011-01-05T15:24:00.000+10:00

The naming of a child is in my opinion a very sacred thing. What you choose for your child is with them for the rest of their life.

In our family the meaning of the name is important, it must have good 'bones' so to speak, it must speak of the character we want for our child and of their future.

When it came to naming our new son we knew very early on that we wanted him to be called Rico. It is a name I love. Funky, a little different and yet solid in meaning. Noble ruler. I pray that he would be a leader that is kind, gentle and noble. One who follows Gods heart.
The middle name was easy... a Liddell family name. Campbell. It is on of Hubbys middle names and I hope will be passed down throughout the generations to come. So that was going to be his name. Rico Campbell Liddell.

UNTIL, while visiting Hubbys family the subject came up of naming. My gorgeous Mother in Law asked us to consider giving our son a Maori name for when he is on the Marae. Right up until hubby was born all the boys in his family had been given a Maori name, it is tradition, it holds significance, importance. The name connects them to their place. And so hubby and I began to talk about, pray about what to call our son.

Te Oneroa means the long beach. It refers to 90 mile beach, a beautiful beach which runs along the west coast at the top of New Zealand. Its actual Maori name is Te Oneroa A Tohe, which means the long beach of Tohe. Tohe was a Maori chief in that area. Why we choose Te Oneroa has significant meaning to us. Hubby grew up on that beach. He played, swam, surfed, ran on that beach. It is where he is from. It is 'his place'. Because we no longer live in New Zealand we decided to go with a place name to connect our boy back to the land. He was born in another country, another land, and yet he is a New Zealander. Our connection with our land is important. So so important especially in Maori culture.

And so we landed upon our boys name. Rico Campbell Te Oneroa Liddell. A name we love, for a boy we love, connected to a land we love.

PS...I am so homesick right now, my tears are flowing. I hope all my beautiful kiwi friends are lapping up all our beautiful country has to offer. If you are not from New Zealand and want to see why we miss it check out Paisley Jade's post here. Magnificent beaches, great climate, blue blue skies, laid back summer days. BLISS. Oh and just around the corner from where PJ's photos where taken, is where hubby proposed to me.

INTRODUCING

2011-01-04T17:53:00.001+10:00

Rico Campbell Te Oneroa Liddell

(aka SPUD)

Born Thursday December 30th @ 9.20am

Weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 6oz or 4.2kg

54 cm long

We are all totally in love.

I will tell you more very very soon.

Just gotta find the time.

Love Weza

37 weeks, Christmas, and thoughts about Mary.

2010-12-21T10:42:00.001+10:00

Today!

Ha I just realised that the bathroom mirror has toothpaste spit on it. YUCK!

My belly is measuring 119cm around my belly button. I am the same weight i was when I had the twins!

The countdown is on now as i am having an elective c section in the week between Christmas and new year. To be honest every morning I have fantasies about my waters breaking so I can have the baby NOW!

My son today aptly told me that this year i am the gift box and the present is inside me. Perhaps i need a bow.

As of yet I have brought NOTHING for Christmas. Thankfully the girlies big present is all sorted and all I need to do now is buy a few small gifts for the nieces and nephews, plus stocking fillers. The adults in our family are all going without this year. Thankfully we are all ok with this decision.

We have been enjoying the low key approach to Christmas this year. Trying hard to remember the true reason for celebrating. the birth of Jesus. If poor Mary felt anything like me I cannot even imagine what it would have been like riding on a donkey and having to give birth in a manger. What a woman. I wonder... did she get on Josephs case about not having organised accommodation earlier?

Next time I post hopefully there will be picks of a new bubs. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I will see you on the other side.

Blessings

WEZA

Summer storm!

2010-12-15T19:21:00.000+10:00

Today after a beautiful hot summer day a storm rolled in.

This morning it was so hot that I jumped in my friends pool fully clothed.

An impromptu visit meant I was not prepared for swimming.

It was pure bliss.

Summer storms are not unusual here in Brisbane, but what is unusual about this

storm is that instead of thunder and lightening we got hail.

Check out the videos.

Yes that is my kiwi accent you can hear.

Gotta love a bit of kiwi.

LASTS

2010-12-08T19:04:00.001+10:00

This picture is on my desktop at the moment.

2 year old girlies

ARENT THEY THE CUTEST EVER!

I know I am biased but GLORY they are just so scrumptious.

Sometime I wish we could capture time and keep them little.

Our children grow up so fast.

This month is a whole lot of lasts for my girls.

Last Mainly Music session today

Last week of preschool next week

Last month before big school in January.

BIG stuff

Well for me anyway.

Thank goodness for photos and memories

Bubs room

2010-12-04T14:37:00.003+10:00

So spuds room has been a long work in progress. I have been dying to show you pics along the way but wanted to wait until all was done.

This is the room BEFORE

Very plain, very boring but served its purpose as the 'spare room'.

My inspiration for this room came from a number of sites around the web.

Here it is now...

Not totally finished

BUT mostly done.

The cot and rocking chair were given to us by a friend from church.

They were varnished wood, so with the help of my dad, I stripped them back and painted them white.

Anya and I painted the room using Dulux 1/2 strength Hot Pot Blue

and Dulux H2O High gloss white.

This art was a gift from my baby shower. Everyone who came painted a shape.

Great idea huh.
Anya blogged about my baby shower, click over its worth a look.

Anya painted this gorgeous art for above spuds cot.

She sells stuff like this HERE

LOVE IT!

The lamp was made by my Nanna years ago. All it needed was a new shade.

The fabric for the cushion covers was hubbys choice. I think he picked well.

As I was sewing it up I wondered if it was too much like a deck chair.

But I think it works quite well.

Looking back towards the wardrobe.

See the penguins... another one of my clever friends painted this. Tania you are so clever!

And finally my blank wall.

Here we remain unfinished.

I need to buy a change mat to go on top of the drawers

and I have an assortment of frames I plan on painting yellow and filling with pictures from vintage childrens books.

This is now my favourite room in the house.

Every night I sit in the rocking chair

taking in the silence

dreaming of my baby.

He can come now... well as soon as I buy some new PJ's for the hospital and I pack my bag.

Although I am not due for another 6 weeks.

Dec 1st... summer???

2010-12-01T19:24:00.000+10:00

HMMMM so I live in sunny Queensland and today is the first day of summer

Ironic?

MUCH?

HOWEVER

On a much cuter note today is also the day we traditionally decorate the Christmas tree.

Christmas music is playing

all is festive and we happily work together to make the house festive.

Today, the plan was to visit hubby's family and then come home to decorate.

We did not anticipate the torrential rain that slowed a 25 minute drive home to 1 and a half hours!

By the time we got home both hubby and I were not up to the job. AT ALL.

Children dont understand our lame excuses

so another plan had to be hatched.

We had a small OLD tree in the garage that I let the girlies put up in their bedroom.

They could decorate it to their hearts content.

Any way they liked.

No colour co-ordiantion

or Mum saying what it looked like.

Hubby and I got to recover from the traffic ordeal

and the girls got to decorate

HAPPINESS ALL AROUND

And yes the girls room is well lived in and very messy today. Just keeping it real.

And for all you out there who are dying to see belly pics... here is one taken at my baby shower.

I am with my sister in law Toni who is due to have her first bubs on Sunday.

EEK exciting times ahead.

Baby got back

2010-10-29T06:23:00.001+10:00

The following conversation occurred the other night during our evening prayers.

Miss N (while praying) "and dear Jesus please put a baby in _______'s tummy"

Miss B " but ________ has a small bottom"

Daddy sniggers

Mummy "That's ok you can have a small bottom and have a baby"

Miss B " Oh (thoughtful pause) You have a big bottom aye mum"

Daddy openly laughing now

Mummy "yes honey"

Miss B " and ______ (said persons hubby) has a small bottom too"

Mummy "Yes darling he has a small bottom too"

Miss B " Daddy has a big bottom too"

Daddy suddenly silent.

Mummy openly laughing now.

Kids... Ya gotta love em