Christmas Folder

I would love to take credit for this fabulous idea but I have to admit that I stole it from Libby at Life is a Journey not a Destination. I loved it so much I made myself one straight away.

Here is the front cover - made from recycled brown paper and some old Christmas ribbon I had. I was going to buy a folder and then I found a perfectly good one in the cupboard.

First couple of pages in the folder have the next three months in calendar form so I can plan activities, shopping assaults and social activities.

I popped January 2011 in here as well so I can start to plan some holiday activities for Rhianna and hopefully some holidays too.

One of the sections I have tabbed is a home made gift section. I had this stuff floating all over the house so its good to collate it all in the one place. This is also where I am compiling the Xmas gift list for my family and friends.

Next section is the Christmas craft section. Now as I am a teacher I have oodles of this stuff so I just put in a few things that Rhianna and I might actually get to. And we'll be using up all the craft stuff we already have.

More craft

Next section is the Christmas food and menus section. We are having Christmas with Bill's family this year and I am bringing a salad, ham and a dessert so plenty of scope to be creative there.

Then we are having Boxing day at home (Hoorah :: our first year at home in this house) so we will be doing plenty of seafood as we'll do a BBQ by the pool.

I've included a section of low to no cost holiday activities for January. I'll be going up to Mum and Dad's on the coast for a couple of weeks to have a bit of a beach holiday with Rhianna but the rest of the time I'll be looking for cheap activities to keep boredom at bay.

And that's it. A lot of organisation for a grand total of $0. Hopefully the folder will keep my head screwed on the right way this Christmas crazy season. Thanks Libby.

Starting to Love that Postie

I have to admit that I love getting mail. Especially anything that looks remotely like a card or invitation.

But today our local postie outdid himself.

Firstly a package from Book Depository. Now, I know that technically I have ordered this stuff but it's still so exciting to actually receive it - all the way from the UK.

I'd seen this book advertised in Rhianna's Bookclub brochures for about $13 but I knew I could do better then that. I think I paid $5 for it through BD and that includes postage all the way from England. What a bargain.

Can't wait to start on some of the projects. Watch this space.

Then there was the surprise - two Gold Class Tickets. Think we won these but not sure from who.

I do tend to enter everything going and sometimes I forget what I have entered and stuff turns up.

Trying to talk Bill into playing hooky one day this week so we can head off for some serious adult time. Alone. Without. Children.

And here is the banana cake I was rabbiting on about yesterday.

It used to be called David's Banana Cake after my brother in law who devised the recipe. Quite the clever relative isn't he? But then he left my sister for another (much younger) woman and now we call it Bastards Banana Cake. I think it's a much catchier name personally.

Loving this staying at home lark...........

Today I'm loving.....

banana cake with chocolate icing
scratchy old records
ironing in front of the telly

laughing with my girlfriend till we cackled

vegemite on vita -wheats
canvas sneakers
cabbage roses
crochet coat hangers
organic meat at a reasonable price

Happy Monday all.....

On the Agenda

Whoever coined the term "sleepover" was obviously trying to be ironic.

Last night Rhianna had a friend to sleepover and I can tell you - not a lot of sleep was going on - by anybody!!!!

They finally fell asleep around half past ten and were up at the crack of dawn. And I do mean at the crack of dawn - 5.30am.

Bill was finally persuaded to take the pool cover off this morning and of course the girls could not wait to jump in.

Hypothermia anyone??????

Of course any sleepover worth it's salt involves much cleaning up to be done on the Monday morning.

Let's see -:: craft materials all over the place - check.
Wet towels and cossies everywhere- check.
Every toy known to man pulled out and played with for 30 seconds before being left - check.

As I wander around the house this Sunday afternoon I see very clearly what I'll be doing tomorrow morning.

Later on the girls found this darling little birds nest on the ground. We've added it to our tortured willow nature tree and popped a little crocheted Etsy bird into it.

So darling I had to show you.

Also on the agenda tomorrow is a trip back to the gym.
Now, I used to be with this mob around 12 months ago and got sick of it. However they have just left this offer in my letterbox -a 4 week start up special. Even if I only go for the 4 weeks it will be something - I may even lose a few kilos for Christmas.

And finally, during the week I intend to knock up a few quick summer skirts for Miss R. I have some material that needs to be used up and I think with some little tank tops these will be quite cute. I got the pattern off One pretty Thing.

I've also got two coffee mornings booked in.
One with my best friend Natalie who has just returned from 2 months overseas. I am envisioning a lot of photo envy over that morning coffee. And the second one is with another dear friend Linda - we try to fit in a couple of outings together every school term and we have been sadly remiss so far this term with my working and her putting her house up for sale.

Such lovely mundane things to look forward :: such a nice change of pace from the last few weeks.

Organic Finds

Just had to let you know about the latest organic things I am onto at the moment.

A girlfriend recommended I try Organic Rosehip Oil. It's great for scarring and stretch marks etc. But I am just rubbing a little into my face each night after a shower and my skin is starting to glow - not to mention how it feels - a bit like a babies bottom, quite frankly.

Luckily I've always had quite good skin (thanks for those great genes Mum and Dad).

I've never had acne or pimples and I've never smoked or really been a big drinker. And I think it's at this time of life that you start to reap what you sow.

I did however bake myself into oblivion in my teenage years with the good old Reef Oil so I do have some sun damage but on the whole, I'm pretty pleased with my skin. But this oil is a fantastic pep up for faces. I highly recommend.

Now that my bank balance is looking a lot healthier (thanks to some recent work) I've been indulging in my number one love - books, books and more books. Check out Book Depository for the cheapest books ever.

Here is one new addition to the book case that is really worthwhile. It's all about living an eco life with kids. I like it because they are not suggesting you live off grid and start growing your armpit hair again. No, no, no..... just some simple things everybody (and their children) can do to save the planet (and save some money).

Now that November is well and truly here my thoughts have turned to Christmas.

How could they not when you walk through the shopping centres at the moment?????

My plan is to have all my Xmas shopping done by the end of November. I'm well on the way in that department.

My brother and his wife live on a big property near Canberra and are begging everybody to come to their place for Xmas day. But with us in Sydney, my sister in Perth and Mum and Dad on the central Coast I don't know if that is going to happen. This was us all together a couple of years ago. It was one of the best Christmases ever.

Have a lovely weekend - I hope the weather where you are is nicer than here!

Back to Normal Life

After three and a half weeks of full time teaching I am back to my normal life again as of today - and boy, have I missed it. I've missed the leisurely morning starts, the silence of the house after everyone has left for the day, the little chats with my good buddy Finn and mostly just a more leisurely pace of life.

It was a hectic time - oh yes indeedy, however I did enjoy so much my time with my little Year One class - such an adorable age. And I have made a heap of new friends amongst the staff - such a terrific bunch of people to work with.

But I am beyond thrilled to be back home again.

And what did I do on my first day at home :: why all the things I love to do when I am a stay at home Mum.

First some dusting and vacuuming, followed by a lovely cup of tea in the sun. Then a bit of grocery shopping upon which I ran into a girlfriend and we had a lovely little natter in the local aisles of IGA. And then the after school pick up and a bit of bickie baking . Ahhh...bliss.

Oops nearly forgot, all the parents of my year one class bought me this lovely bunch of flowers to say thanks for teaching their kids with "much enthusiasm and fun". Twas truly a pleasure.

Birthday Celebration

Rhianna decided not to have a party this year and instead wanted to take two buddies up to Treetops Adventure Park on the Central Coast (NSW). What a great day we all had - despite the wind. If you have kids around the 5 and up age it's such a fantastic place to spend a few hours.

The girls geared up and beyond excited

The girls giggled and chatted all the way up there (1.5 hours) - now where did I put those ear plugs?????

And then we were there....... and ready to be kitted out.

Luckily Rhianna's two friends are not the nervous nellie types - it's straight onto the equipment and around the course.

This is probably the hardest challenge of the course - a "rock climb" wall.

The girls didn't mind stopping for some photos when they were on the easier parts of the course, like the swinging tunnel.

Resting on the platform between challenges

A few hours later and we're all ready for lunch. I had envisioned having a picnic at the Adventure Park but with the wind, we decided on the fast food option instead.

Back home again and the girls are ready for more - so it's some backyard monkey bars and trampolining till the parents arrive.

One of the little girls parents both work and as such I had not seen much of them around the school. We invited them in for a few drinks and nibblies when they turned up and enjoyed a few hours with some really funny and interesting people. Isn't it great how our kids find friends for us?

So, all in all a lovely day for the little people and us adults.

If you ever get the chance check Treetops Adventure Park out - it really is great.