monday gratefuls

{image via We Heart It}

I used to do grateful posts weekly but that practise feel by the wayside for some reason. Over the last few weeks I've been thinking that I need to start doing it again. To make myself accountable for my happiness and be conscience of my life and emotions.

The last few months have been good and bad all rolled into one. I've felt overwhelmed a lot and stressed out just as much. But I can honestly say that I have been enjoying these hazy newborn days too.

So here are five things that I am grateful for:

1. School Holidays
2. Air Conditioning- it's been over 40 degrees everyday for weeks and I'm so over it.
3. Kids that are generous with their cuddles
4. My new Kitchenaide Mixer- I'm loving that thing silly
5. Christmas time- It's a wonderful time of year when life really starts to slow down and we can enjoy the things that matter most.

What are you grateful for?

Things I'm Loving

It has been a while since I wrote a Things I'm Loving post but thought I would give it a whirl this week.

Things have been pretty good here, we have some good news coming our way and things just feel right...

The garden is coming to life after months of hardly any colour,

We are all getting into the Olympics! The kids are loving the swimming, diving and rowing.

Things I'm Loving

It's no secret that I have a love of all things handmade.

I am totally loving these handmade treasures.

Meet Rita, from A Little Vintage

And these Pj's I made for the boys last weekend.

I love that both my boys love them and Caden has already asked for another pair.

I also started cleaning out our walk in robe this week so I will be up-cycling some old t-shirts and jumpers to make the kids some new clothes for winter.

I also have a love for things home grown...

These little peas sprouted yesterday after we planted them over the weekend. Caden was so excited when he spotted them that we had to take a photo... or 2.

And our lemonade tree is fruiting quite a bit at the moment and we pulled about 5 kilograms of fruit off it the other day. We have been making cordial and juice with it ever since.

And I am loving being a homebody these past few days. We have played some board games and done a few craft activities.

One board game in particular has been a big hit here.

 My two eldest love playing it and we are even able to play without tears from anyone for not 'winning'!

Thank you to Kristy from Paisley Jade for recommending Pictureka to us! It has been getting pull out a lot these school holidays

And I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving today.

Things I'm Loving

There is one thing that I can tell you for certain this week, that is School Holidays start at 3pm this afternoon and I will be jumping up and down with excitement!

School holidays means no rushing in the morning even though I am up at 5:30am, it means no wrestling a glue stick out of a toddlers hand for the 100th time because he has decided that he wants to smear glue all over the school desks and it also means not have to referee the eldest twos arguments over who gets to get in the car first...

So yes, this week I am certainly loving school holidays!

I am also loving this cute little cushion cover that arrived in the mail.

I bought it from the Curly Pops shop last week.

I am also loving the gorgeous new fabric line from Aneela Hoey, A Walk in the Woods

Mahli asked me to take photos of her the other day, so I am loving this new instalment of the many faces of Mahli.

Ethans' speech is coming along in leaps and bounds. If he can't find someone is the house, he walks around calling out 'Where are you', followed by our names. He says hello and goodbye unprompted. And he is always calling out Muuuuuuuuum, come here!

He has been sitting outside talking to Patch our guinea pig every afternoon too, it is so cute to watch him do it.

So what are you loving this week? Are you looking forward to school holidays or are you dreading them?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving.

Love Love Love

I'm loving these two little lovelies that have come to live with us in our home.

They are from Jennie of A Little Vintage. I have my eyes on one of here dolls next!

Something else that made me smile this week was that I had Parent/Teacher Interviews with Cadens teacher on Tuesday and I am loving what fabulous things she had to say about my little (big) boy! He is doing so well, but we do have to work on his confidence in social situations. We are hoping that him starting football will help it. We have already seen a improvement since the start of the year and I think that is thanks to going to Little Athletics and Swimming.

Talking about Little A's, they had the break up last Friday and the kids received a certificate and a little trophy. It was so great seeing how proud they were to receive them. I couldn't get a great photo though and then I had to run off to work so I missed the opportunity to get another one. So these ones will just have to do!

And this little guy is no longer saying cheese in photos or growling... but is now pretending to sleep complete with snoring...

He sure is full of character!

What are you loving today?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade today for Things I'm Loving.

Things I'm Loving

Remember how I said I was sick last week? Well I only started to feel normal last night. This last week I just wanted to stay and bed and sleep the sickness away, but alas School and Kindy runs plus a 21 month old meant that just couldn't happen. So this past week was all about minimal activites that could keep Ethan entertain for as long as possible.

That meant getting out the wooden blocks.

He would build a tower and then take great delight in knocking it down! I am really loving this age. He is learning so many new things everyday and surprising both himself and us.

What are you loving today? 

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving.

Things I'm Loving

I woke up yesterday with a sore throat and a stuffy nose, that seemed to progress to a fever and body aches as they day went on. Today I have woken up much the same if not worse. But hey, at least my week started out well!

I got actually had some time for sewing and

creating the wall art for Caden's room.

Ethan progressed from only saying cheese in photos to pretending to growl...

Mahli tried her hand at striking a poses.

That girls is certainly not shy around a camera!

And yesterday Caden started football training (Rubgy League for those playing at home) He was so excited about it. I really wish I made it down there to watch him, but instead I stayed home. Hopefully I will get there next week.

Oh and I recently purchased this little beauty for $10!

 It does need some work, but for the time being I am just happy to look at her!

What are you loving this week? 

I am linking up with the lovely Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving.

Things I'm Loving

This week may have not started out on the best note, but I am determined to turn it around.

I need to keep remembering these:

I found this on pinterest last week and printed it straight away.

And this on is on my cork board above my computer

 And I think I am on the right track.

And if all else fails, I just look at these three:

What makes you smile?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade today for Things I'm Loving.

Things I'm Loving

It is time for me to reflect on the Things I'm Loving! This week has been a shocker, so looking to the positives and being grateful for them is what I need right now.

So, I got to spend the day with just this girl yesterday.

We had fun and she has asked to do it more often. And I plan on it!

It has been sooo hot here lately that the kids had an absolute ball running under the sprinkler over the weekend

B's first week in his new position is going well. We finally found out a little more about it. He is on a 3 month trial, it is all dependant on the other guy though as B was asked to step in due to the other supervisor needing a break. So they have sent the other guy to another job so he can try his hand at that. If he decides he doesn't like it B will have to go back to his old job. But B has an out clause too. If he doesn't like it he can go back to his old job too. Sorry for be so vague, I can't really share much about it. But what I can say is that I am loving that he is home before dark every single day and that there is no more night shift (well for the next 3 months anyhow)

What are you loving this week?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving.

Things I'm Loving

It has been a while since I have done a Things I'm Loving post and thought today would be a great day for it.

This week has been pretty good.

B got a promotion!!! I might not be permanent as he has to complete the trial first, but I am still pretty excited for him.

I made myself a dress! I hadn't made any clothing for myself until this week.

I am loving my new ring!

And matching bookmark.

And check out what I received in the mail yesterday!

I can't wait to show you what I sent to my partner. I'll hopefully have it up on the blog on the weekend.

See I told you it was a good week. Well a part from the teething toddler that won't stop screaming or the fact that it looks like I have PCOS, but hey look at all the great stuff that did happen!!!

What are you loving this weeks?

I am linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving