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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: We had the annual Cultural Day at the girls' Montessori preschool on Saturday, and it was all about Africa. Here she is playing tug-o-war. I didn't see her most of the afternoon, and she came home exhausted and let it all out in the mother of tantrums! I am hanging out for school holidays!

Leila: My little zebra took a while to warm up but soon got into the swing of things. It was so lovely watching her with her group of little friends! She is growing so fast and is so emotional. She is looking forward to school holidays too I think!

Archer: This handsome little dude turned one this week. I can't believe it! Where has my baby gone?!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: She received a belated birthday present from her aunty Alex in England. A delicate silver chain and bracelet with a little fairy on each. She said it was just what she had always wanted.

Leila: A stinking hot day meant we were off for a cool down at the beach. This one isn't that fussed by the water, but she loves playing in the sand. She made cakes and pies for us to eat.

Archer: With a sniffly nose he wasn't 100%, and also wasn't keen on the water. But he had a munch on some sand, destroyed some of Leila's creations, and happily watched the birds.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: An emotional week in the build up to her party, but she had such a good time with 18 of her nearest and dearest little friends here. Opening up her presents, she took her time enjoying all of the homemade cards and carefully unwrapping the thoughtful gifts. One lucky little/big girl. This week she also met her new teacher that she'll have at Steiner next year, and for the following 5 years. He seems lovely and I'm feeling happy with our decision to send her there. She was extremely nervous and clingy but I can see her fitting in really well there, and I've heard that the current kindergarten class that she will be joining next year in year one, are absolutely lovely!

Leila: We had another party to go to on Saturday. Leila headed straight for the food, and once she'd filled her tummy she ventured into the pool with all of the other kids. She was quite overwhelmed having so many people at ours for Mahlia's party but she had fun with her friends too. She's been making up some hilarious songs this week, yesterday's one on our walk was all about a big leaf she had found. Her imagination blows me away, as do those big blue eyes.

Archer: I'm enjoying every last minute of these last couple of weeks of my baby, before he officially enters toddlerhood. I'm struggling with it! He's started copying us, with sounds and yawns, and has a funny fake laugh he chuckles out, together with a scrunched up nose. He wakes up form his naps and immediately wants to be outside, pointing and grunting towards the door and the down to the backyard.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Lots of big smiles this week!

Mahlia: My little-big girl turned six this week. I spent a lot of time reminiscing this time six years ago, and wondering where that time had gone. The lead up to her birthday was fraught with emotions. On the day she went swimming after opening a few presents, then home again to open the rest. She wanted to go back to the ocean pool at The Entrance, so we had lunch there followed by a quick swim (was a bit chilly again), before heading home for cake with her nana and pa. She then had a dinner date last night with her doting daddy. One happy little girl.

Leila: Having a fantastic time running in and out of the water. That laugh and smile will get her a long way. She's been quite emotional this week too, especially at school, to the point where she didn't want to go on Wednesday. I promised her a picnic in the park for lunch, and she soon forgot all about whatever it was that was troubling her.

Archer: Loving the swings, he also has a very cheeky giggle. He's started making a funny growling noise this week, much to everyone's amusement! Countdown's on to the big first birthday in a few short weeks!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: We went to the ocean baths at The Entrance after school one day this week to cool off, and we certainly did cool down - it was freezing! Mahlia's knees were knocking she was shivering so much, but she kept jumping in and swimming back to do it again.

Leila: Feeding the ducks after swimming and before story time at the library. She thought it was very amusing when the ducks nipped her fingers, Mahlia did not. I love how it looks like Leila is having a chat with the mallard duck!

Archer: Cooling off at the beach this time, snacking on the sand, showing off that cute little dimple in his cheek. He's been constantly eating these past few days—just waiting for that growth spurt!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.  

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: I found some old bubbles, and the screams of delight at popping them could be heard for miles around! Mahlia is now reading pretty fluently and needs little help. I love that she can now pick up a book and read it to herself. It opens up a whole new world to her.

Leila: Leila is also now reading! She's sounding out the words and putting them together, and even read a simple reader to Grandpa on Skype! Smart little cookie.

Archer: This little man has worked out how to tell us he wants food – he opens and closes his mouth like a fish and leans towards to fridge or pantry! Today, it has been constant! I think a growth spurt is on its way! He turned 11 months yesterday—1 month left of being my little baby. 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: Having fun in the park, just throwing the ball around. This once shy, little girl has grown into such a self-assured, out-going confident girl. I can't believe this is her last term at Montessori.

Leila: Hubby's parents took us out for breakfast, such a novelty for the girls. Leila ate her own weight in bacon!

Archer: Finally got round to putting Archer in a forward-facing car seat. He thought it was great being able to see everyone! I keep getting a giggle from him when he catches my eye in the mirror. 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity. 

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A portrait of my children, once a week, even week, in 2014.

Mahlia: Psyching herself up to jump off the wall onto the beach. It took a few attempts, but eventually she just did it. I loved watching her mentally trying to will herself to do it. She was so happy. Needless to say, Leila jumped as soon as she saw Mahlia had done it. Mahlia's confidence and self-assurance is gaining every day!

Leila: Leila's cheekiness is gaining every day! Pulling funny faces in the sunlight at breakfast. She finds it impossible to sit still, especially at the table. She makes me laugh, that little blue-eyed monkey. She's just started putting the sounds together in simple words to read them too, another smart little cookie!

Archer: We went for a late afternoon play in a playground today and Archer had his first go on the swing and see-saw. He loved them both! I love the look of pure joy in this photo. He is on the move, in his own special way. He still hasn't mastered crawling, with one foot getting stuck under him, but he pulls himself along with his hands and other foot in a sitting position. His first word, Dada, has been well-practiced over the past couple of weeks. And he's loving pulling himself up to stand. Growing up too fast.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: After a week of saying she didn't want to do nippers, she decided she did want to join and today was the first day of the season. She had an absolute ball, she had a smile on her face all morning during every activity. It was a hot and exhausting day, but she can't wait to go back next week. She was once so shy and nervous, I'm so proud of the confident young girl she has become. Hubby had a hernia operated on this week, and, being the sensitive soul that she is, she has been so worried about him. It meant the world to her to have him come to nippers to watch her.

Leila: Leila loves books. We go to the library once a week for story time, and she'll 'read' the books we borrow over and over. We borrow a handful of books for Mahlia to read, and now Leila has another person who can read to her.

Archer: Suffering from yet another cold and cough. He has learnt a new trick this week, and can now pull himself up to stand, his place of choice being in the bath—not ideal! 

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: is happy. (Mahlia just typed that herself as I asked her how she felt this week - I'm happy too, if she is!). Here she is in Terrigal climbing the cliff after watching the seal pup that had come in to rest on the rocks.

Leila: is very funny. (This is Leila's response when I asked her!). She is very funny.

Archer: is just too cute for words! He was a bit out of sorts yesterday, but once in the bath he's settled and happy. Went to bed with a temperature… here we go again.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

We had a trip to the zoo this week, with my sister-in-law and her three kids. The cousins all had such a great time, and the only drama had was a thieving bush turkey stealing our lunch!

Mahlia: We have finally made a decision regarding Mahlia's schooling next week. We have put in an application for her to attend the local Steiner school. It should be a smooth transition from Montessori, and she already has a couple of friends there. I can't believe she is starting school next year.

Leila: Having a 'swim' at the zoo, as you do! She was so enthralled by all the animals at the zoo. She was always the last one at each enclosure, watching and screaming with glee when the animal came close. Lions and tigers were the top of her 'must-see' list, but all of the animals were her favourite.

Archer: Another cough and cold this week, but he still enjoyed the zoo and the animals. I can't wait to take him again when he's older. He is shuffling around on his bottom, and trying to crawl but it is hard on our floor boards. No rush little man.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

An after-school play at the beach, celebrating the arrival of some warmer weather (finally)! The girls have had a growth spurt in these last couple of weeks, and it has resulted in a very overtired Leila this week. Look how big she looks!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

It's Father's Day here today. We haven't seen much of daddy recently, he's been so busy with this last semester of uni (thank goodness the end is in sight!), building up his prac hours at the hospital, all on top of working and getting his business set up. 

We had a lovely day, with French toast for brekkie, swimming with Archer, then lunch at Avoca, before a restful afternoon at home. I would like to make it a regular routine for a Sunday!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: Extremely proud moment today. She mastered riding her bike not long after getting it, pretty much straight away, but wasn't quite tall enough to start or stop herself. So hubby would run along next to her to get her going and stop her. When the rain subsided today, we went to Terrigal and she went off with daddy and came back shortly after and stopped, all by herself, in front of me. I then showed her how to start by herself, and after a few attempts off she went! She rode past me, tears running down her cheeks, saying 'I've got happy tears!'. She was so proud of herself, rightfully so. Round and round, for the next hour she went. I predicted a growth spurt was coming, and it would seem it has, as she can comfortably put her feet down now. Tonight she also read daddy a story in bed. Reading and bike riding all by herself—growing up way too fast.

Leila: We all had hair cuts this week. This is Leila's nervous/concentrating face. She woke with conjunctivitis this morning, so all 3 kids have now had it this week. On her balance bike, she has no fear and just goes, just not in a particularly straight line. A magpie kept swooping at her head, and I kept trying to get her to move along, but she didn't care.

Archer: He has been hit the hardest with conjunctivitis, waking each morning with his eyes glued shut, but still smiling. He's now come down with a cold. This winter has been horrendous for bugs for all of us. Thank goodness tomorrow is the last day of winter! Archer turned nine months this week, and also had his first haircut. He looks so much older now. He is getting closer to crawling, moving from sitting nearly onto all fours. Won't be long, and life will get busier!

Couldn't resist including the next two photos from the week too. Sibling love x

Off to a party!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: She came home from preschool on Monday with conjunctivitis, and had the rest of the week off. I've enjoyed having her around but it's been strange not having Leila here too. It's been a very wet week, but whenever the sun broke through the clouds we hastily escaped outdoors to burn some energy.

Leila: She came home from her morning at preschool on Monday feeling unwell, and went to my bed for a sleep (I can count the number of day time sleeps she's had since she turned 2 on one hand, so I knew she was unwell). When she woke, she vomited everywhere, the poor thing. She went to bed that night and woke the next morning as if nothing had happened, so off she went to school! Today we went on a bush walk, armed with umbrellas for the inevitable rain. The girls ran and splashed in the puddles, and Leila fell over numerous times.

Archer: His first swimming lesson started with some trepidation, but soon his little legs were kicking away. He loved it. We celebrated with a rare lunch out after, followed by a long afternoon sleep for him after all the splashing! Another tooth emerging and now suffering from conjunctivitis himself, he's had a rough week but is still smiling.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Mahlia: Getting ready to dive, she takes her swimming very seriously and doesn't like not being able to do new things. Her current hurdle is the turn underwater. We keep encouraging her to practise, practise, practise and she will get there, but she wants to be able to do it now. Apparently she is the same at school, reluctant to try new things for fear of not being able to do them. My little perfectionist.

Leila: She had her first full day at preschool this week, and loved it. Today she cleaned the kitchen cupboards and dining room chairs, and loved it! She also loves her swimming but doesn't take it seriously at all!

Archer: He's just about over his cold but is still teething. He comes into bed with me earlier and earlier in the night, everyone gets more sleep then. And he starts swimming lessons with daddy today! He loves he water and kicks away in the bath, so I'm sure he will enjoy the pool!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

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A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

We've all had a terrible cold, cough and fever this week, so we've been hibernating at home for most of it.

Mahlia: Trying to make Archer laugh. She doesn't have to do much as he always has a smile for her.

Leila: When did she get so big?! That smile can always make me smile, but we haven't seen much of it this week unfortunately.

Archer: Tuesday saw this little man in my arms, feeding, all day. Still not himself but still smiling. Those eyes and those eyelashes will be breaking hearts one day.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.