Saturday 30 August 2014

35 – 52

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.

Saturday 23 August 2014

34 – 52

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.


Sunday 17 August 2014

33 – 52

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.


Saturday 9 August 2014

32 – 52

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.

Saturday 2 August 2014

31 – 52

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




After a beautifully warm start to the week, it has ended freezing cold! We headed down to the park today to sit in the sun and get some fresh air. The girls walked the dogs, much to the dogs' dismay and went down the slide umpteen times!

Mahlia: Talk of starting primary school next years not going down too well with Mahlia. She loves her Montessori preschool so much and desperately wants to stay there, to the point where she said she will stay and be one of the teachers! As parents, we are in denial about her starting school next year, and have not decided where to send her. Ideally, we'd like her to go to a Montessori Primary but there isn't that option on the coast. Hubby is dropping the home-school idea a lot! Decisions, decisions!

Leila: She saw the ENT doctor this week and I was so proud of her. She was so nervous, if her tongue wasn't sticking out, her fingers were in her mouth. After passing her hearing test with flying colours, we now know for sure that she is just being defiant, and there are no hearing problems. She's very excited about the prospect of her first long day at preschool next week. I am excited about one less car trip there!

Archer: Two top teeth are emerging, so he's been joining me in bed a lot earlier in the night this week. He's also learnt to clap this week too, and is very proud of himself! He joins in when we sing 'If You're Happy and You Know It', and story time at the library with Leila he brought a smile to everyone's face when he joined in. Gorgeous, he's just gorgeous.

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.

30 – 52

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




Little bit late for week 30, but I've been out of action due to my knee injury which turned out to be a fractured tibia and resulted in a brace and crutches—not ideal with three kids to look after. Thankfully, it was only for a week before the doctor said I should be fine to walk on it - phew!

Mahlia: Daddy took the girls out to a park to get them out of the house. It took her a while to recover from the snow trip and we had a few meltdowns. Thanks to me not being able to drive, she has enjoyed some lifts with one of her teachers and other friends. She surprised me this week by using a bit of sarcasm (which she may or may not have picked up from me).

Leila: During rest time, Leila called out to me, wanting to show me something 'really funny'! This was funny, however the texta all through my make-shift bed and her clothes didn't make me smile. She's a character this one!

Archer: Really getting into his food now, he pretty much eats whatever we have now which makes life easier! He continues to be super happy, and is content just sitting on the floor playing—no inclination to crawl, which has been a blessing this week!

Joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity.