2015 Catch Up

Its a long time between posts around here. Its also a long time between February and May!! Its amazing what you can fit in just a few months , and we have done our absolute best to fill our time completely. 

Time flies when you are having fun, but I have also had to farewell my beloved Canon camera (and it hasn't been replaced yet, I have to keep growing my money tree) and the ever important MacBook needed a trip to the doctors. These all contribute to not posting . But then again, so does trips away ( Coral Bay, Point Samson, Pardoo etc) , concerts in the big smoke (Stella and I flew to Perth with friends for the One Direction concert) and lots and lots of sporting and school commitments. 

The kids all helping Stella make her Poster for the concert

Stella  and I before the One Direction concert

Stella's favourite band member, Harry in the flesh (well on the big screen!!)

We all had THE BEST time in Coral Bay in April. We met my family there and enjoyed a sunny , glorious week at the best beach ever! 

Our caravan set up at Pardoo Station. Such a relaxing place, the kids are always asking to go back!

Playing tourist in Wickham

 Our new DOME cafe opened earlier this year!! What a treat and so exciting for us all! Now somewhere large enough to meet friends for meals/coffees, great for kids and convenient. Perfect !

Our girls enjoying a Dome breakfast!

I have added President of the school P & C to my repertoire and that has kept me well and truly busy. Lots of functions and fundraising events to organise and manage. 

The kids have taken up soccer and Auskick , as well as the usual dancing sessions. 

I've started a market stall business with a lovely girlfriend. We make a variety of jewellery (clay and wood ) and other home wares items. That has been a ton of fun, creating and playing!! 

My husband is still working a shift roster. Which seems to be working for us. The weekends he works aren't the best but the down time is amazing!

We survived another Pilbara summer!! Yay!! And our beautiful winter is upon us. These days are the ones we live for and make the terrible summer worth it!!  Lots of camping (glamping in our caravan more like it) to be done at this time of year. 

We have celebrated 4 out of our 6 family members birthdays already!! I turned 30 (oh dear) in March, Stella 7 at the start of April (while we were away) and Max and Lacey at the end of April (and they had a party this year , so a post on that is to come).

Heading out for a lovely meal and 30th Birthday celebration with my beautiful girlfriends, I like a bit of matchy matchy!

We have holidays planned for later in the year and hopefully family visiting soon enough so lots of things to look forward to! 

With lots of posts in mind, I have been taking snaps and trying to plan a few cool things for the blog, so lets see if I can make it all happen. Fingers crossed!! 

But for now, a catch up post and a ton of photos. Next up , a little DIY with instructions. Just cos ......

And just because they are cute! And I am loving being a proper 'soccer Mum'. Its so awesome seeing them run around, trying hard and enjoying themselves! 

Poor Max has been left for dust in the height department by his twin Lacey!  

Refreshing for the New School Term

We are only a few days into our first week of school holidays here in WA, however , we are going away for most of break so I really wanted to get organised and sorted early.

With only one Term to go of school, the kids school bags, shoes and supplies are getting a bit grubby, disorganised and need a little refresh. 

Each holidays I like to give the kids school bags a wipe over. They are made of a PVC type fabric so can't really be chucked in a machine (well its no benefit) but just by using a spray bottle and cloth, they come up sparkly and clean!

I like to use a Eucalyptus spray (diluted using the Eucalyptus cleaning solution) for the initial clean and then a quick once over with Pinoclean for a disinfectant of germies!

All our kids have a whole set of school clothes as a spare in the bottom of their larger pocket ( I just bought generic and plain items from Best and Less) of their school bags. 

When I was away a few weeks ago, I picked up this handy plastic pencil case, perfect for storing wet or soiled items or to keep the clothes safe from lunch box spills. 

The change of clothes now has a new home and it folds nicely in the base of her bag.

Stella has a little zippered purse in the front pocket of her bag (I don't quite trust Max and Lacey with one yet hehe) and this holds a few dollars in change. Just in case she needs to buy something from the Canteen, I forget money for an excursion or 'ice cup Friday'. 

I simply topped up the change, cleaned it up and popped it back in the front pocket. 

Before the term ends, its also a good idea to check your kids school supplies, pencil cases and other items like hats etc incase they need a top up or replacement. Some teachers may send a note home (Stella's teacher has a small printable she uses where she ticks the item that needs to be replenished) but you could also ask your children.

Stella needs new Wind up crayons , and because we are heading into our extremely HOT summer, I bought a new roll on Suncream for her to use at break times. 

All the kids sneakers have had a run through the washing machine and look like brand new and all their school hats have had a thorough wash and dry in the sun (helps to kill any left over germs).

I am now free to go on holidays, enjoy myself and return home and not have to worry about back to school preparations. 

I think I may just try and be this organised more often! 

Our Break away ..

I have had a little blogging hiatus lately, not by choice, but more just lack of time. So I guess I did make a choice, I chose to spend time and live in the moment with my family and try and make it up to you later!! So I promise, in the efforts of sucking up, I will have quite a few blog posts to come!

But for now, some snaps of our family holiday just before the school holidays started! We took the last week of term off, travelled about 760km south, while my parents travelled roughly the same distance north and we met in a gorgeous , small, seaside town for a week of rest and relaxation! 

We camped in a tent, while my parents had a caravan that they borrowed from friends and we had a ball! The kids were in heaven with their grandparents there and Dad on holidays. We spent our days at the beach , swimming, snorkeling , building sand castles. Our afternoons having some nibbles and beverages and taking the time to catch up and just chat. The things you can't do when you live 1300km from your family! 

So here is our holiday in photos .... 

The scenery on the way down was just lots of this. We have had a dry wet season and it is showing on the Pilbara soil! 

I made sure to pack lots of simple activities for the kids. Play dough, colouring in books, blackboards and the best of all - Paint with water books!! A cup of water and a paintbrush and its hours of entertainment! 

Fun in the sun , the bay is protected, clear and just stunning! 

Its not a holiday without a few G & T's !! 

Because we travelled south, the weather was much cooler than we were used to in the morning and at night so we felt it a little. Daddy did not complain when he scored more cuddles though!

This lovely friend was under my chair and my husband warned me not to move!! Who does that?! Of course I ran and jumped on the Engel fridge!! 

No summer holiday is complete without an icecream! 

I just wanted one nice photo of our 2 girls together!! 

Always dancing and prancing together! 

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Poor Angus was so worn out when we went out for dinner on our last night, he didn't get to eat his meal and fell asleep on the chair! 

Road side toilet breaks on the way home. One for the 21st book!! 

Doesn't it look terrible? All that white sand and the clear water? All of the big snapper and sting rays you can see while snorkeling? The tropical fish, the warm water, the protected bay? 

Needless to say it was a beautiful week, spending time with my parents and taking some time out as a family. We have re booked for next year and can't wait!! 

The kids favourite things? 

Building sand castles

Grandma and Poppy

And sleeping in a tent ! 

Easy to please aren't they?!

3 week milestone

Today marks exactly 3 weeks that we have been living in our new town. The weather has been gorgeous, there are lots of parks and new places to see and explore but I feel tired. Riding this emotional roller coaster is exhausting! ha ha (Perhaps its more about a teething toddler, who is adjusting to his new environment and likes to cry for his Mum right through the night) 

But hey... we have survived and I am proud to say, with only one 'melt-down day' in the mix.

We had a week here and then school holidays started so its nice to not have to start organising Stella and having deadlines straight away, although she is desperate to start school. We don't know where our permanent housing will be yet, which is making enrolling in a school quite difficult but by early next week we 'should' have it sorted.

We have joined a playgroup and attended 2 sessions so far, its nice to go and have adult conversation and meet new people. And I am lucky enough to have one friend who moved here a few years ago and we have met at the park a few times. These things have contributed greatly to my sanity. 

My husband is loving his new job, which is fantastic, we couldn't ask for more than that and over time I know things will get easier. 

I am just desperate for a permanent house, all our furniture, kids toys and possessions but that could be up to 4 months away yet! I have never been one for living a minimal lifestyle and as you all have realised, I love photographs and prints , and like to have them all around me!

Soon..... I keep telling myself , soon.

Anyway.... here are some pics of the last few weeks , exploring our new town.

My loves, watching a ship going out and the chopper going out to a new one. The port here is so busy, the kids are loving it!

We have been loving checking out all the awesome parks around. The weather has been warm (shorts and shirt) and by the end of the day the kids are knackered from playing hard. Perfect!

This park is around the corner from our house. Its nice to just walk around and play whenever we want /need to.

Little Angus thinks he is a monkey and is NOT afraid of anything at the moment!! 

Park with a view, overlooking the ocean. The kids call this the "dizzy park" because everything seems to make them dizzy.

Oh o. First park casualty. Soft fall is great for cushioned landing, not great for faces. 

                                     This park has a view overlooking the port and the ships.

And we have had a disaster or 2 since being here swell. Max found his Dad's small clippers (that he uses on his face) and decided to give them a try!!! 

And then he tried them out on his little brother but was luckily caught in the act before it progressed past a small spot on Angus. ( All while in Dads care of course, thank goodness not in mine!)

Everything is close enough that we can walk or scooter and occasionally the kids walk nicely! ha

We have changed the bedroom configuration around since moving too. The boys share a room and the girls share. Splitting the twins up was a big decision as they have never slept separately but it really isn't an issue. As a result though, the boys are growing closer everyday. So cute!

We have enjoyed finding gorgeous little things around the town, the kids especially love these veranda type things that line the main street, and cast a gorgeous shadow on the ground below.

The first weekend we were here , we caught the night markets. A mix of great food and entertainment and some cool stalls of local handmade goodies. I am looking forward to the next one , as they are every 2 months in winter.

Entertaining the kids for 3 weeks has been rather ...... testing. Especially when all they have is one packing box of toys for the 4 of them, no outside play toys and no craft supplies.

We can't live at the park all the time, unfortunately, but they have been making do and still smiling :)

Playing hairdressers

Playdough and plant creations

And occasionally the odd toy or 2 has been confiscated. Worse punishment for them if its a favourite.  Barbie struck it lucky this day!

And the best part? That my husband finishes work by 4 in the afternoon. That the weather is still warm enough, in the middle of winter, to enjoy a play and dinner at the park.

                                  That the view when cooking said dinner , looks like this ;

                         And whats the best best thing? That we still have each other. Our family.

P.S- The mojo is slowing starting to come back. Its not that I don't have a desire to write, because I do, but we are in limbo at the moment, and there is only so much park and play one can see, am I right?

HOWEVER!! Stay tuned, because tomorrow I have a cool giveaway starting x