Sweet and Innocent .... sometimes..

These holidays have been somewhat of a turning point in the relationships of our children. When Stella started Kindy last year, Max and Lacey were 20 months, still toddlers and played alongside each other or her, not with her. As she heads into full time Pre Primary (she is turning 5 in April for all those Eastern Staters with different school systems) this school holidays there has been a constant stream of games, role play happy playing from all the kiddos. Sure, Angus just comes along and causes havoc but he is still trying to join in , its so beautiful to see them all playing together. The hard work of having our children so close together is certainly starting to pay off!!

Don't get me wrong, its not all fun and games, in fact, I have been a constant referee and they certainly have love/hate relationships with each other (especially Max and Lacey) but their bond is certainly growing. Stella is starting to see her brother and sister as friends, not just siblings and has even voiced her sadness that she will miss them when she goes to school. And she will!! And they will miss her. And my heart will ache.

Here the girls were playing Ballerinas, in their new dance clothes from Christmas and Max even had on his dance shorts. The term commences next week (and yes Max will go to dancing!! He wants to and we have no problem letting him go)

Cheeky little Mr has grown up too, he loves his cars, Loves to climb and loves to join in on playing buses and restaurants ( he is very good at pretending to drink a cup of tea, noise effects and all!)

So we are enjoying the last few days of our School holidays, I had so much I had wanted to do and places to take the kids, but when I ask them in the morning , they say they want to stay home, and I am happy with that! I just can't help but think, I will never get this time back. The last few days before our big girl starts school. FULL TIME. 5 DAYS A WEEK!!

This Mumma will cry!

Australia Day



Some pear, date and coconut and chocolate chip muffins as our contribution to the bring and share breakfast.



Happy belated Australia Day to all the Aussies out there!!
I hope you all had a wonderful day, whatever you may have been doing.

Hot or cold, rain or shine , its such a special day and one we love to celebrate!!

The kids were so excited as we headed of to my Aunty's for breakfast. Excited to see their cousins, and excited for the day that lay ahead.  So cute...

And our Australia Day went something like this.....

Champagne at breakfast? Yes please !!

I love that our kids love my Dad as much as I do!! He is Angus' favourite person!

Aussie Paraphernalia everywhere!

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Lucky kiddos got their nails painted by their big cousins!

Plus the mandatory temporary flag tattoos, and a touch of face painting.

After our breakfast at my Aunty's, we headed around the corner to my parents house for a swim (the temp was in the high 30's in the mid west of Western Australia ) , some lunch and more swimming. The day didn't wrap up until late arvo and we headed home around 6pm.

Cousins galore. Imagine a pool with all these kids and adults to supervise + blow up balls  = FUN FUN FUN!!

And no Australia Day is complete without a yummy pavlova!! Delicious



At the end of the day we had some very tired and worn out kids but they had the best day!! We all did.
Its amazing what some family time, sunshine and water fun can do for the soul!!

How was your Australia Day?

On a less positive note, I feel for all those being affected by the floods and damage in Queensland. Praying that you are all safe and sound and there is minimal damage to your homes and belongings x

Mother nature can be so cruel x

Summer sliding fun

Innocent,  energetic child like fun!! That's what we have been having lately...

The kids were lucky enough to be given a slippery slide for Christmas and we ALL have so much fun using it!! That's right, after getting soaked while taking some of these pictures, I put my bathers on and joined in on the fun!! The kids were so excited that Mummy was doing it too, and it really is good fun!!

This holidays, we have spent a fair bit of time at home.  I haven't seen or spoken to many friends since before Christmas and everyone is busy. Hell, I have been busy and when I think about it, I haven't actually been busy doing much, just life in general. I have actually really loved the time at home with the kids. I love having Stella home everyday and so do Max and Lacey. There has been lots of role playing, lots of Mums and Dads, doctors, hairdressers and tea parties. So much fun and so heartwarming to see and hear. Don't worry, there has been a fair amount of fighting, always the way in love/hate sibling relationships but all in all we have had a fun time just hanging and spending time together.

We have been throwing in a few activities a week but to be honest, its been nice not having any concrete plans and if things aren't going well/behaviour isn't up to scratch, then plans get put off for another day.

But I just can't believe the innocent not to mention CHEAP fun you can have with a bit of plastic and water!! This Mumma is hooked!!

NB: I have spared you the gory pictures of me in my bathers, infact they never even get taken, thankGOD but rest assured, I was there !!

Mexican Bake

Last night I made this delicious Mexican bake for dinner in our Thermomix. It was definitely a winner , easy and quick and the kids liked it and the husband LOVED it. I found the recipe on the Forum HERE but after posting this photo of our din din on Instagram, I received quite a few comments to see if it could be adapted if you didn't own a TM. And it definitely can be, it would still be super quick and easy, you would just have to chop and saute the onions yourself and cook and stir the meat. Not hard.

So I bring you the Mexican Bake recipe. Not mine, totally stolen but I just want to share it with you all.
My apologies to the diet conscious but if you have a small piece and serve it with a salad (which is what we did) then it is no different than a lasagna etc

.

 MEXICAN BAKE

INGREDIENTS

30 g olive oil

500 g beef mince

1 medium onion peeled cut in half

2 jars 250g Salsa

1 sachet Taco Seasoning

1 Packet of 6 Tortillas

1 Cup of grated Cheese of your choice

 

 

METHOD

 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees

Chop onions and saute with oil.

Add Mince and cook through.

Add Packet of taco seasoning ( I only had burrito seasoning and it was still yummy) and stir through.

Add the salsa (leave about 30g for the top) and stir right through

 

In your cassserole dish, spread out a layer of meat then place a tortilla on the top.

Add another layer of meat. Continue as you wish

Spread remaining salsa over the top tortilla and sprinkle with grated cheese.

Bake in the oven for 10 mins on 180 degrees.

 

 

Slice like a lasagna and Serve with a side salad, chips or cold the next day.

 

Enjoy!!

As I said, this recipe is stolen but so easy to do if you aren't at TM owner. Enjoy!

 

 

 

A bookcase change

 

While we were away after Christmas, my favourite home wares/ gift store in town put a few pieces of furniture on facebook at clearance prices. To say I was in love with one of them was an understatement.  I knew I loved it and wanted it, but I wasn't sure where I would put it!!
Why Angus' room of course!!

As with any room, things tend to get a little messy and out of hand at times. Especially during the silly season when cleaning and tidying time is not at optimum and with so many new toys and precious things from Christmas to find homes for, His normally tidy room looked a bit shabby!

 

Before ;

 

 

 

After;

 

 

Cupboards underneath for puzzles and toys ( I don't want to put them all in the toy room yet as he is not really old enough to play with them and the other kids may wear them out before he has a chance) , baskets with cards and keepsake boxes , wet bags and hats in the drawers and plenty of display space on top. Perfect

I have since moved the small draw unit next to it , out of his room altogether and rearranged things a few times. I just love it!!

Small changes, bargain prices, big impact.

Nothing better.....

Lately .......

Lately....
Its the school holidays, and I am loving it!!
The kids are busy playing, I am busy cleaning up after them and I am finding it hard to get back into the swing of things after our seaside holiday. Totally 'Go-Slow' mode and I need to shake it off.
A virus struck the kids and I last week. A migraine, lethargic and a cough that is just annoying, Then Angus got croup. We were a happy bunch, not!! But we all seem to be on the mend and I am motivated again (even managed a fridge clear out, made some jam, some vege stock and all in the last 2 days)

But a few snapshots of our happenings lately;

 I have caved to the 'Green smoothie" craze. To be honest, I just felt like a detox after Christmas, loved all the summer fruits and veges in season and need to start the journey of losing some serious Kg's. 4 kids in 4 years with no break, and boy does my body show it!!

Darling husband and I celebrated being together for 10 years. I shouldn't say celebrate because we didn't do anything and actually forgot the date until the afternoon but I do hope to go out , just the 2 of us at some stage. 10 years ago I would never have thought my life would be like this, I am very blessed.

The kids are loving their Christmas present from their Uncle, a bouncy castle/water slide. Hours of fun and lots of energy burnt off. Perfect....

The sewing bug has bitten me again and seeing as though we had a few days with Noel still home when we returned from holidays I was able to whip up a few things, like this dolls bedding for a dear friends daughters birthday. 

And some simple table clothes for our dining table. They are so expensive in stores and I have a heap of material that needs to be used!

Summer lunches and snacks are quite simple yet so delicious.

Sometimes, just sometimes, all 4 cherubs will be found playing together and peacefully. It may be short lived but it does still happen!! (Playing with Max's Christmas Present, the Plan Toys Eco Town)

Angus has managed to work out how to open doors!! I swear the other kids were 2 or older when they learnt this fine yet annoying art. He is one tall and very clever little man.

Hot days and new toys from Christmas have made perfect inside play moods. Lacey loves to retreat off to her sisters room and plays with her precious goodies!! Typical little sister really!

There you have a snippet of life for us lately.
Next week I will start a back to school series, with a few guest bloggers thrown in!! SO EXCITING!!

2Kool4Skool Review and Giveaway!

I don't know who was more excited when the parcel from 2Kool4Skool was delivered, the kids or myself! Even the post bag is bright and exciting, so everyone was aware of the gorgeous things that were inside!!

I have to say, as soon as the parcel was opened, the excitement levels rose , there were lots of gasps and laughter and a fair bit of smiling!! They were all scrambling to find their favourite thing and lay their claim.

 All of the gorgeous products from 2Kool4Skool are bright, fun and best of all.... original! They are unlike anything I have seen before and so new and appealing! School supplies and stationery has certainly come a long way over the past few years, and its hard to believe that all these amazing products are on the market, let alone , all available at the one online store!

The 2Kool4Skool ranges are anchored by their printed school book covers (available in 3 sizes) all aimed at simplifying the 'back to school' preparations (and avoiding the stress levels), however the range has expanded to Scratch and Sniff labels, pencil cases, Card holders, and funky pens and pencils.

There is something a bit different and novelty about each of their products, the pencils are textured and furry, the pens smell like different things and the crayons tear off. Cool or what?!

The 2Kool4Skool products are targeted at school aged children between 5- 15 years, and even though Stella is starting Pre Primary this year, some of the goodies we received, I just knew would make 2 boys happy, my nephews.

One is starting a new school this year, and I really think that by taking along some of these cool products, he will feel a little more comfortable and might help break the ice a little. The only thing now, its the fight over who gets what thing!  But they sure loved these cool pencil cases, just like Converse shoes!

Clearly not so impressed his little brother got the big shoe case! haha

Stoked with the "awesome" pencil case.

And how about this nifty spider eraser? I got the shock of my life when it came out of the package! Perfect for that daring and adventurous boy!

I have definitely claimed this pen as my own!! A popcorn scented pen!! And it really does smell like buttery yummy popcorn. Love it!! They also come in choc chip, bubblegum, pizza and lots of other yummy scents!!

And Stella's favourite!! Paw Pencils!! They feel furry, just like the real animals on the prints and come in a mixed pack of 12! How great would they be as an addition to a lolly bag or as a reward/incentive for a chore chart?

But she also loves these Paw Pencils with toppers. Cute little animals on top and fluffy to touch. Whats not to love for a little person?!

The pencil cases, book covers and card cases are  printed PVC, and most importantly , they are made using non toxic, environmentally friendly PVC and recycled paper.

The cases are large enough to hold all school supplies, even rulers and the small card cases are perfect for bus/train passes or cards and even some spare change for recess etc.

I just love the patterns and prints of the book covers and they feel so thick and durable as well. Each cover has a pocket at the front and a place on the back to hold a pencil. Perfect .

And the icing on the cake? 2Kool4Skool donate 10% of all Book cover sales directly to educating the children of Nepal!! So amazing!! You can read all about it HERE

While unpacking the goodies, I took a trip down memory lane with the Scratch & Sniff Labels!! I remember as a child just loving the smelly stickers that teachers would sometimes use, and they are a perfect reminder!

The kids can't stop smelling them!

But who said the products are only for kids? Something for Mummy was a must!! I love these clear A4 covers, I just covered a book in some pretty paper and popped the clear cover over the top. Its a great way to personalise books yet still have them protected.

Its fair to say that I love all the products from 2Kool4Skool and they will be my 'go-to' store each year when organising school supplies. The originality and quality is second to none, and the kids love everything , which is a bonus!!

And just because I know you would love to try out the goodies for yourself, and the guys at 2Kool4Skool are pretty 'cool' , they have given me this awesome prize pack valued at $125 to giveaway to one lucky Bizzy Dayz reader!!

The pack contains ; 1x eraser, 1x usb, 1 x packet of pencils, 1 x packet of scented double dip markers, 1x gymboot pencil case, 1 x packet of chocolate scented name label stickers, 1x bubble gum scented name label stickers, 1 x pack of 6 A4 book covers, 1 x pack of 6 exercise book covers, 1 x pack of 4 scrap book covers.

Definitely 'kool'!!

Entry has been made easy for you, simply use the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please check out the 2Kool4Skool website, facebook page , blog and twitter pages, to stay up to date on special offers, new products and show your support to this fabulous company!

Giveaway is open to Australian Residents only

Entries are to be received by 11:59am Friday the 18th January 2013

You Must be a liker of the 2Kool4Skool facebook page to be eligible and can receive a bonus entry by liking the Bizzy Dayz facebook page also.

Please note: I have not been paid to write this review , however was gifted products to test out. All the opinions and statements are that of my own and were written with honesty.