Making a Glorious Mess with Shaving Foam Paint

It was a hot day so I decided to let the kids hang out in our indoor swimming pool (aka the bath!). I quickly mixed up some Shaving Foam Paint to give them something extra fun to play with. (Side note: I just opened up that previous post link and almost wept at Eli's glorious blonde ringlets... how I miss them!). This time I let the kids start painting without any water in the bath so the foam didn't dissolve too quickly - they loved that.

A glorious mess of bath/tile/body/hair/mouth (yuck) painting was made and despite how stained their little bodies looked at the end, it all washed off no problem. Creative messy play, keeping cool and busy happy kids - yep, all round winner!

Yes, he painted himself a beard.... 

Very serious work going on...

Ummmmm - what are your plans with that paint?!

I did wonder if he would be a permanant little blue Smurf!

1/52

Sooooo.....

I have decided to participate in Project 52 this year... well, after Project 366, even 3 x 52 seems like a bit of a cake-walk!?! I wasn't really sure if I would do a structured project this year or just keep randomly blogging as I felt the 'blogging spirit' move me! I know without doubt I am in such a habit of photo-taking, I will always take a lot more photos than I used to... this project truly changed the way I see those little every day moments around the home (yep, the magic is everywhere, peeps!). But I am admittedly looking forward to the freedom of not having to take a photo/blog Every.Single.Day and also to be able to write about different things if I feel the urge (see above: blogging spirit!). Anyway, after getting into the groove of life again one week into this year, I've decided Project 52 also seems really manageable. Will be lovely to track this new baby's transformational first year that way, plus keep a weekly record of the older two as well.

So, whilst I'm not sure what or how I will go blogging after new baby arrives verrry shortly, I think I can commit to posting every Sunday night a portrait of each of the kids from the week - even if that means doubling up a photo pulled from something I have already blogged earlier in the week. Sorry if that makes it boring, heehee, but labelling it Project 52 will make it easy for me to make up a lovely album for each of the kids at the end of this year. And what a year it will be!!

So, without further ado, here are the portraits for this first week of January. I admit it was verrry hard to pick just one of each of them! But, for once, I will restrain myself from a photo-mega-dump! :) And in a very short amount of time, there will be three weekly portraits (um, wow!)....

P.S. Will be finishing up Project 366 at the end of this week too.... eek, the count down is ON!

Glorious summer time fun on the Slip N Slide for my life-loving girl!

My Fabulous Little Baker Boy

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

The Things They Do

Eli whizzes around the carport on his new scooter, whilst his sister quietly crafts inside. 

Hard to deny the boy/girl differences emerging in these two at times!

A speeding blur of a boy...

She spends most of her free time at this table, whipping up all kinds of
creations. Here she is making a watch, I believe (she mostly prefers making
3D objects to plain old drawing). 

It Takes Two.... or Three?

I heard wails (happy out-of-key wails) coming from the family room so wandered in to investigate and found these two. 

Rocking out on their microphones on their retro little Fisher Price cassette player (no batteries, these kids do not need further amplification!!). 

Lily and Eli were laughing, squealing and giggling together, extremely pleased with their cacophony. No sweet songs, just droning out words in unison for their own amusement, e.g.

'Iiiiiiiiiiiii Looooooooooooooooooooooooovee Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu'

'Iiiiiiiiiiiii Looooooooooooooooooooooooovee Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese'

And so on...

Eventually morphed into some actual songs, thankfully - such a cheeky noisy duo!

You can almost hear them through the computer screen, can't you?!

The look of sibling love...

These two share such a special bond. Best friends, and partners in crime, silliness and various hi-jinks. First port of call for fun, games, consoling cuddles, tickles and imaginary play. I get emotional just looking back through this blog at all the amazing little moments shared between them over this past year. What a friendship has developed... the devotion they share is simply heartwarming.

I can't help but be thinking lately what it will be like when a third is introduced into their mix. I admit I feel just a little sad at the upcoming change in their bond and dynamic - even though I know change is good and another sibling to love is a blessing. It's a bit like when first time mothers get nervous about introducing a second child and wonder if they could love that second as much as the first and feel wary of how it will change the relationship they already have... Funnily enough, I never really did feel that when expecting Eli - I knew I could love that second child just fine (and indeed my heart expanded accordingly) and strongly believe in the benefit of siblings so didn't grieve the time shared. Yet this time I feel a little nervous about what it will be like for them when they don't only have each other as friend and ally and playmate... does that make sense? Like, will the increased relationship options dissolve a little of their bond with each other?

These two have such an established bond it is strange to think of how it might change with a third. Two against one? Boys against girl? Who knows. I know there is no accounting for personalities, that the dynamics between the three will ebb and flow as they age - but have been reassured by parents of 3+ kids that watching the multiple relationship dynamics form between three or more kids is a wonderful thing - more complex, yes, but richer. And I will work just as hard to build, cherish, treasure and train these three in strong sibling relationships, nurturing their bond as a trio just as I have between Lily and Eli.

Believing in the principle, blessing and benefit of growing up with multiple siblings, (although it is hard to believe right now in any bond more precious than what Lily and Eli have), I know that there will be beautiful adventures to be had, character-building challenges to overcome, and a childhood (and beyond) of memories, fun and a shared life to live with this upcoming Band of Three. Building on the powerful connection already established between these two little friends.... well, that can only be a good thing, right?!

Can anyone else relate? (Or is it just me?!) Got experiences to share? Please do!

A Delightful Dip

A lovely, lazy day.

The whole family snuggled on the couch watching 'A Muppet's Christmas Carol' in the morning. I mean, what could be more indulgent than watching a movie in the morning?! Craaaazy-town, huh?! ;) Ok, I slept in then just watched the last half with the family, but it was deliciously snuggly and felt so cosy! The kids got gifted the movie for Christmas (thanks Marg and Dave!) and we finally got a chance to watch it - hooray, we now have an annual Christmas movie to watch for a good few years I think - very sweet and funny movie, I gotta say - and the kid's thought it was hysterical.

We then cruised down to the pool for a splash around. Mark finally got to see Lily's swimming in action and was literally open-mouthed shocked at her progress. Lil' champ!

I even did a few lazy breast-stroke laps in the pool and oh it felt good to get this preggie body moving, yet be so weightless! I have been so wrecked this pregnancy I have done no exercise at all... might need to do a few more pool trips, methinks!

Chilled out family day.... yep, just what the doctor midwife ordered! 

Such a ham. 

I am addicted to these little shoulders. 

Kid loves throwing herself into the water!

Big breath. then dive!

Slip Slidin' into a New Year...

After a whirlwind December involving floor renovations, Christmas and Camp Challenge (and everything in between), we came back from camp refreshed and ready to focus on what 2013 has in store. Namely and firstly - a new family member! With everything going on, I have hardly been able to wrap my mind around the little one joining us in a mere three weeks.... let alone do anything practical like you know - drag out any clothes, bedding or nappies for the poor darling child! 

So today dawned fresh and bright, with time (glorious time) to simply settle in and start feathering this little nest. Mark is off work for the rest of the week and we have deliberately kept the week clear so we have time to rest from camp, unpack, start getting organised (mentally and practically) for the coming arrival and of course just chill out and enjoy some sweet summery family time.

And so we did. A quiet day pottering around the house. Unpacking and doing laundry from camp. The kids happily and quietly playing together with Christmas toys they have hardly seen. Digging out newborn clothes, breastfeeding pillows, rockers and assorted baby paraphernalia. Resting. Then... in the late arvo, Mark excitedly pulled out something special he had not been able to resist purchasing from Aldi a while back.... that staple of an Aussie summer childhood - yes, a Slip'N'Slide!! It was the kid's first experience and as you can see.... it sure was a good one!

Laughter, squeals, falls, splashing and watery goodness - all enjoyed by me as I sat in the shade sipping ice-tea and listening to the precious peels of laughter of my beloveds. 

Yep, this is holiday-mode!

Feeling so happy today. Refreshed and relaxed. Grateful for fun summery time to enjoy with my family and time to prepare for life's upcoming changes. So very excited (and finally getting ready) to meet this beloved baby... cannot wait!

The look of sheer delight...

To be honest, I wasn't sure if she would really get into it as she is not always
physically super adventurous but my girl threw herself down that runway
with utter abandon!

E took a more cautious approach after slipping over pretty heavily early on.
He found a safe way to make his way back up the mat!

Not quite so sure...

Stopping for a much needed sip of my decaf ice-tea!

Due to the sun and not wanting to use up too much water, 15ish minutes of slipping and sliding was plenty
before the kids retired to the luxurious clam shell in the shade!

Later on... making banana bread with Daddy

So flour-covered.... so lovable! My little E-Bear... he is just killing me with
cuteness lately!

Rolling those Suitcases Home...

Two cheeky monkeys hiding out in the emptied suitcase!

Camp is over and after a flurry of farewell hugs, and sneaking in one more visit with friends on our way home to get some delicious new-baby snuggles, we are home.

Oh, it is good to be home! 

The kids were slightly shocked to be leaving... I think Eli thought we were going to live at Camp Challenge forever. 'Fankchoo (thankyou for) Camp Challenge, Mummy!' he piped up from the back seat, unprompted, on the drive home. Such an appreciative little man!

It was a beautiful retreat from daily life. Spiritually refreshing, relaxing, tiring, fun and memorable. The children seemed to age at least six months in six mere days - such is the nature of a big adventure filled with new activities, people, learning, games and room to roam and explore with refreshing independence. So grateful for this annual blessing - time to get away from daily life for renewal and refocusing. God is good.

So, it is now 2013. A new year upon us and one I eagerly look forward to for our family. Musings on 2013 are to come but for now, suffice to say.... it's good to be home!

Lily shutting the suitcase lid is a source of much merriment!