a wander in the trees together

After our magical snow adventures, we spent a lovely afternoon wandering through the trees at the Arboretum (well, more scampering around, in the case of the kids!), before our dear friends had to start the long journey home. 

This little woodland elf....

Peeling paper bark from the trees...

The theme of the week soon became 'pranks', namely a (very mild and good humoured) prank-war between the boys and the girls. 

The following is a series of photos I snapped of the kids discussing previous prank successes, and then the girls whispering and giggling up up a storm, as they gleefully discussed their next attack. They were in their own world and it was so lovely to capture these unguarded moments. 

Priya and Lily have the most precious bond. They shared a room and whispered all night, played all day and just had the most delightful time together. Oh, the simple beauty of girlhood friendships.

Georgia, you are such a beautiful mum! A rare little family snap (how well coordinated are they??!) xx

We love these guys, our little twinning family, and can't wait till we can hang out again.

Oh, and Arboretum, I love you too!!

26.52 snow adventures // fun with friends

We live pretty close to the snow but I have admittedly been pretty slack about taking the kids there.... all that driving and snow-gear-gathering just all seemed a bit much. #lazymum

My lovely friend Georgia, her three kids and her sister drove alllll the way down from Queensland for a visit recently and they were keen to embrace a 'proper snow day'. It was the motivation I needed to make it happen and I am sooooooo glad I did. It was such a fun and magical day, the kids had a blast and we did too. It was even more fun going with our dear friends, seeing our horde of kids playing together (we have 3 sets of same age and gender duos, so it's pretty perfect!) and embracing a bit of childhood fun ourselves, sliding down a massive snow hill on our bottoms at top speed was frankly hysterical!!! 

Most of the photos I snapped on my phone and are up on my Instagram but here are the few I managed to take with frosty fingers on my big camera. 

Why walk when you can get towed, right, Florin??

Beautiful frosty Thredbo..... you can't tell in this photo properly but it was actually SNOWING!! So magical!

I promise he is not passing out from hypothermia, he is just mucking around!!! ;) As per usual!

Florin, you little snowman, are the cutest!

Making the childhood classic - snowman! With coal for eyes and carrot for nose.... #prepared

The all important placing of the nose.

This crew! They are all such good buddies and had such a fun day! Miles hugging Florin is toooooo cute!

Snowman abandoned as the kids run off to climb the hill. So sad!

This boy had sooooo much fun in the snow. Even though he was soaked by the end of it, he never once complained of the cold and just kept exclaiming 'I love snow days! It's so beautiful! Thank you Mummy for this fun day!' #melt 

Theo, speed demon!

Mark, getting some serious speed too!!! People were flying down this hill, it was so awesome!

I just love this little image. At eight, Lily is allllll about her friends, so to have a snow adventure with her little soul sister, Priya, was just a dream come true for her! They had the best fun, two little adventurers!

Well earned hot chips at the end of an incredible day!!

Thanks Georgia and Co. for a fantastic day (let's not talk about the phone incident haha!) and for motivating us to all go on such an awesome and unforgettable adventure. 

We love your beautiful family to pieces!!! xx

Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.

25.52 that sibling life // little brother

I just can't even.

If these photos don't summarise life with an adoring/annoying younger sibling, well, I just don't know what does!?!

Ah, the plight of the long suffering (yet secretly loving it) (I think) older sister. Noisy and boy-sey he may be, but he loves and adores you, truly.



One day, I pray, you will be all grown, and you will be the dearest of friends, united in shared memories of family life and someone to roll your eyes with at all the weird ways of your parents. I know it won't be perfect but just remember, sweet kiddos, that no one else has shared this unique family life like you and your siblings have. I pray that this shared childhood experience bonds you, so you can support each other through whatever life is going to throw at you. Siblings can be such a rich blessing to each other. Flawed and messy though our family may be, if I can emerge from this these early years of parenting knowing that I have helped nurture a strong bond between my children, that you will be there to cheer each other on and support each other when we are gone, I will be so very happy and grateful.

I pray that you will love each other through the mess and cheer each other on through every success.




Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.  
(posted with Lily's permission!)