44.52 A rush of blood to the head

Head stands, cart wheels, round offs, bridges.

All day, every day.

She literally makes herself dizzy but she will not stop!

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

41.52 little chicken lover

This girl, she loves animals and these chickens get a lot of her attention. Maybe too much, lol.

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

36.52 A frog named Minnesota and the girl who loved him

Lily and Minnesota 

I can't believe I have been so remiss as to not have already featured some images and the story of Lily and her little frog.

It all began over six months ago. Our family was helping out at a working bee, clearing out an outdoor area and somebody found this sweet little frog in an old bucket in a shed. My animal obsessed daughter begged and begged to take him home. As providence would have it, we had somehow aquired a small acrylic fish tank a couple of weeks earlier and so I hesitantly (reluctantly?!) said yes. Yes, as long as she researched how to care for him and took on full responsibility for the frog herself and covered all costs. Does that sound too mean?? Ok, I had a lot on my plate at that point so just couldn't take on any more.

Eagerly, she still said yes. She googled and researched his breed, how to care for a frog and his favourite foods. She worked out it was a male frog due to the different number of toes/webbing (?! I don't remember the term because I am not a frog expert, lol, you will have to ask her). She spends her own pocket money on buying crickets from the pet shop, and breeds meal worms for his snacks. She keeps him faithfully fed and watered and changes up his environment with varying little rocks, logs and ornaments. He loves to climb but mostly loves to hide between rocks where no one can see him. She keeps the tank in her bedroom and I never knew a frog (apart from Kermit) that was showered with such love and attention, haha! She also rarely holds him (apart from for these photos) as she knows it's not good for his skin.

Only once, very early on, did he manage to somehow escape his tank in her bedroom. We thought he was gone for good until the next morning he came hopping across the kitchen floor!!!! What a fright it gave me!!

I admit I didn't have high expectations on life expectancy but she has kept little Minnesota alive and happy for over six months now. I am truly impressed with her faithfulness and care and how she has taken on such responsibility so independently.

Needless to say, all this has ramped up her campaign for a dog quite considerably!! ;)

Oh and if you wondered about the name?? Firstly, Lily seems to have a gift for naming things with such quirky and original flair. When I asked about how she came up with the name Minnesota she casually replied that she was just thinking about countries that had lots of frogs!!!!

Lollllll, I love this girl with every fibre of my being. Never change, Lily my love xx

lily // nine

My darling girl is nine. Almost double digits, as she would say, and I can hardly believe we are almost into a decade of parenting.

Lily, you have really embraced the tween zone this year. A voracious reader, you are tearing through books at a rapid rate, including many non-children's books too (you comb through my book shelves but to your dismay as you try to squirrel them off to your room, I have to inform you that many of the books are not yet quite appropriate!). Your devotion to reading fills me with joy of course, to see you become such a little book worm! 

You love hanging out with your friends, such a social butterfly. I am so grateful that you still fill me in on every social intricacy and we talk all the issues through together. I am so in awe of how self-assured and self-aware you are. How I pray we always have this relationship, it's such a privilege to be part of your world, even as it expands and grows beyond our home. I know you are so very eager to be grown. You love to take solo walks around the block. Be part of adult social events. And yet you are still so very little and I hope you can embrace your childhood for a good while yet!

You are so very funny and quirky, a total tomboy (you now spurn dresses and don't even suggest anything pink!!!) yet you still yearn for perfume and makeup and a hair straightener. You loooooove animals and have plans to be a vet (and with zero squeamishness may very well end up there!). You are constantly writing stories and plans and lists. You are incredibly creative, always sculpting amazing things out of scraps and bits and pieces. You are incredibly articulate and socially aware. How will all these beautiful parts that make you 'you' meld together over the years? I can't wait to see how God works in your life! 

It's a blessing to parent a girl like you. While we stumble our way through this new phase, leaving early childhood behind and head towards the teen years, I know it won't always be easy being our 'trial run' as the first born. But I am more grateful than ever for our strong bond, your respectful nature, and your kind and gentle heart. You are a beautiful big sister and a wonderful girl full of light and sparkle and spunk.

We love you, Lily, and couldn't be prouder of the young woman you are becoming through the grace of God. 

The Annual Interview with Lily...

What are you going to be when you grow up?

A hard decision... so many things! An acrobat! 

What’s that going to be like?

Very fun and creative! 

What are your favourite toys?

Can they be pillows? My watermelon pillow and food!

Who are your best friends?

Hayley from church, Charlie and Elsa. 

What makes you happy?

Hanging out with friends and going to the movies with just my parents. 

What makes you sad?

When my pets die.

When you dream at night, what do you dream about?

I had a great dream about where I break world records but they all go wrong. So it's like science experiments. 

What do you like to do with Daddy?

Do weightlifting and go to the movies. 

What do you like to do with Mummy?

Go to the ice skating rink and also have snuggles.

What do you like to do with Eli?

Practise tricks on the seesaw. 

What do you like to do with Miles?

Play lego with him and snuggle wrestles. 

What’s your favourite colour?

Aqua.

What’s your favourite book?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

What does Daddy do during the day?

Works very hard and comes home tired.

What does Mummy do during the day? 

Do you help homeless people? Help homeless people and come home exhausted. 

What do you do during the day?

Hang out with friends and go to school.

It's good to be nine because.....

Because you are almost double digits and you are a TWEEN! You are also no longer an equal number. 

The collage....

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!)

24.52 little feet, big steps

My little lady, on the cusp of nine and very much in the 'tween' zone. Eager to leave 'little girl' things behind, especially anything pink and sparkly...

(oh, to think those days of fairy wings and tulle skirts were so very fleeting.... #sniffsniff). 

She is so innately ready to spread her wings (just a little), so eager to find those moments of independence, her own (small) place in the big world.

Lately, she has been asking to take a walk around the block we live on during the afternoons. Those little feet, positively itching to step out into the world on her own, just in small, manageable doses.

As a mother, I am caught between society's constant alternate messaging of  -

'You have to watch them every minute or you are a terrible, neglectful parent and something terrible will happen to them...'

and 

'In our day, we roamed the neighbourhood till dark, no mobile phones, wild and free and exploring the world, this is how childhood should be...'

I listen to my gut and we choose the path that is right for us, freedom within boundaries.

I can see how much she needs this, she craves it and it seems intuitively right, this small and calculated risk. Loosening the apron strings, letting her venture out just a little.

So off she sets, around the block. A one-woman-exploration adventure.

Not too long later, she returns, beaming. Buzzing with the thrill of her bravery and accomplishment. Her smile is so wide, she is glowing with pride and self-satisfaction. Reports of all the animals she saw, neighbours she greeted and things she observed out in this wonderful world.

It's become a fairly regular thing, a little outing when those itchy feet need a little bit of independence. A stroll around the block. Just a small adventure in our very quiet neighbourhood, but it seems to soothe her spirit immensely.

Mission: Accomplished. 

Project 52: A portrait of my family once a week, every week, in 2015. 

19.52 // Assembling Ikea like a Boss!

We bought an Ikea bedside table for Lily and she was thrilled not only to have one at last (very important book storage facility!), but also to try her hand at assembling it. She busied herself in her room, hammering away with full concentration and intention. While she couldn't quite get the whole thing completed on her own, she gave it an admirable attempt! 

I never cease to be amazed at how she throws herself into things, with full confidence, determination, vision. 

You teach me daily, little lady. Never cease your striving xx

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

18.52 Building Cubbies at Calthorpe's House

During the school holidays we spent a lovely morning at historic Calthorpe's house for their cubby building workshop. The fun bit was they have a Fort Magic kit just like we do at home!

We explored the beautifully preserved 100 year old house, saw the bomb shelter out the back (!), the cubby where the children played a century ago, and went on a little bush walk.

The children then took their inspiration into designing cubbies, then they ate baked potatoes, explored the grounds and just generally had a 'jolly good time'!.

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

12.52 bubbly

She is such a ham!!

My quirky, delightful, joy-filled girl. 

Today, my husband called her a Little Princess and she sweetly replied, 'Dad, do you think you could call me a Little Tree Climber instead? 'Cos I think that's a bit more realistic?!'

Love it.

You do you, dear girl, we will just sit back and watch in awe.

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

10.52 {colour} twins in the tree

I look at these two and I think of how sweet girlhood can be.

Lily reunited with a lovely little friend and it's instantly like no time has passed. Giggling and playing Banagrams, buying matching overalls, swimming and splashing together, climbing trees and leaping waves, going (nervously) rollerblading and digging in the sand, and just chatchatchatting.... I mean, seriously!

Girlhood is so delightful. How precious it is to see them unfurl through a mother's nostalgic and doting eye xx

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

25/31 {the january project} the littlest baker

That 'pleased as punch' grin.

We had some dear friends coming for dinner and Lily wanted to make a dessert. She looked through a recipe book, selected one and made a chocolate and peanut butter slice, completely independently. 

It was full of a lot of sugar and even more love and pride xx

22/31 {the january project} part vet, part ballerina

Always on the lookout for another pet.... this time, a skink!

Lily is full of diverse interests and this week has been a rather good sampling! 

A few days ago , she did a dissection on a chicken!! (eek) The backstory is a chicken of ours sadly passed away recently (from old age) and a lovely vet friend of ours told our aspiring-vet daughter that if she wanted, they could do a dissection to learn more about it. Her eyes lit up (!!!) and so.... they did. She was not at ALL squeamish either! It was seriously the highlight of her school holidays. I was so grateful she got this real life experience but even more grateful I did not have to witness it, haha!

Then this afternoon, we had a special mother/daughter outing to her first ballet! *cue the sentimentality* It was such a precious thing to introduce her to! We saw a Storytime Ballet version of The Nutcracker and it was just wonderful, magical, breathtaking, I could go on! We then did dinner and ice cream together afterwards, and strolled around the city, peeking in on urban life and also doing a special project which I will keep just between us but it was definitely something that was so meaningful to us both. The ballet tickets were her Christmas gift, and I hope those memories will last a lifetime. They will for me, anyway! I just treasure these experiences we get to have together.

Most of all, I love the perfectly quirky and individual mix that makes up this girl of mine. Arty and creative, yet level headed and matter of fact. Animal obsessed, non-squeamish, vet/artist aspiring, ballet loving, girl of mine. 

Keep doing you, forever! God made you just as you are and I love every part xx

{the january photo a day project}

9/31 {the january project} wishful glasses

The coolest fashion accessory amongst the kids at my daughter's school (according to her anyway) is glasses. For ages she has been begging to get reading glasses, assuring us her vision is so blurry she can hardly see. She kept asking us to book her an eye test, so today at last, my husband took her. 

The optometrist informed her she has perfect 20/20 vision. 

Lily burst into tears, devastated. 

The optometrist assured her she can come back in two years and try again!

Poor, funny, dear girl. She wept hot tears of disappointment this afternoon. 

I told her I will try to find some frames with no glass or plain glass so she can at least wear them sometimes!? I think the novelty might soon wear off. In the mean time, she can try on Daddy's glasses!

Post-sprinkler play with wet hair all everywhere, her self-hacked off fringe, and Daddy's glasses... this girl has her very own sense of self and I just love it... and her! xx

{january photo a day project}

6/31 {the january project} national geographic

A bookworm surrounded by the wonders of our world....

My husband has many fond memories of pouring through National Geographic as a child, so he hunted through the classifieds and found a stack of 100 (!!) for just $20! 

The children have been enjoying reading through them... and so have we! I think this is going to keep the kids busy over the holidays - all this fresh (and quality) new reading material. 

What an incredible world we live in, what a privilege to dive into it through word and picture.

{a photo a day in January}

5/31 {the january project} snip, snip

Well, we never want to forget this certain spunky little haircut!

One night in her room, Lily got a hair-tie (loomband!) caught in her hair and decided to fix the problem herself with a pair of scissors!!! Afterwards, she was mortified with what she had done.... and said she slept the whole night with her hands covering the scene of the crime!! She came out in the morning, hands still covering the spot, very distressed and remorseful, ready to confess what she had done. When I saw the hacked off fringe, I just hugged her tight and said 'It's okay, Lily, it's just hair... it will grow back!' Later I added 'But maybe next time, ask for some help?' Soon she was giggling about her new look. This spunky girl wasn't even fussed about the random little patch of hair (oh, to have her sense of self!). She blushes and giggles when people enquire about it, but without shame. She made a mistake, oh well, we all do!

I asked if I could memorialise her hairstyle with a photo and she granted permission and so.... here 'tis.

Oh, Lily, may you always be able to own your actions, learn from your mistakes, be able to laugh at yourself and move on as graciously as you have here. 

{the january project - a photo a day}

Art Party // An Arty Girl's 8th Birthday Party!

My darling daughter Lily was turning eight and was due for a party! 

We don't do parties too often (so far, each of my kid's have had one for their 1st, 5th and now 8th birthdays). Lily's last party was her adorable Princess Tea Party when she was five (check it out here.... my teeny girl!). As we don't have them every year, when we do, I enjoy going all out to celebrate my little munchkins - and boy, do they LOVE a party :) They get to choose the theme too of course - and after running through a hundred theme variations, Lily finally settled decisively on an Art Party - fitting given her firm plans to be 'an artist' one day!

I have to admit I was thrilled with such a fun and creative theme and had an absolute blast pulling this together, with my ideas-filled little assistant planner! This kid had a clear vision and actually I was basically the assistant planner, carrying them all out on her behalf haha! Maybe she will be an event manager like her mama one day :) Lily's original big idea was to hold the party IN an art gallery so she could 'look at all the art with her friends then paint pictures of what we saw and have cake and dancing!'. Amazing, right?! But it was the midst of winter and I couldn't find a gallery that also had a good space for art and food and a horde of giggling little girls... so we decided to bring the art to us instead - with our own little gallery!

We had an absolute ball putting this all together. Homespun, simple, child-led and theme-driven, it was just a joy. I couldn't do this every year but I have to admit I absolutely love throwing parties when the time comes! I'm mostly grateful for the opportunity to make my kids feel cherished with a big celebration. And I was thrilled with Lily's creative choice because the theme just made it so easy and fun for everyone. Lots of art, laughter and food - what could be better?!

Thanks to my lovely friend Amber for taking many of following photos while I was busy flitting around! 

I think most of them speak for themselves so.... enjoy scrolling, if kid's parties are your thing ;)

DIY Art Gallery. It was so fun gathering images of some of our favourite art works. It was amazing how powerful and inspiring they all were displayed on the walls together too. The impact of beautiful art is not to underestimated :)

The Art Table, ready and waiting...

I made this simple little banner for Lily's 1st birthday party (I did the same for the boys too) and we pin them up for every birthday :) 

I made this in Canva - easy and a nice little welcome sign and wall decor.

What's a themed party without coming up with silly matching names?
Pop Art for Popcorn?! Yes, I am a genius. Ha!

'Art Palette' Rainbow Poke Cake! Click here to see how I made it and how it looks inside (clue - colourful!!). It was so easy, fun and delicious!! :) 

My lovely mother-in-law made these adorable art palette cookies

Lily came up with these names and wrote the signs. LOVE :) You can't see them too well but they are layered jelly cups.

Healthy Bliss Balls go rainbow!

Eli (6yrs) bought this little mannequin as a gift for Lily with his own money! *melt* Perfect table accessory!

Who needs table decor when you have art supplies to scatter around!? Colourful, useful and fun!  For art supplies, I had watercolours (both liquid and dry), watercolour paper, charcoal, black fine tip pens and also this fun colourful air-dry clay the kids could use to make mini-models.

An arty rainbow of fruit and veggies

I love open ended arts and crafts for kids, so I simply laid out all the materials and let them do what they liked - painting, drawing, modelling with clay. It was very relaxed and so sweet to see all the girls working away at their art. The drawing prompts on the table and walls helped inspire them when they needed it too.

I was thrilled when I found these cute little art palettes and brush sets at a cheapie shop. It meant each girl could have her own little set to use and take home. I wrote their name on each in gold pen.

'I'm just here for the food'

So, so excited for his sister's big day, my sweet boy xx

Little artists get to work!

I like to come up with (more useful, less sugary) alternatives to party bags where I can :) This time I got a bunch of calico 'library bags' and the kids had a total blast decorating them with puffy paint pens (retro!), fabric stickers and markers. Something to carry home all their art in, and use after the party. The girls were thrilled with this and I think the lollies weren't too missed ;)

Beautiful artworks drying in the afternoon sun. Little clay model animal figurines too!

They were very serious about their library bag decorating!

Lily came up with this game, kinda like 'pin the tail on the donkey' but each
blindfolded girl had to try and draw some clothing on the Lily outline, haha!

Another Lily Idea: Play Arty Musical Statues - we played music and everyone
danced around. When the music stopped, you had to freeze in a pose from one of the
art works on the walls!! It was super cute :) Harper is giving a great pose here!

Dancing up a storm and suddenly looking way too grown up! He was very into the game and had no interest in being 'out' haha

Blissfully happy to be with friends at her very own party :)

The artistes at work!

Miles was very much part of the action :)

The moment arrives... lighting the cake....

Oh my, I love this photo, cuddled up with my stripey little party-planning accomplice
as she joyfully eyes off her cake! I love this girl so much, planning a party for her was
truly a pleasure. What a wonderful young lady she is, I'm simply in awe of her xx

Great memories of a wonderful day...


Happy Birthday, Lily. What a privilege it is to celebrate you xx