Real Bedrooms - All for the Boys

All for the Boys really is a blog you need to know about, of you don't already. We were kindly invited by the lovely Allison to partake in a photo share this week and I jumped at the chance because of it's REALness. If that's a word. The brief was to shoot your kids room as they are - no perfect magazine layout, no last minute styling dash - a moment in real time that shows our imperfections (and my I have many!), but also shares our ability to let go and let kids rooms be just that - for the kids, messy and played in. For now. Tomorrow I'll get back on that tidying chore bandwagon.

So I'll admit I made their beds...

The chocolate box is full of lego, I promise!

Caught red handed - the phantom bedroom wrecker discovered at last!

Celebrating Australia

Today it's a national holiday and although it can be contentious, for me the basis of Australia Day is to help my kids understand and appreciate the country we have chosen to live in. Neither my husband nor I were born here, but our boys have and so I believe it's our responsibility to share our appreciation of this land with them, the next generation.

So what did we do?

Dad unfortunately had to work, but without our full team we still managed to tick a few traditional Aussie-isms off our list - 

Ate a mango

Ate some vegemite

Ate a lamington

Went to the beach

Chatted with mates

Got an Aussie flag tattoo (it's ok it's only a small temporary one)

So to all of you as enjoy your BBQ's and hanging out with family and friends - remember those spirits that once walked the land and enjoy it with a whole heart and happy smile.

The Cycle of Life

Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon with pals at a local dam. We had 5 kids between us along with bikes, helmets and all the usual paraphernelia. My two are still very much at the learning stage of cycling, while our three friends are collectively slightly older and therefore are quite gung ho when it comes to turning the wheels.
As a surprise the boys were offered a long loan of one of their old bikes - and although it was offered to our eldest, of course his sport billy younger brother pleaded for a turn and went off on it like Evil Knievel. Is there anything this boy can't do when he's offered anything related to sport?!
Anyway, it was such a thrill to watch the boys gain confidence and whoopeee themselves along the path, realising their achievements and loving it all the way.
When I closed the boot of the car at the end of the day I felt really touched to have been part of this day. Their day. Their success. Their future.

Dig your own hole

If you're currently experiencing torrential rain, drifting snow or summery sand then I've got the tool for you. Or should that be toy... Yep whatever the weather, this is something that would make you the best parent EVER... am I right?!

Action Pack!

Ok, I'm hyperventilating with the discovery of this SUPERRRRR magazine. Where have I been? Why have I only seen this now! Spotted on the blog of my gorgeous friends at Polli, Action Pack - the mini mag for kids IS COMPLETELY awesome! Ok you sensing my excitement yet.
So all I need is to wait patiently until my boys grow up enough to master all these great ideas....waiting...waiting patiently...

MoMa Minors NEW market magic!

Ever since MONA opened two years ago, there has been a great electricity buzzing through town. We are often there, running around behind the scenes, visiting Daddy on his break from the kitchen and so have got to know the place and the people pretty intimately.
This Saturday there'll be a new addition to the MONA events calendar and guess what, we're going to be involved! A new market  - MoMa - will begin on Saturday's, and this isn't going to be any ordinary 'craftaporium'. Oh no, there'll be a barber, a tool seller, fancy foodie types and creative locals banding together to create an afternoon of eclectic richness that I can't wait to sample. But hey, I'm going to be a bit busy because at the very end of the market snake  - you'll know what I mean when you see it - you'll find me helping out my friend Jo - super foodie gal - and giving kids the chance to taste, smell, touch, hear and learn about the precious food we're so lucky to enjoy.
There'll be treats along the way and lots of chances to chat and discuss how and why food is made. Come along if you're local this Saturday to MoMa Minors, there'll be sessions at 2pm and 4pm. And the best bit? The all important 'Brothers' will be helping me spread some fun.
I'm excited!

Oh don't despair if you can't make it, I'l be taking snaps and reporting in next week.

One thing leads to another

What was to be a major plan to get the boys to do their chores morphed into a much more artistic endeavour that I really can't deny them! We went to our local office supply shop and picked up some small white boards, magnets and coloured pens. My idea was to create their own personalised chore charts and use images drawn on the magnets to represent their jobs.
Well that has all gone out the window...FOR NOW... as they haven't stopped drawing, erasing and drawing again whether it's in the car or at the art museum visiting Daddy.