So Close to Spring..

Some days we can pretend that winter is over.. The kids can race outside, the washing can go on the line, and I can sip my coffee on the patio without a blanket (or five)...

Playing games that don't come on a screen, and require imagination...

 

Tasting everything out-doorish ... sand.dirt.bark.  It's all remotely delicious.

Taking on all of the new challenges that the outdoors can throw at you..

Discovering new ways to play with old toys... (grocery shopping on a trampoline is like normal grocery shopping, except for Funner!)

Dancing like no one's watching...

...and then dancing because someone IS watching.

Taking advantage wide open spaces..

And not budging 'cause that's YOUR patch of sand.

Opening up all the doors and windows to let the fresh air in...

Clearing weeds in the most efficient way ever...

Staying out 'til the sun starts sinking, dinner smells start wafting, and your toes are frozen and blue.

These are long and happy days.

 

 

3 Peas in a Pod :)

Trying to catch all 3 kids in one picture is near impossible, so we just roll with what we get :)

My 3 little Loves :)

In the Kitchen - Energy Bites!

So usually, there isn't all that much going on in my kitchen!  I have an abundance of tasty deliciousness recipes spread across several different Pinterest boards, but I've recently discovered that pinning them doesn't make them magically appear on my table!! (Which would also explain why my wardrobe is still outdated and non-matching)

So I guess it's time to get adventurous in the kitchen!  I started out with what looked like an easy recipe, with basic ingredients for a lite snack for my little delights, aka afternoon terrors (Recipe from The Purposeful Mom )
I'd like to start by informing anyone who'll listen that I cannot stand peanut butter.  The taste, the texture...none of it is pleasant.  But here I am, being all grown up and adventurous....


Easy No Bake Energy Bites

(via The Purposeful Mom)

So I used...

3 cups of rolled oats
1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
1 cup ground flaxseed (I used this flaxseed blend)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup raisins
2/3 cup honey

And i did...

Stir everything together in a bowl.  I ended up using my hands as suggested in the recipe.  Cover and refrigerate for about 30 mins.  Roll into balls then place in an airtight container, and if your trapped in the same hideous humidity that we are, keep those tasty bites in the fridge!! 
Apparently this recipe makes between 25 - 40 balls...I have no idea how many mine actually made, cause the darn things kept disappearing...carried off by ants, no doubt...

 I have to add, this recipe took about 5 minutes to mix, and about 5 minutes to roll into balls after it was chilled.  Anything that I can do while the baby's asleep and the kids are distracted gets extra brownie points in my books!! (In fact it's probably an ideal recipe for the little wilds to help with if you're game!)

I think, in spite of the whole peanut butter thing ... We'll call these a success!!   ... and maybe ... just maybe peanut butter is OK ... ;)

Abby-Doo

Abby-doo, Crazy eyes, Miss Moo, Chunk, Sweet pea.

I'm not even behind in 'Abby updates', there just aren't any!  So hey...here's one now!!

My sweet little Abby is an absolute delight.  At around 2 and a half months she found her volume button and hasn't looked back since.  She babbles, coos, shrieks, squeals, and since last week, she hisses too.  Yep.

At 3 months and 2 weeks (the day after my birthday) she rolled from her back to her tummy...and once again, she hasn't looked back.  If there's something she wants, she simply rolls over to it.  She can also rotate around to face which ever direction she needs too.  She's starting to figure out that she can move forward if she tucks her legs under and digs her feet in...hasn't quite figured out that she needs to move her upper body to finish the move.  I can see many a face-plant in her near future!

Food, glorious food!  Miss Moo is still a breast fed baby (and will be for as long as I can), but we've introduced a small amount of home made purée apple (about a Tablespoon) in the evening, which she scoffs down as fast as she can!

Sleeps pretty hit and miss with this little poppet, but I'm pretty sure the hot, humid days/nights have a lot to do with that!   I still try to get her down for 2 - 3 naps a day, and she'll usually get an hour or two all together out of those!  Nights, she usually wakes up at least twice, sometimes more, rarely less.  And that's ok too.  What's not so much fun is her taking an hour or 2 to go back to sleep sometimes.  Partying at 2am is one of her all time favourite things!

My happy little chippy.  Such a laid back kid when I compare her to her brothers.  She fusses when she's hungry and tired, but rarely has full on meltdowns.  In fact, she really only cries when she's gassy!  We're pretty lucky there I think!   Her favourite time of day is nakey-bum time, and if she sees a nappy coming she turns into a wriggly worm trying to escape!

So, at 4 and a half months our little dumpling is just shy of 9kg (nearly 20lb) and is 68cm long (26.7 Inches) She's transitioning from her size '0' to size '1' clothing, leaving me scrambling to get photo's of her in all her pretty dresses and outfits before she outgrows them!  She's just so chunky, I love her roly legs and arms!!

This wee lass has certainly made life more hectic (and terrifying), but she's also wrapped us all around her little finger, with her chubby, dimpled cheeks and her sassy looks! 

Life truly couldn't be sweeter :)

Aint it funny..?

It's funny isn't it...the way life works out.  I remember being a teenager and thinking, I can't wait til I'm in my 20's.  I'll have a great job, money to burn, a great guy, my own home, and probably a puppy (cause dogs are the bees knees and every home should have one.  Unless you're a cat person.  Or renting.)  When I got to my 20's and still didn't have my life sorted I realised that I had the age thing all mixed up, and knew with absolute certainty that being 30-something meant all of my plans and dreams would come to fruition!

Wah-waaaah.

Where is my house in the country? My overseas adventures?  All my extra cash?  And where the heck is my dog!?

Do I sound ungrateful?  Probably.  But I promise you, I'm not in the least bit disappointed with my 'Lot' in life (except for the dog bit).  I have 'the great guy' that I always dreamt of, and he's definitely all that and a bag of potato chips.  I was able to gain my degree and experience the hectic life of the nurse that I thought I always wanted.  I also have 3 pieces of my own heart racing (or rolling) around my feet, calling me mama!

These are things that I am 100% grateful for every single minute, of every single day.

But you know, something is missing.  (Aside from the dog and the house in the sticks)  I actually miss not knowing what was coming.  I miss the adventure of heading full speed into something unknown (granted, my kids do throw a mean curve-ball on the regular...usually at my head when I'm not looking).  And I miss doing fun little things (outside of my family life) that make my heart happy.

What I need are goals!!  And dreams!!  And hobbies too, dammit!!

I remember a time when I thought owning our own reno' home was a possibility....and a time when I ran because I wanted too, for my health.  There was a time when debt-free was in our vocabulary, and so was 'lets go camping'.  There was a time when I was permanently attached to my camera, thinking I could make a go of it, and a time when I couldn't wait for the evenings so I could sit down and babble out a blog post for no one or anyone to read just because I love writing! 

But life changes a lot.  Sometimes it's good, occasionally - not so much.  What I'm starting to figure out is this.  There is no reason good enough for you to forget your dreams.  You might need to tweak them a bit along the way, or reshape your plan to get there, but never ever forget them!  Your hobbies?  They're who you are (who hasn't seen Inside Out...hockey island??)  Don't lose the person that loves these oddball hobbies!  Embrace them and find a way to make them fit, because losing your personality isn't going to benefit anyone (least of all the family you may have forgotten them for in the first place!)

You know what happens when you forget your dreams and your passions??  Nothing.  Well, nothing but a gradual decent into holey tights, hairy legs and a 3 day old singlet covered in food and who knows whose boogers (why did spell check try to change that to rogers??)!  Yes, I'm speaking from experience (and honestly, those Rogers could be anyone's).  I have so many excuses as to why I'm in a rut.  None of them are worth the cosy chair I'm sitting on.  

So while it's a bit late for the whole 'new year' thing, here are my 'oops-it's-nearly-february-resolutions'!

1.   Pick up the camera.
2.   Point it at something and shoot.
3.   Start planning that dream renovation home.
4.   Make a plan to Kill Bill....or kill our bills, whatever.
5.   Run like Forrest.  Also, stretch.
6.   Blog when I want to, not when I think I should.
7.   Shave leg hairs.  Repeat.
8.   Cook.  Cause we've gotta eat and stuff.  
9.   Can some stuff.  (Come on tomatoes, I need ya on board for this one!)
10.  Show my kids that there's always adventure just lying in wait, around every corner, in every blanket fort, and up every tree.  But that there's also adventure in hidden places too, like treading new territory in the kitchen, or finally saving up to buy something you always wanted, or even finding a new hobby.

 So hey, thanks for hanging out!!  Here's to life!!

G'nite :)

(lol, just kidding. I'm off to binge watch Property Brothers)

 

Belated Introductions ... :)

So I had a baby....

... and she might just be the bees knees...

... and the perfect addition to our mini-tribe of 5 ...

... and completely adored by her 2 Amazingly Awesome big brothers ...

... and her doting daddy ...

... and i may be just a wee bit smitten with those dimples ...

... and that hair ...

So please accept my seriously belated intro' to our wee Abigail Rose .... A birth story will follow one day soon I'm sure!

Preparing for Baby - My essentials!!

I love lists!!  Creating them, researching them...(completing them is a wee bit debatable though.)
Lucky for me, getting ready for baby requires multiple lists!!  Nursery planning, Essential items, hospital bag must-haves, clothing selection, just for fun items...!!  The list goes on (Much to my delight!!)

I love reading about what other people are using/coveting for their wee ones (or themselves) and thought that I'd add my two-cents worth!

Aside from the basics of nappies/wipes, here's my list of 'Essentials' that I like to have on hand for New Born Preparedness! (Not in any particular order)

1.  Front pack/Carrier
I know that a baby carrier isn't always considered an essential, but when you have a refluxy baby that doesn't like sleeping without momma near, it becomes exactly that.  When refluxy baby #2 arrives, and you don't want to leave them in a bouncer at the mercy of their big brother while you make breakfast, it once again becomes essential.  When baby #3 arrives, you can be sure we're gunna have that front pack ready and waiting!!

Favourite here!  

2.  Boob Cream
Because sometimes breastfeeding chafes!  Lansinoh has had a place on my nursing nightstand since I was given a wee sample 4 and a half years a go ... added bonus...it's not restricted to a boob cream.  During winter it was the perfect lip balm for babies dry chapped lips, and it put a protective barrier under babies nose for when the winter boogers started flowing (I'm not gunna lie, it also went under my nose and was a skin saver!)

Favourite here!

3.   Swaddles
 The friends I have that didn't swaddle their babes, are few and far between!  It just makes sense, and for me and mine, it seems to encourage a better sleep for baby (and so everyone else too).  We usually just use a cotton swaddle blanket and a fancy wrap technique that my sister taught me, but my Houdini children eventually learnt to escape.  This time round I'll be giving these two a go! (Wish me luck!!)

Favourites here and here!

4.   Hair Dryer
Don't think me odd, but this should really be # 1 !!  My boys were pretty happy having baths, not so much getting dressed.  Enter my Amazing midwife with the best snippet of advice I've ever received... Blow Dry your baby!!  Yup, not only is it warm on their skin (just don't hold it too close) it dries all those hard to get reach creases and rolls, and the white noise of the dryer is soothing to your lil' poppet! (Also good for babies with lots of hair!) Win win situation really!

Favourite here!

5.   Nappy Disposal Unit
We didn't get one of these until we had a toddler and a preschooler in nappies, but we got there in the end, and haven't looked back since!!  Previously, even when we were bagging the dirty nappies and taking them out to the main bin, there was still an odour...now, nothing!  Especially priceless over the long hot summer with God-Awful flies EVERYWHERE!!

Favourite here!

 6.   Nursing singlets
 I couldn't imagine not owning a stash of these while nursing!  Breast feeding becomes a lot easier and comfier when I know that my stomach and lower back can remain covered, even if I'm not wearing a proper nursing top!  When it's hot, the singlet's all you need, when it's cold you can layer up but still have reasonably easy access!

Favourite here!

7.   Butt Cream
Does anyone not own this??  We've been through a considerable amount of trial and error with lotions and potions, and finally settled on Ana's Baby Balm.  First off, because it works, and it works fast.  Second, because it's not just limited to bums (I love a good multi-tasking ointment).  And as a bonus, it's a natural product! Another Win Win!!

Favourite here!

8.   Baby Bath and Support
We've always found it easier to have a small baby bath around the house, and this time round it's an essential for us.  Winter baby + No heating in the bathroom = nothing good or fun.  With a baby bath we can follow the warmth and keep baby comfortable while she bathes.  The support? Not essential, but flippen amazing if you're trying to hold your baby up in the bath, use a flannel and also stop the other kids from dropping the fresh clothes/baby wash into the bath water :)

Favourite here!

9.   Baby Socks
I really love me some terry baby socks!!  Not so essential for summer babes, but in the winter, i found baby socks to be infinitely more effective than baby booties!  They fit perfectly as an under layer, and with a onsie over top, they become exceptionally difficult for your little one to wriggle off!  They also double as mittens when your wee poppet has talons and you can't find her gloves!

Favourites here!

And that's that!!  Did I miss much? What were some essentials you couldn't do without??
... Now I think I'll go and start my 'Non-essential, but oh-so-cute' list!!
Stay tuned!

Best Ever Fudge in the World!!

 You know those times when you strike gold with a recipe??  You know, the ones you just want to share with the world and pass down through coming generations?  Well this is one of them.
It took some delicious disappointing trial and error, but I've now discovered the worlds richest, crumbliest, most scrumptious Russian Fudge!! I'm really not sure why I haven't put this on the blog before, but here it is now!! If your looking for a sweet treat, this is a winner :) (Be warned, it is extremely more-ish ... restraint is required when eating)

The Best Russian Fudge Ever

• 200g butter
• 1 can condensed milk
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 Tbspns golden syrup
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 tspn vanilla essence 

Directions

1. Put all ingredients, apart from vanilla essence, in a pot and bring to the boil stirring all the time.


2. Boil for roughly 20 minutes, still stirring all the time.


3. In a bowl of cold water drop a little of the fudge mixture (test throughout the 20 mins of boiling), when it is at the soft ball stage remove from heat.




4. Add vanilla essence and beat with an electric beater for approximately 5 minutes until you can see it starting to set.




5. Pour into greased tin (or lined with baking paper) and place in fridge to cool and set.




6. Cut into pieces once set and keep in the fridge or locked pantry to avoid eating it all at once!

Prep time: 5mins
Cooking time: 30mins

Eating time: .... Roughly 1 hour if you're not careful!  I'm not sure if this can be frozen and rationed (ours has never lasted long enough to try)! If you find out, let me know!

Georgina from Papanui, NZ, whoever you are?  I am forever grateful to you for sharing you're best ever fudge recipe!

The Beauty of Adventure

There are a huge amount of things I want my children to learn as they grow up, and in spite of the day and age they're growing up in, none of the things at the top of my list include technology.
I'm not at all dismissing technology as a bad thing (because sometimes that i-pad is a lifesaver), just as a lower priority!

I want my kids to know the fun and excitement of being outside in the fresh air with nature, before they learn to google answers and read articles about the adventures of others.

The Beauty of Adventure?
 It doesn't always have to come on a grand scale.  Adventure, can be found in the smallest moments, if you only take the time to find it.

 The excitement of new discoveries, and fun in small but significant moments.  Counting the little things as huge, because they are.

Seeing potential in every tree, a fort in every blanket, a feast in every bean sprout.  I want my children to learn about fishing for sprats to feed the cat, and carving something with their own hands.  I want them to play in mud and eat a few snails, try to catch butterflies and collect different sea shells.

Every now and then, I'm reminded of just how special little moments can be, by the light in my children's eyes as they describe something to me, or see something that I would otherwise have over-looked.

When we walk, they point out leaves, bridges, clouds, and they will often include a story about the item that's caught their attention.  A troll under the bridge, a giant in the clouds, leaves coloured in by fairies.  As we garden, bugs are discussed (occasionally eaten) and plants are picked (also occasionally eaten).

When I take the time to slow down and pay attention, their adventure becomes mine too, as they share their delight, and I get to feel the excitement and joy that comes from discovering new things, even if it is for the millionth time.
For this gift from my children, I am so very grateful.

Let's be Adventurers!

My Fisher-Boys

Ahhh, fishing!  I have such fond memories ... casting my line out, the smell of fish bait sitting in the sun, losing a multitude of sinkers in the rocky shores of the Coromandel ... The wee tugs on the end of my fishing line, the excitement of landing my first Snapper, finding crabs and seaweed instead of the hoped for fish, seeing the Gurnard I caught earlier in the day becoming dinner ... It stands to reason that I married a man who shares my enthusiasm for the joy that is fishing ... and that our children would be educated in the ways of the fisherman ...

I confess, we were by far more excited about this than the boys were .... until they saw their very own fishing rods, and then it was all on!! Although the weather wasn't the greatest we toddled off to the closest stretch of salt water ... Raglan!

And on a teeny concrete pier (call it what you will) my boys got to 'help' their dad ready the lines with hooks and sinkers, before plopping them into the water below!!
 

With an enthusiasm that would make all the grandparents proud, the boys proceeded to reel in their lines so that we could cast them out again .... and again ...

and again ... and with the occasional mention of jelly-fish (Curse you Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for an unrealistic view of fishing) they were cast out again!

Eventually the wind picked up a bit too much and lines began to tangle faster than we could fix them, so it was time to call it a day for the fisher men!

And so it was over to the playground and beach for a run around and the best burgers I have Ever tasted at the camping grounds! (Except for Fergburger ...they shall always have my stomachs heart)

There may also have been ice-blocks and selfies!!  And some funny faces too! (And did anyone notice that I finally finished one of the snoods I was knitting!!??)

And yeah ...we fed the birds some leftover chippies.  These birds were seriously talented, and would swoop and catch the chippies before they hit the ground!!  The boys thought it was Awesome ... although I possibly found it even more hilarious than they did!
(I promise the gull wasn't swooping for Olly!)

A mid-flight chippie catch!

(Excuse the blurred pics, I asked them to slow down a bit, but birds will be birds!)
And then I started to get paranoid about getting pooped on, so it was off to find some puddles ... and some dry clothes ...

And the playground too ...

Then it was time to take our sleepy lads home!

My boys!!  They did so well with their new fishing rods, and had so much fun splashing through puddles and chasing the seagulls!!  And for me and my bearded man, it was a brilliant escape from day to day life, where we could give the boys a peek into one of our favourite past times!

Here's to more Adventures!!