holidays

well its the end of the summer holidays.
we have had a great time this summer.
we have done a lot as well as relaxed and hung out.
it seems a long time ago since Archie's birthday, our Christmas party, a visit to the Myer windows and Santa. then of course Christmas. being away got us out of routine and we all relaxed ,Eildon and then the beach. we then had a week at home swimming, playing games and enjoying each others company.
it was so lovely to have Hugo at home and spent time connecting.
Hugo goes back to school tomorrow and he starts Grade 1, i cant believe my Hugo is already in grade 1 where does the time go. i have cherished the time i have had with him at home, my little mate.
it took me a while to relax and let my self have a holiday as well. its all to easy to continue cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, food shopping, household chores, running errands but after spending time at the beach and on the house boat there was none of that to do except meals and i was able to switch off and play with my children, read books and relax. when we came home i nearly slipped into the routine again but i made a decision to continue holidays at home. sure basic cleaning, meals etc etc but i took the time to sit by the pool, play with the boys, and enjoy the sun and continue reading. because of this the holidays have been great and i am recharged and ready for the year ahead.

bike ride

after fixing a puncture in Hugo's bike yesterday, he was busting to ride. so this morning the boys and i set off, Hugo was rapt to be back on his bike and this was Archie's first ride on his bike with training wheels. after a few hesitant starts he was off.
we rode to a playground so they could have a play and then back again.

lamingtons

Happy Austraila Day to you all.

freshly baked lamingtons.

howzat

a game of cricket before bed

saturdays

for Christmas i gave John a canoe. what do you buy someone that has all the gadgets they need, buys his own clothes and is fussy ????? a canoe of course !!! we live near a river and over the years friends and us have sometimes gone for a paddle. recently john had been talking about hiring one and taking the boys, but every time there were none available... so Christmas sorted.

i 'm digressing, but anyway we took the canoe away with us to Eildon and the boys loved it. Hugo picked up paddling really quickly and used it each day, with great control/ they have played all week with it in the pool; going to different countries (one side of the pool to the other) having picnics in it etc.

today John took the boys down the river. they had a great time in the canoe .

quilting ideas

i have just stumbled across this blog, and this post and it has inspired me to contemplate arch's quilt like this. i was planning squares but wasn't sure on how to quilt it. i like it. but am a little scared.....

summer days

our first week home since Christmas and we have spent the week playing with toys, swimming in the pool and just being. no stress, no where to be just our house and garden.
i have managed to clean out the hallway linen press, laundry, Arch's wardrobe in between swimming, playing uno and monopoly reading books.

Archie's Quilt

a trip to Amitie 2 weeks before Christmas resulting in me purchasing the fabrics to make arch's quilt. i had been to a few shops and nothing stuck out, i knew the colour scheme, but didn't love any of the fabrics i saw. with a few free hours one Saturday morning i went to Amitie. as i walked around i found the top fabric and fell in love, but the colours i wanted for Archie's room were red, navy and white. i must have had a confused look on my face, because Jenny, the owner came over and asked if i needed any help. i explained my predicament that i loved material in the first photo but wanted to do a quilt in the above mentioned colours, i need some help, i cant find anything i love..... Jenny took me under her wing, and it didn't matter that i was a complete beginner and that i needed help. she treated me like i was a long lost friend. nothing was too much trouble. she showed me how to work out how much fabric i needed, suggested the square size and found all the materials for me. when i wasn't sure on one or another she would find another, till eventually we had what you can see in the photo. Jenny didn't once tire from my stupid questions, or lack of commitment with certain fabrics. she had a horribly sore back and went home after she finished serving me, but she gave me her all and for that i am extremely happy with the quilt i am going to make. and as for the first fabric i loved she suggested i back the quilt with it and its almost a 2 in one quilt.

i can't recommend Amitie highly enough, even their other customers and staff made me feel worthy of making a quilt. although its a hike across the other side of town i will be back.

nature table

a few found objects from the beach for our summer nature table.

archie's room finished

new bed

finally we set up Archie's new bed

he was very excited.

first night sleeping in it tonight.

i can't believe how hard/impossible it is to find a plain white doona cover. we spent nearly all day going to every shop i could think of to find one. i eventually found a Sheridan one, and spent much more money than i was planning on, but that was the only one !!!! i have got the material to start a quilt for arch's bed, so i wanted a plain white doona cover so it will sit under the quilt.

home today

home today, but we enjoyed a wonderful late afternoon/dinner with great friends to celebrate their eldest 6th birthday. happy birthday Xander we enjoyed celebrating your special day with you.

Day 6

a day at the beach with dad, showing him all they had experienced over the week.

Day 5

Day 4 arvo

thinking how to catch those cheeky fish.

he did it !!!!

Day 4

morning fun