Slipping up already...

With my resolution to stop and enjoy the small things also came a resolve to post more often (at least once and week) and I have already slipped in that. I have also slipped with my little darlings. Everyday life is busy and it takes real effort to stop and enjoy them. Last week was busy, busy, busy again with going out and doing things and then when I get home and rush to complete tasks and find myself saying - not now Seth, wait a minute, go and play Ivy!! I did manage to catch myself a number of times and thought of ways the kids could help, or stopped where I was and sat on the floor for cuddles or story reading. It is amazing how well kids go back to play after giving them focused attention. So in reality playing with kids increases productivity :)

 Seth no longer sleeps everyday now - and even when he does it isn't generally as long as Ivy sleeps so we get to spend some 1-1 time together. He loves to help me and when Ivy is awake I get two helpers which isn't much fun when they both insist on sitting on the counter.

Seth cutting mushrooms for Pizza

We had some nice big chunks on our pizza :)

Just awake Ivy wanting to help...

Seth mixing the topping for the sweet pizza....

and of course tasting :)

Ivy spreading the apples on the pizza....

her tasting was very healthy.

Combined effort of spreading the topping

 Had to have a little giggle on Monday. Ivy goes to my Mums every Monday while I take Seth to swimming. On the way there Seth must of had something on his mind, so he said 'shall we have a talk about that Mum?'

Our little Ivy is a real little Mum. She LOVES babies (as does Seth actually) and they both love to hold them - especially their two new cousins Zac and Joram. Ivy loves to walk around with her dolls, prams and handbags. A real girl :)

Mumma Ivy with Zac

Kisses for Zac

Saturday morning we were hanging out for a fishing and beach fix - it has been a while. Nanarup was very windy so we ended up fishing in the inlet. The kids (and we) had a ball. Seth brought in a few fish and was very helpful in getting more bait.

More bait Dad?

So this is how you do it kids...

Icy cold mornings...

Icy cold mornings and clear blue skies - makes it very hard to get up in the morning - but once I am out for my walk - I LOVE IT! I know I am alive and I have to walk fast to keep warm. I get half an hour to think! Valuable time when you are a Mum. And when I get home my morning starts - what will the day bring? I know what I would like to get done, but with kids you just never know how it will turn out.  The kids (and Ryan) DO NOT appreciate my kisses and cuddles when I get home - 'your all cold' :)

Concentration...

I got paint on my hands

Hand prints (and foot prints)

Toothbrushing

or rather tooth brush chewing

When I asked Seth the other day what he would like for dinner - he said KEBABS! Well if you know Seth, then for him to actually suggest something for dinner is not what you'd expect so we made Kebabs. 'Its a bit cold mum' 'I'll just pass you the stick'

Kebab making partners

I am helping :)

The small things...

Ok so am in the process of being educated – It is going to be a slow work in progress and I think I will need to continue to remind myself again and again and again….. To stop working and spend quality time with my beautiful kids. I regularly read Kelly Hamptons blog http://www.kellehampton.com/ and the title of her blog is – enjoying the small things. She has the right idea…. So this week I have been making an effort to leave the housework and baking etc etc (it really helped that I didn’t have many appointments this week) and spend time with the kids. It has been wonderful. Walking round the block, laying on the floor reading books, going to the park, painting, sitting on the kitchen floor having afternoon tea, learning how to have threesome cuddles – oh fun, love and laughter!!

The small things like Seth bringing me flowers from the garden ‘because I love you Mum’ and telling me that ‘the Lord is going to make it rain soon’ and Ivy saying her little prayer at meals and then clapping her hands and being very proud of herself, Seth saying 'Please will you play with me, or catching Seth out 'reading' himself a story or singing a Psalm while playing his guitar and then my favourite – going for a walk in the morning and looking back towards the house as I go out the driveway and there are little eyes peeking just over the window sill and hands waving madly and kisses being blown. Oh LOVE!! I love my children and their funny antics and their squeezy cuddles. Now to continually remind myself to appreciate the small things…. God has blessed me sooo much!!

Had to giggle when Ryan came home from a fire the other day :)