Summer's here

Today the temperature reached 40 degrees Celcius in Melbourne (104F). I went into Michael's class to do a Christmas craft for the kids: little snowmen made from Styrofoam balls. Not very fitting with the weather conditions, I know. But the truth is, as ridiculous as it may be to sing Christmas carols that mention sleigh rides in the snow in a place that gets hit by extremely hot weather conditions in summer, it is SO MUCH FUN!!! To even imagine 'walking in a winter wonderland' is elusive at this time of the year down under, but I think it adds to the magic of Christmas for us here and in many parts of the world (south of the Equator mainly)... One day, I tell my kids, one day, we will stop 'dreaming of a white Christmas' - and actually experience it. But for now, our Aussie Christmases will be filled with the fun of endless summer days.

 

Today, in the inflatable pool. So awesome.

 

Christmas preparations

It's beginning to look, sound and feel like Christmas! How I love this season. I've borrowed a whole lot of Christmas DVD's, storybooks and magazines from the local library and have been devouring them with the kids before bed. Decorating the house has been fun. I just wish I had more lights, more tinsel, more cute little ornaments from second hand shops. A home can never have too many Christmas decorations.

Well... maybe it CAN... yikes


Tonight the kids spent a good couple of hours writing Christmas cards for all their classmates (22 each on average). Sienna was extra thoughtful by writing down 2 things she liked about each one of her school friends. She drew and coloured in pictures. Michael got artistic too and drew awesome characters for each one. Joshy was cute too. He wrote 4 cards to his little mates from his Sunbeam class. He drew them an 'electric rock' in each card. Please do not ask me what an electric rock is. I'm guessing though that if this type of rock ever fell on somebody, it would not only seriously hurt them, but also electrocute them. Joshy has vivid, sometimes violent imagination. Like the other day when he informed me that sparrows were likely to take people to their nest and feed their chicks human brains. I honestly don't know where he gets these things from. We are peace-loving parents!!

 

 

Picnics and outings

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup Day. Hubby was at work though (sigh...), so I took the kiddies to the Melbourne Museum. Had Louie been with me, we probably would have gone somewhere more adventurous. But the kids were excited to go, so I took them.

You know, one of my favourite things ever is PICNICS. I love the idea of settling down on a cosy picnic rug with yummy food, sitting under the shade of a leafy tree and enjoying a gentle breeze. Well, that was us yesterday in the museum garden: except that the idyllic moment only lasted about 2 minutes. For when I had finally managed to finish making up tuna sandwiches for all of them (all whilst Jacob was walking on top of everything), and started eating my own sandwich (finally the mum gets a bite), Joshy loudly announced he needed to go to the toilet. Yeah. That picnic didn't last long.

After we got tired of all the stuff in the museum I took them to the Carlton Gardens playground. And we sat down again, on my cute picnic rug.  A few moments later, there was a little panic.  Sienna had unintentionally wandered off. So far off actually that she looked the size of an ant. There was some scolding (ok, there was lots of scolding). I am wary of public places. And then there was some more scolding, when Michael started chasing an injured pigeon that they had found. The poor bird. Michael has been chasing birds since he could walk. It's all on video.

So, yesterday wasn't the best day ever. My picnic dreams evaporated quickly. And I was missing Louie lots. However, I'm grateful that although sometimes I'm not a likely candidate for Melbourne's Best Mum awards, I am with them. And they with me. And we get to do lots of stuff together. At the end of the day, they often ask: Mami, is it your turn with me? Louie and I rotate tucking them in bed and staying in their rooms for a little chat, a story, a song, or in the case of Joshy and Michael, simply some company until they fall asleep. I tell myself I must not be doing too bad a job if they still want me around for the last bit of their day. Even if all they've seen or heard, has been this imperfect, sometimes crazy woman they have for their mother, for the past 14 hours.

My favourite part of the day yesterday: Icecream at home and lying in the hammock. And when Louie got home, at 8:20pm.

 

General Conference Weekend

Twice a year, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a Mormons) get to listen to inspired messages from Church leaders. It's conference time, and it is a blessed time. Listening to Church leaders, especially those who form the presiding council, is very much like listening to the voice and will of God himself, for we believe that they speak through divine inspiration. Their messages are inspiring, ennobling and enlightening. I always feel renewed and have a more solid resolution to be a better person after conference. I want to be a better wife. A better mother to my little ones. A better neighbour and citizen. A better me. I love conference time!

Family camping trip

Life has been great as of late. We enjoyed a wonderful and inspiring church service this morning and spent time with the grandparents this afternoon. Nonna cooked an amazing dinner, as usual. She is such a good cook!

We recently returned from a short camping trip in Daylesford Victoria. We took our old caravan out again. The kids love our old beat up van. I'm happy with what we have done to it to make it more pleasing to the eye, but we still need to make more repairs. Minor repairs, but repairs nonetheless. 

This weekend we created some precious memories as a family. The kids bonded with our next door camper, an older man with a kind heart and and a cute little doggie. Nonno and Nonna, as well as Los Abuelos joined us on day two. It was so fun to have them join us. We love them and cherish them. We had a fishing adventure, warmed up in front of a campfire, climbed a tower, ate icecream, bought souvenirs and ate lots of sausages and steak. Perhaps too much. We had a picnic and even played a game of cricket. It was great.

Now as the beginning of another school term approaches I am reminded that the kids are growing fast. Sienna turned nine recently and Michael can't wait to turn seven in a month or so. 

Life is racing fast. Better keep on recording more happy moments as we go along this interesting journey we call life.

September 26th

Well, today got to a nice slow start. Louie had the day off so we had pancakes for breakfast. Made with buttermilk, of course :) Michael had a go at helping me make the mix and flipping pancakes for the first time. He did great! After all, it takes practice getting the whole flipping manoeuvre right.

 

Afterwards, we headed off to the library to veg out. We borrowed and brought back something like 30 items. It was windy and miserable in Melbourne today, so we needed some serious reading material to stay cosy and warm inside the house.

Serious reading material! This cake reminds me so much of Tanya, my sister in law and rainbow effect baking expert.

 

 

 

 

Sienna and Jacob played peek-a-boo while we were there. And then my advanced one year old killed it at chess (get it??)

 

I had the opportunity to serve someone in need tonight, and I had Nonna and Nonno to thank for, because they looked after the children while I was out. Our family is amazing.

I would like to take a few lines now to acknowledge some of my blessings. I know God loves and watches over us all. I would be ungrateful if I didn't express my gratitude for all His tender mercies.
- I am grateful  for my husband.  He is the man I chose to be my forever companion. We are good together. I am better for having him in my life. He is a choice father. How grateful I am for his love, support and for loving me even though I turned out faultier than the perfect bride he thought he was marrying.
- I am grateful to be a mother. Even though today I jokingly asked Louie if he could take a couple of them with him to work. They were driving me crazy! Though each of our children have come into our family on purpose (and not by surprise etc), I never thought i'd be the mother of four children. But here I am, and every day is an adventure. And we're in it together. Forever. That's the goal.
- I am grateful to know that 'families CAN be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan'.

Spring holidays

I love spring. And I love having the kids at home for the holidays. It gets a little demanding sometimes though, like when they start each day asking what amazing thing we are doing that day. It's hard for them to understand that not every day will be an extreme adventure, like yesterday's full day visit to the zoo.
Today we had no plans. We just took the day as it came. No looking at the clock. No endless car trips to and fro. Today the kids played with the next door neighbours on the trampoline with the hose on. They got absolutely soaked (except Joshy, who hates water play). They caught a monarch butterfly - and released it again ( I reminded them butterflies have only hours to live). A few minutes ago Papi took them to the park - at sunset. And I'll be waiting for them with ice cream. Maybe a dvd will follow. And me? Well, I even had time to hand sew a headband for Sienna. AND I got the sewing machine to work again. Sewing projects here we come! I love the holidays.

Birthday celebrations

Today we celebrated Sienna's 9th birthday. It was such a beautiful spring day. We visited the Werribee Open Range Zoo and met up with Nonno, Nonna, Josie and Bronwen and her amazing kids.
Sienna dressed up as a zookeeper for the day, and prepared some facts about some of the animals we were going to see. I promise that this girl could truly become a zookeeper one day. Exactly one year ago for her 8th birthday we came to this same place to celebrate her birthday. She just loves animals!
Here are some pics of the day. A special thank you to Nonna who brought a party in a bag! We are so lucky to have her. Especially my children, who bask in the kindness and love of this amazing woman.  It was a wonderful day, and a great reason to celebrate our little princess.

On the safari bus with Jacob

A party at the zoo!



Safari here we come!

at Hippo's section

Sienna was so happy today!

Zookeeper for the day :)

with wonderful Nonna and friends

the Davenport girls are delightful!

After a full day at the zoo, Sienna and Louie got ready to go on a Daddy Daughter Date. They had so much fun!!! They had dinner and watched a movie. Sienna was beaming when she returned home. She had been a little sad that Papi couldn't be at the zoo, but after their date she told me it had made up for his absence earlier in the day.

A few days ago, we also celebrated little Jacob's FIRST birthday. We had originally planned it on his actual birthday (31st of August) but we postponed the celebrations because Abuelo was very ill in hospital. So we waited for him to recover and then did the party. Abuelo means so much to us, and it just  would not have made sense to have the party without him. Now, I really tried to take as many photos as I could, but I still managed to miss out some very important people: the grandparents. But they were there! I promise they were.

Here are some pics from Jacob's first ever birthday party:

Joshy and Tanya. She's so pretty!

 

Party food galore!

Trying to blow the candle. Everyone tried to help Jacob.

Sienna and Michael helped me make the party favours. So cute.

Louie did such a great job with the decorations :)

Just before party started

panoramic view of party food :)
 

The Cake. Generously provided by Los Abuelos. Amazing!
 

Playing with Uncle Andrew

With little Layla

Little Jacob. My one year old. My little baby.
 

My Joshy Josh

 

Taken 20/08/13, Age 4.

I don't know why, but I like to add little cute names to my kids. Joshua is my Joshy Josh. I love him so much. Recently turned 4 years old, he is a bundle of energy. He's currently slightly obsessed with a game on the ipad and iphone. Actually, I've had to severely limit his access to this game. But he also loves other stuff: his siblings, jumping on the trampoline with me (a daily ritual after hanging out washing, weather permitting), reading books and going on imaginary treasure hunts (with cute maps that I sometimes draw for him). But the one thing I will remember my Joshy Josh most for is how he always wants to help. Especially if it's in the kitchen. He's adorable. Following are some pictures of Joshy helping out:


I love this picture. I remember this day at Bunnings. Joshy was so proud to be pushing his own trolley around. Summer 2012/2013, age 3. 

Of course, when we make cookies he gets lots of taste testing opportunities!

Age 3: It's always been fun to wash the dishes together :)
I love that I can spend my time with my little Joshy Josh. I'm going to miss him so much when he goes to kindergarten next year. I'll have to make more excuses to have fun working together. Maybe I can bake every day? 

Laughs

Today was a good day. The kids and I had a laugh over some silly video we made, starring Michael's quirky alien eye he made for the upcoming book week dress up day. We then read books, and read some more. I almost don't mind them going to bed late because of books. When Louie got home we spent time and shared and laughed again. A happy, funny and fulfilling day.

Joshy turns 4!

I'm going to ignore the fact I haven't updated this blog in like a year. The task of updating it is so difficult, i'll just have to do it little by little.
Here's a little of what's happened in the last few days.
 Joshy turned 4!! He had two celebration cakes: one at Nonna's and one in our home with Abuelos and Tio Teto. He was pretty happy to get new clothes and cool new games and toys. Yesterday we went to see Monsters University as an added treat. Had a great time.

Our apricot tree has started blossoming in the last week. It's such a wonderful sight. Shame it doesn't last that long. Jacob is such a cutie. In a matter of days, he'll be turning ONE!! He's starting to take small little steps. I think the record has been 6 consecutive steps. He's a little scared I think. So he crawls like a pro around the place. He's an expert climber too, which spells trouble! He's a little under the weather today.