31 Photos in 31 Days. 27 & 28

Day 27

Last night the boys and I went to get Michael from work and this is what greeted us in the car park. The bucket wheel with all its lights on, which is the boys most favorite thing at Dad's work mostly because they can see it before they see the rest of the mine. Looks quite pretty if you dont look to close and see the piles of coal.

Day 28

The boys helping me drag some of their toys from the grass area of the yard around the back to concrete heaven, after some dirty rat bag kids from up the road helped themselves to some of the boys favorite outside toys. Including the billy cart (pictured) and Jack's birthday scooter (not pictured, still missing). Yes I found the billy cart and dragged it out of said dirty rat bag kids yard. That's right don't mess with my kids or you can deal with me!

31 Photos 31 Days. Day 26

You like?

Yep I finally got my eternity ring (its the one on top that's still shiny).

This is what I get for carrying and pushing out two moster sized babies, that are boys, that looked just like their Dad, that were so hungry I felt like a cow I was being milked so often.

It was actually my mother's day present that was on lay by for a while then had to be re sized and then the jeweller was on holidays ANYWAY who cares because its here!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 25

Now that's what I call a cupcake!

James and I made baby cupcakes today and after school I let the boys ice them and sprinkle them. I'm not sure if Jack could have got any more sprinkles on there if he tried!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24!

This is me guilt free blogging and its a wonderful thing!

As usual there is not enough time in the day to do everything so if I'm blogging I'm telling myself there is things that need doing. But today I've covered the basics, washing machine on, dryer on, dishwasher on, kitchen floor mopped, Charlie napping, James having morning tea watching his favorite movie Cars.

So I'm catching up on a few days not because I'm lazy but because my computer is about to die and decided it didn't recognise that F drive had something in it. Thanks for that.

Day 20

Can you say destructive?

Day 21

So excited about Dads Birthday party they are playing their kitchen 'bitars' they were all blurry because I was laughing so hard but this is the best one of the lot : )

Day 22

Sunday Morning Sorrow, Being 29 is hard don't you know.

Day 23

Ever get the feeling your child has been taken over by Stewie from Family guy?

Day 24

Butter wouldn't melt... even though I found him in my room trying to destroy anything and everything he could find!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 19

Here is Jack this morning having a warm milk out of his very cool very late birthday present from Grandad. Thanks Grandad.

For his 5th Birthday this year we made Mr messy invites. The party was a huge day and there was loads of mess. Perfect for a little boys birthday!

My Place & Yours

This is me folding washing and stacking the dishwasher, can you see me doing it? So I admit I've turned my back on the housework and have decided I'd rather sit on my butt in front of the computer, the housework will still be there tomorrow.

This weeks theme at Hello Owl is What is the last thing you bought for yourself?

On Sunday I had a hungover tired husband who had forgotten everything he had suggested the evening before whist he was drunk merry. I kindly reminded him that we were going to the markets and he had promised me I could buy anything I wanted. I may have been stretching the truth. A lot.
So I bought this very cute completely impractical bag and I loved it.

Head over to Hello Owl and play along or check out what othere people have been buying for themselves.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 18

I always thought kids dressed in silly outfits was for mean parents or those who don't know better. Until I saw this 'suit'. Michael is going to be MC at his cousins wedding in September and I was looking on eBay (are you surprised?) for a cute outfit for Charlie to wear.
Well now I am one of those parents that dresses their kids in ridiculous outfits and I looove it! This is a all in one suit that has black 'pants' and a white 'shirt' that awesome bow tie and the suspenders (that you cant take off but they do move)

I tried hopelessly for half an hour to get a full body picture of this suit but master Charlie was tired and cranky and refuses to sit still for anything or anyone so I'm pretty impressed with this picture!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 17

Today my darling hubby turns 29. I made these fun cupcakes today for us to have after his birthday dinner.  

I always make a big deal out of his birthday and I think a lot of it is to distract myself. 

Not many people know, (including some family, sorry if this is a bit of a shock) but today I feel like telling my story.

A long time before Michael and I were together I fell pregnant. I was 18, the father and I were not together, I had a casual job and I was still living at home, not exactly the best circumstances for bringing a baby into the world. After a lot of sleepless nights and many teary conversations with my best friend and my mum, who became a mum at 17 and always told me what a hard life it was, I decided not to keep it.

At first I was so relieved it was all over and I didn't have to think about it anymore, the more time passed the more and more I regreted it (and still do some days). When I hear about people struggling to conceive my heart sinks and I feel so so guilty even though I know at the time it was the right thing to do.

Anyway my due date was the same as Michael's birthday, (kinda creepy hey?) so today I would have a 7 year old, and if I did I probably would never had met Michael, and life would be very different.

It still amazes me how the universe works.

Although I appreciate all comments, please remember this is a very hard subject for me to talk about. I know everyone has their own view on it pro and against but this is a very sensitive subject thats obviously close to my heart.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 16

One of the joys of being in a family of 5.

I could wash and fold this much washing everyday and not run out of things to wash. Charlie went through 4 outfits before school pick up.

Admit to me your jealous, it's ok I know you are.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 12

Well it was bound to happen eventually I missed a few days of the challenge but I am feeling 110% today so am back into it!
After a few days with a sore back I was forced to stare at my increasingly grubby house, today after we dropped Jack to school I felt a little sore but not enough to slow me down, so before I started to scrub walls and wash a million loads of clothes I re arranged Charlie's room.

This is the view from the doorway, out of view to the right is his chest of draws with clothes in it and change mat on top, his swing, and a toy box full of stuffed animals.

Before his change table was where the cot is the cot was where the bookshelf is. It feels nicer this way but I'm defiantly not done with it yet. I just don't know what I want in there! I have a feeling by the time I finish he'll be out of his cot and ready for cars and trucks to be everywhere!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 9 & 11~ My Place and Yours

Day 9

Try to make three kids look at you without the 'camera smile' Must be dancing time!

Monday was a pupil free day here so I tried to make it a fun day. We made brownies, did some craft, had a picnic in the front yard, then the big boys and I snuck into my bed and watched a movie while Michael entertained Charlie and put him to bed.

Day 11

I am completely cheating. I have a majorly sore back from carrying the tank around the national park on Saturday and all I want to do is lay down and die. So today you get a two for one deal! Don't you feel special?

My Day 11 photo is also my My Place and Yours photo.

My photo isn't childhood memories but its the first thing I thought of as soon as I read Danielle's theme for this week.

This is a photo collage my friends Sarah and Suez made for me when Michael and I first moved to QLD. It does remind me of all the good times snapped in all those photos but it reminds me more of the great friends who made it for me. It was before we all had digital photos and email so it took a lot of visiting other friends, searching through photo albums, borrowing negatives, finding who has the negatives to what photos, getting photos reprinted etc etc. Best going away gift I've ever gotten.

Play along or check out other peoples memories pictures over at Hello Owl 

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 8

This is my sweet Jack.

I love him at 5. I of course love him always but 5 is definatly my favorite age so far. This morning Charlie was sad and cranky and sick and didn't have a morning nap, I was running out of things to keep him amused. Jack asked if he could push Charlie around the yard in the travel stroller (cheapo from Kmart about 4 years ago) I was a bit hesitant as its a favorite past time of Jack to push James like a rally car. After about 10 minutes of Jack telling me he would be careful and wouldn't go fast, I caved and let him go and for half an hour all I heard was Charlie giggling!

Best big brother ever.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 7

After watching an old episode of Nigella Bites late last night I was inspired to make fun eggy bread for breakfast.

So this morning this is what the boys had, even Charlie got some! Eggy bread with lashings of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon and just a few strawberries. I bought loads of cookie cutters for playdough but have none left in my kitchen so I had to borrow the love heart from the playdough collection (I gave it as good wash first) The boys were very happy with it, Jack asked me if they got love hearts because I love them, I said yes of course, it was actually the first shape I grabbed, he didn't need to know that : )

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 6

I'm pretty impressed were up to Day 6 and so far I've managed to keep up!

Here is my cheeky boy who was meant to be having a nap, instead he decided having a look out his window was a much better idea!

Not to self move the cot away from the window.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 5

After reading this post Michael and I had a talk about where we are what were doing and where we'll be in 15 years.

(We look like we've been living in QLD for too long with no sunscreen)

We are the classic example of opposites attract. We are that song by Paula Abdul.

We started talking this morning about the things we don't like that the other one likes.

We don't agree on music, movies, TV shows, clothes, hobbies, food, parenting style, cars, house decor, kids names, alcohol. He likes being outdoors I like to be inside. I call them cows he calls them cattle. I get travel sick he likes driving holidays and boating. I could go on and on all day but it's making Michael sad.

We love each other (a whole bunch) and have fun together, we have the same kind of morals, were both pretty laid back, we want the same things out of life, we want the same things for our kids, we compromise (a lot) we have three kids together but we don't have a single thing in common, how in the hell are we going to make it to 19 years? What are we going to do when the kids leave home? Are we going to stare at each other blankly and go our separate ways?

Thankfully we have a few years to figure it out. And we have love on our side. Now you'll have to excuse me while I get a bucket.

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 4

Well it had to happen eventually. And it did.

James is sick. Heaven help us all!

This is him this morning, in my bed watching Toy Story with his 'cold mankie' and his tigger. 

He took his jeans off when we got home from school and asked for soft pants. Can you say princess??!!

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 3

Day 3 of this challenge, easy.

This morning I woke up with a snotty Jack in bed with me, he only ever gets in bed with me when he's sick. Joy.

 An hour later Charlie woke up cranky with a new red and runny nose and two red cheeks. Luckily James hasn't got it yet but really its only a matter of time. Aren't you jealous you don't live in our house this week?

The big boys have claimed Charlie as their own, I am allowed a few cuddles but they let me know that he is THEIR brother. This morning I told them Charlie wasn't feeling very well and they need to be gentle with him. I went to get Jack's school clothes and here is how I found them. So much love. Perfect photo opportunity. Thanks boys xx

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 2

I know second day and already its been two of Charlie. I promise tomorrow will be of the older boys.

Its just so easy to take pictures of this kid! Even with the sun in his eyes a mixture of snot, biscuit and water down his front he is just so cute!

Today I took James and Charlie and a friends little girl to the park and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a James to be still for a moment! Oh well lucky I have a whole month hey?

31 Photos in 31 Days. Day 1

Well its no surprise I'm a day late already and its only Day 1.

Over at sh1ft.org there is a great challenge, a photo for every day of August.
31 photos in 31 days. I take at least 1 photo a day of at least one of the boys so I think this will be fun!

I love taking photos of Charlie when he's not looking, he has learnt the camera face already and I wish he'd taken a bit longer!
Not content to pull things out he tipped the entire toy box over then spent half an hour moving things in and out of the sunshine. I could watch this kid all day and not get bored.
I'll be back later today to post day two's photo. Lets see if I can make it too the end of the month without missing a day!
To play along or check out other people's photos head here.

Polly Dolly

Dani's theme for this weeks polly dolly is Animal print.

I've only just thrown out my animal print ballet shoes after I wore them to death and they actually started falling apart.
When I was pregnant with James a favorite going out outfit of mine was a simple black shirt, black maternity pants my fav flat leopard print shoes, a fun belt (worn above the bump).
I couldn't go past this cute brooch that says I Love You, so sweet. A great headband for something different, mascara and lip gloss a must. Of course a big bag as I still had a toddler who still needed a truck load of stuff.
So to see how everyone else wears animal prints or to play along head over to Danimezza.