Sometimes you just need to run away.

My poor husband works hard.
At work, At home, At Teaching Guitar and Playing gigs
And for the most part he is easy going. Doesn't believe in getting angry, says it gets you no where.

So when the cranks start to eek into our life, and they are cranks that getting sent to his studio does not get rid of. I know its time.

We run away.

We are fortunate that his sister has a holiday house. No where fancy and the house is basic. But it's not home, and its near the beach and near a place that sells pizza bigger then my baby girl.

Once I finally persuaded him to take the week off, he started making plans.
He wanted to work on his deck — which worked for me, (I had my last barista class and I teach cake decorating on a Wednesday), but Thursday and Friday - clear and free.

And he knew how much I had been wanting to take the kids to Cockington Green. Plus in his mind, it was ONLY another 2 and a half hours to the snow and it was the start of Aussie snow season!

Cockington green was fabulous. I often struggle with finding things that will keep my range of ages happy ( I have one in every age gap at the moment, except baby), but this was a happy medium. There were things to find ( Jason is alive and well chasing people with his chainsaw still, and the grim reaper waiting for his next victims)

We did talk about doing the dinosaur museum which is next door but they had enough outside for the kids to see that kept everyone happy.

 And then the next drive. We made it to perisher just as the sun was fading and — the worst start to snow season ever. We found just enough snow to throw a snowball, at charlottes pass where the wind blew so hard it pulled the car seat lose when we opened the door. Thats just enough snow for us I think. No photos, it was quick, fast and furious out there!

Being a beach house — the next day there was no way we could leave without a walk to the beach. And maybe on the way to the beach I might of passed a couple of op shops......

So a walk to the beach it was — which is how my water addicted boy managed to throw snowballs and swim in the surf in less then 24 hours.........

Oppa Bushman style

There are not enough words for green to describe to australian bush. 

We went rain forrest style on Anzac Day
( why yes, I do mean the ANZAC day that was a month ago)

What better way to respect the fallen diggers then to enjoy what they helped keep safe

Ps i know its been a bit since Anzac day - but this post was brought to you by Rain lots of Rain, chilled noses and a cake running about - oh only 12 hours behind.  So this is my hot cuppa and make me smile post!!

Soaking up the last of the sun!!

Winter is my season - in my dreams. 

My dreams are filled with warm quilts, hot drinks, trashy telly, soups and good magazines. 

And while I do get these things ( in dribs and drabs) in reality my winter is 

Snotty noses, endless washing, and cranky kids stuck inside. 

So before it hits we are soaking up as much of the outside as we can.......

Walks in mumma made dresses and stockings!!!

Stockings are my favourite thing of dressing little girls.

Under everything!

Art with chalk.

Makes me smile every time I pass the driveway

And pure kid happiness for 40 cents - Bliss!

Our own Ancient ruins with rubble from our deck building

Walks by Nepean River

Eye candy filled street performers in the city

Oh PS - how the heck could I forget about Man Flu. We get a lot of Man flu here - over run by future men!!

PPs - smelly wet dog as well - thats always fun.

For Beth..........

the past 6 months or so

Cake 

redneck waterslides 

Bushwalks

14

Family time

8

funny four year olds  

Sisters and cousins 

key to my heart

Out for publication

He looks really sweet right? Innocent? happy?

What they dont tell you is he is DANGEROUS!

This kid could trip over a tree root on the moon.

The extra horrible thing - he gets it from both of us. The Poor kid never stood a chance...

Ps Today Joshua forgot his lunchbox and his timetable - he gets that from me as well!

PPs - what the heck does this layout need, I know it needs something. To early to figure it out though.

PPPs - ok think I worked it out, now just to find time today to change it!

Simple and sweet

Out for publication

My style has changed a lot lately.

I seem to be going less fussy, its just the way my hands want to put things.

Im not sure about my new style though. But I think the photo I have used just speaks for it self.

I love it, its one of my favourites.

Tyler has always loved his little siblings (well when they are babies at least, I heard him tell Cooper that he was driving him up the wall and down the road last night — no idea where he got that from *whistle innocently *whistle innocently)

Ps - Who knew toilet rolls could be so fun?!? I got the lil heart idea from Prudent Baby Blog. Its meant to be as lil kid art — oh well, small things....

PPs - I lied, I cant whistle to save myself> Im sort of jealous of those that can though. Esp the embarrassing finger ones they do at kids football games. I was embarrass my kids that way!

PPPs - this one is just for Leanne - ( a very fantastic scraper by the way!)

Hope this is enough Ps'ess?

PPPPs - What the buggery is the plural for ps? Can initials have a plural. Now this is going to bug me all day!

The Streets are Still

The streets are still,

My house is quiet

One lonely little boy is wiping away his tears

He does not like, he left his brother there.

Have a great first day back my darlings ( My Josh to high school)

Cant wait to hear all about your adventures.

Ps - its neary 10, surely thats long enough and I can go get them now? Right?!

PPs - was excited to surf across this year long free art journaling workshop. Though some of you might be as well.

PPPs - scrapping to come, I promise.

Already!

I cant believe January is almost over! Its gone past in a blur!

Holidays are almost over, Rod goes back tomorrow ( sob) and the boys back to school the week after that ( Josh to high school - sob sob).

My youngest nephew and my sons

January has been about family for us. We have used the month of his holidays ( the longest he has ever been off) to run off to my sister in laws holiday house, to go to Jamberoo water park and just small escapes to the local park , etc.

While Im not looking forward to any of them going back, Im looking forward to having more routine again, my days with less fighting, and a cleaner house ( and less fart and burp jokes!) Im also looking forward to having a bit more time to scrap and blog!

The layout is for scrap the boys - and pretty much sums up how we have spent our summer holidays - WET!!!!!!

Ps Im not sure how I feel about this one, and challenged my self to use only what was with in reach, and the background - a chux wipe - just so happened to be in reach!

PPs - was very excited to come back from our last mini break to find out that I had my first lol for the year picked up!! And to a mag I had not been pubb'd in before - creations - yay!

PPPs - How the heck did I get a HIGH SCHOOL aged child?!?!

Happy new year.

(excuse the bird flipping - Lara 6 weeks old)

I still cant believe it is 2012, um excuse me but where is my flying car and instant people importer?!?!!?

(Cooper - boxing day - with really annoying singing dancing elf hat)

Not that I can drive a flying car and but if that instant people importer does not come soon I will actually have to learn to bloomin drive.... But its beside the point!! According to movies like back to the future number 611 ( and if you dont believe me just wait a week or 2 Im sure channel 10 will have it on ... again) I was meant to have these things, and Im feeling slightly ripped off.

(Tyler - new years eve)

But if it means I get a happy healthy ( and I pray it stays that way) family and good friends and great food im a happy girl - esp when it contains great food. mmmmm food............

(Josh - practicing his used car salesman stance - 16 Dec - ready for his formal,

Photos of this kid are scarce - he hides when the camera is out - plus with the 50-50 split with his dad - what he does not know is this year IM making it my goal to get lots of photos of him.....

Well he is almost 13 anyway - he is due to be really annoyed by me..........)

Im not doing resolutions I cant say that I ever have really, but Im going to give 101 in 1001 a try. The link is a link to my half finished list. Is it cheating to make finish the list as one, cause I have!

Ps Just cause I could - the photos sprinkled through are some of my fav photos of the kids from the year - and all have happened within the last month or so.........

(and for good measure one of me - not my fav but I dont have many to choose from !!)

PPs for the first time really in a year or so there has been actual scrapping by me, I know bloomin shocking right!!!