natural

Anyone would think that I have only one child... But I really do enjoy taking pics of my youngest child. She is just natural and uninhibited in front of the camera - she hasn't got to the fake forced smile stage yet... My only complaint is that I really wish I had a good camera :( I find it a bit frustrating, but have to make do with a bit of tweaking with photo editing ;)

Adrian and Charli went out for the day so I spent the day with Miki. It was lovely to spend one on one time with her. We did some cooking and snuggled up on the couch with some popcorn and watched a movie called 'Chestnut' a feel good movie about two orphans and a dog called Chestnut.

I have been caught up with lots of things lately like work, renovating, keeping on top of the housework, and spending time with my little girl today reminded me again to stop and take stock of what is important in life. Ok getting a bit deep, but you know what I mean!

birthday celebrations..

Gosh this post is well and truly overdue (insert embarrassed face). But better late than never I suppose...

I have a gorgeous bunch of girlfriends, that get together to help celebrate each others birthdays (great excuse to get together for a girls night out). It was my birthday in August and the lovely Karens birthday in September, so it was decided that we would celebrate our bday's together (it is quite a task to coordinate a night that is ok for eight busy women). We went to a restaurant that we haven't been to before called Pistashio's and it was such a lovely night! We will definitely be going back there.

We were very spoilt with some really lovely presents - thank you so much girls xx

Here is a few pics of the night (thanks to the resident photographer - Karen for the photos x), unfortunately we were missing Fiona on the night - hopefully she will be ok to come to the next dinner!

braces...

Charli finally got her braces on! After a year of having to wear these horrible things call 'twin blocks' (big chunky plastic plates which expand the jaw and align the bite) she is excited to have her braces on, which brings her a step closer to having lovely straight teeth. We know that it is going to be hard sometimes and the first few days, even painful, BUT the end product is going to be soooo worth it! She won't feel embarrassed about her smile which will help with her confidence.

Here is a pic of her with them on for the first time, the dentist said at her next visit in 8 weeks she will already notice a significant change in her teeth! Will post another pic of them in 8 weeks to see the difference...

She opted for the rainbow bands, very interesting...

seven

Seven years ago today, I was in the hospital feeling quite exhausted and in pain after having a C-section, after giving birth to a darling little girl (that looked a bit like a little monkey with a head full of thick black hair). We named her Mikaela Rose (Miki for short). She has been such a joy! She is funny, caring, affectionate, stubborn, sensitive, happy and has a contageous laugh.


Happy 7th Birthday to my darling big baby girl!

Love you very much!

40 hour famine

Charli decided yesterday after seeing a plug on the news that she wants to participate in the 40 hour famine, which started 8pm last night. So she registed online and emailed her friends and already has 3 online donations! She was so excited, and it makes her feel that she is helping - even if a little bit to a very important cause.

I am very proud of her!

60th

On Saturday we celebrated my mums 60th birthday party. The party was a lunch held at 'The Boathouse on the Lake' and it was just lovely! It was so nice to catch up with family that we haven't seen for ages! The venue was perfect for such a function, the weather was wonderful and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

The day was emotionally charged with lovely speeches (two from her grandchildren - one of them being charli), a funny poem from my aunty and a dvd very professionally done by my brother who is a video producer. The dvd had photos of mums life put with music. There wasn't a dry eye in the house after it was finished. It was very fitting for a wonderful and special woman!

Happy 60th Birthday Mum - Love you very much!

bad bad blogger!!!

I know I have been a bad blogger! But I have been really busy - I know that is not a good enough excuse. Sorry :( I will try harder to be more organised with my time and blog more often, instead of every six months. Gosh where has this year gone? It is just flying past! Before we know it we will be xmas again.

The last time I blogged the girls just started their new school. Well, I am happy to report that they have settled into their new school really well and are really enjoying being there. There were a few hick-ups on the way, but it all is good now. They have made some new friends and we have settled into a routine of driving to school and then the girls catching a bus on the days I work. They are such good girls, I am very proud of them and love them to bits!

I won't try and catch up with what has been happening in the last few months - not that I can remember much at all, it is all a bit of a blur really.. Until next time and I promise to not leave it for months again!

Jodie x