Monthly Snapshot {June}

{My dear friend Kate has helped us in a big way this year. She has solved a childcare dilemma we had with Harper, by looking after her every second Wednesday while I work and Harper has her off-preschool week. That's a supportive friend right there. I try to help her out with her kids whenever I can (which isn't as much as she does for me) and on this day I got to chance to look after Eli while Kate ran some errands. Eli, our little mate who makes us laugh, loves to play and has the most tender and kind heart out there. We all love this kid.}

{Harper channelling Little House on the Prairie. She has been desperate to learn how to sew and after some guidance from my friends Jess and Kate  I put together a little sewing kit for her and she has been hooked ever since.}

{an unexpected trip to the beach with my littlest}

{My very talented friend Sally made this for Harper. Would have been nice to get a proper photo of her "wearing" it but any specific photo requests are met with objection these days}

Monthly snapshot {May}

{mummy + harper time = an impromptu visit to the shopping centre photo booth}

{if you give him a little nudge and support he will do brave things}

{the joys of having friends with chickens. thank you kate.}

{autumn essentials}

{taking in her crystal rock to share with her classmates. rocks are very cool within the pre-school crowd, apparently}

{a late autumn amateur photoshoot with Kate's family. Harper was really feelin' it, can you tell? Kate's captures were much better than mine and I think I actually ended up taking more photos of her kids than my own - whoops!}

{at least Lily bought her enthusiasm along}

{finn adores babies, especially "baby miles"}

{Yep, we totally bribed them so we could photograph them. we're not silly}

{a new comic book + some one on one time with me = good times for mr finn. this day reminded me of this post two years ago. you don't ask for much finn, but when we carve out some time just for you, you are always appreciative and a delight to spend time with}

Monthly Snapshot {April}

Oh April, I had a vision for what you would be, but were so different. It was supposed to be the holiday month, with school holidays and various public holidays within, a promise of slow days, days as a family and the freedom from routines. Instead it was draining, emotional and anything but restful.  Parenting moments that pushed us, made us (I mean me) cry, forced us to stop, re-group and work out what was important to us and how to adjust things to create change. If you have a spirited child in your family you will know how the rollercoaster of incredible lows and tremendous highs consume  your family's life. We have come out the other side and now I can look back and see for all it's challenges there were enormous moments of growth too. Throughout this month I thought a lot about what I wrote here and of the daily promise I make to myself (and both my kids) to be a strong and kind parent. I didn't get there all of the time, but I did learn a lot from my mistakes. No one said this parenting gig was meant to be easy right?  

{a trip out to the Canberra Airport Open Day}

{jet fighters in view}

{Harper, aka the snuggler. Finn, aka the reluctant hugger}

{melted crayon egg dying. Winning lead up to Easter activity}

{bathed and in pjs but dinner isn't ready = a walk to the local shops to drink from the water bubbler. Obvious approach really}

{delivering Easter treats to her teachers. I was keen to write on the cards to speed up the process but Harper wasn't going to let that happen}

{a short trip to Wollongong}

{a couldn't nail down which composition I liked better, so you get both. You can decide for yourself!}

{Easter morning. A treasure hunt to find their presents}

{"Finny I think their over there"}

{got them!}

{I was a little unsure how finn would react to the lack of chocolates and the appearance of a softie bunny instead, but I shouldn't have worried! He loved the bunny and he has been snuggling him in bed ever since. bunnies by the super talented milly molly mandy}

{easter egg hunt}

{in reference to my lemon lime and bitters drink "Is this an adult drink Mummy?"}

{Buddies + the reluctant hugger in action again}

{documenting his second lost tooth}

{The day before school returned: "Mummy, can we walk up to Oakey Hill so I can take some photos to show my class?" yes we can!}

{"No more photos, please"}