sunday | cricket + fairies

Yesterday afternoon we packed our bags and jumped on the train to the city (Adelaide, South Australia) where we parted ways - his and hers.

The boys turned left up King William Street and joined the swarming green and gold crowd heading to the cricket - a one day match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. I felt excited for Sachin as it was his first time to such a big event. In typical Sachin style he took it all in his stride and gave me the "what's the big deal Mum?" look. We have been talking about his namesake, Sachin Tendulkar batting for India, but unfortunately he didn't play. Now I wasn't there, but rumour has it that there was not much cricket watched but plenty of colourful people and atmosphere to soak up. The photos seem to support that story.

We ladies continued along North Terrace and took a left turn into the South Australian Museum, where we spent the next hour on a guided tour with Miss Ruby. She seems to have a strange fascination with an archaeology exhibit displaying the many layers of the earth's floor, in particular, the layer of rubbish that has been left behind over the last 10,000 years. Along the way we "didn't" look at the giant squid 7 times because it is very scary, but seemed to keep passing it. Ruby conjured up enough braveness to check out the Egyptian room for the first time but kind of freaked out over the mummies. Can't blame her, they are quite spooky, especially when you are a big Scooby Doo fan with a vivid imagination! In need of food, we hit the lawn out front of the Museum for snacks and let little Quinn out of her stroller to stretch her legs.

Fuelled and ready to go again, the next stop was the Botanical Gardens. We were on a mission to find the Rainbow Fairies. Apparently, our friend Lexie has seen them there. We inspected many flowers, looked under rocks, in holes, under leaves and in the trees. We even checked out the giant water lillies but those fairies were not ready to be seen. However as we left the gardens to go home, Ruby whispered to me that she did see one of the fairies. Bet you can't guess which one?!?!?

Yep. It was Ruby the Red Fairy. "For real" !!

I did make these 9 months ago

So you will have noticed that my irregular posts have morphed to almost non existent. Sorry about that. Sorry me. I really would love to be chatting here, reading what you have all been up to and generally keeping in touch with the world, but it just ain't happening. While attempting to finish Quinn's "first 6 months" memory book (you may get to see this one day), I found the following pics and realised that there are things that I have accomplished in the last 10 months (in addition to raising a beautiful happy baby girl) which I haven't managed to brag about, oops, share yet!



Bassinet and cot sheets made from thrifted sheets (except the middle image, which is an Anna Maria Horner fabric from the Folksy Flannel range, called Fortune in colour Marine)

{ this moment }

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

5 years ago today.....

... a little baby with lots of hair began life and entered our world.

Today, that boy of ours (still with lots of hair) celebrates his 5th birthday.

Happy Birthday Sachin. We love you!

How does a 5 year old spend his birthday? Making Lego of course!

fede stocking stuffers (candy cane rattles)

These little candy cane rattles are now available online. Perfect for baby's first Christmas, they can chew, slobber and jingle to their hearts content. I've only made a handful so get in quick - they are a bargain at US$14.

rockin' the peg bag

...cause that's what I do.... hang out lots of washing!

I think I missed my call as a peg bag model. Ho Ho Ho...oh so hilarious Fiona! (sleep deprived humour). So anyway, I made myself a new peg bag as the old one disintegrated. Found this plastic coated fabric at Ikea which will hopefully withstand some of the outside elements for at least a season. I'm a big fan of the shoulder peg bag - much easier than using a go to basket. In fact I've even convinced DH to whip it over his shoulder when he's at the line...mmmm...must get a photo of that :)

just because it's not Halloween..

We know it's not Halloween... meh..missed that one (well we don't really celebrate it much here in Australia) but tonight after school we accidentally fell into a ghoulish type theme. Completely impromptu. On walking back to the car from school we passed a school mate's little brother with a Spiderman painted face. During our drive home it was decided that Mum would face paint this evening... and Mum begrudgingly agreed! Admittedly once we got started it was fun and I got into the spirit. I think the painted finger nails just topped it off and kept the customers happy.

On Monday I found out that a friend who I hadn't seen for a couple of years had passed away after being diagnosed with leukaemia only 8 months earlier. Like me, she had 3 children (almost identical ages) who have lost their devoted mother in the saddest of circumstances. She discovered her illness 3 weeks prior to giving birth to her youngest son and was consequently isolated from him for the first 3 months of his life. It has absolutely shocked me beyond belief that this could happen to a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life with so much love to give and receive from her growing family. It seems that almost everything I do throughout the day reminds me of Nicole and the loss that must be felt by her family. It's a reminder that life really must be lived each day to the fullest as you never know if it will be your last. On that note, I decided to take the kids bowling on Monday night after school which is not something we would usually do on a week night. As Nicole would have said, "it was ace!"  Rest in peace lovely lady.