#39 Camp in our tent (at least one night)

If you have managed and/or bothered to follow the haphazard progress of my 40 before 40 challenge then you have done extremely well! It was very random I know. Anyway, this if another task that I can cross off the list. But first, I do need to fess up and be honest about things, you see, I am 40 now. Let that one slide by very quietly - life was a bit hectic with a new baby and all - so effectively the challenge is over. Finished. Completed. Have I reported the results? Nope. But I will! Just humour me for a little longer... you're so kind. Thanks.

So getting back to it. Number 39, Camp in our tent (at least one night). When I wrote this list I was pregnant and to be truthful questioned whether this one was going to happen - hence the "at least one night" clause which would enable the tent to be set up in the back yard for a trial sleep over. So that didn't happen before the end of the challenge, but a couple of months later we got to experience the real deal. It was awesome!

DH and I, in our previous life pre children, purchased a camper trailer and took to the road for 3 months for a super adventure. Not the seasoned campers at the time we learnt a lot along the way and by the end could proudly say we were converted. There is something about camping that leaves behind the stresses of everyday life and welcomes relaxation and a carefree spirit. Back to today and the big question on our lips..... would this still be true with 3 children in tow??

Absolutely! Why did we wait so long?

boy versus girl bedroom

Sharing a bedroom is a lot of fun for our 2 youngsters, but decorating the room has proven to challenge me. As a result it is still a work in progress.

Ruby is an almost 5 year old young lady who loves all things pretty & girly. Sachin on the other hand is a 3.5 year old boy who has recently had a clash with testosterone.... much to my shock & surprise! My gentle sweet fella is turning into a karate chopping, motorbike crazy, cheeky but oh so hilarious little monster.

Over the last year there have been sporadic decorating additions to the room which seem to have (quite unconsciously) evolved the space into a half & half boy v's girl design. I had dreamed that I could avoid such sexist typecasting but I resign to the fact that this is the reality of our society. There is only so much influence we can have on our children with the idea of non-gender play when there is a whole world out there that suggests otherwise. Ruby is soon to start school where girls will be girls and boys will be boys. She already announced to me yesterday that she doesn't like playing with boys anymore, apparently, they are "boring"!

Anyway, getting back to the decorating dilemma.

A recent addition to the room on Sachin's side is this bunting which I made double sided with girly fabrics on the reverse. In truth it was designed as a birthday party decoration but we thought it was too much fun to pack away.

I picked up a couple of embroidery rings from the op shop (thrift store) and framed some favourite vintage fabrics. You may recognise the letters fabric in the large ring from here.

It may be in need of a little TLC, but I'm super excited about my latest find from our local second hand shop. I think it will be perfect to display a mix of quirky things in the children's bedroom - all those little toys that are constantly getting lost around the house. Roof restoration required. Until then, it makes me smile every time I look at it sitting on the dining room floor. Simple pleasures.

shop: my rocking wardrobe

All images from My Rocking Wardrobe

Loving this awesome online store for Mums & Babes. Fashion & accessories for women & children with an affinity to Japanese & Korean design. Super stylish & great prices. Go and have a browse around at My Rocking Wardrobe - you may just fall in love with it all! I did.

moving on: Ebay style

So I'm having a clean out. A big one. It is a family trait to hoard things... I'm fighting the desire to hold on to each and every piece of clothing my children have owned. Ridiculous really. The cupboards are full and bursting at the seams so it's time to minimise.

If you are in Australia - in the need for baby/children's clothes - fine with the idea of recycling - then check out my Ebay auctions. It's a work in progress. I keep adding more every couple of days. Over the last week I've been sorting backwards starting from most recent clothes. Yesterday I made it to the first bag of baby clothes and ... well... that was interesting. Opening that bag was like opening the memory gate... it quite surprisingly took me somewhere I didn't expect and found myself in quite an emotional state. Totally didn't see it coming!! Let's just say I may be holding on to those ones a little while longer :)

playroom love

I go through stages of feeling love & hatred for our downstairs playroom. On the up side, it is downstairs and that is a big tick in the box. This means all of the crap stays downstairs (well that's the grand plan anyway) and we get to have an adult living room free of night time clutter. Tick. Secondly we are very lucky to have the space to afford a dedicated play room where the kids can spread their wings and enter in and out the house from the back yard. Muddy boots and all (the carpet was already trashed when we arrived so that's the way it will stay for a while longer).

On the downside, the amount of stuff that gets accumulated down there is ridiculous! Out of mind out of sight. Yesiree. The problem is that it gets in such a state that the kids can't find anything to play with amongst the mass of toys all mixed up and in a jumble. Enter Mum. Goodbye 2 hours. Hello playroom, don't you look fun! Let's start back at the beginning.

Today we started again. Back to the clean, organised state that I wish I had the energy to keep it in every day. I know in theory I should be teaching the kids to tidy the play room at the end of the day, but in reality that just doesn't happen regularly enough to create a routine.

I've planned to get the dress up play area into order for a long time now. The clothes & accessories were all packed away in a vintage suitcase, which looked lovely, but was just not practical for child play. Yesterday we picked up a clothes rack at Ikea for $14 and hung a market find coat rack that had been in storage. This weekend we plan to finish the job and install a mirror so the lovelies can admire themselves in all their glory. Sweet. I think they are pretty happy with the progress so far.

on a roll

I felt a bit miffed that I had to cut short the Kids Clothes Week Challenge 'cause I was having so much fun with it. Then I realised that I could pretend the challenge was still going ... trick myself.... and keep making more kids clothes. I know... genius isn't it!

Last night I made this new winter skirt for Ruby using the Lazy Days skirt tutorial. I love this pattern as it is so easy and you can create a gazillion variations. I made this skirt longer than usual as it will most probably be dressed with boots. The fabric is a pre-hemmed curtain panel that I found in a bargain remnant bin. By re-using the already made hem the skirt was super easy as all I needed to do was create the waste band and embellish with the red velvet ribbon.

I spend a lot of time trying not to see an ever growing pile of mending which sits behind my sewing machine. They are boring jobs that don't get me enthused. Typically they sit there night after night as I start new more exciting projects. Last night after finishing the skirt I bit the bullet and made a start on that pile.

No matter how much or little effort I put into washing and soaking there are always tshirts & jumpers in the kids wardrobes with stains that won't budge. This tshirt is one of my favourites for Ruby as it fits well and goes with so many pants & skirts, but it has an ugly brown stain on the front. I cut flowers from an old piece of vintage cotton and used fusible web to iron them in place. Using a running stitch I machine sewed them on & embellished with buttons to make them look like they were always there. No too bad hey?

Of course I spent way to much time fixing an old tshirt that I could go and buy new for a few bucks but I'm sure that's not the point ;)

slim slacks with letter pockets

There was a last minute change of design with these pants. I had planned to make them in a dark blue denim until yesterday morning. While dressing Sachin in a pair of old jeans he announced "no not these, I want soft ones". Soft ones hey? He's practical just like his Dad. So the re-think began. Had to find something in the stash as I only had last night to get them finished (tonight I'm packing to go away for a few days).

Ta da! Plain but with a little pocket flair on the back courtesy of a thrifted retro bed sheet. It makes me laugh that he has a pair of personalised pants with his initials on the back. Of course he doesn't yet appreciate his mothers genius... but he will :)

I'm not sure why I was so scared of the whole pattern thing. These Hipsters for Slimsters were simple and very straight forward and they fit just as I imagined they would. Perfect pants for slim children with no hips. I plan to make more now that I've mastered the first pair.

I really wish I had an extra couple of days to work on some other ideas floating around in my head. Thanks to Meg I think I have discovered a whole new sewing world.... I'll start with the kids then maybe get enough confidence to try adult clothes next.

kinderchefs | cooking classes for little dudes

My friend Jacqui is an absolute legend when it comes to supporting and promoting her family and friends and our creative endeavours. She is constantly sending people my way which I am ever so grateful for. Thanks Jac!

So it's high time that I introduced you to my friend and her cooking school for kids!

Jacqui is one half of a dynamic mother duo who run and operate Kinderchefs - fun cooking classes for pre-schoolers during school terms and for older children during school holidays. Jacqui is a qualified teacher and professional singer with a natural born ability to entertain / educate. Michelle is a qualified chef and restaurant owner who has recently been nominated for South Australian Business Woman of the Year!

Here's a little of what you can expect (taken from their website)... . .

"While learning food preparation skills is the main ingredient, each class adds a heap of kitchen safety, a scoop of etiquette and respect, a handful of music, a pinch of geography & history and laughter to taste!!"

My Ruby thoroughly enjoyed making Pumpkin Scones during the last school holidays Kinderchef class, and even ATE one... .. believe me. .. that is quite an accomplishment (the child who eats no vegies).

Check out Kinderchefs on facebook or hop on over to their website for more details. You can email Jacqui at info@kinderchefs.com.au if you'd like more information.

simple life please

It is great to wake up in the morning and have nothing planned for the day. I'm so not an organised person (yep any of my friends or family can vouch for that) but that's OK as I'm happy that way. The thought of having my days scheduled with the same routine week to week makes me feel twitchy.

Yesterday morning (Friday) Ruby came into our bedroom still half asleep (you know the get up before wake up thing kids do) and before she was able to open her eyes without squinting she says "Mummy, what are we going to do today?". Bless her! Dean replies with a little envy,"I wish I could ponder that every morning".

So, it seems to me that it's these days where there are no plans that often turn out to be the memorable ones. Yesterday was no exception. Please don't get excited. It was a very ordinary day - no outings, no visitors, no special treats, just me and the kids at home.

We cleaned out our old farm shed and found a few treasures left by previous owners of our house. Next week the shed is being demolished to make way for a more family friendly backyard.

Admiring a couple of our treasures.

Another of our finds. "What's this thing Mum???" Mmmmm.... am I giving away my age to say that I remember owning and using one of these??

We found an old rope. What were we to do but tie each other up and play prisoners!

We made yummy banana & raspberry smoothies and slurped them through straws.

I spent the afternoon sporting the latest trend in button necklaces, custom designed and manufactured for Mum by 3.5 year old Ruby




We ate fish and chips for dinner out on the balcony and had lots of fun with Dad when he came home from work.

It's days like this I learn from my kids.

Have fun.

Don't take things too seriously.

Happiness is contagious.

Laugh a lot.

Be imaginative.

Appreciate what you have.

Simple is good.

Thankyou Ruby and Sachin. I love you. xxx