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" !!

{ 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.

ruby's 6 year old birthday party

It twas a gathering of witches and wizards (fairies, superheroes, princesses and turtles) for an extraordinary celebration.

Ruby is mad for Harry Potter and requested a party to suit. We generalized it into a witches and wizards type party to accommodate the 6 year old crowd. She was happy with that, particularly as Mum promised to kit her out as Hermoine Grainger. Yay Mum! 

Ruby as Hermoine Grainger from Harry Potter. The shirt and skirt were op-shop finds (thrifted) as was the tie which then received a dodgy gold paint job. The robe I made the night before using this simple tutorial

Broomstick Take Home bags (Favours)

"How many kids fit on 1 trampoline" impromptu game while waiting for everyone to arrive

Hali's magic show

Ruby is not big on sweets so we made individual witches hat cupcakes (with the Harry Potter lightening scar) for each child to take home

We played our version of the "Sorting Hat" scene from Harry Potter. In turn, each child sat on the chair and picked a card from a brown paper bag.  The talking hat (AKA DH) then announced in a funny voice which house the mini witch/wizard would belong to. We used the Hogwarts House names - Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff

Egg and spoon race

Another impromptu game (DH was running this part of the party) titled "see how far you can throw the boiled egg" Of course the kids thought it was hilarious!

#16 Introducing.... Quinn Alice

Quinn Alice arrived on April 13th 2011.

We are now 10 days into our new adventure as a family of five. So far Miss Quinn is proving to be the cruisiest of our three newborns and has consequently slotted into the family like she has always been here. The sleep deprivation third time around for me seems to be more tolerable - infact I'm strangely enjoying those quiet moments in the middle of the night when it is just her & I.... sigh...

Now if I can just sort out a few dodgy boob things with the feeding we'll be sweet!

Oh and this means I've accomplished number 16 on my 40 before 40 list.

all teary eyed

My beautiful girl started school today.

I couldn't be prouder. She has a contagious joy and energy - such a happy approach to life. She is determined, head strong, loving, courageous, funny and loud. She is our Ruby and we love her.

I'm not afraid to let her go into the world - infact I know she will blossom as she grows and experiences life outside our home, but I'm sad for me. I will miss her. She is my buddy - my pal - we argue - we laugh - we cuddle - we dance. Thankyou Ruby for making my first five years of Motherhood so fulfilling and amazing. You have challenged me, entertained me, surprised me and at times tired me - but most of all you have taught me.

May your school journey be full of adventure.

handmade birthday crown

I'm a big fan of Amanda Soule of SouleMama - so many things to like. In a nutshell, it's her creative parenting that I so admire. And she thinks outside the square. I have a copy of her first book, The Creative Family, sitting on my bedside table. Often, at the end of a difficult mothering day, I pick up her book and re fuel my Mummy Mojo for the next day. It really does work!!

One of her trademark projects is the Birthday Crown. It has taken me until birthday number 5 but finally Ruby donned her handmade Birthday Crown this year for her suitably themed Princess Party. It was a hit. I'm now looking forward to styling up another one for the little man of the house when his birthday comes around in December.

Happy 5th Birthday Ruby! xxx

memory cushion

I'm a sentimental person who finds it hard to depart with things that capture my memories. You know, birthday cards, notes, photos, kids drawings.... the list goes on. Ruby starts school next month (I know... where did that time go??) which feels like quite a milestone in this parenting journey. I've been looking through her art box and marvelling at the progression she has made in her first few years. To celebrate the end of her time as a pre-schooler I've made this cushion by embroidering (with running stitch on the machine) her first hand written words and a cat drawing for keepsakes.

butterfly, batman & bunnies

We have recently acquired a set of face paints.

The face painting has lead to dressing up. Lots of dressing up. They make me laugh!

I read back my last blog post and realised that I sounded like I have issues with girls being girls and boys being boys. If I can please clarify. What I was trying to say is that I wish children weren't taught to act a certain way based on their gender. I believe that every child should be encouraged to play with and play as whatever they choose. As a Mum I try to demonstrate to my children that we can be whatever we dream of - male or female/boy or girl makes no difference. I was never the best student at school when it came to english & literature.... nothing has changed! Maybe I should just stick to the arty stuff :)