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Although I'm not much of a t-shirt wearer I couldn't resist this one I saw on special at trade aid recently.

The majority is a comfortable place to be isn't it? I think I could do with being a bit more reflective when I find myself there too often.

Happy Friday

Love you more than organic cotton xxx

 

Series and Linky - Will You Join Me?

Okay so without freaking anyone out we are kind of heading quickly towards Christmas.

And, if like me you have children and you have some kind of relationship with extended family or friends that are into presents (yes please!)... you will be asked 'what shall I get XXX?'

Enter - 'we recommend'. Last year I did this series to recommend some of the things my boys have had a huge amount of pleasure from.

So... for the next couple of months I'm going to do it again.

This time I'm including The Atlas (or your local, attractive, all-round marriable man), Grandparents and myself... you know just in case I don't decide to buy my own gift.

The premise for this series is predominantly cheaper gifts - because frankly unless it is really special I don't think Christmas is about emptying your bank account on behalf of everyone you are related to.... and I'd rather people didn't empty their bank accounts buying some kind of shiny plastic rubbish because it's what 'all the kids want this year' for my kids.

This series is about my intention to have a Christmas without junk.

I'm also going to include some fun handmade things but mainly handmade that is achievable. I know not everyone sews so I'll probably only do a couple of these. However if you LOVE the idea of making all your gifts (which I totally get and am into) then you will also enjoy Louana's series on Handmade Christmas.

So how does Wednesday work for you?

We Recommend for (Grandies, Daddies, Mummies or Little People) - here for September to November and maybe beyond. I'd really love you to link in.

I'd love to hear some of your great go-to ideas for gifts for the people you love. If we recommend things for each other then we'll all have a stock pile of super ideas when the requests for ideas start rolling in.

We Recommend for Christmas 

our posts about genuinely lovely things

instead of buying landfill let's make considered purchases that go the distance and are still being enjoyed next Christmas or gifts that are beautifully made and consumable

You keen? See you next Wednesday for the beginning. And if I'm super clever I'll give some stuff away too. I even made a super, not plastic, go-the-distance button! Code on the right. 

love you more than a roll of brown paper and washi tape xxx

Make My Week - Sparkly Shoes

A while ago I did a shoe makeover but the problem was I really didn't like the shape/style of the original shoe and the makeover didn't redeem them.

So I started fresh with a pair of white commando-m style shoes I knew I would wear.

Glitter + glue + fabric marker = shoe awesomeness :o)

A couple of evenings in front of the TV and I have some new shoes. Which are opposites (sort of), do you see what I mean?

Craft needn't take a lot of time and it is possible to be busy and under deadlines and still find space to make.

Be creative little ones - it's good for you :o)

If you want to see a picture of these 'in action' have a look at my Wardrobe Weds picture yesterday.

Enter my giveaway too okay?

joining in with a gaggle of creative inspiration over here:

Love you more than a pot of fluro glitter xxx

For Riding on a Spring Day

Joining in with Wardrobe Wednesday again - this is what I wore on Saturday to the boys' last football matches of the season and then rode on my bike up to a lovely market nearby.

I love this gingham dress - it reminds me of a school uniform (in a non-Britney Spears kind of way) and it's such a happy colour. I teamed it up with my matching cardi (op-shopped) and socks with lace ruffles (glassons) and my newly made over and I-hadn't-quite-added-the-laces in for the photos shoes (more about them tomorrow). Oh, and my super train necklace - made by me for less than $5 - it's very tricky to put a plastic bead on a thin faux-silver chain don't you know??

My sunnies were also a great help because I had woken up at 5.20am sneezing with hay-fever. The sneezing was so bad I had to blow my nose on my pjs - I know you really appreciate this over-sharing. :o) Consequently it was a no eye-make up day on Saturday.

The weather was awesome and I felt very 'me' in this outfit, and that's the point isn't it?

Not that we should look like some cookie-cutter of 'whats-in-style, your-legs-should-be-10metres-long, whatever-the fashion-lords-decree' thing. We ought to be an extension of who we are in the way we dress.

That's my philosophy anyway! :o)

Joining in with Kelly and plenty of stylish ladies over at Wardrobe Wednesday. 

Love you more than a bike ride in Spring xxx

B.M.W.B - more food

Yes it's about food again. This time it's making milkshakes for afternoon tea and pouring them into lovely cups (which my sister scored for me!) and adding a straw and an umbrella.

Because sometimes it's important to celebrate.

Even better, made in our almost 14 year-old milkshake maker (we got it as a wedding present) with only milk and some yogurt. Healthy and treat-y!

And celebrating this man who needs to make no effort on his parenting because he is already tops - helping our wee one use a proper power tool on the new wardrobe. (Photo will come when it's all done!) The Atlas' face is him adding pressure to the drill - I assure you he's not doing this with his eyes closed!

giveaway for app-loving-parenting small people types here

Becoming the Mama I want to be is about taking time to enjoy the journey of parenting, to honour it's value and to hopefully inspire and encourage each other. 

Simple. Achievable. Intentional: becoming the mama I want to be

Button code on the right if you want it

Love you more than a cocktail umbrella xx

34/52

These sweet boys. The little one laughing at the big one

the big one so relaxed and sweet

I love them

Electronic Delegation and a Giveaway

A while ago I was asked if I would review an alphabet/phonics app.

Whilst I used to be a teacher in a former life I've actually been pretty lazy relaxed when it comes to doing the prep work for school.

In 2 and half months my Bounce starts school, (I'm already pretty sad about it!) so I felt like this was a good idea for us. The app is called Eggy Phonics.

The premise of the app (at the beginning levels) is to recognise the picture and word together, then just the word when paired with 2 other familiar words (bat, cat, hat), to put the letters in the correct order, to pop the letter bubbles and then to write the word using your finger (over the top of the shape). There is lots of speaking so that a non-reader can still enjoy and play it. Points/badges/game time are earned for each completed activity.

Bounce (4), Flip(7) and I have all enjoyed playing with it. Here are some of the reasons I like it:
1. Choose your accent - although it doesn't have a kiwi accent choice it does have Aus, British and American.  This is super helpful when the point of the app is to teach children letter sounds.

2. Repetition - although as the adult you can get a bit like 'alright already we did that' repetition is a key to consolidating knowledge. By having to recognise or spell or order the letters more than once in each turn these things go in and stay in. Also, think how many times you have read that favourite story book (until you no longer like it any more, right?) turns out kids like repetition and anticipating.

3. Sounds - the letters are sounded out rather than named. By this I mean c.a.t is sounded out 'c -at - t' rather than naming the letters c(see),a(aye),t(tea). Does that make sense? Letters have a sound and a name. When learning to read although knowing the name of a letter is good it doesn't help you to attack the word and sound it out. Having the knowledge of what that letter sounds like is more important. If I know the letter m (said 'em') sounds like 'mm' is is easier for me to attempt 'mat'.

4. Writing - as part of the activity you have to use your finger to write the word. The letter must be shaped correctly -starting and finishing in the correct place. This is wonderful for school when the teacher will need to teach (or re-teach) your child to start and finish their letters in the correct places.

I have already recommended this app to a couple of new entrant teachers and I think it has a lot to offer if you want to do a bit more than just use your ipad for general play (or other app-tastic-thing-a-me-whatsit).

I have 2 codes to giveaway for the app too so if you'd like to try it let me know and I'll put you name in the hat. Closes this time next week. Winners notified by email :o)

Also winner of the awesome birthday candles of love is - Ange!

When You Need to Remind Yourself

I have an assignment due next Friday... yeah I know I've not mentioned it here. I'm doing a paper this semester.

Anyway..... it's weighing on my mind, this assignment, a lot more than they ever did when I studied fresh from school!

So I'm reminding myself of the amazing privilege it is to be able to learn

to study without persecution

to have a huge range of choice of what to study

that no one stands in the way of a woman, who is a mum, learning something new.

It is a joy to be stretching my mind, learning new things, challenging myself in new ways.

Oh, and I'm grateful for amazing libraries with free wi-fi and lovely people to study next to, aye Deb?

We're so, so privileged here in New Zealand.

...and as a side note I'm also loving little boys who line up teddies.... oh so cute

see Megan and Simone for other grateful posts

 

Make My Week - Zoot Suit

In our family we call little baby suits - zoot suits.

These ones are for a very special baby who happens to be number 4. When mama got pregnant some people assumed it was an accident or at least a surprise.... shame we respond like that to the news of new life don't you think?

So these wee zoot suits are to proclaim loud and proud how loved and wanted this little life is. I like positive messages on little people, don't love the 'i'm trouble' types.

joining in with the very loved honeys over here

Love you more than a cloth nappy bottom stretched into a zoot suit xxx 

B.M.W.B - Popcorn and Champions

This week I bought a second hand popcorn maker and an awful plastic trophy.

The popcorn is about better choices, easy snacks, family nights and movies together. (We christened our popcorn maker by having a family night watching Shrek).

The trophy is for the family champion - it might be the UNO champion, the listening to mum first champion, the champion of anything... it adds some fun to Flip and The Atlas' putting champs in the hall or just some form of celebration for someone making progress.

It is truly ugly and the boys are delighted.

Parenting aye? It's pretty fun most of the time.

Hope you are having a beautiful week.

Becoming the Mama I want to be is about taking time to enjoy the journey of parenting, to honour it's value and to hopefully inspire and encourage each other. 

Simple. Achievable. Intentional: becoming the mama I want to be

Button code on the right if you want it

Love you more than an handful of fresh popcorn xxx

33 of 52

Watching photos this week

and records of playing at the football stadium on the turf - very special

with the best coach in the world.

The Men In My Life

I have some very special men in my life.

This week I'm super grateful for The Atlas and Pop (my step-dad). This week Pop has been here replacing rotten shingles and doing a job that has been weighing on The Atlas' mind for ages. It's his time off between jobs and he's still come and done that.

and.... yesterday afternoon he came and helped start planning a very special walk-in addition to our bedroom! Because, as much as it's lovely to see all my pretty clothes those racks are seriously suffering under the strain no person ever imagined when they designed them.

On Monday, Pop and The Atlas (who is taking a holiday day) are going to start the new wardrobe. We have important other stuff we need to do around our house and I am so, so grateful for The Atlas and Pop who are making some time to do something non-urgent just for me (let's be realistic here The Atlas will only use about 30cm of wardrobe space all up!).

I do have other awesome men in my life but today I want to stop and thank these 2 very much.

joining in here and here

Make My Week - Baby Girl Dress

I whipped up this little reversible dress in about the same time it would have taken to go out, look for one, think about which one to pick and buy it.

It's based on a pattern I grabbed from the stash box - with rather a few adaptions - including making the dress reversible.

I also made a wee brooch to go on each side too - just for fun.

It's for a first birthday. This is the similar dress I made for big sister when she was one. I hope she will like it. It's nice to have a quick project to work on.

joining in with the crafting hotties over at luscious Leonie's

love you more than a gift made entirely from stash xxx

Here Too

Not to say that I won't be talking about my inner ramblings here but I have started up some simple thoughts over here. It isn't pretty and fancy it's just simple and thoughtful. It hasn't got a schedule and it probably won't be funny. And I'll still forget to use commas, probably even more so. 

But if you want to visit you are welcome.

love you more than all the skills I am lacking in the blog design department xxx

B.M.W.B - why yes this is my brain protector

You know that when you put a pair of underpants on your head it will protect your brain from aliens...

You didn't know that?

But I assure you it is true.

This is about making a mundane more fun - Bounce and I were chatting during folding the washing. He still doesn't believe that his undies can protect my brain but we had a lot of laughs.

Just to top it off we had some fun on photo booth.

I'm too boring and task focused too often. Just because a job has to be done doesn't mean it can't be done with a laugh.

Becoming the Mama I want to be is about taking time to enjoy the journey of parenting, to honour it's value and to hopefully inspire and encourage each other. 

Simple. Achievable. Intentional: becoming the mama I want to be

Button code on the right if you want it

Love you more than a folded load of fresh-off-the-line washing. x

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Helping Daddy set up for football.

Making fairy boats to sail down the river.

Sweet, sweet boys x how I love you x

Shower Conversations with a 7 Year-Old

Me: Why aren't you using the glove (exfoliation thing-a-me) to get all the dirt off your knees?

Flip: I accidentally wee'd on it.

Glad I asked about that one because it had been put back on the shelf for me to use the next day. Having kids? Keeps you real. I love that.

Make My Week - Chipmunk Chair

This is another in the decoupage furniture series.

A little chair covered in gorgeous chipmunk fabric. (Or is it squirrel - and what is the difference? Is that a terribly ignorant question to ask??)

Bounce chose the fabric and this is his desk chair. You get a sense of the before here:

and here is the final result:

He's pretty pleased with it, as am I

Joining in with a collection of makers for show and tell

Love you more than spotting a red squirrel racing up a tree in Kew gardens xx