Christmas Snippets



Broken

She fell off her scooter a week ago...

She has a buckle fracture of her right wrist...

 

 

It was about 4.30 on Friday afternoon last week when I heard a scream from her, not an unusual occurrence...she ran inside telling me she had fallen off her scooter and landed on her arm.

I gave her 5 minutes to calm down while I held her and then we talked about going to the hospital. I rang her Dad and told him to meet us there after work.

We went straight into triage, where they gave her a dose of panadol, and then off we went to x-ray. Looked like we were in for a long wait, the ER was full of people. She found one of her school friends. They went off to the playground.

She was throwing cushions around, being silly, not in any apparent pain. After an hour I was fed up and told her we were leaving. She agreed.

We headed over to "that Scottish restaurant" for dinner. She hurt it again on the playground there, so we went home so she could sit calmly for a while.

She seemed fine on Saturday morning. No complaints. We packed her off for a sleepover at her Gran and Grumbles that night.

Sunday morning she complained that her wrist was still sore. It was swollen and her fingers were fat. Off we went to the ER again. Only 2 people waiting this time.

The doctor came out to us, I told her we already had x-rays done. She went off to review them. I was confident she would come back and say it was just a sprain.

Another half hour and the doctor came back to tell me that it was indeed broken.

I felt horrendous. I had failed my daughter.

She was fitted with a fibreglass slab and a bandage. She needs to wear it for 3 to 4 weeks.

We have a appointment on Christmas Eve with the Orthopedic Surgeon to make sure it is healing properly.

She has coped quite will with it so far. In fact I don't think it has restricted her much at all. Except that she maybe splashes less in the bath.

It's a good thing that school has finished, it being her right arm and all.

 

It's so difficult to know when she is being genuine, and I feel bad that I didn't trust her enough to stay at the ER and wait for the x-ray results. Live and learn I guess.

 

Cindy..

Party Time

Kinder is over for another year...On to 4 year old Kinder and 2 and a half days a week.

 

We had a little party and guess who popped in to say hello.

 

Guess who got a little frightened and had a little cry...

It only took her a moment to adjust, but she really didn't like Santa sitting in her teachers chair.

Of course it all changed when she found out that he had a present for her...Santa always brings the best books to kinder for the kids.

Lots of sugar was consumed, everyone was bouncing off the walls.

 

We got off to a shaky start with Kinder this year, but it turned out to be a great experience in the end.

 

We have been busy busy busy trying to get everything done that we need to do before Christmas.

Shopping is almost all done, Christmas Puddings are cooking as I type and gingerbread dough is resting in the fridge...it may get cooked...it is very tasty as it is.

Hope everyone is having a relatively stress free lead up to Christmas...I know, that's almost impossible, but we are trying.

Cindyxx

 

Birthday Girl

 

Fail

My attempts to take a nice photo of my three children together for a Christmas Card...

Total fail...

The littlest was not in a cooperative mood.

I did manage to get this one though, so it wasn't a complete disaster.

 

 

Running out of time now...was trying to be more organised with this regard in 2012.

Oh well, if you don't get a Christmas Card from me this year again, I do apologise..

 

Cindy..

I'm so behind...

in posting to this blog. Busy busy busy...

 

Sophias school had a book character walkathon fundraiser about three weeks ago now.

I tried to talk her into going as Alice in Wonderland, but she insisted on Rapunzel. So, I got to work and whipped up her dress based on Disneys Movie Rapunzel.

She loved it. (I was quite pleased with the end result too:)

 

I went up to school and walked four laps around with Sophia and her little entourage...all holding hands and trying to get away from a little Harry Potter and his out of control wand.

I may have got a little sunburnt, even though I was decked out with hat and sunscreen.

 



 

 Not to be left out, Charlotte dressed up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Cute. Only missing her ruby slippers. Pink ones will suffice.

 

 

We all returned later for a little mini fete. Popcorn and gingerbread and fairy floss. Sophia had the best time throwing wet sponges at one of the grade six boys. We purchased tiny little water pistols and nail polish.

 

We all had the opportunity to hang out in Sophias classroom and watch a movie.

Then we headed home and filled our water pistols and all got very very wet playing in the backyard with them.

 

What a fun day.

 

Cindy..

Buzz Cut Baby

This is my Darcy with the gorgeous blonde (almost white) curls.

On Monday, when school had gone back I made a split decision...

 

 

Totally spur of the moment haircut...The clippers were sitting on the dining table from the night before.

This is the absolute longest guide (number 8).

He sat perfectly still...

well almost.

Very willing participant.

Goodbye crazy curls, again!

 

 

He looks so different with his hair shorter. More grown up, cheekier.

Gorgeous boy.

 

Sad News and a catch up

I was hoping to be able to share with you all a plethora of divine wedding photos.

Unfortuantley, things didn't go to plan.

I was in the middle of making up some cute little last minute photo props the night before the big day when the phone rang. It was the brides brother...informing me that it had been called off. My first thoughts of course where with the bride. I was upset and worried for her. Something obviously had gone wrong for her to make such a huge decision.

 

I had geared myself up and I was completely ready for my first wedding shoot. It's really difficult to explain my emotions about it all. I was disappointed for myself, but I was also concerned about my friend. My confidence has taken a little bit of a battering.  I didn't even touch my fully prepared camera gear for a week. I felt like a caged lion, with the need to get out there and take photos...of anyone other than my children. I guess that is frustration.

 

Anyway, life goes on. I hope that my bride and groom can work things out. I am certainly thinking of them.

 

 

So with nothing to do on a Saturday, Sam off work and a lovely babysitter arranged for the kiddos in the evening...what were we to do?? Go out for dinner of course...Just the two of us. That's something we haven't done in I don't know how long. Too long. It's difficult to have a date night here. We had a lovely couple of hours, and we were home in time to get the kids to bed and have a few glasses of wine with our lovely friend.

 

That was a few weeks ago now, and I have had a birthday in the meantime...thirty-seven...with three kids...how did that happen??

 

I think I like being closer to forty. I'm not worried about hitting that milestone. I am relatively happy with my life at the moment. Wonderful partner, three beautiful children, a house, a job, fantastic parents.

 

It was AFL Grands Final Day on my birthday, and the Hawks lost. That didn't go down so well in this household. Although I do think I yelled at the television quiet a bit more than Sam. Maybe I was worried about him being grumpy face for a week. Or maybe it's because I have kind of adopted the Hawks, considering how badly Melbourne are doing. Circumstance made for an interesting birthday.

 

To make up for this, we headed down to Geelong for a nice leisurely stroll around the Mill Market. (interspersed with the complaining of two small girls..I'm hungry, I'm bored, can we go now, I want to go on the carousel, this is taking for...ever!!). I saw so many things I would love to own, but alas the budget is very very tight at the moment...maybe after Christmas I'll ditch the loved ones and make a day of it alone, dragging a trailer behind me.

 

We eventually made it to the carousel, followed by ice-cream for lunch (oh! the horror). A stroll along the waterfront, watched the sea helicopter take off and land, then made our way home...with a bucket of coffee.

It all made for a lovely birthday...thank you to my people :)

Wow! That's was a jumbled up ramble...congratulations if you made it to here!! I will endeavour to update my blog more often, but I have been fairly busy with work and school holiday activities. In fact I should be working right now. Back to the sewing machine for me!! Talk to you again soon.

Cindy.

Test Shots.

I headed out to Daylesford yesterday to check out what I was up against for a wedding I am photographing on Saturday...Ahh!! That's tomorrow.. 

There will certainly be some challenging light during the ceremony.

Looking forward to getting into it...Wish me Luck.

10 minutes...

Ten minutes was all we could manage out in the cold spring weather.  

Charlotte was the one who said "mummy can we please go now"...

At least it was ten minutes of fun. 

A Few Favourites

It was a freezing cold afternoon on Sunday for this photoshoot...well done to this lovely family for spending an hour in the icy wind with me. You were fantastic.

These are just a few of my favourites...

Looking forward to capturing your wedding day :)

 

Cindy...

Sneak Peek

Thankyou for taking the time on a freezing cold day to help me out. I hope you like them...
Cindy.

Ugh!!

We have been down with the flu for what seems like an eternity here. I still have a sinus headache...it's been three weeks now. I just can't seem to kick it, but the kids are finally snot free and no longer coughing. Yay!!

In the midst of all the sickness, we decided for our own sanity to try and get out of the house. So when the weather looked promising on Sunday morning, we jumped into the car and headed out to Daylesford for some lunch at the lake.

Good intentions...not so good result.

The closer we got to Daylesford, the thicker the cloud cover became. Darcy fell asleep 5 minutes from town, it was flat out in town and parking was at a premium. We finally managed to get some lunch and headed down to the lake.

Darcy woke up after only 15 minutes sleep.

We exited the car to realise that the breeze coming off the lake was frigid. We shivered through our food and then went to give the ducks some nutritionally poor flatbread.

It was cold.

 Charlotte wanted to eat the bread, and screamed when she realised there was only one piece left. Two gigantic geese with teeth chased the black swans away from us, very intimidating they were. The girls went on the playground, but lasted only 5 minutes before they came out saying it was boring. Charlotte was shivering out of her skin, so we call it a day and got back into the warm car and headed for home.

Maybe we will return when the weather is guaranteed to be kinder.

Looking forward to some Spring weather, with desperation actually. Dreaming of twenty degree days and sunshine...and an end to flu season.

This Girl

has been elusive of late.

 I guess that's what happens when they are at school for most of the day. Some days I miss her. Some days I wish she could stay at school longer.

She has changed since starting school. Some good, some not so good.
She loves to share with her brother and sister, most of the time.
She has a kind heart, and always tries to help her friends.
She has lovely manners.
She can be contrary, not liking it when things don't go her way.
She takes forever to get dressed for school in the morning.
She struggles with perfectionism, not wanting to try something if she thinks she might not get it right first up.
She has been invited to six birthday parties so far this year.
He hair is dead straight and getting so long now.
She won't eat yoghurt if I put it in her lunchbox.
She loves apples, and avacoado in a sandwich.
Her teacher tells me that some of the other kids in her class are in awe of her.
She is absolutely a social butterfly, she makes new friends so easily.
She still fits into a size four skinny jeans.
She would prefer to wear a dress to school over trackies every day.
She is doing taekwondo and fitness circuit after school twice a week.
She loves to read, and is at the right level for someone at the end of Prep.
We have just started giving her some pocketmoney, she likes to spend it on a fingerbun after school on Fridays. Not just for her, but for her siblings as well.
She always wants a hug when she has been in trouble, and she is difficult to resist, it helps calm her down.
Her temper can be volatile.
She likes me to drop her off at the gate for school, she has always been very independent in spirit.

She is a school girl now. She is six years old. I love watching her grow and learn. I am always amazed when I listen to her read, and spell, and add up.
Can you teach me to count by sixes, she asked me this morning as she was getting dressed.
I love that she has a voracious appetite for learning, and that she hasn't once yet complained that she doesn't want to go to school.
It puts joy in my heart.
Love my girl.

Oh Baby

This sweet little boy turned eighteen months a few days ago. He longer can be considered a baby.

The crazy curls are gone.

He can feed himself with a spoon.

He drinks out of a cup.

He throws a mean tantrum.

 He gives the most beautiful cuddles.

He always gives me a kiss before climbing out of bed in the morning.

He is still sleeping in my bed.

He is still breastfeeding.

He is not saying many words...only Mum, Boo, Nigh Nigh, Nanna, Pa.

 He loves to point.

He adores books.

He's gorgeous and cheeky and my last.

No more babies.

It makes me sad that he has grown up so quickly.

I love that tiny baby stage, but I don't necessarily want to go back there.

I am now looking forward...

To a house without nappies.

To kids at school.

To being able to work more.

To doing things together.

To continuing to guide them.

To continuing to teach them.

To watching them grow.

He had his eighteen months immunisations today. One in each arm. He was very stoic. No complaints, just curious about the cotton wool and sticky tape on his arms.

I love my cheeky little boy so much, and I still remember his birth like it was yesterday.

Feeling a little nostalgic.

Cindy.

First Haircut

Finally, we decided that the crazy Einstein hair was just too much for a little boy.

Even though those curls are beautiful...they had to go. It was frizz city at the back.

I wasn't prepared to buzz it myself...how was I going to take photos and operate the clippers at the same time?

He sat in the chair all by himself without even a whimper of protest.

I must tell you, this a boy who LOVES to have his hair brushed at home. He's first in line after a bath to be groomed. So I guess it's no surprise that he didn't object.

 

It took me a good two or three days to get used to him with much less hair. Every time I turned around I looked at him I got a mini shock...is that my boy??

Now that I am used to it, I think it looks great. I doubt that we will ever let it get as long as it was again.

Now I wish the weather would be kind so I can take the little munchkin into the great outdoors for some photos and some fun.

Cindy.

First Photos

of the FIVE of us...

finally.

We have been meaning to do this photo shoot since the little man was six months old...

This wasn't a planned shoot, we just took the opportunity while we were at our annual Christmas in July Celebration to ask Celeste to take a few quick shots for us.

Happily she obliged...I'm really pleased with them.

Since these photos, the little man has had his crazy Einstein curls lopped off. He looks so much older now...photos of that experience to follow.

Cindy..

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Six Sweetpea!!

This sweet girl turned SIX on the 26th of June...I know I'm a bit slack in posting.

Wasn't prepared for the crazy birthday party competition with Prep Mums, so we decided to forgoe the party this year. A little morning tea cake celebration at Gran and Grumbles with her cousins, was deemed satisfactory.

Her birthday was on a Tuesday, so she had chocolate cupcakes at school. It was strange not to spend her birthday with her.

Nanna and Pa came to visit after school. Her birthday present from them was a little torturous (for ME not her). Anxious I was. She had her ears pierced finally...she's only been asking since she was four!

She was amazingly calm...barely even flinched.

Gran and Grumbles also visited after school bearing gifts.

She also finally got the DS she has been asking for...much smurfanallia...some clothes and books.

One very happy and exhausted SIX year old.

Cars!!

What could be more fun than tipping an entire bucket of cars upside down?



More Pillow Pretties

I've been busy sewing...

This one was a small version at 40cm x 20cm for another of Sophias school friends.

Going back to my original format...including a little detail in the hand stitched hearts. This one is 60cm x 30cm. I think the bigger size makes for more of a statement piece. It looks great on a bed.

Hey there Little Red Riding Hood...Sophia is playing the title role in a little school production...it's really only a bit part, no speaking...but I offered to make the costume to take a load off her teacher. I love it...thankyou to fleecefun for the fabulous and super easy pattern. The only alterations I made where to line the entire cape and take the shoulders in slightly for my small framed girl.
I think if I ever make another, I will use a contrasting lining...perhaps black, perhaps white??

Friday in Photos

Student Free Day

Wagged Kinder

Short drive to Geelong

Beautiful Sunny Day

A Ride on the Carousel

Fish and Chips for Lunch

Time on the Playground

Walk along the Beach

Run up and down a Hill (multiple times)

Strawberry Milkshake and Iced Coffee

Drive Home

Sleeping Children

BLISS

Ella

It was a delight to photograph this gorgeous little one...she was all serious and no smiles inside...but when we ventured out she came to life.

Isn't she just devine.

Hope you like them Prue.

Cindy...

Mini Model

She was half willing...of course she wanted to choose her own clothes.

 

So we shot some photos of her wearing what she wanted to wear...then I got her to change into this.

She mostly followed directions.

We got some very cute shots.

She doesn't normally smile like this for photos.

Must have been enjoying the one on one time, the little man was in bed and her big sister was at school.

We had fun.

She has a grey front tooth. Can you see it??

She is a sweet kid and an absolute terror.

At some point in the past 12 months we must have reinforced for her that if she has a big enough tantrum or cries for long enough we will give her what she wants. It's going to be a tremendously difficult habit to break with her. She stamps her feet and stands on the spot and screams. She cries at the drop of a hat if things don't go her way. She makes the most annoying screeching noise. I guess it's tough being the middle child. She certainly does not like to share...especially with her little brother.

On the plus side she now goes to bed easily. No more needing her Dad to lay next to her until she falls asleep. She gets up and goes to the toilet and then takes herself back to bed.

She can count to thirty, and sings the alphabet song impeccably.

She also likes to sing, at the moment P!nk, at the top of her voice...LOUD.

She loves Kinder and brings home lots and lots of artwork.

She is cute and tiny and adorable and a handful and I wouldn't change her for the world.

Impromtu

I was supposed to be photographing a gorgeous little girl on Friday afternoon, but the weather wasn't playing nice. It was atrocious in fact, cold freezing, wet, windy. So we rescheduled.

I couldn't resist just setting up a little backdrop anyway and snapping away at my favourite little subject.

Hence he is dressed just in what he was wearing for the day...no fancy outfits, just in socks.

He is my little piece of gorgeous though, whatever he is wearing.

My plan now is to recreate this photo with him wearing something cute so I have a nice photo of him to frame for his Gran to put on her wall.

 Hoping it goes as well second time around.

Cindy..



Birthday Pretties

for one of Sophias school friends.

Scaled down version!

Another one to make for this Sunday, better make a start.

Anyone interested in purchashing one of these custom made cushions?? email me :)

This Girl

I was just taking a few shots to check the light in the girls bedroom...

She is starting to come around to the whole idea of posing for me...

I converted to black and white

...this photo took my breath away.