Better Late Than Never....

I know I am a few days behind but this festive season caught me a little off guard and snuck up on me! So from my little family to yours, I hope you had a magical and memorable Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! We had an amazing day with family and seeing my little man's big brown eyes light up all day and night with everything Christmas just made our day that extra special. I have always loved Christmas (and any other celebration through the year!) but with our little man around things just seem so much more amazing and make me feel so very blessed!

I also wanted to stop by and let you know that things will be quiet on the blog and fb front as we are going on a much awaited for family holiday to relax and spend some quality time together making memories! Once we return and life returns back to normal I will be sure to do a photo dump of all the happenings we have had going on lately!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, may it bring love and happiness xx

Sydney Sadness......

Today has been a sad and heart breaking day in Sydney, a day that will forever be in our hearts and never forgotten.

I have no words to explain the sickening feeling I had yesterday when it was announced that numerous hostages had been taken and were being held against their will in a Lindt cafe in our renowned Martin Place. 

Early this morning I simply could not sleep. I tossed and turned all night thinking of what those poor innocent victims and their loved ones must be experiencing. I decided to get up and switched on the t.v and was shocked at what I saw unfold. Two precious, innocent lives lost. Several injured but free hostages. Their lives will never be the same again. 

I have lit a candle for those involved and for those two lives lost in such horrific circumstances. It has been the only thing I can think to do as I pray with all my heart that those who survived and their families can find the strength in God to get through the hard times they still have to face.

With a heavy heart thinking about what has happened in Sydney, I will hold my little man closer and tighter tonight....light a candle, say a prayer and hold your loved ones near.

A link I found through Retro Mummy on the Mass that took place at St Mary's Cathedral today for the victims....heartfelt and touching, it really hit a chord with me.

End Of Year Christmas Gift

Each year as Term 4 comes to a close I like to give my students a gift, acknowledging their hard work through the year. As I have a number of students on my books I can only give each one something small otherwise it would become an expensive exercise! The last two years I have given the Smartie Pants gift. I used it back when I was teaching my Year 1's and have used it with my tuition students the last two years. It is always such a hit with parents and children alike!

This year I have been super busy and time just passed me by, before I knew it the final two weeks of the term was upon us. After perusing so many cute ideas on Pinterest I decided to go with the cute little reindeer idea and so far it has been a hit with both the little ones and older ones!

The idea was so simple and easy to make. After finding a stencil of a reindeer, I outlined it onto green board drew on eyes and a smile and finally cut out the nose. Then with a a piece of tape, I stuck a strawberry flavoured Chupa Chup to the back and created Rudolph! Not the most creative gift this year but it definitely had the cute factor!

Elf On The Shelf

Well it finally arrived! Our Elf on the Shelf bundle landed on our door step yesterday afternoon and boy was I excited! I have been patiently waiting so that we can start this little tradition with our main man and now I can get into teacher mode and have some fun with it :)

I purchased the boy Elf for our little guy and then purchased the girl version for our sweet Goddaughter and her little sister as part of their Christmas present. I purchased these two bundles from here as they had the quickest delivery time for the start of Christmas but you can purchase from numerous online stores within Australia.

The story behind the Elf on the Shelf is a simple one....to keep the magic of Christmas alive!
The story and product were created by a mother-daughter team. The idea is that this clever little Elf is Santa's eyes and ears and he/she reports back to Santa each night to let him know if they have been naughty or nice. Each morning the Elf is waiting in a different location around the house keeping an eye on the comings and goings in the house. You can read more about the Elf on the Shelf tradition here.

Stay tuned to discover what adventures our little Elf goes on in the lead up to Christmas! There is even an app you can download to help you get some inspiration

A Little Bit Of Everyday....

I have been a little MIA lately and for that I apologise. This has been one heck of a year for us......seems like when it rains, it pours for us and it has been for many months.

I have procrastinated for so very long about posting another blog post. Countless times I had begun writing a new post and just as soon as I had written a few lines I deleted it. Can't really tell you why because I am not so sure myself. We are going through a lot here in our neck of the woods, I am feeling pulled in so many different directions and truth be told, I just haven't been able to focus on much else.
I am in a funny place in that I think I am trying to find myself I guess you could say! I am getting close to turning 30 and looking back on what I have achieved so far has had me wondering, questioning, evaluating and reflecting......a midlife crisis I have been saying! Haha!

So this post is simply to touch base, say 'hello' and let you all know I haven't forgotten about my little blog, I have just been a little pre-occupied..

I thought I'd share some everyday photos of our adventures lately.....not all that exciting but might help me get back into the swing of posting a little more consistently.

We spent a fair amount of time at my parents beautiful home and made a sweet Jesus-inspired Halloween craft.

We have been devouring the most divine pizzas in Australia.....made by my amazing and talented husband at his  Pizzeria.....and we have been rejuvenating with some yummy fresh juices while baking cupcakes and cookies!

We have pottered in the garden and had our first rose and gardenia of the season bloom! We also have harvested some of home grown produce :)

We have enjoyed unseasonably hot Spring days wading in our little pool and re-organising our playroom!

When I look back and reflect on these photos I get reminded that life is good and life is precious....I am so very blessed....savour and cherish each day x