tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63165983724115870192024-02-20T01:32:03.672+10:00Caitlin's Happy HeartAll the stories, events and things that make Caitlin's heart happy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-19103504012724285132014-12-17T06:53:00.002+10:002014-12-17T06:53:42.642+10:00Shattered This ChristmasDecorating a Christmas tree is one of my favourite Christmas traditions. This year we have a new tree. It's spectacular. Probably more so because I didn't let the children decorate it. They watched me decorate it and were granted the privilege of hanging a few decorations in specific spots. Yes, I'm that type of mother.<br />
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To be fair, I did let them decorate their own tree (our previous tree), I even allowed them to put tinsel on it - I'm not a huge fan of tinsel on trees. You have to have a special knack to put it on a tree and still have tree look tasteful, so I prefer to adorn the tree in other ways.<br />
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What my tree is missing is some special ornaments. In our pre-children days we travelled throughout the world. Whenever I can while I was travelling, I would try to buy a Christmas ornament to remember that country. A bauble with a camel on it in Abu Dhabi, from China, little Chinese dolls in traditional dress or another bauble adorned with Parisian landmarks. Unfortunately the world momentos from around the globe are getting fewer on our tree. Last year a Canadian beaver in an Mountie uniform had his tail severed and his toes chipped off. Poor little dude.<br />
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This year it was this.<br />
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This once was my beautiful glass Union Jack baubles from Harrods in London. I had seen the beautiful ornament and purchased it imagining how stunning it would look on my tree the following year. What I didn't think through at the time was it was very delicate and I was about to travel through Europe for the next 4 weeks. I hadn't thought it through, but I worked around it. With great care I carried it through 9 countries on trains, buses, underground and over ground. Then on the 2nd night before we flew out from Paris, I left it in a hotel in Holland. I can confirm; there were tears over this mishap.<br />
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Five years later I returned to Harrods at Christmas time hoping to find another Union Jack glass bauble. I did! In fact, I found a box with two in it! Once again, it was transported with the utmost of care and this time it arrived home. Hurrah!<br />
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They have been lovingly hung on our tree ever since. Except last year. There was no way I was going to let two year old triplets anywhere near them, so they remained in their boxes. Instead, I delayed it a year until three year old triplets would get them. I had left them in the boxes again this year, but then big brother unpacked them, hung them on the trees and then the triplets had their way with them.<br />
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Totally smashed.<br />
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But do you know what? Small things. They were pretty and sentimental. But only<i> stuff</i>.<br />
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In Sydney on Monday the peacefulness we enjoy in our country was smashed. Lives were lost. Other lives forever altered. For some people this will become a pivotal point in their lives. For them there will always a before and after point in their lives.<br />
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I pray for those people. I pray that the memory of what happened in that cafe on December 15 doesn't haunt them. That they continue to live their lives confidently and without fear. That our country protects them and our media is respectful of their experiences and their presentation the event.<br />
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I think of the two innocent people who were killed. Life can be as fragile as a glass ornament. A man and a woman woke up that morning with dreams, plans. With a future. Before the new day dawned it was smashed leaving the people who loved them weep in their absence. As a nation we mourn those innocent victims because stuff like this shouldn't happen. People should live life and be safe. In Australia, in all the world.<br />
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Peace at Christmas. Surely it is more than a lofty ideal. I'm proud that so many individuals in our nation are rising up and demonstrating love in combat of the hatred that dwelt in one soul.<br />
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After all the central element of the Christmas message is love.<br />
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It was the love of God for humankind that sent a baby to the world. Because God believed the world was worth saving. Even in that era, there were ugly people roaming the streets, within homes and in levels of government. Even back then the bloodthirsty Romans killed one another in the most brutal and public ways. Yet even so God loved the world that he sent the Divine to earth. Sunday school students learn those very words, "That God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16<br />
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So this Christmas, even though I know our world is filled with people who have evil in their hearts, I believe that if we keep love the central theme in each one of our lives, Love indeed will triumph. We shall continue our lives and live them displaying love and demonstrating peace. Because before there is peace in the world, there needs to be peace in each of our hearts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-82902677154276192432014-12-12T07:38:00.000+10:002014-12-12T08:22:27.278+10:00Using the Advent to Develop Character Plus Christmas Book Giveaway!How has the Advent season been progressing for you? I have to say, that it has been creating such excitement at our house, but it has also had the hidden blessing of assisting the children to develop valuable character traits. During this month while waiting for Christmas Day, not only have they been learning about the true meaning of Christmas, they have also been developing patience, self control, kindness, co-operation, forgiveness and joyfulness (in all circumstances, not just when things are going they way they desire).<br />
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Elvey, our little Elf on the Shelf, has been a loved addition of the house again and the bigger kids are really being patient with the younger children helping them to find the elf. To be truthful, I feel like <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/elf-on-shelf-easy-peasy-ideas.html">last year</a> Elvey was put in a few more creative places. I just seem to be scrambling this year, jumping out of bed when I hear the children are up and rushing him off to a new shelf. Yesterday I heard the children were coming so I jumped out of bed and tried to untie Elvey from the tinsel he was bungee jumping from. The triplets walked out and I kind of chucked the Elf behind my shoulder and was standing there playing with the tinsel, as you do. In the true spirit of the toddler, they stood there staring, asked me 20 times what I was doing, then ran off. I managed to untie the elf and as they ran back stuff him under my nightie (poor elf) and run him to the Christmas tree and shove him up the top. Now the people who think the elf is creepy (he's not that bad, is he?) probably are also accusing him of looking up the angel's skirts.<br />
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The kids also have been enjoying the store bought Advent Calendars. I know, people are getting excited about non-chocolate advent traditions, and as you know, we are doing this also. However, I think one little chocolate is really not that harmful. The calendars are cheap, and it's just a little bit of fun. Turns out it's teaching self control and patience also. Mind you, two of my children have failed miserably with the self control, so now they are learning a lesson of consequences for your actions as they watch the other children eat a chocolate each day while they miss out because of their bulk consumption.<br />
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My favourite tradition has been the Advent books. Admitedly, it took me a little while to get going with this. I hurriedly had wrapped the first book, chucked it under the tree and explained to the children that I would be getting one child each day to unwrap a book in the lead up to Christmas. Because there was only one book, and three 3 year olds had limited understanding about what I had explained, it wasn't a happy moment around the Christmas tree. My 5 year old who is also learning that it is more blessed to give then to receive and my 8 year old managed better self control then the others, but I think he was a little disappointed he didn't open the present on the same day as well. The Accountant watched the proceedings, (it looked like we were exploring the book of Lamentations from the Bible rather than the Gospels), shook his head saying he didn't know why I had these hair brained ideas and walked off.<br />
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It then took a few more days before I got all the presents wrapped, and I chose not to do any more books until there was a pile and I could show the children that there was a label telling which day it was to be opened and which child would open it. Nevertheless, we had to repeat the process of protests and wailing and then we watched the next child open the book and we read it together. We then repeated the wailing and lamenting when the children discovered they had to wait for another day until they opened the next present. All the same, there were two children who unwrapped some books half an hour later when I was no longer policing the tree. (There was a common denominator with the Advent thief).<br />
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However, thanks to persistence and lots of explaining, they now mostly sit happily together and watch each other unwrap. I have been very clear that the books belong to the family, not the individual. The child is wrapping it for one another. I'm also strict that everyone sits together and watches it get unwrapped and listens to the story. It is a valuable lesson in being happy for one another and I think (and hope!) that it is actually setting really good groundwork for not being selfish on Christmas morning also.<br />
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The stories have also been wonderful in building the Christmas spirit. I'm very excited to let you know that five of those stories could be yours! Scholastic Australia is generously giving away five Christmas book packs. Each selection will include<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">One Night</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418328244972_4424" style="font-size: 11pt;">Where’s Santa Around the World</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418328244972_4426" style="font-size: 11pt;">Deck the Shed with Bits of Wattle</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418328244972_4428" style="font-size: 11pt;">There Was an Old Bloke Who Swallowed a Present</span></div>
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To find out more about these books, they are included in my review of <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/24-books-about-christmas.html">24 children's books for Christmas</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been nominated a few times now for a Liebster Award! Hooray! It's German word term of endearment and it's always nice to be loved recognised and it feels like people like my little piece of the blogosphere, which is such a comforting thought! I was nominated by Eva from <a href="http://www.themultitaskingmummy.com/">The Multitasking Mummy</a>, Sarah from <a href="http://creatingcontentment.com/">Creating Contentment</a> and then lastly by Bec from <a href="http://www.styledbybec.com.au/">Styled by Bec</a>. Probably because Bec's nomination came through when I was a bit less busy then the first two times, and because I love dabbling in fashion and styling, I immediately wanted to answer Bec's questions. So I did. It then took a bit longer before I could think of extra people to nominate. (I still didn't get the required 10, not because I couldn't think of people, but rather because they had already been nominated.) If I have time, I might try to answer the other two ladies questions, because it's a nice way to share about yourself. In the meantime, read on to hear my replies to Rebecca's questions.</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favourite piece of jewellery and why?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My engagement ring. Not only do I love the setting and the high quality diamonds, but it is so sentimental. Whenever I stare it I remember our picnic, my husband reading a poem on bended knee and then heading out to the show afterwards to find my family to show them the ring and being dazzled by it all day as it sparkled in the brilliant sunlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What are your three favourite shops?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've just discovered "Flower", I adored shopping there, bought a lovely dress for Christmas and am itching to get back, The Accountant should be relieved I have to travel to the nearest capital city to find a store. I've enjoyed shopping at Sussan this season, and Myer is just a perennial favourite because it has so much variety of good quality clothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dress or pants?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I like wearing dresses, although in winter I tend to favour pants for warmth, not having to put on stockings and hiding hairy legs. But I feel nicer in a dress generally. I'm loving a "Firefly" dress that I bought at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-and-Simple-Homewares/183586518338441">Pure and Simple</a> in Highfields at Jacaranda Manor. (Locals you should check out this shop, it's gorgeous.)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZWelrzRB16gAhCi4QahQzcDkw-leiR_xkTyP-veNRlhACFThtdwrPZpSmzIQVgqIsoR3btTNIQ2HBuYs6XiDv2u6tm-X3s8mIVv4OjfxRyQigTaYfDgM8dbxLQ7srvq9yvgJCM2RsTc/s1600/IMG_8485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZWelrzRB16gAhCi4QahQzcDkw-leiR_xkTyP-veNRlhACFThtdwrPZpSmzIQVgqIsoR3btTNIQ2HBuYs6XiDv2u6tm-X3s8mIVv4OjfxRyQigTaYfDgM8dbxLQ7srvq9yvgJCM2RsTc/s1600/IMG_8485.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wore my Firefly dress at Problogger earlier this year.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favourite colour combination?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you know what? I really love red and green at Christmas! I love Christmas, and it's always fun dressing and looking Christmassy!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">You have $1000 to spend styling your living room. Where do you go and what would you buy?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A rug and a coffee table. I got a rain check to get these for Christmas last year. I'm hoping that I can at least cash it in before December this year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Footnote:</i> Since writing this I bought a coffee table! Yippee! I really wanted a very sophisticated French coffee table, but in the end, I chickened out and bought a cheaper more solid functional one. I'm so glad I did, so far it's already stood up to substantial abuse, including, but not limited too, being danced upon, hosting games where you use your fist to violently hammer a plastic spinner, being licked and on the first day one of the triplets used it as a urinal.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is the most expensive piece of clothing you own?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think my knee high Camper boots. I hardly wear them anymore because the zip has turned in and rubs uncomfortably on my ankle. I bought them in London on Kensington High Street when I was living there and pregnant with my first child. I was actually tossing up between a blue pair with heels and and a flat brown pair. The brown pair were the practical choice, but the blue pair were such fun! I was just about to choose the blue but went to try the brown pair one last time when I saw that the shop assistant had taken them away even though they were under the chair I had been using and put them on hold for an out of town customer who had just rung through. I then had a squabble with him and bought them on principle. (If the customer walked into the store, she wouldn't have snatched them off me after all!) I've often wished I bought the blue pair as well though!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where is your favourite shopping centre or favourite shopping destination?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Toowoomba it's Grand Central. In Brisbane I'm loving Chermside at the moment. Worldwide shopping destination that I have actually loved shopping most would be Abu Dhabi, although some Christmas markets in Austria on Christmas Eve were very magical also.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEJfOGOGyp2FMYYfi-xQ2sDMGk6IjhN-81gYSzZM9qOkILat-U-x-PUUBvI8zD4-qJzAqelGD7KOI5RSjiWSJyM7jP9SKf1l9Be8e0roLBlQ7aV4c0tfVZqncTHdZ6pXGfZAAt4nEGNk/s1600/Abu+Dhabi+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEJfOGOGyp2FMYYfi-xQ2sDMGk6IjhN-81gYSzZM9qOkILat-U-x-PUUBvI8zD4-qJzAqelGD7KOI5RSjiWSJyM7jP9SKf1l9Be8e0roLBlQ7aV4c0tfVZqncTHdZ6pXGfZAAt4nEGNk/s1600/Abu+Dhabi+007.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to go shopping in Abu Dhabi in 2005.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>If money was no object, where would you go on holiday?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Scandinavia and Russia. I will get there one day! It's possible I may be retired before I do it though!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What’s the best present you ever received?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved the Christmas present my husband gave me at the end of our first year of marriage. I had given him a list of present ideas, just like our family used to give my mother. I was excited to see the present all wrapped up, it was obviously the suitcase I'd asked for. But when I got it, it was really heavy. I opened the case and it was full of wonderful things, I was in 7th heaven and overwhelmed with how extravagant Alex had been (this was in the days before he was an accountant, but he still had an accounting mentality with our finances!). Alex looked worried and said, "I couldn't find two things on the list. Is that OK?" It turned out Alex's family didn't do lists and he thought that I wanted to get him every single thing on the list! It was tempting not to tell him I didn't expect everything on the list, but I had compassion! Best present(s) ever!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you prefer online shopping or bricks and mortar?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love online shopping, but I much prefer to do it in person, especially with clothing. It's hard to find good fits online and when I'm in a store, I will often get shop assistants to recommend clothing, and they will often pull something out that I would ignore while it is on the hanger, but actually it looks spectacular on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I nominate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Renee at <a href="http://mummywifeme.com/" target="_blank">Mummy Wife Me</a></span><br />
Danielle at <a href="http://misschardy.com/" target="_blank">Miss Chardy</a><br />
Juanita at <a href="http://www.wifemummalife.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Wife Mumma Life</a><br />
Karen at <a href="http://www.talesofatwinmum.com/" target="_blank">Tales of a Twin Mum</a><br />
Maria at <a href="http://www.mummygoesmad.com/" target="_blank">Mummy Goes Mad</a><br />
<br />
My questions:<br />
<br />
1. What do you hope people say about you at your funeral? (I thought I would just start with a deep question!)<br />
<br />
2. White or Red Wine or other? (Let's have an easy question after the first one!)<br />
<br />
3. What is your favourite activity to do with your kids?<br />
<br />
4. Can you remember when you discovered the truth about Santa?<br />
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5. What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?<br />
<br />
6. Do you follow recipes or do you prefer to make it up as you go?<br />
<br />
7. Your favourite flower?<br />
<br />
8. Are you a messy person or a tidy person?<br />
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9. If I gave you $1000 and said it needed to be spent before the morning, what would you buy today?<br />
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10. Can you sing in tune?<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Can you share any of your own answers to the above questions? (My questions or Becs?)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This post is brought to you by Pitchi</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.pitchi.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pitchi</a> is a cool new online video selling platform, designed to help </span>people sell and buy online. I have recently been introduced to this website and I thought it was worthwhile sharing with you, especially in the lead up to Christmas. It is an innovative way for people to buy and sell products. What I loved as I watched the videos is that they were short and punchy being only a minute long each, so I didn't feel like I was wasting heaps of time looking at things I may not buy, but if there were products that piqued my interest, I could keep examining them further at my leisure on the product's website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pitchi is a new method to look for really unique products without having to trawl through crowded markets or search through elusive boutiques. I loved how it felt more personal. You got to see the person behind the product, and I found that very engaging, because after all, that personal feel is often missing when you shop online.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Take for instance this pitchi for a funky wooden Christmas tree. I now have an image of this family who created the Christmas tree. It's comforting to know if I were to buy it my dollars wouldnt be heading to a faceless corporation. At the top right hand corner of the video on the Pitchi page, it tells you how much the product will cost. ($349 for this tree in case you were interested.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzpRz-8b7tVm_8lMz_ni00RMZH_azoafHPt638wCjspTajstiaoNYQZNSS7XlVbr3DQM4TFbhPL0UDwZfD8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also love that Pitchi is a platform for young businesses or people with an entrepreneurial dream to sell their products to a mass audience at no cost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pitchi is very easy to navigate around the website. I found it was straightforward to save or like videos that I particularly enjoyed or was interested in. You can also easily share things that capture your attention on social media also. For example, this very fun esky. Quite frankly, it's above my price range for a gift for my nephew or brother-in-law, but I know they would also love having a cooler and cricket wickets in one, so I shared it on my personal Facebook page, easily tagging the guys.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPr9yUKSHocEsr1rcXmclunalxqWSa1pZtVD3P1L1juUvwrf7Zcr17gindINBfTpGTFcUhhCjni4dVu5L6ZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You can buy or sell anything on Pitchi from artwork, fashion, craft, home wares, tech, food or things that are just lots of fun! Jump over and check it out - but let me know if there was a Pitchi you particularly liked. (Gavin made me smile! Find him in the Home section selling his Teddy Bear plates or in the Design category selling pottery. Funny guy - clueless - but funny.)</span><br />
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The Advent is upon us. If you don't have a plan, here is an idea for you. (It's still early days, you can totally start today or tomorrow, or later, if you want!) Wrap up a book for each day until Christmas, and every day your child can unwrap the book and you can read them together. A friend of mine mentioned on Facebook that she did this last year, and I thought it was a fabulous idea so we are doing it this year. I'm not buying 25 new books. We already have several Christmas books, I packed them away with the Christmas tree so they feel new at Christmas time, so this will work perfectly for me. The few new books we have in the mix this year were given to me by Scholastic to review.<br />
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<b>1. The Nights Before Christmas (24 Classic Stories Illustrated by Tony Ross)</b><br />
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If you were going to choose one book from this list, (and you have children 6 years and older), choose this one. The stories are quite long, so it's not the best book for toddlers. If you got it while the children are under 8, it will certainly be a keepsake to treasure in years to come. I think the stories would be suitable right through to upper primary. The reason I would recommend it so highly is that I suspect most households would have a selection of modern Christmas books in their libraries. This book is literary extension for the modern day kid and has classic tales, which sometimes take longer to tell, but also develops the child's literature appreciation as well as extending vocabulary and gaining literary knowledge. Many of the stories are age old classics that our grandparents would have read or listened to during their childhood. With the wealth of children's books available these days, sometimes the classics that have been passed down the generations are being overlooked for some of the newer stories and their bright glossy covers. This book has a story for each day in December (a perfect advent alternative) and includes work by authors such as Leo Tolstoy, Hans Christian Anderson, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and The Bible. Titles include The Snow Queen, Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, The Little Match-Seller, The Story of the Christ-Child, Good King Wenceslas and The Nativity.<br />
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I love that the lavish images depicted by Tony Ross bring these golden oldies to light.<br />
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<b>2. My First Countdown to Christmas (Dr. Mary Manz Simon)</b><br />
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If you have a toddler and you were choose one book from this list, choose this one! I bought our copy years ago from <a href="https://www.koorong.com/" target="_blank">Koorong</a>, they are still selling it, click <a href="http://www.koorong.com/search/product/my-first-countdown-to-christmas-mary-manz-simon/9781860247705.jhtml" target="_blank">here </a>if you are interested. Each day has an explanation about Christmas traditions or the Christmas story, followed by a simple activity for children to do which will channel a young child's anticipation for Christmas and help them celebrate the birth of Jesus. There is also a simple prayer and Bible verse for each day.<br />
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This is a board book, so it really is suitable for little children, but my lower primary child still engages with the text and it's a great springboard to discuss the significance of Christmas each day.<br />
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<b>3. There Was an Old Bloke Who Swallowed a Present (P. Crumble & Louis Shea)</b><br />
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My boys love this crazy old bloke. We enjoyed <a href="http://www.caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/easter-egg-hunt-and-easter-books-for.html" target="_blank">The Old Bloke Swallowing a Rabbit at Easter</a>, so there is no doubt that the boys are going to once again be laughing at this silly old codgers antics, starting with its amazing lenticular moving image cover! There are funny elements to look for on each page, which always engrosses them following the sub-stories contained in the illustrations.<br />
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<b>4. Child of Bethlehem (Elena Pasquali)</b><br />
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This story very closely follows the Biblical account of The Nativity, yet uses simplified, (but not dumbed down) easy to understand language with bright and colourful illustrations. It is so important to our family that the children understand the real reason behind Christmas, so it is imperative that The Nativity features in this list.<br />
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<b>5. My Merry Christmas (Rosie Smith & Bruce Whatley)</b><br />
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This is a particularly good book for very small children. Even older babies would be able to engage with much loved illustrator, Bruce Whatley's, illustrations of friendly animals on each page. There is only a few words on each page, so their attention should be maintained the duration of the book. I've had 5 babies though, and know there is no guarantee when it comes to babies and attention! The book describes some of the traditions we follow at Christmas, so toddlers are quick to engage with the content and relate it to their own experiences.<br />
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<b>6. Santa's Busy Reindeer (Ed Allen, Nathaniel Eckstrom)</b><br />
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It's nearly Christmas! The presents are wrapped and the sleigh is packed, but ten of Santa's reindeer still have lots to do. This rhyming story can be sung to the tune of 'Ten Green Bottles'. Personally, I see the benefits of these counting/subtraction stories, but singing them to my kids often bores me to tears, even though the child isn't bored in the slightest. This particular book has got enchanting illustrations in it though, so I quite enjoyed it. Trent also loved finding the hidden number to look for in each scene. So I have to admit, even though these are not my favourite books, there are great reasons for reading/singing them. (It must be helping, Trent already recognises all numbers 10 and under. Subtraction isn't an easy concept to learn either, so this is a good into. He will be well and truly ready for Prep next year!)<br />
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<b>7. Santa Koala (Colin Buchanan & Glen Singleton)</b><br />
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Our children are a little bit in love with Colin. Any book that accompanies a CD of Colin singing is bound to be a winner in our house. Feature Santa in the story … and well, you can't lose! (We also love have a Christmas DVD with Colin outlining the Christian elements of Christmas which brings a bit of balance to all the fun also!) This song is to the tune of Waltzing Matilda and very Aussie, particularly with the real Santa calling Santa Koala a great galah for delivering the presents early!<br />
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<b>8. A Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas (Mark Mac Leod, illustrated by May Gibbs)</b><br />
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This is a Christmas story based on May Gibbs' best-loved characters, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie introducing the timeless artwork of May Gibbs to a new generation with illustrations capturing the beauty of the Australian bush. I hadn't realised that when May Gibbs died in 1969 she bequeathed the copyright of her bush characters to charities.<br />
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In doing so the sale of May Gibbs products have supported thousands and Australian children with disabilities and their families. Royalties from this book goes to Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Northcott Society.<br />
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<b>9. The Twelve Days of Christmas (Alison Jay)</b><br />
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It's a song that must be sung every Christmas, never mind that it makes no sense that a man would give a woman bizarre gifts like geese, milk maids, jumping lords and swans. (The five golden rings of course are not bizarre, that is a dazzling good choice.)<br />
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Alison Jay is a graduate of the London College of Printing and a critically acclaimed illustrator of many children's books. (The Nutcracker, Welcome to the Zoo & Nursery Rhyme Rainbow.) The old style illustrations in this book are simply enchanting, and have been presented in such a way that much of the gifts happen around an 'olden days' couple, rather than turning up on her doorstep, so it doesn't feel so silly, but instead quite beautiful.<br />
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<b>10. My Christmas Crackers (Bronwen Davies)</b><br />
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This book contains a host of funny Christmas jokes that are sure to delight any child. My children loved this book last year. (Read about that <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/christmas-books.html" target="_blank">here</a>) I am positive that it will be a popular book again this year.<br />
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<i>Why didn't the lobster share its toys at Christmas?</i></div>
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<i>Because it was shellfish.</i></div>
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<b>11. Deck the Sheds with Bits of Wattle (Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2CuDRut0Y8NZf5iGhyphenhypheno1jK-VSPyzQ9ia5jma3hFgfScMxXBbFdVwp_QtdWA-d7joCO3P8vE77F2zsBkQgY9369yUnWia4eo8-0YfhYsnWeg1PK20DacAMlasvvG_KDf9zi7xplepxdU/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2CuDRut0Y8NZf5iGhyphenhypheno1jK-VSPyzQ9ia5jma3hFgfScMxXBbFdVwp_QtdWA-d7joCO3P8vE77F2zsBkQgY9369yUnWia4eo8-0YfhYsnWeg1PK20DacAMlasvvG_KDf9zi7xplepxdU/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" height="400" width="368" /></a></div>
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A hilarious Australian take on <i>Deck the Halls </i>performed by Colin Buchanan and with gorgeous Aussie illustrations by Glen Singleton.<br />
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<i>Deck the Shed with bits of wattle,</i></div>
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Whack some gum leaves in a bottle</div>
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Syd Echidna's feeling chipper,</div>
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It's Christmas Eve - my shed's a ripper.</div>
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FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA<br />
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<b>12. Blossom Possum and the Christmas Quacker (Gina Newton & Christina Booth)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGmt1OgXhbiqOhInWFXYX3WAjh0AdUBimDDZu5XdtgDH2KthWqf0JpQsWlWFIdhQTxCut3eaufyh7AH5nLHYnxL0fLAvypTt7nSi298R6HV1kZLNZsRwkJ2yJ_e2FUl7bhrTis5GBWgo/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGmt1OgXhbiqOhInWFXYX3WAjh0AdUBimDDZu5XdtgDH2KthWqf0JpQsWlWFIdhQTxCut3eaufyh7AH5nLHYnxL0fLAvypTt7nSi298R6HV1kZLNZsRwkJ2yJ_e2FUl7bhrTis5GBWgo/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" height="400" width="383" /></a></div>
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Children's book character favourite Blossom Possum is involved in a Christmas adventure as she goes along the bush track to find her old friends Rocky Cocky, Echo Gecko and Toey Joey to try to wake Koala Claws so the Bush Christmas is not ruined. They need to find other friends to help and on the way halt By Jingo Dingo from eating a duck. (I feel a bit sorry for the dingo in this book, his family is hungry, and I'm with the dingo on this one, duck really is delicious.) In the end it was lucky they saved the duck (the Christmas Quacker) since it was able to wake Koala Claws and Bush Christmas is saved.</div>
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<b>13. One Night (Penny Matthews & Stephen Michael King)</b><br />
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On the first Christmas Eve, so the story goes, the animals were given a very special gift to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Since then, at midnight on Christmas Eve the animals remember. A beautiful retelling of an old Christmas folktale. A magical story about how very Christmas Eve at midnight the animals can speak and they relive a Christmas Eve long ago when Jesus was born.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwumFBf0CM247ukqA_I5XjS_FcP55iOa5ICpgshKRHOdsY_-lcF3Mj036oyRk4UbYH7LedcZFp1iR_msah8hHW8RerMy-b6Xd8nS_3rw5CXUdjT8_WatJiisdPkxxQdAHHWBChP-0prm4/s1600/DSC_0644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwumFBf0CM247ukqA_I5XjS_FcP55iOa5ICpgshKRHOdsY_-lcF3Mj036oyRk4UbYH7LedcZFp1iR_msah8hHW8RerMy-b6Xd8nS_3rw5CXUdjT8_WatJiisdPkxxQdAHHWBChP-0prm4/s1600/DSC_0644.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div>
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<b>14,15. Where's Santa? and Where's Santa Around the World? (Louis Shea)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQX30iJ608JYGTBvtO1szGDwMdXWdj27DfKJ_Uwf1sUhKRh2SyFT5-EUoPcOrvspsGGuVtJljWYNXNxG2PE2iIRG9fbgmJfOuaK6eV4th70tuAIJAut8Q1xX3H0NdO-MADIO_3KRFpcs/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQX30iJ608JYGTBvtO1szGDwMdXWdj27DfKJ_Uwf1sUhKRh2SyFT5-EUoPcOrvspsGGuVtJljWYNXNxG2PE2iIRG9fbgmJfOuaK6eV4th70tuAIJAut8Q1xX3H0NdO-MADIO_3KRFpcs/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are two wonderful search and find books. I don't know why boys are particularly attracted to these search and find books, but they are. My boys are no exception, and I blogged about how much the loved these books last year <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/christmas-books.html" target="_blank">here</a>. These are perfect books for getting children preoccupied with hunting through the colourful images and humorous sub stories to find Santa. Particularly good if you need your children to sit in a corner quietly during a festive occasion!</div>
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<b>16. The Busy Christmas Stable</b><br />
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This book will be perfect for my three year olds. It's a robust board book which is sure to entertain with tabs that make animals and people move in the stable throughout the story. A wonderful way to share the story of Jesus' birth with the little ones.</div>
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<b>17. Aussie Jingle Bells (Colin Buchanan and Nick Bland)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdZrD1mEd5Y0CNjrljZERdtECyv96zsFhii2b2S5j7mdZDt_MC6aRDnqvzfp5piCzyostQoyrOvu2hAUzFK4uQU5q4_PBK1Cb5SUbukZMf-w-h_NBwoqJ_AqGps8szPK5tA-ha3OYkc/s1600/DSC_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMdZrD1mEd5Y0CNjrljZERdtECyv96zsFhii2b2S5j7mdZDt_MC6aRDnqvzfp5piCzyostQoyrOvu2hAUzFK4uQU5q4_PBK1Cb5SUbukZMf-w-h_NBwoqJ_AqGps8szPK5tA-ha3OYkc/s1600/DSC_0657.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></div>
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I absolutely adore this book (and CD) which ought to be no surprise, how could you go wrong with Colin and beloved children's author Nick Bland? The illustrations are so very Aussie, and it captures a lot of an Aussie larrikan family Chrissy with kids jumping in pools, swinging on clothesline, Grandpa dozing, and driving in a ute on a scorching summers day in singlet, shorts and thongs.</div>
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Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! </div>
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Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day, hey!</div>
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Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!</div>
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Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute.</div>
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My particular favourite is that the family packs the car and shoot through before the washing up! (We are all so tempted to do this, are we not?) I've actually bought a few copies of this book to send overseas as gifts this year. </div>
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<b>18, 19. Thomas and Friends books</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQwCirkzXiblBQ6Tmz2cZsM5wXzMqGpv3Gkg3uf-wEyo2BQ1e_hGnnkaEs4vtAg5SPQ2WX9fZmvexfUDmLz76tAegdna6NFtrm24aSEyDyS5kVBmgwP8ECwMOp3V2zmoVusqBLVRxuzk/s1600/DSC_0658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQwCirkzXiblBQ6Tmz2cZsM5wXzMqGpv3Gkg3uf-wEyo2BQ1e_hGnnkaEs4vtAg5SPQ2WX9fZmvexfUDmLz76tAegdna6NFtrm24aSEyDyS5kVBmgwP8ECwMOp3V2zmoVusqBLVRxuzk/s1600/DSC_0658.jpg" height="280" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are just little books I have picked up at the supermarket, but nevertheless the children really do love the stories. I mean, you can never go wrong with Thomas, can you?<br />
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<b>20. The Nativity (illustrated by Julie Vivas)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtwi1boVLj9W66fqq2IQgt-nhpPHWfP3BiyL8jy56QNCF5PHQhjPMi4KWI98E0h3Z4M-jUYjo_tUkUeFE7VVytRteByU1w1jr-XwrEukHVAcSkfREYgQGTPPXJjhaSFfugsCUAegSBh0/s1600/DSC_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtwi1boVLj9W66fqq2IQgt-nhpPHWfP3BiyL8jy56QNCF5PHQhjPMi4KWI98E0h3Z4M-jUYjo_tUkUeFE7VVytRteByU1w1jr-XwrEukHVAcSkfREYgQGTPPXJjhaSFfugsCUAegSBh0/s1600/DSC_0645.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></div>
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The text in this book is straight from the Bible, however the illustrations are in the contemporary style of Julie Vivas. Julie Vivas is became famous when she illustrated Mem Fox's <i>Possum Magic </i> in 1983. Since then her illustrations have continue to enchant and delight children. This account of the nativity is no different, the illustrations draw you in and make you examine them carefully and contemplate what life really was like during that first Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6AdEFJPStfZ9BoWAg9ihbRIyoVCCuKUa3hXe2bu-LNouJfekhJNcgFZQf5OBu66-TJ2VlWHmf66b40OFp-as0JrBaoIcasm1tcSoFoUQQbQFdRxfMdBFNyx47GTMB2OaLRhQjifR3g/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6AdEFJPStfZ9BoWAg9ihbRIyoVCCuKUa3hXe2bu-LNouJfekhJNcgFZQf5OBu66-TJ2VlWHmf66b40OFp-as0JrBaoIcasm1tcSoFoUQQbQFdRxfMdBFNyx47GTMB2OaLRhQjifR3g/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>21. We Wish You a Ripper Christmas (Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion)</b><br />
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Yes, I know, another Colin book, but seriously, it's impossible to overdose on Colin. If you are going on a road trip, it would be an even better reason to own all these books and CD's (yes, there's a CD again!) to play throughout the trip while the children delight in the wonderful Aussie illustrations in the back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Nb_YcayLYPPlWz13S06QpXIxq6LpvLYxqYbMZKyuMLSsaECO-ySgzQCLVVlWwm2ump382MXqH-jU7WqlhjemufcCR2JeHXLoNyzj7jwy3kAjkBrtOX9-0dZmcnttWHIJecWwbNE5uk/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Nb_YcayLYPPlWz13S06QpXIxq6LpvLYxqYbMZKyuMLSsaECO-ySgzQCLVVlWwm2ump382MXqH-jU7WqlhjemufcCR2JeHXLoNyzj7jwy3kAjkBrtOX9-0dZmcnttWHIJecWwbNE5uk/s1600/DSC_0633.jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, so this is the CD for one of the above books and I was too lazy to go and take another photograph, so be inspired anyway. CD's and road trips, a perfect Christmas combo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time the book is illustrated by Roland Harvey and his funny and distinctive Australian flavour.<br />
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<b>22. My First Christmas - Magnetic Adventures</b><br />
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This has been a much loved book in our family that I bought quite some time back at our local Koorong. (Brilliant Christian bookstore) I actually need to go hunting a little bit before I put this book out this year because I realised when I unpacked it that the baby Jesus plus Joseph and Mary are missing (and perhaps a few other key characters from the Nativity.) I hope I can find them, because the children adore moving the magnetic characters through the various magnetic scenes and telling the story together.<br />
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<b>23. My First Story of Christmas (Tim Dowley)</b><br />
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The Christmas story told in a child friendly manner with cute illustrations.<br />
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<b>24. 'Twas the Night - The Nativity Story (Melody Carlson)</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqUbG8ACe8xQUr1NAxnQXjIQFhHVwtxW19RiK8VzdnrYP8IakwZhyphenhyphenqfd3B6MunkmyaSkQZMthVXWCcJsukE6GAP8vr1n3A24fd28QmyE6A3NM6ZUHIGR9Q9mxUNJ3Gp29_jhyphenhyphenj5mApns/s1600/DSC_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqUbG8ACe8xQUr1NAxnQXjIQFhHVwtxW19RiK8VzdnrYP8IakwZhyphenhyphenqfd3B6MunkmyaSkQZMthVXWCcJsukE6GAP8vr1n3A24fd28QmyE6A3NM6ZUHIGR9Q9mxUNJ3Gp29_jhyphenhyphenj5mApns/s1600/DSC_0664.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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I thought on Christmas Eve it would be good to pause and remember it's not all about Santa coming, but rather that the arrival of baby Jesus would be the beginning of salvation for mankind. This is a beautiful book and a wonderful retelling of the nativity story to the cadence of "The Night Before Christmas".<br />
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<i>Twas the night before Christmas when all through the stable</i></div>
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<i>Not a creature was stirring, though plenty were able.</i></div>
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<i>The ox and the cow and the goat and the sheep</i></div>
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<i>All comfy and cozy, had drifted to sleep.</i><br />
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A perfect book the night before the big event!<br />
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<i>Do you have any favourite Christmas stories/books in your home? Are you counting down the Advent this year and if so how?</i><br />
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I am linking with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT<br />
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* I was gifted some of these books by Scholastic Australia. All opinions are my own, and I wouldn't make a recommendation unless myself and/or my children enjoyed the books. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhzu9fAC7boN9ECwvZiJKqHHYUPQxt0Ia9ScrAY4hluYHP9Ryd8xn9PyVGOo5z0NfgSL7JsrjFWmqHoNUvj5aYFptigmOa7motPd4aOdnqMRrwFVV2jASOcOdjwHy_o1AC0HkYMvTWl8/s1600/Easy+Peasy+Elf+on+the+Shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhzu9fAC7boN9ECwvZiJKqHHYUPQxt0Ia9ScrAY4hluYHP9Ryd8xn9PyVGOo5z0NfgSL7JsrjFWmqHoNUvj5aYFptigmOa7motPd4aOdnqMRrwFVV2jASOcOdjwHy_o1AC0HkYMvTWl8/s1600/Easy+Peasy+Elf+on+the+Shelf.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year <a href="http://www.elfontheshelf.com/">The Elf on the Shelf</a> joined our household. Our elf was named "Elvey" by the children and each day they would seek him out to find out where his new spot for the day was. For those who aren't familiar with The Elf on the Shelf, (it's a newish concept for most of us in Australia, even though it's firmly established in the US.), our elf, like all other Elves who sit on shelves, is a scout elf. He sits and watches the children all day and at night magically flies back to Santa where he tell Santa what's been happening in our household. (Oh yes, there were some naughty moments last year where I did point to the elf and then witnessed a miraculous behaviour shift.) There is a story book which arrives with the elf outlining all of this, and the book also makes it clear that to retain the elf's magic you cannot touch the elf. (Sheer brilliance, it's clear the author was familiar with children!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcdGGeHI_k1zvCLaUH47LWako1gKYFVQefv33LX66q6_4hnUBKgS6ruOuQWD8puW0on_w_htGeoN5nVhSz5-vjLGQJN2KNVUp5CALJkfvFRV5my3lZ8vU1EyND5t1J-u25AelVzRXvEU/s1600/81mhqu8T1aL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcdGGeHI_k1zvCLaUH47LWako1gKYFVQefv33LX66q6_4hnUBKgS6ruOuQWD8puW0on_w_htGeoN5nVhSz5-vjLGQJN2KNVUp5CALJkfvFRV5my3lZ8vU1EyND5t1J-u25AelVzRXvEU/s1600/81mhqu8T1aL._SL1500_.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elf-Shelf-Christmas-Tradition-light/dp/0976990709/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416831943&sr=8-1&keywords=the+elf+on+the+shelf" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf from Amazon</a></td></tr>
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During December, we really had so much fun with Elvey. Mind you, I wasn't always creative with his placement, (Hello! I had two year old triplets!) There was some mornings that I was secretly hiding the elf behind my back and scampering through the house to shove the elf in a new spot for the day. Thanks to the innocence of childhood, my children were delighted to see him even if he was doing nothing exciting, the thrill of finding him was enough for them. Exhibit A & B below!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTa2RB51k8T3zjeXI9OKMStOS7rPC-qB_h-MbLUeUPP0_VQgAYZhUnRQLc49xbm3H62nFqVQzeJQk3ZC1hm0VcXgvVbfGwT1mcBuEUXzy-kxXEZq1ONFyKxB-S3lrowZQdhZfTtfDlqI/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trent discovering The Elf on the Shelf" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTa2RB51k8T3zjeXI9OKMStOS7rPC-qB_h-MbLUeUPP0_VQgAYZhUnRQLc49xbm3H62nFqVQzeJQk3ZC1hm0VcXgvVbfGwT1mcBuEUXzy-kxXEZq1ONFyKxB-S3lrowZQdhZfTtfDlqI/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" height="640" title="Trent discovering The Elf on the Shelf" width="419" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trent discovering The Elf on the Shelf was hanging from the fan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMdL7NbWcNsrNdqO5CltAO8OJonEmdcUNgnuVptVlrq6kERIhOJLu75J_DYaVN3K1Xd3h_yjTwXGDZ8QFOD9nTWV7yUAPeamA_DA_pjeI125RgjVVMfazOTB37jgYTEsNR4VedfWtj6Q/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jonty discovering The Elf on the Shelf" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMdL7NbWcNsrNdqO5CltAO8OJonEmdcUNgnuVptVlrq6kERIhOJLu75J_DYaVN3K1Xd3h_yjTwXGDZ8QFOD9nTWV7yUAPeamA_DA_pjeI125RgjVVMfazOTB37jgYTEsNR4VedfWtj6Q/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" height="640" title="Jonty discovering The Elf on the Shelf" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonty looking at the elf simply sitting on a shelf!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elf on the Shelf Hanging Underwear from the Ceiling Fan.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghn3hlsQ0ILdyRzVY1k8vXggyi_2ERiPhteFP1vBngtGGP2eUsUZJHpDU5XA63OB6O3Mnbma7W3k6YkVVj5TlfcvcW1_iaYlzj5-96tv2K-NhdT_Q7hO5X36BR5cExje5WdFT54Pq_UQ/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Elf on the shelf on a ceiling fan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghn3hlsQ0ILdyRzVY1k8vXggyi_2ERiPhteFP1vBngtGGP2eUsUZJHpDU5XA63OB6O3Mnbma7W3k6YkVVj5TlfcvcW1_iaYlzj5-96tv2K-NhdT_Q7hO5X36BR5cExje5WdFT54Pq_UQ/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" height="640" title="Elf on the shelf on a ceiling fan" width="550" /></a></div>
Oh yeah. That cheeky elf looked very comfy hanging in the kids pants. Trent was a little disgruntled, but happily saw the joke eventually.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1jIMeOdO2FK3TsK_VVAWV_KWIy2AQSzgqdqpRO3JaJE4ji__MUpFS70ryeAPiNzPI6gfEd1Ep4cD0BdX0AC8WrTtyVnyCQJHqjeeYrM0vhCUX1RfvmMp7YMNsr4CaM1tIGmQAnb-_4Y/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elf on the Shelf in undies" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1jIMeOdO2FK3TsK_VVAWV_KWIy2AQSzgqdqpRO3JaJE4ji__MUpFS70ryeAPiNzPI6gfEd1Ep4cD0BdX0AC8WrTtyVnyCQJHqjeeYrM0vhCUX1RfvmMp7YMNsr4CaM1tIGmQAnb-_4Y/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" height="640" title="Elf on the Shelf in undies" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sitting on a Shelf With Candy Canes looking Christmassy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCivxAtba8vlT6r_lRj-dPjMQWyewkvH8rU8lnlguEk37_ZNdn0ji4xyxmwu_V8Zq94zE7yNL3GdO5qiNt8NvHGql6vpuM9Cl7z_ZW3DEKWBzN9_-7LRXeXt2arZ6i4T2tejjtUwSMB0/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCivxAtba8vlT6r_lRj-dPjMQWyewkvH8rU8lnlguEk37_ZNdn0ji4xyxmwu_V8Zq94zE7yNL3GdO5qiNt8NvHGql6vpuM9Cl7z_ZW3DEKWBzN9_-7LRXeXt2arZ6i4T2tejjtUwSMB0/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hanging Out in the Bathroom and Plastering the place with Bows.</span><br />
This was actually more complex then I expected! The bows just would not stay on and were dropping off everywhere! By the morning there was basically a pile of gift bows on the bench top.<br />
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Elvey was hanging on the shower screen, but kindly offered the children the candy canes for a Christmas snack.<br />
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He also left a letter giving them some feedback!</div>
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Luckily the boys thought it was cool!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hanging out with the Nativity crowd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Getting spicy in the spice rack.</span><br />
It took forever for the boys to find the elf this day, and the needed some substantial clues before they could locate him. Another example of how simplicity did not disappoint.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hanging around Drawing</span><br />
I gave my sister the honours of elf placement one night when she was visiting and this was what he ended up doing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mixing it Up.</span><br />
The elf on the shelf was in the playroom mixing an invisible something in the toy pots and pans this day. Trent 'wrote' (it was dictated) a letter to Santa and got us to put it on the Shelf with the Elf so he could deliver it to Santa when he flew back to the workshop that evening. (He got one thing on the list, Santa can't deliver everything it turns out!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Checking out the Aussie Animals Cards</span><br />
Turns out even elves can get sucked in by Woolworths brilliant marketing ploy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wise Old Elf on the Shelf</span><br />
Once more Elvey is on a shelf. This time hanging with the owls.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reindeer Loving Elf</span></div>
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Last year I bought these gorgeous white reindeer from Coles. Elvey loved the little guys as well. Must have made him homesick for the reindeer back at the North Pole. So he fed them carrots. This was actually my favourite elf position that I did, even though the poor little guy needed to be roped in as well. It can be hazardous hanging on to a carrot that is more than your body weight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja61zu-hz5NcJLxXyyBe-YLgOwhbNR72EvBqeG7COnYMXBhpTJVzv47-j3u4FlSpjoTywyFGeR-lRvnb3LF5reADqGNiIPEapMa3XonF9K5s0GZGQgU9hrX3bab00Nmo-cLZfqARTBJe0/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elf on the shelf feeding a reindeer." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja61zu-hz5NcJLxXyyBe-YLgOwhbNR72EvBqeG7COnYMXBhpTJVzv47-j3u4FlSpjoTywyFGeR-lRvnb3LF5reADqGNiIPEapMa3XonF9K5s0GZGQgU9hrX3bab00Nmo-cLZfqARTBJe0/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" height="640" title="Elf on the shelf feeding a reindeer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another morning Elvey was riding the reindeer. As you can see, the boys thought this was funny.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzJl-L-_VImIAAmUkctsODgy-Uvn0GME0CUnnv3uCQDqoRwqJcInv3TRl12PzBr12tM9eGWy7y3Vh5-zRrk30pQ48SCsJIpzI42f8YI03qwkTYYMZTiwVTH6rKv2cH64_GU8uvzNHzW4/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elf on the Shelf riding a reindeer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzJl-L-_VImIAAmUkctsODgy-Uvn0GME0CUnnv3uCQDqoRwqJcInv3TRl12PzBr12tM9eGWy7y3Vh5-zRrk30pQ48SCsJIpzI42f8YI03qwkTYYMZTiwVTH6rKv2cH64_GU8uvzNHzW4/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" height="640" title="Elf on the Shelf riding a reindeer" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toilet Paper Mischief</span><br />
It seems that scout elves often end up creating mischief in the toilet. Trent was aghast. Personally, I would not be hanging out in our loo if I were an elf. Trust me. Little boys have bad aim. Our WC is not always a pleasant place to be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPMunB1mHzkhwhBy5Nr_PMzEYuomiOqWzedKrkMHfRFybkQS7QRlYIgn3ALiAOxY_pjcWLap4IGYJXOZal96gaqrR33_wia-d5WXWTaeuzVUPgp1IflrBKiq9zMjefs8ozpvRaxiZK-E/s1600/DSC_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elf on the Shelf in the toilet " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPMunB1mHzkhwhBy5Nr_PMzEYuomiOqWzedKrkMHfRFybkQS7QRlYIgn3ALiAOxY_pjcWLap4IGYJXOZal96gaqrR33_wia-d5WXWTaeuzVUPgp1IflrBKiq9zMjefs8ozpvRaxiZK-E/s1600/DSC_0320.jpg" height="640" title="Elf on the Shelf with toilet paper" width="422" /></a></div>
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In any case, The Elf on the Shelf was a lot of fun for our family last year and I'm looking at finding more places for Elvey to hide this year. It will be more fun for the triplets this year also I think.<br />
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I've got a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/cshappyheart/elf-on-a-shelf/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a> full of ideas of where Elvey can hang out - but would love to hear a suggestion if you have one! Have you heard of Elf on the Shelf? Do you have a scout elf at your home or do something similar? Are your kids starting to catch the Christmas spirit yet?<br />
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Linking with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6316598372411587019%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2973031551084932426%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-XjVxiVYXwIo%252FVGs1halgrcI%252FAAAAAAAAFmg%252Fn-lW0-wGoMA%252Fs1600%252FDSC_0321.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 142px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 14095px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D6316598372411587019%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2973031551084932426%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F-XjVxiVYXwIo%252FVGs1halgrcI%252FAAAAAAAAFmg%252Fn-lW0-wGoMA%252Fs1600%252FDSC_0321.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 142px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 14095px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-14943856990896829082014-11-21T07:04:00.000+10:002014-11-21T08:45:02.700+10:00The Scarecrow's WeddingJulia Donaldson has done it again! <i>The Scarecrow's Wife</i> is another book that she has written that has a compelling and captivating storyline for children. We have enjoyed reading her newest book, <i>The Scarecrow's Wife,</i> which arrived on our doorstep with impeccable timing during the lead up to my sister's wedding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnYkrAcW-CpoGvLjUnEL9il90B_I0Eppg9KkS4VLUQx9Dnf47mM2G0_R5mcL2rRuEymsQtGMOBfdEYx48PghYF3B7ocgXHZyTHEiat7tlLGic5kYQsALhtIf7APOIBSrmrGPtX9LLzeo/s1600/DSC_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnYkrAcW-CpoGvLjUnEL9il90B_I0Eppg9KkS4VLUQx9Dnf47mM2G0_R5mcL2rRuEymsQtGMOBfdEYx48PghYF3B7ocgXHZyTHEiat7tlLGic5kYQsALhtIf7APOIBSrmrGPtX9LLzeo/s1600/DSC_0603.JPG" height="584" width="640" /></a></div>
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My children were in wedding mode because we had been talking about Aunty Julienne and Uncle Matt's upcoming wedding at the time, so the <i>Scarecrow's Wife</i> slotted right into wondering about what happens at a wedding. We did need to explain that even though Aunty Julienne was having a wedding on a farm, there were not going to be scarecrows there. (I don't think my children would have been surprised if their attendants were a host of scarecrows.) When the cousins had come over for a sleepover, (my sister also has five children), <i>The Scarecrow's Wedding</i> was warmly accepted as an excellent bedtime story by my nieces and nephews and more wedding speculation continued.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSvVhoX6P2IxuHPeR75H8tvURx12aetDpme2m-4BpO-K14Ceq5DCXQI2lPYJMDyzKe2aWnafQexwnMT-qJObODnRj_IRvKuC7SUtMrlaQIe2Infq3VATgggyHG3ZKiaPxswGOLQnQ-uE/s1600/IMG_9207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kids Reading The Scarecrows Wedding by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSvVhoX6P2IxuHPeR75H8tvURx12aetDpme2m-4BpO-K14Ceq5DCXQI2lPYJMDyzKe2aWnafQexwnMT-qJObODnRj_IRvKuC7SUtMrlaQIe2Infq3VATgggyHG3ZKiaPxswGOLQnQ-uE/s1600/IMG_9207.jpg" height="640" title="Kids Reading The Scarecrows Wedding by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer" width="640" /></a></div>
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My kids also loved the appearance of a tractor during the story, (machinery is one of my kids favourite aspects of farming),<br />
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and were likewise disappointed that Aunty Julienne was not going to be delivered to Uncle Matt on a tractor, which they thought was a stellar idea. Mind you, the wagon and Clydesdale horses were pretty impressive on the day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISsV38aynEgxP22Oxps-T8M_un8w6IJFeSskFbAqvjxkoFpmzy_AEcNT68-C9V40OXSmeZ4zfYs8Fl9pSr8HFVm1MeeTtAu98keKF_5b1a78SDosOf2peq47K-6iXResywXW19tbl5_w/s1600/10750062_799612223430490_3260708146985346890_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="A Country Wedding" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISsV38aynEgxP22Oxps-T8M_un8w6IJFeSskFbAqvjxkoFpmzy_AEcNT68-C9V40OXSmeZ4zfYs8Fl9pSr8HFVm1MeeTtAu98keKF_5b1a78SDosOf2peq47K-6iXResywXW19tbl5_w/s1600/10750062_799612223430490_3260708146985346890_o.jpg" height="444" title="A Country Wedding" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the reasons <i>The Scarecrow's Wedding</i> is such an appealing book for children is the beautiful rhyme and rhythm (often repetitive phrases) that Julia Donaldson is renowned for. ("Let's have a wedding, the best wedding yet, A wedding that no one will ever forget.")</div>
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It's the tale of two simple scarecrows that fall in love. After Harry O'Hay's successful proposal to Betty O'Barley the two construct a list of what will be necessary for their wedding. They tick of each item, but while Harry is absent searching for the last item on the list the farmer makes a new scarecrow, Reginald Rake, who makes moves on Betty. He ends up putting her life in peril and Harry comes back, saves the day and they have the best wedding yet, and I think it is fair to assume that no one forgot it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9IbXEcOUvtEWO9lUQ3Wjhk-EW7siiQ0MIEd9DgiRvw4IRqPgrJfvNns6JLgV2mCKpMiQIZfy1pfbLRJ5YZeRlMAVbsyhiViip9LQ4HsHvcFqOfZ-TK3Tmzf3_-GIe4YKwn7Lnp6ubE/s1600/IMG_9218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Scarecrows Wedding being read by cousins" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9IbXEcOUvtEWO9lUQ3Wjhk-EW7siiQ0MIEd9DgiRvw4IRqPgrJfvNns6JLgV2mCKpMiQIZfy1pfbLRJ5YZeRlMAVbsyhiViip9LQ4HsHvcFqOfZ-TK3Tmzf3_-GIe4YKwn7Lnp6ubE/s1600/IMG_9218.jpg" height="640" title="The Scarecrow's Wedding cousins reading it." width="640" /></a></div>
I would love to have a photo to show you of the nieces and nephews with their Aunty at the wedding, but I'm afraid we will have to wait for the family photos to come back from the official photographer. Unfortunately, I don't have high hopes for them. My children were not interested in looking at the camera during the quick family photo we had taken! It was far too busy a day to get other photos and unfortunately I didn't get any photos of my own kids before they were grubby, and then I didn't get any family photo with Alex and I and the kids. Sniff, sniff.<br />
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It was however a wonderful day, and just quietly, I think the bride and groom would say it surpassed even Harry and Betty's special day.<br />
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<b><i>Have your children gone to or been involved in a wedding before? </i></b><br />
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Linking with:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*This book was given to me from Scholastic Australia for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-53828656293921559272014-11-18T08:12:00.000+10:002014-11-18T08:19:15.847+10:00Visiting Dad at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Visiting Dad at work is something that brings my children great delight, and I think The Accountant kind of likes it when the children visit Daddy at work also. Alex is lucky that he has a lovely work environment and the staff at his office don't mind if the children pop in for a quick visit to see their Daddy in action on the odd occasion.</div>
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Visiting Dad at work can be beneficial for many reasons.</div>
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<li>The children get a mental image of where Daddy is all day. "At Work" is an abstract concept for a child until they actually eyeball it for themselves.</li>
<li>Seeing the equipment Dad works with and where he physically works gives them a better understanding of Dad's job.</li>
<li>The children feel included in Daddy's life.</li>
<li>Daddy gets to show off his offspring to his colleagues. (And the child bring their own little sparkle into the workplace.)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN_IkIxBg-rIb-6eLXBpCx_k1NT-CORV9XS_dS7KWt4E7moulAJs8a1XxUgZfcIgqEMKTef93MyFjF-8FplOPTmpZlM2fT75PHR93QZPJxbh09akC6uqmFtLaxWEQ7zlLN06u72kFB04/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN_IkIxBg-rIb-6eLXBpCx_k1NT-CORV9XS_dS7KWt4E7moulAJs8a1XxUgZfcIgqEMKTef93MyFjF-8FplOPTmpZlM2fT75PHR93QZPJxbh09akC6uqmFtLaxWEQ7zlLN06u72kFB04/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course some workplaces do not permit children to come into visit, so it's best to check first if it will be OK. If permission is granted, here are some tips that have worked for our family when visiting Daddy. (Same principles could be applied to those children who might be able to visit Mummy at work also!)</div>
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<li>Don't visit too often. Make the event special so the children have a little bit of awe about the occasion. </li>
<li>Keep the visits short, especially when the children are toddlers. Increase the time if you are able to as they get older. I just walk the triplets in, they say hello to everyone, walk in to Daddy's office, have a look and type on his calculator and off they go. If we are near Dad's workplace at the end of the day, I will on occasion drop a bigger boy off for up to an hour or so and he will sit doing drawing, some shredding (that's about as exciting as it gets in an accountant's office!) and playing on Dad's phone until it's time to go home. Then they also get a half hour to chat with Dad on the commute home also.</li>
<li>Remind the children on how to behave in an office/work site before they arrive. We also talk about how it is polite to greet other people in the office by looking in their eyes and saying hello clearly.</li>
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The last time we visited The Accountant was during the September school holidays. We had just been to a Colin Buchanan concert nearby, so we popped in to say hello. It was a great time to visit because Toowoomba was celebrating The Carnival of Flowers and the gardens at Alex's office had won 2nd prize in the Business Garden division. The gardens were spectacular!</div>
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After we finished at Daddy's office, we nipped over to the spectacular Laurel Bank Park for a picnic lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzERhFoqX4gFAq1AKiCg3D9l2g8jNOC8_7WiBkLKKQLVndLrR5bxptyjFSg4oIcFpXMHPMqkMjhntUyinqvQkSJz0FbbUjMvZeMpRxQIF2Xno06jdXlr5WHtEQSlS2MMoBrvr9iQs7kg/s1600/DSC_0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzERhFoqX4gFAq1AKiCg3D9l2g8jNOC8_7WiBkLKKQLVndLrR5bxptyjFSg4oIcFpXMHPMqkMjhntUyinqvQkSJz0FbbUjMvZeMpRxQIF2Xno06jdXlr5WHtEQSlS2MMoBrvr9iQs7kg/s1600/DSC_0296.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
There was an "under the sea" theme going on in the park floral display. We had gone up to the viewing platform to look at the display and then walked down for a closer look from the ground. As I was taking a photo of some of the children in front of the shark, I heard a collective gasp from the viewing platform above my head. See the cute seagulls in the forefront garden bed? My child was running through the flowers trampling the seagull. I was horrified. I grabbed him and tried to make the quickest exit possible.<br />
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It's not easy being obscure when you are trying to round up two year old triplets, a four and eight year old in front of a viewing platform full of people.<br />
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In the end our exit was anything but obscure. My garden trampling offender was already out of sorts because Mummy had been cranky at him for what he considered a lovely frolic, so when I refused to let him play in a dog's water bowl, he chucked an epic tantrum and Jonty and I ended up carrying him the rest of the way to the car. Yeah. Fun times. It was lucky we hadn't stayed at the office very long! I don't think two year old tantrums would have been useful while The Accountant counted numbers!<br />
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Do you (or would you?) take your children into the workplace? What do they love about it?<br />
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I'm linking with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/">Essentially Jess</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-78330938909267644002014-11-17T07:43:00.001+10:002014-11-17T08:34:24.339+10:00World Prematurity Day and the Importance of Gestation in Multiple BirthsToday is World Prematurity Day 2014. Of course this makes me reflect when my three tiny triplet babies who were born just over three years ago at 34 weeks plus 1 day. How small they were and how big they have grown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb05MEV3HlaTjQhxCq3Ad0PzmlpobNq6Shq5bYcQ3Hm7ENoAp-mQOAPrXMOpAdXNxTI8HEqIURlbA1xyVFgeO5_lswFDBpRSj8FEEwU1pz-D0AAH3Csh1ZP-Vb9JL0YXDUMJnNGmLOvo/s1600/IMG_9636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3 year old triplets" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb05MEV3HlaTjQhxCq3Ad0PzmlpobNq6Shq5bYcQ3Hm7ENoAp-mQOAPrXMOpAdXNxTI8HEqIURlbA1xyVFgeO5_lswFDBpRSj8FEEwU1pz-D0AAH3Csh1ZP-Vb9JL0YXDUMJnNGmLOvo/s1600/IMG_9636.jpg" height="640" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 year old triplets</td></tr>
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When you are expecting triplets, the expectation of a preemie birth is certainly on the radar. The thought of preemie babies was very overwhelming for me. I can remember being given a book on prematurity and choosing not to read it because it would only make me worry more than I needed to. I looked at a table in the book which charted the various route markers of what babies could do if they were born prematurely at the various number of weeks pregnant. (<a href="http://www.birth.com.au/premature-baby/survival-of-preterm-babies-gestation#.VGkEJt6Hr8s" target="_blank">Something like chart linking gestation and survival</a>) That became my route marker. I would pray and focus to get past each checkpoint. I figured that if they were micro-preemies, I knew where to locate the information and I would deal with each issue as it arose.<br />
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At <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/triplet-pregnancy-journal-week-26.html" target="_blank">26 weeks</a> I blogged about how I was relieved that I had reached an age where they were 'viable' if they were born. It might have been a slim chance of survival but it was a chance that for the previous 26 weeks had not existed at all for them.<br />
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When I was <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/search/label/triplet%20pregnancy%20journal" target="_blank">27 weeks pregnant with the triplets</a> I visited the special care nursery at the hospital I would be staying at. All of a sudden the thought of having premature babies, although still scary, became more of a reality to me, and having met some midwives and seen the babies sleeping in the nursery, it didn't quite seem as overwhelming to me.<br />
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At <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/pregnancy-triplet-journal-week-31.html" target="_blank">31 weeks</a> I was admitted into hospital overnight because I had started having contractions. Luckily the contractions subsided and I was able to go home. It was the only stay I had in hospital while I was pregnant with the triplets, and I was very grateful that I was not confined to bed rest in hospital like many multiple mothers are.<br />
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<a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/search/label/triplet%20pregnancy%20journal" target="_blank">32 weeks</a> was the greatest route marker during my pregnancy. Reaching this number meant that I now had the confidence that if I had to deliver my babies, I would not need to go to Brisbane because that babies now had a 95% survival rate, I cannot tell you what a relief this was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNamyiRke6l_TAiKNRmW9V-neccfmdQ1HGCZzDk5izgfddmWvPi9TKfY7m9RmK-EwNmyycoDjmKP2FRp1aRkPgZZIAX_wfprARtvL3KUh6nqH19wGuPeqvCeSUPB7Owx-Frq3jemViOY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="32 Weeks pregnant with triplets" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNamyiRke6l_TAiKNRmW9V-neccfmdQ1HGCZzDk5izgfddmWvPi9TKfY7m9RmK-EwNmyycoDjmKP2FRp1aRkPgZZIAX_wfprARtvL3KUh6nqH19wGuPeqvCeSUPB7Owx-Frq3jemViOY/s1600/005.JPG" height="640" title="32 Weeks pregnant with triplets" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32 Weeks pregnant with triplets</td></tr>
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When you are considering life with premature babies you know that every single day in the womb counts. Getting to the end of yet another day and remaining pregnant is an accomplishment in itself. Everything is focussed on keeping those babies 'cooking' so that they can have the best chance possible when they are 'on the outside'.<br />
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When I was pregnant with my first two children. I never really stopped to consider exactly how much their lives were enriched by remaining in my womb. There is an assumption that the baby will stay there, and even though there is a concern that everything does stay healthy in there, it's not what you think about every single day.<br />
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If things had not gone so well for my triplets and they had been born much earlier, at least I had the time to contemplate beforehand the possibility of micro or moderate prematurity. Many families unexpectedly have a little baby arrive way too early and have to start coping with a new reality of a baby who is often very sick and fighting for life. It is a dramatic plunge into parenthood.<br />
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When it became apparent that it was <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/triplets-birth-story-part2-actual.html" target="_blank">the day the triplets were going to be born</a> I was so relieved that we had reached the 34 week mark. There was still so much unknown about how they would go, and I was disappointed that I hadn't got them to the 35 week mark which was my personal goal. As they lifted each baby out of my womb, I was so delighted to see each tiny red life, fragile yet precious. It tore my heart that I was unable to touch them, that unlike my first two children they did not snuggle onto my chest and start breastfeeding immediately. The nurses lined up to show me the little children one by one after they were all wrapped up in their blankets and it was over far too quickly. I didn't get any photo with my children on their first day of life. It broke my heart. They were whisked away to the special care nursery and eventually I went to the ward feeling empty without them being with me. I ached for them and seeing them the next day seemed far too long.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur9Mz8BTMudmE7jtlOzocfcxpzGNmSlIaheqtq8WHSwOIUkNyAqMxz2f11g4x1ttQpVKytZoJCrGjfo-ZcRgpxkGsa790u1Z0BgA9jZydZEAHK72Fi7b-rv1lbp3JVVswROFBYvaZxcQ/s1600/Triplets+Birthday+7+October+2011+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="premature triplets day one" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur9Mz8BTMudmE7jtlOzocfcxpzGNmSlIaheqtq8WHSwOIUkNyAqMxz2f11g4x1ttQpVKytZoJCrGjfo-ZcRgpxkGsa790u1Z0BgA9jZydZEAHK72Fi7b-rv1lbp3JVVswROFBYvaZxcQ/s1600/Triplets+Birthday+7+October+2011+053.JPG" height="480" title="Brothers meeting premature triplets" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 - My heart was just aching when the big boys went to meet their siblings and I was not able to be there with them and to see their reactions.</td></tr>
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If I were to give advice to triplet mothers, I would tell them to discuss with their hospital beforehand what happens after you give birth to premature babies. (Especially if your hospital, like mine does not see many triplet births) I've seen many triplet Mums with babies younger than mine that had a photo with their parents before going to the nursery. I wish I knew this so I could have asked. While I was in the special care nursery, I saw a mother wheeled into the nursery to see her premature child before she went to the ward. This is also something I would have requested if I had known.<br />
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We were lucky during our babies first weeks. They remained healthy. It was a blessing, and I'm always grateful for the prayers that covered their start to life. In the end, premature birth was not the tumultuous time it could have been. Of course it's not the ideal, but I'm glad I had not worked myself up and been ultra worried about the experience, because I did not need too. If you are faced with the prospect of prematurity, I hope this is an encouragement to you that yes, they are so many complications that can happen, but things can go smoothly also with tiny little premature babies also. Remain positive for your children.<br />
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And for the parents with premature babies that keep needing to jump the hurdles with their children as they arrive. Keep giving your child love, they are small, but they are still fuelled by that love you give them as a parent. Never underestimate the importance of your role in their life, starting right from their first tiny day.<br />
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<i>Have you any personal stories about prematurity about your own child, or a child you know?</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-20214942350073089882014-11-04T10:31:00.002+10:002014-11-04T10:35:42.844+10:00Night Lights for ChildrenNighlights are so calming and invoke a sense of security for children at night. <a href="http://www.mynightlight.com.au/" target="_blank">My Night Lights</a> offer some of the best night lights I have seen with a spectacular range of 23 designs so there would be a design to suit any child.<br />
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Nighlights started for us when my firstborn was a baby. So I could see in the night when I came in to feed Jonty, I put a little touch lamp on the bookshelf. It soon became apparent that I would kick my toes and walk into walls just trying to get to the light so I added a little night light that was plugged into the power point next to the bookshelf.<br />
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As the need for night feeds and night nappy changes decreased, so did the necessity for the lamp. I kept the nightlight though so I could see my cherubs face while he was sleeping. You know so I could check he was breathing and everything. (First time mother remember.)<br />
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I did the same with my 2nd child since I kept the nursery basically the same configuration for the next child and moving my older son into a big boy bed in another room. By the time they were old enough to share a room, they both liked having a nightlight on during the evening. It never really bothered me, because it did still give light when I tucked them in at night.<br />
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One year Jonty asked for a lava lamp for his birthday, which he received. Since that point, they love having a lamp rather than the small night lights. I think they have just become used to having light in the room while they sleep. I don't know how a child's mind works. They say they are scared if you turn off the light, but then if they were allowed to play outside at night, they will run around with their cousins into every nook and cranny without fear.<br />
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This year the lava lamp broke and at just the right time <a href="http://www.mynightlight.com.au/" target="_blank">My Night Light</a> gifted our family with an adorable new nightlight. Don't be fooled by the racing car, this nighlight is the rolls royce of night lights. See the remote lying next to light? You can choose which colour it illuminates. There are three LED lights, which will give you a total of 13 colours to choose from, including white (as pictured here) There is a side lamp option which will give pure white at the brightest level. It will give a lighting bright enough to read a bedtime story. You do have the option of choosing 4 levels of brightness. The minimum brightness leaves only a gentle glow for the child to sleep soundly. My tip is to set the minimum brightness once it's time to sleep and to take the remote out of the room. For the first few days the remote was definitely more exciting then sleeping! You can also set a timer to turn off after 1 hour, so if your child (hypothetically) comes out and complains there is no more light in the room, you could (hypothetically) deliver a lecture of why they should be already asleep.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMKxzuwgoyHHmJ5joUSr90JaKaBuSjUnE-MOXd9nqJGrrXYacT2vpj7yepMKGtT9Z0vYHGTKqWKHF-C2Q2uNISoyh0UmrFZgdo7hrkvCO3NqtUz2bKgNp6qwvuospOVBYhQlF4SeLYTg/s1600/DSC_0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Racing Car My Night Light" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMKxzuwgoyHHmJ5joUSr90JaKaBuSjUnE-MOXd9nqJGrrXYacT2vpj7yepMKGtT9Z0vYHGTKqWKHF-C2Q2uNISoyh0UmrFZgdo7hrkvCO3NqtUz2bKgNp6qwvuospOVBYhQlF4SeLYTg/s1600/DSC_0764.jpg" height="640" title="My Night Light Racing Car on Dressing Table" width="422" /></a></div>
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You can also choose a rainbow, which will gently cycle through the colours. (This is my boys favourite setting.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb7xnMG0Pt-Amgma_Gf9cz9bJEGWwztIJ54ZYhjjCMflcMHFjiCvEc-uyeC1Yv0IUfd481S-2I8Gd-JWFuH6rrrKJcgis5S1K8UKBgRnpqlaK70AWnvHqiCPxA3HhOCU0TYUPFl-C830/s1600/Nightlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My Night Light Racing Car" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb7xnMG0Pt-Amgma_Gf9cz9bJEGWwztIJ54ZYhjjCMflcMHFjiCvEc-uyeC1Yv0IUfd481S-2I8Gd-JWFuH6rrrKJcgis5S1K8UKBgRnpqlaK70AWnvHqiCPxA3HhOCU0TYUPFl-C830/s1600/Nightlight.jpg" height="128" title="My Night Light Racing Car" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the triplets were babies, the room configuration was so tight fitting all the cots in that I just didn't have a shelf where I could safely put a nightlight without the cord being a risk, so I learned to do what I needed to by putting the hall light on outside their room, although if I were changing a nappy by this light I had the unfortunate risk that I would wake the sleeping babies. (And man, it's not pleasant when you wake a sleeping triplet.) They became used to sleeping with the door shut tight in pitch black. It makes it interesting when we go on holiday and all the children are sleeping in the one room. The triplets don't settle down until it's completely dark, the big boys wail if we don't leave the door open!<br />
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We're thinking of splitting the triplets up and having them share a room with an older boy. I'm not sure how the lighting situation will work out, but if we need to get another light, I will certainly be considering a My Night Light light. There are so many cute designs from rockets (that was my fave for a boy, but I couldn't convince the big boys to choose it), owls (the triplets have had an owl theme happening since they were born, so I have a soft spot for them, although Immy would probably more likely choose a fairy these days. There are animals galore from Australian animals, fish, hippos, horse, giraffes etc. There are trains, fire trucks, dragons or toadstools and love hearts. I think most kids would find a nightlight on this site that they are going to love.<br />
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I would also consider the kids string lights for a fun touch in a room. (Once again, I'd be voting for the space theme.)<br />
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The prices aren't particularly cheap if you are comparing to something like a Kmart quality bedside lamp. I honestly think they are good value for money, especially since they are so safe low heat LED's with a 12v low voltage power and made with resilient acrylic plastic. (Ours has hit the floor a few times and has been fine.)<br />
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I can help out with the price though! <a href="http://www.mynightlight.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">My Night Light</a> is generously giving my readers a 10% discount. Enter the code <b>happyheart </b>at the checkout! Seriously though, head over and have a look, there are some wonderful light products there, ideal in the lead up to Christmas. (Plus there is also Christmas lights if you want to add some sparkle to your home at Christmas.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK7KwDfJdSZR0Z1qmMVB8795yPmZDqmNUSQ2eEcmNnR1xkw7SFxR7rs3fBCoxj6jL43Fh9FjlleVrqyiWv7cet5cz5Aeas9kHYOShVBClLW5K-ZP7XAzGx1CqDFJFXDASylYs7QBX5p0/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My Night Light sleeping child" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK7KwDfJdSZR0Z1qmMVB8795yPmZDqmNUSQ2eEcmNnR1xkw7SFxR7rs3fBCoxj6jL43Fh9FjlleVrqyiWv7cet5cz5Aeas9kHYOShVBClLW5K-ZP7XAzGx1CqDFJFXDASylYs7QBX5p0/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" height="422" title="Fast asleep with night light" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast asleep while the night light glows.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Does your child use a night light?</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Linking With <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT</i></b><br />
* I was not paid to post this review, but gratefully received the nightlight I have pictured to trial.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-11503145634459565382014-10-31T15:09:00.000+10:002014-10-31T15:18:26.003+10:00October UpdateHello Everyone! I thought I would break the radio silence to just let you know that I am still around. October has produced so much life that I would blog about. Unfortunately living that life has left no time for blogging. It's always the way.<br />
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October has been intense. We started with a <a href="http://www.caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/style-it-project-frocktober-mix-white.html" target="_blank">trip to beach </a>and then it was the <a href="http://www.caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/triplets-3rd-birthday-3rd-birthday-toys.html" target="_blank">triplet's birthday</a>. The triplets had a full on day playing with their new toys and then a few days later had a family ice-cream birthday party.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQbrJD7jvZy_78v4mRYrYVOhEMljnwq5mR-wWIl_zKyR030WR5F2pECEw-I1H9Q1VBWI1vHyGVi7zD5XZKm1kmUJZZpvo9SGwZLhw89Ybfbh71ldBl5ZoYrA6vMOFCMm_4w1OT5CeDek/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQbrJD7jvZy_78v4mRYrYVOhEMljnwq5mR-wWIl_zKyR030WR5F2pECEw-I1H9Q1VBWI1vHyGVi7zD5XZKm1kmUJZZpvo9SGwZLhw89Ybfbh71ldBl5ZoYrA6vMOFCMm_4w1OT5CeDek/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The triplets blowing the candles of their ice cream cakes.</td></tr>
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It is a commonplace for 3 year olds to produce challenging behaviour. If you thought that there was only terrible twos, be warned. (And possibly be very afraid.) No one warned me with my first child, and oh my, it was a shock to the system. I had hoped that the triplets would ignore this terrible three year old behaviour, but alas, there has been heavy duty behaviour management happening around these parts. Let me tell you, I am OVER crying, whinging, fights and tantrums. OVER it! I tell you.<br />
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As we were recovering from the triple birthday celebrations, it became apparent that my ailing grandfather was living his last days. We tried to spend as much time visiting him as we could afford and said our goodbyes. My wonderful loving and humble grandfather died on the 15th.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTSIlVdqELAeE6xSC410lr9svsbIHmbQNEj1az3dDFN__lmhjb7FbbGjkOEC0c5SWsXdcRGoIOBYWEb7N26XctKAG1sYkgLtvC5xe26AcWAlnSCNwxbT7zQ_iMmYlTCsPJfgFstIl4hU/s1600/IMG_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTSIlVdqELAeE6xSC410lr9svsbIHmbQNEj1az3dDFN__lmhjb7FbbGjkOEC0c5SWsXdcRGoIOBYWEb7N26XctKAG1sYkgLtvC5xe26AcWAlnSCNwxbT7zQ_iMmYlTCsPJfgFstIl4hU/s1600/IMG_9432.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding my grandfather's hand the day before he died.</td></tr>
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This meant that we had both a funeral and wedding in the same week. Grandad was laid to rest on the Tuesday and my sister was married on the Saturday. What a mixture of emotions last week was.<br />
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My sister had a truly unique wedding. A very bush wedding she was married under some trees in a paddock on my father's farm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9esYgI8h_33KDmJfJtKJP2zKRfLJugmcACmLhai_KgDq-5ZW-sah5DvsRfEFS1PciXmY9eG_q1f45P3P0A680s-4uVWT535QutVFvq3fEAwm45_AS6IQBLOjow7NTAGfQYGH-iwpQhA/s1600/IMG_9573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A country wedding Large Love sign" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9esYgI8h_33KDmJfJtKJP2zKRfLJugmcACmLhai_KgDq-5ZW-sah5DvsRfEFS1PciXmY9eG_q1f45P3P0A680s-4uVWT535QutVFvq3fEAwm45_AS6IQBLOjow7NTAGfQYGH-iwpQhA/s1600/IMG_9573.JPG" height="640" title="Love Sign in a Paddock" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True Love in the country.</td></tr>
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The reception was a country fair and then dinner in a marquee. It was so wonderful seeing my baby sister marry a man who completely adores her. He just fits into our family naturally and it seems like he has always been a part of the tribe. Currently the lucky couple is honeymooning in the Maldives. Hash tag: Winning!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_DLMP_HKuL2p88cVvWv-I2_rrZM8-bQrQNRlUQAczwIcBDR4x4ISTdNi48HupjXgqZRPFlhH5cOkuzTuAjbic5oK-OraKEUOkgRvXTWZZBg7LJHzL2QWnZhu0yYYYEDjWaTSkuEUens/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A country wedding fair" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_DLMP_HKuL2p88cVvWv-I2_rrZM8-bQrQNRlUQAczwIcBDR4x4ISTdNi48HupjXgqZRPFlhH5cOkuzTuAjbic5oK-OraKEUOkgRvXTWZZBg7LJHzL2QWnZhu0yYYYEDjWaTSkuEUens/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" height="422" title="Siblings at a Country Wedding Fair" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my siblings at my sister's wedding.</td></tr>
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Since the wedding it has been having family as houseguests, airports run and trying to catch up on the household disarray that has occurred during the busyness. I don't think November is going to be as busy, how could it be? However, it's also going to be far from quiet also. Life keeps galloping away, but I'm holding the reins tight and enjoying the ride!<br />
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What has happened to you in October? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-61329718436569842252014-10-15T07:28:00.002+10:002014-10-15T07:28:30.359+10:00Style It Project - Frocktober Mix White DressI'm a big fan of dresses - particularly in the warmer weather. What isn't to love? They are easy to slip on, cool to wear, they often cost less then buying an outfit with multiple layers (although of course layering dresses is fun too!) and most importantly, I find that dresses are flattering. Another little bonus is that dresses are uniquely feminine and I find that my husband and sons, even at this young age just love it when I wear a dress. I will often get comments like, "You look pretty Mummy" or "You look like a ballerina" and if they will point out something in the cupboard for me to wear, (yes my boys are interested at times in styling!), it will always be a dress.<br />
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It makes sense that in <a href="http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/frocktober" target="_blank">Frocktober</a> the <a href="http://kimbalikes.com/style-it-project-frocktober/" target="_blank">Style It Project</a> with Kimba Likes and <a href="http://www.redcliffestyle.com/october-style-it-project-white-eyelet-strap-dress/" target="_blank">Redcliffe Style</a> would feature a dress. I bought the dress on sale for $29 from my local Coles Mix section. (Yay for sales!) The dress isn't a perfect fit for me, it's snug on the waist and it's better suited for bigger busts, although the ties at the front can help pull it in and are helpful for those of us sporting a flat pack. I decided to keep it because for that price, I can afford to be forgiving and it's still looks nice, it's easy to launder and will be a great frock to wear casually throughout the summer.<br />
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The white easily leaves it open to being styled with colour, but except for a bit of colour in my sun hat, I kept it simple wearing this dress to the beach at Bargara recently teaming it with my Rare Rabbit chunky white geo beads. (My little splurge prior to going to ProBlogger, but I am finding so many occasions to wear them. You will keep seeing them on me this season, and probably beyond!)<br />
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And best of all, for trips to the beach with the family - you can climb trees with your sons wearing this dress (the little bit of length helps there!)<br />
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Are you a fan of dresses? Why/Why Not?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-75240915844472815142014-10-08T07:08:00.002+10:002014-10-08T21:26:20.327+10:00Triplet's 3rd Birthday - 3rd Birthday ToysThree year old triplets! It has happened! Yesterday was the triplet's 3rd birthday so now there are three three year olds in our home. Can you believe it? It doesn't seem like that long ago I was <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/triplets-birth-story-part-one.html" target="_blank">in labour</a> and then <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/triplets-birth-story-part2-actual.html" target="_blank">giving birth to triplets by caesarian</a>.<br />
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The triplet's have been excited about the upcoming birthday. Imogen especially has been right onto it. The boys took a little bit longer to work out what a birthday was. While they were figuring that out, Immy was literally figuring out what she would wear on the special day. During a road trip last Friday night, I heard her musing aloud in the back, "On my birthday I'm going to wear a pretty pink dress." She actually received a fairy dress from Target and was very excited to put it on yesterday. (Until she had a little accident in it.)<br />
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I was exhausted by the end of the evening last night. New toys are so exciting, but when there are three different sets of toys and three three year olds, fights are inevitable. Learning how to share and how to be gracious is such an important life skill, but oh my, it's a wearying lesson to teach! Most of my morning talking through fights and meltdowns and building toys that kept falling down and apart, (I'm sure The Accountant would not agree, but I was wishing I had spent triple the price and bought some toys that were more sturdy. Honestly, quality can be such an issue these days!)<br />
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For their birthday they didn't receive anything particularly extravagant. They each received two presents. I had bought a very large bucket of mobilo and split it into two boxes for Toby and Jayden. The older two boys have spent hours playing with mobilo at Kindy, so I thought the next two would probably love it too. The big boys were very excited that it was in the house and built all types of contraptions which the little boys played with happily. The little boys haven't quite worked out how to clip it all together, and it is a bit hard for their little fingers, but I'm sure they will get the technique down very soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIwRAwLFjsn5ZHmJKtNq13_kA-wNmQfTxPunnQjNyovaPFvLAHCMLB9Nd4W-TXikDa3s6IY6ELe9tfdUq81083E1PRvfV9ALx2gPMcKGxl38cgD0o22d2Fj1T72K0G-96WxI4cbbdm_U/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Triplet 3rd birthday present - mobilo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIwRAwLFjsn5ZHmJKtNq13_kA-wNmQfTxPunnQjNyovaPFvLAHCMLB9Nd4W-TXikDa3s6IY6ELe9tfdUq81083E1PRvfV9ALx2gPMcKGxl38cgD0o22d2Fj1T72K0G-96WxI4cbbdm_U/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG" height="570" title="Playing with Mobilo" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the mobilo.</td></tr>
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Toby, who is mad about drumming, got a Wiggles drum kit. Hopefully he will stop emptying the Ikea buckets of toys and turning them all upside down and banging away with kitchen utensils now! It was a big hit yesterday and there were lots of fights over it. But every spare moment he could, Toby was clicking the sticks together in his intro and then banging away. I have to admit I had a headache at the end of the day, although I don't think I can solely blame the drums.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPoj1_00_J-6SdW5yubAke2PImsBKel7Hg8_nKAXLE6_WjOQLJ2dIliCsiGgR8isAiHUj66sq-JC7b6vSuioOR_r6lTQqxxKCyuT6TmsZoY9rLQstp3jqUSY7JEqPWaHRdq0LDHJvRbg/s1600/DSC_0817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3rd Birthday Drum Kit for Triplet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPoj1_00_J-6SdW5yubAke2PImsBKel7Hg8_nKAXLE6_WjOQLJ2dIliCsiGgR8isAiHUj66sq-JC7b6vSuioOR_r6lTQqxxKCyuT6TmsZoY9rLQstp3jqUSY7JEqPWaHRdq0LDHJvRbg/s1600/DSC_0817.jpg" height="640" title="Toby at drums" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drum away Toby!</td></tr>
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Jayden got a marble run. These are great for creativity, problem solving, science and, as it turns out, learning about gentleness and patience, because the silly thing was very easy to knock over and fall to pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlcLKwwEJB6WhffaI3MzjZM3bAgolEd1ZdhaKXMZNJFKGUOxCx2ccybqvyfvQpKAiflq4L0eqBWSNt-mATu3CxspPqyrwQxnf1p9PkYCEu_JlEmE1fFk1krhTNJrpRGENcq_D8EZo_cA/s1600/DSC_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Triplet's Marble Run Third Birthday" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlcLKwwEJB6WhffaI3MzjZM3bAgolEd1ZdhaKXMZNJFKGUOxCx2ccybqvyfvQpKAiflq4L0eqBWSNt-mATu3CxspPqyrwQxnf1p9PkYCEu_JlEmE1fFk1krhTNJrpRGENcq_D8EZo_cA/s1600/DSC_0842.JPG" height="422" title="Knocked over marble run." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opps, over and out.</td></tr>
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Once again, they were unable to construct it at this point, but I have no doubt that throughout their third year they will be able to piece it together to make runs. In the meantime, they loved being mesmerised by the marbles rolling down the various tracks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZQguB3UyH-phyphenhyphen4OYtUCF7QoWesbtGGKUIa5TZ8T6U9iLHz2_ADPriDU3ND3ob2kgAQpvQQqANq5WBm1NGGM_YjuB5gwld7FQn1MKBZRS01FYdth47ezMtt4WI9E6o7y91MhnVnkFiXc/s1600/DSC_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Triplets third birthday marble run" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZQguB3UyH-phyphenhyphen4OYtUCF7QoWesbtGGKUIa5TZ8T6U9iLHz2_ADPriDU3ND3ob2kgAQpvQQqANq5WBm1NGGM_YjuB5gwld7FQn1MKBZRS01FYdth47ezMtt4WI9E6o7y91MhnVnkFiXc/s1600/DSC_0834.JPG" height="422" title="Triplets and the marble run." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go!</td></tr>
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In addition to her dress, Imogen received two <a href="http://www.lottie.com/" target="_blank">Lottie</a> dolls. I had first seen these on Instagram and I loved Kelly's <a href="http://beafunmum.com/2014/07/lottie-doll-review/" target="_blank">review</a> of the dolls on Be A Fun Mum. I really loved that they were dolls that would fit inside Imogen's dolls house, yet the dolls looked like girls rather than adults, they had flat feet to walk in and no boobs! Plus their clothing and accessories were modest and super cute! I couldn't get any in Toowoomba, but luckily I was able to pick two dolls up on a recent visit to Brisbane. Immy was thrilled with them and immediately wanted to undress them, it may take a little while for her to get used to putting such tiny clothing back on the dolls though!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJbBXkBQGMxXi9JthE8o3uESZFN0KrpHgxd_Us4uw3ThaViNTUxPv36kgS7osVROMyhPJlnG1vY3ReVUiK6X4Y1VRpgEVVFZbwCrm07NphyphenhyphenemIIKhILCez_3Va5MJ4IUyteKxMR5Ax1U/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="triplet girls third birthday" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJbBXkBQGMxXi9JthE8o3uESZFN0KrpHgxd_Us4uw3ThaViNTUxPv36kgS7osVROMyhPJlnG1vY3ReVUiK6X4Y1VRpgEVVFZbwCrm07NphyphenhyphenemIIKhILCez_3Va5MJ4IUyteKxMR5Ax1U/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" height="640" title="Miss Im with doll" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Im with her dolly.</td></tr>
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Her other present was an ice-cream stacking game. They are having a small little ice-cream party on Sunday for lunch so I thought this game that I picked out of the Kindy Scholastic book club would be good to play then. I really liked playing it with the triplet's yesterday. It comes with sounds and teaches following instructions and listening skills as you need to listen to the pre-recorded voice telling the player what colour or how many scoops to pile high. It also requires patience, motor skills, carefulness and turn taking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4vB-Nbr3Jb6bA1CepQErXErUvUWtHakZaVR13SuTwTgev9FLAO2YVTSDtZoyqtRNjKdMOtZ8M6l3lL8ovajkrccZcsYvi8SB7Qrsa6k8pinzS9ugT6LShOeealh5Bi1Xp0FQ4OQ5BM/s1600/DSC_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="triplets ice cream party" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4vB-Nbr3Jb6bA1CepQErXErUvUWtHakZaVR13SuTwTgev9FLAO2YVTSDtZoyqtRNjKdMOtZ8M6l3lL8ovajkrccZcsYvi8SB7Qrsa6k8pinzS9ugT6LShOeealh5Bi1Xp0FQ4OQ5BM/s1600/DSC_0828.jpg" height="640" title="Ice Cream stack" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacking the ice creams</td></tr>
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In the evening the triplet's had chosen (influenced by their big brothers) pizza for dinner. I would have liked to let them make their own pizza again, but with such a busy day playing hard and having only arrived home the evening before, it was a relief that Daddy picked up pizza from the shop. I made some wonky cupcakes so they could blow out some candles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6weTfaslN1Nu-RoYO6DS_CfbKNq6y0LQnBkdAf8XV6-ZhC6lRTWc6lXRF0Q1s1c9kwLaEwlVNJP51I6_JN0uwPWvv-ZSED6sTvRrkigx05IWhlLFb-OOoYboNYTPhDWBXcyZ9EOHIuUU/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Triplets with birthday candles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6weTfaslN1Nu-RoYO6DS_CfbKNq6y0LQnBkdAf8XV6-ZhC6lRTWc6lXRF0Q1s1c9kwLaEwlVNJP51I6_JN0uwPWvv-ZSED6sTvRrkigx05IWhlLFb-OOoYboNYTPhDWBXcyZ9EOHIuUU/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG" height="422" title="Triplets with birthday candles" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nanny and Uncle Peter had come over for dinner, I suspect they too went home with a headache. It was lots of fun, but oh so noisy. I think we need to do a little more work on demure table manners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7N4KJyYDcSI0SCvlUaNHaAOS2Ki-6joxYMOUBmdXg4uFOs2OOVdgMnNy6hB7BvJtJJZD50eTASzYI8CSSkt6r1d_kBvxTAdua-_BnmU525ED4a0KovpG-TiGkbF5c1Cq68i_QH5KBuQ/s1600/DSC_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Triplets 3rd Birthday cake" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7N4KJyYDcSI0SCvlUaNHaAOS2Ki-6joxYMOUBmdXg4uFOs2OOVdgMnNy6hB7BvJtJJZD50eTASzYI8CSSkt6r1d_kBvxTAdua-_BnmU525ED4a0KovpG-TiGkbF5c1Cq68i_QH5KBuQ/s1600/DSC_0871.jpg" height="640" title="Triplets 3rd Birthday cake" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was taking a photo of Immy here, but hasn't Toby done the cutest photo bomb?</td></tr>
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So today, we are off to playgroup where they can share their marble cupcakes (I thought it was fitting to do three colours for the three children who are turning three) with their friends. When we come home again, I'm sure it will be more lessons in playing nicely. It's hard work, but it is so worthwhile to learn multiple lessons through play. Buying gifts that the children can grow into also means that they will get a lot of value and use out of them. I look forward to seeing how they develop and get better at using them.<br />
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<i>What type of games/toys do you like to give as birthday presents?</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-87837526326654880182014-09-29T16:00:00.000+10:002014-09-29T16:09:39.788+10:00Moments in Childhood - Spiderman Visit in the ShowerI was showering. Spiderman appeared silently and stood at the screen door watching.<br />
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"Hi Spiderman." I reply. Sometimes it's best to treat random with normality.<br />
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He continued to stare.<br />
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Then it was gravely stated.<br />
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"It's just me Mummy in the shirt you gave me."<br />
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"Oh, that's good to know." I give a relieved sigh. "I was feeling a bit awkward having spiderman watch me have a shower."<br />
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With a giggle and a skip Spiderman disappears and I continue to wash my hair.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-76817123729256689272014-09-24T08:39:00.000+10:002014-09-24T08:39:23.857+10:00Style It Project - Peter Morrisey Zebra Cami There's nothing like a little bit of animal print to bring a bit of pizazz to one's wardrobe. I wasn't sure whether I was going to like this little cami on me when I saw it for the <a href="http://kimbalikes.com/category/fabulous-fashion/style-it-project/" target="_blank">Style It Project</a>, (even though I liked it on others!) but oh my, the moment I slipped it on in the Big W change rooms, I knew it was a keeper. Plus it was 30% off - score! $13 for a little top I've already worn several times. (But keep forgetting to photograph - Sorrrreeee!)<br />
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I went with hubby to one of his mate's 40th birthday in Brisbane recently and wore my zebra cami. It was already happy I was wearing it as we glided to our venue in the city cat.<br />
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Perfect for picnic lunch on the banks of the Brisbane river and then onto a bar then Turkish for dinner later in the evening. Surprisingly for Brisbane I didn't need to take my jacket off the whole time as the sky was overcast and there was a bit of a nip in the air. My white Sussan linen jacket (current season) was a perfect accompaniment along with my (current season) Rare Rabbit wooden beads.<br />
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I have also worn the cami with a jacket to playgroups and shopping. It will be a lovely cool option on its own when the weather warms up too. It's great with a little white bolero cardi that I picked up at a sample sale at Kaffe Boutique. (Locals: I can't believe it's in Cliffo! It's like a little corner of European class. Who knows it might inspire some of the locals to ditch the uggies and leggings(with short shirts) and dress up a little!)<br />
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Today I'm dressed in it ready to take the kids to a concert. We're seeing <a href="http://colinbuchanan.com.au/" target="_blank">Colin Buchanan</a>, we saw him last year when he was in town and the kids were delighted when Daddy brought home tickets last night for them to see him today!<br />
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And you know, because it is a concert, I thought I'd look like the cool Mum (Ha!) in my pink biker jacket. Although one look at the five kids I have in tow, nobody will be fooled that I would be riding a motorbike. Yep, it's a mini-van for me the whole way there.<br />
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What was the last concert you went to? I think I see more kids concerts and theatre productions these days then I see the grown up variety. But that's still cultured, isn't it? Right? RIGHT??? <br />
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Linking with <a href="http://kimbalikes.com/" target="_blank">Kimba Likes</a> and <a href="http://www.redcliffestyle.com/" target="_blank">Redcliffe Style</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 162px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 162px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-90840861233169793602014-09-23T15:54:00.000+10:002014-09-23T20:59:58.620+10:00When I Realised I Was Not OK.The pressure. Sometimes it builds up. The endless to do list constantly scrolling through the mind like an eternal tele-prompter. The inner rebukes from you own self that constantly chastises your every move for what you haven't achieved. The re-runs that continue to loop over and over in the brain's own movie theatre of the low moments because lest I forget that I am a flawed human. Add to that the negativity swirling in the atmosphere around. It's been stormy. Storms are fine when you are snug inside, but when you are in the middle of it, you don't feel safe, life is uncomfortable and things you have no control over make you feel despondent and don't make sense.<br />
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This was me. I was just battling on, trying to do it all. Be the mythical super mum, the growing blogger, the accepting friend and good Christian girl. Being a good Mum, friend, Christian and blogger are all good things. But sometimes when life gets hard, you need to pull back and gain some perspective, because sometimes the pressure builds and you start trying so hard to do it all that you suddenly realise that you're hardly being effective at all.<br />
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I suddenly realised about two weeks ago that I was on the edge and staring down into the swirling vortex of depression. I am very grateful that I was able to recognise my locale in time to back away from the edge. It's not that way for everyone. Some get sucked into that vortex so quickly like a merciless invisible and powerful vacuum. Others gaze into the vortex and cannot look up, cannot recognise that the hypnotic swirl of despondency is sucking them in. Some of us get the opportunity to recognise what is happening. Sometimes being on the brink, (or maybe standing in the shallow muddy waters), of mild depression is an overwhelming place to be, and even though the signs are recognised, the mist and fog that are descending blur the arrows showing the way out and you lack the energy to search for the exit.<br />
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For me, there was a moment that through the perpetual discouragement I suddenly thought. "I'm not OK." Once I realised this I knew I needed to fight to find the path to the sunshine. My family needed me to be OK. Depression breeds sadness. It starts in one life and spreads to others. I knew I could make changes to ensure that I could face challenges with positivity and determination to succeed.<br />
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For me, I realised that I was at the brink of depression after I had gone to a friend's house and had been negative during conversation because I was feeling overwhelmed before I left home. I also realised after I had written my <a href="http://www.caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-problogger-de-brief.html">ProBlogger Debrief</a> that once again I wasn't feeling happy and a conference that I had just loved was tinged with sadness that normally I wouldn't be bogged down by. (The last few paragraphs of the post were the giveaway.) I have also just experienced an incident that has been totally out of my control where I have lost myriads of friends and acquaintances as they have stopped turning up at our common meeting place. (That is another story and not one for here or now.) I was hurting but by recognising that the actions of others didn't need to affect my own happiness or my own responses, I started to count the blessings that I do have and re-gain some perspective.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtBbb-7GuUmjYpFjourdEow-bSHuKTZdzjVTNb9EWXl6uu6Lqt0ZvvCK97N8vzNc3CLpUrmlBhDkQgdgTqzMFHtmWDKdzaJ63NZR51BjVwPkaHMcgQceVCa_hMt5Z2nxUzUJfG5Z0w2g/s1600/IMG_8428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Almost depressed and walking away from the brink." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtBbb-7GuUmjYpFjourdEow-bSHuKTZdzjVTNb9EWXl6uu6Lqt0ZvvCK97N8vzNc3CLpUrmlBhDkQgdgTqzMFHtmWDKdzaJ63NZR51BjVwPkaHMcgQceVCa_hMt5Z2nxUzUJfG5Z0w2g/s1600/IMG_8428.JPG" height="480" title="Seagulls at the Gold Coast" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe I could come home from the Gold Coast and be feeling very low.</td></tr>
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If you are struggling to remain positive at the moment, here are some of my tips that have helped me so that if anyone asked, <a href="https://www.ruok.org.au/">R U OK?</a>, I can smile and say, "Yes".<br />
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1. <b>Look Up</b><br />
Get in touch with your soul. My faith is very important to me. It is my guiding light, so when I realised that the light was fading, I had to recognise that this was not because the light had disappeared, it's because I was no longer looking at it, or I had to wipe the tears so it wasn't blurred anymore. A lady in our church had recently shared an encouragement, "Things are not what they seem." I had to realise that I had to completely place my trust that God was in control and that he is a God of goodness. No matter what people are saying, His master plan is good and the future may have dark moments, but the light will always shine brighter then the darkness. As I looked up and a new calmness surrounded me giving me peace and clarity. I know and respect that people have various spiritual journeys. If you are not spiritual and don't know where to start, pray your confusion to God and believe he hears you in Heaven. Then sit still and listen, you may be surprised, but most often rational thoughts and direction will be whispered into your soul. I think this is the voice of God. Whatever the case, I'm fairly confident that answers you hear will be worthy of at least further consideration and action.<br />
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2. <b>Step Down</b><br />
You don't need to go and cancel everything out of your diary and retreat to your shell. This might not be helpful at all, in fact. However, I found that I needed to prioritise what is important and start be focussing my energies there. That is why, if you noticed, my posts on this blog have been less and a little more infrequent lately. Blogging is one of my loves in life, but it can also be a pressure. By taking a short break, I was able to remind myself to breathe and while I did I did a little cleaning in the house which made me feel better also. (I can't believe I admitted that! Cleaning doesn't normally equal happiness for me!) I also deliberately enjoyed my children and the relationships that I do have. I didn't cancel all my commitments, but I slowed down and tried to stop rushing around madly and somehow in the calmness I was able to still do most things.<br />
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3.<b> Enjoy the Little Things</b><br />
Because I had been so busy, I had been pushing the little things to one side and forgetting that the sum of the little things is actually a big deal. So I started baking with the children, sitting outside and watching them play and reading a chapter (or two…) of my novel, taking time to sip the tea and contemplative silence while they children were playing happily or walking the children down to the garden and picking some blooms. Paying full attention to my husband as he spoke and enjoying each other's company. Not only did it calm me, it calmed those around me also.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiKIEqfiaQPus3paUpHTXJCE_l0mhBWlMhj9CL05K4sa2m1MxzOJJBW6uED17YL2ca_EjqOOnjc3gYW4sp7QHbxio5VQoqmOyCati_OeWsb0zR6WKjEHvY57QQi4y3jXD5qGRlxhgOp8/s1600/DSC_0969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lemon drizzle loaf" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiKIEqfiaQPus3paUpHTXJCE_l0mhBWlMhj9CL05K4sa2m1MxzOJJBW6uED17YL2ca_EjqOOnjc3gYW4sp7QHbxio5VQoqmOyCati_OeWsb0zR6WKjEHvY57QQi4y3jXD5qGRlxhgOp8/s1600/DSC_0969.jpg" height="400" title="Lemon Drizzle Loaf" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the recipe for this Lemon Drizzle Loaf <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/lemon-drizzle-loaf.html" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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4. <b>Acknowledge Your Humanity</b><br />
I was trying to do it all. I'm only human. I started to get more focus when writing a daily To Do list. (Thanks Kikki K.) I wrote less on my To Do list for that day but had a list next to it for the rest of the week, so knew I wasn't going to forget those things. The beauty was, it felt better to accomplish today's tasks and when I did, I could cross off some of the upcoming tasks as well. I also had to admit to myself that doing less is not cheating.<br />
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5. <b>You Deserve to Walk Away From the Chocolate.</b><br />
OK, so truthfully, I've had varying degrees of success with this point. Normally we gals like to admit that chocolate gets us through the hard times. And it does. But then it can also cause another hard time to arise as we battle with health and weight issues. I'm trying to remind myself that healthy choices are helpful to my well being. Yes, I deserve that chocolate, but even more I deserve the apple, because after a bag of apples, my body will be happier than after the block of chocolate…or cake, or biscuits, cheese or hot chips, etc. You get my drift? But, if you really do need a hit, I've found that a bag of Tim Tam Chocolicious buried deep at the back of the pantry is wonderful. It's only a little bit, they are individually wrapped, so you can resist the temptation of eating a whole pack of Tim Tams and it just gives you that moment of indulgence to continue on life's merry way. Because life is merry, the bleak moments don't need to last forever.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R2o42KOjf2cvaVWF9HeVlKF5uEcme_Wlei3IAp7AZG9B77kRoB1Mz8ahwfhjHgqjvy_Mfu1AXMh5OWvYen7mpQ7ia1SWCdthT-H9B45SuZWObTGs1G5fRajZTL7YmNWvOqU3W9AZixE/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Combat Depression by taking time to smell flowers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R2o42KOjf2cvaVWF9HeVlKF5uEcme_Wlei3IAp7AZG9B77kRoB1Mz8ahwfhjHgqjvy_Mfu1AXMh5OWvYen7mpQ7ia1SWCdthT-H9B45SuZWObTGs1G5fRajZTL7YmNWvOqU3W9AZixE/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" height="422" title="Imogen taking time to smell the flowers" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have you ever suffered depression? Did you recognise the signs? What do you do to pull yourself out of despair if you are feeling down?<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT (I Blog On Tuesdays.)<br />
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I like to wear make up, even if it's only a quick application of two or three things. I feel more confident knowing I look that bit better when I draw attention to my assets and hide my flaws. Make up should be not about covering yourself, but rather draw attention to your own natural beauty.<br />
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My youngest sister was once a make up artist for a leading cosmetics company, so I have been fortunate to receive several mini tutorials from her on make up appliance. Even still, it's easy to get in a rut and always do the same thing. During <a href="http://www.caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-problogger-de-brief.html">ProBlogger</a> I was so excited to go to a presentation by the Australian branch of L'Oreal Paris. Eagerness to use cosmetics and try new techniques instantly emerged as I listened to Elsa Morgan, an industry leader artist who does make up for the ritzy magazines and for models strutting the runways of Melbourne, New York and Paris.<br />
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Rut. Out.<br />
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For many of us mothers, a make up regime is often one of those things that is neglected as we rush to care for children, run a household, not to mention commitments outside the home. I loved hearing Elsa encourage women to use the moments during your make up routine to slow down and make some time for yourself. (Even if it's a short make up application.) It is true that sometimes as mothers we rush so much that we don't pay attention and enjoy the small things in life. Enjoy the feeling of massaging moisturiser into your skin. Let it rest for a few moments before applying primer. (Would it be bad to admit, that I hadn't used primer before I went to this session? And I have to say, the L'Oreal Base Magique just glides on the skin. It really is such a nice experience, and it has the benefit of improving the smoothness of my foundation and accentuating my complexion. Win!)<br />
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I have always had good brows. I rarely pluck or wax them, and therefore I pretty well ignore them. I had been totally oblivious to the fact that brows are one of the in things to focus your attention on these days! A fuller brow makes the face look more youthful and can draw attention to the eyes. (Gone are the heavy plucking days of the 90's)<br />
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I definitely don't want my eyebrows looking like caterpillars, but I have started using the L'Oreal Superliner Brow Artist Shaper. It has a nifty little brush and two tips, a pencil tip (you should choose a colour about one or two shades darker then your brow).<br />
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Here are the how to tips on giving your brows wow!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 1:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Brush inner brow upward and
outer brow up and outward.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 2:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Draw lightly from under brow
working up and along the
natural shape of your brows
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 3:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Finish brow by tapering this
soft line from the top of the
arch toward the temples.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 4:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Set the shape with the wax tip.</span><span style="font-family: 'Kalinga'; font-size: 17.000000pt;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Afterwards there was a lip and brow bar, so I got the experts to give mine a little makeover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Of all the lessons in make up we received, the thing that made me most excited was learning about winged eyes. I was trying to listen and watch very carefully, because it's a dramatic effect that I've often wanted to execute for special occasions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">If you also want tips in achieving (or perfecting) this technique, this is what we learned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 1:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Draw wing first by making a
line from the end of the lash
line out and slightly up a
couple of cm toward end of
brow
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 2:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Draw back toward lash line
from above this line to make
a small triangle
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 3:
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Continue along the lash line,
tapering as you go so the line
creates a beautiful almond
shape
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga; font-weight: 700;">Step 4:
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Apply two coats of volume
mascara, fan lashes
outwards</span><br />
<br />
Elsa also had some top tips to share:<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Use a highlighter pen to clean up
and sharpen the feline flick</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Kalinga;">To create a smokey winged eye,
line the top and bottom lash lines
with a black or brown pencil.
Optional: add a kajal pencil or
white kohl pencil to the waterline.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Take a quad eyeshadow and blend
over liner working into the socket
and extending the shading out and
up to visually open eye.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Add highlighter to inner corners of
eyes to add drama.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">After I returned home, my brain was buzzing so much the next morning I woke up early and since there were no children around, I had a play around while I got ready for church. The extra effort seemed to pay off, I got compliments even with my very amateur efforts, and I'm looking forward to continuing to perfect the art!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">When asked what tips Elsa had for mothers who find it difficult to find the time to apply make up, her advice was to find enjoyment and pleasure in the routine and investing in yourself. Her practical advice was to have the main things you need out on your counter ready to go. Elsa believes that one of the most time consuming aspects for many people when applying make up is searching through cosmetics bags and drawers for what they want. If it's all there ready to go you only need to pick it up and apply. You will be surprised how much time you will save.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">One of the best parts of the evening was the goodie bag we came home with! So many treats, it's making experimenting so much fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Do you get in a make up rut? What techniques would you like to perfect or are there new routines you can begin? What are you top make up tips?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Today I'm linking with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Kalinga;">Pssst. Have you entered my giveaway of a baby hamper, perfect if you have a new little one or want to put away a gift for a new baby or a baby shower? No? Enter <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/gifts-for-newborns-plus-giveaway.html">here</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-41912716582972165882014-09-06T20:26:00.001+10:002014-09-09T11:55:17.504+10:00Gifts for Newborns - Plus Giveaway!A friend of mine had a baby the other day. The baby was rather early and weighed a petite 5lb1oz but is an absolutely gorgeous and healthy little man. Seeing pictures of him on Facebook made my mind wander back to my own newborns, particularly when the triplets were born since of course they were my smallest babies. (Read about the <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/triplets-birth-story-part2-actual.html" target="_blank">triplet's birth story</a>)<br />
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Having a newborn in your life is such a special time of life. The long lingering moments you spend just staring at the new life lying before you. The awe as you contemplate that a tiny human was once nestled within someone's (or your own!) tummy. The snuggles as that precious bundle falls asleep on your chest. The wonder of siblings as they meet a person who will forever change their life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn Trent</td></tr>
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It's also a tiring time for the family as late night feedings begin and the weariness of finding a rhythm with the newest addition to the family. And if there are cholic and reflux in the equation or other such newborn maladies, well life is all the more complex.<br />
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I love getting gifts for newborns. The mixture of a gift celebrating a new life beginning and comfort because life isn't easy makes giving at this time delightful.<br />
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Gifts I have given newborns include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>A special money box with a name engraved on it.</li>
<li>Fine china child's plate</li>
<li>Melamine Peter Rabbit gift set</li>
<li>Board books. (This is a good one for new parents who often do not have a library for the child yet.)</li>
<li>Clothing, but I'm always careful to do the math and make sure the size will be for the appropriate season.</li>
<li>Clothes in larger sizes (eg. size 1. Not only does it not matter what season it is if it's size 1, sometimes I buy the gift and then it takes me forever to give it away to the recipient, in which case, I know it's still going to fit by the time I finally do!)</li>
</ul>
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Recently I was introduced to <a href="http://angelicbabyboutique.com.au/welcome.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Angelic Baby Boutique</a> a beautiful online baby boutique that has a stunning selection of gifts to give at baby showers, newborn babies and even first birthdays. The gifts include thoughtful and classy hampers and unique keepsakes.</div>
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As a special treat for Caitlin's Happy Heart readers, Angelic Baby Boutique is giving away a hamper to the value of $60 with product specially selected by Sylvia. You will have the choice of whether it will be made for a boy or girl. </div>
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This would be just perfect if you know someone who is about to have, or has a new little bundle of joy in their lives. Or perhaps it is your own newborn child that you would love to spoil.</div>
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<b>To enter, head over to <a href="http://angelicbabyboutique.com.au/welcome.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Angelic Baby Boutique</a> and tell me which baby gift you think is particularly special. I'd also love to hear why you think newborns are so special. It's not mandatory, but I would love it if you would also follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CaitlinsHappyHeart?ref=hl" target="_blank">Caitlin's Happy Heart on Facebook</a>.</b></div>
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Details:</div>
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1. Competition only open to Australian residents.</div>
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2. Competition is a game of skill and will entries will close on Friday September 12, 2014 at 8pm.</div>
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3. Prize will be mailed to either yourself or a recipient of your choice. Winners will be contacted by email. If there is no response by Monday 12am, a new winner will be selected.</div>
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4. An email address must be included with your entry.</div>
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PS. It seems that some people have difficulties leaving comments on my blog. Feel free to head to my Facebook page and leave a comment there...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-34281210702859964462014-09-02T09:57:00.000+10:002014-09-06T10:17:32.623+10:00The ProBlogger De-BriefI have been to <a href="http://probloggerevents.com/" target="_blank">ProBlogger</a>! What an experience it has been! My head is buzzing with ideas and a determination to stay focussed and make this blogging thing work for me - and you, dear reader! There were a few messages that kept on reappearing over the conference, and making sure I am delivering a blog that has useful content that enhances my reader's life is a message I heard loud and clear!<br />
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I thought I would write this initial post-ProBlogger blog post outlining everything that happened while I was away.<br />
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I shared <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/how-does-mother-plan-to-go-away-for.html" target="_blank">here</a> about some of the planning process that it took just to leave the kids. This was actually made all the more difficult thanks to me getting horribly sick the week prior to ProBlogger and then I made the kids sick! (Normally it's the other way around!) Luckily most of the children didn't seem to get quite as sick as I was, but the week before I left we had fevers spiking intermitedly throughout the week, general unwellness and lots of grizzling.<br />
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The morning I left my little girl was particularly out of sorts and had become very irrational. She needed a dummy and teddy, just for the 10 minute drive to drop me off! I did feel a little bit bad leaving behind unwell children, but it was also a bit of a pleasure. It had just been such an exhausting time!<br />
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The morning I left was busy, doing all the last minute pack, dropping things off at Kindy and doing a business card scramble! There were a whole heap of circumstances that had caused delays in my business card ordering process so I got the order away later than I had wanted and unfortunately they didn't arrive in time, so the morning of I quickly made up another design, sent it into my church and they printed them for me (our printer is a bit dodgy!) and I madly chopped them up to size before racing out to meet my friend that I was travelling to the Coast with.<br />
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My travel partner and room mate was my friend Letitia, we've been friends since we were 8 years old at school! She isn't a blogger but just enjoyed having a few of days of quiet at the coast except for whenever she was out and about in the hotel being entertained by the parade of bloggers that were circulating around her. (Being surrounded by bloggers in bulk is quite an experience, as it turns out!)<br />
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Once we arrived at the Gold Coast, we checked in to the wonderful <a href="http://www.qtgoldcoast.com.au/?gclid=CPfNseetvsACFZcmvQodP28AUg" target="_blank">QT Hotel</a>, I love it that you can sip free and fresh lemonade as you stand in line waiting to be checked in! It really is a wonderful hotel.<br />
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After relaxing in the room for a little bit, we went on a walk down the beach. It's just as well I got some exercise, because after that I did a lot of eating. Let me tell you, the food QT serves up is absolutely delicious!<br />
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On Thursday night I considered myself very fortunate to be invited to a networking event by L'Oreal Paris. The event was in the penthouse, which made me feel very important heading to the top floor. Any feelings of importance quickly melted when immediately on arrival I knocked over someone's champagne when in the crowded room I bumped the chair she'd left it on! Cringe! The rest of the evening was great. I'll share what I learned during that event later, because ladies, I'm sure you will be interested in some make-up tips from a leading Australian make-up artist! Already I've been trying out some new routines, it's so good to get out of the make-up rut that is easy to fall into when you are a busy mother.<br />
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After this was finished, laden with the most delightful goodie bag I have ever received, we made our way down to Bazaar for dinner with Tish and my blogging pals <a href="http://www.bbeingcool.com/" target="_blank">B Being Cool</a> and <a href="http://www.thecraftymummy.com/" target="_blank">The Crafty Mummy</a>. Oh my, buffet with a difference. Delectable food, and not just your ordinary buffet fair either. Fresh seafood, baked whole fish, stews, grill, a wok station and amazing dessert bar to say the least!<br />
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We went off to bed with full tummies, ready for the big day ahead. And big day it was! For this debrief post, I'll quickly go through all the speakers I heard, (you may want to check out their pages in all their blogging glory!) and give a sentence (or two!) summing up the main thing I walked away with from each speaker.<br />
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<a href="http://www.problogger.net/" target="_blank">Darren Rowse - ProBlogger</a> - Mr. ProBlogger himself gave the opening address about how even though we feel ordinary, we can still do so many things in our blogs to execute extraordinary results.<br />
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<a href="http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/" target="_blank">Pat Flynn - Smart Passive Income</a> - Talked about converting casual readers into a thriving community. It was all about how making the people who read your blog feel special and what to follow everything that you write and be where you hang out (ie. on social media.)<br />
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<a href="http://childhood101.com/" target="_blank">Christie Burnett - Childhood 101</a> - "The 5 W's for Finding Readers" I loved hearing from another parenting blogger and really hear how as a mother she gathers readers for her blog and what she does to make her blog gain momentum.<br />
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<a href="http://www.everywhereist.com/" target="_blank">Geraldine DeRuiter - Everywhereist</a> - "Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You" - Man this woman, I fell in love with her when I read her blog for the first time a few days before the conference, and this was confirmed during her talk. She's funny, romantic and knows how to inspire you to write a better blog that everyone will love.<br />
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<a href="http://www.stylingyou.com.au/" target="_blank">Nikki Parkinson - Styling You</a> - "Build An Online Community That You Love" Lots of practical suggestions here and I walked away wanting to make sure the tone on my blog was clear and consistent.<br />
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<a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/" target="_blank">Darren Rowse - Digital Photography School</a> - "Introduction to Monetisation" It was great to hear some of the strategies that Darren employs to make money through his photography blog. I found it inspiring listening to the strategies he has used in order to make his blog successful.<br />
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Keynote: 5 in 50 - There was a collection of full time bloggers here that shared their insights into being successful on a blog. Basically I walked away from this knowing that to make your blog successful you need to be strategic, consistent, care for your readers and WORK HARD!<br />
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And that was all on the first day! More inspiration followed on day two!<br />
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<a href="http://www.lifeinhalfasecond.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Michalwicz - Life in half A Second</a> - "From Ideas to Action" Set clear goals, get hungry to make them work and move beyond any fears to achieve these goals.<br />
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<a href="http://shaynetilley.com/" target="_blank">Shane Tilley</a> - "Email Marketing Essentials and Innovation" Expect to see Caitlin's Happy Heart to start producing a newsletter soon guys! I just need to work out how to do it!<br />
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<a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">Chantelle Ellem - Fat Mum Slim</a> - "Using Social Media to Grow Your Blog" - Ever so humble and modest Chantelle was just lovely to listen to and it was reassuring that with a bit of hard work you can make things work by implementing organically formed ideas.<br />
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<a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Bron - Maxabella Loves</a> - "<a href="http://maxabellaloves.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/fitting-it-all-in-finding-time.html" target="_blank">Fitting It All In</a>" - The moment I saw this title I knew this was the session above all else that I wanted to listen to. I was not wrong, this session was the highlight of the whole conference for me. The time factor is by far the biggest challenge I have with blogging and there were so many practical suggestions that I have come home ready to implement. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Bron!<br />
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In between all this inspirational stuff there was delicious food! The lunch, morning and afternoon tea included in the package was so very delicious - and QT once again injected a bit style and drama to every meal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I'm a sweet tooth. This guys were sooooo delicious!</td></tr>
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I also loved hanging out with Tish and another close friend who lives at the coast over brekky on Saturday morning.<br />
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On the Friday night there was a par-tay. The theme was "Ahoy!", it was a great excuse to dress in a nautical theme and chat with some lovely people.<br />
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All in all, I had a wonderful time at ProBlogger. I'm come away inspired and wanting to take my blog up a level. (Strap yourselves in people! I want to take you on a ride that leaves you doing fist pumps after each turn!) It also has left me soul searching the whole point of having a meaningful blog and where I fit in the blogging community. I've shared before about my <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/dealing-with-blogging-insecurities-and.html" target="_blank">Insecurities when blogging</a>, and to certain extent, as inspired as I have been, the conference experience has accentuated my insecurities.<br />
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The conference was big and extremely crowded. I know there were plenty of people who were newbies there and who were there on their own. I was often on my own also, and it just felt so awkward. I'm halfway between being an introvert and an extrovert and I have to say, my extrovert was hiding all weekend. My extroverted personality more comes out with people I know, introducing myself and getting to know new people makes me feel nervous and awkward. Thankfully I got to meet some lovely people as well as 'meeting' some bloggers that I already knew online, but not in the flesh. Thank you for everyone I met there, sincerely, I loved meeting you and my smile when I spoke to you was genuine. However quite a few speakers talked about belonging to a 'tribe' or a group of bloggers that support each other. I don't really have a blogging tribe, and as I looked around, similar to feeling like a schoolgirl, I wasn't in 'a group'.<br />
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That's not to say it can't happen, and if anything over the conference I've come away with a renewed energy to keep persevering despite my imperfections. To be truthful, I've never felt like it before, but the week before the conference I would have given up blogging if it weren't for the fact that I had invested in my blog by going to ProBlogger. I was probably feeling depressed because I'm sick, and just can't shake this bug, but at the moment, blogging is feeling like work, and even though it's work that I love, I'm not being reimbursed for the time I spend on it and it has eaten into my family time recently. Which is not OK with me. Most of the time I'm OK with the blog being a labour of love, but lately it's been work that has been very hard to juggle in with family life and my other commitments.<br />
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In his closing address Darren Rowse quoted Jadah Sellner saying, "Take Imperfect Action". This is what I'm going to do right now. I will work out when to find the right time to blog with the triplets reaching a new stage of development. I'm going to keep putting one blogging foot in front of the other, learning as I go and hopefully in the process I can make life a little bit more useful, brighter and happier for my audience.<br />
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Do you ever feel like you aren't quite in a group? Who gives you support? Do you have different support networks for the various hats that you wear? (eg. motherhood, work, blogging if you are a blogger?) Any tips on finding new 'friends' without coming across like a try hard or a stalker?<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 396px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 396px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-3259093732060340302014-08-27T17:18:00.000+10:002014-08-27T18:52:20.770+10:00Books for Dad<i>This is a post is produced in partnership with Bookworld.</i><br />
<br />
It's Father's Day in Australia next weekend. So with 10 days to go, for me it's a time to be scratching my head wondering what on earth to get my father, father-in-law and my children's father! Why are men so hard to buy for?<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookworld.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookworld</a> is making life a little bit simpler for us to buy a gift for book loving Dads with their <a href="http://www.bookworld.com.au/gifts-for-him" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Father's Day Lists</a>.<br />
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My Dad is not so much the book type. I can remember Dad bragging as we grew up that he got through school reading only one book, and although that one book (apparently it was about a dog) was a memorable book for him and a good read, it never inspired him to read any other novels. So, books are out as a gift for my Dad. Unfortunately he's very hard to buy for, and even more so now that he has given up drinking, (we don't know why), but it's very inconvenient because at least if we were stuck, we could always give him a good bottle of shiraz.<br />
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My father-in-law, on the other hand loves books. I think I could click on any of Bookworld's 12 Dad categories and find a book that he would enjoy from Cooking Dad, to Crime Dad to Aussie Dad. Alex's Dad reads every night, and whenever we are on holidays with him, he spends a fair bit of his holiday reading as well. Which is cool for me, because I normally end up with a nice pile of books that he leaves behind!<br />
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I thought that since Alex is the son of such an avid book lover, and is definitely more academic than my Dad, I would be able to get him books as gifts. For the first several years I carefully chose titles that I thought he would enjoy. He would occasionally read the books or flick through the pages, but he was never really enthralled. I was going to give up on giving him books, when one Christmas I gave him Richard Branson's autobiography, "Like a Virgin". We were away at the beach, and it was first time I had ever seen Alex absolutely engrossed in a book. From then on, buying books for Alex has been easy, I just needed to get the formula right! One book a year, two at the most and the book needs to be a biography or autobiography about a business man or woman. Alex's devours them. The only other thing I see him read is the tax manual. Which, you may be interested to know, is what The Accountant considers light bed time reading. He will often be telling me about some new tax ruling as we are settling down for the night. I shouldn't complain, it puts me to sleep at least!<br />
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In the lead up to Father's Day, Bookworld is giving away a wonderful Dad's book pack to Caitlin's Happy Heart Readers. (The titles are great, I've already written down the novels on my list to give the Dad-in-law!)<br />
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The books are: <i>Favourites </i>Gary Mehigan; <i>No Safe House </i>Linwood Barclay; <i>Operation Mayhem </i>Steve Heaney MC; <i>The Heist </i>Daniel Silva.<br />
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If you would like to give Dad these great books, head over to Bookworld and check out the Dad's List <a href="http://www.bookworld.com.au/gifts-for-him" target="_blank">here</a>. Then come back and tell me, what type of Dad is the Dad(s) you would be buying for and why he/they fits that category.<br />
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The winner will be announced next Wednesday the 3rd of September at 8pm on Facebook and on this post. You must leave an email address. If I cannot contact you by Friday 5 Sept. at 9am I will choose a new winner. This is a game of skill, so make sure you insert some creativity into your answer. I would also love it if you "like" Caitlin's Happy Heart on Facebook, although this is optional.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-13427572455208878492014-08-26T07:05:00.003+10:002014-08-27T14:34:47.643+10:00Lemon Drizzle LoafI do love baking with citrus and the zesty flavour of lemons is simply fresh and delicious when baking. Recently a friend posted a picture after she had picked lemons off her tree with her grandchildren.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-ghjSkLqG4T6lgYghaQgRbdk52gbDW0bM5qnOzMdjHmdfZQ6C1vVcUiZ8oLaZEuIpsJgw_78ugluOoda6rHFAVBiOZa1yK4h3M-5SELj75IBWhUr3Fqdb-TXROpccTxEkeQnC7VLbQM/s1600/Harry+and+Hope+with+lemons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homegrown lemons" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-ghjSkLqG4T6lgYghaQgRbdk52gbDW0bM5qnOzMdjHmdfZQ6C1vVcUiZ8oLaZEuIpsJgw_78ugluOoda6rHFAVBiOZa1yK4h3M-5SELj75IBWhUr3Fqdb-TXROpccTxEkeQnC7VLbQM/s1600/Harry+and+Hope+with+lemons.jpg" height="356" title="Homegrown lemons" width="640" /></a></div>
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(The little guy is Trent's mate - remember when they made <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/soft-playdough.html" target="_blank">Soft Playdough</a> together?) She asked if anyone wanted lemons, and I was happy to accept!<br />
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We had people coming over one night so I whipped up a double batch of this tasty Lemon Drizzle Loaf. By the time people were arriving it was still warm from the oven. The absolutely best way to eat baking. (When you don't have to ice it, anyway!) Mind you, the second loaf tasted wonderful as well and more then adequately serviced lunch boxes and made a yummy morning tea.<br />
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If you have some lemons to use, here is a recipe I can recommend.<br />
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<b><u>Lemon Drizzle Loaf</u></b><br />
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175g Plain Flour<br />
1 tbsp baking powder<br />
175g butter, softened<br />
175g caster sugar<br />
3 eggs, beaten<br />
1 egg yolk<br />
finely grated rind of 1 lemon<br />
2 tbsp lemon juice<br />
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Syrup<br />
85g icing sugar<br />
3 tbsp lemon juice<br />
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1. Preheat oven 180deg. Grease loaf tin.<br />
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and yolk. Add sifted flour and baking powder and beat well until the mixture is smooth, then stir in the lemon rind and juice.<br />
3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until well risen, firm and golden brown.<br />
4. Remove from the tin from the oven and transfer to a are rack. For the syrup, place the icing sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan and heat gently without boiling, stirring until the sugar dissolves.<br />
5. Prick the top of the loaf several times with a skewer and spoon over the syrup. Leave to cool completely in the tin then turn out.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-44369247113899712362014-08-23T20:34:00.002+10:002014-08-23T20:34:59.573+10:00How to Read a Bedtime Story When Mummy has a Cold - 3 Excellent Sing-A-Long Books.Over the past week I have been feeling horribly ill. I started with tonsillitis and a huge infection in my thumb. I got antibiotics for that, but probably because my immune system was so compromised by the end of the week I picked up one of the dastardly flu viruses that is going around. I've been very miserable.<br />
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I had our In Home Carer around one day, fortunately on my worst day so I spent four hours sleeping. Grandma came and helped out another day. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who really helps out when this sort of thing happens, so often when he has arrived home, I've crawled back into bed and let him feed the kids, read stories and put them to bed.<br />
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Except on that day I was at my worst. Alex was out that evening. Thank goodness I had slept earlier. Dinner had been made, so we got through that. Teeth were brushed. And then the kids all lined up with books. I had no voice, yet I knew that refusing a story would be a break in routine which would result in a bedtime strike. Since there are no toddler unions to negotiate with, generally all propositions and countered by a mass toddler drop to the floor followed by flailing limbs, voracious crying, not matter how reasonably the proposition has been presented and also has the unfortunate knock on effect of making said toddlers even less likely to sleep.<br />
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In a stroke of brilliance I remembered that Scholastic had gifted me some excellent story/song books that also had audio recordings on CD's. The toddlers (and small humans) were appeased! All I had to do was hold the book up and turn the pages. Going the extra mile, I sometimes pointed dramatically to the words, pulled funny faces and moved to the music. (Just enough to ensure my aching head didn't topple off my shoulders.)<br />
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In the end it was a perfectly lovely story time, and the kids trotted happily off to bed once we were finished. I think I am going to leave a few stories aside so they aren't as familiar to the kids should an occasion like this arise again.<br />
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In case you would like to have your own stash of audible books that will be your larynx saviour if you ever fall victim to a cold or flu, here's some of my recommendations.<br />
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<u><b>The Hokey Pokey</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPLCyBXMyu4cnJ77dJQ1GVDU5ErcIB5WtMm4Bvai2xmMVQKhMsjsceTufbdnnWX90AI5yKYYsa4dqjRN9gswSNRTETnnq2KDyuB2TJDQRG2JJvbVcleYNAm15D58C6G-mZG3MvKgbFCs/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Kids Book - Hokey Pokey" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPLCyBXMyu4cnJ77dJQ1GVDU5ErcIB5WtMm4Bvai2xmMVQKhMsjsceTufbdnnWX90AI5yKYYsa4dqjRN9gswSNRTETnnq2KDyuB2TJDQRG2JJvbVcleYNAm15D58C6G-mZG3MvKgbFCs/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG" height="320" title="Hokey Pokey" width="309" /></a></div>
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This was a good one to start with, and my kids didn't get too hyped because they didn't feel like dancing anyway, but I think if they weren't tired the playful illustrations would encourage them to join in with the actions. (Generally my boys are the non-dancing breed of Aussie male.) It's the classic song with an Aussie twist as various Aussie animals do the Hokey Pokey. Sung by the ever captivating Colin Buchanan, (We are huge Colin fans in this household.), it is fun, toe tapping and makes you want to put your whole self in, because that's what it's all about.<br />
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I will not be putting this one aside, I can see us using it quite a bit, and it will be useful for playgroup as well. Kindy and early years school teachers, you will also get a lot of use out of it. Plus there is a instrumental recording at the end, so you can even use it as an item if you need to!<br />
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<b><u>Juicy, Juicy Green Grass.</u></b><br />
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The triplets have been loving this CD and often have it in the background on repeat as they are doing craft. Sung by Peter Combe, the original 'King of Kids' in Australian children's music for over 20 years. (You know the song, "Wash Your Face in Orange Juice"? That's his. he even has 3 Arias, 7 Gold and 2 Platinum Albums. I'm now wondering why I didn't have anything of his in the house before now!)<br />
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There are four catchy tunes on the CD, Juicy Juicy Green Grass, (you'll keep singing it all day), The Silly Postman, Tadpole Blues and Red Says Stop. Danielle Mc Donald's quirky illustrations really bring the songs to life.<br />
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<b><u>My Daddy Ate An Apple</u></b><br />
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If you have boys, they will love this book. Quite simply because it has a gross ending. Daddy zebra ate an apple with a worm inside. The illustrations by Scott Tulloch are hilarious as we listen to the song describe Daddy feeling more and more worse for the wear and much is tried to make him better. In a spectacular explosion in full graphic detail Daddy pooped the fat worm out. You guessed it. The kids love that page!<br />
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Trent took the book to Kindy once and the teacher had to have a full discussion about bodily functions afterwards. I maybe should have thought that one through a bit more before I sent it in!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoPrM0dFiWm9DnzVxMOhylnsqyWqn1TK43kGAMLARMVsE_IhSfn8QyNnTxEW-VSrnuI2Zblwv1W7m3cIXSG_nxckAOtPLcxQArW9lG-hhqSyIdIDkcaN63C6-gHURkFMhcrErjKxhwm4/s1600/DSC_0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sing-a-long story books for children" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoPrM0dFiWm9DnzVxMOhylnsqyWqn1TK43kGAMLARMVsE_IhSfn8QyNnTxEW-VSrnuI2Zblwv1W7m3cIXSG_nxckAOtPLcxQArW9lG-hhqSyIdIDkcaN63C6-gHURkFMhcrErjKxhwm4/s1600/DSC_0980.jpg" height="344" title="My Daddy Ate An Apple - pooping out the worm." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't say I didn't warn you!</td></tr>
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The words and music are by Craig Smith of "Wonky Donkey" fame. (Another book you should consider getting.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 198px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 618px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 198px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 618px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-45184664864168766632014-08-20T07:03:00.001+10:002014-08-20T09:35:25.488+10:00How Does A Mother Plan to Go Away for a Conference?You have the conference booked, accommodation sorted and transport arranged. What else does a mother need to plan in order to get away for a conference?<br />
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Next week I am going away to my first blogging conference. I cannot tell you how unbelievably excited I am. (Think a six year old on Christmas Eve. That type of excited.) It's a little bit ridiculous really. Because as a newbie I'm almost equal parts scared witless. (Think seven year old who is busting for the loo but too scared to ask the teacher. That type of scared.) I'm so very aware that there will be so many bloggers present with massive audiences, (Think grand stadium audiences hyped and waiting anxiously for every part of the performance), whereas my audience (thank you for reading), well, think small group snuggled by a fire in a living room chatting.<br />
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Anyway, gone are the days when I just pack a suitcase and slip out of town. Oh no, not when you are a mother, of five kids including two year old triplets no less. When we mothers leave town, (with or without kids) planning is required.<br />
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Here are some tips on how to plan that your household will continue to run as smoothly as possible without you. If you're interested, I've outlined in italics what I am personally doing so I can leave the house during ProBlogger. Feel free to skip the italics if you're in a hurry!<br />
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1. <b><u>Organise Babysitter</u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Enlist help of friends or family members, or paid help such as a babysitter or a nanny temp.</li>
<li>Ensure there is someone with the children for all the necessary hours.</li>
<li>Organise any school/kindy/daycare etc. pick ups. or transport/supervision is arranged for extra-curricular activities. (eg. sports, dance class etc.)</li>
</ul>
<i>I will be away for three days. Thankfully I have our In-Home Carer Stacey that we were able to re-schedule her normal hours so that she will be with the children from when Alex leaves for work until he gets home for the first two days. For a little while we thought that she would not be able to work then. I was then having to construct much more complicated plans in my head which involved conscripting Grandma and an Aunty to help as well as my husband taking a day off work. Thankfully, we didn't have to go down that path. School drop offs and pick ups are already organised for those days also.</i><br />
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2. <u><b>Leave the Pantry and Fridge Well Stocked</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Enough bread and milk (or reminders if necessary of when it will need replacing if gone for a length of time.)</li>
<li>Food for snacks</li>
<li>Fruit</li>
<li>A menu plan for meals with pre-made meals or all ingredients purchased and easy to find. Don't forget to utilise take-away if that's going to make life easier for your family!</li>
</ul>
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<i>Thankfully, Stacey is familiar with our kitchen, so I will be able to leave the ingredients for her to prepare the first two evening meals and I won't need to make these meals in advance. On the Saturday evening I'm away, I'll leave Daddy make his speciality - pizza! The kids love it! If it's been a bit too hectic for him he has my full permission to serve the takeaway version! </i><i>To make it easier in the morning, I'll leave Jonty's school lunchbox packed and in the fridge. </i></div>
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3. <b><u>Leave Clear Instructions and Prepare in for Outings </u></b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Think about all the activities that you do that people may not know about and document them. Use dot points so information is easy to read at a glance. Write a paragraph under the point if more explanation is required.</li>
<li>Include a time line of the routine your child is used to if necessary.</li>
<li>Leave important contact numbers next to the phone. (eg. Doctor, neighbours, work numbers, you and your partner's mobile, an additional emergency contact etc.)</li>
<li>Think of any unusual event and leave instructions.</li>
<li>Talk through your expectations with your children before you leave. It will give them extra security and confidence also.</li>
<li>Leave out any letters from school, classes that apply during the time you are away.</li>
</ul>
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<i>Unfortunately Jonty has a special dress up day and performance at school on the Friday. I'm a bit gutted I'm going to missing this. We have his costume ready and I will leave clear instructions on what he needs to wear and I've already been discussing our plan with Jonty, so he will probably be reminding Daddy! I've also organised to come in to watch the class during a practise of their item since I won't be there to see the real thing.</i></div>
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<i>Another unfortunate thing is that soccer is a one hour drive away that week on the Saturday morning and begins at 9:00am! Poor Alex having to get all the kids in (and out) of the car by himself for that! Normally I would stay at home with the children rather than getting the triplets in the car that early. To help out with that, I'll pack the bag with spare clothes, snacks etc. All ready for him to grab on the way out the door. Alex isn't as worried about this as I am. He said it will only take ten minutes dress all the kids and go. I hope he amends his timing for that task by about 30 minutes!</i></div>
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4. <b><u>Shopping for the Conference</u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Think about what new items you will need to buy for the conference. eg. clothing, stationary, technology.</li>
<li>Think about your long term uses for purchases, try not to spend too much money for just one occasion.</li>
<li>Organise a shopping to fit into your schedule. Leave enough time to complete comfortably! </li>
</ul>
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<i>I was relieved to read Emily from <a href="http://havealaughonme.com/" target="_blank">Have A Laugh On Me</a> when she said nobody really minds what you wear unless you're a style blogger. It took the pressure off a little, but I still want to look good! (And perhaps I'm a somewhat of a wannabe style blogger!) I've been sneaking time when I can to find a new outfit or accessory or two. Of course, now I'm finding what I want online and it's too late to get it from overseas, so I'm having to shop the old fashioned way! (Although I did find some good nautical jewellery on Etsy for the Ahoy! party on Saturday night.) As always, shopping with kids is always done in small allotments of time, I've also been plagued with indecision, which doesn't work well with small allotments of time. On Sunday I was in town with a free half hour and went back to get something, and of course it was sold out. Just as well there was another one in a different colour, not first choice, but hey!</i><br />
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5. <b><u>Packing</u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Leave enough time so that you won't be rushed and forget things. (If you are a last minute packer like I am, start earlier in the evening rather than later!)</li>
<li>Remember to pack all tickets and documentation, and cords for phones, laptops etc. Include equipment necessary for re-charging.</li>
<li>Pack at least one extra outfit to use in an case of emergency!</li>
</ul>
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<i>I suspect that because I'm so excited, I may even start packing earlier then my usual night before pack! However, I don't like to pack clothes too far in advance to minimise creasing. I certainly will open a suitcase soon and start throwing in things I don't really need and don't want to forget. Or put in post-it reminders of things I'm likely to forget!</i><br />
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6. <b><u>Mental Preparation</u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li> Beforehand go with a clear expectation of what you would like to achieve by the end of this conference. Have an action list if necessary if there are things you need to do to achieve your goals.</li>
<li>Arrange any meetings with people you would like to connect with.</li>
<li>Book restaurants (or day spa!) in advance if there is a likelihood that it will be busy.</li>
<li>Read blogs or other information that will give you an idea of what to expect.</li>
<li>Arrange a time to check-in and call home to check on the kids and get a mental plan if necessary on how not to worry about them. (Leaving a planned house should help with the knowledge that they are going to have a good time while you are away!)</li>
<li>Give yourself a pep talk on why you are worthy of attending the conference and hold your head high! Refuse to let negativity into your thinking.</li>
</ul>
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<i>Much earlier in the year I read my first blog post that made me start thinking about how I needed to prepare. There has been a few more I've read since then, if you haven't seen them. Check them out!</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.redcliffestyle.com/blogging-basics-10-blogging-necessities-for-problogger/" target="_blank">Redcliffe Style - 10 Blogging Necessities for ProBlogger</a></div>
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<a href="http://kimbalikes.com/how-to-pack-for-a-conference/" target="_blank">Kimba Likes: How to Dress for a Conference</a></div>
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<a href="http://havealaughonme.com/2014/08/12/top-10-tips-every-first-time-problogger-attendee-should-know/" target="_blank">Have A Laugh On Me - 10 Tips Every First Time ProBlogger Attendee Should Know</a></div>
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<i>And then there are the posts that inspired me to go by my two local blogging buddies. Last year I was watching all the #pbevent hashtags wishing I was there after I knew these two were there. I then would tell myself I wasn't good enough to go to something like this for a couple of years, and then suddenly I just decided to get out of my comfort zone and booked it this year! It is a comfort that I'll be hanging with these gals though and they aren't newbies and know some people, so hopefully that will decrease some potentially awkward moments.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<a href="http://bbeingcool.com/2013/09/lessons-from-problogger-tell-me-what-you-want-what-you-really-really-want/" target="_blank">B Being Cool - Lessons from Pro-Blogger</a></div>
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<a href="http://thecraftymummy.com/2013/09/pbevent-2013/" target="_blank">The Crafty Mummy - My Top 5 Takeaways from ProBlogger</a></div>
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<i>My biggest area that I have needed to prepare myself is the pep talk. I am very aware of my blogging inadequacies and my time constraints in making the improvements I require to keep moving forward. I need to tell myself that even baby steps forward are better then remaining stationary! Going to a conference is a lot more then a baby step for me. It's an acknowledgement that I'm spending money and investing time into this thing to make it work! I'm determined that I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a really worthwhile experience! I owe that to my friends and family who will be covering for me, and I owe it to myself! I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible, embracing all the experiences, (I'm talking down my introvert anxiety about being around so many new people and going to a party!) and making connections with people that will be meaningful. Expect to see big things coming from Caitlin's Happy Heart in the future!</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDY5pPqehO0J9las7Vnn-mKppGYJmJ-4Du8ItZWfwYxgYwWKTqqFC9y3pKjWb2UPndxgpFFpF01Er9iwdOg3a-mJcJnudMb9j_Il_qts76EKbvd-juo8P3soLRB3FAtEKR4VzUxNUxlw/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A Mother Prepares to go away for a Conference (ProBlogger)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDY5pPqehO0J9las7Vnn-mKppGYJmJ-4Du8ItZWfwYxgYwWKTqqFC9y3pKjWb2UPndxgpFFpF01Er9iwdOg3a-mJcJnudMb9j_Il_qts76EKbvd-juo8P3soLRB3FAtEKR4VzUxNUxlw/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" height="640" title="QT Hotel Gold Coast - Where ProBlogger is hosted." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubby and I stayed overnight at QT last year, which is where the ProBlogger conference and where I'll be staying. I'm so looking forward to being there again. It's the most 'fun' hotel I've ever stayed at!</td></tr>
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<b><i>Are you going to ProBlogger? Have you been in preparation mode yet?</i></b></div>
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<b><i>How do you plan if you are leaving the family for a few nights?</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-30530972240795005862014-08-18T08:57:00.001+10:002014-08-18T08:57:51.525+10:00Two Year Old Triplet's RoutineTwo year olds like their routine. Triplet two year olds are no exception and for Mummy, routine and multiples can be quite the necessity. Routines and toddlers is can often result in more settled children because there is a comfort and security in them being able to predict what is happening in their little lives.<br />
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Since the triplets are 'the youngest', their lives also need to be flexible enough to fit in with the older boys routines. I am fortunate that because of In Home Care I am able to get somebody in to stay at home with the triplets when I am out and about running errands, helping out or doing drop offs/pick ups at Kindy or school and doing soccer practises and swimming lessons.<br />
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So at the moment my 34 month old triplet's routine is:<br />
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<b>7am</b> - Their bedroom door remains shut until Mummy or Daddy comes in to say Good Morning. Beds are made and then they come out for breakfast.<br />
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<b>8am</b> - Say Goodbye to Daddy and Jonty.<br />
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Somewhere in between<b> 8:00-9:30</b>, depending on what day it is, the triplets get dressed. When we need to be out and about, getting dressed if often rushed and frantic and they need to be dressed before 8:30, even if we need to be out of the house by 9:00 it's very busy. (The worst is that they are all dressed and then we need to go shoe hunting? What is it with shoes going missing out and odd socks?) On days we don't need to be out of the house in the morning, (my favourite type of days!) We take it slowly and if the children are playing nicely, I don't rush the dressing process.<br />
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<b>8:30-10:30</b> - On home days, the children will often play independently and very happily with one another in the morning while I get jobs done.<br />
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<b>10:30</b> - Morning Tea<br />
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<b>10:45 - 12:30</b> - Craft time and Outdoor Time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko115hMp2KDJFo3d-2AW-ZIq2PnGpFOFsVfKPhBnqBNYEM092M3uu1Fj_KLjBbnzw9nKTuqYWpJV3n11ujvLyTThl72OXc7ngPyePZMTuiEdO5f54a_q3X0YwJy9DP8LKxIT6VyfEG2g/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Year Old Triplet routine includes craft. Painting is a favourite" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko115hMp2KDJFo3d-2AW-ZIq2PnGpFOFsVfKPhBnqBNYEM092M3uu1Fj_KLjBbnzw9nKTuqYWpJV3n11ujvLyTThl72OXc7ngPyePZMTuiEdO5f54a_q3X0YwJy9DP8LKxIT6VyfEG2g/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" height="422" title="Triplets painting" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting is a favourite craft activity.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViP8jQ6nYQ7ZDTWy7pu5V8NiPpIxJI5-c9jP8hGrnaHrLEc4J9QBNobJfMpC01HfvUQrf_ph71fm91b5jPPNhUKCUzBEI2WjtnqrV-2tdrhmQcU8ib48SBe9-nLpIMBEOBF20RbfjPjs/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Year Old Triplets Routine going to a park" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViP8jQ6nYQ7ZDTWy7pu5V8NiPpIxJI5-c9jP8hGrnaHrLEc4J9QBNobJfMpC01HfvUQrf_ph71fm91b5jPPNhUKCUzBEI2WjtnqrV-2tdrhmQcU8ib48SBe9-nLpIMBEOBF20RbfjPjs/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG" height="640" title="Triplets at a park" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes outdoor play will include a visit to a park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>12:30pm</b> - Lunch<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_1_oX1ydwhkXGFS_xFe1Ql4SZ4i6QiSCdpHLuRSFWbRsiUcSwDfx4u_-nauP84-m9hetUrn90MAZG50o6lA4emlhZ7JwyMqb3hatN8kv1EX9K7N49ZwgAvmbLm-pQM-LuomvBBrhIbk/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two year old triplets routine at lunch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_1_oX1ydwhkXGFS_xFe1Ql4SZ4i6QiSCdpHLuRSFWbRsiUcSwDfx4u_-nauP84-m9hetUrn90MAZG50o6lA4emlhZ7JwyMqb3hatN8kv1EX9K7N49ZwgAvmbLm-pQM-LuomvBBrhIbk/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" height="640" title="Triplets eating lunch." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunchtime! Vegemite sandwiches are the most frequent <strike>demand</strike> request.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>1:00</b> - Nap - if I'm lucky. The triplets are not having naps every day anymore. It's very sad and makes for a more exhausting day for all of us. If they don't nap, I try to do quieter activities like reading or puzzles. Although often they will elect to do puzzles during free play in the mornings. Puzzles are a big hit around here at the moment. Sometimes I still put them in their rooms and just let them play. They actually just have a really great time in there together, and if they aren't tired, there's no point pushing the issue, otherwise they won't sleep in the evening.<br />
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<b>2:30</b> - Start waking. Do a quiet activity as they wake up. This is also a good time to do cooking with them if it's not a kindy Pick up day. If it's a day the triplet's need to come with me to the Kindy, (thankfully most of the time I have it covered) I may have to wake some toddlers up. Last week I had to wake three up out of a deep sleep. It was heart breaking.<br />
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<b>3:15</b> - Jonty home from school. Afternoon Tea. Outdoor Play. Imogen has started only having a short play outside lately and comes inside and does a colouring-in. While they are happily playing I also supervise Jonty's piano practise and homework.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRriRx9cXyLtbIUvxnSPuVWZoP1eNn6awzCbybbaFbKgh6bEv-DjBikR5OnYnpnbPceVKS8mudxVeD0cgFrqbOXhevUm9TFy8UHz3nnDUuz4fDR3W0Q0wdVHTaBXm-caXfqaFPvn66-3A/s1600/IMG_7681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Year old triplets routine outdoor play" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRriRx9cXyLtbIUvxnSPuVWZoP1eNn6awzCbybbaFbKgh6bEv-DjBikR5OnYnpnbPceVKS8mudxVeD0cgFrqbOXhevUm9TFy8UHz3nnDUuz4fDR3W0Q0wdVHTaBXm-caXfqaFPvn66-3A/s1600/IMG_7681.JPG" height="640" title="Eating apples as the dog watches." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating afternoon tea defensively. They put their apples on their heads in between bites so the dog doesn't eat it!</td></tr>
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<b>4:30</b> - Bathtime. Because it's winter and the days start getting cold as the afternoon progresses, we have been bathing the triplets earlier. In the summer it's 5:00/5:30.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zqDbPspQmECGJQzaJVR03J9pvbRhNEF0goq2mzAWAniKlw9kln0HIz_05FNLrGzCspmYvfY0G4BUJGlxvFukKv4vFBVjN5-oUQ87R7qBj_oFjtaAgcJ1m2PKRO0p6mjl0rNGb7A1aOw/s1600/IMG_7584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="two year old triplet routines in the bath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zqDbPspQmECGJQzaJVR03J9pvbRhNEF0goq2mzAWAniKlw9kln0HIz_05FNLrGzCspmYvfY0G4BUJGlxvFukKv4vFBVjN5-oUQ87R7qBj_oFjtaAgcJ1m2PKRO0p6mjl0rNGb7A1aOw/s1600/IMG_7584.JPG" height="480" title="Triplets in the bath" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triplet bathtime!</td></tr>
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<b>5:00</b> - Tidy Up and Play as I get dinner ready. If I'm lucky. Some days they will pester me in the kitchen more then others! I try not to turn on the TV because Immy has established an addiction and absolutely melts down when it is turned off and refuses to eat dinner. However some days I just need to turn on ABC2 and cross my fingers when it's time to turn it off.<br />
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<b>6:00</b> - Daddy arrives home from work. Is greeted enthusiastically. Unless the TV is turned on. Another good reason to not turn it on.<br />
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<b>6:15/6:30</b> - Family dinner around the dining table.<br />
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<b>7:00/7:30</b> - Take dishes to the sink, clean teeth and read stories before tucked in bedtime prayers are said.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_un_y3_UqFXeth_5lr0dQQZgyp3nO8ycVjDbE5Gp1r7pdfzgZC4Ac-LVcnyQbAQ7xKWDb1UEq2ANaO6XAFy_OPW1_iBbtTzrufwxIP-ToGNCbxfY2q1nmbXBaTiu570DmVa4ftcUgzc/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Year Old Triplets Routine includes reading stories." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_un_y3_UqFXeth_5lr0dQQZgyp3nO8ycVjDbE5Gp1r7pdfzgZC4Ac-LVcnyQbAQ7xKWDb1UEq2ANaO6XAFy_OPW1_iBbtTzrufwxIP-ToGNCbxfY2q1nmbXBaTiu570DmVa4ftcUgzc/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" height="640" title="Reading stories with the identical boys." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready for bed!</td></tr>
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That's the rough plan for each day. A rigid plan would not work for me, and I also think that it is good for children to be adaptable enough to cope if there are differences in their day.<br />
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Part of our routine is Playgroup on Monday and Wednesday mornings. On Fridays we will often get out of the house with Trent (it's not his Kindy day on Friday) and go and visit great grandparents. The children are lucky enough to have two great grandparents in town and we normally alternate visiting Great Nana and Great Grandad. On the odd occasion we have travelled to a nearby country town where my grandfather is in a nursing home and visit their 3rd Great Papa. Some mornings we may do the Kindy drop off and I will go for a walk with the triplet's in a pram and then we end the journey with them spending an hour or so at a park, or we might travel into town and go to a park. I need to be very careful of the parks I choose to go with three toddlers to, but we have a few that they are now familiar with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L6ba-Ajn7Y4EzDLs3MVF2VzfAhsCBv-kFc8PmxbQ_tYyS0zAjABYtc4eyLgi5qbWcYMoSVhVO_1oWwAORiIqVIrU8uTIyT2Quug6ojoXr0LpNBFwtFDuAw4i-3SGZj4WHeEONejCe48/s1600/IMG_8073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two Year Old Triplets routine visiting great grandfather" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L6ba-Ajn7Y4EzDLs3MVF2VzfAhsCBv-kFc8PmxbQ_tYyS0zAjABYtc4eyLgi5qbWcYMoSVhVO_1oWwAORiIqVIrU8uTIyT2Quug6ojoXr0LpNBFwtFDuAw4i-3SGZj4WHeEONejCe48/s1600/IMG_8073.JPG" height="480" title="Triplets visiting Great Grandad as a part of their Friday routine" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balancing on the bricks on their way to visit Great Grandad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mummy's routine of course is to relax/collapse/drink wine once lights are out at 7:30. Fortunately they are fairly good at going straight to sleep. When they don't, I need to pray for extra grace and patience because by 8:00 I do not want to be dealing with kids!<br />
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<i>What are regular routines in your house that make things tick smoothly? Do you have regular outings also?</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316598372411587019.post-19971711379482217882014-08-13T07:10:00.000+10:002014-08-13T07:10:06.199+10:00Style It Project - Mix Camo Pants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't worn camo pants before, but what fun I had joining in the <a href="http://kimbalikes.com/style-it-project-skinny-camo-cargo-pants/" target="_blank">Style It Project</a> styling these comfortable and affordable pants from Coles Mix Apparel. I thought I would play along with <a href="http://www.kimbalikes.com/" target="_blank">Kimba Likes</a> and Rachel from <a href="http://www.redcliffestyle.com/" target="_blank">Redcliffe Style</a>, (whom I had the pleasure of meeting later in the evening after I had these photos taken). I have to say, the girls made a great choice with these pants. The skinny leg is very flattering. My local Coles didn't stock my size, so I've bought a size above, but in the pictures I look a size smaller then I really am! Which I can tell you I'm very happy about that illusion since that next size up was far too close to fitting me. I really do need to get a little more healthy with my eating, methinks. The jeans also are made from a stretch fabric. Very comfy. </div>
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I've dressed the camo up and made it more feminine and dressy by pairing them with my op shop jacket that I bought when I <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/bonding-in-charity-store.html" target="_blank">went op shopping with my friend Belinda</a> from <a href="http://www.bbeingcool.com/" target="_blank">B Being Cool</a>. B really has a good eye for sniffing out a designer brand and a good bargain. My brown leather heels and pearl earrings also finished off the look and confirmed that I wasn't in combat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyWK3CcSphX0veBeJSmN9FmVopRINce-TwAZ2Z8t8AUuHIxIRpaWSXgdYXhTdcNStMFYDb8oRtmlMkJgwuCXyZhOFcin5H266rAmkoMRxXCthGVg0cBkSucQei091z_apiVEplp_Xvfo/s1600/IMG_8305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Styling skinny camo jeans with a jacket" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyWK3CcSphX0veBeJSmN9FmVopRINce-TwAZ2Z8t8AUuHIxIRpaWSXgdYXhTdcNStMFYDb8oRtmlMkJgwuCXyZhOFcin5H266rAmkoMRxXCthGVg0cBkSucQei091z_apiVEplp_Xvfo/s1600/IMG_8305.jpg" height="640" title="Wearing skinny camo jeans" width="446" /></a></div>
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Take the jacket off and the simple white shirt is a great casual look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPLyNH6xgySAP0GdnQUn3Tuor8FL3SDcRoovNoNucUdyPSC1JuTV5K7xxibLYjBjmykhWodzCNcHuTV24gsJ6roFsVnsp_Xwt3sQkYKORHAQALxWlgkY8taRBlZkvjpzhyphenhyphennpWTtBAgMU/s1600/IMG_8309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Styling skinny camo jeans and white shirt." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPLyNH6xgySAP0GdnQUn3Tuor8FL3SDcRoovNoNucUdyPSC1JuTV5K7xxibLYjBjmykhWodzCNcHuTV24gsJ6roFsVnsp_Xwt3sQkYKORHAQALxWlgkY8taRBlZkvjpzhyphenhyphennpWTtBAgMU/s1600/IMG_8309.jpg" height="640" title="Skinny camo jeans and white shirt." width="480" /></a></div>
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Later that evening Belinda and our friend Tonya from <a href="http://thecraftymummy.com/" target="_blank">The Crafty Mummy</a> travelled to Brisbane for Nikki Parkinson from <a href="http://www.stylingyou.com.au/" target="_blank">Styling You</a> launch of her book Unlock Your Style. It was lovely having a girls night out, which included not only the launch but Vietnamese afterwards and lots and lots of talking on the drive to and from the big smoke. I've flicked through the (signed of course!) copy and can't wait to find some time to read it. It has a workbook format, so I suspect there may be blog posts ahead as I'm inspired and further unlock my style!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zLZpQWAMFFBo5YtTgZhcSRJuItvMABN-mW9yEYhZtgunqzqyLF57tRw-bnj7yI_tqJ83zaG7pZaopIUF4X-2xavi4E28rdBWkt2P6WgXwq7YUOkvUW6MpfykiVsSeXE6H_Fh75hU-lQ/s1600/IMG_8319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Unlock Your Style Book Launch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zLZpQWAMFFBo5YtTgZhcSRJuItvMABN-mW9yEYhZtgunqzqyLF57tRw-bnj7yI_tqJ83zaG7pZaopIUF4X-2xavi4E28rdBWkt2P6WgXwq7YUOkvUW6MpfykiVsSeXE6H_Fh75hU-lQ/s1600/IMG_8319.JPG" height="400" title="Hanging with the girls at a book launch" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks for doing the Style It Project Kimba and Rachel. It's fun! I would have loved to join in last month, wearing black long sleeve shirts are one of my faves, but I just couldn't find the time to go to Bonds and buy one sniff, sniff. If anyone wants to check out the first time I joined in click to see my <a href="http://caitlinshappyheart.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/style-it-project-lee-cooper-spotted.html" target="_blank">Spotty Chambray Shirt</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03236881839841900059noreply@blogger.com15