Bonjour!

Hi There,

Paris, oh Paris you would have been even prettier if only the sun had come out.
It was like Winter when we were there.  I am not sure where the Summer was.

But not even rain and a very cold wind could keep us from seeing the sights.  I dragged the Littlie Lovlies and Hubby though The Louvre.  I gave myself two hours and planned what I wanted to see and so went home very happy.  I tried not to go too camera happy in there opting for a more 'enjoy the moment' kind of attitude.  Even with ALL the other tourists in there is was still breathtaking.  I think the other members of the family enjoyed it too.

The Oldest Lovely was desperate to see the Eiffel Tower and he got his wish.  Boy is that tower huge!  You don't realise until you stand underneath how huge it is and it is brown not black which I always thought it was.

We also took a bus tour around the city which was a welcome relief to the poor sore feet.  Not so good though being jet lagged, I almost fell asleep as the bus drove around.

We ate great food and drank yummy champagne (as one does while on holiday!)  A beautiful time was had.

Now off to Germany...Not long till our final destination.  Hang in there with me won't you?  It will be fun.

Au Revoir! 

Lxx

Next chapter...

Hi There,

Right...I really need to get on and get these blogs written.  I have so much to show and tell you all.

Three days after my Nan's funeral we (the family of four) flew out on our OE.

It was a such an emotional roller coaster of a week that by the time we left I was exhausted.  It was incredibly hard leaving my Mum.

As hard as it was life has to continue and so off we went.

First stop...Melbourne with a two hour stopover then a 17 hour flight to Dubai then another two hour stopover then a seven hour flight to London.  My little travellers were pretty good except one suffered from motion/air sickness. I am not sure what you call it but it wasn't nice.  I learnt something about him on that flight.  He loves planes just not being in them!

LONDON

So after 27 or so hours on a plane we arrived in London...squeals!  We hit the ground running literally as we only had 3 days in London before we raced off to Paris.

Day one saw Oldest Littlie (OL) come down with a tummy bug.  Not a great way to start the holiday.  So Littlest Littlie (LL) and myself left Hubby and OL in apartment and we went exploring.

First ever trip on the tube.  What a brilliant way to travel.  So efficient except when it rains and the Piccadilly platform gets over crowded.  But still fantastic.

LL and myself took a visit to The National History Museum.  WOW! What a beautiful building with way too much interesting stuff inside to look at.  We were ruthless though and only went to a few things.  Rock and minerals were high on the list as LL is very interested in these at the moment.  We tried to take a look at the dinosaurs but there were too many school groups in there and the jet lag was getting the better of us. Back on the tube and back to Kensington.  I was very impressed with my efforts in getting us back without getting lost.  I usually lack the ability to navigate correctly.

Such an old building...loved it

That evening OL made a very quick recovery so we trotted off to the London Eye.  I hate heights and that thing got me.  I was nervous the whole way around and couldn't wait to get off.  The Hubby and the kids LOVED IT though!  

Day Two saw us race off to the Tower of London.  This was one of the things I really wanted to see in London, desperately.  My favourite book is the Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory.  I have a massive fascination with anything to do with The Tudors, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. That whole period of English history I love, so actually finally being there was so surreal. I almost squealed out loud.  My kids were very accommodating as we walked around it for about three hours taking it all in, reading EVERYTHING and enjoying the history of it all.  It was just amazing.  

The afternoon was spent walking (some more) to Tower Bridge and then we went on a cruise (our feet were very sore) on the Thames River.  The commentary was funny and interesting.

Day Three we walked some more along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. It would have been neat to go in and have a look around.  I wonder what it is like inside? Even with all the tourists around it was still great to see.  Must be a noisy place to live though with all that traffic and tourists outside.

After we sat and stared hoping (like all tourists) to see the Queen we headed back to a cute little pub called Sherlock Pub for light refreshments.

Our last morning before we caught the Eurostar, Hubby took us all to the London Dungeon.  OH MY GOODNESS that place was scary.  It was great to hear about London's history but people jumping out at you unexpectedly was not good on the nerves.  I held on to LL very tightly.  I was quietly relieved when it was over.

London was an amazing city to visit.  Three days didn't do it justice.  I will have to come back someday and have a better look around, not just London but the whole of England I think.  I would love to hire a camper van next time and pootle around and see it all.

Next stop...Paris.

L xx

My Nan

Hi There,
June started off beautifully but it ended rather sadly with my lovely Nan passing away.
She was 87 and she got her wish and passed peacefully in her sleep.
I am not quite sure what I can say really.  It is still rather raw and it doesn't feel real.
It is hard to think she isn't here anymore.

My Nan, my Mum and Me

She is missed dreadfully.

L xx

Hello Again

Hi There,

It has been over three months since I last wrote.  I'M STILL HERE!!  

Sorry about the delay but life and living really did take over there for a bit.  There were many times I wanted to get back in here and babble but it ended up being put in the too hard basket. I am back now and hope to get going and write regularly again.  I enjoy doing this, makes me feel good.

A lot has happened.

Some good, some not so good and some just absolutely fantastic.  Over the next few days I will try to break it all down into a coherent chucks for you so you can see just what has been going on here in my little world.

Grab a cuppa and a big block of chocolate and get comfy.  You might be here a while.

MAY

May saw the completion of the first poppy exhibition.  It was a great success and through this we were sent even more poppies.  

Good news!  We have cracked the 5000 poppy mark which was our goal and now we are going to continue and see where it goes.  10,000 would be amazing.  I think we almost must have every crafter in the country making poppies now.  Such a lovely feeling seeing this project grow into something truly amazing and beautiful.

We now have three panels (2100 poppies) made and they are being exhibited at Expressions Art Gallery in Wellington. As the panels grow the meaning of it all starts to gain depth.  It is becoming more and more emotional as we go along.  The end result is going to be breath taking.

Tig knows a comfy spot when he finds one

May also saw my Littlest Littlie turn 8.  Not so little. She may need a new name...

I love planning birthday parties for my littlies.  This year, like every year, they get a say in what the theme is going to be and this year LL wanted a dinosaur party.  She is mad about dinosaurs and knows A LOT about them.  So we set about planning this dinosaur party by making our own invitations.  She sat patiently for days cutting and drawing and personalising invitations for each of her friends.  She thought about her friends personalities and that was then reflected in the invite.  Such a creative girl.  

I had the job of cake decorator.  I LOVE THIS JOB! I research and draw pictures then I let them see a rough drawing of what I am doing then no one can see until the birthday day.  I love making surprises!  This years cake was fun to make and surprisingly easy. One round cake, a slice taken out then decorating begins...

Such fun!  The only problem with all this cake decorating is my kitchen.  I love my kitchen but when cake making season comes around every year, my kitchen is NEVER big enough.  Every year I wish for a super duper big kitchen with loads of bench space for me to spread out and just go for it but instead I muddle through making and decorating then clearing a space to make dinner then clean up and start decorating again.  This goes on for a few days and by the end of it me and my kitchen aren't friends anymore!

But the end result is sweet...

One very happy LL.

I sometimes wonder if she will become an Archaeologist with all her obsession with dinosaurs.

JUNE

June started off with my Oldest Littlie (OL) turning ten, a few days after LL.  Yes birthdays come all at once in our household.   

Ten years has flown by a little too quickly.  It only feels like yesterday that we were bringing him home and starting our adventure as parents.  It has been challenging and sometimes hard but so much fun.  I wouldn't have changed anything.  It has been a delight watching him grow into a lovely boy.  He makes me laugh and he makes me think about things differently everyday.  Love him to bits!

So my ten year old's wish for his birthday was for a Club Penguin cake as this is his favourite game to play at the moment.  So again more research and drawing...OH and some crocheting was thrown in and I came up with this...

Pretty cool.

He has so so pleased with it.  Again so simple!  Round cake, piece cut out then iced. Easy peasy!

Happy little (getting bigger) people, happy Mum.

Lxx

Weekend Busyness

Hi There,
This weekend saw the poppy display have its first public outing at the WW100 exhibition at the Uxbridge Centre.  With only 700 poppies on the hessian panel it still took my breath away.  So many people, so many memories woven together.  Very humbling and a little overwhelming too.

I have worked out I will need about another 9-10 panels for next years commemoration.  Lots of stitching to be done.  The final display will be amazing!  I can't wait to see the final piece.

Also this weekend I made a birthday cake for a cousin's 30th.  

A drift car!  It took me all of Friday to make it.  I love making cakes for family and friends as it allows me to get a little creative.  Lots of fun!

The school holidays finished yesterday too.  Sad...as we had a fantastic time chilling, swimming, movies and playdates.  Now it is back to routines and work.  At least this term is only nine weeks long.  

But it must be time to get back to a little of my own crocheting before I have to make two more birthday cakes for two special little people.  May and June are busy months in this family.

A little rest is in order.

Take care,

Lxx  

Easter Holiday

Hi There,
The family and I, along with some gorgeous friends went for a little holiday 'up North'.  It was the school holidays and Easter fell at the beginning of the week and Anzac Day was at the end so it was a short week for the hubbies.  It was the perfect time to have a break.  A deal was made with the kids - 'No technology' while we were away.  They definitely didn't miss it.  They were far too busy in the sun and sand. And by the end of the day they were far too tired to care.  Brilliant!

The weather...OH the weather was divine!

For four days it was blue and the sea was lovely (once you were in).  I went for a swim or two everyday which I NEVER DO!  This year I have been in the sea so much.  I have even got hooked on boogie boarding.  If you have never tried it you should.  It is a hoot!

Also a lot of 'epic' sandcastles were built by the hubbies and kids.  Mum's swam, sat and read books.

It was a wonderful break.  Much needed.

I could have stayed a lot longer!  I was not ready to drive the two and half hours home again only to be chained to the washing machine.  BLAH!

Until next years trip...

Lxx

I did it!!

Hi There,

Sunrise at Mission Bay

5am wake up ready for a 7am start.

Yeap!  I did it!  I jumped into the water and swam (badly) for 100m, rode my bike for 10km then ran my little heart out for 2km.  I did a triathlon.  They called it a try-a-tri, I called it a baby tri.

All done in 46 minutes.  Not bad considering I thought it would take me 2 hours.  Hmmm...

I was quite proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and giving something 'very scary' a go as I wouldn't call myself a 'athletic/sporty person'. But I find if I have an end goal (race day) I am more inclined to get out and exercise.  And boy did this triathlon make me get out and exercise.   I went off and had swimming lessons as I hadn't been taught how to swim properly.  I even, on occasions rode my bike to the local pools, swam then rode home again.  Now that was serious commitment!

So now I can tick that off my bucket list.  I can now happily sit on the couch for Winter, hibernating under my crochet creations until November when I will have to find something else to make me exercise.

Lxx