Happy New Years!

Well it's New Year's Eve and I can't help but reflect back on this year and what it held for us.

Here's an overview of 2006 for us (in chronological order - or at least close to it!):

• Ashleigh started school
  
• Belinda and Abel moved out to their own place in Castle Hill
  
• I decided to start a new online business with the help of Abel ,but still haven't done anything with it!!
  
• I had a mole removed at long last! I've been wanting to get it removed for about 15 years and finally got it done!! OUCH! I can't tell ya how much it hurt!
  
• Lauren started walking!! YIPEE!!
  
• Started this blog!!
  
• I started selling Salt City Candles through party plan - I absolutely loved doing this!!
  
• Amanda and Richard came to visit us!
  
• Lost about 15 kilos (but have put back on about 7 since then - oops!)
  
• Got blood tests done on Lauren to check out that she was OK - and she was which is good.
  
• SEPTEMBER - started working with Dad on Contiform!
  
• Ashleigh got glasses - we found out she has only 25% vision in her left eye.
  

Aaron and I have been discussing what 2007 might hold for us. We would love to go back to New Zealand to see Aaron's family again. Aaron's planning on starting a new job doing exhibitions with Austand. I'm hoping Contiform will do well and keep me busy. Maybe Lauren will start Pre-school towards the end of the year. And we both want new cars so that's the plan.

I hope everyone has a great New Years Eve - we're just having a quiet one at home this year - and I hope next year is filled with happy memories!

Merry Christmas!

I'm in a bit of a hurry but thought I'd quickly post a few Christmas Eve photos!

Lauren having a play on the X-Box with Christopher!

You're guaranteed to win when you play against her!

The Terrible Two!

The Three Amigos!

Smile Lauren - it's Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I thought I'd write a quick message to all my friends and family who are reading this to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

The girls are very excited about Santa coming tonight and they are both having a nap as I am typing this to prepare for their big night out tonight with family. We are going to Jodie and Greg's house tonight for Christmas Eve dinner and to walk around (if this rain ever stops) to look at the Christmas lights on their street. It's like Las Vegas around them!! Every second house is light up so elaborately - Griswald's eat your heart out!!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and takes time out to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas!!

With love from Aaron, Mel, Ashleigh and Lauren!

Here is a photo of the girls - I really wanted to get some nice Christmas photos but haven't got a chance yet. Ashleigh is very excited about how long her hair is getting so I had to take a photo!! She wants to grow it long like Rapunzel!! Good luck!!

Ashleigh's Celebration Night

Last night we had Ashleigh's Celebration night at her school. It is basically a night to celebrate the end of another year and to congratulate the Kindy students on doing such a great job. They sang and danced and were presented with their awards!

The night didn't get off to a good start for us though. About 10 minutes before it was time to leave Ashleigh was all dressed up in her school uniform with her hair all done and I told her to go in and wash her face because she had some dinner on her face. Five minutes later she came out crying and asked me if she was bleeding on her face. I had a look and sure enough she was bleeding. In her hand I saw one of my disposable razors I use to shave my legs. "What are you doing with that?" "Why are you bleeding?". She had decided to get the razor out and shave her face like Daddy does! It's times like these that your patience is really tested. I couldn't yell at her because she would start to cry even more and I wanted her to be happy for the Celebration night and not arrive crying. It took AGES to stop bleeding. It bled all the way in the car there and only just stopped bleeding as we were walking up to the school.

It's times like these you wonder why kids do the things they do! It all ended up well though. She didn't cry and did a great job singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!

Needless to say she will never touch a razor again!

Aaron and the Girls!

Here is a photo of Aaron with the girls. Lauren has a grape in her mouth.

All I Want For Christmas ......

Ashleigh just turned to me and said:

"You know what I want for Christmas Mum?"

I replied:
"What?"

"A homework machine because I don't know how to do my homework!"

So there you have it - for all you relatives out there who don't know what to get Ashleigh for Christmas you can get her one of those! Good Luck!!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ....

Here is a photo of the girls with Santa. As you can see Lauren wasn't too impressed!!

Christmas is Coming!

I can't believe it's less than 2 weeks until Christmas!! It's come around so fast this year! I'm nowhere near ready. I've actualy found it quite difficult to get into the decorating this year. Not much inspiration out there - or is it just me??

What is with this weather??? I wore 3 layers of clothes today - it was FREEZING! It was like a winter's day! This silly thing is yesterday it was sweltering hot! Ashleigh was swimming in Mum's pool yesterday afternoon! Go figure!!?

I thought it was about time I posted some more photos, so below are some photos of the girls. Lauren hasn't been feeling very well lately so she rested her head in Ashleigh's lap for some comfort and luckily she has a very tender big sister who took good care of her!

And here are some photos of baby Jake. He is such a gorgeous little thing. Very cute! We've been seeing a lot of Belinda and Abel lately which is good. I really want the kids to grow up close to their cousins.

Christmas List

Here is something I was sent from a friend so I thought I'd post it on my blog!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on the tree. No lights on the outside of the house because Aaron can’t be bothered getting up there and hanging them! Neither could I for that matter!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. Afraid someone ugly might walk through the door!

5. When do you put your decorations up? We put ours up the first Sunday of December. Sunday is always a quiet day in our house so it’s a nice day to do it!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Roast Turkey dinner and pavlova – YUM!!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Spending Christmas with our cousins from Canberra and going swimming Christmas Day!!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly can't remember! Mum - help! Can you remember?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, but I’d like to!!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We put on Christmas music. Then we get the tree up and put the lights on first. Then we put the decorations on. Usually Aaron just sits and watches me do it while Ashleigh hands me the decorations to put up – she gets bored easily!

11. Snow - Love it or Dread it? Never had it!

12. Do you remember your favorite gift? My favourite gift would have to be a porcelain doll I got one year and I called her Trudy – don’t know why I just liked the name!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family and not having to worry about dieting!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pavlova – hands down!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving around the streets at night during the weeks leading up to Christmas and looking at all the Christmas lights with the kids!

17. What tops your tree? A star

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I’d like to say giving but I have to say receiving is always fun!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? The First Noel.

20. Candy Canes? To hang on the tree – don’t like eating them much but Ashleigh does!

I'm Back!!

I got back from Christchurch New Zealand on Sunday and I am soooo tired! I never knew travelling could be so tiring!

It was great to come back home to the family! I missed them so much - I was only gone 6 days but I missed them terribly!

Here is something funny Ashleigh said on the weekend:

I said: "Ashleigh, can you please stop making so much noise, I've got a headache".
"Mummy, what's a headache?"
"A headache is when your brain is sore" (how do you describe a headache to a 5 year old?)
Pause ....
"Maybe your brain has had a bad day!" LOL.

We put the tree up yesterday and it looks great! I LOVE Christmas! Such a great time of the year!

I'll leave you with some photos - one of me in Christchurch another of the girls!

Well at last I'm starting to get into a routine after starting work a couple of months ago. I've been feeling a little bit out of control the last few months trying to keep the house tidy, keeping Ashleigh on track with school (ie. doing her homework and reading etc) and turning up to work on time!

I found it quite difficult in the beginning trying to balance home and work life but I'm slowly figuring out a routine (with the help of Aaron of course). We have typed up a schedule for Ashleigh and I have to write EVERYTHING down otherwise I forget appointments and dates.

Sorry to everyone out there who's birthday's I've missed the last couple of months - I have no real excuse except for being exhausted and not enough brain space left!!

I have felt incredible guilt the last few weeks - am I being a good enough mother, wife, neighbour, friend and worker?? I forget to make sure Ashleigh has her glasses at least one day a week, I have forgotten her "news time" twice now - I have visions of her getting up in front of her class with nothing to say and that tears me apart. I have forgotten about 3 doctors/specialists appointments, and so much more! Am I trying to do too much or am I just a scatter brain?

I feel guilty mostly about not being a good enough mother - especially to Ashleigh. It's her first year at school and I just haven't given her the attention she needs because I'm so exhausted at the end of the day or I'm thinking about stuff I need to do for work and shrug her off. I guess it's just going to take time to figure out the balance.

I'll leave you all on a more positive note with pictures of Lauren - check out those curls!!

Let's hope the wind doesn't change!

Livvy Lou Lou!

Not much going on with us at the moment. All work, no play. Below is a gorgeous picture of my niece Olivia (hope you don't mind me putting it on the blog T&S). I thought it was just adorable! She is over in the UK at the moment with her mummy Samantha and it's very cold by the look of things! Ashleigh can't wait til she has her cousin back again! Take care everyone! Especially Sam and Livvy!!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween this year! The girls dressed up and we went trick-or-treating again despite the lack of goodies from previous years. Everyone seemed to have lollies this year which was great. Lauren had such a good time. She's never experienced halloween before. Now she thinks that every time she knocks on a door she'll get lollies!! Ashleigh dressed as a princess and Lauren dressed as a clown - very cute!

Lauren is probably going to kill me for this when she gets older but here is a photo of her on the toilet! She has finally gotten used to the idea of sitting on the loo! She used to freak out before but now she sits there quite happily!


That's it for now! See ya!

Daylight Savings - YAY!!

I can't wait until Sunday - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS STARTS!! The girls have been waking up at the crack of dawn and it's killing me! Actually, I must admit I haven't been getting up at 5.45am when Ashleigh does - I put her in front of tv with one of her favourite videos and she's good for another hour!

I wonder how many people are going to be late for things on Sunday? It'll be interesting!

We're getting ready for Halloween on Tuesday. I've got outfits for the girls and we're going trick-or-treating! We didn't have much luck last year but we'll keep trying! If all else fails I'll just keep a stash of lollies at our house!

We're going out tonight - girlies and kids night! The boys are going to the Motor Show together so Joe and Mum and I are going to McDonalds with the kids for dinner! Ashleigh is really looking forward to it!

Well, I'd better run. Take care everyone!

Ashleigh is off school again today. She was home sick on Friday vomitting and last night she came into our bedroom saying she was going to vomit and sure enough, she did - lucky she made it to the toilet. I don't know what's going on with her - maybe she's allergic to school because she was fine all weekend! I managed to get some photos of her on one of her good days.



We are all doing well otherwise. There's not much to report on. We've just been really busy doing normal day to day stuff - nothing exciting.

I'll report back when there's something interesting to report on! In the meantime, take care everyone!

We had our first experience with texta on surfaces it shouldn't be this week! Lauren decided to take a green texta to our carpet on Tuesday. Needless to say we weren't too thrilled - luckily it was a washable texta and we were able to get it out! She is turning into a real monster lately but we're kind of happy to see it strangely enough. It's good to see that she is developing and starting to talk more! We are still taking her to the Occupational Therapist once a week and it seems to be helping.

Ashleigh is doing really well at school this term. Her writing has improved dramatically since getting glasses! She is really looking forward to Christmas - aren't we all! She has already started writing her list and checking it twice! We just need to work on the naughty and nice!!

We found out that Aunty Mandy got engaged to her boyfriend Richard and we're very excited! Ashleigh ALWAYS seems to call Richard Jared even just one minute after we correct her and tell her his name is Richard! I guess he looks like a Jared to her! CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS Amanda and "Jared"!!

I'd better go - I've got a party in Wollongong to do tonight and I've got to pack my bags!

Photos

Here are some recent photos of the girls. We've been really busy lately, I don't have time to scratch myself.

Here are some photos of Lauren sitting on our bed eating her favourite ice block "Tropical Calippo". Don't even TRY taking it off her to wipe her sticky hands - she'll go you!!

Dusk at Balmoral

Here are some (bad) photos of our night at Balmoral with Todd, Sam and Olivia. It was fffffrrrreeezing! The girls enjoyed feeding the birds!

The Holidays Have Begun!

Well today's the first day of school holidays - actually, they started yesterday for us because Ashleigh had the day off. Her teacher (Miss Short) wasn't going to be at school because her father died unexpectedly so I figured it wasn't worth sending her. I probably would have sent her but she was begging me to stay home so I caved!

Aaron's gone paintballing today with some friends in Wollongong so we're having a girls day today! We're going to do some scrapbooking, painting and having a picnic out the back.

The girls are watching their favourite tv shows at the moment so I thought I'd take advantage of the peace and quiet and blog! ...... well that'd didn't last long, Ashleigh has just informed me that Lauren has done a poo! Lucky me!

I'll blog again soon! See ya!

I Can See Clearly Now .....

Here are some photos of little Ash in her new glasses. We picked them up today and she's so happy with them. We think she looks gorgeous! What do you think???

Sunday!

Here is a photo I took of Ashleigh with a home she made for a christmas beetle she found on the front lawn. It had a leg missing so she decided to pick it up (in a tissue of course - just in case it was dirty) and to take it inside and take care of it. She even got a small plastic container and put water in it for him. This photo was taken after I told her to take it back outside as it would die if it stayed inside.

We went to see Belinda and Abel tonight for dinner and got some cute shots of the kids, doing what they do best - playing!

Big hugs for Jake!

Another busy week this week:

Monday - work
Tuesday - taking Lauren to Occupational Therapy and picking up Ashleigh's glasses
Wednesday - Canteen all day
Thursday - working and then going to a Bazaar party at night
Friday - working then doing a Salt City Candle party in Kellyville
Saturday - Aaron's going paint balling - hahahaha, that'll be funny!!
Sunday - church and relaxing hopefully.

Anyway, Lauren's just started crying in bed - she's getting over a cold so she's been a bit miserable lately. Must run and tend to the baby one!

Love to all!!!

Ashleigh's Eye Test

Ashleigh's eye test went well today. The optometrist said that Ashleigh's left eye is so bad that she is amazed it hasn't turned in! She has a lazy left eye but she was surprised it hasn't turned in. It would have been terrible if she started to go cross eyed. Somebody is looking out for her that's for sure! She had to have eye drops put into her eyes to "relax her pupil" so they could get an accurate prescription for her eyes. It was really freaky because the drops only took effect on her left eye (which is good because that's the one they wanted to test the most) and it made her left pupil really big. Here is a photo. FREAKY!


Tonight Ash went to a friend's birthday party at Build a Bear and she built a little bunny rabbit. She adores it and she called it Crystal. Here is a photo:


Here is a photo of Lauren with her new back pack that Nanny bought her - she loves it!

Well that's it for now. I've had a pretty full-on day today so I'm going to get ready and go to bed! Goodnight!!

Is it the weekend yet????

Just got home from the school P&C meeting. I handed over all the secretary stuff to the new woman and what a weight off my shoulders it was! I'm just too busy to be P&C secretary anymore.

I'm very upset - I just went to my private chocolate stash and saw that it had been raided! Yes, Aaron ate my last Kit Kat!! It's things like this that have driven some women to kill!! I know how they feel! I nnnneed ccchhoccccolate!

Not working tomorrow - taking Ash to the optometrist for her second appointment and to get her some glasses! She is so excited. It will be interesting to see if her school work improves or her mood in general. Fingers crossed! I can't wait to see what she looks like with glasses - CUTE!

Lauren is just the same. She loves hanging out with the cat during the day now that Ash is at school. She has great conversations with him and he makes a great pillow for when she's tired. He actually swiped at her the other day - she was being a bit too rough with him. I think she learnt her lesson!

I made peace with my next door neighbour yesterday. It was her birthday so I took over a gift for her. She had been on my mind for a couple of weeks. We had a falling out some months back and hadn't spoken for months but were quite good friends before that. The last few weeks it was really bugging me that there was "bad blood" between us. I have been wanting to go over to speak to her but kept putting it off - but I thought that her birthday would be the perfect opportunity to go over and "kiss and make up" - only we hugged and made up! Such a weight off my shoulders knowing we're talking again!

So, I encourage anybody out there who has "issues" with somebody in their life that they go out and settle any bad blood that exists! It's the best feeling when you do - believe me!

No photos again today sorry! I'll try to take some for next time!

Not much going on...

Well, not much is going on at the moment. Ashleigh had two parties to go to on the weekend and has another one to go to on Thursday so we've spent a fortune on presents over the past week.

It was Jodie's birthday on Saturday! Happy birthday sis! I hope the money we gave you goes to good use - no doubt it's going towards your kit for Stampin Up!

I'm at work tomorrow so it's going to be another busy day! Which reminds me ... I must take some meat out of the freezer for dinner!!

Went shopping today - bought a few things - a skirt and some shorts for myself and a blouse for Ashleigh. I can't spend too much money though because we have to buy Ashleigh's glasses on Thursday and I'm sure they won't be cheap!

How hot has it been the last couple of days? It's been boiling! I hope it's not a sign of what's ahead for summer this year! I hate the heat - especially the humidity.

Anyway, I'll post again on Thursday - after Ash's optometrist appointment. Hopefully she'll get her glasses early next week.

C Ya!

I'm Back!

Well, I'm back from Melbourne and glad to be home!

I had a great time away. I spent nearly $300 in the first 2 hours of touching down! I love Melbourne for shopping - there's nothing like it! Next time I go I'm taking more money and fatter credit cards! And then I wake up from my sleep .....

It was great to see Renee and Marlon again and little Jakey and Jess! I just loved spending time with them and catching up on "old times". Hopefully it won't be so long before I go down and visit again!

I have to say I missed my family. I came back with much more appreciation for them! It's true what they say .... "absence makes the heart grow fonder".

Poor little Ash was crying her heart out when they dropped me off at the airport and I couldn't help it ..... I cried too! Aaron thought I was crazy - I was so looking forward to getting away and when the time comes I cry! Crazy!! I rang Ash every night to say goodnight and she sounded quite happy and content with me not being there which made me feel much better! Aaron did an amazing job playing Mr Mum while I was gone .... I even came home to a freshly vacuumed house! Very impressed!!! It's taken nearly 7 years of training!!!! hehehehe.

We went to Ikea today - bought some great stuff! I love it there!! There's always something new to see ..... and buy.

We took Ash to the Optometrist yesterday and unfortunately she takes after my side of the family and needs glasses! The poor kid couldn't even read the top line of letters! Lucky for us she is REALLY looking forward to getting glasses. Hopefully it will make things a lot easier for her at school. I will post pictures next week when she gets her glasses!

Anyway, I"m really tired now and need sleep! I'll leave you with a photo of my latest canvas. Kiss, kiss everyone!!

Come Fly With Me ....

Well I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow and I can't wait!

I don't know what I'm going to do for 4 days with nobody else to look after but myself!! I'm planning to do some shopping and some relaxing. I've packed a good book to read but most of all I can't wait to see Renee and her two beautiful kids!! Oh, and Marlon of course! I still can't believe I haven't even seen Jake yet and he's two and a half! I feel terrible that I haven't seen her for so long!

My bag still isn't packed - I'm only halfway through and I'm washing clothes to take with me as we speak but don't you worry - I'll make that plane come hell or high water!

I've been absolutely flat out lately;
... Salt City Candles
... Working everyday at Contiform - setting up the new business!
... Homework with Ashleigh
... P&C stuff
... Little bit of scrapbooking
... Housework

It's going to be great to just sit back and relax for a few days!!

I have attached a photo of Lauren! Unfortunately she has discovered that her finger actually fits up her nose quite nicely and enjoys doing it (much to the embarassment of the rest of us!). The more we tell her it's yucky the funnier she thinks it is and does it even more so we are just trying to ignore it.



Anyway, I'd better go finish packing and putting music onto my MP3!

Catch up with you all when I get back!

Good News!!

We got the results back from Lauren's blood test and they all came back normal thankfully!! What a relief! Now we know she's just REALLY laid back! Any more laid back and she'd fall over!!

I've been so busy doing SSC parties the last few weeks. Now that the holiday collection is available I've been bombarded with parties and orders!! It's great though. I love doing the parties and LOVE the candles!!!

Anyway, we need to take Ash to swimming now so I'll say bye for now!

We're Back!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while!

I've been working for the past two weeks at a real estate agency and loved every minute of it! I learnt so much about real estate! I'm really excited about buying a house next year! It's our goal - one which we are determined to make happen! With prices starting to fall it's becoming more of a reality! Aaron has done a fantastic job of playing Mr Mum and working from home at the same time!! Luckily his work allows him to work from home, otherwise we would have had to have put Lauren into Day Care which I don't think she's quite ready for!

Ashleigh is at her very first Fairy Tea Party today! She is so excited about it!! I'm sure we'll hear all about it when she gets home.




We're off to Mum and Dad's tonight for Mum's birthday dinner!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!! We're so grateful for all that you do!! Tonight we celebrate you!!!

We still haven't received the results from Lauren's blood test - hopefully in the next week or two!

Here are some photos for you. They are a long time coming!!



Belinda's off to New Zealand this week - lucky thing!! Aaron and I have made plans (still yet to book the flights) to go to NZ on 27th December for 3 weeks!!! Can't wait!! Grandma Stanley (Aaron's Mum) has never seen Lauren so it's going to be great.

Anyway, that's all I've got time for today!! I've got so much to do!

I'll blog again soon!!

My New Creation!

Here is a photo of my latest masterpiece!! I am loving it!! Thankfully Aaron likes it too, so it's a keeper!!