A few little things...

Just a small collection of thoughts - hard to catergorise. I'm trying to find the time to write a little more about what's been happening lately. I have a number of posts I've been composing in my mind, but (refreshingly) I've not spent much time at the computer...

...K has been on holidays and after returning from a week on the ever beautiful South Coast we've been making the most of having him home (blog posting has been at the bottom of our list of things to do...yes, there's a list! Poor K! But our courtyard looks great...)
...This news has me thrilled to bits. I confessed an obsession here.
...On slightly less trivial matters, a thoroughly deserving mama and her little boy are in the running to win a car here. Elliott has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (you can read more their story here), and having a car that can be modified to fit his wheelchair would make a real difference in their lives. They are currently in number one position, thanks to an awesome social media campaign (one of those times when Facebook is used for good). Please, any extra votes would be appreciated (vote for the Sheen family). I know Liv only through friends, but think my heart will burst with happiness for her should they win. This is truly a case of need, not want.
...The lovely Bettina has a great little series about discovering new blogs and was kind enough to ask me a few questions about blogging. I love stumbling across a new read - you should pop over! Bettina posts some sweet DIY projects too. I think I'm going to try my hand at this. You should see the house headband I get about in these days...

*Inside my pantry door: snipped recipes, a list of easy go-to-meals (written out in the first few weeks of having a newborn), secrets to brewing chai, the speed guide to the Kitchen Aid, and a growing collection of Anthropologie aprons...

Simple pleasures of ordinary days

...so much choice (how great is razzle dazzle rose for a crayola name?)

...I could eat 'em

...dinner with a special lady (we ate this)

...can't keep her out 

...water play on the deck...

...and her (hideous) dress up handbag is never far

...a gift from an old family friend in Adelaide to celebrate our engagement years ago

...she twirled and swirled with this ribbon, and delighted in the silky touch on her bare skin...yet another reminder that 'toys' needn't be fancy

...some things just go together, like sandals and trikes

...her space in our little 1960s south coast rental 

...two books at once...genius, I tell you

...a walk out to Bingie Bingie Point (I love this photograph that K took)

Joining Em and creating a collection of weekly images, recording simple pleasures of ordinary days.

Simple pleasures of ordinary days

...the hidden beauty of rice grain porcelain; a birthday present that was carried across the seas
...the perfect use of such a delicate dish: to cradle these heavenly treats (teamed with peppery chai)
...her mealtime companions
...janma and grandfather brought her home a collection of shells from the south coast and she inspected every one
...the best kind of gift (green and wrapped with love)
...magic basket rides with her best friend (but it's these images that give me butterflies)
...it's a little silly that I get such a kick out of rotating the toys
...chopping into my Frankies to make gift tags

Joining Em and creating a collection of weekly images, recording simple pleasures of ordinary days.

Mornings

In our living area upstairs we have two oversized ceiling to floor windows which would be the first thing you notice about our house if I opened our front door to you. Sliding doors take you out onto the balcony which runs the length of our house, and at one end a spiral Juliet staircase winds down to the courtyard below. You look out to the treetops and if you peek through the branches of the big old silvery grey gum you can see the Brindabellas (I've said it before, it's like being in a treehouse). Kookaburras and cockatoos visit for a natter and there's not a whisper of traffic. With each change of season our windowscape changes. I never tire of the view. It's one of my favourite things about our house in the village.

Lately we've been spending our early mornings on the balcony deck before the heavy heat of these summer days hit. Crayons in old tins, pre-loved tables and chairs made for little people, a pressed metal watering can which clunks nicely and gaps in the railing wide enough to poke your nose through: this seems to keep the Little One happy. Long enough that I can finish my first cup of tea for the day.

*Last week some of Saskia's most treasured friends (Sofia, Iris and little Archie) spent a morning with us on the balcony. There was the gentlest of breezes, a calm about the children, dress ups and games of make believe, strawberry milks in chocolate sprinkle glasses, and stolen baby kisses.

Ahead

I've been thinking a lot about how this Little One is growing, developing, changing...and how quickly it seems to be happening. She points, sings, responds to questions, explores confidently, moves freely, demands, sighs, tests boundaries, moves, questions, entertains. And oh, how she laughs. Already she is a little person. Taking everything in. Absorbing it all. Sometimes I allow myself to look ahead and the thoughts makes me giddy.

We've enrolled Saskia in the Parent and Toddler programme at the local Montessori school (only 10 minutes down the road), which she will attend from 18 months. As an educator, this approach has always appealed to me, and as a parent it intrigues and excites me. Lately I've been reading more about Montessori philosophies - in particular, providing environments which support growing independence, and creating spaces which are accessible and aesthetically pleasing. Flowers in small vases, wooden utensils for little hands, nature boxes, adjustable furniture, carefully chosen toys, a clean and simple aesthetic. I think it's a great place to start exploring Montessori's ideas, and to use what works for us.

So much to look forward to.

Oh and spring is just around the corner.

*So many simple ideas for Montessori-inspired activities at home here - and a beautiful learning space here.

The Little One's nursery

Saskia's room was ready for her arrival.

Being a first time Mama I think I fell into that (easy) trap of wanting everything 'just so', sheets washed, prints sourced, garlands hung. For the first six months, however, we just used her room to change her. Perhaps not necessary then up have everything 'just so'. But I do love that we had time to think about what kind of space we wanted to create for a Little One, and I'm glad we could slowly potter about setting it up, gradually adding bits and pieces. (Would we have the time and energy now?)

The space is always changing though. We modify it as she grows. Now I use it for a 'change of scenery' during our days at home, I might pop her in the cot with some toys as I fold her clothes and tuck them into paper-lined drawers (see, would I have time/be bothered with that now?), or we might read books together in the rocking chair. I watch her and see that she now takes notice of the Swedish giraffes, looks in the direction of the mobile when I ask her, where are the hoot hoots?, and together we read the little message under the mirror every night before switching off the lamp.

One day she will sleep in her room, but for the moment, her bed is ours. She sleeps with us. And we all like it that way for now.

*The lovely Bron is going to post an interview today where I waffle on a little more about the space, if you're interested. And she was also kind enough to ask for my thoughts on being a mama.

Little One's first Christmas...

...and on Christmas Eve, my first birthday as a Mama.

Met my dearest friends and little ones for tea and scones at a nursery cafe. Dappled light, babes in arms, summer dresses, young sisters on the grass immersed in their drawings, dads in sunnies, and little pink cheeks after a hot morning out.

At night we had Brazilian Christmas with K's family and opened our presents at midnight. We have only just discovered the magic of bouncers and were ever so pleased when she spent most of the night happily snoozing in a nearby room to the muted sounds of hyped up little people and happy chatter at the dinner table.

Christmas Day was special...beginning the day as a family of three for the first time, and joining the rest of the family for lunch at Mum and Dad's, including Little Sister who is back from London for a brief visit. Saskia charmed her little cousins, slept when Christmas lunch was being served, became fascinated by the twinkly lights on the tree and was very blessed to receive a thoughtful array of gifts. I kept glancing at her cousins and thinking about what it will be like next year when she's a walking (maybe), talking little being...

*Ceramic ornaments from the lovely Paper Boat Press...one for me and one for the Little One...will make this a tradition every year.

**Thanks Mum & Dad for the sweet geranium flower boxes for the balcony. Makes me feel all European villager when I'm watering them.

Breakfast in Bed

Inspired by a purchase at a garage sale this morning (a watermelon pink old-school breakfast tray), I picked up some croissants on my way home and surprised K by sending him back to bed. We neglected the chores and opted instead for a morning under the covers. Who knows when we'll get the chance to do that again...just the two of us.

Ps. The Rubik's cube was a geeky little garage-sale present for K, as we'd been discussing an article from this magazine about the puzzle...did you know that the 3x3x3 world record is currently 6.24 seconds?...and is held by a 15-year-old from Melbourne. Fun fact.

If a baby drops out of your tummy when you're shopping...

Will do.

When I was 10 years old our family went to live in England for a year. Most weekends, we would head out for a walk in the countryside somewhere, visit a castle or ruins and have a Sunday meal at the pub. Along the way we would often duck into charity shops or stumble across a car boot sale. It was on one of these trips that I picked up a series of books of children's sayings compiled by Nanette Newman. They are total classics.

I came across them when we were unpacking books for the nursery and had a good old giggle.

Read on for a chuckle.