Five

On Friday my tiny twins turned 5. I know people say it all the time, but it really is hard to believe that it was five years ago that I gave birth to my gorgeous little Alexis and handsome Rory, two tiny little babies that would keep me on my toes for the next five years.

The count down has been on for what feels like months, every night for the last two weeks Rory would ask "how many sleeps now?", until finally they fell asleep on Thursday only to wake up as five year olds the next morning. As soon as they were asleep Poppy and got to work on some decorations and Tom got to work in the backyard, setting up the cutest little cubby house that they would find in the morning.

They have been asking for months for a big car seat like Poppy's, and as they had well and truly grown out of their baby car seats it was the perfect gift for my grown up two. 

After present opening and taking Poppy to school, we headed out to Pop's house to have a visit, and go out for a special birthday morning tea. Then we spent some time at home playing with a few toys they got for their birthday and then we went down town to the party shop where Rory and Alexis chose a balloon each.

Then we met Poppy and Aunty Sarah for a special after school treat at our favorite frozen yogurt place '123Yo!'

Then that night we had more family over for pizza and cake.

I was looking for easy options for the cake this year, so this ice cream cake was not only a winner for the twins, but for me also (1 tub of vanilla ice cream mixed with some chopped maltesers and frozen raspberries then put into a cake tin and freeze until ready), I could make it a week before and everyone loved it.

On Saturday night we had a little fire in the back yard and a few friends drop in for some nibbles and for the kids to play, the twins loved showing everyone their new cubby and playing on the trampoline with their friends.

Instead of another cake, I got a bunch of 'sweetie treaties' as my children call them, and made a fun dessert platter to share around.

 So now my grown up two are playing quietly with their new toys, tired after their big birthday weekend.

Enjoy year five my beautiful babies, I know I will enjoy sharing it with you.

xx

Trevallyn Reserve

 We have been making the most of any sun we get lately, in between the rainy muddy days, we've had some mornings here and there, that have been perfect crisp Winters morning, the kind that make you want to get out and enjoy them.

So on Sunday when the sun was shining, we headed to a local reserve to collect some sticks for the fire and get some fresh air and exercise at the same time.

We left early enough in the morning so that we could still catch a few Kangaroo's hoping about and the bush was very still, the children soon found a huge fallen tree to climb on and plenty of bits and pieces to put in their own little collection bags, while I gathered some sticks.

The reserve is home to the Trevallyn Dam and with all the rain we've had about lately, it was great to see all the water pouring over.

We then found the children's favorite tree, it's really bushy on the outside but perfect for climbing when you get underneath, they spent about an hour up in the tree chatting and playing.

We then sat on one of the many tables and had a picnic lunch, there are plenty of electric bbq's in the area which I often forget about, but we will have to remember and use more often.

It was a great way to spend the morning, and to make the most of the day before the rain started again.

What are you up to these school holidays?

xx

Op shopping

Yesterday, it was a rainy old day and the first day of the twins school holidays, we we're all going a little crazy inside so we headed to one of the local op shops for a sticky beak. There is huge mission shop not too far from our home, and it always has a great selection of toys.

We had a wander around, trying on funny bags and hats before finding ourselves in the huge toy sections for probably a little too long, the twins loved playing around, looking at all the different toys and picking a few to take home.

Rory loves car tracks, and we found a great hot wheels track that will connect with some tracks he already has. It was a bargain at just $3.

Alexis had her eye on this Barbie guitar from the moment she spotted it, it was in perfect working order, and a steal at $2.

She also got this Polly Pocket race car set, that came complete with instructions and figurines, again $3.

I find the toys at op shops are more suited to little children (0-4), so I wasn't hopeful on finding something for Poppy (7), but was happy when I found these loom bands, as she has been making a 'loom skipping rope' for awhile now, but had run out of bands, and since the 'craze' has sort of fizzled out, we hadn't been able to find any in stores around town. At .20c a bag it was an easy pick.

We also got this cute Hawaiian grass skirt for .50c which will go in the fancy dress box for parties or 'book week' ideas at school and these ninja turtle glasses (.50c) will do Rory perfectly for 'sunglasses day' at school next year, I'll pop them in the fancy dress box also.

Our haul should keep them busy for a few weeks, then I will pop the tracks back in the great little zip-up bags they came in, in the shed for another rainy day.

Not bad for a total of $10.00

Kinder

This morning I put on a brave face and took my tiny two to their first day of Kinder, and boy did they look tiny, with the smallest size uniforms swimming on them, those huge backpacks and surrounded by the older grades my excited four year olds headed off.

In fact, I'm sure If I had pulled the car over out the front and said "have good day", they would have quiet happily hopped out and wandered into school on their own. They were confident, excited, and after many trips to school with Poppy, they know their way around and many familiar faces. They are also lucky because they have each other, someone to share the first day nerves (ha! yeah right) with. 

Me on the other hand? Well I cried when it was time to sell the double pram, so tears were on the cards, but I just didn't know when they would hit. I was lucky that Tom had the day off and could share in the day with us, I kept strong while at school, I even powered through the supermarket and got a shop done. Then when we got home and it was time to unpack, I received a beautiful message from another Mum who wished me well, it was all I needed to tip me over the edge. 

Tom found me in the kitchen surrounded with groceries and in a sobbing mess. He had a worried look on his face and even asked me what was wrong "What's Wrong?!?!, My babies are gone that's what's wrong!!", Ha! He obviously didn't see the problem as they had gone off so well.

So for the rest of the morning I cooked, three pies for dinners and a banana cake for after school, we hung some prints in the twins room, did the usual house work and I popped into the hospital for an appointment. Now? Well now I'll probably watch the clock and leave way too early for school pick up.

I'm sending lots of love to all the Mums sending little ones off for the first time this week. I'm excited in knowing the best part of the day is yet to come, hearing all about how they went!!

xx