i love freo

Happy Birthday Arkie Charlotte

My little baby girl is 2, and I can't quite believe she hasn't always been in my life and how fast 2 years has gone. 

2 years ago today I was just lying with her marveling at the fact that I had a little girl and a safe and healthy baby.  I tried not to think too much ahead about what life might have in store for her (and me) because I knew then that she would be my last baby and I just wanted to hold her, and take it all in. I still just want to hold her and stop the clock, sometimes I would give a lot just to be back in that bed that first night with her, so quiet, so peaceful, so happy, with all the unknown ahead of us. 

But then, watching this big personality develop in front of me - and seeing how comfortable she is with herself and others, and how much she makes this family of four laugh, is also a joy to watch and gives me hope that maybe I don't have to worry too much (...just yet).

Love you Baby Girl, so so much

Party Party Party

Take plenty of sunshine, lots of home made party treats, some balloons and bunting, the great outdoors and an old retro game of pin-the-tail on the donkey, mix it up with a bunch of kids and parents who are just happy to see each other, run around and whose expectations and ideas of what birthday partys are about is so refreshing, and what do you get ? ... a stress free, casual and yet sweet and happy event ! 

 Thank you 6163 for putting the fun back into kid's birthdays partys and remembering what it is meant to be about.

Finding the artist within

A (talented, creative) friend once commented that we are all artistic you just have to find it, which at the time I scorned, but looking at my own children's outputs and those of my friends, I am convinced we start out in life with those talents but gradually, if not nurtured, we lose touch with that side of ourselves and end up as adults complaining that we have no talent and covering our walls with our kids creations

a picture tells a thousand words

Well, these may not tell a thousand words but right now with many looming deadlines at work, an inability to plan (apparently), 2 birthdays to celebrate (thus cakes to bake) family members staying, and all the stuff in between (like PILES of Laundry) 

then, I think for the next little while, pictures just may have to do

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