2011.

There have been 2 years in my life, where the course I thought I was following has been inexplicably altered though no act of my own doing. The first time was in 2000 when this happened. The second time was this year when the Christchurch earthquakes sent our lives onto yet another, different, unexpected route. 

The earthquake, within a few seconds destroyed a lot of the community in which I lived. It caused grief and anguish to many who lost a lot more than I did. But on a personal level, it caused my girl to become very reclusive, frightened and withdrawn, as her little 3 year old mind tried to come to terms with the situation she found herself in. 

In amongst all this, she turned 3. We had an impromptu party and for that day, everybody smiled. It was beautiful.

Shortly after her birthday, she got her first pair of glasses, teeny tiny glasses. I never knew they made them so small.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we spent serval weeks in Golden Bay, enjoying the idyllic beaches and relative normality of life there. But upon or return to Christchurch, we made a big decision. The right thing for us, for our family, was to move away. Leaving was scary. It had never been in our plans. But as it turned out, it was a good thing.

We found our selves here. Five hours from home in this beautiful alpine lake village. We found ourselves welcomed here. And slowly, we have built a new life here. 

Holly started preschool. I still find myself stunned that my baby is big enough to give me a quick kiss before she rushes off to play with her friends each day.  She started swimming lessons, ballet classes and had her first haircut. This girl of mine is growing up!

And this little girl? Over the course of this year, she has grown from a baby to a toddler. She talks non stop, she loves to dance, she loves to cuddle and she is mad on thomas the tank engine. She has the biggest character. She makes me laugh out loud so many times a day. And as 2011 drew to a close, this littlest girl of mine turned 2. 

Sadly, in 2011, we also said goodbye to a loyal friend. Our lovely old dog Tim died. We had him for 15 years, he was a good gentle pet and we still miss him a lot.

2011, what a year eh?

Bring on 2012. 

Seasons Greetings

Christmas under the southern skies.

We are up in Christchurch for Christmas, to share this time with our families. Sadly, yesterday the City was hit by another two large earthquakes, a 5.8 and a 6.0. So for many here, it will not be such a merry Christmas this year. Please, hold in your thoughts this Christmas all those who are struggling and suffering. In particular, I will be taking a moment to think of the 165 families who lost a loved one in the February earthquake here. This will be a difficult time for them I am sure. 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a beautiful day tomorrow xxx

Summer Solstice

Today, in the southern hemisphere, it is the longest day of the year- the summer solstice.

Early this morning, we went out to look for fairies. We where pretty sure they must have been out celebrating such a day. We where not disappointed. We found by the fairy house, under the rosemary bush, signs of a fairy party. The area was strewn with flowers and they had even left some of their feast behind- yummy strawberries. We didn't see any fairies sadly, we figured that they must have celebrated at dawn while we where still sleeping... maybe we might see one next year if we are very lucky.

Zoo-ing

My girls are animal mad, as our poor perpetually patient cat will attest too. 

In our household, a little ritual has emerged in recent months. Instead of our usual bath, book, bed rhythm, on a sunday night, once the girls are all rugged up in their PJs, we snuggle up together and spend half an hour inthralled in watching a local wildlife vets show. 

So, when we knew we where coming up to Christchurch for the little ones birthday, we took the opportunity to take them to the local wildlife park. The girls had a blast, they saw all their favorites- lions, tigers, zebras and monkeys. They watched in awe as the lions play fought each other. They laughed with glee as the monkeys came right up close to greet them. We all stood in amazement when we saw the usually reclusive native kiwi bird. 

It was such a fun way to spend the day and celebrate Isla's birthday, even the rain could not wash the smiles off their little faces. 

Two

The little one turned 2 today!

Hard to believe two whole years have passed since she entered our world. Oh how we love her. Her cheeky smile, her infectious laugh, her boisterous personality. She has bought such joy into our lives. Everyday I am grateful that I am lucky enough to call her my daughter.

Love you little one xxx

Road Tripping

Road Trip- two words that can set fear into the hearts of any parent with young children. 

Yesterday, we made the long drive up the spine of this beautiful country so that we can spend christmas with our families. It was a long drive, full of the stunning scenery, the kind that causes tourists to travel this route in their droves. But with a 1 year old and a 3 year old in the car, I was apprehensive about doing this drive again. But, surprisingly, my girls where really good. Playing together, reading, singing, talking, for the whole 6 hours. The littlest one has, in recent months, completely moved to using the potty and is out of nappies. So, that was another thing I was anxious about on this trip. But, again she surprised me. Telling me every hour or so "wee wees mama". We would pull over, she would do her business and we would be on our way again. Easy. In hindsight, I wonder why I worried so. 

Flea Market Finds

This is a slow work in progress, it is my crockery shelf. I have been collecting one piece at a time whenever I spot one in an op shop. I have plates, side plates and bowls from Crown Lynn in this beautiful duck egg blue/green colour. I picked up several more pieces in the last few weeks so my collection is finally big enough that I have been able to dispose of my boring white plates! I think that is the cool thing about thrifting for a collection, it takes a long time to get there but it is so much fun hunting them out! 

Things I Am Loving

This week I am loving just one thing. I am loving her last week as a one year old. Where oh where did the last 2 years go? I feel like it was just a heartbeat ago that she was this tiny baby. But oh my gosh she is so excited to be turning two. I ask her "who's birthday is it next week?" Her prompt reply "ME!".And then I ask "how old will you be?" She tries to hold just 2 of her little fingers up as she relies "TWO!"

My Creative Space

I told you a few days ago about those lovely vintage sheets I found. Well, with a little bit of work, I transformed them into 2 equally lovely duvet covers for the girls beds. Whats more, I finally got round to making these vintage sheets, which I bought ages ago, into 2 fitted sheets also. So now my girls are sleeping surrounded by vintage floral loveliness! When Isla saw her new bed linen, she jumped into bed, calling out "New bed Mumma! New bed"- very heartwarming. I think she liked it!

And here is a little funny I thought I would share. On the back of the vintage sheet packet was the original care instructions-

Soak in warm sudsy water using reliable soap or detergent. 

Rinse twice. 

Do not allow drying sheets to flap in the wind. 

Minimum ironing required. 

So now you know my friends, do not let your sheets flap in the wind! 

Puddles

"I like puddles. Do you like puddles Mumma? For jumping in?.... It's quite fun"

Holly age 3

Flea Market Finds

I always wonder when I find items in op shops that are obviously vintage, yet in near perfect condition. I wonder why didn't the previous owner use them? Where they a wedding gift that was not to their taste? Did they have so many that they just didn't use them that often? Or did they simply get forgotten, left in the back of a hallway cupboard? 

Twice in recent weeks I have found 2 sets of sheets, both in tip top condition, in 2 different op shops. Which I find baffling myself. But, none the less, I am happy. Someone else's lack of interest in these items has been my gain. 

These 2 sets are destined to be sewn together to make duvet covers for my girls beds. 

The First Week Of Advent

The first week of advent is almost over. How quickly the days seem to move at this time of year. It is nice to take time to stop and reflect. 

Many people don't realise that advent traditionally starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas, as most popular advent calendars tend to start advent on the first of December. Under the traditional advent, each week celebrates a 'kingdom' of life. This first week's kingdom is the mineral kingdom. Put simply, the earth we live upon- the dirt, the rocks, the ground under our feet. 

Last advent, I wrote this post about the first week of advent. Re-reading it today, made me so sad. The reverence I paid to the rugged landscape around where we used to live. Little did I know that a few short months later, those same cliff faces that formed a ring around my community would come crashing down, instilling fear into my heart, destroying homes and ending the lives of several people. The memory of watching those cliffs fall before my eyes, will, I suspect, haunt me for the rest of my life.

So this year, we have kept our advent celebrations simple. Our favorite stones, scattered within the wooden ring on our dinner table... Sometimes simple is good.

Things I Am Loving

The abundance of lovely fresh fruit and vegetables available at the moment- yum!

How it already feels like summer and we are only 2 days in!

The fun of christmas preparations with 2 preschoolers. No really, it is fun.

Watching my kids dancing in a freak hail storm this week. 

Joining in with PaisleyJade again this week. More things I am loving here. 

My Creative Space

2 little fairy friends.

These where such a fun little knit. They really are quite tiny, standing only 2 inches tall. Both these little fairies will be finding their way into my girls stockings this christmas.