20/52

Oh  I wish he was laughing at me!! In reality he is laughing at Batman (oh what a surprise!)   Darby has been very tired this week, and has battled with nightmares, which has left us both drained of energy and lacking in quality sleep!  So its  so nice to see a giggle back on his face!

My favourite picture from last week was  from Mother Down under . The picture taken in front of that magical wall on a momentous occasion in her little boys life!

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

19/52

Hands up Darbs, that football is coming your way!
Here he is eyeing off  Grandpa's big kick as it descends towards him! Luckily it didn't end with a ball in the face and he took the mark!

We spent mothers day relaxing at the park across from our house and Darby spent time playing kick to kick with Pa and honing the skills he is learning at Auskick.  I love watching him play and run, and handball and kick with so much energy!

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

18/52

This weeks picture is late, but hey thats ok. Life has been happening around here and I always chose life over blogging.
I selected a photo of our recent dinner outing. We had  a Huge Saturday of going everywhere, and we were both EXHAUSTED.
Darby changed into his pyjamas and dressing gown at 4.30pm and we hoppped in the car and headed out to dinner. Such a nice way to spend a Saturday early evening! Just looking at the picture makes me yawn!  Bless!

I just wished I could have been in my pyjamas too!

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

17/52

This past week I haven't picked up my camera. It's not that I haven't wanted to but it was about time.  I think my body was still trying to catch up with last weeks trip away for work. I have been exhausted every night. Darby and I have been sharing the same 8.00pm bedtime.

Hoping this next week gives me a little more balance.

On the upside Darby and I were able to spend some much needed time together on Anzac day. {when the above pic was taken}

Ill be back on track next week.

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

15/52

I wrote yesterday about Darby's love for Batman. So its no surprise when he sees a face painting stand that he begs me to let him have his face painted!

I can  never seem to say no.  If I had a chance (or wasn't going to get embarrassed) I would get mine painted too.  So for the afternoon he personified his favourite superhero. As you do!

{Getting the black paint off was rather tricky and he is still sporting what looks to be black fine lines under his eyes this morning}

The joys of being young again......

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

14/52

Oh the raised eyebrows get me every time!  That look of concentration across his face and those sweet pink lips curled almost  into a smile.  I love lazy Sunday afternoons pottering around at home.  

School holidays have been awesome, relaxing and I have relished spending so much time one on one with Darby. I forget how much I have missed it! 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

13/52

Look at that excitement on his face, that giddiness that comes from a ride flying around in the air. Darby's Grandma ventured on this carnival ride with him (I am such a wuss!) 

I love spending Easter weekend at my mum and dads in Bendigo. There is a real festival atmosphere. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter long weekend eating lots of chocolate eggs! 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

12/52

Darby inspecting his shoes for Ants.

{Short and sweet this week as I am away in Adelaide. Here for a whirlwind trip to attend a wedding}

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

11/52

Is it really week 11?  Where is the year going?  Thank goodness we are heading out of the hot summer and now getting nice and ready for the cooler weather! I love the cooler months! The clothes, the hats, the boots, the coats.  I just hate the enormous heating bill that  comes with it ! 

It was a nice change to put on jeans and not swelter. I also loved getting out my hats. I am a little obsessed with hats. I have too many to count.  Ok enough about me, this post is about young Darby.
He too loves the cooler weather {and he has my love for hats too}!  After being in school uniform all week, he loved being able to pick out some warmer clothes to wear on the weekend.

This weeks picture was taken in a little village we frequent often. It is close to home, but still an outing if thats all we do all day.  We had just enjoyed a coffee at a one of our favourite cafes and were about to head home when my  sister called and said she would come join us.

This meant a quick trip to the newish, most awesome and decadent bakery  a few doors down.  

I turn a blind eye and let my sister spoil her nephew (and I will deal with the sugar rush later!). He chose a  choc chip and marshmallow cookie!  I had a taste and it was divine, evil sweetness.  

So there we were the three of us huddled on a park bench eating cookies and jelly filled donuts, while the rain poured behind us.

It was too lovely a moment not to capture!  And look at the adoration Darby has for his aunty, {or maybe he was  just mesmerised by the donut she was eating!}

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

10/52

Darby looking all cool - he was just given this Batman hat by his favourite waiter (who we now call a friend!)

Darby's love affair with Batman is intense, so this you could say, more than made his day!

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

9/52

Watching those fish fly out of the whale is the best fun, even better when Aunty Laura is there to help.

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

8/52

My little boy is looking so grown up. A big 5 and a half year old. 

He is getting taller by the day, his arms and legs are growing at rapid speed!  It seems all his pants are too short.

His face is maturing too. Maybe its from being a big school kid now, or just the growing process,  but I can definitely see these changes everyday.

Its so exciting (and a little bit sad for me.  My baby is no baby anymore!)

This photo was taken on our Friday night in at home!  We have a bit of a routine happening, we get dinner at 5pm (Darby's choice!), and get straight into our PJ's, kick off our shoes and just relax.  Normally we are both in bed by 7.30pm.  Its by far  my favourite part of the week.

The big sigh that another week of school and work is now behind us!

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

7/52

Our little Village has a kick ass festival every year. Bands play, people sing, there is so much food and ultimately it gives everyone in the area a reason to come together. 

Some years we miss it, but this year it seemed like a great idea on a ridiculously hot day to go and celebrate our little neck of the woods.  

I want to teach Darby the importance of community.

Even though we live in inner Melbourne, I want him to feel at home in his area, to be proud of it, and to  have that sense of having a place to feel comfortable and safe. A village. 

I suppose that feeling I always had as a kid growing up in a country town. 

It was a lovely day although a tad hot. Whilst I sought out all the shady areas,  he couldn't get enough of the free rides!  He could have stayed on that Ferris Wheel all afternoon.  I counted  and he went around 32 times, phew!  To be a kid again and not worry about time.  

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

6/52

Look at the exhaustion in his baby blues.  This is what the end of the first week of school looks like.  {Its lucky I don't have to post a picture of myself..... I look ghastly!}

Darby is tired & exhausted but underneath that he is a very happy boy,  he is in his element. 

Just listening to his excited voice at the end of each day  speaking of all the wonder of school. The new classroom rules and all the learning already. Oh and his teacher, he just loves his teacher. The kindest, loveliest and most fashionable lady he will grow to know to this year. 

She told me the other day, how much Darby was a darling in her class,  he pays attention and follows directions and tries really hard at everything.  She wished there were 10 more like him. I won't lie that my eyes filled with proud mama tears but at the same time I wished the Darby she was talking about could come pay our house a visit some time! 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

Until next time 

5/52

Look at those blue eyes gazing in wonder as he takes in the after school play yard. Kids and parents everywhere picking up their precious children. 

It has been a big week in our household.  The first day of school went so well.  It was exciting and new, and Darby just loved it {and I coped surprisingly well!}.

It was the second day that proved harder for us both.  It all fell apart for both him and for me.

There were plenty of tears, apprehension, fear, anger, you name it, all the emotions came out in the space of an hour and a half getting ready! All of this was soothed by his lovely teacher, who took his hand and helped him set up for the day. 

And then the exhaustion hit. So we are taking it pretty easy this weekend and preparing for a full on week. 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

4/52

This week I was able to witness Darby and his gorgeous cousin at their cutest. It fills my heart with joy  each time I watch the two of them together.

My biggest fear when separating from Darby's dad was the thought of never being able to provide Darby with a little brother or sister. This broke my heart the most.

I know how important my sister has been in my life, and the great memories we shared as children and now as adults and best friends. I wanted that so desperately for him too.

So I was so delighted when my sister in law announced her pregnancy last year, and a new little life was born. And we became aunty and cousin of a gorgeous baby girl. 

Darby's cousin has provided us with so much happiness already, I just know that they will be close.

He makes her laugh, like no one else. She just looks at him with those stunning brown eyes and she coos and giggles as a 6 month old does.  When we caught up the other day she was wearing the Wonder Woman jumpsuit Darby gave her when she was born {He was delighted} and talk about adorable! 

I am so lucky to have them living around the corner and big  part of our lives.

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

3/52

At our favourite cafe in North Melbourne {we spend way too much time here!} 

Darby is concentrating  with great intent on his reading. With 2 weeks until he starts school I can see how much he  is already coming in leaps and bounds with his knowledge.  I couldn't be prouder

I dont know much about taking a good photo, but I am allowing myself these 52 weeks to improve and learn and become better. 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! 

2/52

Week 2 

This week I purchased a juicer.  An inexpensive little juicer.  It suits the two of us just fine. Its small but robust motor has revved for us everyday this week. 

We have juiced many combinations of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Our favourite though has been a fusion of everything all together. Orange, Apple, Watermelon, Strawberry, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber and Kale. It goes a funky brown colour {note Darby's face colour, oh and check out those blue eyes, lucky kid!} 

But it is so tasty, just bursting with all sorts of goodness.

It has made us both feel good! 

So I couldn't resist using this picture this week!  Doesn't he just look delighted... and a little surprised.... and a little cheeky... his eyes are sparkling from all the good going into his little body. 

Its feels so satisfying that before 7.30am we have had all of these wonderful nutrients. I feel like we are nourishing our bodies. And I love that Darby helps, and enjoys drinking it so much too! 

We will keep it going until that little motor stops revving! 

Linking up in this incredible project with Jodi at Che and Fidel! Its an honour to be doing it with so many amazing bloggers!  

52 Week Project - Im getting naked!

Week 4
So lets get this straight... I'm not doing the unthinkable and disrobing... that would be a sight to see and although I don't hate my body (that much) I'm certainly not ready to get naked and photograph it for all to see here .... what I am referring to in my week 4 of the 52 week project, linking up with the gorgeous Son at  Life Love and Hiccups is a picture taken of me without make up on... sans anything but a bit of moisturiser... which really to me is horrifying... not many people have seen me in this au naturel state!!! 

Now I'm not one to cake it on, so I don't look that different, but it is a very weird state of affairs if I don't at least have some lip gloss or mascara on... Even the day after Darby was born, I had my makeup on...

Sans Makeup.... I can't believe it!!!
No one ever sees me like this!!!

Makeup has been a huge part of my life.. My granny introduced me to it in the 80's when I would go to her place for dinner every Friday night and I would always come home with a face all primped up (mind you she lived in a granny flat literally metres from my house!) 

Then my auntie began selling nutrimetics and I just fell in love with all of the products.. I remember the day she handed me a massive palette filled with lipsticks, blush and eyeshadow all in the colours of the eighties (pinks purples, lilacs, corals etc ) I was in heaven!!!! Now hand in hand with my makeup obsession, was my obsession with looking after my skin.. now this is something I am very very grateful for as it may delay the inevitable botox I'll need for a few more years! I remember getting my first skincare set of a cleanser, toner and moisturiser for my 12th birthday... and 20 years later I am still going strong, doing that routine twice a day... I have rarely missed a day!! One day if I have a daughter I hope to pass this habit on to her... if not I'm sure I can get Darby in the habit... nothing wrong with a metro sexual guy who cleanses , tones and moisturisers!!! 

Makeup also tapped into my creative soul was an expression of art,  I never saw it as a mask ... it was a way of bringing out the best in me ... there would have been times where my makeup was less than perfect, the wrong colours,  that's all part of the learning process,  but as I have gotten older I have reduced the amount I need to use as I know which features to highlight and which to hide! 

Half hour later... with my makeup and of course coffee

My love of makeup even includes doing other people... I have completed a couple of courses and have been lucky enough to be makeup artist at around 15 weddings... I love doing this.. it makes me feel amazing making someone else look amazing, being part of someones special day..and being able to see the bride before she leaves looking happy, nervous and beautiful...  Most of the weddings have been people  I have known so I this has been really special to me.. I have 3 coming up soon...and I can't wait!

Me as a baby.... just kidding!!!!!

So I will leave it there... its been a big deal to show me exposed, but that's all part of this process, acceptance and self love... we are all so critical of ourselves and have nuances that no one else sees.... so there you go... I'm stripping back the layers.. one layer at a time.... 

Is there anything you wouldn't let anyone see??? 

Life is too short for crappy coffee 

52 Week Project - be kinder on myself!

WEEK 3

I have missed a few weeks of linking up with Fiona at Mummydaze for the 52 week project...It was not the best time of year to start really.. things in my life were getting rather hectic and I lost track of time (and my mind!!)  But in my usual style I don't give up easily when I commit to something so I am back online and posting!!! I suppose one of the reasons I have been quiet is due to not  taking  a photo that I have liked of myself.. Always seeing the negative in my reflection... my nose looks too big.. my double chin too obvious.. my face too chubby... my hands too wrinkly and child like... my hair not pretty or blonde or healthy enough... then I realised I need to try and overcome these foibles and embrace what   mother nature (or genetics) gave me.. life is way to short to be focusing on all of these negatives (although it somehow unfairly is easier than looking at the positives)... So my resolution for 2012 is to be kinder on myself.. I am what I am... and I need to be proud of it !! Lets see how I go!! Ill start by saying I like my eyes.. they are blue and change color often.. and I kick ass a bright colored lipstick... baby steps to loving what I have got.. but a start...

So this week the picture I have chosen is taken at my most exposed - asleep (again by my gorgeous Darby).. on Xmas eve.. I was trying to sneak in a quick power nap before another round of festivities ... eating... drinking ..and present giving! He must have grabbed my phone and snapped away!! I don't mind this picture actually.. I look at peace and quite content... especially as I was feeling manic and out of control at the time (yearning for a good coffee probably!)

My goal for this week is to take a picture I love of myself! Will see how I go!

Until next time