Just Needs Fuel

How early is too early to begin your chores? My nearly-walking-little-man was having a ball outside this afternoon pushing the mower around. He took it slow and steady and strong - he looked so darn cute!

Not so cute (ok, as his Mum I still thought it was cute) when the mower would reach the shed/concrete/pole/trampoline and he was stuck. Turning is another skill for a future adventure. He wasn't impressed that things got in his way.

I would change his direction and he would happily be on his way.

Until he was *thrown* and went for a full-on strop - priceless! Suppose it didn't help that he was tired and some teeth are trying to break through. Speaking of, he has just woken up again - poor little bloke is in pain with said teeth.

I was trying to set up this shot when a 'streaker' rudely interrupted the broadcast! Eeeek!

Stay cool!

Retreating

That was a big weekend - retreats are *hard* work.

I left home at 5.30am - a beautiful day and driving early was very refreshing . . . so was the loud music and my screeching (oops, singing!). A very nice drive down the M1 arriving at Darlington Beach (just north of Coffs Harbour) around 10.30am - lost the hour with daylight saving.

Michelle did a *wonderful* job making cocktails - a fruity champagne pleasure in a glass concoction - for a splendid welcome drinkies on Friday afternoon.

Enjoying our drinks: Liz, Jolene, Chelsea and Donna

There was a bit of scrapping and creating and cardmaking and laughing and eating and champers scrap shopping and late nights and little sleep. Here are all the chicks from the retreat just before some started to head home on Sunday.

Us five Queenslanders (go you good thing!) shared Gumnut Villa #2. After the craft room was shut down at midnight we would adjourn to our lounge and have some drinkies and *heaps* of giggling and chatting. Bedtime would be around 2am and then my bed buddy - we shared the king size bed - Donna and I would continue talking and giggling and talking for at least another hour before we would try very hard to go to sleep. Hence the weekend was a biggie - a few hours sleep each night after a long creative day was definitely not enough!

But it was fun. And really cool to meet some new lovely ladies with similar interests. And they liked to laugh. The only thing missing was my old scrapping buddy, wish you were there to share the fun Jill!

Off to Play

I am heading off very very very early tomorrow morning to a retreat.

sigh.

Right now I am packing up my scrap and crafty type things (ok, I am typing this, but I should be packing), will cook some dinner then pack up my clothes and toiletries and (man, I am getting more excited now just talking about it!) then I will try and catch up on some of my TiVo shows.

Up with the sun tomorrow for a quick shower and hit the road, jack. Will be cruising down the highway to a place north of Coffs Harbour to a scrap retreat put on by the lovely Chelsea at www.scrapboutique.com.au

3 days and 2 nights of scrapping and craftyness with a bunch of other like-minded ladies with all meals included - ie - *no cooking*! wahoo!

Lucky me.

Note: the three kids and one husband do not suffer, never fear. they are heading to nannie and pop's place to be spoiled and play heaps. all good.

Nice Things

It's always fun to play with new things. It's fun to bake and create (and eat, lets be honest!) and use pretty things. I played with some new pretty and useful things today I got from a new little shop www.debskitchen.com.au

I had a helper to do the mixing - obviously the head and hand moves in sync. Just a basic biscuit mix I always use and this time I was attempting to create some masterpieces using the 'biscuit cutter'. I had seen them in the shops and wondered how they would go . . . until I was reminded (been eating them for years - doh!) that my Mummy-in-law had one. A well-used-over-20-years-loved beauty. She let me borrow and play.

How could I go past a pink one? I got a silicone bowl scraper - nice and solid to hold - and scrapes quite nicely also. The big winner is that 'sheet' draped over my sink, holding said scraper. Reusable baking paper! It is *so* nice. On my big baking tray I placed the sheet and splotted all the biscuits straight on . . . and those sweet little mouthfuls glided off beautifully.

I suppose now wouldn't be the time to kick oneself after generously giving one reusable baking paper sheet from my 2-paper-pack to my big sister. The two sheets would work together - one in the oven baking and the other on my bench having more biscuits splotted on. Next time I will have to get us both a 2-pack.

I couldn't keep the pile of biscuits for long . . . there were some little fingers grabbing them and eating faster than I could re-pretty the pile.

After experimenting with the 'biscuit cutter' and having success, I think I want me one! I am sending a container of biscuits to little school tomorrow for Caleb to show off his baking and to share the love (er, calories!). It's nice to share.

The Cutey, The Fashionista & the Rock Star

Who on *earth* is this cool giraffe?


A cutey-patootie Griff. Teagan had this done for Griff's birthday - it is very cute.

A future fashionista doesn't conform to rules. She has her own rules. There can *never* be too many dots and spots . . . This was her choice to go to kindy on Melbourne Cup day, fitting but not intentional . . . little horse races don't really rate in Zali-world!? Maybe next year.

This screams 'Rock Star'! This dude has been rockin' these sunnies and getting *plenty* of compliments.

A very cool gift from some very cool people from a sweet little shop www.littlebarebear.com.au - thanks!

Time for a Nap . . .

I set up Griff in his highchair with a snack to watch ABC for Kids with Caleb . . . I was having a shower. When I came downstairs . . . this is what I found . . .

Melts my heart. I took him up to bed *after* I took the photos - how could I miss out on capturing this?