Amazing

It amazes me everyday how much Vienna knows and how capable she is:

She can see something once and will copy it ... after just one time she knew that the ipod headphones go in your ear, and she put them in ...

She can follow instructions ... bring me your shoes so we can go out - 'shoes' ... can you put it in the washing bucket please ... that's not for babies can you bring it to Mum ... can you put it in the rubbish please ... can you put it in the recycling please ...

She loves to help ... put the groceries away in the fridge ... shut the door ... put the washing away ... pass the pegs and washing up to be hung on the line ...

She uses her initiative ... she will put shoes away in the wardrobe ... if she finds a cloth she will use it to clean ... she pointed the car beeper at the car and pressed the button but when it didn't work she tried to put the key in the key hole instead ... she will put on a bib to show me that she is hungry, or climb up and look for the boobies ...

She understands so much ... do you want this? - 'no' (shakes her head) ... let's go upstairs (she moves towards the stairs) ... lunch is ready (she goes to her table and gets in her chair) ...

It just goes on and on and on ... and it amazes me everyday that at 15 months she knows so much!

Christmas Cards 2010

On Christmas Eve Ashley reminded me of the fact that I hadn't made a Christmas card for Vienna ... so ...

while he was creating a QI inspired card for me



I quickly whipped up this totally cute card for Vienna.

It came together so quickly and yet looked sooooo fantastic - Yay! I love it when that happens.

PS Thanks the to the wonderful Gypsy who used her cleverness to take out the star light that looked like it was coming out of Vienna's head in the photo I used. You can check out Gypsy's amazing creative works at http://www.seeshareremember.blogspot.com/ she also does fantastic custom albums and is on the Caz Dezign design team with Glenna, Tania and Me.

Wholesome ...

My word for the year is:

... mostly in regards to our eating. I aim for us to eat whole foods, to eat meals made from whole ingredients not from prepackaged ingredients which often contain hidden undesirable ingredients.

To remind me of this on a daily basis I made this 12 x12 inch canvas when I was up at camp clean in January and have it in my kitchen. I love that I finally found a use for this gorgeous wrapping paper that has been in my stash for ages.

Lunch Time

We took Vienna's little table with us when we went camping over New Year's. It is the coolest little table that she got for her birthday from Sarah, it comes apart and fits back into its box making it super easy to fit into the car. It was great for her to eat at, easy to move around to find shady spots and she often had company (of different ages) join her for her meals.

Vienna and Daddy enjoying Mummy's courgette fritters and salad for lunch.

Rocking Horse Present

Vienna was very very lucky at Christmas to be one of the lucky recipients of a handmade by Uncle Tony rocking horse. Uncle Tony had a production line going to make 4 of these rocking horses for his grandchildren and his great niece (Vienna), we felt so very lucky! Uncle Tony is very clever at working with his hands and he did a fantastic job.

It is super cool and she just loves it!

Daredevil riding!

Bouncinette Baby

Vienna's cousin Korah has an old fashioned bouncinette but apparently Vienna has a greater need for it ...

Happy Valentines Day 2011 Part 3

The 3rd and and most important part of this Valentine's Day installment is the creation for Ashley.

It started as a wooden box of dominos for sale at a $2 shop. I freed the box of it's dominoes and gave it a quick coat of white paint a few weeks ago in preparation then I finished this project off at Friday Night Scrap at Caz Dezign Scrapbooking just in time for Valentine's Day. Some paper, rub ons and flowers from my stash, a couple of pieces of bling pinched from Carrie's stash (I forgot to take mine!), and a quick meeting with an ink pad.

Then I added some mini candy papers and filled each paper with sweets for my sweet. Mini glo hearts, pink smarties, message love hearts and rock candy with hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day Ashley xxx.

Happy Valentines Day 2011 Part 2

I made these Valentine's cookies for all of the children and staff at Top Kids for afternoon tea on my last day (last Friday). They were 3cm diameter butter cookies with vanilla frosting, pink cachous, pink hearts and a few pink sprinkles.

Pretty and delicous!

Happy Valentines Day 2011

Vienna started Valentine's Day early this year by taking these gorgeous 'cute as a button' cookies to share with her school friends on her last day on Friday.

I also took some to share at Friday night scrap.

I love how cute these turned out! They were they coming together of two different inspirations. Ages ago I saw someone on the internet make button cookies similar to these and then recently I found this awesome free printable at http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/ where she was using it to give a gift of covered button earings. I combined the two ideas, put my own twist on it and ...

The photos aren't showing off the gorgeous shades of pink but you get the idea.

Each button is a 2cm diameter yummy butter cookie covered in coloured fondant.

Discovering Maraetai

In January we spent a gorgeous afternoon discovering Maraetai Beach. We tried out the playground - Vienna liked the slide but was not so keen on the swing.


Then we went for a walk along the beach and out onto the wharf, Vienna seems to be as keen on the water and beach as her Mum is. I always seem so peaceful and de-stressed when at the beach - maybe I should move there!

We carried on our walk along the beach and tried to buy a drink at the cafe but it was closed so we walked slowly back along the waters edge. Vienna LOVED the water and got right on in! We weren't in togs so I had to restrain her before she got too far in.

A gorgeous way to spend a gorgeous summer day.

Happy Birthday Emily

Back in January my Goddaughter Emily turned 3.

I made her this quick but totally cute birthday card to hold her birthday bonus bond. I just love it when things are effortless to make and look fantastic!

Sunblock Baby

Vienna was rocking the sunblock when we were camping with the Winter family at New Years.

After I sprayed it on she liked to help to rub it in.

She also liked the funky hairdo that would happen when I would sunblock her head!

PS I think she looks totally cute in her little camping chair :)

Up Periscope

MUM ... comes the call from the shower.

I quietly go into the bathroom and get Vienna's towel ready ...

and up she pops to see if Mum has arrived.

SUPER CUTE!

I wrap her up in her towel, she waves goodbye to Daddy, checks out the cute baby in the mirror and then we are off to get dry and dressed.