Catch Me If You Can: Dragon Cake

It's no Toothless, but Zeb loved his fourth birthday dragon cake, nonetheless. 

The fire, eyes, horns and claws were made from gum paste. 

Those are Toblerone spikes and chocolate wings (but I didn't leave enough time for the chocolate to set properly so they didn't stay up well!)

Her scales and nostrils were piped on and flattened out a little.

 This she-dragon had a belly full of lollies too, which is always a hit with the kiddies!

Catch Me If You Can: The Florist

Last year things got a bit hectic.

Kids at school, kid at home, ballet, swimming, baby on the way.

Having enough brain function to blog was difficult.

I am being hopeful that I might have some boy-at-kindy-and-baby-napping 'free' time this coming year. 

I will have things to record in blogland that I don't want to forget.

But first it's catch up time.

Starting from one year ago.

India, our aspiring florist, went on a birthday experience (something we encourage and do often in our family) with her Aunty Clare and Uncle Justin, to Justin's parents' farm.

There she explored, picked, trimmed and arranged flowers. It deepened her interest and love for the outdoors and the individuality of every flower she saw. Thank you Chris, Jack, Justin and Clare!

I regret that our own garden is devoid of inspiration for her, but perhaps we will work on that soon. In the meantime, she continues on with this passion, daily reading or drawing from her flower book, and I am secretly collecting vintage nature diaries and hand drawn flower books for her to enjoy one day.

Vote 1 Elara

Age nine feels like the Girl and Grown-up Coalition.

She isn't too old to love Frozen, dressing up, dancing freely, and chocolate crackles.

But she also reads textbooks, tidies her room, teaches herself Italian, and has legs that are as long as forever.

At nine she can still be both girl and grown up, and there is no in-fighting between these two worlds.

I know that the balance must change with the years, but I love the beautiful and harmonious junction that I see now in my gorgeous growing up girl.

Happy Birthday Elara! 

Honestly: A New Year Resolution

Everything has changed.
We are busier.
We are sleep-deprived.
We are behind with the washing. The dinner. The garden. The paperwork.

Nothing has changed.
We are thankful.
We are together.
We are in love with the new baby. The Kelly crew. The old house. The way we roll.

This year, as always, I have just one word to guide my resolutions.
Honestly.
Because I know what is important to us, though the world sometimes makes the meaningful things cloudy, and the day-to-day sometimes gets in the way of dreams.
Honestly, is about living congruently with my values.
Making sure that my time is invested instead of wasted.

This year I have three resolutions to help me live an honest year:
Know my values;
Examine my input;
Keep my output true to my priorities.

I hope it looks a little like this:
Creating more free time
Family dinners/international nights
Making sure my middle daughter feels cherished
Replacing some daily Facebook time with inspiring blogs and TED talks
Farm time
Giving my boy plenty of boy time
Reducing multi-tasking (as it prevents thoughtful choices)
Taking time to pray, journal and blog
Broadening options for my eldest
A holiday
Reaching out to help someone in need
Daily reading
Lullabyes instead of pop songs for my baby

Keep your eye on this blog for evidence!

Singing a New Song 2015

Couldn't relax, couldn't sit back
And let the sunlight in my lap
I sang a hymn
To bring me peace
And then it came
A melody

It felt so sweet
It felt so strong
It made me feel
Like (we) belonged

'Happy' by Marina and the Diamonds

Christmas Alfresco

A child has been given,

The King of our freedom,

Sing for the light has come

This is Christmas

Happy highlights: a babe in arms; colorful Christmas; Christmas Eve Church; making a smorgastarta (cake sandwich); kid pulling crackers; amazing alfresco food; Cluedo; fabulous family; reading dating profiles made as clues for our 'secret Santa' gifts; thoughtful and loved gifts; Boxing Day rain shower.

Welcoming Tess

Tess: meaning, to harvest. 

Or to gather, receive, collect.

For nine months we waited. Tending. Preparing.

On Friday 12/12 our sweet and sleepy girl was ready for us!

Tess Story Kelly.

Born 8:45pm.

4460g (9lb 13oz), and 55cm

Eye of blue, and ash blonde hair.

Lovely, and loved!