Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Well Jaimie flew out Saturday night... Tayla did not handle saying goodbye very well at all.. poor little munchkin, I held it together extremely well... until the plane started to leave that is!! I sobbed my little heart out.. I had moved away from Roy & the kids... Tayla was still really upset & I didn't want to make it worse! Samuel came up & put his arms around me, I could feel his little body shaking... he looked up with big tears in his eyes... it was not so much Jaimie leaving (I don't think he gets it yet!!) I think it was because he doesn't like to see his mama upset, bless his little heart!! I didn't know it was going to be harder saying goodbye this time, I guess it's because I don't know when I'll see my baby girl again!! xxxx



After I took this photo.. we were kindly asked to leave the departure area... so rude!!!!



Heading out to the runway...


Taken minutes before take off...

Catch up...

Busy week... Jaimie flew in late Wednesday night, we are beyond happy to see her, but unfortunately this is not a happy trip... her boyfriend Brendan, is here to attend the funeral of his friend, he was killed last weekend by someone who ran a red light, so it's a very sad time for them!!

Elizabeth, Roy is a Fire Protection Engineer, he takes care of the fire panels in shopping centres & highrises, he makes sure that everything runs smoothly & if ever there is a fire, the sprinklers, pumps etc, cut in until the fire brigade arrives.... he used to install the pipe work & sprinklers as the highrises were under construction, so he would be on scaffolding many stories up, so glad he doesn't do that anymore especially after the deaths of two men on the weekend... they fell 26 stories... one of the men was an uncle to a girl in Samuel's class, it's all so very, very sad!!

On to something a little happier, Samuel has been presented with a couple of awards, one for music & a Thumbs Up Award, this is an award for receiving 20 possies for good behaviour both in the classroom & the playground! As Samuel is in yr3 the possies are even harder to get, so we are very proud of our boy!! They had a possie party yesterday with food & games, everyone's name was entered into the draw for some great prizes & at assembly yesterday afternoon the winners were announced... Samuel won a ticket to Whitewater World, he was in total disbelief lol. he was called up 3 times at assembly to receive his ticket & his awards!! As it is end of term (woo hoo) there is always a school disco, Samuel was off first, they have two sessions for the upper & lower schools.. he was exhausted when I picked him up (it only goes for 11/2 hours) he told me the girls kept chasing him & telling him how handsome he was, I asked him how the girls looked his response "very pretty, they look so different with their hair down mum" lol.
I had a parent/teacher interview with his teacher yesterday morning & he has done extremely well, so once again we are very proud of Samuel!!
Ok now I've prattled on far too long,

Till next time... xx

Samuel with his awards...


Ready for the disco... click on them to see them larger.. so much better!!

Ok Mum... just one photo!!


So not happy! lol.


I think he's over it!!

Happy Birthday Tabitha!!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Tabitha, happy birthday to you!!!! Make sure you stop by & wish Tabitha a Happy Birthday!!!! Tabitha is just gorgeous, so please stop by & leave some birthday wishes!!! Tabitha I hope your special day is perfect in every way... Happy Birthday Tabitha... may all your dreams come true!! xxxx

CONVERSATION...

Ok... it's 11:40pm Saturday night & I'm still wide awake. Roy is on a call out... the third one for today, & I'm keeping busy until he arrives home safe & sound... can never seem to sleep when he's on a call out! So I was going through photos (of course) & I rediscovered these ones. Now you may think I've lost the plot photographing stuffed toys lol. but there was a very good reason! I came home one morning after dropping the kids off at school & found Samuel's toys sitting like this on my chair... I immediately grabbed the camera & took photos... how could I not.. it was just too cute!! Anyway when Samuel got home, I asked him what they were doing on my chair (Samuel has a bad habit of leaving his toys anywhere & everywhere!!!) his response was priceless... he said "my toys are having a conversation mummy"!!! it was the sweetest thing & I'm so glad that I've captured this memory for me!!! Samuel turned around & walked off... of course the toys remained there for the next few days lol. Oh how I love the innocence of children... those rare moments where by they are just in their own little world just being a kid without a care in the world & oblivious to everything else... it's these moments that make being their mum simply the best!! & makes those days that are hard all the more worth it!!!

Till next time... take care xxxx





Love this one... so sweet!

Snail Mail is Wonderful!!!!

This gorgeous card arrived today all the way from the UK!!!! Thank you so much Tabitha! it was a beautiful surprise... it's amazing how wonderful it feels to receive mail "just because"!!!!!! hats off to Tania for starting this fantastic idea!!! I've made so many wonderful friends through blogging.. and you know what it doesn't even matter that we haven't met.... you know that there will always be someone there ready to comfort you, make you laugh or cry lol. and just be your friend no matter what.... and that is the most wonderful feeling!! Thank you again Tabitha you made my day!!!

Till next time.. take care xxxx :)


"click on it to see it larger... so cute!!!"

What did I do today?

Apart from the usual... drop kids at school, the washing, folding, ironing, pick kids up from school, cook dinner (so yummy)!!!

I made these delicious banana & chocolate muffins!! so I thought I'd share the recipe for those who'd like to try them!!

BANANA & CHOCOLATE MUFFINS.

1 3/4 cups plain flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup caster sugar
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 small bananas mashed
3/4 cup chopped milk chocolate or milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 180 C. place flour, baking powder & sugar in a bowl. Whisk together sour cream, eggs & oil until combined. Fold into the flour mixture with the banana & chocolate, stirring until just combined. Spoon mixture into muffin tray, bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to stand in the tray for 5 mins. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 12


Well I usually get 12 plus around 8 mini ones! I hope your families enjoy them as much as mine!

Till next time, take care... xxx

It's Saturday...

Thank goodness.. I love weekends! My mum is here for a week so that's great! the kids love having nanna come to visit!! Apart from washing, it has been a quiet day... a touch of bowling on Wii, reading magazines, talking with mum & visiting with my friends online it has been a great day!! It's rather cold here today, nice stay in doors kind of weather even though the sun was out all day it was just nice to stay inside.. well Roy is out watching soccer with the two older boys, two little ones are showered and snug in front of the TV & once this is posted I'm off for my shower & my warm pj's... Roy is picking up dinner on the way home, so no cooking tonight... yippee!

Hope everyone has a great weekend,

Till next time... take care.. xxxx

Queen of the Ice...

Missy Mu having fun ice skating... it was her second time... she did pretty good, Tayla kept asking me to come on the ice... uh not going to happen, as much as it looks like lots of fun... I didn't want to risk falling & breaking bones & totally humiliating myself!!! one day.. maybe one day! :) xx



please excuse the poor quailty of these photos... the light was terrible!


I can do this....


Hanging on tight...


Careful... slowly, slowly... love her hands!!!


Let me see... this is fun... cool reflection...


Woo hoo... look at me go... Queen of the ice!!


Beauty on ice...

SO MANY, MANY TEARS....

Why you ask? my gorgeous daughter Jaimie has moved to Melbourne!!! she left early Sunday morning after many, many tears... and even more tears as I type this! We all had dinner together Saturday night & afterwards I said to Roy... "I don't think I can say goodbye" being the wonderful man that he is, he told me she wasn't going far & at least it wasn't overseas!! which made me cry even more!! he then went on to say that I could fly down to see her anytime... "just think of the shopping" he whispered in my ear! didn't really make me feel any better.. but I know it will in time LOL. Jaimie has left to take up a position in a highly respected law firm... while we are so very, very proud of her & even though she wasn't living at home when she left.. things just don't feel right! I went and had my hair cut again today!! & I thought to myself I wonder if Jaimie can meet me for lunch... then I remembered she wasn't here!! it is going to take some time to adjust, she is coming home in a few weeks for Roy's birthday & I can't wait to see her... but I know I will have to say goodbye again & already my heart is heavy :(

What broke my heart even more... Tayla is absolutely devastated... after Jaimie drove away she burst into tears, she wept for ages, she saw these photos tonight, I could see the tears in her eyes!! that really tugs on the heart strings!!

Hug your babies, toddlers, young children or teenagers... don't wish for them to grow up too quickly... because before you know it that's exactly what they do!!!

I spoke to Jaimie this morning.. she is so excited about her new journey, I'm just as excited for her... but I miss her terribly!! so I guess I'm just going to have to plan a trip!!!

Till next time take care... xxx

Champagne Brunch...

Dani has invited the girls for a "Champagne Brunch" what will you wear??? go here it is heaps of fun choosing!! This is what I will be wearing... Tayla helped choose my outfit & accessories... Thanks Dani!!

Happy Monday xxxx


They say diamonds are a girls best friend!!!

A Big Thank You...

To my beautiful friends for all of your birthday wishes... it's not everyday you get happy birthday's from many parts of the world & here in Australia!! You have lifted my spirits.... thank you!!
I got very spoilt with gifts from Chanel, Gucci, Guess & L'Occitane... a gorgeous cake & of course my beautiful family!!
A special thank you to the gorgeous Dani!!! thank you for my virtual party & cake... and your friendship... truly the best gift!!!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!!

Love Tanya xxxx




The cake...


Me & hubby... (don't know that he will be too thrilled about being on here LOL.)

Crazy 8's...

I've been tagged by Amanda at Penny 'n' Pounds

Eight things I have a passion for...

My family
My friends (including my online friends)
Photography
Coffee
Books
Music
Life
Oh & did I say COFFEE!!

Eight things I would like to do before I die...

Watch my children grow into happy adults with their own families
Travel through Europe with my husband
Meet my online friends
Own either a BMW or an Audi sports car!!!
Go on a cruise (& not get seasick)
Go on Safari in Africa
Become a great photographer (a girl can dream can't she!!)
Have Christmas in New York

Eight things I say a lot...

I said NOW!!!
Why can't you behave???
Ask your Father!
Not now!
I love you!!!!
It's time... for bed, for school, for dinner etc.
Have a great day!
Maybe.. we shall see!

Eight books I have read recently...

Bible
Things I want my daughters to know
Adobe Photoshop CS3 for digital photographers
Odd one out
7th Heaven
Echoes
no #8

Eight movies I have seen 8 times (well maybe not eight times lol)

The Princess Diaries 1 & 2
Miss Congeniality
Pretty Woman
Grease
The Devil wears Prada
The Wedding Date
The Notebook
Shrek... I know, I know!!!

Now I tag anyone who wants to play along!!

Blessed...

That's what I am!! I've made so many amazing new friends... through blogging!! Who knew!!! You are all over the world & you are the sweetest girls!! Just letting you all know I am so grateful & blessed to have you as friends!! Thank you for stopping by & saying hi, your encouraging words, for making me laugh, for sharing your lives & for your beautiful comments!!

Just in case you haven't seen enough of my sweet baby girl here she is!!! This girl makes my heart skip a beat!!!

Happy Thursday... xxxx

More "Sunshine"...

To brighten my dull & dreary day!! I kept all the kiddo's home yesterday... the weather was really crappy!! & besides any excuse not to go out in the terrible weather! but I did manage to sneak out & get my nails done & my hair cut! I think I'm going to have to wear scarves this winter... my hair hasn't been this short for a long time & I can feel the cold air where my hair used to be!! LOL. The kids are all back at school today... hubby & I had breakfast together after we dropped the kids at school.. love our time together just the two of us!! Had a terrible night last night... just couldn't sleep.. had a million & one things going on inside my head!! one of those things had me very, very teary! hate being so emotional.. will share a bit more about that soon!! needless to say today I'm very tired (& still very teary.. oh man!!) so might have to go & have a nap before the munchkins need to be picked up... so here's some more of "My Little Ray Of Sunshine" she has certainly helped to brighten my day!!

Happy Tuesday... xx