Gratitude

Last week the little lady and her dad were in a little backyard accident where the quad 

bike they were riding together

 was brought to a halt by a brick wall.

This could easily have been a long whining post about how after spending over 4 hours in hospital, 

Sadie was sent home after being told she had a few bruises that would heal and her dad with 2 broken bones 

and a plaster job that Sadie could have done.

This could also be an angry post about how three days later that hospital called and told us after review 

the senior radiologist discovered that Sadie in fact had a fractured wrist and needed to be in plaster.

I could also go on about how we waited over 5 hours at a hospital closer to home to find that the original hospital 

hadn't forwarded her file or x-rays so she had to be x-rayed again.

Instead this is a post about how much I admire that little pocket rocket I gave birth to.

Not once at either dragged out hospital wait did she complain. 

Oblivious to arrogant people demanding to see Dr's for a scratch and 

whiny toy snatching kids she happily watched movies until the 

ipad battery ran out, 

munching on a bag of Twisties and being pretty proud that she managed to score herself a new My Little Pony.

The sling didn't even last a day as it was too restricting

 

The kinder teachers were kept on their toes, because apparently 

"she can still fly!!"

And while I felt like I'd hardly slept a wink for the whole week and her Dad 

spent most of his time moaning and groaning, 

there was no interruption to this little ladies routine

I am grateful that she only has a minor injury that will heal quickly.

I am grateful for her calm and caring nature.

And I am grateful for her inspiring ability to just get on with it.

Oh I love her so my heart could burst.

party planning

When we were in Europe last year I stumbled across some Hello Kitty party 

decorations at the local supermarket.

I was so excited and grabbed what I could find, adding more when we arrived 

in London which just added to our my RIDICULOUS excess baggage charges.

Nevertheless I knew the party would be super kawaii and continued to plan 

a Hello Kitty party for my soon to be 3 year old.

Until I was told that she really wanted a pink dinosaur party. My heart sank as I tried,

 in vain, to convince her that we could combine the two and have a Hello Dino 

party, but no luck. 

I had to admit to myself that it was me that wanted a Hello Kitty party and 

after all it wasn't my birthday,

So I hit pinterest and started pinning like a woman possessed. 

The end result was pretty awesome, if i do say so myself!

The dinosaur phase has pretty much run it's course and it's now all about My Little Pony.

The growing number of ponies accompany us most places and the 

Barbie jet is now flown by a Pony. 

So with 2 months to go I got onto etsy and thought I'd get myself organised and order a pony party pack, giving me plenty of time to 
wrap water bottles, plan game prizes and get party bags sorted.

I thought it was going to be a breeze - 

and then last week Little Miss Nearly 4 asked for a giraffe party.................

The shops have got the decorations and wish lists have been started.

It's beginning to look a lot like, um early October!!!!!

Christmas seems to roll around sooner and sooner every year and it won't 

be long until we hear the sounds of carols filling the stores.

Love it or hate it, you just have to grin and bear it.

Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey had held it's top spot on my December 

playlist for a really long time, until last year.

A Very She and Him Christmas took over the top spot and I thought it would be hard to beat.

But hold your tinsel, look what just arrived in my inbox

Holy shizz, Sandy and Danny back together FOR CHRISTMAS.

It's a Christmas miracle.

Wrapping tunes sorted

The Nursery Part 2

Introductions aside, it was time to learn.

And learn we did. 

If you want to get your camera off auto, jump at any chance you get to 

go to  The Nursery when it's around your way.

I can't even think of a word that measure's the knowledge and inspiration I gained, and about more than just photography. 

I feel like I learnt some life lessons that will stick.

Tim said "I believe in love" and it wasn't some cheesy line. 
You can hear it in his voice when he talks about photography, you can feel it in his photos and 
you can see it in his eyes when his wife and son are in the room.

After bestowing his knowledge upon us, we had a scrumptious lunch.

Big thanks to the lovely Kirsty who slaved away in the kitchen and graciously 
opened her home to us.

Then it was action time.

We watched Tim as he did his thing, then it was our turn.
Tim's little sister was a real trouper as we all took turns to take her photo.
Thanks Rachel, you're a legend.

My only regret from the day is that i didn't take enough photos, I was too busy observing.

But I'm going to take the best advice i've heard in a long time - that it takes 1000's of photos over 100's of days. 

Oh if only he could have taught  me the art of patience!!

I'm now plotting my disguise so I can do it all over again