Living my dream

Matts first day

Well it was a HUGE success. He was a little jittery this morning, but we put name tags on his lunchbox/bottle/bag etc and that calmed him down. Took some photos and did all those Mummy things. It was great. When we got there, he was fine. He actually ran in and when his teacher told him where the trains were, that was that. He forgot all about Mummy. I tried to get a kiss, but he was too preoccupied until his teacher gently reminded him. Whew! I pretty much left straight away. Of course as I left there were a few tears (yes mine), but nothing major and I had kept my nervousness to myself so he didn't get scared.

Sarah and I then spent the day doing things. I finally did the first thing to start getting ready for our new baby and we brought a new single buggy. Wow that felt strange. Then met Lesley for a quick coffee. Great to catch up again. And popped into the Warehouse. Have any of you scrappers seen the chipboard letters they have for $4.95?! What a BARGAIN! Just had to get them.

Then we had lunch with Andy. Sarah even had her own lunch box which was a great success. And we went storage shopping and to the park before getting Matt.

Sarah and I had a really lovely day together with NO tantrums, lots of laughs and apart from being tired. It was really nice.

When we walked in at daycare he was on the mat with everyone else and stories were being read. I waved and suggested we go and he just ignored me. So we stayed to the end. What a wee trooper. I could tell he was exhausted. He was a bit like a zombie. But he just loved it so much. The teacher reinforced how great he was and gave us this ‘letter’ to show Sarah and take home as a keepsake. Photos and all. So impressed!!!!!

They both had a half hour sleep (straight out to it after telling me they didn't want one!) , but were really crabby when I woke them up. If they sleep past 3.30 then forget bed time!!! Still getting them to have a sleep set a precedent so that's cool.

Also here’s a couple of pics from this morning and one of him with a painted face just zonked.

Tomorrow….Sarah’s turn.

I finally get it

I used to wonder what the fuss was about when one of my friends children was going out into the big wide world by themselves. I mean its all part of growing up right?!Hmmmm, not very supportive huh?! Now I finally GET IT!!! Wee Matt is off today. By himself. All alone. For the very first time. Normally if I or his Dad aren't there, then Sarah is, but not today. Ok, you get the pic?! LOL! I couldn't even sleep. What a wuss!!!!!! Its just when we were talking to him about it last night both he and Sarah looked really nervous, so of course that made me nervous. I'm sure he'll be fine. I KNOW he'll be fine. I'll update later or tomorrow.

More bits about scrap camp. I was telling Andy this morning how there was a lady at scrap camp who was going around getting everyones autographs from the people who were in UP2SCRAP I thought it was a fun idea. I mean why not? All these talented woman in one spot. Fantastic. Until she asked for mine. I felt silly. You know that "I'm not worthy" feeling. I mean I'm just little ole me, doing what I love and happened to get something picked up. It was humbling and nice and also a lot strange - and I mean that in a nice way. But have you ever been asked for your autograph before??? Andy was chuffed. You'd think the way he was carrying on I was someone famous. ROFLMAO!!!!!

So anyway, here's another couple of pics......

Donna and Rach

The girls in our cabin

A random toadstool that looked too cool not to photograph

Ok, now some other news. Was on 2peas last night and saw a thread about a manufacturers DT. They are one of my favs. Anyone guessed yet???? Yep, MME (My minds eye). All that gorgeous Kaleidoscope and Wild Asparagus. YUMMO!!!! It seems to be a pretty straight forward process to enter and I couldn't see any 'no internationals'. So why don't you click on this link and check it out.

Ok, time to go get ready. The kiddies are awake and its time..... wish us luck.

Scrapcamp

Talk about FUN!!!! It was soooo good to get away from Auckland and sit down with a bunch of girls who love to talk and scrap and just hang out. We did three classes with Nic, Faye and Wendy taking them. Boy are these ladies talented!!!! I mean I did already know this, but to take one of their classes?! If you get a chance, do it!!!! I have wanted to learn how to roll paper for soooooo long. You see it on pages and think ok, that looks amazing, now how? Well now I know. It was great. Thanks Nic. We also had one about photoshop brushes which was very cool. I've wanted to see how these work for such a long time! Michelle you rock! I've already started uploading some from your CD, love them. Thanks. Wendy had some really great ideas with chipboard and pins. I sat there thinking how do people come up with these fantastic ideas?? It was fun.

I've just gotta do the journalling on Nic's and Wendy's classes, once I have the LO's will be up quick smart!!

This is where we stayed

And this is where we scrapped

And this is the lake

I had even learnt from other cropping experiences and took down LO's which I'd already done, they just needed to be 'stuck down' so I could finish them. It worked really well and I tricked myself into thinking I got stuff done!!! LOL. Well, thats inbetween all the chatting.

I shared a cabin/table with Donna, Rach, Fiona and Karen which was fantastic. Donna and Rach came up with a great idea for our 'p' fancy dress night and the three of us went as pregnant ladies in pink pj's. What a hoot. There were so many other fantastic costumes and everyone had made such an effort. Brilliant.

Hugest thanks to Lianne and Yolande who were just amazing. Can't wait for the next one (good baby provided?!).

Oh, and Andy's afhghans went down very well. He's a keeper!

You know you're pregnant and doing too much when....

You end up in tears over the silliest things.

Well admittedly I had been up since goodness knows what hour and at K-Mart by 7.36am. Yes AM!!!!! They are having an incredible sale which started yesterday and the way my day was going it was then or never. So the kids and I were up breakfasted and at K-Mart (through rush hour traffic) by 7.36am. At least we got our 2 digi cameras for $79 each!!!!! I've never seen a digi camera for less than about $220 so this was too good to pass up. They are only for the kids and my niece so it really doesn't matter what they are like, but gives them licence to play. Can't wait til Xmas.

So then we raced back to the Shore for a daycare visit. They so love it there. Its amazing and wonderful. Claire the head teacher is amazing. So happy a friend put me onto this daycare!!!! Next week they start for real. Yay/boohoo. LOL.

Then off to get the car cleaned. You just can't go on a long road trip with a dirty car!! LOL (or is that just me being anal?!) They assured me it would take only 1 hour. So bundled the kids into the buggy and went off to get their lunch (spongebob chocolate yoghurt) and have a wee walk. 2 hours later it still wasn't finished. I was so annoyed!!! At least its nice and clean though.

So home, eat lunch, bed for the kids. Finally I get to sit down and work on my photos for scrap camp. And this is where the day really starts getting yukky. You see I was so proud of myself. This week, knowing how tired I'd get, I've been slowly getting everything together for scrap camp, ensuring the house is left in a state that Andy won't run out of things etc etc but when I did my photos the day before, they didn't work. They were all grainy and pixelated and horrible. So I had just sat at the computer to work out what was going on and it starts its 'won't do anything' mode. Yeah....you got one of those too???? After 3 shutdowns (by me) and various other things I think I'm finally getting there only to hear Sarah screaming. Seems her portacot collapsed around her and shes now awake. Things just aren't going my way.

So I realise this is just the way the afternoon is going and poor Andy gets a phone call cause I'm starting to panic that 'nothings ready' (when in fact it just about is). Just need those darn photos. So he suggests kindly that I just look after the kids and he'll help me work out whats wrong with the pics and get them ready for printing. Yay. So that's what I do and start to calm down.

So here it is 6am Fri morning and I'm all ready except those photos which Andy has finished for me. Yay!!! Now lets just hope they print all right. I think I will scream if they don't.

Now I've just gotta rave about my wonderful man a bit here. Not only did he reassure me and tell me how wonderful I am last night, but he helped with my photos and the kids and let me race out for some 'urgent' supplies last night (even though when I got there I found out late night was tomorrow! sigh), but while I was gone he made some afghan biscuits for the girls and I this weekend!!!!! YUMMO. He is THE best husband. Thanks for everything Andy.

Hey, did you see this? Canon are discontinuing film SLRs. Digi really is here to stay. I believe a couple of the other big companies have already gone down this track, but I must admit to being surprised.

Have a good weekend everyone.

I'm so excited

Yes, I know scrap camp is this weekend, but now there's ANOTHER reason I'm really really excited!!! I've just had an email from Jannah at SC for a LO I submitted. She would like to use it as one of their projects! Yes, YAY, Hooray!!!!! I used to sub alot of stuff, then stopped for quite a while and then subbed a few a month or so ago and this has happened. I haven't been in SC before, so very excited!!!! Can you tell?! LOL!

Just had to blurt! LOL.

Hope you've had a good day. I have!

Thanks for all your messages!

Wow, thanks for all your comments about our camera. I still can't believe how silly I was. Gotta laugh I guess??? At least a lesson learnt.

Well its only a few days til scrap camp and I'm busy trying to get LO pages together to take with me, choosing photos to take for the classes and finalising costume details. I can't believe this weekend is going to be scrap heaven. Fantastic!!!!

I get to meet so many people I would only normally talk to via email/blogs and lots of others too. Its gonna be FUN!!!!

Happy packing everyone else. I'm off to do more myself.

Things not to do with your camera

Leave it lying in a pool of water in the back of your buggy.

Yep, somehow one of the kids drink bottles tipped up and all the water came out, leaving our point and shoot digi swimming in water. Its stuffed! ARGH!!!!

This might be one of the times I'm actually glad Andy is travelling so we can get a new one duty free.

What a day

And its only lunch time.

My two start daycare in 2 weeks time so this morning we headed off to visit the centre to get our bearings, meet the teachers, the other kids and just get aclimatised (sp?). Its a fantastic centre, with only 18 children total and its just like someones back yard, but with loads and loads of really cool things to play on or with. I had been really worried about Sarah in particular as she is so shy and a bit clingy, but we got there and they were both fine. Sure Sarah hung around me for a bit longer than Matt, but she also tried things that Matt wouldn't. In fact when we went to go, it was story time and a bell is rung and all the kids run in and sit on the mat. Well I went to find Matt to go and there he was in the middle of it all. Then they both cried!!!! They didn't want to leave. Honestly, every time another milestone is reached my heart grows bigger with awe and pride. Today was no exception. But how will I cope come 2 weeks time when I drive off without them!?! I forsee tears!! LOL.

So afterwards we went to The Warehouse and they chose their own lunchboxes and drink bottles to take when they go for the whole day. Sarah chose Dora, and Matt predictably chose Bob the builder. They knew exactly which ones they wanted and the lady at the counter was good enough to give them their own bags to carry to the car. BRILLIANT!

Then we went to see my specialist. Seeing as how I had a c-sec with the twins its one of those things they like you to do, so off I went. John Wong is my specialist and is just brilliant. He did the c-sec with the twins and looked after me after our miscarriage. I rate him! And in true Ashby style (that's my maiden name!) we have a BIG baby. I think I may have mentioned it here before, but it just keeps growing. I'm now 29.2 weeks and am measuring 35 weeks. ARGH!!!!

Alrighty, well I've gotta go get some stuff done before the kids wake up. Then its time to do the food shopping. What a day.

Later.

Another website to check out...

We were told about this website when the twins were born and promptly ordered a couple of blankets for them ourselves. Since then we've given 'gift vouchers' to many of our friends to get their own. They are the coolest gift. The blankets are really snuggly and warm and just so cute, plus they can then become something for the kidlets as a heirloom type thing. The site is called "My Blanket" and you get to choose your own colour, style and wording. And best of all they are really easy to deal with and friendly too. GREAT site. Heres a peek at one example......

Couple of cool websites

Well yesterdays French music class was great. There were only a few people (15 kids) not the normal 100-200 that normally turn up at other music classes we do so it was bliss to be able to be really involved. The lady who runs it also does the coolest stuff. She handed out puppets to every child that they could use for the puppet song and had bubble machines at the end for the bubble song. Sarah, bless her, is still very shy at new places and clung to me the whole time, but Matt was so into it!! I couldn't understand a word of any of the songs, and trying to sing them was a bit of a hoot, but I realised I could count to 10 so that was pretty cool. And I don't think it'll take toooooo long (hmmm, yeah right?! LOL).

My gorgeous hubby told me about a couple of cool websites that you might like to check out. Heres one for the scrappers/photographers. Its helps you catalogue your photos by face. Yep, once you've trained it the technology can search through all your photos to find any you want of say yourself, or a particular child. Wow! Check it out here.

Then there are a couple of really cool kids sites.

Check out Tippy Toes. Oli a wonderful friend has been running this business very successfully for several years and has recently gone live on the web. She does THE most gorgeous HAND MADE stuff for children. Particularly popular are the mats for outside with the waterproof backing and the kakoons that fit in your pram. Her work is exquisite and our kids used their mat ALL the time.

Also one of the ladies at Andy's work is in partnership with her husband and their friends and their site went live yesterday. Now these shoes are the cutest I've seen in a long time!!! They are just gorgeous. It doesn't matter where you are, as its online. They even have a really great sizing guide to help you choose the right fit. Its called 'hoof', cute name huh?! Good luck with it Jules. Hope it goes well. Heres a wee look at one of the girls shoes...

Mothers Day

I hope everyone had a good mothers day. I had a fantastic one. My wonderful man totally spoilt me (or should I say the kids?).

It started off with pressies in bed. Yay. I got what I had suggested would be nice. LOL. One of those mini vacuum cleaner things so I can easily clean up after the kids dinner. Plus a foot spa. Now I know alot of people who don't like these, but my feet need it! Then we went on to breakfast like most Sundays with pancakes - I just can't stay in bed! LOL - the kids were great and had lots then proceeded to run around like mad people. Must be all that sugar!!!!

We went for a walk enjoying the small break of sunshine, got some pics printed, picked up the latest FK and remembered on the way home how I'm not really up to walking this far anymore! LOL.

Then I went off for lunch with Mum and my sisters while Andy put the kids to bed. It was nice. Yum Cha. Is that how its spelt?

When I got home I started a LO of an older photo that had been sitting around for a while (yep I got the other one finished!) and then for dinner we went out as a family. It was the first time we had been out to a restaurant for dinner and my idea. Andy was not that keen. He was worried about the kids. But they were so good and it was a nice fun time. They were so excited to be going out in the dark. Even at the restaurant they wriggled and squirmed so much, it was so funny, but they were good. Yay.

When we got home and the kids had gone to bed I finished off my earlier LO and a big bar of chocolate (well it was mothers day! LOL).

So pretty pleased with the whole day really.

Today we're off to a new 'music' event. Its all in French. Should be interesting. But after my travels and only knowing one language, I decided that if I had kids I'd really like them to learn another language. Now I know that's not going to happen here, but it will expose them to something new/different and maybe they might even pick something up??? Who knows, but it should be fun.

Here's that LO I did last night (not quite scanned around the edges, but you get the idea). So quick and easy. Ciao.

Yukky weather

What horrible weather its been the last couple of days. Really really hard rain and the garden is all soggy!!! But I LOVE it. We get to stay inside with our fire on (ok, ok, so its only a gas one!), hang out doing weird things like learn to wrap presents (their idea not mine!!! Seriously! LOL) or watch the water run down the driveway. The kids have even seen a big rainbow and heard thunder which was pretty cool. I remember being a little afraid of it when I was little so I made a big deal about how cool it was and what a neat sound and they love it and keep asking to hear the thunder again! LOL. Sometimes these things backfire when I can't back it up. LOL!

They are also well and truely over their colds. Thank goodness. They have so much energy its just magic. After their baths, they love to run around the house like a butterfly and tiger. They both have those hooded towels from The warehouse (thanks to Andy's wonderful designs!) and they love to put them on and then flutter or roar around the house. So cute!!!

Scrap wise I've been struggling with a LO for the last two days which should be coming together much easier than it is. SIGH. I'm nearly done now, but think I'll just put it in the back of the cupboard for a while. LOL! Don't you hate those ones?!

Well mothers day tomorrow so happy mothers day to all the mums out there! We've got a nice day planned and I've just been banned from going downstairs as some present wrapping is going on.  Hope you have a wonderful day.

Is sleepwalking hereditary?

Would you believe that our wee girl was sleepwalking last night?????

Unless I'd seen it, I wouldn't either.

We kept hearing this banging on their bedroom door so I went to investigate (they'd been asleep for a while) and nearly knocked poor wee Sarah over as I opened the door. There she was sound asleep but with her eyes open trying to open the door (I assume???), so I gently picked her up and lay her back in bed, gave her a wee kiss and she was out to it.

Shes not even 2.5 yet!!!!!

I used to do this as a child, quite frequently from what I've been told and the most amazing stories, which are very funny but rather embarressing!!!! But I was quite a bit older. So I don't know if she's got it from me or just something that happens?

Thankfully she can't get out of their room.....yet?! Now thats going to be interesting!

Photo of the day (POTD)

Well, this POTD thing at BB has got me really excited about photography again.

Instead of doing the same old, same old, I've been taking pics of stuff I normally wouldn't (but am now really glad I have), and I also did my very first 'studio' shoot here at home (two LO's from these May photos have been done already!).

I went off to spotlight (gotta love that place!) and tried to get some velvet. Hmmm at $39 a metre, I got fleece instead (and it worked perfectly). I have got the coolest shots of Matt EVER! Gee, if I do say so myself. LOL!!!!!

I also got some really cute ones of Sarah, but she's going through that 'cheese' phase, so all hers have screwed up faces! What a hoot.

I've also got some lovely macro photos, some inanimate photos and some really bad photos! hehehehe. But I guess what I'm saying for those scrapbookers/photographers or even non photographers out there, is GO GET YOUR CAMERA RIGHT NOW AND TAKE A PHOTO (or 51 like this mornings efforts! whoops! LOL).

With digital now, it really doesn't matter if it comes out good, bad or indifferent. If you don't like it, it never gets printed. If you do, then wow, you've just captured a brand new memory.

Another thing, last week I was given the talking to about all the piles of magazines around the house (and rightly so too! They are everywhere and I'm sure they're breeding!) so I put a few for sale on Trade me. Now they're going pretty cheap, but I got rid of 20 odd mags in 4 auctions. Fantastic! Now I've just gotta get them out to everyone. Better than that, I've made some money to go buy more scrap stuff (Andy you didn't just read that! LOL).

But my point.... I've got just about every scrap magazine that is out there for the last 2 years (Well, FK, SC, SM plus a few MM, Scrapbooks etc, Scrapbook Answers, My reflections etc etc etc). As you can see I'm getting rid of them. ALL of them (except the ones I'm in) so if you want some mags cheap......let me know and we can arrange a wee sale.

Ok, gearing up for a big night TV wise. Greys anatomy. A show hasn't captivated me quite like this one for SOME time! LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Was so disappointed to see last weeks was a 'catch up', but then found out some stuff I didn't know so it was worth it.

Later.

PS: edited to add I've just seen on an Australian site that someone has received her A-Z album back from FK. I'm assuming they've made the first cull, so for those who have entered, I'm crossing fingers for you that you don't receive it back......yet.

Spoilt girl

Well my wonderful man brought me home some tulips on Friday night. They are beautiful and my favourite flowers. He was also home earlier than normal. I was spoilt rotten. He obviously knew how hard this week had been. Hmmmm, must have been my whinging! LOL. So I tried using the macro lens yesterday on them. Here's the result.

I also finished off a LO I was doing which definitely won't be used for MMM. No journalling and while its my fav photo. Its just not up to comp standard. So here it is.....

This morning the kids are being really cute. We seem to have gotten into a tradition of pancakes on Sunday mornings thanks to Andy. Well we have a baby monitor in our room since our bedrooms are on different levels. And all we can hear this morning is "I like pancakes", "I'm getting pancakes ready" etc. I'm still amazed at how much these kids know! And how do they know its Sunday???? Fantastic.

Hope you're having a good weekend.