Parties and Presents (parties)

We were lucky enough to have 2 parties while we were home.
The first was a baby party. A super cute opportunity for A to meet some kiwi baby friends.
In my usual style I began making extravagant plans in my head. I was inspired by the hungry caterpillar party on Babyology. I was going to make natural safe to eat paints, (why make them when you can buy them here, but I only just discovered that).
Needless to say none of the above happened. But what did happen was very cute. Imagine picnic blankets spread out in the garden, mums drinking out of proper tea cups, lots of yummy treats including this yummy egg, dairy and sugar (I omitted the honey altogether so it was suitable for my then 8mnth old) free spelt banana bread.

We made this play dough for the big ( aged 2+) kids (found on facebook sorry let me know if you know the original source), and the others just rolled about and enjoyed themselves.  I think. I know the mums did, and despite having 9 bub's ranging from 7 months to 3 years we only had tears once (when one wee one did not want to share a tractor - boys!! ;)).
Good fun for all.

I hope A has lots more memories with her little gang of new buddy's

Wishing you all a lovely weekend of new friendships ( and parties!)

Home (or counting ones blessing's)

I love this song! Its so cute... and it gets me thinking, you know, bout home! 
Home to me will always be NZ, but its also wherever my hubby is, which is why I'm here in Aus... And while I would love to move my little family (dog, boy, me) back to NZ, some times I have to remind myself to be happy here and now - so my career path is non existent, sometimes I just really want my Mum, or my god mum, or my old friends around, and sometimes I just miss the places - Wellington, Gisborne, Ohiwa, the special places.  But I have a super amazing husband who puts up with my annual hissy fits on the above subjects, we own a house and its becoming a home, our pup is the funniest, sweetest natured beast one could meet, its never to late to re-invent oneself career wise (once one figures what path will suite them), and my family, my friends, those amazing places will always be there - I'll always be able to go home... So this is a reminder, a perk up and a pep talk!!

my wedding flowers, photo by the talented Clare Webber

I think I'm quite lucky to have such a strong sense of place.  My parents have lived in our house since forever, it was my Dad's Grandfathers place so its seeped in family history.  My mums brother owns the farm she grew up on and before that both her parents grew up on the property - her mum, my gran - was a shepherds daughter and Grandfather was the owners son (it has a makings of a sweet meant to be story don't you think).  We got married 2 minutes down the road from my parents property and had our  photos taken in their wool shed - connecting my past and my future.  I am so lucky to have places so filled with memories and history.

And now I will have two beautiful unique and amazing countries I can consider home...
So I count my blessings, and the wonderful invention of skype!!!

Bless!

(from Wikipedia, attributed to Erik Veland)

Bambinos {Friday Finds}

I have kids on the brain at the moment...

I swear everywhere I look I see beautiful things to decorate my as yet non-existent children's rooms, things that will delight, inspire, and fascinate them.  My husband will be afraid (very afraid) when he reads this. We both agree we're not quite ready - plus we already have a baby:

... and this baby has totally taken over our lives!

So just cause I wont be painting a nursery anytime soon doesn't mean I cant share a couple of my finds with you!

How sweet are the seasonal Bella and Boo cushions for a little girls room

Found @ Lark

And how wonderful would these little critter's look framed in a boys room:

And then there's their where-the-wild-things-are-like peers:

All of the above are made in Wellington, New Zealand by the talented Minu, and are limited edition prints, making them extra special.  And best of they can be shiped to Aus! YAY! To see these and other cute creations visit the shop @ Felt or check out http://minu.co.nz/. 

Have a Fantastic Friday!