More sewing, still not much studying

Only two exams to go, and the semester is finished! It's been a very tough few months with lots of stress and sickness, but the end is in sight. I've been breaking up the study (a bit too much) with some sewing, and have finished the pillow from Kellie's 'In Spring' pattern. My background quilting is still very messy and uneven, but I'm learning to live with it. It's such a bright, versatile pattern, and I've started the quilt. I've extended it by about a quarter again, so it's going to be a HUGE project and will probably take me the best part of a year. Still, I have had a ball sourcing gorgeous fabrics from all over the world, and am really enjoying laying it all out. The sewing will be a different matter - it'll be a real struggle to stuff it under my domestic sewing machine, but I'll give it a red-hot go.

The boys are very excited to see that the ski season's started with huge snowfalls this year, so we're hoping to hit the slopes sometime soon with Lysh, Dean and Joshie. They're all kitted out, so it should be a great trip. Must get organised.

Bye!

Procrastinators unite....tomorrow

Study or sew, study or sew...hmmmm. It was a no-brainer. I am getting marginally better at raw-edge applique, but I still suck. I figured if I made something that was meant to be spewed on, it wouldn't matter so much. I don't think Ollie will notice the mistakes.

Better go hit the books. Bye!

Dusting off the sewing machine

Sash and I had a wonderful time at a raw edge applique class run by the amazing Kellie Wulfsohn last month - I absolutely love her designs. I've always been terrified of applique, but was inspired to take the class so I could make the stunning Peak Hour quilt for Sam. Alas, when I showed it to him on her website, he declared that he'd much rather have 'the flower one'! After a bit of persuasion, I made him this t-shirt using one of the Peak Hour designs, and he loves it! I may have to make him a flower cushion in the meantime, but I'm sure I'll be making the quilt before too long. I have also made a half-arsed attempt at starting a winter pinafore dress for myself, but made a mistake on the front facing and can't be bothered unpicking it. Not to worry, exam season is coming up and I'll be scrounging around for EVERY excuse to procrastinate rather than study, so expect to see lots of finished sewing projects in the next month or so!

And finally, a quick photo of my littlest boy, just because he's so gorgeous I could eat him.

Bye!

Smile

One of the down sides of being the family photographer is that there are always very few photos with you in them! The whole-family shot can be almost impossible. After literally years of saying that we should organise reciprocal family photoshoots together, my good friend Celeste and I finally set a date and made it happen. With 9 children between us, it could have been a shambles but everyone (including the babies!) was beautifully behaved and we had an awesome morning. But best of all, here are the results. Huge thanks to Cecil - you are so talented, and we love the photos! xxxx

Dear Nikki....

....thank you for reminding me about the existence of this blog! I think you are the only one who still checks it, so am addressing this post to you. It'll feel a bit like chatting to you in person, except I can talk and drink wine at the same time! I love that about you (amongst other things).

Look how my little men have grown up since the same time last year! Alex and Ben finished their first year of school in December. They have done so amazingly well, and I'm really proud of them. Tears on their first day, and tears on their last day - from Mama of course. My baby Ollie has just started solids, and is growing waaaaaay too fast. I'm sure I ordered one that stays a baby for several years, but no such luck. He is such a happy, fun little dude, and his big brothers are just in love with him. Will I ever stop wanting more babies?! Probably not.

We had an awesome time at Phillip Island, the weather was perfect and it was all very relaxing. The highlight was seeing the newly hatched baby penguin chicks waiting outside their burrows for their parents to return from sea at dusk, and then being fed. Magical. Plenty of beach and pool time, and even a boat trip and a chocolate factory tour - didn't want to come home. Still, not long now til Kennett River, and once I can get my head around the ridiculous amount of stuff we have to pack, I'll be very excited! Better stock up on redjuski!

So lovely to talk to you today, see you soon.

Kirst

xxxxx

Test Post

Testing.

Hitting the books

It was off to school for more than just the twins this year - I headed back for yet more postgrad study on 1 March! After much angst around whether I could juggle a pregnancy, three (soon to be four) little ones, two part-time jobs plus a demanding study load, I decided to jump in and give it my best shot. Our baby is due just 3 weeks after exams, and given that Sam was 4 weeks early, I'm a little nervous......but what will be, will be.

A recent photo of the big brothers-in-waiting too. They are very excited about their new sibling - this is going to be one seriously loved baby!

An early glimpse

Our new little one at 19 weeks. Already looks like Sammy's profile shot at the same gestational age!

And there they go...

Well, we did it! After months of planning, excitement and apprehension (from me!), my big boys finally took that big step into the world of school today. What a bittersweet moment for me - seems like just yesterday that they'd made my dream of motherhood come true and we were bringing them home from the hospital. They couldn't wait to get into their new classroom and meet up with several classmates from kindergarten, and very happily waved goodbye to Steve and I. Our world will never be the same. Love you, my big schoolboys.

Happy New Year!

Farewell 2009, and welcome 2010! Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year. We're enjoying the sun and sand at Warrnambool again, due to go home tomorrow but would rather stay for the month - it's been beautiful. Big year for us this year.....

The Graduates

Well, kinder days are officially over for my big boys. Their Christmas concert and 'graduation ceremony' was last week, and they had their last day today. The concert was just gorgeous, with Alex and Ben playing reindeer in the play. We didn't know about the caps and gowns until all the children appeared dressed and ready for the presentation. Having held it together during the concert, I lost it completely when I saw them all dressed up - water works. I'm surprised I could hold the camera still long enough to take these photos! So, that's it and it's ever onwards towards school. Their uniforms are neatly folded in the cupboard, ready for 1 February 2010. Whoa, will Mama be a mess THAT day!

All three boys are super-excited about Christmas, and the energy level in our house has been rising by the day. They'll be beside themselves by Christmas Eve. Me, I can't wait for some beach time and no timetables - not long to go now.

Birthday Season

Six down, two to go - birthdays, that is! Mum kicks off Birthday Season in our family in late May, and then Dad closes it in late September - and we all fall in between those dates. Clever, really. Mum, Steve, Alex, Ben and I have had ours, and Sammy turned 2 today - my big little boy. Just Jono and Dad to go, and before we know it, it'll be Christmas.

A few photos from the boys' birthdays - and some cakes. Alex and Ben helped me to make Sam's digger cake, it was very much a team effort. The twins took in in turns to distract Sam whilst the other one helped me in the kitchen - awesome job! Alex in particular is showing huge promise as a food critic - with an emphasis on the criticism: 'That icing looks funny Mama, it's the wrong colour - but it's OK, people will still eat it.' Ah, the beautiful wisdom of a 5-year-old!

Love you boys, you make me feel like the luckiest girl alive. xxx

My 8 Sisters....and some spots

I have just spent the last few days on our annual girls' weekend in Daylesford, and have to say that I think it was our best one ever! Gorgeous house with amazing views, wonderful sunny weather (shame about that cyclone on Saturday night!), great food and most of all, amazing company. When we girls get together, it's a bit like a weekend-long session of laughter therapy! Love my girls, love it all. Sash and I even managed to sneak in a bit of sewing, a bit of shopping, and had THE MOST decadent pastries for lunch on Saturday. I'm still thinking about those, Sash. And if that lamp's still in the shop next year, I'll know that it's meant for me! Bring on Daylesford 2010 - can't wait.

Sunday brought a return to reality, and that meant my little spotty boy - poor darling. He is very uncomfortable and not sleeping much, but still smiling - what a little trooper. Steve did a heroic job of holding down the fort, everyone still in one piece when I got home despite the Pox outbreak. I haven't left the house all week and am starting to get cabin fever, but it's back to work for a few hours tomorrow. Thank goodness for my awesome Mum who has (as always) come to our rescue and made things so much easier for us this week. Love you more, Mum!

K

xx