Christmas Ornament Swap

Last year I was still fairly new to all the wonders of the blog world and when I came across bloggers who had participated in Xmas swaps showing off their special treats I was disappointed I hadn't seen any to join in time.

Not so this year, as I remembered today I should go searching for one to join. After a few disappointments of 'no internationals' (ie non USA) or finding they were to be hand made + X-stitched (not that I have problems with either of these things but it just wasn't what I was looking for) I finally found one at Lisa's Chaos. Yay!!

Lisa lives in Wisconsin, is a Mum, has cancer in remission and is just a wonderful photographer. And that's just what I gleaned from her blog in a short read - I'll be back.... She also has a really lovely blog design - not in the least bit chaotic!

So if you're up far a bit on Xmas fun, go visit Lisa too and sign up before 31October.

Its a tinny boat

Also yesterday, YD found out from a neighbour (yes we speak to our neighbours in this street!) that you can hire boats by the hour to putter around on the South Pine River.

So this morning we were out on the water for an hour of salt water splashing in our faces.

The boys were safely tied into life jackets

but *Boy especially was quite nervous as we took off.

After about 20 mins tho they were moving around the boat and hanging over the sides.

#1Son even had a go at driving!

Next time we take fishing rods for a longer trip.....

As cuddly as a teddy

Yesterday *Boy got creative and made a mouse out of a milk bottle & pipe cleaners. Of course he had to take it to be with him last night......

no more training!

Well it took a bit of convincing but the training wheels finally came off #1's bike today. He was riding without them fairly quickly but wasn't game to try it on the bike path just yet.....soon tho!

Next we'll have to look for a new bike as he is getting a bit tall for the one he has.

4 two

So, yesterday was yet another in the passing flow of birthdays for yours truly. By chance it was also time to catch up with dear friends so we invited ourselves over and had a lovely Barbie dinner while the kids played nicely.

After having had no one to paint since doing my workshop I was just hanging to try out some new stuff so much to my friends amusement I painted us all (and the kids of course). They thought it was a bit weird, me wanting to 'work' on my birthday but it was F.U.N.!

First the girls sat up and I tried some new colours, and swirls. Then, much more interestingly I did the guys up with stitches, scratches, shot wounds, bruises & skin ripped off.

They didn't photograph the best but looked not too bad for my first efforts (on a real person).


Was a bit of a late night for us all tho and we are all off to bed early tonite!


ps - this morning I had Breakfast at the 'Flying Nun' cafe out in Samford - absolutely delicious & recommended!!!!