Poppy

Tuesday we piled in to the car, drove to the airport and waved goodbye to my Dad, Tilly's Poppy, after a week long visit from FNQ.

The last time Dad came to stay, Tilly was only 4 months old - a wriggling, happy bundle who was yet not even able to sit up by herself.  Needless to say he was blown away by the difference!

It was a lovely, albeit hectic week - trying to get out and about  whilst maintaining the toddler sleeping schedule is a challenge.  Tilly was in her element though, lapping up all that undivided attention and affection from her doting Poppy.

A day trip planned exploring the Arboretum quickly ended up a ... Within half an hour of arriving, Tilly was drenched to the bone.  Like a moth to a flame, she couldn't resist the dancing fountains in the Discovery Garden - before we knew it she was flat on her back, soaked from head to toe.
Thankfully the weather was on our side - soggy clothes were strung on fences to dry, while we basked in the sun, Tilly stripped down to her delicates.
Not quite the excursion I had planned, but enjoyable all the same.

Our remaining days were spent hitting up favourite parks, strolling the shops for only-grandchild-inspired-gifts, family BBQs at Aunty's house, and endless Babycinos. 

Matilda was spoilt rotten with treats, love and adoring attention all week Poppy...you'll be welcomed back with much delight in October, of that I'm sure.

15/52

"Horsey, horsey don't you stop,

let your hooves go clippity-clop.

Make those wheels turn round and round,

giddyup we're homeward bound"

We sang this until she could bounce no more...the swings never got a look in!

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series for 2013.



14/52

Oh so snug in her favourite spot at Aunty's house...This chair is the perfect combination of playpen+swing+highchair+bed - may have to 'borrow' it next time round!

Taking part in Jodi's portrait series for 2013

choc.a.block

We shared a beautiful Easter this year - days spent with dear friends and family, gathered for meals and a glass or two.

The luxury of a long, long weekend is that you can enjoy many a lively get-together or adventure, while still having ample time for rest and unwinding, time to potter and catch up. 

So that is what we did, and here are the highlights...

*no doubt in Tillys mind that hunting for treats Easter Sunday was top of the list... her little eyes scoured the garden intently for glimpses of coloured foil, placing each treasure in her basket carefully.  Her haul of eggs, bunnies, chicks and beetles were sorted and counted eagerly for the remainder of the morning - I think she actually enjoyed playing with them more than eating the unlucky few!

*koala cuddles from the sweetest 3 month old little girl, the daughter of dear friends we hosted for lunch on Saturday.  That delicious baby smell, and the glow of new parents got me cluck, cluck, clucking...even Tilly was intrigued by this tiny person, albeit a little miffed to see her mama swooning over another.

*a banquet sized BBQ at my sister and husband-to-be's house on Easter Sunday...with only 6 months to their wedding, the count down is on, and final planning is well underway.  While Tilly was enthralled watching the fish in the pond, we shared ideas for final planning - a few more boxes ticked off the list...if only we could figure out the best way to lure Tilly down the aisle incident free?

*time at home was spent in the garden, planting bulbs in and around garden beds - daffodils, ranunculas, freesias, tulips and many more pretty pickings should be ready come Spring, and I can't wait!  We also managed to re-paint a feature wall in our bedroom - from a horrid peach to a dreamy, 'deep water' blue...Lusting for this quilt to complete the boudoir make-over - gone right to the top of the Wishlist, where it will no doubt remain for a good while longer...

All in all, a wonderfully relaxing and productive Easter break, leaving me eager for the next long weekend in late April... Plans are already sparking for some more home DIY, and a little mama-dadda project in the pipeline for Tilly's birthday present this year - yes, it's still 6 months off yet, but you can't fight it when inspiration hits, so we'll make a start to satisfy the itch...no doubt I'll be posting about our progress over the coming month or two.

Now to settle down with a cuppa, and another treat from the Easter stash - I've discovered I have zero will power when it comes to those velvety smooth, deliciously creamy red Lindt Balls ... I just need them to be all gone, so they will stop calling me from the pantry please!

13/52

Hunting for Easter treats in the garden this morning - the cotton tail kills me.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series for 2013

rewind

I've been absent from this space for a little while - not for lack of enthusiasm, but rather a feeling of not having much of interest to say... It's been one of those weeks when I've felt absolutely run off my feet, but if someone were to ask me what I'd been up to, for the life of me I couldn't name a single thing - total blank???

As I write this I feel absolutely exhausted - my eyes keep darting to the clock, counting down the minutes until it's not totally embarrassing to be calling it a night...come on 9 o'clock!!!

In the meantime, I wanted to journal and share some happy snaps taken weekend before last...

A morning frolic through the Rose Garden at Old Parliament House, gelato by the Lake in the afternoon sun with Granny & Grandad, and a delicious dose of people-watching - we celebrated Canberra's 100th Birthday among 1000s of others, yet were completely content within the bubble of our own little family.

Looking over these photos and remembering the day, I feel a little lighter and somewhat recharged.  The warmth of her smile does wonders it's true, and I'll be heading up to bed on a higher note now.

Wishing you all a lovely, lazy Easter break with your loved ones - let's hope time is on our side, and the minutes pass like hours.

12/52

Sunday morning mooching....nothing sweeter than a onesie-clad toddler happily singing along with Play School, totally unaware of her audience.

Taking part in Jodi's portrait series for 2013.