Middle Earth (New Zealand) Part the first! (warning photo heavy post!)

At the end of September we all jumped on a plane to go to New Zealand!! We stopped off in Sydney for a few days to break the flight up. These photos take us to half way through the south island. Seriously we could do this trip 3 or 4 more times and not do the same thing twice! We did so, so much, but missed so much too!

Sydney was HOT! Around 36C in Spring! It was a bit of a heatwave.

Flying into Queenstown. I will never. ever. forget this landing. Flying in amongst all the snow capped mountains. It was just breathtaking.

Down the road from our apartment. It was freeeezing!

You can't really tell just how steep our street was!

Never in my life have I actually been ABOVE a rainbow!

First time in the snow for the girls. They absolutely LOVED it!

I could not get over the beauty of this country! Queenstown was a favourite for both myself and hubby.

We didn't stay in one place for more than 2 nights. And no accomodation was pre-booked except 2 nights in Queenstown when we arrived. After our stay in Dunedin we learnt very quickly that as soon as there is free wi-fi book accomodation at least 2 nights ahead!

Cadbury chocolate factory in Dunedin.

Moeraki boulders were amazing.

Next stop was Christchurch which was just amazing but also very depressing....

What Was I thinking?!?!

We've just returned from a 2 1/2 week holiday in New Zealand (post to come!). It was AMAZING, but so, so tiring. We drove from Queenstown to Auckland (some 1800km). No accommodation was booked and we had to go by on free WiFi wherever it popped up. Needless to say it was a little stressful. We flew home on a Saturday night and back to work for hubby and school for Chloe on Monday.
We. Are. Jetlagged.
Not to mention I've come back to uni work, which I thought I was ahead with. Not so much.
AND I have something rather big in the works that is taking up the majority of my time and energy.
Oh and my mum and dad left for a 4 week holiday the day BEFORE we got back.
I'm not quite sure what made me think I could do it all.
I have a quote on my wall:
"You can do anything, but not everything"
from David Allen.
I think I really need to start taking that into account...

Spring Flower Craft

I've done this flower petal stain glass window craft with Chloe every Spring (and every Autumn with pressed Autumn leaves) since she was about 2. 

 Of course when Eva was old enough, she joined in too.

 Each year, Chloe's windows get more complex. I love watching her creativity grow!

The original idea can be found here for Spring, and here for Autumn at The Artful Parent. Seriously take some time and have a look around this very clever blog! There are some AWESOME ideas for kids craft on here. One very talented woman indeed!

Do you have any seasonal traditions? I'd love to hear them!

Spring has Sprung!

Just like everyone else in bloggy land that lives in the Southern Hemisphere, I am SO grateful for the emergence of Spring! I'm a little over walking to school on the drop-off and pick-up in gale force winds and sheet rain!

 These freesias are my absolute FAV! I love the smell!!

I hope you're enjoying the change of season where ever you are! =)

Rainbow Quilt.

Chloe's teacher is having a baby. She ended up finishing at the end of last term even though she isn't due until September because she, unfortunately, has had some problems. Baby is all healthy and growing nicely though :)

So I thought I would make her a quilt for bub. She isn't finding out the sex, so I thought rainbow colours would be perfect. I went with a chevron pattern, it's my favourite one to make!

I put  strip of rainbow onto the back as well to make it big enough. It breaks up the blue nicely I think :)

I am really, really not very good at making quilts :/ BUT I really, really enjoy it! So what they lack in workmanship, they make up for in love and joy!

I very nearly kept this one for myself, I just LOVE rainbow colours!!

Alfalfa Animals!

A quick, mess free activity the girls and I did after school the other day! Alfalfa seeds in egg shells!

Needed:  Alfalfa Seeds, half eggshells, eggcups, cotton wool and water.

Pop cotton wool in eggshells and water.

Sprinkle seeds on top of cotton wool.

Sprinkle, sprinkle.

Done! Just wait for them to grow. Make sure you keep them moist. When they've grown the kids can even have them with eggs on sandwiches!!

Back Very Very SOON!

Been a bit quiet on here lately! I've been unwell, but am definitely feeling better. I will be back in full force very soon with lots to share!!
xx