Things I'm loving: the almost Christmas edition

 I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

I was feeling, shall I say it a little bit grinchy, I know,  hard to believe right. I was lamenting the fact that down here at the bottom of the world, not only is is Christmas but we are  also contending with the end of the school year and  what seems like endless  events toppled on  each other, threatening to fell the best of us.

I was feeling grumpy, irritated by people at the shops, in traffic, in the supermarket, on my internet travels, all of us seemingly so caught up in our narcissitic little bubbles and the importance of our own corners of the universe and how they take precedence over everyone else's. Are you getting the picture? like I said grinchy!

But this week  I have also  experienced little things which have expedienitally been  chipping away at my foul disposition.


And today, waking up to the heart breaking devestation of the shooting tragedy in America. I can not stop thinking about it and the pain of those families. It makes me want to grab my children and never let them go. I feel so lucky to be a mother and to have these little crazy makers in my life, I know I say that a lot but I don't think you can ever really say it enough.

So I am loving....

 The solidarity of mothers...

 From one to another,  confiding how she manages her panic at that all too familiar feeling of tight chestedness, and wondering how on earth you are going to get it all done. Although I know logically I am not the only person who experiences this, sometimes it is hard to grasp on to this logic and it is so nice to hear it from another, especially when it is someone you look at from the outside who seems to have everything under control.

And being rung on the morning of dress up day for dress up related advice,  by another Mother who I have always admired for her unflappability and superb organization skills. It is nice to know we are all in it together and no one can get it all right all the time at this time of the year.

The boys had lots of end of year fun this week. The junior school had Pirate and Princess dress up day and Ben's class went to the movies to see Wreck it Ralph and had a shared lunch, we were on sweets.

                 Another day, another fifty cupcakes.....

Also loving the Cath Kidston order that Mum did for my Christmas present arriving this week along with a couple of other little things I slipped into the package, love my new red spot tea towel and the Christmas napkins. 



My little Christmas ballerina who  did us so  proud last weekend

I know there are those who are dismissive of organised activities for littilies, but after watching Millie's progress at ballet this year I would loudly argue this point any day. She has grown from running aimlessly around the hall, to stopping, listening, following instructions and enjoying being  part of a group. It helps that she has the most fantastic ballet teacher on the planet. Watching her and all the other little  dancers  was pure joy and at the end of the show a group of Dad's performed,  I  do not think I have laughed so hard in a very long time.


Loving Christmas songs

I am working on my play list, the Glee version of River, Josh Grobans Angles we have heard on high and  the Christina Peri and Jewel carols would have to be my all time favs though. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would love to hear them!

Lastly loving our cake pops

Yes that is another Cath Kidston tea towel that slipped into the box!

You can read about how we made them here.


One week to go and it is a BIG one. School is already done, by Wednesday I will be done work for three weeks and by Friday Nana will be retired. Lots to look forward to.

Joining in with all the other loving posts at Meghan's lovely bloge