Coffee Drinking Mummy To Five

:: Please Update!! ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Mon, 23 May 2011 04:36:00 +0000

I'm sure as some of you are aware I moved from my blogspot blogger to my own self hosted wordpress blog.

Please update your RSS Feeds and blogroll to show my new blog address!

www.mummytofive.com

I'm hoping that I can configure it better soon so that my blogspot blog will automatically redirect!

See you over there!!

:: WINNER -- Gina Miller Giveaway ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:04:00 +0000

It seems that Blogger was having dramas yesterday and a lot of people had troubles getting into blogger to blog! Wow can we say blogger one more time??

Anyway! I'm here, finally! And I have heaps to catch up on, I'm a few days behind my son choices, so I'm going to blog them tonight hopefully! Depending on if I can keep my eyes open long enough!

So.... the winner of Gina Miller's $6.00 coupon to her store is....

Candice said... Gosh soo many to close from, all her kits are awesome!! I really like the shutter bug kig. Thanks for the chance!

Congratulations Candice!!

Candice can you email me at kirstyblinston at gmail dot com and I'll get the coupon to you asap!

Thanks to everyone who played along! I hope you all had a great iNSD weekend!

:: Giveaway - Gina Miller Style ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sat, 07 May 2011 11:25:00 +0000

This weekend is the most important weekend of the year... besides it being Mothers Day on Sunday (dont forget hubby!) its also the most exciting weekend on the digital scrapping calendar as its inter National Scrapbooking Weekend (iNSD). So there are giveaways, freebies, chats and excitement galore!

All husbands should be taking their kids out of the house so us Mums can enjoy some time just being online, chatting to friends, scrapping and buying up a storm of bargains... just saying Dads!

I first came to digital scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my now 5 year old son as I wanted something new and cool to do as a baby shower book. I stumbled across some websites on scrapbooking and after finding sites like Shabby Princess and Scrapbook-Bytes I was hooked, nearly 1000 layouts later, I'm an official scrapbooking addict... just ask Paypal and my husband!

One of the first designers that I came across and loved was Gina Miller. I remember her having this awesome Fireman's kit out (now retired) which I loved and it was the first kit I purchased..way back in 2006! I remember emailing Gina asking her if I could use her kit to make a header for my blog and she happily said that was fine.

A happy relationship of me purchasing her kits, and her creating awesome kits for me to purchase followed until late last year I saw on Facebook that she was looking for some new CT members to add to her team. Of course this is such a awesome gig to get and I knew that I would be kicking myself if I didnt apply! I was surprised and a little giddy when I got the email from Gina inviting me to her team! It was a dream come true!

Gina has an amazing range of designs which I'm showcasing my favourites here for you (all linked to the shop for easy shopping!)

In true Gina style and it being iNSD weekend and all, I'm hosting a giveaway for a coupon ($6.00) here on my blog, so just comment here on this post answering this question...

Whats your favourite Gina Miller kit (current or retired)

I'll come back on Monday 9th at 7:00pm (Australian time) and announce the winner for a coupon to her store!! Winner will be chosen by random.org

For a bonus entry into the giveaway, tweet this post ( 1 entry) and/or post on FB (1 entry)

Good Luck and Happy Scrapping!!

Day 6 -- A Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:53:00 +0000

So today's song in the 30 Day Song Challenge is A Song that reminds you of somewhere.

Now dont go losing me here, or think I've lost my mind! But this song that I've chosen today is not a famous song, not even a popular song but its a song that is close to my heart. Its a song that my son has learnt since being at prep this year. Its a song we have taught our other children who love singing it before they go to bed!
So in light of Mothers Day coming up on Sunday I want to send some love out to my special little kids who I love with all my heart, who drive me crazy sometimes but I would do anything and everything for!

My God Is So Big.....

Now obviously Dominic and I can sing this so much better!!

Day 5 -- A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:30:00 +0000

So today's song in the 30 Day Song Challenge is A Song that reminds you of someone.

I had it narrowed down to two different songs, one which reminds me of DH and one which reminds me of my Mum, and in honor of Mothers Day which is this Sunday I wanted to honor my Mum in this special way! Love you Mum xx

Day 4 -- A Song That Makes You Sad

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:44:00 +0000

So today's song in the 30 Day Song Challenge is A Song that makes you Sad.

This was a hard one for me to choose, I couldnt think off the top of my head a son that made me sad. So I went to Google for the answers! And I came across a website that listed the top 100 Sad Songs. Looking through the list reminded me of songs that were sad and as I was listening to them, this one really stood out to me. I remember when this song was released and it took me a while to realise why it was written. Eric Clapton wrote Tears In Heaven after the death of his 4 year old son.

:: Wordless Wednesday ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:35:00 +0000

I’m joining in Wordless Wednesday over at My Little Drummer Boys & Faith Hope And A Whole Lotta Love today… come along and play too

Just me and Belle, laying on the floor... like you do on a Wednesday!

Please excuse the nutella all over her face, she had just had toast so I was chasing her around the kitchen trying to get her photo!! She fell over, started crying so Mummy climbed down on the floor and we cuddled down there till she was better....then I got my photo!!

Also be sure to check out this post on the giveaway I'm currently running!

Day 3 -- Song That Makes You Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 03 May 2011 07:15:00 +0000

So today's song in the 30 Day Song Challenge is A Song that makes you Happy.

I'm the first to admit that I like Katy Perry, even since she came out with I Kissed A Girl, I just loved her music. With hits like Teenage Dream, California Gurls and Hot N Cold shes different to mainstream female artists.

Today I chose Firework. The lyrics just really hit home with me!

:: Dreamworld & A Giveaway!! ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:32:00 +0000

So today we had to go down to the Gold Coast to take a bag of things of DH's grandma's down to her, as he forgot to take it with him yesterday when he went to pick up his parents from the airport after they came back from Fiji for my sister in law.

Anyway, so we decided we would all go and go and spend the day at Dreamworld! We have the awesome $69 unlimited Summer Entry Passes which is such an amazing bargain considering its $265 for 2 Adults and 2 Children for a World Pass to Dreamworld and White Waterworld.

The kids loved the drive down, mainly cause they got to watch a movie in the car on the way down! We turned Harry around for this drive and he loved it!

Here he is watching the movie with his brothers and sisters!

After seeing DH's Grandma and his Aunty, we headed in to get the kids the hats we had been promising them since we had seen Uncle Wayne's while we were out at Mum's over Easter.

After getting our cool new hats, we headed off to have lunch at Wiggleworld, where the kids loved playing on Captain Feathersword's Ship! After having Jam Sandwiches, Yogurt and some Hot Chips we headed towards Tiger Island to see the Tigers!

Although on the way to Tiger Island we got sidetracked to have a ride on the Carousel.

The kids were so excited to see that the Tigers were there when we did finally get to the Tiger enclosure!

Then it was off to Whitewater World! The water pack here is awesome, its beautiful and so child-friendly!

So while Daddy took the kids off to the water, Harry went to sleep in the pram and I got to have some quiet time all to myself!

The kids didnt want to get out of the water, but they were so tired that it was time to head home! We decided to treat ourselves to a good ole famous Yatala Pie! Seriously these pies are just beautiful to eat! I'm not normally a pie eater, but the Chicken and Vegetable pie is just delish! Its full of vegetables and real chunky chicken meat!

Now after the amazing day that I had with my family I wanted to share that happiness with my blog readers! And that means only one thing... GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Yes I'm so excited to be offering my very first blog giveaway!

Being a Mummy to 5 children, I'm sure you could imagine the amount of baby books that I have accumulated over the past 6 years! My three favourite ones were the ones that I want to pass on to the next beautiful mummy-to-be!

Maybe you are pregnant, or you know someone who is expecting a baby? Well this is the perfect giveaway for you then!

Everytime we found out we were expecting a baby I always sat down with A World Of Baby Names and made a list of all my favourite names!

Up The Duff by Kaz Cooke, is a hilarious look at pregnancy.

What to Expect When You're Expecting & What to Eat When You're Expecting is the perfect book for all expecting Mums. I would constantly refer back to this book when I had questions and I could always find the answer in here!

Here are the guidelines:
1. Open to all Australian Residents

2. Make sure you leave your email address below

3. Entries close on Monday 9th May with the winner being announced on Tuesday 10th May

4. Leave a comment below telling me:

"What is your piece of advice that you got while you were pregnant?"

For bonus entries (not required though, but always appreciated!)

-- Tweet this post for an extra entry

-- Post about this on Facebook

-- Feel free to follow my blog or my Facebook page, but again not required to enter the giveaway!

Good Luck!! xx

Day 2 -- Least Favourite Song

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:42:00 +0000

So today's song choice in the 30 Day Song Challenge is Your Least Favourite Song. I straight away throught of this oldie and horrible one... Barbie Girl by Aqua! It was freaken horrible and hated listening to it everytime I heard it on the radio! The film clip was terrible, such bright colours and fake looking people! Bleh, I cant believe I'm even having it on my blog I dislike it that much!!!

Day 1 -- My Favourite Song

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:31:00 +0000

Ok so its kick-off time! As I mentioned earlier today I'm taking part in the 30 Day Song Challenge on Facebook, you can join in at anytime!

I'm going to take the plunge and share with you over this month my songs that I love/hate and everything in between! Be sure to come along with me on this ride, feel free to link me to your blogs if you are playing along too!!

So Day 1.... Favourite Song

This was really hard for me to choose, I went into my itunes to have a look at what I have played the most lately... and at 75 times this is definatly one song that I have loved listening too lately! Yep its from Wicked... Yep I still am playing it in the car, although this is the one sung by Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth...yep its Defying Grafity!

For some reason, I can link the songs from youtube but it wont play from my blog!

The reason I chose this song is it makes me happy, the lyrics are uplifting and I love to have it on in the car, crank up the volume and sing my heart out! I always get out of the car afterwards feeling like I can do anything!

:: The Month of May ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:02:00 +0000

Can I just start off by saying I'm really looking forward to the month of May!

With it starting today, I'm also going to be taking part in the 30 Day Song Challenge over on Facebook. I've created a separate page here on my blog which you will be able to see all the posts at a glance. If you are playing along with the challenge, link me up to your blog so I can come and see what songs float your boat, tickle your fancy and just really make you get up and groove!!

I'm also looking forward to the Mother/Son night hosted by Dominic's school that is on this coming Tuesday, it will be lovely to have some time with just him and chat with the other mums.

The Sunday 8th of May is of course Mothers Day. Now normally my husband is pretty good with remembering Mothers Day, considering the shops start displaying all the cards and stuff from around March! Birthdays...they are another story! In years gone by I'm the first to admit that my DH has pretty good taste in what to get me!

Last year it was this:

Big brownie points for husband there, now not to out-do himself he also got me this:

I hope he's not trying to imply that I smell or anything!! Because you know what I also go for Christmas just gone? Yep you guessed it....

I admit it! I'm a perfume lover! I love wearing it, I change it up all the time, I currently have 8 or maybe 10 different perfumes!

So DH when you read this.... no perfume for me this Mothers Day please! Instead here is a idea of things that I would LOVE to recieve, for being the mother of your children, the cook in your home, the cleaner of your clothes and the put-up-er of your whinging... all because I love you!

Here are some ideas for you that I would love to recieve come Sunday morning, when the kids all wake up (happily please) while I get to have a sleep-in (read: after 7am) dont worry about breakfast in bed, it will probably go cold cause Harry will have woken as well for a feed!

Lets start off with our morning ~~coffee~~ hot chocolate, how simple would it be to have one of these? Obviously the purple colour is just a bonus for Annabelle to look at!!

Now in keeping with the kitchen theme, any of these cookbooks would be a wonderful addition to my collection!

Now naturally after cooking some of the recipes out of these gorgeous cookbooks, I'm going to need to work out and keep myself fit and healthy!

Now I know that like all Mummies, we would love to wake up on Mothers Day to something like this:

Hey I can still dream peoples!

The other thing about Mothers Day weekend is that is also coinsides with NSD (Thats National Scrapbooking Day for all you non-scrapbooking scrappers!)

Make sure that you stop by the blog that weekend as I'll be hosting a really cool ultra awesome giveaway especially for my readers! Yes its scrapbooking related and yes it really is ultra cool!

So before I ~~get dragged off the compute~~r toodle off to finish housework and go through all the kids clothes which either dont fit/need to move to storage/or are just plain clean that I have to fold away I wanted to leave you with a new layout that I did for the amazing Gina Miller!

I really LOVE how this one turned out and really shows how much the twins have changed in the past 3.5 years!

A Pea In The Pod by Gina Miller and Jacque Larsen

Now while your over at The Lilypad drooling over the awesome-ness of this kit also be sure to have a look at the 50% retirement sale thats currently on. Gina and the other designers there have quite a few awesome kits that are being retired soon and you really dont want to miss out!

May also means giveaways!! I cant wait to share my first one with you! Good for all the pregnant mummies out there!

:: The Job That Was...n't meant to be! ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:55:00 +0000

So remember how last week I mentioned how I was having a job interview at my son's school, it was a Mon-Fri job with holidays off.

Well I didnt get the job :( When I first got off the phone after hearing that I was unsucessful and that they had decided to go with someone else, my first emotion was upset... I had gotten it in my head that I was going to get the job, that I would be perfect for the position considering all the things I'm already doing at the school, like this was the next step in my working career. All the way to the interview I was praying that this was the job for me and that God would help me on this path to this job. I felt that he was there with me while I was in the interview as I wasnt nervous like I was sure I would be, and the interview went for nearly 20mins, and they seemed to really like what I had to say. At one stage the business manager of the school even mentioned that maybe I had a Teachers Aide career in my path as I obviously loved being in the classroom and with the kids. I admitted that my MIL had mentioned the same thing to me when she saw me with the kids at the School's Cross-Country.

So when I got the message they hadnt chosen me I was upset and dissapointed in myself, for thinking that I would even be good enough to be going back to work. Obviously thats silly ~~stupid~~ and looking back at it now, I dont know why I would think that I'm not smart enough to go back to work. I think its more my confidence took a hit, and I felt silly ~~stupid~~ that I put myself out there to the work field again only to be knocked back! The love and advice of my friends on FB, made me realise that, I already have achieved so much and obviously this wasnt the job for me.

If I look at everything I've already achieved in my life, I have to be pretty clever! I have 5 beautiful children, a husband who loves me and we run a successful business together, that all equals smart if you ask me!

Then today I was reading Kochie's blog post on Counting The Cost of Two Working Parents and after reading it, I've come to realise that God/the school didnt give me that job for two reasons.

1. I already have a full time job -- raising 5 beautiful god-loving children and also the head of domestic engineering at home. Keeping this house clean and tidy to my standards is a FULL-TIME job!

2. Obviously there is something better in my career path which will be shown to me when I'm actually ready to return to work. In the meantime, I can take this time to focus on getting myself back to my pre-baby weight, work on my business degree and homeschooling the younger three until they start school.

I just pray that when the time is right for me to return to work, I'll see the signs and put myself out there again!

Let me leave you today, with a quote that I found online, before I go and finish all the unpacking from our trip out to Mum's!

image from here

And as the amazing Marilyn Monroe aka the blonde haired bombshell (not me!)once said:

image from here

I'll be back later, once the ~~ferals~~ kids are in bed to share with you a blogging award I got last week but am only getting around to blogging about now!

:: Mammarazzi Monday -- Easter ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:39:00 +0000

I came across this great blog this morning -- Mammarazzi where Mums came come together to share their love of photography and learn more on photography!

I'm playing along with her Mammarazzi Mondays and todays theme is Easter! Pretty appropriate with Easter happening just yesterday!

frame from Hop by Gina Miller and Jacque Larsen

I captured this photo with my iphone (like 90% of my photos lately!!) of all the Eggs that the Easter Bunny left for us to hide around Nanna's house! There were nearly 90 in total!

They contained everything from stickers, erasers, water bombs (for the boys), necklaces (for the girls), cars (for the boys), hair bands (for the girls) and miniture chocolates. Half of them were empty as well!! The kids had a great time the following morning finding which ones had things in them!!

Come along and play with us, I would love to see how you captured Easter in your house in 2011!

:: Happy Easter!! ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Happy Easter Everyone!!

image from here

I pray that you all have a wonderful day with your family and friends, and that you take the time to appreciate everything that you have in your life.

Of course Easter is not Easter without the odd chocolate fix!! Worry about the weight gain tomorrow!!

image from here

Be back tomorrow to share our Easter Day, and other holiday shenanigans!

:: Play Dates and Packing ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:36:00 +0000

Being a mother of 5 children, I have heard all the comments one could hear when you mention that your a mum of 5 children! They have even more shocked expressions when you say the eldest is 5!

Now imagine being that mother who organizes a play date for her eldest son to have friends over from the school on the same day the family is planning to leave on a 3 hour trip to Nanna's house! You could imagine the chaos!!

When I planned the play date I was not thinking that is was going to be pouring down rain for the whole time they were here! Out the window went my plans to get out the jumping castle for them to all play outside....no, it had to rain so imagine my nice, clean house over-run with 12 children! Yep thats how many kids were there this morning! It was loud, it was fun, yes one or two of them cried after being hit by their big brothers, but the best bit was sitting with the other mums and just chatting!! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!!

Have I just spent the past hour and a half cleaning up the mess... Yes, but to see how excited Dominic was to see all his friends arrive, made it all worth it!

Since everyone has left, i've been cleaning house again, getting clothes dry in the dryer and packing! Imagine packing to go away on holidays and then times that by 7!! Thats how much ~~shit~~ stuff we have to take away with us on holidays!

We are going away for a week to my Mum's house and have to take the following things :-

-- 5 suitcases (my eldest 4 insist on taking their own that Nanna got them for their birthdays, DH, Harry and I are sharing!)

-- 3 backpacks

-- 6 toothbrushes & toothpaste

-- 6 pillows

-- 5 doonas

-- 3 bikes

-- 4 scooters

-- 4 helmets

-- 2 blankets (the twins have their special blankets that go EVERYWHERE with them!)

-- 1 laptop

-- 1 wireless modem

-- 1 container of toys

-- 1 container of craft supplies

-- 1 DVD travel case with their DVD's

-- 1 Wii remote

-- 1 highchair

-- 1 portacot

-- 4 drink bottles

-- 1 nappy bag

-- 1 handbag (Makayla's!)

-- 1 cat and 1 tiger (Dominic's)

-- 4 Easter Eggs

-- 2 Spud Guns and half a dozen spuds!

-- and a 100 (or so) of colorful plastic eggs for the Easter Egg hunt!

ooh and If I'm lucky I might remember to pack a book!

All I can say is...Thank God for trailers!!

Ooh and better not forget the Rum...I'm going to need one by the time we get out to Nanna's! Make sure the Coke is cold Mum!!

:: Blogging, Facebook and Twitter! Oh My! ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:35:00 +0000

When I first started blogging, the most people that read it was other scrappers and my mum and sister, but I've noticed since coming back to blogging that there is a totally different audience of people that we are targeting our blog towards. What a difference a couple of years make!

I've noticed that Mummy Bloggers are the way of the PR future! Since signing up to PR Friendly Australian Blog Directory, i've already been contacted 6 times, twice over this past weekend! I'm really excited to be joining associations with both of these two companies that contacted me, but its also made me question if thats a main driving force for blogging for some of us. I personally love reviewing products and just writing about things that happen in my day to day life. Who doesn't love to get something for free in return for giving an honest opinion on the product. Obviously you want to be reviewing something that you are confident you will love and want to rave about to your readers, so I'm nervous and becoming more aware of who I will agree to review in the future!

Who do you enjoy doing reviews for? What's been the favourite thing you have had the opportunity to review/work with?

Which brings me to my next thing! Having a Facebook page?! I've noticed that a lot of bloggers also have a Facebook Fan Page, a way to have people that enjoy your blog and be able to keep up with you without having to have them on your personal facebook page. I'm considering starting one, but wonder would anyone come and like me?! I've only been blogging again for a month and really am I that interesting that people will want to "like" me on Facebook too!

For those that have a FB fan page, what are some of the pros/cons of having it?

And then my last thing...Twitter! I have had an account for probably 18 months now, and I hardly every use it! I just dont get it, I logged in probably a month ago and got frustrated with it so quickly I closed it up again!

For all you twitters out there, what do you find is the best thing about Twitter??

All these questions and ideas are floating around in my head tonight, but I really need to get to bed... I have my job interview tomorrow and I still haven't worked out what I'm going to wear! Its been 6 years since I've had to go for a job interview and I'm nervous and excited at the same time!

Wish me luck!!

:: Hop, Hop ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Its only a week till Easter now and the kids are starting to get excited about heading out to my Mum's for the Easter break!

When we told them they could take their bikes and scooters they were so excited and wanted to start packing the trailer straight away! I had to tell them that we wernt infact leaving for a few more days so their bikes and scooters could stay outside!!

I'm happy to say that I also got to scrap again this week, twice in one week would have to be a record for me lately! I remember when I just had Dominic, and DH and I lived in Victoria with him as DH was a fireman and worked odd hours, I would sit up for hours and hours after Dominic was asleep and just scrap and scrap and chat to the ladies online. During those years I met and formed some amazing friendships, who I still have those friendships with and how I credit for keeping me sane while we lived so far away from any family or friends that we knew!

Now I'm lucky to be able to scrap once a week, and since not being able to scrap I really realise how much I have missed it!

This week its another gorgeous Gina Miller kit called Hop! and as Easter is coming up what better way topic to scrap than Easter! I love the bright and fun colours in this kit, with the little glitter bunny my favourite element in there!

Be sure to pop on over to Facebook and like Gina Miller Designs page, she's always so generous and you never know you might be able to win her next kit!!

And while your over there on Facebook, why not join Gina's photography page, she's an amazing photographer and I'm always inspired by her gorgeous newborn shoots she captures!

While we are talking facebook, I'm seeing more and more bloggers having a FB fan page, and I'm curious for those who have it your thoughts on it, I'm thinking I might start one as a way to share my blog and would love to get feedback on it!

:: Weekly Wrap-up ::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:02:00 +0000

Another week is gone and I'm sitting here on a Friday night waiting for Queensland Transport to get their website up and running again so I can pay the car rego thats due...today! Who has a better way to spend a Friday night! Not Me!

Want to know a funny story though...DH went INTO the Queensland Transport office today to register the trailer..and didnt even think about rego! To give him credit, I didnt think of it either! But I do have an excuse reason!

I was going to title this post "Friday Night Brain Dump" but it just doesn't seem to roll off the tongue very well!

I also wanted to quickly mention that when I came on tonight to blog, I saw that I now have 20 (make that 21, another just joined as I'm typing this up!) followers on my little blog here! I'm was pretty excited to see that 21 people think my blog is cool enough to come and follow! So thanks ladies!! I look forward to getting to know you as we go through this journey of blogging! I must say that in the couple of weeks that I'm back blogging, I realise why I was so addicted and enjoyed it years ago! I'll be coming to follow your blogs if I'm not already!

I also wanted to mention for those bloggers like me who are just starting out for the first time, or again after a break from blogging, some great places I have come to appreciate in the past few weeks! The first one is Aussie Mummy Bloggers, they are a wonderful group of ladies who like me are Mummy Bloggers, and enjoy networking and just sharing life with! I'm excited as there is a Sunshine Coast group on there and I've been able to see/read/follow their blogs, and there is talk of a catch up after Easter! I really love that its another way for me to meet other Mums in a social setting!

The second one is for us bloggers who are thinking of doing some PR work on our blog, PR Friendly Aussie Blogs which is run by an amazing lady Tina Gray. I'm the first person, who when I find a product/service I just love, I love to share it with the people around me and when I came across this blog I wasnt sure if I wanted to do this, but I thought what the heck, all I have to do is put my name and blog down and if I'm blessed enough to be chosen/emailed to ask to review something then I would be happy! How doesnt love to get things for Free! And in the 3 weeks that i've been listed on the blog, I've been contacted 4 times, from 4 different people/companies!

One was a lovely lady Kat, emailing me about Deals For Mums which I blogged about last week If you missed it, be sure to have a look and enter, you could win a ipad2! But really if you dont feel like entering, please dont, as it just gives me more chances to win!!

The other 3 companies that I have been contacted by are to host giveaways here on my blog, so after Easter be sure to pop back to see the amazing giveaways I have coming up!

In family news, we have been enjoying our first week of School Holidays and I must say, I'm loving not having to get up and make lunches, iron uniforms and get Dominic out of the house by 8:15am to get to school!

We did however today organize a play afternoon with some friends of his from school. It was so nice to be able to sit down and have a ~~coffee~~ (actually we had tea!) with the Mums, cause normally all we say at school is "Hi" and "Bye" Half of us didn't even know each other names, we are just known as "Dominic's Mum" or such and such's Mum! (for privacy reasons, I'm not going to mention their names :) )

They kids had a ball running around inside and outside the house, that after they all left, my eldest 4, brought out their pillows and blankets, plopped themselves in front of the TV and watched the brand new movie Minnies Masquerade that I won from Sarah at Fig Nut Mum (thanks again!!) and after dinner of Lasagna, got the kids into the pj's and by the time Stuart got home from his dusk shoot, Annabelle was already asleep on the floor with the other 3 not far behind her!

You know when your going about your day and you think of something and your like "Ooh I should blog about that", I've had those moments all week and you think that now, as I'm sitting here I can think of them, nope! Mind is blank!

I just want to share one little thing with you and thats a layout that I scrapped this week! I haven't had a chance to just sit down, relax and scrap for months now but I did this week. Scrapping is important to me, its a way for me to be able to record my families memories, I enjoy the unleashing the creative side of me and I'm so lucky to me on some amazing teams.

This week's layout is using Gina Miller's awesome new Piccadilly Set -- papers, elements, stickers

There are couple of blog ideas that are going around that I'm going to look at participating in over the next couple of weeks.

-- BlogLove is one of them

-- DayZero -- create a list of 100 things you want to do in the next 1001 days! Definatly need to put my thinking cap on for that one!

-- Happiness Project -- signed up and making my list daily! I haven't actually blogged about any of them yet, but they are on my list!

I think thats it! Its after 11pm, Queensland Transport is finally back up, I've paid the rego so I can drive the car tomorrow without having to worry about a policeman pulling me over and giving me a ticket!

So what are your plans for this weekend?

:: Wordless Wednesday -- Sharing Is Caring::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:03:00 +0000

I’m joining in Wordless Wednesday over at My Little Drummer Boys today… come along and play too!!

:: Feeling Free!::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:17:00 +0000

Well not technically free, DH and I are still happily married, but today I'm certainly feeling free, like the song!

No, i'm not on some crazy pill or lost the plot but I have had some good things happen in the past day or so.

Let me start from yesterday afternoon, only a few people have our home phone so when it rang yesterday, DH goes it must be either your sister or your mum ringing, but you know that funning feeling in the pit of your stomach that it just wasnt one of them, yet I had that feeling!

Anyway, turns out it was the school calling that I applied for last week, asking me to come in for an interview! I was secretly thrilled and tried not to jump up and down while the lady was still on the phone, cause its just an interview, but seriously this is such a mini milestone for me! This is the first time in nearly 6 years that I have applied for a job, and the prospect of going back to work thrills me but scares me just a little! But hey, I hide my feelings pretty well, I'm going to rock this interview (I hope!)

Then today I went out with Stuart while he was working, and we were talking about the interview and how I really need to get a haircut before the job interview, as my hair looks like horse hair! I seriously dont remember the last time I had it cut, and I'm pretty sure it was when Mum paid for it (love ya Mum!) not long after I had Annabelle... so going in 2.5 years! It was looking bad!

Now my husband and I have this little thing going, that everytime I'm pregnant I go dark, so that I dont have to do much with it, and when we had finished having children, I would go back blonde so that time has come, and I've had one head of foils done and it was starting to look blonde, but he's been hoping it would get lighter again still.

So when he said I should get it done before Monday I decided to jump on GrabOne to see if there were any promotions running for hairdressers, and God was looking out for me today, there was one with Angelic Beauty at Buddina. I havent heard of them before but decided to take the risk and call them to see if they could fit me sometime this week... and luckily she was able to get me in today at 12! So DH said to get it done, so off I went for a cut, colour, massage and blowdry! And might I add it only cost me $49, normally $180! I love GrabOne!! I have to say that the ladies in there are amazing!! I'll definatly be going back there again!

Three hours later and I emerged, free! I ended up needing 5 inches (OH!) cut off to make it look healthy again and I'm so happy with it! Sitting there in the chair, another client was saying she loved my hair and how beautiful and healthy it looked! I've never had a compliment like that before and made me feel pretty happy with myself! Bring on Monday now!!!

And of course, I couldnt blog this without at least sharing a photo! So, here's the new (lighter ME!)

On this lovely Tuesday, what makes you feel happy and stress free?

Also be sure to check back again often! I have a couple of giveaways in the pipeline that I cant wait to share with my blog readers!

:: This Week I Know::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:22:00 +0000

I'm playing along with this weeks Things I Know

-- I know that I have been trying to write this post for three days now!

-- I know that I'm looking forward to Easter and relaxing with family out at my Mum's place!

-- I know that the more I search online for homeschooling preschool curriculum I'm finding more and more things to print!!

-- I know that if I leave the house for a night out, that I'll return in the morning to nothing having been tidied!

-- I know that I'm (along with DH!) are raising pretty awesome kids, when Dominic tells me he's eating the best dinner in the world (chicken nuggets, peas and some chips!) cause I made it!

-- I know that everytime I hope in the car, I'm listening along to this song at least once, maybe twice!!

:: Bargain Hunting Mum::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:28:00 +0000

Being a mummy to five, I'm always on the lookout for a bargain, whether its something I know the kids are needing, like winter clothes I always start looking at the end of the winter season to get ready for the following year, I always seem to be able to get a bargain and more clothes for less!

More and more lately I have seen blogs and websites popping up, who in conjunction with businesses, are offering discounts for everything from collagen injections (seriously!) to rounds of golf (yawn!) to even personal training sessions (sign me up please!!)

I had the pleasure of having been contacted by a lovely lady Kat Cho, who in May is going to be launching a website called Deals For Mum. As Kat explained to me, Deals For Mum, will be offering online deals which will be available for a limited time and will saves Mum's at least 50% off the regular price!

Deals For Mum will launch in Sydney first, however I have had confirmation from Kat that there till be business who will offer nation-wide deals!

So be sure to come and like Kat's Deals For Mum Facebook Page, cause everyone who comes over and "likes" the page goes into the running for....you guessed it.....

AN IPAD 2!!!

Jealous Much!! I'm so hoping that I win though, I have been dying (well not literally!!) to get once since they came out, but how cool would it be to win one!!

So hop, skip or just click on the link and like Kat's page!! You never know...it could be YOU who wins!!

Good Luck!!

:: Intruder Alert::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:48:00 +0000

It seems this week we have had a intruder come into our home, unannounced and pounced on us without warning... yep the dreaded cold has entered our home and we have 5 sick kids to prove it!

Image from here

It started slowly like all colds do, Dominic came home with a slight cough, which over a day or two turned into a cough with throwing up, to a cough with throwing up and waking up at 3 am to climb into our bed, to a cough that has spread to all the other kids, including Harry!

The kids all went down to Aunty Becca's aka Our Nanny, today for some quiet time, with pillows and doonas and a day of chilling out with ABC2, definatly a parent's best friend on sick days!

So while they were there chilling, I was back at home with a sick and tired Harry, and trying to get housework done and also business paperwork, all while feeling that I'm sure that dreaded intruder is about to come and bite me in the butt! Yep, I'm sure I'm coming down with it, so figured that while I was still able to get out of bed, I'd get the house cleaned up and ready for my grandfather who is coming to stay tomorrow night, and also the dinner we are having with Stu's parents, sisters and Grandma who has flown up from Tasmania to stay before they all fly over to Fiji for Stu's eldest sister wedding in a few weeks.

I managed to get everything done beside the floors, and I think its the main thing that make our house look untidy! I mean they are white, and are through all the main living areas, and with 4 messy eating children and 1 who is crawling around everywhere, they have to be done every night otherwise they look like a herd of elephants have been tramping through the house! Its great as exercise if I didn't get to through the day, but really having to mop the floors every night around 9pm is so not how I feel like spending my evenings!!

Now before I go and climb into bed and pray for a good nights sleep, I'll leave you with a little parting photo of my dear little one today, who even with a cold still manages a smile for Mummy!

This was taken in the space of 5 minutes! Thats how my kids roll, from awake to asleep in 0-5 minutes flat!!

:: Point & Shoot -- Firsts::

noreply@blogger.com (Kirsty) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:55:00 +0000

This week I'm playing along with Point & Shoot which is the brainchild of Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim and this week it was hosted by Lou at Sunny + Coast.

The subject was firsts.

We put out our first Easter decorations, these are a great and easy idea that we got from Overflow for $2.00 for 12! The kids just love them, and they are a great and cheap way to brighten up the dining table!

Tomorrow, we are making a bunny bunting banner, pictures to come soon!