This is how Jasper is choosing to dress of late, in super hero attire and pronouncing “I’m Superman!” complete with wooshing sound effects. It all started on the long weekend and it’s super cute. But, we lost his Mario hat today, he’s going to be crushed tomorrow and the thought breaks my heart.

Linking up with Trish for Wordless Wednesday

Recently, I turned 30 and last weekend we celebrated with my family. Given that you only turn 30 once and, as all of my family live elsewhere, it was a whole weekend of celebrating for myself and my youngest brother, who was 18 last Tuesday.

It all started Saturday with balloons, party food, face painting, party bags, a cute little guest book we filled with Polaroid photos of those attending, lots of laughter and fun.

As the food disappeared (it does that quite quickly with three ‘young adult’ males around), chatter gave way to James cooking a delicious roast while Grandpa, Uncle Caleb and Kahlei did some singing and dancing (in Kahlie’s case).  It was a concert complete with alluring scents.

Uncle Caleb even got his first birthday cake made by mum. Josh and I used to get the most amazing cakes. You know the Woman’s Day Birthday Cake Book? We would pick one out of that and she would slave over it and make the most perfect cake. My favourite was the fancy-pants castle she made me complete with ivy on the towers. But, when I was turning 10, mum was pregnant with Ethan and the cake making turned into a meltdown which resulted in no more home made cakes, so it was a special occasion for him.

I just want to know where’s my cake making skills? I have to outsource to James as he does it 100% better!

Once we devoured the gorgeous lamb roast and the kids were in bed, we played cards well into the morning, which is one of my favourite things we do when we get together.

The next day we dragged our tired selves up to spend the day at the zoo. We so love our little local zoo that we wanted to share it with everyone. It was all very lovely, we were listening to the talks and watching the animals and, mostly, spending time together, UNTIL my oldest friend (we went to kindy together) arrived with her fiance.

I went to meet her and she says to me “I hope it’s alright, but I’ve organised for you to feed a Tiger.” Even though doing exactly that was on my wish list, I had a bit of a freak out. I had left my family and had no idea where they all where and it wasn’t very long until ‘the feeding’.  So, I went with Jess to sign some paperwork. The lady we were speaking to says “Sign this in case you get mauled.” (I am sure there were more words, but they are the ones that stood out to me) and all I could this was ‘this crazy woman has come to celebrate my birthday and is feeding me to a tiger’.

You could say I had a momentary freak out full of some quite unrealistic fears. Even so, I signed my life away and tried to enjoy watching the other animals while we killed time.

Thankfully, when the time rolled around, the keeper we were to go with, Clive, was friendly and gave us the back story on the tiger we were about to meet, Kinwah. Clive hand raised Kinwah and they share a gorgeous bond. Clive made Jess and I feel comfortable and gave us lots of information about Kinwah, his life as the tiger’s ‘parental figure’ and about tigers in general. By the time the 120kg Kinwah made his way to us, I was completely relaxed and simply enjoying watching him.

The whole experience was absolutely amazing. Patting, feeding and talking to a tiger, not something I ever really thought I would do. I get a buzz every time I remember it or look at photos. If you ever get the chance, do it! I know you’re all on the edge of your seats, desperate to know if I was mauled during my tiger encounter. I was not. Collective sigh of relief. I had even come unintentionally prepared by bringing Superman to the zoo, thankfully I didn’t need his help, I’m not sure how reliable he is – even if he is super cute.

It was a wonderful, gorgeous, surprising birthday weekend and I am starting to think 30 might not be so bad after all, you know, once I kick this head cold I’ve had since everyone left.

How did you spend your long weekend?
If you could have an encounter with an animal, what would you choose?

Linking up for #ibot

For everyone who never wanted to grow up, but did anyway (hello), the classic tale of Peter Pan is perfect and  thanks to our friends at Disney we have 3 copies of Peter Pan on Blu-Ray/DVD to giveaway to celebrate the June 5th Blu-ray and DVD release, . It seemed fitting, given that it’s being released the actual day of my birthday and I am feeling a little like I want to ‘get back to childhood’.

Visit Disney to keep up to date;

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Art Journaling has been a special part of my life for a little while now and I want you guys to know how easy it is to start and how good it can be for you. Blue Bazaar have kindly offered us 1 x Mixed Media kit, valued at $62.00. These are my favourite things to buy (from my favourite store) since beginning my Art Journaling journey. I have discovered and used so many great products which I wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

Also, from Blue Bazaar, we have 1 x Smash Tasty Kit, valued at $45.00, which includes access to online instructions by Kellie Winnell to complete kit. The kit contains;

• Smash Clips Icon Shaped
• Smash Doodle Pins
• Smash Journal Tasty
• Smash Paper Pad Transfer
• Smash Punch Out Assortment
• Smash Punch Out Pad
• Smash Rub Ons Nautical Tattoos
• Smash Tape Clear Triangle

AND, if that wasn’t enough (I know, right?), Blue Bazaar have kindly offered readers of BeckyandJames.com  a 15% Discount to use on your next order. To use this discount, simply enter the code BECKY15 at checkout. Discount offer ends 30^th June, 2013.  Not applicable on subscriptions or already discounted items.

Get Art Journaling;

Website | Facebook | Newsletter

Recently, I walked past a gorgeous stall at our local markets and I stopped to say hi and take a business card because the jewelery on show was divine, not to mention the amazing photographic prints on display. If you’re a regular reader, you will know that this moment was a big deal for me, generally I just walk on by, admiring with maybe a nod of acknowledgement.  But, what I saw spoke to me and pulled me in such a way, that I had to break away from my social phobia. I have since been in touch with the lovely Dannelle of Pebble + Nest and she has offered a gorgeous ring and necklace from the “Falling” – the Winter collection for one lucky reader.

 Feel free to buy me some, too;

Catalogue | Facebook

Sometimes, you come across a soft toy that could be perfect for your child OR it could look perfect sitting atop your dresser. I love those kinds of dilemmas.  Thanks to Nana Huchy we have 1 x gorgeous soft Scarecrow to giveaway to a lucky reader. Share this soft toy with your kids or keep all to yourself!

Find more gorgeousness;

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Want to make some yummy, healthy treats with these pourable, 100% pure chunky fruit pouches? Thanks to Fast & Fruity you could win 1 of 3 ‘School Holidays Cooking Packs’ to keep your little angels busy, and fed, during the school break (is it really almost that time again?).

Each pack contains;

•  6 Fast & Fruity – 2 x 500 gm pouches of each of the three flavours, be-licious berry and apple; golden peaches with a hint of vanilla; and sunshine sweet tropical fruits
• 1 icy pole maker (makes 4)
• 1 Sundae Glass
• Jelly crystals
• Recipe cards for: Tropical Jelly Fruit Stack, Hummingbird Cake and Yummy Fruit Blocks

You can purchase Fast & Fruity

At Coles Supermarkets

Want to make sexy chocolate recipes such as Chocolate Shortcake with Mascarpone or make and relax in your very own Chocolate Bath? Then, you’ll love that I have  1 x copy of 50 Shades of Chocolate by Claire Preen to giveaway to a lucky chocolate lover.

Claire Preen is a qualified chocolatier and owner of Blue Mountains Chocolate Co., so you want to check out more

Website | Facebook

And, because I am uber excited about having party bags at my little gathering later in the month, we have 1 Party Bag from my party to giveaway! They’re not yet complete and they’re all James’ doing, so this prize will be a surprise! I bet I know what you all want to win now

 Love me (it is my birthday after all)

Instagram| Facebook | Twitter

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

Me. 30. Tired eyes, fluffy hair and all.

Linking up with Trish for WW.

P.S. please pop over to my birthday giveaway to enter to win some lovely prizes!

Would you like to record and share your smiles with me this month? I plan to share bits and pieces that make me smile during the month with the #JuneSmileFile hash tag. I will be doing my normal Smile File post on the 2nd of July and will put up a linky if any of you show interest. Please feel free to join in however you like. Video, photos, daily/weekly posts… Join me in finding the good.

Linking up for #ibot at Essentially Jess.

1. Get a tattoo – Fail DONE! I didn’t think it would happen and, even once I was booked in and out the front of the shop waiting for the tattoo artist to arrive I thought I might run away, but it turns out the pain of getting tattooed is not nearly as bad as my mind had me thinking it would be. I love it just a little.

13. Have a romantic night away – including a romantic dinner in a restaurant - It’s on the books of next Saturday night! I was so looking forward to this as I need a break something shocking but our accommodation fell through at the last minute and we couldn’t get anything else. Instead, we snuck out for dinner while the kids and Nanna had a party. And I doubled my cocktail intake by having one. Two cocktails before 30, crazy right? So, a half fail.

27. Sell 5 of my photographs – I had sold two and didn’t have this on my mental ‘possible’ list to have done by Wednesday and then, last night I got an email saying I had sold something. I was thrilled. And then, when I had a moment to actually read the email I realised I had sold 5 somethings. Just days before my birthday. Coincidence? If you were the one who bought my prints and you’re reading this, thank you – I am humbled – and I hope you love them. And if you are who I think you are? You can never know how much I appreciate and value the support you’ve given me. You’ve been my biggest believer.

Do you have a tattoo? Did it hurt much less than you expected?

Waiting on stage for the classes to be seated

Getting her Bronze Award

Linking with Trish for Wordless Wednesday

1. Get a tattoo – Fail

2. Go to a night club – Fail

3. Try a cocktail – Done! I enjoyed my first cocktail, a White Chocolate Sling and was quite sad we had only ordered one before our movie and writing this, I am quite sad I haven’t had one since!

4. Lose weight – Done! I didn’t give myself a number, so I can call this a success.

5. Run 5ks – Fail

6. Visit Queensland – Fail

7. Attend Digital Parents Conference ’13 – Fail

8. See a movie in Gold Class – Done! This is where I tried my first cocktail. I will never think about going to the movies the same way again. Such luxury. We plan another trip to Gold Class in August when we go to see Pink. I am pretty excited about the whole weekend and am totally counting down.

9. Finish a manuscript - Fail

10. Do the Illawarra Sky Walk – Fail

11. Try sushi (non-fish) – Done! I tried a lovely chicken and avocado style (taking out the avo as I hate the texture). I did enjoy it but can’t say I loved it. But, maybe one piece is not enough?

12. Write my will – Done!

13. Have a romantic night away – including a romantic dinner in a restaurant - It’s on the books of next Saturday night!

14. Take a family trip to the Zoo – Done and Done! We have visited Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium, Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and our local Mogo Zoo … quite a bit. It’s something we’re enjoying together.

Mogo Zoo

National Zoo and Aquarium

Taronga Zoo

15. Win NaNoWriMo – Humongous fail!!

16. Have Case take family portraits – Fail

17. Print the blog into a coffee table book – Fail

18. Learn to change a tyre – Fail BUT maybe James can squeeze it in??

19. Grow BeckyandJames.com – We have had some steady growth with some lovely community connectedness, which is what I wanted, so DONE!

20. Frame and hang one of my photos – I have been told my mum is on this one. I took and chose the pic and she’s having it turned into a canvas for me to hang.. sooo, half done?

21. Start my 100 Strangers project – No BUT I have decided I WILL. I have been checking out this list of tips and tricks to help me get the courage to start.

22. Secure a paid writing gig – This isn’t exactly what I meant, but I am going to count my Lego sponsored post/giveaway so that I am not failing yet another one!

23. Learn to use the sewing maching – Fail

24. Write and publish an eBook – Fail. No idea what I have to offer, except maybe tips on failing to reach your goals?

25. Spend a whole day writing/arting, undisturbed – Fail

26. Have a night away alone - Fail, though not for lack of trying, planning (or dreaming) and begging

27. Sell 5 of my photographs – I have sold two photographs, so didn’t quite get there. Two is a good start, though, right?

28. See something ‘Big’ (ie The Big Banana) – Fail

29. Get a funky haircut – I am changing this to ‘Get a stupid hair cut’ because I did that and it’s STILL barely grown.

30. Delve into Self Love – I started a self love project last June, which wasn’t as comprehensive as I had hoped but I have Art Journaled, taken more photos and started my Smile File. There is more to do, more to learn and more compassion to be shown to myself and I think I might commit to another Self Love project for June this year.

And, obviously, 31. Have another baby, didn’t happen. Another fail.

Is it time to make a 40 Before 40? Hehe.

Did you do a 30 Before 30?
Did you make it?

Linking up with Essentially Jess.

P.S. I mentioned in my last Smile File post that I would love you all to join me, with June just around the corner I thought I would remind you of the details;

June is my birthday month, I will be 30 and I will need as many of you sharing smiles as possible, because THIRTY, people. I will be doing my normal Smile File post on the 2nd of July but will be sharing other moments via Instagram and facebook with the #JuneSmileFile hash tag. Please feel free to join in however you like. Video, photos, daily/weekly posts… Join me in finding the good.

He has it

Linking with Trish for Wordless Wednesday