We’ve been doing such a random assortment of things lately, and I’ve had a huge urge to de-clutter, clean and even (gasp) start packing for our upcoming move. I have also wanted to get out of the house and into the sun, visit all our friends and tire my babies out, and drink endless cups of tea with crochet. So I have. Semester doesn’t start until next week (I’m teaching an 8am class, fml), and it’s been all quiet on the freelance front, so I’ve had a little break. It’s been fun.
We have started ballet (a mummy and me class, I die!) and I have gone from a Tonka-Truck, Lego-Loving, He-Man Mum straight to the aisles of tulle and pink at Target. I have officially become a Dance Mom. I don’t know where it came from, but I can’t stop. I never thought I would be into frills and frou frou, but here we are! Frou frouing with dinosaurs and skateboards, but frou frouing nonetheless.
We have also been indulging in more playdates, and I get a real kick out of watching my babes interact with other babes. It’s fun to see them learning to share and take turns and generally be cute with their “friens”. Not that they really can at this age, but occasionally we can drink our coffees hot before someone has stuck a Barbie up someone else’s nose, or run over their fingers on a trike. Playdates are happy chaos at my friend Courtney‘s house – we have five kids between us and they’re all UNDER THREE. It’s fun to have a partner in crime.
It has been so warm here this winter, and afternoon sunshine is almost mandatory to play in. We go out nearly every day and I try not to actually panic that this is our last Queensland winter and we are going to a place far, far away… much closer to the south pole and therefore EFFING FREEZING AND I’M SO NOT PREPARED OH MY GOD.
In an effort to stem the panic, I have also been reading a lot more. Ok, that’s a lie, I read constantly, panicked or not. I have stumbled across the funnest little get-together on instagram run by a couple of bookish gals. #book_chat has a weekly theme (with prizes!) where you can take a picture of a book that fits the theme and have a little… well… chat about it! Last week’s theme was “classic”, so I decided to go a little left of center with a book I consider a classic. I figured everyone else would take care of the usual!
There’s even a bookchat bookswap instameet this Saturday in Brisbane hosted by Megan Morton and Julie Gibbs, which is part of The School Roadshow. It’s at Toby Scott Studio in Clayfield and I’ll be taking Pepper, and a favourite book to swap. This is hard for me, as I clutch my books to me like a bibliohoarder, never parting with that which makes me happy. But it’s a good cause, they’re raising money for the Indigenous Literary Foundation. If you’re around, you should join me! 4.30 to 6.30. Yay!
We have been going to birthday parties. And eating all the food.
And beginning to plan this kid’s birthday who will be ONE in September. What. The. Hell. Happened. I swear I had her yesterday, no lie. She is actually the royal baby! I just had to keep it quiet.
Time off has also given me permission to sit on eBay and buy nostalgic things I want to play with that I never had as a kid. So my babes are now the proud owners of every Rainbow Brite episode, and 15 1983 My Little Ponies that they’re not allowed to touch because the ponies are in such good condition. MAYBE I’ll let them play. Maybe.
We also trotted around Brisbane as my brother in law and his fiancee moved into their new house. Karlee is an expert cupcake maker (check her out here and here) and no lie, I ate this cupcake for breakfast. I nearly had two but that would be pushing the friendship.
We have also been just laying around. Sometimes reading, sometimes watching movies, any excuse to pile everyone on my lap and squeeze them hard. I’m surprised Peps laid as still as she did for this photo, usually she’s halfway up the walls now that she’s crawling and pulling up on the furniture. She was trying to steal Abby’s dummy so I gave her one to chew on. She had no idea what to do with it, but it kept her occupied for a few minutes trying to figure it out! Long enough for my ovaries to burst, anyway.
And always, with the time away from the internet, there’s time in the kitchen, churning out wonder after wonder (heh). I can’t wait to show you the ebook I’m working on, anyone with little kids to feed is going to love it! I’m so excited. I’m also hungry.
So that’s where I’ve been, folks. What have you been up to? Anything exciting? Throw a link in the comments if you’re so inclined, I have plenty of time to come and visit!
<3
SlapdashMama says
July 25, 2013 at 7:03 amHey, I like those little bunting button doodads. Also, I just met you, and this is crazy, but you’ve got my number, call me maybe. And by that I mean…lets catch up before you move. Also, don’t move 🙁
MotherDownUnder says
July 25, 2013 at 2:03 pmI want to catch up with both of you! And Bettina! Let’s do it! Email me definitely.
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:06 pmLETS PLEASE!
Reannon Hope says
July 25, 2013 at 8:01 amLife sounds good Stacey. I can’t believe you’re moving to Melbourne! Wow!! All the filly, pink, pony, Rainbow Brite stuff looks like so much fun. I was obsessed with plaiting my My Little Ponys hair as a kid. I think because I had hair that didn’t grow & was black as black that made the my pony’s long colorful hair so appealing.
I am kind of the opposite to you right now. I’m restless which instead of causing me to rush around doing a million things I’m getting nothing done. I’m spending most of my days playing with the baby or trawling the net looking for a distraction ( hello Pinterest!) or doing stuff with the big kids. I think it’s the weather or maybe the fact I’m just tired & my headspace isn’t capable of concentrating on anything for an extended amount of time. Books? Reading? What’s that?
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:06 pmOh Pinterest, I have been ALL OVER that lately! so many cool new things to look forward to (a couple of weddings also!) so I’ve been living on there. I braided my cabbage patch kid’s hair as a kid (mine was also long and black, boooring) and I got so good at it. Never had a damn pony though, was always so jealous of everyone else.
I was totally doing what you are now – so many little things, but feeling like I wasn’t achieving anything. I had to stop! I hope you feel better soon x
Lila Wolff says
July 25, 2013 at 8:12 amSo many lovely and exciting things happening! Packing tip use your linen to wrap your dishes / breakables. It’s cleaner than wrapping them in newspaper and less waste to dispose of when you get there.
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:04 pmYou are always full of good ideas! Also a good excuse to buy some more linen 🙂
Eva Iezzi says
July 25, 2013 at 9:56 amIs it bad that I want to call in sick to work on Saturday so I can come to the Instameet? Boooooks!!!!
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:04 pmI want you to come so bad!
Violet Lulu says
July 25, 2013 at 11:46 ameurrgggghhhhh (unflattering noise), i want to be a dance mOm! totally second the linen tip, no one likes newspaper fingers.
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:03 pmI think it’s such a good idea! Both the linen tip and you being a dance mom! DO IT!
MotherDownUnder says
July 25, 2013 at 2:02 pmIs there a recipe for your girls in the cookbook? Because they are so cute I could seriously eat them up! Or try to make one of my own!
I was thinking of going to the Instagram meet up this Saturday but life is so busy at the moment. Even though I have been taking time away, it is still busy!
Bettina is on her way home so let’s schedule a play date soon!
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:03 pmYes indeed! We are terribly free. Do please come if you can carve out an hour or two! would love to see you x
Lisa Mckenzie says
July 25, 2013 at 2:27 pmHello Stacey you moving where hon?? somewhere cold hmm maybe down near Beth at babymac,You can tell us when your ready,i bet you will miss the warm so bad.I am glad your little angel is doing dance ,mine never did only once and I had to do it with her! she is a soccer player still,I want to see your tutu lol.
I like that you have been chilling it is good for you .I just joined a creative café where we sit and crochet or knit or whatever your into and eat cake and have coffee, I love it ,I meet other women and have an excuse to crochet or knit for 2 whole hours and the people are lovely,all ages and some have babies and I have a cuddle and a sniff and go home contented.Enjoy the time with your gorgeous girls while they are little it goes way too fast,my baby girl is 23 next week “sob” no it ok we are best friends,as yours will be one day x
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:03 pmWe are going to Melbourne! I’m thinking I’m going to have to buy a coat or something, i don’t even own one 🙂
I LOVE the sound of your little crochet cafe! What have you been making? I just started a little dress for Pepper and it is so cute.
I love hearing about your kids and knowing that I’ll have such a wonderful relationship with mine too when they’re a bit older x
Lisa Mckenzie says
July 26, 2013 at 6:05 pmMelbourne I think you will need more than a coat hon!
Yes my little creative café is ,gold I love going there I have always been able to knit but not crochet so well ,but I have made 5 headbands for little girls with cancer,some cool necklaces with crochet balls around a bead and some fingerless gloves and I am doing a blanket atm out of my odd balls of wool ,I love how you make clothes for your girls I am not that clever yet! Yes you will have a wonderful relationship with your girls as they grow up xx
elisha hayes says
July 25, 2013 at 2:39 pmMelbourne is a great place to live. I love it and miss it at times. Am a Sunshine girl myself but have just moved to NE Victoria. Only place i know where u get 4 seasons in 1 day. Winter fashion and dressing for the cold is always a bonus that you wouldnt generally get to do as much in QLD. …..and plenty of funky places to have coffees….and if you love sport, even better. Happy moving!! Which suburb is the lucky host for the move?
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:01 pmHaha my husband loves sport, and I love funky coffee places, so we should be fine! I also love museums and art galleries and old buildings and cobbled alleys, so I’m going to be happy as Larry. Not sure about the suburb yet, but somewhere north 🙂
LYBliss says
July 26, 2013 at 1:14 pmHi Elisha, I’m in Wangaratta, are u nearby?
Vegie Mama – It’s very cold right now, but the bonus is that people plan for it to be cold, so most houses and shops have decent heating and are set up to deal with it. I love Melbourne, so much to do!
elisha hayes says
July 26, 2013 at 3:34 pmHi there. Just down the road in Benalla. ha ha…Small world.
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
July 25, 2013 at 9:52 pmOh I hope you love Melbourne. It really does have a lot to offer, culture, food, music, all of that, but the cold weather is hard work. Don’t panic, I’m sure it will all work out for you – just make sure you get a house with good heating! We’re actually moving up to Brisbane in a few months. For the weather 🙂 … PS, your babies are just beautiful.
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 12:00 pmOh I’m panicking, there’s nothing I can do about it! I just don’t do cold well. But I’ve always wanted to live in Melbourne for all the reasons you’ve stated, so it’s a reasonable payoff… I guess!
GourmetGirlfriend says
July 26, 2013 at 11:53 amthis makes me happy.
xxxx
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 11:57 amIt has made me so very happy too. Loving it.
Rachel Devine says
July 26, 2013 at 11:53 amMelbourne? EEEP. I’d love to have you over for a play!
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 11:57 amOh we would be thrilled! We’ll have to look you up x
catebolt says
July 26, 2013 at 11:54 amMy jolly goodness your babies are beautiful.Your whole family is beautiful.
Veggie Mama says
July 26, 2013 at 11:56 amTHEY ARE SO AMAZING! I am afraid I will literally snap their ribs one day from squeezing so damn hard.
brittany says
July 27, 2013 at 1:27 amLoved reading this! Quick catch up on your life, old mate. If you haven’t read the Bling Ring yet, pick it up. It’s great. In the middle of “Into The Wild” now.
Miss you lots!
Brittany – USA
Joanna says
July 27, 2013 at 10:07 amSo we did the reverse move two years ago – Melbourne to Brissie. Where in Melbourne are you going to be living? Would love to come to the book swap today, but I have spent the last month working (nearly every day) and most of it in Singapore. So I am away from my husband and 3yo ballet princess, eating and working away around Singapore, and buying pants with elastic waistbands!!
Peggy says
July 27, 2013 at 4:32 pmLovely to come here and read about your small break. This all sounds just lovely. Also, your girls are truly adorable.