First day of school!

My little big girl started school today! Evie has been looking forward to school for ages now, and the day finally arrived. We were ready with enough time for a photo shoot by the chook yard:

ha, these photos are classic Evie, she couldn't stand still for very long! Rog worked from home today, so we were able to walk together to school (with Dex along for the ride) which was really lovely.

Evie settled in easily in the classroom and we were able to slip out and return home without any tears from her, my brave girl. Of course I teared up as we left, but I pulled myself together as we walked home.

Evie beginning school has been pulling alot of emotional heart-strings for me lately. I'm so happy to see the beautiful, confident, free-spirited and loving girl that Evie has grown into. She is so ready to start school; to be broadened socially and begin learning more. I think I have trouble letting go. I think it's the idea of passing my Evie over to the school as her main influence during the week, I've become very accustomed to choosing and filtering all Evie's influences until now. I've been so fortunate to spend the past (almost) five years at home with Evie, a really precious time. It feels like a cliche to say, but it's true, when did my little girl grow up, wasn't she just born yesterday!!

ps - apologies (not really!) for the picture heavy post and somewhat inarticulate feelings (I should really be in bed, but couldn't wait to share this post with you!!)

4/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Evie: giggle-fest while eating lunch
Dexter: post-lunch peek-a-boo

These photos were taken on our trip to the museum last week. We had a picnic lunch out the front, before enjoying an intensive tour of the museum, it was a tiring, but perfect outing.

Dexter is 11 months old!

My darling boy is 11 months old already, eep! It was really tricky taking the photos this month, this boy just won't sit still! We're getting so much talking from him now, lots of noises and made up words. Dex's newest word is 'tickle', ha, such a crazy word. He grabs with his fingers and says it with a giggle, so cute! He also says 'bye' and waves, especially when Rog leaves for work, he sometimes gets a 'bye da dad'!

The latest obsession for Dex is lights and light switches, he constantly has one finger in the air pointing at them. Anything with wheels, buttons or a cool noise needs to be explored too. Dex hasn't walked independently yet, but practically runs with his walker (or a chair, or anything else he can push!)

3/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Evie: a sneaky self-portrait I discovered on my camera
Dexter: all sparkly eyes and giggles

2/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Evie: pensive moment during a boisterous game of pirates
Dexter: gee does this kid know how to flash his baby blues!

Some lovely links - 26

Oh man, I haven't done one of these since September, I should have a billion lovely links for you!

- gorgeous artwork from Eszter Schall

- ooh, this is just lovely, from Block Shop

- truly gorgeous cushion covers from Lark

- these pictures give me serious indoor plant lust (that's a thing, right?), from kekkila, via time of the acquarius

- because Evie 'needs' more dresses I bought the versatile pattern for this cutie and have almost finished sewing it! from Made by Rae

- here are 'eight ways to deal with anger as a parent', let's keep it real people

- a tasty summer beverage, this one slips down too easily!

- I make this granola once a week, it's amazing!

- we had this lentil salad with our dinner last night, delicious!

1/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Evie: my happy, chocolately-mouthed kitchen helper
Dexter: post-nap cheeky boy, always trying to grab the camera

I'm giving the '52 Project' a go this year, inspired by Che and Fidel, The Beetleshack and Documenting Delight. I've loved seeing their portraits over the past couple of years and look forward to building a collection of my own.

Dexter turns 10 months

oh my, this boy! I feel like every day my heart grows larger with love for these two!

At ten months Dex has a mouthful of seven (!) teeth which I see all the time with his cheeky grins and giggles. He's always 'talking' and making interesting noises, definitely discovering his voice. At around ten months Dex pointed at a light switch and said 'dis', which has been followed by everything being questioned as 'dis'. He's had a little haircut since these photo were taken, just back and sides, he's so neat and tidy now.

hmm, what else. Dex has yet to stand or walk on his own, but he's constantly pulling himself up to standing on furniture. A friend lent us a walker, and he walks back and forth with it all the time. I know I say it every monthly update, but he truly is a delight!!

ha, munchkins!