Jump Rope for Heart

81. Donate to an important charity or cause (Completed 15/05/14)

Alexis was the driving force behind this but it really was a family effort.  Jump Rope for Heart came to Lexi's school and she decided to aim big.  She wanted to raise $2500.  I was pessimistic, I won't lie.  I told her (and shame on me really) to aim lower.  So we aimed for $500.  And I'll again be honest, and didn't think even that would happen.  But with a lot of effort from the family as a whole and yes, that did include a donation from us (although that was nothing compared to some donations).

Via online donations mostly, and some cash donations - from people who we knew, to strangers, to A PLANE FULL OF PEOPLE, Lexi raised $4420.  

Some big moments included:
- Alexis and Memphis being in the newspaper
- the flight crew on our flight from Melbourne getting behind Lexi and taking up a collection ($200 in coins!)
- Jump Off Day
- Prizegiving and meeting Happy Heart.

This pic from the Albert & Logan News

Lexi's teacher helps her with some skipping

One of the easier activities at Jump Off Day

Go Lex!

Lexi's facepaint for the Tiger Airways crew that helped her out!

Prizegiving at school

Meeting Happy Heart!!!

Happy Heart and her prizes

Memphis having a hole in his heart was the driving force behind the whole thing.

Being Mum in front of the camera.

23. Have (updated) professional family photos done (Completed September 21, 2014)

This was a goal I was both excited about ticking off, but also dreading.

I was one of those mothers.  I was going to lose weight and have photos!  Except instead of losing weight, the number on the scale was going up.  And I realised that if I waited until I lost weight, I was never going to have photos of my family that included me.  Because despite the fact that I take photos of families for a living, and despite the fact I am constantly telling mothers to get in to photos with their children - I did not practice what I would preach.  

I cried when I went shopping for an outfit.  I came home empty handed and frustrated and in a very self depreciating mood.  Ty hid from me.  It wasn't a fun experience for either of us!  I went back without him.  I went back in to one shop, decided I wanted something in navy blue, and set myself the task.  I didn't look for long.  The first thing that looked ok was what I got.  Turns out, I rather love that dress.  It's pretty, it's comfortable, and it doesn't cling to my fat rolls.  Fingers crossed, Gina.  Hope for the best.  

Still, right up until I actually got there?  I wanted to cancel that shoot.  I made up many excuses in my head as to how I could put it off until I lost that weight.  For the record, if I did, I'd still be waiting.  And our photographer was not going to let me out of it - she knew exactly where my head was.

Mandii from Xanthe Photography is my kind of person - fun, silly, natural.  We've developed a friendship through our love of photography, and I am so grateful to have her in my life.  She was having none of my self-hate.  And despite not loving myself very much, I trusted her.  And she was great.  And she is amazing at what she does.  And I am so in love with our family photos.  We now have 2 beautiful canvases hung in our lounge room - a family portrait, and one of our 3 gorgeous kids with their favourite soft toys.  I am soon to create a photobook displaying my 60 favourite images.  And I 100% LOVE showing our photos to people, and absolutely do not care what people think of me in these photos.  Because they are so beautiful, and they are so us.  And they make me SO happy.

And here's the thing.  I surprised myself.  The first image that Mandii gave us a sneak peak of made me cry.  Me and my baby boy.  Not "OMG look at how awful I look", but "OMG I finally have a stunning photo of me and my Memphis".  And it is.  And I actually kinda love myself in it.  I look at it and think wow, he's so tiny yet suddenly not so tiny.  Look at his cheeky grin and those little fingers.  Those beautiful big eyes.  And look at me.  It's nothing to do with the fact that I  actually don't look that fat and everything to do with the fact that I look HAPPY.  That's me and my baby.  (The colour version is amazeballs, by the way... I've attached it further down!)

The first image I saw from our shoot.

All of our images captured our family exactly as we are.  Silly, cheeky, fun.  The kids had fun, and were able to explore.  Ty and I were comfortable.  The end result is a beautiful gallery full of happy photos.  So many people have made comment on how happy we look.  How much fun we must have had.  And fancy that, not one person has commented about my weight.  I've had nothing but positive comments.  And sure I still need to lose weight, but I needed to have these photos more.  It wasn't really about waiting for me to lose weight, in the end.  It was capturing my family as it is now.  Young, fun, silly.  Memphis just before he turns 1, Zavian as his cheeky 3 year old self, and Lexi, our 5 year old school girl.  Still in those stages of innocence that seem to evaporate far too early these days.

I needed these photos as much for the kids as I did for me.  They'll look back on photos I myself have taken, sure, and there are many many many images of the 3 of them and also a lot of them with their Daddy.  But images with Mummy are sparse because I hide behind the camera.  Ty rarely takes photos of me with the kids and a lot of the photos of me with them are selfies from a camera phone.  So now they have beautiful images.  Images that they will look back on and say hey look, there's my mum.  I can pretty much guarantee they'll be looking at our family and how happy we are.  And that they won't give a rats ass about the size of my body.

Go and have photos taken with your children.  Every child needs a beautiful photo with their mum.  But more than that, every mum needs one with her children.  Lucky for me, I now have quite a few.

Book Week 2014 - Little Red Riding Hood

Book Week - I love it!

Following a tutorial  I found posted here (thank you Pinterest) I was able to hand make Lexi's cape.
I used this skirt pattern for her skirt, although I left of the bow at the back and made it longer.
Her Big Bad Wolf and Grandma came from good old Ikea!
The basket was salvaged from the mess under her bed ;)

I was pretty happy with the end result and little miss received a prize for her efforts (a book).
I loved how the school really got in to it (so many more dressed up than I imagined), and the teachers really put in heaps of effort.  Lexi's teacher went as Willbee the Bumblebee, which Lexi was super chuffed about as that is one of the books she loves. I think the most heartwarming thing of the day though, was that there were around 3 or 4 kids in Lexi's class who weren't sent in costumes and her teacher had back ups on hand to dress them in so they weren't left out <3

Anywho... this one's all about the pics.  I won't share many, just her costume, as there are a lot of (other peoples) kids in them.

Alexis - 12 June

12 June - Swinging

I had a shoot this afternoon and you required a good run about to let off some steam so you came to the park, too... it has only been a short school week and you've been a right little rat for your teacher all week. Misbehaving, not listening, getting in to things and being in "Lexi-land"... you had been so good all term, we have been a bit disappointed!!! You have SO much energy, but today we ran you wild until you were absolutely STUFFED! You love going to park, though you struggle to just pick one thing and stick with it. And you really dislike playing alone, trying to convince other children that they really want to be your best friend! You had a blast though, and took all of about 2 minutes to fall asleep!!! Mission accomplished.

Alexis - 11 June

11 June - something special from your brother

On our drive home from school Zavian told you he had made something special for you today at Bunnings craft. He goes a bit crazy without you when you are at school, and he's always thinking of you and worried about you missing out. We weren't allowed to leave today until he made you a door-hanger, too. You were so excited and grateful when he took you to your door and showed you what he made. More so you were excited to see your name on it! I loved the way you thanked him and hugged him and showed him you were grateful. You are a wonderful big sister to your brothers.

Alexis - 10 June

10 June - Bookworm

Homework at times is stressful and painful here, but sometimes you decide to take it in to your own hands and I will find you writing out your sight words, going over your red words, or like this afternoon, perched on your bed reading one of your home readers. You have both impressed and amazed me at how well you remember your books, and how quick you pick up new words. I am so proud of you. You love books, and I can't wait until you can read them properly and get the true enjoyment out of them.

Alexis - 09 June

09 June - special visitor

You love everyone. But then there are some people you love more than most. Uncle Monkey fits in to the category of being one of your all time favourite people. He surprised you with a visit today during his visit from NSW and you were so excited, you have missed him so much! You had a great afternoon mucking around outside with him playing on the trampoline and with the air canon and best of all, being Queens Birthday, you did his hair and gave him a tiara. Only fitting. You are very blessed to have an Uncle who lets you do that!!!

Alexis - 08 June

08 June - little miss poser

Today was SO hard to pick out a photo, as we took a whole heap today! You had a great day for the most part, minus one epic tantrum. We headed up to Mount Tamborine and had a lovely time at the markets, the most enjoyable part for you being a ride on a pony. The last time we went you were terrified (and it was $2 cheaper!) but this time you we confident and excited. You waved at everyone like you were the queen being chauffeured around! We had a great lunch at the St Bernard Hotel, where you met a huge St Bernard dog that you were happy to look at from afar... he was bigger than the pony you rode! The afternoon was spent taking photos and playing at the Botanical Gardens. You are such a poser. It's the reason I picked this photo, you are being so YOU. You are always posing, waving, performing. In fact you are doing your little dance you learned for the can festival here because it was SO much more fun than playing with the leaves like I asked haha. As frustrating as it can be, I do love the way you do your own thing when I want photos!

Alexis - 07 June

07 June - reading Joycee's book in the big bed

We have interstate visitors this long weekend. AuntyCaterina and Isabella, and Great-Grandma Joycee. Cat & Isabella are in your room so you've decided you are having sleepovers with Joycee on the airbed down in the studio. When I snuck down to see if you were asleep, you were propped up "reading" Joycee's novel that she left on the pillow!! So cheeky and independent going to sleep down in the studio by yourself, but to read a big book too? Slow down, baby girl. Slow down. xx
PS. You were most unimpressed that I took a photo of your hair once your plaits were out. You call it your "crazy hair" and you hate it hahaha.

Alexis - 06 June

06 June - drawing time

Nearly 6 months into your schooling it is beautiful to watch you develop. You are starting to draw with so much more detail, your people are more like people and you like to add things to your pictures (flowers, hearts, lollipops, rainbows and sunshine... so girly!) The magna-doodle you received for your first birthday (from Chanel and Loki!) still gets a work out. What surprised me most today though, is that you have learned how to write your surname. It's not something we have pushed, but you've picked it up at school. Needless to say, we are all pretty chuffed!

Alexis - 05 June

05 June - Being a tease!

Sometimes you like to sit out the back with the dogs while you have afternoon tea. I am not sure why, because you always end up whining that they are trying to eat your food! However it amuses you no end when Byron army-crawls his way over to you in the hope you may drop him a crumb. You're a big softy when it comes to Byron though, and more often than not you share what you with your buddy.

Alexis - 04 June

04 June - after school, school photo day!

Today it was school photo day at school! Hard to believe you are still even big enough to BE in school (look at you, you still haven't grown in to your school bag!) but here we are, having your Prep photograph taken. What chaos this morning as you tried to decide what clips to put in your hair (oh I am in trouble!)... here's hoping your hair was still nice and tidy when you went for your photos, and all your fluffy wispy bits had stayed in!

Alexis - 03 June

03 June - Helping Zavian

Most days, Zavian comes to you when he needs help with things. He looks up to you so much. This morning he was having trouble with a game on his tablet, so he pulled his chair up to you and you both sat like this for half an hour whilst you helped him to move through levels. You are so clever with your ability to use a tablet, and to help him the way you do. I love seeing you look out for him, you are such an amazing big sister.

Alexis - 02 June

02 June - the big sister

You are an amazing big sister. You and Zavian are the best of friends, but you also have a beautiful bond with Memphis. From the moment you laid eyes on him, he was yours. You are so loving, and so protective of him. You miss him so much when you are at school, that when you get home you tend to smother him... with hugs and kisses and lots of cuddles. You like to show everyone that you are big enough to care from him, and you measure this in your ability to hold him all by yourself. He LOVES it when you bounce around and tickle him. He'll forever be your Charley Bear.

Alexis - 01 June

01 June - Watermelon, Watermelon... I love, Watermelon

This afternoon we went to the park out at Yarrabilba with Nana and our family to celebrate her birthday. We had a lovely lunch and some great family time.  You ate chippies, kicked the ball around, had a BBQ, walked around with your cousin, set up deck chairs to cheer on the boys, invited random strangers to play, and got yourself covered in watermelon <3 
This picture ties in so well with a rather annoying song you like to sing ALL THE TIME (and have taught your brother!).  "Watermelon, watermelon, I love.. watermelon"... which is fine, except when it's on repeat!


Every year on the month of their birthday, I take a photo-a-day to document the kids month. Every day is taken in black and white, and the photo taken on their actual birthday is colour. 

Almost five...

I know a little princess, she is almost five.
She is my darling little girl, and I cannot believe how fast 5 years seems to have passed us by.

She is beautiful, cheeky and has a wonderful imagination.

She loves to dance, sing and perform.
Her 'Birthday Month Photo-A-Day' begins on Sunday (1st of June).
I am also aiming to get her a collection of photos done to celebrate her 5th birthday.
Stunning, isn't she?

Reading and Writing

Feeling slightly victorious tonight as a little learning milestone has been reached!
My little preppie has learned all of hear Golden Words.

It's been a long time coming, and she's probably one of the last in her class to get them, but she tried her best and finally achieved this.  She'll get an award on assembly on Thursday... highlight of her life haha.  She has received 3 awards now, and that will be her 4th.  I will need to start a folder!

So now we are on to 'Red Words'... and there are a lot more of those!  Start of a new battle, as she doesn't overly enjoy this style of learning (much prefers her sight words folder, where she reads the words in sentences and writes them out).  However, she will get there.  She continues to surprise us with how she is coming along and I'm really happy.

Here is a little sample of her writing.  It's a bit all over the place as she was using a pen without a grip and so she has less control, but she did this herself with help with spelling and also with me showing her about 3 of the letters.  Still working on capitals and lower case in the right spot, but she is 4 years old.  To be writing like this at 4, I really cannot complain!!!
(The letter is for a little girl in her class who's house burned down last week.  Lexi has given her a backpack and some toys inside it).

My kid is awesome.

Jump Off

Overdue photos of Miss Alexis!  She had her "Jump Off" day on May 1st, for Jump Rope for Heart.  It's all over now - Jump Off has been, fundraising is over.  All that needs to happen now is the awards assembly at school, where she (we) will meet the QLD Co-ordinator for the program and Lexi will also receive some prizes.  It is all quite exciting, really.  She doesn't actually realise that she is getting prizes.  

Her final total was $4400.00 - pretty damn amazing considering the school sitting in 2nd place for fundraising is on a combined total of $4725.00!!!

Anyway, pictures say a thousand words!  

Clearly thrilled that Mum came along with the camera

A little better, Lex :P

Sack races... the bags didn't quite hold up haha

One must always be on the ready to stop and pose

Realising that she has to actually do this hahaha

Lexi wasn't heavy enough to break her bag, had to do it properly.
Tongue out for extra concentration haha

Quiet activity - colouring in heart murals

Mrs Wilson jumps in to lend a hand.  Lexi takes advantage of that haha

My favourite picture of the day!

Another pit-stop, this time for a healthy snack!

Memphis is a bit peeved she didn't share lol

Getting some air!

She really enjoyed herself

Thanks to everyone who supported our little superstar