Day 304 - Eye Spy Books

A few years ago I ordered a small set of Eye Spy books. Little did I know then how they would engage and occupy my children for long periods of time. Often Olivia asks for her 'Special Eye' books and will then walk around with one of these books in her hand for half the day. They know to look for the items and when they start looking at a page they say to whoever is reading the book with them: "Where is the (insert names of random pictures here)?" and will then point to it.
I really do need to find some more of these books for the girls. I love it. The beginning of reading skills have really started!

Day 303 - To separate or not to separate?

Today I attended a Multiple's in Schools Forum which I helped organise for Canberra and Region Multiple Birth Association. It was certainly successful with people with multiples starting school in the next few years being able to pick the brain of parents of older multiples as well as teachers and other professionals. It was great to see months of planning turn into a successful event! Well done to us, Ali and Amanda!

Day 302 - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I really do like Christmas, and even though it is only November, I am quite happy to see the displays hanging around in the shopping centres and the decorations and all things Christmas for sale in shops. My favourite display has to be Myer. They always have beautiful ornaments and wonderfully decorated Christmas trees. I found this gorgeous little owl hanging in their tree. I am going to have to go and purchase one of these cuties.

Day 301 - Silkworms

Stage 1 are watching silkworms grow as a part of a life cycles unit. This afternoon while helping Sue with a few bits and pieces I had a little lookie to see what all the fuss is about. They are a little cute. I quite liked how they popped their head up to say hello before they went along their way with the mulberry leaves. Hopefully I'll get to go back in and see them grow and change before the end of term.

Day 300 - A dip in the pool

Mum and I have been going swimming twice a week to help improve our fitness. I usually just kick along with my kickboard and every now and then I do a lap. I am sure it is helping... maybe when the weather is warmer I might just brave the outdoor pool. It is a very big maybe!

Day 299 - Beautiful Orchid

We have a gorgeous orchid at the moment. I just think it is beautiful. The girls have taken to flowers lately, stopping and smelling them and commenting 'oh smells pretty!' They usually aren't very gentle with the flowers, hopefully the orchid survives their man handling! I really must plant them  something to look after and hopefully develop their green thumbs early.

Day 298 - Pink, Pink, Pink

One in nine women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. To help raise money for research at the National Breast Cancer Foundation we all brought something pink to share. Watermelon and strawberries seemed to be on everyones shopping lists! There was so much food to eat! Every thing I tried was just delicious.
We also got a sticker which read 'I heart pink' and really I do. However it did take me a little while and some assistance from Sue as to explain why the love heart was upside down! So do your bit for Breast Cancer Research and donate some money.

Day 297 - Green Thumbs

The girls love playing in the garden, pulling out all the plants and digging in the dirt. So while we were at a Spring Fete on Saturday we purchased the girls a strawberry plant for them to take care of. Now just to plant them and teach the girls to water them. I can't wait until we get to pick our first batch of strawberries!

Day 296 - Play in the park

Today we went for a play in the park with Jenny, Sam and the kids. It was a beautiful day and the girls had a wonderful time running around and having some fish and chips in the park for dinner. I took lots of photos today, but this was my favourite by far. I love the way the light hits Ava while she is climbing up on the equipment.

Day 295 - I can only imagine the conversation

I love capturing moments the girls are engaging with one another. I can only just imagine what this conversation would be about. More than likely it would have involved Ava helping Olivia put sand on her pants and Olivia putting sand everywhere but in the sandpit! 

It's moments like this that melts my heart. Gorgeous moments of sisterhood.

Day 294 - So much to do

Friday. It is usually a work day for me while the girls are at Daycare. Instead it was a child free and work free day! So I made the most of it by completing all those odd jobs that is so much harder when you have 2 little helpers following you. I stopped via TNT on my way home to send a parcel to a dear friend who had not long had a baby. Pity that parcel has been sitting in my house boxed up since April.... better late than never right!

Day 293 - Her Majesty the Queen

Without work on today, I thought why not partake in a little Royal Spotting! With Her Majesty the Queen in town with Prince Philip it was a perfect opportunity. Beautiful weather on Lake Burley Griffin for Her Majesty to sail along from Government House to Floriade. She looked very relaxed as the boat went past lots of local well wishers. Even offering a royal wave every now and then. 

However, sitting for more than an hour on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin on such a beautiful day leads to me of course sporting a little sunburn on the arms. But I am happy to suffer that for a glimpse at this elegant 85 year old! Of course she has such great skin, she is so very sun smart, even if she was showing a little leg on the boat. I could take a leaf out of her book.

I don't expect to see her tour Canberra, or even Australia again, so I was glad I got to sit and offer a wave to the royal pair.

Day 292 - The Spot

We have introduced the spot - call it what you like, the thinking spot, the naughty spot - it is the spot where the girls know when they go there they are in trouble. Problem is of late, when you say no to Ava she thinks she is in trouble and so then takes herself to the spot. That can't be a good thing can it?

Day 291 - What an imagination

This morning over breakfast Ava had many conversations on her phone. She laughed and giggled like it was the funniest conversation she has ever had. She spoke to all her favourites: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and even Daisy. What an imagination.

Day 290 - What a Mo!

Today Right Honorable Doctor Mike Kelly came to open the new buildings at school. As usual the optimistic me had hoped that he would at least remember who his audience was and not to offer too much political jargon that the kids really don't care for, and as usual I was mistaken. The only plus side from his speech was that it was short and sweet.

But that Mo is incredible up close. Certainly no Merv Hughes, but a definite honorable mention. Thanks go to Belinda for being my guest photographer for today!

Day 289 - A Costly but Lovely Obsession

A trip to DFO always ends up with me looking at shoes or in Kate Hill. Either way I am faced with temptation. Originally we went out to find Shane some new shoes. Well, luckily we came home with those as well as a new Kate Hill wallet for me. Obviously I am teaching the girls some really great (or really bad which ever side you may be on) habits. When we stopped outside Kate Hill to look at the overnight bags, Ava dropped her handbag she brought along with her and wanted a new one... bless. I am going to have to get her a job early to feed her obsessions!

Day 288 - Finally beautiful weekend weather

Today was a day filled with various park visits and the girls loved every minute of it. Lately the weekends have been filled with dodgy weather and rain so we haven't had much of a chance to let the girls outside for a run around in the park.
We went to Chifley Park for a multiple birth picnic and clothing swap this morning and then after a well earned nap, we went to the park to celebrate Bianca's birthday. The girls had a lovely time playing with their friends and cousins. I know I am tired tonight, so I guess they should be too.

Day 287 - Happy Friday!

When I went to pick the girls up from daycare today, Ava was hiding behind the bookshelf. When she jumped up from behind the bookshelf, this is what I saw... my child who had obviously had a wonderful day. She had her face painted, she was a little grubby and had the biggest smile on her face. Olivia was almost the same, the only thing she was missing was the face paint. It wasn't until we got home that she decided that she wanted her face painted. Oh well maybe next time they'll look like twins!

Day 286 - Teeth brushing

The girls have been learning about oral hygiene at school. We had to take photos for their classroom of them cleaning their teeth. Sometimes it is a little hard to capture them cleaning their teeth when they usually like to suck all the toothpaste off their brushes!

Day 285 - Thinking, thinking, thinking...

Ava has many faces. Today while shopping she thought that it was time to have a thinking face. Far too cute!

Day 284 - Supporting Stay at Home Mums

Tonight at the monthly Canberra and Region Multiple Birth Association's meeting, we learnt about the Majura Women's Group. Until tonight I had never heard of them. However, after hearing all about it, I wish I had known about it earlier. They are a volunteer organisation who provide opportunities to stay at home mums to get out and meet new people and try new things for a small fee. If you know anyone who  would benefit from getting out and about, tell them all about the Majura Women's Group (http://www.majurawomensgroup.net/)

The mosaic in today's photo, which hangs in the meeting room at QE2, was made and donated by the Majura Women's Group.

Day 283 - Horsey Rides Pease

It was not that long ago that I wrote about an occupational hazard of laying down and having to give the girls horsey rides. But they don't ask me for horsey rides anymore like they used to, the only ask each other for a one. And yes, they don't say please, they say pease. It is one of few times they are happy to take turns. Bless.

Day 282 - Better late than never

Last year I started sewing an advent calendar, I promised myself that I would finish it before this Christmas. Well with 11 weeks until Christmas, I had better get a wriggle on! So I went on an adventure to spotlight this afternoon to find some backing fabric and batting. I have sewn these on and now to sew the binding and get a piece of dowel to hang it up with. Hopefully I will be finished in time. The girls don't often give me time to sew, and with Olivia deciding that she doesn't always want a sleep at lunchtime, so my quiet creative time is not sufficient at the moment.

Funny thing is I bought another advent calendar block from the Quilt and Craft fair in August. I wonder how long that one will take me to complete?

Day 281 - Mirror, Mirror

Mirrors are an object of much fascination! The girls love seeing themselves in the mirror. They love it even more when they can see others in the mirror. This fun is never ending! They pull faces, sing and leave many a finger print or even a kiss print on mirrors within their reach. Beautiful. Glad it isn't my mirror to clean today!

Day 280 - A hot Portuguese followed by a Thick Dark Italian

Today I met up with Sue for a last hurrah of the holidays. We went to Nando's for a delicious Portuguese  chicken paella. It was delicious. I hadn't been to Nando's before and I was grateful you could pick how hot you wanted it. Sue picked mild and said it was quite warm, I was a chicken (no pun intended!) and opted for lemon and herb (the lowest of the heat range) and it was just right. We followed that with hot chocolates at Max Brenner's. Sue ordered the thick dark italian hot chocolate, and after having a little sample, next time that will be my choice. However my white hot chocolate was just decadent.

Day 279 - A Little Day Out

'We're going on a little day out... We're going to a Concert!'

Today I took the girls along with Madison, Teresa, Ella, Brydie and Kaleigh to Justine Clarke's Little Day Out concert. The girls enjoyed singing along with the songs and were mesmerised by the princess...(Justine was wearing a dress, so she became an instant princess) She sang all our favourite songs and a couple of new ones the girls haven't heard often enough to know the words. We were buzzy bees, ate watermelon, roared like dinosaurs and danced along with the dancing chicken.

I hope she comes back again, I am sure the girls will love it even more next time.

Day 278 - Daddy's hat house

Ava and Daddy - Olivia was too busy with her
roadies from lunch!

We went and met Shane for lunch at work today. The girls were very excited, and all the way out all they kept saying was 'I see daddy have lunch' very cute. We took them in for a chat with his colleagues and then went over to the Terrace for lunch. On the way back to the car I overheard Olivia call The War Memorial 'Daddy's hat house'. It took me a while to work out where the hat came into it, but that lovely green dome is the hat. So now whenever we talk about Daddy's work she just has to remind us about the hat house!

Day 277 - Olivia

It is not often I get a photo of Olivia where she is relatively happy enough to look at the camera! So while playing outside today I had to capture this moment without her noticing. I am loving the warmer weather and daylight savings! It means I don't have to worry about the usual 4:00pm cold chill in the air and the girls can play outside that little bit longer.

Day 276 - Tiptoe through the tulips

What a beautiful day we had to end the long weekend. We decided to take the girls to Floriade and have another look at the flowers. Apparently so did half of Canberra. It was rather busy, with lots of people making the most of the warmer weather and heading out. I was hoping to take the girls on the Ferris Wheel but the line was just far too long, maybe next time.

Day 275 - Compensation

We were meant to go and visit the beautiful Pearson family this weekend, but they have been touched by the dreaded pox over the last week, so with Olivia having tonsillitis I thought it is probably the best idea not to expose her to them. So instead after a very lazy morning, we took the girls to DFO for some lunch and a little look around the shops. I came across this gorgeous Kate Hill overnight bag. While it doesn't match the wonderful company we would have had over the weekend it is of course wonderful compensation for not being able to go visiting.
I will hopefully get to show my new bag off to the Pearsons later in the month. I know that Andy is just going to love it!

Day 274 - An Overdue lunch date

It was a day of social gatherings today. First I went and met baby Max, who is very cute. Then came home to have lunch with my wonderful cousins Julie, Jodi, Jen and of course Cohen. As usual the girls loved Cohen, it was really very cute when Cohen was sitting on the floor and Olivia turned to him and said 'Come on baby' and walked away expecting him to follow her.

We had a few people missing today with Brett having to work and Jenny not being able to come after Andrew had been sick. (Far too much fun yesterday obviously!) It was lovely to catch up and have a little chit chat while watching the AFL Grand Final. I am already looking forward to the next one.