Connection

I wanted to portray the wonderous connection between Mother and Baby - that unbreakable bond - the 'Madonna's cloak' - that strong embrace. I've been captured lately by the warmth and safety that eminates from this unique and precious incubatory time -  when a little one needs the arms of their Mother to land softly in this world...

Welcome beautiful one!

Connected:)

Such a joyous and new experience of love

Peace

xxx

Lady of the Ocean

Lately I have been taking long walks beside the ocean - feeling Mother Earth beneath my feet as I wade through the sand and seaweed - letting the earth guide me as I walk. This week Aria and I were treated to some extra special time with our local dolphin family. I even caught them on video this time - only a few metres away from the shore! I think these latest adventures may just have inspired this little creation...

"Ocean"

Feeling the waves beneath her feet:)

Enjoying the sun.

In Peace, Love, and Light

xxx

A beautiful melody turns TWO

Once referred to by her Pa as "A beautiful melody sung by life itself" - our little Aria has now marked the end of her 2nd year here with us. We have many, many minutes of video footage and photographs and we also hold with us the amazing atmosphere of love, warmth, joy and security that comes from such a gathering of family.

On more than one occasion a tear or two welled in my eyes as I experienced anew the awe of becoming a Mother and the sheer preciousness of being able to call such a beautiful soul "my daughter". It was amazing to see her in all her 2yr old glory playing with her gifts, chatting with people and smiling from ear to ear amidst the excited flurry of festive wishes.

I picked up this idea of leaving a trail of fairy lights from a friend's blog (thanks Elke!) Aria's eyes grew WIDE when she emerged from the bedroom in the morning to see this magical pathway:) She knew it was a special day!

When she looked up to these flags she said "Mama mate it" - even though she didn't see me making these, she must be used to the home made vibe around here!

Window stars were created the night before...

While Dadda dried off the last of the wet paint with a hairdryer (at midnight!)

Adding the finishing touches to his masterpiece. Dadda's first ever bit of woodworking! 

(Now, back to the morning of her birthday woops - photos a bit out of order here)... Exciting!

Birthday Star:)

"Bocks"!!!

Yay! My guesstimation was right - the pants fit!

Aria loved her new little needle felted doll. 

 She pretended to make her walk all over Mama!

 Busy chopping the breakfast fruit with her new little sidekick.

Until Dadda gets distracted and zooms the fairy around the birthday girl...

"Where is she???"

"THERE she is"!!!

2yr old Aria ready to head off to the shops to buy the ingredients for her birthday cake.

How did a carob frog find it's way into the birthday girl's hands!

Christening her new quilt

We had a family party for her the following day - Aunty Anthea and Grandma helped Aria collect flowers to make her birthday wreath.

 The finished product.

There were lots of exciting presents! Everyone was spot on with their gifts - it's like Aria's angels whispered in everyone's ears. I think this little girl knows exactly how to manifest what she wants! Hehe:))

Perfect for all the spectacular winter rain we've been getting. Thanks Uncle Jordan!

There is always an initial stand off when her closest friend Airlie comes to visit. Then after this they can't keep away from each other! (As you will see)

Airlie made Aria a book about the last time she came to visit us. The girls put on their 'puddle boots' and jumped in all the puddles before seeing a sleeping Koala up the gum tree and seeing a rainbow at the beach.

Aria loves this beautiful present:) "Mama do it - Airlie book - Ok?"

We had some outside time with new garden tools from Nanna...

...followed by circle time with all of Aria's favourite songs. It was fantastic seeing everyone's faces light up at singing those familiar childhood songs.

I told my version of the rainbow bridge story with little watercolour paintings and felt figurines.

Aria certainly made herself comfortable! They're only 8mths apart, but this just shows how much bigger Aria thinks her friend is!

The Mama, Dadda, Bubba, Angel and little girl from her birthday story.

Hehee :)

That's better!

The Raw orange and Cacao cake that I made the night before. It took me nearly 4 whole hours to prepare this thing! I thought it was very yummy though and am told it was worth it! I may need to invest in a better blender before I attempt another layered vegan cake though!

Drying the dishes in the new kitchen.

    They made pasta on the stove, cut up some apples and served everyone cake and tea!

 Raw 'Key Lime Pie'. Fattening with so much avocado, but yum!

Sporting a new cardi courtesy of Nanna and playing with her new little german wooden village from Pa. (Got to get some of our German heritage in there somewhere!)

Admiring the window star and the window hangings. Such a smiley little rainbow!

 Thankyou, dear family, for making this celebration so special! This can be my 'this moment' shot for this week. I am most definitely grateful for this moment! For the hugs, smiles, jokes, love, playfulness, spirited chatter, help, gifts, connection, singing, and presence - thankyou!!!

In love and light,

xxx

Birthday Business

I just thought I'd post some photos of our preparation as we get closer to Aria's 2nd birthday. We are having so much fun getting all the surprises together for her special day tomorrow which she will spend with just Mama and Dadda. Aria is very excited about her "Birsday Party" on Sunday to which all the family will be coming to share in songs, stories, nourishing food and lots of lovin':)

 I didn't want to use balloons this year as I am conscious of keeping this as un-disposable as possible, so I decided to make some flags to hang around the place.

I'm extremely grateful for this hand-me-down sewing machine from my lovely Mother in law, Christine, which is getting some good use - (even if it's operator is somewhat confused the majority of the time!)

Dadda has been trying his hand at a woodworking project! He is building a kitchen bench complete with sink and stove top with shelves underneath to store all her plates and utensils. He has also been 'tuttin tees' (cutting trees!) to make tree blocks which I have just finished sanding

A certain someone's quilt is now complete. I included her own artwork (batik inspired painted fabric) patches which have made it feel really personal and special.

Hopefuly her artwork detracts from Mama's amateur sewing skills!

I have lined it with 100% natural bamboo/wool batting:)

Her birthday angel is beginning to take form

One excited little girl! Aunty kirsty is over to help make some decorations:)

Collecting decorative flowers with Aunty Kirsty

Ingtriguing!

A gift for Kirsty:)

The beginning of some window hangings made of merino rainbow wool, some wool roving angels, stars, flowers, shells, gum nuts, and other bits and bobs. Aria loved doing this so much for Dadda's birthday, that I thought we would do it again for hers. It's hard to capture in a photograph, but the effect is quite magical and suits my little rainbow girl to a tee!

 We've tried our hand at tie dying for the first time!

...And together we sanded some tree blocks.

 :)

Somewhere amidst all this preparation and excitement I need to find some time to meditate and to sleep! Phew! My head is spinning with birthday songs and stories... Don't you just love birthdays? I do!

In love and light

xxx