Finally A BOY!

In the last 12 months, all around me, all my friends and relatives have been having babies, and most of them have been girls. While I like making pink things (and am a little jealous too), one of them has finally had a BOY! Someone else to join me in willyworld. Is it just me or do mens obsession with boobs and penises start as soon as they enter the world? I digress - welcome to the world little Travis. Congratulations to your mum and dad

Fairies

Today we were surrounded by three year old fairies.

I managed to get Spencer into an elf outfit (Alexander's peter pan). Benji started in overalls (a gardener) but he stripped it off to be an incredible.

Its all about the sword! (I could only find a wooden spoon but he went with it)

The cake, birthday fairy and host for a lovely fairy morning.

I need to purge

Some aquaintences came to our place today and I was so proud that I managed to get the 'good room' clean (or clean enough for visitors). It really shouldn't be a rare occasion, nor something to boast about - but sadly it is.
We have got ourselves into a situation where we just have SO MUCH STUFF! Not even particularly good stuff, just lots of it. From egg cartons and toilet rolls I have saved for crafting, to office chairs, desks, bikes and lots of other random thingsseado and overhead projector. We can't walk past a bargain, something good out on the nature strip, or throw anything out for fear of needing it for something.

I think not spending money has made me focus on this even more. I actually have a lot of stuff, I just CANT FIND IT. So whether it be ebay or a simple yard sale, I would really like to see the floor of the garage or even get a car in it- but best to start small....

Sewing Projects

As you know I am trying not to spend money, (!!) and actually not doing too badly. In the week I have only had one coffee and really thinking twice about purchases. Then I remembered we had a couple of celebrations this month, so it was out to the garden shed and a search through the stash. I found this fabric which is actually cotton lycra and bought the end of the bolt. It has been hanging around for a bit, but perfect for PJ's. For the three year old party I made these raglan sleeve with a swing bottom. The lace was hanging around and picks up the white in the pattern and the bottoms are like leggings.

I used the same fabric for a nightie for a girlfriends daughter. We have been hanging out for her second baby to arrive and this is a present for the new big sister (who is almost 5). Alexander designed the card and i used this to do the fabric painting. The nightie is raglan sleeved - again it is long sleeved, I must be willing on the cooler weather. The book is from the present cupboard.

Total cost - $0, effect on stash - invisible!!

cool stuff - book

I am trying to not only post more regularly (!) but to also have a bit of a theme in my posts. Thus I have decided to show you something random that I think is cool - it may be a link, a product, a gift or an idea. Today its a book! This book was a Christmas present and is another beauty - and a bit of a laugh. It is called Show me How - 500 things you should know - Instructions for life from the everyday to the exotic.

The book is broken into sections such as make - where this page is from, making a tyre swing, pressing flowers and dying eggs (obviously my favorite section) as there is more below with balloon animals, papier mache balloons, potato prints and sugar crystals (which I must try)

Other sections like the style section have this page for identifying mens facial hair. BTW I don't get this whole moustache fettish going on in the crafty world, I would love it if someone could explain it to me...

This is from thrive- swimming strokes. Basically everything is in this from dicing a mango, to tying a windsor knot t how to run with the bulls in pamplona - should be a good reference book! I will have to have it in my bag when I need to 'freshen up with a bidet'!!

Begin Again

An exciting day all round yesterday. Everyone was a little aprehensive as 'normal' life resumed. Alexander was back to school but now in grade one and in a shared teaching environment. This is a trial for the school and everyone is very eager to see how it works. I have never seen so many eager parents anxious to do parent help!! But bigger than that was Benji and Spencer's first day at kinder.

The first day was only an hour as way of an introduction and the parents are encouraged to stay. I got there early and got the boys used to the environment and they were surprisingly happy to be there. They happily walked up the path that they have walked so many times before, but this time it was all about them. Only half the class for the first week to get used to the environment and what was lovely was they already know most of the kids.Benji inspecting the Bathroom....Spencer (taking after his father) on the phone(S) Benji in puzzle mode...Spencer at the paints...
Friends checking out Splash the Turtle.

It was really a lovely day for all my boys. The kinder teachers took them in and made them feel welcome and comfortable and each went off and explored their own independent interests which was just great to watch.

And for me I was happy to get back to my knitting group. It has been a long summer break and it was just lovely to catch up with everyone. Lets hope every day is as good.

Febusave

I have signed up for Febusave. I had heard about it and was thinking of doing it, but didn't plan very well because I have started today and not really stockpiled (which I suppose is not really the point anyway)

What is it? Essentially it is run by the ANZ bank :( and the idea behind it is to get women in particular setting financial goal and not only having more understanding but also control over their finances. I actually signed up as I could win $5000. That would be a good way to increase my savings since I don't actually work!

How I am thinking about it is not so much as saving, but not spending. Oh, and don't think the Big Squirrel gets out of this scott free - no sir-ee. He is on the plan too, and its probably a bigger challenge for him. What have we set out to do:

• For the month of February on spend money on essentials. That is to pay the bill and necessities - but nothing else.
• So we can pay the mortgage, the internet, the phone etc but even with these bills, cut down where we can, such as decrease electricity etc.
• We can buy necessities but I want to limit these too - not go without food, but budget when we buy them and get what we need in one shop as opposed to popping to the shops and these a random $60 for bread and milk! The same with petrol - bugeting and getting onto the cheaper cycle which can save up to 30cents per litre!
• No takeaway so I will have to plan meals more carefully and get the big squirrel into the kitchen to get a night off!!
• As I wont be buying things, there will be no coffees, no snacks at shopping centres, no icecreams, lunch will be packed at home, and no craft supplies. This means I will have to actually be creative and use the stash. So presents and cards will be of the homemade variety or from the present cupboard (which should be sorted out anyway).

School started today and the boys start kinder this afternoon so wish me luck as I try to adjust my thinking (and my wallet!) Now, off to pay the bills!!!!