@ my house

I am enjoying a nice hot cup of tea 
(sadly the first for the day!!) 
& putting my feet up 
while my girls watch playschool
they love it 
& I enjoy some time off 
from being the entertainer!!


what are you doing @ your house?
play along here

Cubby houses I would like to move into


As children, MultipleMum and I spent days and days playing house in our father's shed.  I was always called Hannah, my very favourite name of all time when I was 9... I'm sure that one day my daughters will thank their lucky stars that I didn't have them at 9!

These fond memories were sparked by the darling cubby above belonging to Finn and Asha over at Leonie's place, Raglan Guld. Resting in a peaceful part of the garden, snazzed up with teal doors, so charming and unique. I would move in tomorrow if they would have me...


If the above is my ideal nest, this one is the McMansion next door. It's at Cutest Little Things and it is the Taj Mahal of cubbies... click on the link and have a wander around this amazing space. It's nicer and bigger than my house.

 Ohdeedoh features this one which is author Clare Crespo's daughter Ruby's playhouse. It's magic, isn't it? The sunflower garden just makes it extra special.

By Greg Hatton, featured on Designer in Disguise. Bit ho hum on the outside, but look at that stylin' styling inside. I want that desk for my new house over at Leonie's!

And just imagine if you had an inspired and talented mum like Judith Needham who could weave you a magical cubby from fresh willow? I mean, really, imagine that!

We've converted part of the garage into a cubby of sorts for our kids. It's not particularly inspirational, however, and now I feel inspired to do something about it!

 Do you have fond memories of a childhood cubby? Do your children have one?

And Bubby Makes Four... Introducing Elliott Daniel!



He's here... the teeny weeny, marshmallow-scented, satin-skinned, fluffy haired piece of perfection I never knew I desperately always wanted.

Until now.

Our son!

Eliott Daniel Cleary was born into the world at 1.02am on Monday, August 23. His weight was 7lb6 and his length was 50cm and he is so adorably little that I want to take a knife and fork and literally gobble him up!

The birth itself I'll share with you in a little more detail tomorrow if you are interested (I love hearing other people's birth stories!) but suffice to say it was full of intrigue... mystery... suspense... comedy... drama... thrill... and a little romance. Just like any good movie oooops I mean birth story!

A son! I'm not sure why I'm surprised - there was always a 50% chance of having one, but I come from breeding stock that tends to make girls. So when Elliott popped out, I had a slight moment of shock! Actually if I'm honest, the first day was sort of a hazy blur and I couldn't quite process my new baby at all. I stared at him through the side of his clear capsule with a kind of bewilderment. Who was this little creature with my name around his wrist? But then, somewhere in the dark hours of that first night - alone, just him and me in our hospital room... I fell in love.

It happened for no reason. Although he wasn't crying, I got the urge to lift Elliott out of his capsule and bury my nose into his soft dark hair. He hadn't had a bath yet; how could he smell so cookies-out-of-the-oven good? And my heart swelled beyond the infinite love I already held for my daughter and stretched into unknown realms. I realised I loved this person and would protect him until the day I died. And, that first night, a bond was tied between us, forever.

Here's our first 'family portrait' - snapped a few hours after Elliott's birth. Fern was fairly non-plussed, more fascinated with playing with my hospital tags and hiding in the curtains than adoring her little brother!

There were a few heart-melting moments though...

... and the 'gift' from her little brother worked a treat!

Wondering about our choice of name? Well, we deliberated for ages and came up with some pretty slim pickings on boys names. We liked 'Atticus' until some girls in my mothers group unknowingly bagged the name (not knowing it was my top contender!) and put me off it. Aside from that, Elliott really was the only name we both liked that seemed both fairly unique and 'normal' and sat well with 'Fern'. His middle name is my husband's name, it was important to Dan and I didn't mind - actually, Dan can't understand why i didn't want Fern's middle name to be Nicole! Hers is 'Lucinda', if you are interested.

Elliott likes:
- Being all warm and cocooned in blankets
- Mummy's milk
- Cuddles

Elliott dislikes:
- Having his nappy changed
- Being cold
- Being naked in general
- Baths (he wonders why he has to get naked for such an event?)

And mummy? Mummy loves everything about her little boy-o so far. And it all seems easier second time around. He sleeps and eats when he's supposed to and rarely cries in between. Even the night feeds seem marginally less evil than the first time, and although I'm a wee bit tired, I'm coping much better than I thought I would! Now, I just need to work out how to get dressed before 10am, how to get two bubs in and out of the car and leave the house generally and handle Elliott'd boy-bits with a touch more confidence and I'll nominate myself for mother of the year!

I've missed you all, can't wait to catch up on all your blogs... x

Vintage Cream

Vintage Cream
This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you the wonderful work of design and colour consutant Frances Tobin. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

Have a sweet day!

Mamma Mia


Woho oh oh oh Mamma Mia...here I go again...my my how can I resist ya!

Today I went and saw the totally amazing Mamma Mia! 

I don't even know where to begin and what words to use to describe what a fabulous day I had! Back at the start of the year when I heard that Mamma Mia was coming back to Brisbane I was instantly on the computer booking my tickets. I saw this show 10 years ago, once with my mum and sister and then again with my grandma and grandpa. So I was desperate to go again, even if it meant going by myself and yes I went by myself. So this morning I got dressed up in my nice new dress and headed off to the theatre to see the show. It is a half an hour drive so I gave myself an hour to give me plenty of time in case there was traffic. Bad Move. I was walking RUNNING through southbank with 5 minutes until curtain call, so upset that I was going to be late. BUT I MADE IT! I literally sat down just as the band began to play! I was sweating through my stockings, yuk, and puffing and panting but the minute the music started the magic began and I was lost in the wonder of it all! The music, the singing, the simple staging were all just amazing and all came together to make such a brilliant show. 

This performance was also very special to me as my dear friend I went to school with was performing in it. To see him up there was a such a wonderful experience and I was so proud of him! The energy and enthusiasm the actors put into these shows night after night just truly amazes me. I also enjoyed watching Nathan from Hi-5 and 'Declan' from neighbours. It was wonderful to see them in a new light! Nathan was my favourite of Hi-5 and he definitely belongs on the stage! What also amazed me was the audience! There were young girls aged 10 or 12 with their mums, young adults with their girlfriends, more 'mature' couples and elderly people with their loved ones. The range of ages was just fantastic and no matter how young or old they were each and every one clapped and cheered the whole way through. 

I was lucky enough to sit next to a dear old lady who was just having the time of her life. She was also there on her own so we got to share the experience together! She was tapping and singing along the whole way through and was just giggling at almost every second line. She really showed me that no matter what your age you can still have fun! 

My favourite part of the show was the end song and then the encore! A few people started to get up and dance and the lady beside me was instantly on her feet. Being by myself I was a little self conscious and just stayed seated and bopped along to the music, clapping and singing but seeing how much fun 'my new friend' next to me was having I couldn't just sit there so I jumped straight up and joined in the fun! It was so wonderful singing at the top of my lungs and dancing along to the music with a group of strangers yet all sharing the same experience! 

Tonight my cheeks are so sore as I have not stopped smiling all day and I HIGHLY recommend you all go see it if you get the chance! TRULY MAGICAL! 

x S.K.K x

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