22/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Madison & Noah: Having their first cup of "tea" (raspberry herbal tea). The verdict?

They loved it and now ask often for more "red tea".

Linking in with Jodi @ Practising Simplicity

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21/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

The day between both their birthdays (their birthdays are only two days apart), is the perfect time to give them their presents. It only seemed fair.

Madison: Seven years and 364 days old.
Noah: Five years and 1 day old.

Linking in with Jodi @ Practising Simplicity

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BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

There once was a time when I scoffed at families who had children born on the same day several years apart. Like my step-brothers. They're four years apart, born on the same day. I couldn't believe how people planned pregnancies like that. It just seemed bizarre beyond belief.

Since the mocking, I now know that this occurrence is not planned and much more common than I first thought. Because then I gave birth to two children - three years apart and both due on the same day. Luckily for me, one came two days early and so they don't actually share a birthday.

But it was this close.

It means that their birthdays are smack in the middle of the year, giving us reprieve between birthdays and Christmas. It means they have summer gifts and winter gifts, something always to look forward to (in six months' time), and they don't have to wait too long for their birthday after the hype of the Other Brother's.

Sooooo many advantages.

It also means that it's one big birthday week at our place every year. We usually combine the party, but the three year age gap at this age means that their differences are, well, different. So, two parties in a week it was.

But between the party madness, there was a quiet moment to celebrate and reflect. To give gifts, eat birthday cake and drink hot chocolate (Coke Zero for Dad).

This moment.

SPY VS SPY: NOAH'S PARTY.

(The suit and tie: It's totally awesome when your husband comes home from work to coordinate the party games, yes?)

I'm not sure I know too many five year olds who are into being a spy, but the youngest lad in this home is crazy for it. To the point of wanting this theme for his birthday party, and no other.

True story.

Not to be outdone by his brother who, two days later also had a spy party (a little bit more sophisticated for the eight year olds, I must admit), Noah and his little friends were able to diffuse bombs (pop black balloons), play spy statues (to James Bond and Mission Impossible Theme music), and solve their own mystery using hidden clues.

After finding the 'stolen' party bags, the junior spies enjoyed strawberry milk (all spies drink milk shaken not stirred, right?), Mission Impossible Pizza, Secret Agent Snacks, Spy Salsa and Sandwiches (hello Fairy Bread!), and Mystery Munch (bombs and bullets). The dairy free, egg free (but very tasty cupcakes) were loaded with bombs (chocolate Maltesers) and had to be eaten quickly before they exploded.

The party bags were hidden in a paper bag and contained essential energy, er bites, disguises, and pencil and paper to write down clues.

Coordinating a party for five year olds after planning so carefully an eight year old party (which was held just four days later) made me wish for the simplicity of a younger birthday party. Aren't kindergarten aged kids the easiest to please?

The morning of Noah's party, he woke up to the house full of black balloons and the kitchen all set up, and before his guests had even arrived, he said, "Mummy, thank you for making everything so nice for my party."

And that, folks, is all I need to want to start planning his next party in two years' time.

Do you love to plan a kids party? How do you party; keep it simple or fuss with The Works?

20/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Noah: Whenever we are staying in Port Fairy, Noah climbs into our bed (which is still situated in the dining room) so he can watch TV in the comfort of a warm bed. Pretty wise if you ask me!

  Madison: He has fantastic balance, just like his Dad.

Linking in with Jodi @ Practising Simplicity

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19/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Madison: My sensitive boy. I want to wrap him in cotton wool as not to hurt his feelings.

Noah: My accident prone lad. Makes me want to wrap him in cotton wool for an entirely

different set of reasons!

Linking in with Jodi @ Practising Simplicity

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LONGING FOR SATURDAYS.

 My favourite day of the week without question is Saturday. The day that we make different from the rest. We don't work. We take a day off the stresses. We sleep in. We have an afternoon nap. We go for long walks, and be just us.

There's something about consciously taking a day off from the rest of the week. If something creeps into my head that causes me alarm, I quickly just put it aside and remember to think about it the next day. Dishes? Don't do them either.

It's a relief, and just what our bodies need after a busy week.

It might be Friday, but I'm already dreaming of Saturday.