MY DUMMY, MUMMY.

On the rare occasion, I get to catch up with an old school friend who has recently moved to Melbourne. We don't exactly live within five minutes of each other, so our visits are not regular I must admit. But when we do, it's like no time has passed and we talk non-stop and also to observe the dynamics between our boys. They are only a few months apart, and so are at that joyous 'sharing' stage.

Although I tried when he was a baby, Madison was not interested at all in a dummy. But as you can see after this visit, he was quite interested in trying one out. When we got home from this particular day, he said, "My Dummy, Mummy". So I scrounged around in his old baby stuff and, low and behold, found just one. So, he popped it in his mouth (upside down to top it off), and pretended to be a dummy sucking expert - for a few minutes anyway.

I'm sure the dummy has gotten 'lost' somewhere just recently. And it seems he has forgotten it for now... but I wonder what will happen at our next visit?

Above: Emerson and Madison defending the dummy title.

twins birthday bash at miniature railway

It wasn't last week, in fact it was over a month ago that we enjoyed a day at Eltham Miniature Railway. Dear friends of ours had their twin boys - William and Regan - birthday party there.

It was just so much fun - endless rides on the mini train and lots of yummy treats made by Kate, the birthday boys mum and host. To say it was a blast for the kids was an understatement. Luckily the Melbourne weather held back the rain, but it was a tad cold and windy on the day. Good thing there was plenty of sustainence by way of fairy bread and scones to keep us warm!

Above: Action shot taken on the train; my favourite boys; Jacob having the time of his life; the birthday boys ready to blow out their candles; Ruby sharing with Madison (or is that Madison just helping himself?).

a new addiction?

My Wrapping Desk

My very first card - for my cousin's little baby girl Tilda Kelly.

My second card - for my dear friend Mish who turned 30 this week.

My third card - for my step-brother who just became a daddy for the first time. He thinks his son is the most beautiful thing on earth.

My best friend will be so proud - I think I have a scrapbooking addiction.

You see, it was she who has been working on me for around four years now. And her hard work and scrapbooking gifts have finally paid off.

But it's not really officially scrapbooking though.

Because I have other friends who are big into Wrapping Rooms - you know, rooms that are filled with pretty papers, cards, ribbons and set up like a little shop for gift wrapping. One very creative and talented friend even has a clipping on her fridge of her dream Wrapping Room - it's to die for. And I wanted a Wrapping Something. And because we aren't flush with space in our house, a desk was all I had.

Did I mention that I love wrapping paper? And if I find something I really love, I buy it. Simply because it's pretty. And these treasures lie around with no home and I don't really use them because they're not in a space where I can see them (and usually I buy something else with the gift). So it was time I became more organised.

On top of this, I find it crazy paying $5-8 for a card. Just a card. And there's nothing more personal than a hand-made one. This was my compromise to scrapbooking: creative stuff in a smaller format. And something I could justify.

So, with my new desk 'space' - a lovely old desk that my hubby lovingly crafted in our formal lounge - has been converted. Glass jars filled with ebellishments, rolls of wrapping paper bundled together, and ribbons in vases. Oh I am indeed inspired and in heaven.

Now I confess I am no natural and there may be a little way for this amateur to go before she can sell her cards for money. But I've been wanting a hobby apart from blogging, Facebook and cleaning, and this could well fill that creative gap.

I madly created two cards and two tags in one night. And that night I dreamt of all the other things I could create. Is this where the obsession starts? Is this what happens to fellow scrapbookers? It's becoming clearer what this addiction involves...

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TV HOST.

This week has been a biggie. It was the first time I have been filmed to go on TV. Yes, TV. And what an amazing experience it was.

Six months ago my boss passed by my desk and asked if I would host a show for the upcoming Australian Project Hope series which would air in around 3-5 months time. The show was "My Story: His Story" and it's a 13-part series which will be shown on Hope Channel - a family friendly television network that spans the globe (so if you have a satellite or Foxtel you'll be able to see it).

It's not overwhelming at all to know that Hope Channel is aired in over 13 countries (including Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Norway, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, and United States of America) while negotiations are under way for it to be free to air in the US (apparently it's quite popular over there).

So, what is it that I can enlighten you about being on TV? Perhaps I should go through it all blow by blow...

trip to adelaide

Having just returned from Adelaide got me thinking about how much fun it was.

After all I have family and friends all there (many with similar aged kids) and we all have so much fun when we get together.

It makes me wonder all those years ago why I might not have wanted to live in Adelaide again.

But I think I have actually changed my mind.

Where else can you go to a shop that sells only yoghurt; buy Spritz; shop at The Parade; and go anywhere in the city in only 20 minutes?

It's a great place. And it's been so long since I have lived there that it's now a real holiday destination. A time to rest, relax, sleep and shop (and I live in the fashion capital!).

Even Ikea isn't busy in Adelaide.

That's got to be worth something!

Above: Lovely Little Miss Kaitlyn; Madison breaks out of goal; Enjoying Pancake Sunday at step-sister Karen's place, Kate & Madison enjoying Wacky Warehouse, Enjoying uninterupted bliss thanks to Wacky Warehouse Kellie & Me