THIS SATURDAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR... GIGGLES + TICKLES

A few weeks' back, I realised that time was zooming by too quickly. Not only was I too busy to stay on top of everything, but I hadn't spent the time getting into the right head space to just enjoy my family.

So, I changed my focus, and there's been lots of playtime at our place recently. Not only have I stopped to smell the roses, I've actually picked them from the garden and put them in vases around the house. And played with the lads too.

So this week, I'm grateful for:

1. Fresh flowers. They look amazing and the house smells so fresh and new. What's not to love about fresh flowers. Makes me want to throw my pretty-but-not-real flowers around my home in the garbage.
   
2. Tickles and giggles. Does anyone tire of hearing the happiness that accompanies a child's giggles when they're bursting for breath from the endless tickling? (Me neither.)
3. Late nights. Okay, I'm not usually grateful for late nights, but there's been a bit of restless sleeping around these parts with deadlines taking over my dreams during the night (more like nightmares). But with working some big hours this week, it seems I've finished at least one project and put two others into the almost finished marker. So, I'm back in the game and feeling less overwhelmed. Sometimes so sad, but always so very necessary.

What are you grateful for today?

Visit the divine Maxabella Loves... for more lovely gratefuls.

NEVER SAY NEVER. SWALLOWING YOUR WORDS.

You don't mean to, but before your baby bump is swelling and you're still in the blissful state of nausea and fatigue, you make promises of how motherhood is going to be for you.

For me, I was never going to lose my cool, never raise my voice, always be considerate of my child's feelings, be patient and kind, and keep the house perfect.

Dreams, really.

Then there are other things you say you'll never do, then find yourself doing them. And saying things like, "I'm never going to put those ugly Crocs on my children's feet. Ever!"

But when the imitations look as good as the real thing and you find them for just $1.99 at Aldi, you might think that they're a good idea.

Besides, they're so easy to put on after years of doing up slippery shoelaces and sandle buckles. And they're light, waterproof, easier to walk in than thongs, and the lads love them.

What can I say?

(Okay then, I might actually learn to like them. )

Have you tried something new this week? It might be as major as eating your words, or as small as changing the route on your morning walk.

Why don't you join in? All you have to do is follow me, add your Try Something New post below and add a link back to me in your post. You can also include the lovely button (below). Then pop over to visit other bloggers who have done something new this week.

<center> <a href="http://kympiez.blogspot.com/search/try%20something%20new%20ever%20week"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3d7LF3Qfx0Emp9G74v2YlebVkmr-kPI2ZemB-pPe3Rg3Xy8YvIWpBxbIl_sKNlOnvKLEgoSKQnUc2HYvzd7pvMoylbcfQ_UmqbTEIgjGUyaQM8Y2iL3XtNSqQ7YXTOturAJcTw/s200/2011+01+January+006.JPG"/></a></center>

BEAUTIFUL GIFTS, AND WHERE TO FIND THEM.

With Christmas approaching faster than the speed of time, I remembered how valuable it was when last year, some of my favourite bloggers shared gift ideas that they loved.

I'm the ultimate bad gift buyer, but I've got a secret to share, because I know how busy you are too.

Check these out! I just purchased two of these personalised bookmarks for my son's kinder teachers. Aren't they so cute? And at just $20 (including delivery), they're the perfect teacher's gift.

And perhaps they'd be okay for your local bookworm as a Christmas gift? Or great aunt, or grandpa too?

And how about these adorable spoons? Is there a new baby in your circle?

Or how about a Christmas gift, just for you?

Tildys does all sorts of personalised lovelies and if you get in before the end of October, Tildys will guarantee it arrives before Christmas.

Don't just sit there... visit Tildys for some more beautiful finds!

YOU KNOW TOILET TRAINING IS GOING WELL WHEN...

Underwear at all times of the day [and night] is absolutely essential.

Even over nappies.

THIS SATURDAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR... CUTE LITTLE BOYS.

Spring may (or may not) be the time to lose your blojo, but I think mine disappeared at the exact same time the warm weather arrived. Suddenly, I can dry clothes outside again, and watch my lads in their cubby house, playing in their sandpit, riding their scooters and bikes.

So this week, I'm grateful for:

1. Cute little bums. Thanks to the warm weather, my lads no longer want to wear clothes, and there is underwear flung around the house in the bid for the coolest undies. Yes, seriously. But just watching the freedom that comes with minimal clothing is just too adorable for words. (Plus, they do have the cutest little bums!)
2. Spring cleaning. The person who said A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind is no friend of mine. Mess in my house equals stress in my head. And after the gorgeous washing weather, every washable item in my home has returned to its place, and my head is back in the sane order I need in which to survive and function. (My house too!)
   
3. Cancelled work trips. When my husband told me he was no longer able to go on a 10-day work trip to the Torres Strait/Treaty Villages of Papua New Guinea, I was so grateful I actually cried. It seems I'm not so happy for my husband to be away so much any more, and I really love to have him at home with us. Who would have thought?

What are you grateful for this week?

Visit Maxabella Loves... for more lovely gratefuls.