Hello 2015!

We didn't ring in the New Year with any great party or anything. We can be lame like that - Jacob played a gig NYE and I went to bed at around 10 pm after watching a movie and having a couple glasses of wine. I was, however, awakened by the thunderous boom of fireworks from the city, was going to say "Happy New Year" on Facebook, thought better of it, and then promptly fell back asleep. Not very exciting at all. 

But we spent a lovely few days recovering from the madness of December and hanging out as a family. That was the best part of the whole holiday! 

The boys getting their creative on..

The boys helping with some DIY.

Relaxy slacks Timmy.

Repurposing some old Christmas decor.

Rediscovering tongues.

And back to my type of research.

I've been planning my 2015, my personal goals, blog goals, and goals for my photography business. It's an amazing feeling to have so much planned! It's not overwhelming yet, but I hope I have everything sorted in my diary and my giant wall calendar. 

I guess one of the most important things I've had to think about it why I do what I do. I'm talking about my blog and my business.. The parenting option is mandatory ;)

I recently heard a great saying that has finally started to lift my money and success blocks.

It's not about the money, it's what the money can do for you.

I never thought about it this way. Oddly enough. But that's exactly it! I like working, and I like being a mum too - despite what I might say otherwise. Working is, of course, for the money and a creative outlet. But for me, it's about paying the mortgage, saving for trips to see our friends and family around the world, being able to enjoy a night out sometimes, things like that! The "making money" part of business is hellish, but what we are able to achieve with that money is the dream. 

Sorry for the rambling, but I feel like I just need to get that out. With that said, I'll be doing a bit of work here on the blog to make a little extra cash. Don't think of it as a greedy thing - I'm not greedy. I'm hopeful. But I've also come to the conclusion that I can help people, someway somehow. 

If I can help you, please let me know!

And oh yeah - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

xx

December, also known as 'The Blur'

Sorry for the lack of posts. I know Christmas and New Years have come and gone. But I hope you are happy and healthy so far this year!

Seriously, December is pretty much a write-off for our family. Jacob's birthday, the boys' birthday, Christmas parties, Christmas, New Years. It's madness.

So here is the crazy chaos that is December...

Our Playcentre Christmas Party/Teddy Bear Picnic

Little men following the big kids on a hike.

The Cool Santa sporting Ray Ban Sunnies, of course.

Uncle Jeremy - I mean - Santa giving Wim his gift.

Back at home - we slowly welcomed Summer and the Holiday Season

The boys learning some proper gardening skills

Making Xmas Cards

Star biscuits!!

  The Wellington Multiple Births Christmas Party

H & J checking out another Santa.

More gifts from Santa!

The serious business of meeting Santa!

The boys had their second birthday as well! Jacob did an amazing job baking both cakes and cooking up a storm on the BBQ! It was a very small party, but thankfully fairly chilled out compared to their first birthdays!

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season! 

Our very uneventful Halloween

Sometimes, holidays sneak up. 

I was completely unprepared for Halloween this year. 

I promise, next year will be different. 

But we did manage a quick trip into the city for a little Day of the Dead celebrations!

And yes, the boys DID have a good time! It may not look like it though! 

Hope everyone had a good Halloween!!
xx

A very special Monday..

Most Monday nights, we have a small group of very good friends come over for dinner. We all take turns cooking, which is a great break for me, but I love seeing what crazy things everyone makes. Anything from fondue to pork hocks, or coq au vin to spaetzle. It gets a little out of hand some nights. After consuming a ridiculous amount of food, we game. Like the geeks and nerds we are. 

But most of the time, the boys are already bathed and in bed and only hear of the stories of the dinners, or via leftovers. But on Labour Day, everyone came over early and got to hang out with H&W. They loooooooooooved it! And they loved the BBQ everyone pitched in for. 

Willem  trying on Aunty Jess' boots

And not everything had bacon! See!!

Aunty Jess having some boy-time.

Thanks guys for making our guys' day!
Love you all!!! xx

Another Sunny Weekend!

Life is good here in Wellington. We have lucked out with the weather. It's been simply stunning. Being able to play outside and get that fresh air makes all the difference in the world. 

We had a great weekend spent with family and spending the time to catch up on little things ie. tree trimming and mending dresses (that I can actually fit into again!).

Happy 22 months to these little flower children of ours!

Hanging with Opa!

Finally fixing some summery clothes. 

And school holidays are now over! Thank goodness! The boys and I were back at Playcentre today. I'm so happy they love it! 

Good times.

And happy Monday!

xx

Our sunny Dutch Sunday

Last Sunday was a beautiful day. The best kind you can ever hope for living in Wellington. Sunny, calm, and spent with the cousins at the Botanical Gardens to have our own special "Dutch" day. 

Some of the amazing flowers. Loved the orange poppies!

Hello frog! and many more wandering adventures.

Hanging with Uncle Paul, drinking tea and Cousin Silas checking out the bubble scene.

Aunty Lisa and some more beauty.

More adventures of little men

Thing One, Thing Two, and Thing Timmy waiting for the weather to clear.

Sunshine, water play and some garden exploring.

So many moods. So many hats.

Slightly warmer weather makes...

... everyone happy.

Spring...... Where are you!?

Ok. Seriously. Winter. Go Away!

Everyone is sick. Snotty noses. There is snot everywhere. On my clothes. On the boys bedding. On the couch. On pillows. So gross!

We are ready for warmth.
Sunny days.
New plants to go into the garden.
Come on already!!!

These were all taken on a rare day the temp was above 10C. I think it was 13C!!! Hallelujah! But of course, this was followed by days of 3-4C, wind, hail, rain. What I wouldn't give to let the boys run around outside in tshirts and no gumboots!

Soon. Sooooooooon!!!

A plastic-free life...

Is it possible?

It's something that I would love to achieve. Last week I realised how much our recycling had gone down. We recently started getting raw milk which is delivered in a 10L bucket that gets sent back to the farm every week. And we keep our milk in big glass 2.2L jugs in the fridge.

So that and getting the boys off formula recently (yaaayaayyyyy!) has cut down our fortnightly plastic/metal/paper recycling to one bag instead of two! That's pretty massive really.

But the question I have at the moment, plastic bags... The ones we do get from the shop are strictly used for rubbish. It seems sort of pointless to have my green bags with me everywhere if I'm still going to need a couple plastic shopping bags anyway! It's a stupid cycle that we need to break. It's the fact of the matter that they are STILL going into landfills. Frustrating!

We compost, we recycle, we try and avoid excess packaging, so that's all working. But we still have rubbish.

Then, I saw this image again recently and I started to wonder...

Yes, she is amazing. Always an idol, but the bin. A newspaper liner? This is what got me thinking. We don't need plastic bags at all... But what's the best way to go about this? Using newspaper and those pesky junk mail flyers to line a bin? A washable cotton liner? Or just go without all together?

What are your thoughts? How can we see an end to it?

X

 

Holy Winter! Where's the playdough!?

Ok ok. I know it's not THAT cold - or rather what cold used to be. Living in Minnesota for the better part of 8 or 9 years makes you hard. But winter here in Wellington just makes you grumpy. It's still cold. There is rain. 100k+ wind gusts. Almost freezing temperatures. But never cold enough to snow! At least seeing snow would make it alllllll worth it. 

We've all been trying to keep busy. Playgroups. Baking. Trying to evade those cold grumpy moments. And as we try to find new and fun things to do, my new favourite recipe for the boys is...

PLAYDOUGH. LOTS AND LOTS OF PLAYDOUGH.

Both Hendrik and Willem have been requested "plydu" every day since I made this first batch. It's one of those recipes that make you wonder why anyone would ever have a want to buy it in the shop. Easy. I got it at one of my new most visited blog/sites, The Artful Parent. You can find the recipe here.

It's so scary that these little men will be 18 months old in a couple weeks! Amazing. I remember seeing other kids at 18 months, thinking "I CAN'T WAIT!!!" And honestly, it's better than I ever imagined. Even with the newly found screaming and running and temper tantrums, watching them at this stage and all of the cuddles are truly amazing. 

Hendrik. Eating. Wanting cumr (camera). Watching birds. Eating.

Willem and his new favourite word, Helloooo. Getting upset. Getting more upset. Getting REALLY upset.

But they love each other. Cuddles and hi-fives on request.

And in case playdough, markers, toys, snacks, etc etc... Balloons. Always balloons. *pop*

With Love,
vH
x