Woodland Antics

I smile because you're my daughter. I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it.

T oday the little ones and I rolled over to the Yarra Valley and hit up Hedgend Maze. Ryan has 2 weeks off from work! Can you believe it?  It's Amazing! I'm telling you, OZ is doing its best to keep us here.  The University is closed, there is no choice but to take a holiday. {yes paid} We didn't want him to go into withdrawal so we gave him a few hours at the house to work on a manuscript in peace.  Fiona and those eyes.  Since she was an infant she cut her eyes at people. Where has my baby gone? We made a couple of friends. From all angles, this location held beautiful views  We played a little mini golf Sweet Dreams!

S o keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about. ~Marilyn Monroe My new camera lens arrived today! I'm all smiles. .  

  W e try to be funny. W e try to raise our children to graciously accept every gift they receive. {even the bad ones} Of the two I think we're more successful at the latter.

I could barely sleep last night I was so excited.  As it turns out I had every reason to be.  This Christmas was the best I have ever had. More on that later.   I have some sleep to make up for. L ast night the kids threw Magic Reindeer Food all over the lawn. It worked! Did you notice Reeds haircut? 

On our list of   ambitious tasks to accomplish one day is gut and refurbish a house. CHECK Ryan and I worked on it together for several nights after the kids went to bed. I love doing projects with that guy. I bought it at a second hand store, a.k.a an opportunity shop (of course Aussies shorten it to op shop) for just $4.00. I found the handmade furniture from a local Australian man. I didn't get a bargain on it but I just love wooden toys. I believe going wooden is absolutely worth the extra money. This gift isn't from Santa or us it's from Grandma & Grandpa Woodland. {thanks guys, I know Fiona is going to LOVE it}   I tried to make gifts from family overseas a little more personal by making special gift tags. I used pictures of them so the kids will SEE who the gift is from.

  I LOVE YOU REED...and with you I will walk forever. Dear Reed, I know I tell you I love you a million times a day.  I hope you don't ever think I say it just out of habit.  When I say I love you I'm saying you are one of the best thing that has ever happened to me.  You are precious in every way.  I am so proud of you. Thank you for making me laugh. I'm reminding you there's nothing that could ever change how I feel about you . I will support you in everything that makes you happy. I notice your extreme generosity.  I'm proclaiming that I am the luckiest mum in the world to have you as my son.  I'm letting you know you are the bravest boy I know, the most handsome & smartest too.   When I say I love you these words are not empty,in fact, they are full of all these feelings and more. I LOVE YOU, Mom p.s.~ thank you for loving me

She was going for the kiss. He was going for the laugh. Yesterday was the last day of kinder/preschool for the kids.  They put on a great concert for a standing- room only crowd. It was composed of 12 songs.  I threw a few clips together so you could get a taste of how they did. The first song makes me laugh the hardest.  Watch Reed dance! {he's in the middle}  They did a couple of songs in Italian {I only included one} and of course the Australian bush dance at the very end. They both did a great job!  Reed made us extremely proud.  Last year at their Christmas concert in Quebec he cried and didn't want to be in front of everyone.   What a difference a year makes. {pardon the pictures I was only armed with my point & shoot}

Some of the best moments of our lives haven't happened yet. {on a recent date night}

On the 15th Reed & I ran into his teacher.  She stopped to chat.  The first thing Reed said, "Do you know what's going to happen in 10 days? It's going to snow!" We're all still getting used to the idea of Christmas in summer. Snow or no snow, we're jumping into the season with both feet. Fiona : "You know what I like best about Christmas?  When things are expensive we don't need to buy them. Santa will." Santa May peace, love and prosperity follow you always and forever!                                                                                                                             Happy Christmas, Ryan, Trudy, Reed & Fiona How do you say " Merry Christmas" in  Australian?