Chocolate and Raspberry Trifle

Recipe for my first ever trifle!

Ingredients:

Thickened Cream

Chocolate moose

Fresh Raspberries

Chocolate sponge roll (as above)

& Raspberry Jelly

Method:

Layer however you please!

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 22

Today after another two hour shop Uncle Al started a war which quickly escalated into a water war! Why is it that my kids always want to be on their Uncle Al's team is what I want to know?.. But there was a last minute change when Nevaeh thought my bucket on my head was a great idea to trade in uncle Al's cup for his bucket! Better late then never I guess..

As part of our advent today we were meant to go Chrissy Light looking but here in Victoria because of daylight savings it never gets dark until after 8pm. Jiedyn put himself to bed at around 7 after his Uncle left and Nevaeh went soon after. They were both so tired! 

Tonight/Early this morning I'm getting things prepared for a visit from the kids Grandparents. Cleaning and baking during the wee hours of the morning..

***

 Singing..

"O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light"

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 20

Our Advent Calender for 2011 had us looking and Luke 2:22-32, but our activity was more specifically based on Leviticus 12 which talks about the purification after Childbirth. During the first week of December after creating our advent for this month I decided I was going to find a sheep, two doves and two pigeons to hang from our tree.. But.. in a small town like this it would have to have taken a small miricle.. So I had to think out side the box and while searching through Etsy and after buying this [Inspired by this post] for my son for Christmas..

I finally decided that feathers and wool would be more than perfect! They were delivered relatively quick from where I brought them from and in no time at all I was hot glue gunning fishing line to make loops for our tree..

So much more has happened today too.. Last night Jiedyn and I started our very first bible study together! Jie is so eagar to learn and was making sure I missed no words as we flicked through the books after Nevaeh went to bed. At the end of a few teachings Jiedyn was encouraged to learn a bible verse from this book..

and made no mistake as he woke up this morning excited that he remembered it:

I was so super proud, partly because he memorized it but more because he is just 6 years old and so full of joy to be learning the word of God!! He truly is inspiring!

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 18

Today we have had a wonderful day filled with praise, prayer, worship and love. Not just any kind of love - Warm, fuzzy, generous and wholesome love! This morning we went to Church and it was awesome. I love how personal it is..
At our other church, I would be too afraid to ask for more guidance in areas I didn't understand but at The Living Word Church, I love that I can so freely ask for more information or just verify my interpretation of what has been said.
I couldn't believe my Jie today too.. He prayed for the very first time in a group, and was so natural at it. I struggle with prayer in a group but not my son.. he even prayed again before his lunch after we all said grace together. All in all it was exactly what we needed.

When we got home Nevaeh went down for a sleep while I started my first bible study in a long time. Jiedyn relaxed watching 321 Penguins before we got a message saying some really great boys had found some pine cones for today's advent. We felt so lucky and Jie was so excited that he finished his one before Nevaeh even got up [As seen in photo 1] Nevaeh ate more peanut butter than she put on her pine cone.. it was kind of gross but all part of the fun!

Tonight all of us were still so full from lunch, so we decided on a late quiche for tea after Christmas carols and our craft activity [As seen in photo 2] it's now 9pm and the kids are still up playing beautifully together. Our kittens where the muck makers today, they have ripped open 3 of Nevaeh's presents.. I have had to flip the holey presents and pile others on top as I have ran out of wrapping paper to re wrap them. My next idea is to just sticky tape the rips, which will make it hard for the kids to open them Christmas morning! Lets hope they survive just another 6 days..

I'm sorry that I haven't shared many of our advent.. I plan to do another post of everything you have missed but for now this has to do as it's thunder storming and Nevaeh is stressing a little over it so I better log off.. Just keep an eye out for it!

Please Note: To make a simple Bird Feeder you'll need a pinecone, peanut butter and Wild Bird Seed.. To view better pictures please click on them!!

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A day of scissors and styles..

Back in July we gave Nevaeh a fringe {Blog post here} but today Nevaeh has a new do..

I was fussy with what I wanted as I still wanted to keep her curl but wanted it off her neck.. I couldn't be happier, it must feel different for her too because she kept running her hand through the back of her hair this afternoon.. I just love it!

Jiedyn also got a new hair cut, but he choose it himself. He went for a more slick look with a bit of a comb over at the front. It's definately not something I'd pick but he is getting old enough to make his own decisions when it comes to self appearance so this was what he wanted..

I felt proud as punch with two neat looking kids at my side shopping today! It's amazing how something as simple as a hair cut can bring such joy and happiness to a family..

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Raising Kids..

This past year I have changed so much as a person. I have struggled more than I ever have as a single Mum but have also accomplished so much as well..

The power of prayer.. What a miraculous tool to transform lives..

This year I have prayed more than any other too.. How great is our God, always listening and knowing what your about to say before it leaves your mouth. Always hearing and giving in his time - not yours..

Since April I have constantly prayed about Jiedyns education. Should I home-school or put him into the public school here in Bacchus Marsh? I thought my mind was made up when I saw the neighbours kids [students of the primary school] on bikes and scooters cussing and bullying other kids in the street in September. I then thought my mind was made up when I went for my first interview with the School Principle, Ian Wren and on the subject of religion he laughed it off quite offensively saying that the last R.E (religious education) teacher moved on quite quickly a few years ago.. I wasn't at all amused.

Last night I scribbled in the boxes of the enrollment forms for Jiedyn to attend Bacchus Marsh Primary School in 2012.. I did it feeling like I was signing my sons spiritual life away, feeling like I was only going to see my son before and after school each day with him resembling the reckless kids I see at the local skate parks or the brats I see throwing tantrums in the shopping centre's at his age. I did it feeling I would no longer be in control of my son and what he is exposed to..

Today I attended a meeting with Jiedyn's new school Principle, Mr Wren, his year co-ordinator, Mrs Hookie and his very first school teacher, Mrs Newton.

Mrs Newton showed Jiedyn around his new Class room, how to use the bubble taps and the outside grade Prep area. Jiedyn was so excited! After talking to his teacher for some time I realized where I had seen her before - Church! A piece of me got excited too.. What were the odds of my son having a Christian teacher teaching him his very first year of School? Yipee....

So today I am thankful! Thankful that God is alive in our lives, thankful that he listens to our prayers and that he knows my our needs and gives us the tools we need to live the best possible "Earthling" life we can!

Thank You Lord!
           ~

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One For Us & One For 10 Of You..

Who loves getting rewards?

Me & Kelly!

Who loves giving rewards?

Me & Kelly!

On the 11th, I received the Kreativ Blogger award from Miss Kelly-Marie via her post here.. As part of this award, I must reveal 7 things about myself so here we go..

1. My nickname is Balissa
2. I counted to 100 yesterday with my son
3. I want to go to the Plaza Hotel in NYC before I die
4. I love D'Arcy Doyle paintings
5. For the past 6 years I have been pushing a pram
6. I am afraid to get my licence
7. I made my first purchase on Etsy last week

and now, without further ado.. to mention 10 of my most favorite bloggers to pass the reward onto..

Liz at Tales from a Wondering Sheep

Penny at A Penny For Your Thoughts

Nicole at Walking Around With My Heart On The Outside

Katherine at Saffron Threads

Susan at Susan's Homeschool Blog

Cara at Chasing Roman

Alla at Bible Orphan Ministry

The Team at ABC Wednesay

The Team of Seeds Of Faith 

Dan at Dan Dumitriu

From the bottom of my heart - Thank You All 

xoxo

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Days 10 & 11

We're Cancelled..

But we did go out for tea last night and watch carols by candle light at the Bacchus Marsh Village. Here are some of my favorite shots I snapped up tonight..

Jiedyn showing Nevaeh something

A kind lady stepped forward to help an elder of the community 

Beautiful bright eyes

My son on my lap singing with me

My two blessings from the lord

and Jie wearing some pretty cool glasses from his showbag on the way home..

It was another fabulous night which we all enjoyed together, and the best part was that the whole night was based around Jesus and not santa! Bible readings, prayer and hymns.. It was great!!

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 9

Today as part of our advent activities we had to make angel notes, things we love about each other, sealed with a kiss. After dinner we read out our angel notes to each other.. Mine from Jiedyn read "I love you because your always happy and dance with us, and because we both love God" Jiedyn's to Nevaeh read "I love you because you love me and you always make me smile, and sometimes laugh too.." Mine to Jiedyn read "I love you because your always keen to have a go, you have a kind heart and your always eager to help me and your sister with odd jobs around the house" Mine to Nevaeh said "I love you because you challange Mum everyday, you give the bestest cuddles and your stubborn personality reflects your Mummies at your age" They were each so special and unique..

Our Family activity was cancelled, It was hot again today and we weren't all that keen on sitting down for a movie in a hot house. I'm looking into buying an air conditioner but after finding out that its going to cost me over $350 to get both the kittens desexed, vaccinated and registered and Jiedyns new school uniforms are going to set me back $28 for a polo Shirt and $32 for a pair of cargo shorts and $38 for a school jacket I don't think it will happen this summer.. 

Another event that happened today was that Matthias and Altius had they're first bath. I know, everyone keeps telling me that cats clean themselves but today we had a bit of a sticky situation.. two words: Nevaeh and a Candy Cane.. Need I say more?

Do/did you ever clean your kittens/cats?

Matthias not at all enjoying his bath

Altius was a good boy for his and loved being hand dried

Nice and clean kitties!

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 8

Write encouraging things with Chalk on the footpath [in 10 different locations]..?

We sure did!

1. Love who you are!
2. Merry Christmas!
3. Sing with joy in your heart!
4. Merry Christmas!
5. Open your bible!
6. Merry Christmas!
7. Jesus loves you!
8. Merry Christmas!
9. You were made with a purpose!
10. Merry Christmas!

Have you seen any of our artwork around today?

Tonight we also played hopscotch and created a rainbow serpent because it was too hot to go to bed early.. Our house is an oven after a hot day, and to make things worst I made a cottage pie for tea.. silly me!

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Jiedyn's Pirate Hat Picnic Party..

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 2

Because we did all our shopping yesterday there was no need to go down again so today we enjoyed our day at home building a gingerbread train. It was a new experience for us all and the kids had a great time sneaking [yes, Mum knew you were eating some] fingers full of frosting and the odd bite of yummy candy balls.

The kids had a great time decorating our "J Train"

I think it looks fabulous and Nevaeh's finger texture on the front adds an extra pa-zazz to it don't you think?

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Family Christmas Advent Activities: Day 1

Please excuse Nevaeh's Face, we were running behind schedule today - all day since Jie decided that 12:45pm would be a grand time to wake up this fine 1st of December. We had one million and one things to get done today and.. well.. surprisingly we got them all done! Sending Christmas cards/postcards, we printed out our advents for December at the library, did shopping for Jiedyn's pirate hat birthday picnic on Saturday,  brought everything on our list we need for our advent activities this year, we brought our kittens food and kitty litter to last them the next three months and did our grocery shopping. All of which took 4 hours.. we had to wait over an hour for a taxi on top of that and I don't think I have ever been happier to lay down at last.. the trolley was so heavy!

So finally after dinner the kids got to finally enjoy they're first craft advent activity this year..

They made colorful, glittering Angels!

How did you and your family spend your 1st of December?

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Family Christmas Advent is Finalized..

Please click these images to take a peep!

I was up until 4am this morning working on this years advent calender! Last year we did not emphasize enough on God and the greatest gift to all mankind. Yeah we listened to a few hymes, did a few good deeds but there was no real meaning and we were counting down to Santa - Not Jesus.

In my post "A Jesus Day" I explained to my son that Santa died just as Jesus did.. But when Jesus died God was really giving us the greatest gift of all.. LIFE!

So this year our Christmas Advent Calender Activities are based on the verses we'll be reading from the bible each day in December, if you have a bible.. open it up and check out some of the verses I've listed this year.. Get lost in the word of God just as I did last night and if your struggling to understand, pray about it.. God will guide your hearts!!

Will you be doing an Advent Calender this year?

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We have Twins!

Today we got the opportunity to meet our newest members of our family for the first time. It was a new experience for all of us as I have always been a 'dog' person and not really into cats..

Please let me introduce you to little Matthias..

Matthias was born along with 6 brothers and 1 sister on the 26th of October which just so happens to be my brothers birthday also. Matthias and his brother whom we have named Altius will be joining our family this Christmas. 

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Recipe for Mum's Rissoles..

Tonight Jiedyn and I prepared and cooked a yummy BBQ.. 

 Jie had fun learning Mum's special recipe'..

You'll Need: 

A large bowl

Clean Hands 

Ingredients: 

1 egg

500 grams of Minced (ground) Beef

1 diced onion

1 cup of breadcrumbs 

And don't forget Mums special ingredients:

1 tablespoon of Hoi Sin Sauce

1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce

1 tablespoon of Honey

Method:

Squish and scrunch all ingredients in a large bowl using your hands.. once thoroughly combined roll into balls of any size you wish and bang 'em on low/medium heat until cooked through.

Best served with sauce and salad..

Have a go at making some and tell us what you think..

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Mum's Easy Egg & Bacon Pizza

Here is the finished product of my first ever time making mini pizzas..

Both the kids licked their fingers clean and ate two each without tomato.. I couldn't even get through one! This quick and easy recipe is nice and cheap and would make a great hit on fathers day!

Pizza Base
Sundried tomato pesto
Half cooked bacon
Sliced Tomato
an egg and
cheese!

Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees until egg is cooked just the way you like it.. and enjoy!

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Back In Time (Thursday)

Now onto some funny memories..

This first one is of the kids bathing together, almost looks innocent enough.. oh, but whats Jiedyn holding? A water gun! Really good for shooting at Mum if she tries to get Nevaeh out of the bath..haha! I even walked past the bathroom door to go toilet and the little rascal got me!!

2010

 Okay, because I'm embarrassing my kids and I'm such a good Mummy, I had to also let you have a laugh at me.. Here I am in my favorite bright purple, orange and green bathers on a holiday at Lakes Entrance. I walked around in these through the caravan park and while boating and fishing.. HEY! I thought I was cool!! Sure to catch me in something like that now haha..

1999

 Now to something a little more cuter.. Little Nevaeh Baker, covered in chocolate from a Billabong Icecream.. Never stopped her from being so cute though!! She ate the lot, and must have thrown the stick once she was finished because we never found it. Once her father cleaned her up she had a great afternoon sleep too!

2010

Chubby Chops! I don't need words for this next one..

2010

 Like father like son went out the window once Jie's father left me, it's now like mother like son..

2009

And here is the last one..

2010

Okay, and one to make you grow..

2010

Okay, and one to make you grow..

2010

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Short Bread Biscuits

This is an extra special recipe' because my Nana taught me how to make these only two weeks before she passed in '09

Easy, simple and when made from the heart.. delicious!

Ingredients
150g Plain Flour
50g Caster sugar
100g butter (softened)

Method
1. Pre heat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius
2. Grease a baking tray
3. Put the plain flour, caster sugar and butter ingredients together in a large bowl and rub the mixture together between your thumbs and fingertips until the texture becomes moist like play doh. If you are adding any other ingredients do this now, if the mixture feels a little dry, simply add a spoon of warm water.
4. Take a small handful of dough and roll in your palm until you have a ball of dough.
5. Put the ball of dough onto the greased baking tray and press flat with a fork (the mixture will be gooey and try to fall apart, if it's too dry add two teaspoons of water.)
6. Once all the mixture is divided into cookies, bake for 20-25 minutes.
7. Add decorations when the cookies are still warm and soft!

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My First Blog Award

I am quite excited about receiving my very first blog award! It comes from Shelomita over at CuteCoconut.

Before I pass this on I must first do these two things..

1. Thank the person who gave it to me. So a very big and whole hearted ThankYou to Shelomita! Its great that you enjoy my blog!

2. I must put together 7 things that make me - Me!

> I am a TwitFace! I love twitter and Facebook!
> I'm a strict Mum. I love my kids enough to discipline them
> I eat take away two days a week..
> I don't drive, I walk everywhere.
> My music list is full of great Christian songs.. full of praises!
> I tend to say "I'll do it tomorrow" a lot!
> and I'm a Daddies girl!

And tonight I am passing this award to these 15 people because they're blogs keep me coming back for more:

1. Caroline at Food and Art
2. Alla at Bible Orphan Ministry
3. Amy over at Things I never knew
4. Cara at Chasing Roman
5. The busy mom over at Busy Mom Recipes
6. Katherine at Saffron Threads
7. Michelle at The CMS Family Blog
8. Dan at Dan Dumitriu
9. Elle at Grits & Glamour
10. Victoria over at Live in my heart
11. Alicia at More Than Words
12. The team over at ABC Wednesday
13. Penny at A Penny For Your Thoughts
14. Nicole at Walking Around With My Heart On The Outside
15. The Wondering Sheep at Tales from a Wondering Sheep

Congratulations to all of you and Thanks again Shelomita!!

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Brushie Brushie Brushie

Jiedyn last night was teaching Nevaeh how to brush her teeth properly in the bath. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get videos/photos as I'm lending my brothers camera and the battery died, so I have to grab the charger next time I see him. The photo's above were taken in February this year when I was teaching Jie how to brush and the things he was saying to Nevaeh last night were similar to the instructions gave him at this time! It was a precious moment I'd love to always remember! Kids are such precious jewels, as are they're teeth!

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Poppies Famous Meatlof

You need:

X1 Large Bowl

X1 Roasting tray

x1 Grater

Ingredients:

X1 chopped onion

X1 egg

X1 handful of grated carrot

500g of beef mince

500g of sausage mince

125g bread crumbs

For best results sprinkle some steak pepper over the top (Don't tell Dad/Pop, seems I beat him at his own recipe) I only put this on half, as my kids like it the way Poppy makes it.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees
2. Using your hands mush together the sausage and beef mince.
3. Add the egg and mush some more
4. Add in the onion and any other veggies still mush mush mushing
5. Once all the ingredients are evenly combined gradually add the bread crumbs until the mix is less gooey
6. Make a ball using the whole mix and put it onto the oiled roasting tray
7. Add roasting veggies and roast for an hour and a half
8. Leave for a further few minutes, slice and serve!
9. Whatever doesn't get eaten wrap up to put on sandwiches for lunch. (I think this is secretly why my Dad used to make it) 
 

Want to see what the outcome is? Try it!  

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Fridays Photo Edit

Proudly brought to you by Kelly over at Our Footprints on the world

This is how I am spending my Friday night, and what is a reading session without yummy smelly candles?

A book read in candle light and in peace is my ideal night!

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Thursday Theme Challenge: Golden

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Makes 12

Ingredients

2 cups self raising flour

1 large carrot, peeled and grated

1 medium zucchini, trimmed and grated

100g sliced ham, finely chopped

1 1/3 cups grated tasty cheese

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

60g butter, melted

Method

1. Preheat oven 200 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Celsius fan forced) and grease a 12 - hole (1/3 cup) muffin pan with cooking spray.

2. Place flour into a large mixing bowl and stir in grated vegetables, meat and cheese; mix well.

3. Whisk milk and eggs together and add cooled melted butter; mix well. Pour into the flour mixture and fold gently with a metal spoon until just incorporated. Divide evenly amongst muffin pan and bake 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.

4. Cool and wrap individually. Freeze in a sealed container until required.

Dah Dahhhh..

And yes guys, they taste as good at they look!!

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No TV!

Back in June we unplugged our TV!

Since then we have gotten out outside antenna fixed, thrown away our set top box and have only been watching DVD's or Videos.. maybe three a week. It's been absolutely fabulous. The kids are playing together more, making their own fun and are wanting to go outside heaps more too. When the TV was on Jiedyn would sit in front of it more than 5 hours a day. I'm so glad he is exploring the world around him and teaching his sister new things along the way. They have also started getting they're books out again. More books are on my Christmas list this year as they know all the ones they have off by heart!

So tell me.. Would you give 'No TV' a go?

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Pineapple Fritters with Sugar

Ingredients: 

1 Tin of Pineapple Slices

Cup of Flour

Half Cup Water

An Egg

 and Sugar.. Naturally!

Method:  

Pre-heat Deep Fryer to 140+ degrees

Add Flour, Water and the egg into a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer.

Dip Pineapple slices in the batter and slowly put them in the Deep Fryer (slowly to stop them from sticking to the bottom).

Cook until golden brown

Sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon.

ENJOY!

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Mum's Curried Sausages

Ingredients

Chicken stock cube

4 sausages

1 onion

1 tablespoon of flour

2-3 tablespoons of curry

pinch of parsley

Rice

3 cups of water

3 veggies (peas, corn, carrot, potato, pumpkin etc.)

salt and pepper

Method

Rice

Place a table spoon of oil into a pot

Pour in rice and mix so that every grain of rice has oil on it

Constantly mix it on high temp until most rice pieces are a lighter white (being careful not to burn it)

Add boiling water until it is a cm over the rice

Boil then cover it and leave it on low while you do the sauce.

Curry Sauce

Brown onion and sausages in a pan

Mix a tablespoon of plain flour in a cup of water

Pour veggies, parsley and flour/water mix into the pan

Add curry, salt & pepper to taste..

Mix on high heat until your sauce thinkens

Then leave it on low until your ready to serve..

Bon Appetit

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Family Update

Okay so I thought while I had a little minute to myself I'd let you guys all know what our family has been up to these past two weeks. The past week we have sent out postcards to places like India, Croatia, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, USA and Taiwan. Jiedyn is learning so much about the world around him we even got given to us a pair of chop sticks, which I cant seem to find.

We have been seeing alot more of Uncle Allan, he came over three times this week to help me out while Jiedyn's been sick with asthma and the flue. He also helped me pull down the Christmas lights yesterday while he was here. I'm scared of heights and being even two steps on a ladder scares the jeepers out of me. All Allan did was reach up his hands and pulled them down.

Guess what we now have? The Magic Bullet! It only cost me $25!! Bargain or what? I cant wait to make my own guacamole and I'm planning on making my very first cheesecake tomorrow while the boys are out fishing. That should be fun..

Pop is coming over tomorrow and staying for the night, the boys are going on a fishing trip while us girl prepare a Fathers Day celebration to remember..

Other than that not much else to report, I'm putting Jie's school enrollment forms in next week and hopefully be going for my learners in the next two weeks!! I am terrified of driving but it needs to be done, I cant have the kids walking around forever and they have been at me to go to the beach.. I keep telling them 'one day'.

Never ending washing, vaccuming, mopping and dishes.. trying to potty train little Miss 2 and well, she wants nothing to do with it. She had her MCHN apt. the other day too, they were a bit concerned about her not talking as much as she should. I'm not worried, with a Mum like me and a big brother like Jie she's lucky to get a word in.. I have been reading to her alot more while Jie is at preschool and have been taking her dummy off her during the day. She will get there..

So I hope all our readers have a fabulous Fathers Day weekend! Stay safe if driving and spoil those Dads!!

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I am number 2wo..

Nevaeh is growing up so fast, I cant believe how much she is talking now. A week ago she was a little lady only speaking a few words here and there, but today she is trying so hard to put sentences together. Her favorite words are Mine, Teddy and Pwam. Her favorite song is the Carlton Theme Song and she has started getting giggly and shy when she see's her favorite player Chris Judd on TV. Nevaeh loves playing outside, playing with play-doh, squishing bugs with her fingers and playing with blocks. She doesn't like stepping on her brothers army men, sharing toy cars, the sound of motorbikes (incl. the postman) or apples.

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Two Years Too Long

Two years ago today our beautiful Nana passed away. She was strong and wise and very loved. Today we honored her memory together. My wounds are still raw, and although I thought the pain would ease over time, somehow it seems to swell. I would have loved to share so many things that have happend this year with her especially with my sister being pregnant. My Nana didn't deserve the life she had.. she deserved so much more. She was special, a nana who loved all her grandchildren equally and I'm so glad I got to tell her how much I loved her before she past away!

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Four months later..

And the kids are back together again.. They say cousins are the first friends we make in life and it has been proved true in my kids lives. Jiedyn and Nevaeh both met their cousins at six weeks old. When Kristal (my sister) moved in with us in 2009 they all become more like sisters and brothers than cousins. Yesterday they arrived here late afternoon and the kids weren't shy in picking up right where they left off. The two boys enjoyed showing and sharing each others dvd collections and the three girls drew, joked and laughed together. It was a great night too.. my two went to bed at 8pm and actually fell asleep rather quicker than usual. Kristals three stayed up while we watched a movie and ordered a chicken parma each! After our parma and checking our facebook at 1am we pulled out the scrabble box.
By time we got to bed it was 3am. We had not long gone to sleep when the kids decided that at 4am was a good time to get up and run a muck! Yep.. exactly where they left off!

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Embracing The Cam-er-ah!

First of all I just really wanted to say that you should get your bums over to the Embrace The Camera bloghop (our favorite bloghop) its a fun little community which get photos with their kids, family and friends every Thursday. I ove it because I am forever behind the camera catching milestones and it gives my kids some great photos of us together!

So this one of Jiedyn and I was the first photo taken on our brand new Cam-er-ah!

Comments please?

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Our First Family Fable

Aunty Kristal, Jeanette, Janae & Hiram came to stay for the weekend not long after I birthed Nevaeh. It was a special time as they welcomed their baby cousin and niece into our family. Cuddles, kisses and lots of long silent stares were exchanged before Nevaeh had to sleep again. Aunty Kristal got all clucky and your cousin Janai just couldn't stop herself for sneak peeks as Nevaeh lay rested in her bassinet. That whole weekend wherever Nevaeh was Janai was!

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85 Facts About the Queen

Early years

1. The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London

2. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

3. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen

4. The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paterna grandmother, Queen Mary.

5. The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park

6. When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home

7. Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret, her younger sister.

8. She received tuition from her father, as well as sessions with Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton. She was also nstructed in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury

9. Princess Elizabeth also learned French from a number of French and Belgian governesses. It is a skill which has stood The Queen in good stead, as she often has cause to use it when speaking to ambassadors and heads of state from French-speaking countries, and when visiting French-speaking areas of Canada

10. Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was eleven, and later became a Sea Ranger.

11. In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the war years

A Royal romance

12. The Queen is the first British monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

13.Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip first met when they attended the wedding of Prince Philip's cousin, Princess Marina of Greece to The Duke of Kent, who was an uncle of Princess Elizabeth, in 1934.

14.The engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN was announced on the 9th July, 1947. Prince Philip was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. He joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and after the war, in February 1947, became a naturalised British subject. Prince Philip was required to choose a surname in order to continue his career in the Royal Navy, and adopted Mountbatten, the name of his mother's British relatives. He was created "Duke of Edinburgh" by King George VI on marriage.

15.The platinum and diamond engagement ring was made by the jewellers, Philip Antrobus Ltd, using diamonds from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip's mother

16 .Prince Philip had two stag parties the night before the wedding - the first at the Dorchester to which the press were invited and the second with his closest friends at the Belfry Club

17.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were married in Westminster Abbey on the 20th November, 1947 at 11.30am with 2000 invited guests.

18..The eight bridesmaids were: HRH The Princess Margaret, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent, Lady Caroline Montagu-Douglas- Scott, Lady Mary Cambridge, Lady Elizabeth Lambart, The Hon. Pamela Mountbatten, The Hon. Margaret Elphinstone, The Hon Diana Bowes-Lyon.

19.There were two pages: HRH Prince William of Gloucester (aged 5) and HRH Prince Michael of Kent (aged 5)

20.The Queen's wedding dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell. Norman Hartnell submitted designs for the dress in August 1947.

21.The fabric for the dress was woven at Winterthur Silks Limited, Dunfermline, in the Canmore factory, using silk that had come from Chinese silkworms at Lullingstone Castle.

22..The Queen's Bridal Veil was made of tulle and held by a tiara of diamonds. This tiara (which can also be worn as a necklace) was made for Queen Mary in 1919. It is made from re-used diamonds taken from a necklace/tiara purchased by Queen Victoria from Collingwood and Co and a wedding present for Queen Mary in 1893. In August, 1936, Queen Mary gave the tiara to Queen Elizabeth from whom it was borrowed by Princess Elizabeth for her wedding in 1947.

23.The grave of the Unknown Warrior was the only stone that was not covered by the special carpet in the Abbey. The day after the wedding, Princess Elizabeth followed a Royal tradition started by her mother, of sending her wedding bouquet back to the Abbey to be laid on this grave.

24.The bride's wedding ring was made from a nugget of Welsh gold which came from the Clogau St David's mine near Dolgellau.

25..Around 10,000 telegrams of congratulations were received at Buckingham Palace and the Royal couple received over 2,500 wedding presents from well-wishers around the world.

26..As well as jewellery from their close relatives, including the King and Queen, the couple received many useful items for the kitchen and home, including salt cellars from the Queen, a bookcase from Queen Mary, and a picnic case from Princess Margaret.

27.The "wedding breakfast" (lunch) was held after the marriage ceremony at Westminster Abbey in the Ball Supper-room at Buckingham Palace. The menu was Filet de Sole Mountbatten, Perdreau en Casserole, Bombe Glacee Princess Elizabeth.

28.The couple departed Waterloo station with the Princess's corgi, Susan, for their honeymoon

29.The newlyweds spent their wedding night at Broadlands in Hampshire, home of Prince Philip's uncle Earl Mountbatten. The second part of the honeymoon was spent at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate.

30.Early in 1948 the couple leased their first marital home, Windlesham Moor, in Surrey, near Windsor Castle, where they stayed until they moved to Clarence House on 4th July 1949.

31.After marrying Princess Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh continued his naval career, reaching the rank of Lieutenant- Commander in command of the frigate HMS Magpie.

32.Although he was The Queen's husband, The Duke of Edinburgh was not crowned or anointed at the Coronation ceremony in 1953. He was the first subject to pay Homage to Her Majesty, and kiss the newly crowned Queen by stating "I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks. So help me God."

33.Prince Philip has accompanied The Queen on all her Commonwealth tours and State visits, as well as on public engagements in all parts of the UK. The first of these was the Coronation tour of the Commonwealth from November 1953 to May 1954, when the couple visited Bermuda, Jamaica, Panama, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Islands, Ceylon, Aden Uganda, Libya, Malta and Gibraltar, travelling a distance of 43,618 miles

34. The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was a solemn ceremony conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury

35. The Coronation was followed by drives through every part of London, a review of the fleet at Spithead, and visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

36.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have four children: Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (b. 1948), Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (b. 1950), Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (b. 1960), and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex (b. 1964).

37.With the birth of Prince Andrew in 1960, The Queen became the first reigning Sovereign to give birth to a child since Queen Victoria, whose youngest child, Princess Beatrice, was born in 1857.

38.The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have eight grandchildren - Peter Phillips (b. 1977), Zara Phillips (b. 1981) Prince William (b. 1982), Prince Harry (b. 1984), Princess Beatrice (b. 1988), Princess Eugenie (b. 1990), Lady Louise Windsor (b. 2003) and James, Viscount Severns (b. 2007) She has one great-grandchild Savannah (b. 2011)

Queen's speeches

39. The Queen has delivered a Christmas message every year except in 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough after an unprecedented family documentary. Her greeting took the form of a written address. 40. In her 1991 message, the Queen silenced rumours of abdication as she pledged to continue to serve

41. The Queen issued a writ against The Sun newspaper after it published the full text of her 1992 broadcast two days before transmission. She later accepted an apology and a £200,000 donation to charity

42. The Queen's grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham n 1932.

43. George V was at first unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed.

44. There was no Christmas broadcast in 1936 or 1938, and it was the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 that firmly established the tradition

45. Last year the Queen delivered her address from Hampton Court Palace - the first time the historic building had been used

46 The speech is written by the Queen and each has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues and often draws on her own experiences.

Interest and hobbies

48. An animal lover since childhood, The Queen takes a keen and highly knowledgeable interest in horses. As an owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, she often visits other race meetings to watch her horses run, and also frequently attends equestrian events.

49. She attends the Derby at Epsom, one of the classic flat races in Britain, and the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot, which has been a Royal occasion since 1911.

50. The Queen's horses won races at Royal Ascot on a number of occasions. There was a notable double on 18 June 1954 when Landau won the Rous Memorial Stakes and a stallion called Aureole won the Hardwicke Stakes, and in 1957 The Queen had four winners during Ascot week

51. Other interests include walking in the countryside and working her Labradors, which were bred at Sandringham

52. A lesser known interest is Scottish country dancing. Each year during her stay at Balmoral Castle, The Queen gives dances known as Gillies' Balls, for neighbours, estate and Castle staff and members of the local community.

53. The Queen is the only person in Britain who can drive without a licence or a registration number on her car. And she doesn't have a passport.

54. The Queen is patron to more than 600 charities.

55. To formally greet the Queen men should perform a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am'

Fashion

56. Norman Hartnell, who first worked for the then Princess Elizabeth in the 1940s, produced many of the finest evening dresses in Her Majesty’s wardrobe. His signature style of the 1940s and 1950s was full-skirted dresses in sumptuous silks and duchesse satins

57. Hardy Amies began designing clothes for The Queen in the early 1950s and established his name with the deceptive simplicity of his accomplished tailoring. The portraits by Cecil Beaton released to mark Her Majesty’s birthday in 1969 the are amongst the most memorable designs by Hardy Amies

58. n the 1970s The Queen awarded her patronage to Ian Thomas, who was an assistant designer to Norman Hartnell before setting up his own salon. Thomas’s flowing chiffon dresses from the 1970s reflect the relaxed style of the decade. Maureen Rose of the same house continued to design for Her Majesty after Ian’s death until the late 80’s

59. Between 1988 and 1996, Her Majesty’s dresses were designed by John Anderson. His business partner Karl Ludwig Rehse took over the mantle after his death in 1988 and the Queen still wears his designs today

60. Stewart Parvin, the youngest of Her Majesty’s designers, trained at Edinburgh College of Art. He began to design for The Queen in 2000 and continues to do so.

61. Angela Kelly is Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser to The Queen. Her role includes designing for The Queen, which she has done since 2002. Angela and her team try and use both old and new fabrics when designing. Some of the material they ncorporate has been given to Her Majesty many years ago, some dates from when she was Princess Elizabeth.

Birthdays

62. The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on a Saturday in June.

63. The Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately, but the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in centra London at midday: a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London

64. In 2006, Her Majesty celebrated her 80th Birthday in 2006 with a walkabout in the streets outside of Windsor Castle to meet well-wishers

65. On her official birthday, Her Majesty is joined by other members of the Royal Family at the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards’ Parade.

And the rest...

66. Queen Elizabeth II is the fortieth monarch since William the Conqueror.

67. She has visited Australia 15 times, Canada 23 times, Jamaica six times and New Zealand ten times

68. She has sent around 100,000 telegrams to centenarians in the UK and the Commonwealth

69. The Queen has launched 23 ships and met five astronauts at Buckingham Palace

70. She first flew in an aeroplane in July 1945

71. She is the only British monarch in history properly trained to change a spark plug

72. On VE Day she and her sister slipped into the crowd to celebrate

73. She collected clothing coupons for her wedding dress

74. The Queen has a bank account at Coutts & Co. There is a Coutts cash-dispensing machine in Buckingham Palace

75. The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002, including visiting 70 cities and towns around the UK

76. Tony Blair was the first prime minister to be born during her reign, which has already seen nine prime ministers

77. The Queen has sat through 91 state banquets and posed for 139 official portraits

78. Technically The Queen still owns the sturgeons, whales and dolphins in the waters around the UK which are recognised as'Fishes Royal'. She also owns all wild 'mute' swans living in open water.

79. The Queen introduced a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi", when one of the corgis mated with a dachshund named Pipkin

80. The Queen is the first British monarch to see three of her children divorce

81. She demoted a footman for feeding her corgis whisky

82. The Queen has nine Royal thrones - One at the House of Lords, two at Westminster Abbey, and six in the throne room at Buckingham Palace

83. She is a Patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. One of the Queen's birds is called Sandringham Lightning.

84. There have been six Archbishops of Canterbury during the Queen's reign

85. The Queen is 5ft 4 inches or 160cm tall.

Source: The Telegraph

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