12 months gone in the blink of an eye

We are now preparing for Bella's first birthday party on the weekend.  FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!  OMG.  The year has just flown.  She doesn't actually turn one until Wednesday week, but still.  In the past couple of months, she has just blew us all away with her developments.  Today she cut her third tooth (one of the front top ones).  Funnily enough, yesterday Tom lost his second tooth.  I told him that for every one that Bella gets, he will loose one.  I hope I'm not right!

I should also count today as the day that Bella stood on her own.  It was only for a few seconds, but it was definitely a solo stand.  On the change table.  Hanging onto nothing.  ON THE CHANGE TABLE for Christ's sake!!  We also spied her climbing up one of the kitchen chairs to reach something on Biddy's bumper seat.  This child will be the climber of the family, although it must be said that Biddy is also partial to daring manoeuvres.  Must be a girl thing.  Both Mark and Tom are scared silly by heights.

Bella's party invites

A girl after her mum's heart!

2nd one gone!

Mutual respect.  Bella normally keeps her distance.

Attacking dad.  Their favourite nighttime game!

A bit of a catch up

Ugh...since we have been home it seems like everything is in fast forward mode.  Tom went back to school, Biddy to kinder, Bella has continued to get crawling perfected and Mark is into the thick of it with calving.  And I am just playing catch up all the time.  The caravan is STILL in the carport waiting to be completely unpacked.  I don't think there is much sense putting it away just yet, because in 3 weeks time (or so) we have Bella's first birthday party (gulp....yes, she is nearly 1) and the Butler's will be using it to sleep in.

So what's been going on?

Calving is on the go right now and we have about 40 - 50 calves in the shed already.  I haven't had to do any rearing this year as mark has taken it on himself.  I dearly love doing it, but with the 3 kids and my stamping business and trying to keep on top of the farm book work, and running around after all and sundry, it makes sense for Mark to do it again this year.  I know that there are other women who are just as busy as me and they rear the calves on top of everything else, but when I don't HAVE to do it, then there is not much sense in running myself ragged.

As mentioned, I also have my stamping business and this is going from strength to strength.  The financial year for Stampin' Up! goes from April 1 through to March 31 so we have just finished one year.  I am proud and pleased to say that I exceeded my own financial goals for that 12 months and sold over $20,000 worth of product.  For this, I received a pin, a free stamp set and a walk across the presentation stage at the convention which was held last weekend.  I know this doesn't sound like much to some of you, but for me, this is my release.  It is what keeps me sane!

I have spent the past 18 months getting myself in order with this business, and now I am ready to recruit other demonstrators.  I am in a position creatively and business-wise that I feel I can adequately support new demonstrators.  So if you would like to talk about joining the SU! family, earning some handy money and having the FUN of your life, then give me a call.  No pressure.  Even if you just want to suss it out for the future.  Check out my web site (www.gracefulimpressions.blogspot.com)

The kids are growing up just far too quickly.  As I said, Bella Boo is coming up 12 months in early June and it tears at my heartstrings to see her growing so quickly.  You just want them to stay babies!!  I have settled on a theme for her party: ladybirds.  Get ready to check out the invites and paraphernalia in the coming days!!

Tom will be turning 6yo in early July and Mark and I have already given him his present.  We bought him (and us) tickets to see Walking with Dinosaurs in Melbourne.  Mark and I have already seen this show when it kicked off its worldwide tour back in 2007 (I think) and it hasn't changed at all, but remains a great show.  Tom had no idea where we were taking him and he wasn't game to even dare think that it would be to this show even when he saw the advertising at Hi-Sense Arena.  He had a ball and I've attached the official photo of us with baby T-Rex.

Biddy's hair is finally starting to take on a girly shape after THE hair incident of 2010.  For months, every time we go down the street, some comments on her being a 'little fella".  I guess it doesn't help that she wears Tom's hand-me-downs.   She may look like a tomboy, but she has the temper and attitude of a 14yo girl.  OMG, we are going to be in for it with that one.

Tom is loving school and is doing so well.  He has bought home the odd laminated award and a bunch of "Well Done" and "Outstanding" stickers.  Last Friday, the preps hosted the prayer gathering at St Mary's and I couldn't go.  It was made worse by the fact that Tom was doing a reading too!  Mum got it on Mark's iPhone for me though.  Bought a tear to me eye.

Mark is the coach this year for the Colac Braves.  Once someone gives me some pictures and information, I will be maintaining their blogsite, so stay tuned for that one.  I believe that the B grade are undefeated so far this year which is fantastic.  We have had some bad news in the club this year with one of the newer players - but brother to an established player - recently suffering a stroke (his second one).  I'm unaware of the prognosis and we all pray and hope that he will make a decent recovery.  It is made worse by the fact he is only just 18yo.  Breaks your heart.

Well, I think I am caught up on some stuff.  I have fallen WAY behind on my 365-12 blog, but rest assured I have been taking photos, I just haven't been loading them on!  I'll get onto that when I find an extra hour or two in the day!  In the meantime, I'd best go and hunt the two older kids into bed.

Holiday wrap up

We left Melbourne on Monday 25th (ANZAC Day) so that Tom would have at least 2 nights in his own bed prior to starting back at school.  On the Tuesday, he told us that his tooth was wobbly (bottom front), but as it had been wobbly before that then stopped, I didn't pay much attention.  Until he appeared in the office doorway MISSING A TOOTH!  At first he said it came out int he apple he was eating, but later he admitted to wobbling it so much it fell out.  It wasn't even that wobbly!

So the tooth fairy came that night and replaced the tooth with $1 (price for teeth has obviously gone up....but it WAS a first baby tooth, so something special!) and a card which said "Official Visit from the Tooth Fairy".

So our 2011 holiday is now over.  We won't get another extended break like that until this time next year.  We came home ready for calving, school, swimming lessons and the general hullabaloo of life.