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A Mummy Vacation

Me and my spirited daughters, on our flight home from Perth.

We recently had a short trip to Perth. My husband flew separately from us. His ticket was booked through his work, and when we went to book our tickets to join him on the same flight, well there were no cheap seats left. How convenient for him!

So, for the first time, I flew on my own with the two. Aside from my eldest daughters mild over interest in the toilet during the flight (we visited four times in the last hour of the flight, a little squishy with the three of us in there I might also add), it went surprisingly well. It was though, a little exhausting, making sure everybody's emotions were in check, that no tantrums were looming on the horizon. I declined on the coffee. On the red wine. For safety and potential stain reasons, at a time when I could have perhaps needed it most. Particularly the coffee.

The flight home was with my husband, and a half empty plane. Graciously, my husband suggested that I could sit in an aisle on my own at any time, if I wanted to have a break to myself for a bit. Sounded like an opportunity too good to refuse. Except for one small thing. Wherever I moved to, I had two little girls following me. Not really wanting or needing anything. Just wanting to see what I was doing. There went the hot coffee and red wine idea. 

Being a Mum just never stops. If I'm in sight, I'm going to be needed for something. You can run, but you can't hide, they will find you. Hiding in the toilet, in your own seperate aisle on the plane, in your walk in robe (where you might just run into your eldest daughter hiding anyway).

I have come to realize that taking a break for myself, means getting out of the house completely. And after nearly three years of such mini escapes, I can say with complete honesty, that going out for a coffee, breakfast, the occasional haircut, or doing the grocery shopping on my own  (yes I consider that a break for myself some days!!), well it doesn't quite cut it as a time to myself anymore. I need a little something more.

So I've started dreaming about a Mummy Vacation. A holiday, to do exactly as I please, when I please, with no thought to anybody but myself. Just for a change. In fact, I don't think I really need to do much talking on this holiday. I will happily sleep, dine, shop and read on my own. A chance to be completely selfish and indulgent all on my lonesome. And recharge my batteries.

 

It goes without saying, that of course I enjoy and love my girls (and their attention), and my family, very much. Just thought I should mention that part!

 

Have you been on a mummy vacation?

Where did you go?

Home Sweet Home??!!

Well after a whirlwind trip to Perth, we are now back in red dirt country. And with mixed feelings. There's nothing like the comforts of your own home, your own beds and all those little things that just make life easier and more pleasant, especially with little ones. But when all your belongings are in the middle of a red dirt nowhere, and with 40 plus degrees everyday, well, it can kind of take the shine of home.

We loved the sea breeze and mild temperatures that we had in Perth. The chance to enjoy more cultured things with one another. We didn't miss the heat, the sun that restricts when we're able to go outside, or the almost constant swatting of flies from your face when you do venture out. There's beauty in these parts, but living here, brings with it a more complicated view perhaps. One that certainly hit home, as soon as we landed and drove back into town.

What I am grateful for. That living here for two years, allows us to be together as a family. And is allowing me to enjoy those fleeting few years at home with the girls, before they start school and I return to work. And at heart, home is really more about the people you're with, not just where you find yourself and your belongings living (I'll keep reminding myself of that one!)

Can you spot our airport in this picture and the one below?

Plenty of hi-vis wearing men at this airport!

It's the Little Things

There are many positives of living in this part of the world, and lots of new experiences to be had. But it's the little things that I've most enjoyed during our stay in Perth. 

Thumbing through books in an independent bookstore (much more enjoyable than buying online). Sharing gelato (I use that term lightly, as all I really was allowed was to lick the drips as they ran down the side of the cone). The abundance of new parks to visit with white, not pinky red sand. The sight of water, be it river, beach or small water park. Good coffee and Rudolph red nosed baby cinos (who barely lasted past this photo).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holidaying with little ones can be exhausting stuff. Especially when you're trying to make the most of every little minute around middle of the day naps. I started off like a bull at a gate, but I exhausted us three. Tired and cranky kids, makes for tired grumpy me. So the week that started off as a sprint, ended at a snails pace. 

I didn't get to go to some places that I wanted (let's just say a screaming crying toddler who wants to go home NOW in the middle of the David Jones food hall, does not make me want to sit down and relax with sushi and a coffee). And I didn't get to see everybody who I would have liked too, which was disappointing. But I'm sure I'll find myself another reason to visit again soon.

Apologies for the small text, and different texts in the last few posts. Something has changed in my formatting since we've been in Perth (I'll blame the slowest internet reception at our apartment/hotel), and I haven't quite worked out how to fix it!!
 

A Day to Ourselves

A day to ourselves. To do a few errands (like pick up a snorkel for the bumpy car), and then one of those just see where the rest of the day takes us kind of days. 

 

First, a visit to our old stomping ground. A quick visit to those missed favourite places. Coffee, baby cinos and pastries at Fiorentina. A touch of shopping on Angove street. 

Happy faces. Chocolate faces. And lots of wows at all the beautiful things. Seems Miss A has forgotten all about our life before the red dirt move and Miss J, well she very much enjoyed her first taste of the "real" cafe scene.

 

Then in the afternoon after a nap, we had lunch by the river followed by a hop, skip, run and jump around the bell tower.

 Peekaboo

Some times the unplanned days, are the best days.

Oh yes, and this is me, getting my white on, as much as possible!!

My Favourite Christmas Finds

With next to no shops for us in town, almost all of our Christmas shopping has been purchased online this year. So many shops, and suppliers, it can all get a little daunting trying to find that "perfect" gift, without spending too much. This year I've managed to find some lovely things, which I'm hoping will be loved. I've tried to purchase as many things as I can, that are handmade in Australia.

I love all things handmade, and I feel it's important to support smaller businesses at times like this in the year. Christmas is the most important time of the year for any small business. So if you're lucky enough to live surrounded by unique, small giftware stores, then support them and get shopping! Shops don't survive on your good comments alone, as you're browsing through.

If like me, you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, then here's my go to list, for shopping online this Christmas!

1} The Chevron necklace by miscii. This gorgeous necklace is handmade in Perth, WA, by the lovely Celeste. Thankyou to Karen from Yellow Dandy for bringing this lovely range of jewellery to my attention.

2 } The Sonny Angel Christmas Kewpie Doll from Candey Stripe Cloud. These are just gorgeous, and a deviation from both my handmade and made in Australia rule. But they were just too cute to leave out of my shopping cart. These aren't a gift, but will be added to our collection of Christmas Ornaments for home. I envisage these sitting on the mantle of my own fireplace one day!! Candey stripe cloud had sold out of these last I checked. But you can find them here (last I checked they had some in stock). Or you can buy the complete set of 12 from Beezer. Not all retailers sell them as a set of four. Most will sell them individually. They are actually more of a lucky dip type purchase, as each doll is boxed separately in blind, identical boxes, so there is no way to know which kewpie doll you are receiving. Until you open it. Candey Stripe Cloud predicts the design in each box by weight to ensure you receive four different designs.
 

3 } The Crochet slippers from White Noise Maker . I just love these. They have been sitting in my favourites list on Etsy for sometime, waiting for that right time and person to buy for. I purchased one as a gift, and one for me. Ooopsey.

4 } The Bunting necklace in mint and black. The sweetest of necklaces by Petite Deer. I particularly loved the multi coloured bunting necklace, but the mint and black suited my giftee better (so I hope anyway). I may or may not have purchased one of these for me too.....

5 } I have gifted this delightful cup from Rowemade before. So cheery for that first of too many cups of coffee throughout your day (or is that just me). They also have a great Dad cup too, that might just make it under our tree also.

6 } Easily one of my favourite stocking fillers this year, are these handcrafted chalks by The Chalk Chook. You can find them in various shapes and colours, hearts, stars, gingerbread men, princess fairies. There are so many to choose from, and they make a great alternative as a party favour for childrens birthday parties.

To my friends and family members, yes, your present may just be one of the above. But I won't be telling, you will have to wait for Christmas day!

A Riverside Playdate

Oh Perth you are pretty.

And while I haven't missed you personally there are some things about you that I have missed.

Today's mild weather.

Your beautiful parks.

Your beautiful waterways.

And some of your people.

Muffins by the river with a good friend and her boys. The best way to spend a blissful morning x