day 161 - thursday - Happy Birthday Mum

For Mum's birthday, I had planned to present her with a heritage album of her childhood. It's been a year and I STILL haven't done it. Soon, I hope, soon. So instead, yesterday morning, my sister says Why don't you Just Make A Photobook like you did for Auntie Shirley? So I did, but I was still making it as I was putting the finishing touches on lunch, the cupcakes, and watching the babies. Phew! It took ages because I selected 120 photos of us all since January and such a large stack took a while to bind. Then there was the fabric cover, but that's another story (photo to come later).

Ian made it back from his appointment in time for lunch. He still wasn't feeling well today but expects to be back at work next week. Looking forward to being back in our normal routine...

Mum loved the cupcakes..

I went for a bit of a mission to find this cute cupcake holder. I think it's going to get a good workout round here...

Outside saying goodbye to Gandy. Did I mention this freezing cold winter we're having this year?

Tassie trying to convince me to bring her rocks inside...

Things are so great at home at the moment. I am really enjoying my book called Beyond Time Out, mainly cos it's made me realise it's OK to say no to toddlers. And I'm enjoying saying it a lot and noticing a positive reaction (not immediately, but sort of in the bigger picture). Quite a paradox to the unsuspecting parent (me). I was a pleaser/pushover evidently, until now that is. We have started following the routine and it's great so far.

The other great thing is Angus has gone to his rightful place in the nursery where Tasmin sleeps so the nights and mornings have suddenly become more peaceful. He takes ages getting to sleep but Tassie seems OK with it. And they seem to entertain each other in the morning when they wake up.