Bungendore Olive Pick

We always enjoy a trip to Bungendore. We get to see our favourite people and do our favourite things and we always come away reminded of how special the five years we lived there were and how grateful we are for them. It's really nice to not live too far away that it's possible to do a weekend here and there. This time we were invited to the Pappas Annual Olive Pick. A incredible weekend of picking, food and friends. It was wonderful and such a joy to be part of their family tradition. 

Miss Lily { 2023 }

A lot of growing happens in a year when you are three. Lily has bloomed into such a fun loving little girl . She will always be our baby but more and more we see her transforming into a little girl full of life and personality. She loves life and is always excited to come on any adventure. She loves dressing up and is a true girly girl, dresses, jewellery, hairclips - she loves it all. 

Master Quill { 2023 }

 

This boy is ready for big things! He has had such a wonderful year, enjoying that last year before big school and he is ready as ready can be for that next step. Quill is adventurous, cheeky, determined, loves a good laugh, an early riser, loves to be organised and loves farm life the most of everyone. He is a boys boy, he loves playing with his friends and doing his best to keep up with his big brother.  

Miss Prim { 2023 }

This has been an exciting year for Primrose, full of fun and friends and big changes. We have seen her really put herself out there to give things a go and she has made great strides in so many areas. She remains a true bright light in our family. She is the most level, calm, kind and considerate one of all of us and she really teaches me every day to be patient and look to the good in everything. Her energy is always attracting wonderful people her way. She had a wonderful group of friends in Bungendore and in no time at all she has found her people in her new school. 

Mr Finley { 2023 }

Growing up, keeping busy and navigating big changes. Finley has had a great big year and we are  proud of him and the determination and resilience we have seen him develop. He turned 11 this year, tried some new things, excelled at some old favourites, completed Year 5, moved house, said goodbye's and started at a new school. There has been some tears but he is settling into this wonderful new life in the country and loving all the new experiences it brings. 

Sunshine After the Rain { 2023 }

2023 was one of the hardest, most rewarding years of my life and has left me exhausted, physically and mentally but oh so so happy. There was one goal and we fought so hard for it right through from January to September. It was the backdrop to the whole year - sell our house in time to buy the property of our dreams. And we did it. The stars aligned, we just wouldn't leave them be, and so this story has a happy ending. The year has come to an end and we have our Avonlea. I couldn't be more grateful. 

Goodbyes are Such Sweet Sorrow

 

“A little town of no consequence to anyone, except those fortunate enough to have lived in it.”

  - Pride and Prejudice

High Five

Our little boy is five! In all the chaos of mummy returning from a trip to Canada and only a week out from moving house we paused it all to celebrate Quill turning five. Quill is friend to all and a bit too popular to have a to pick a handful of friends, so instead he invited all the kids on our street and everyone at preschool to his big five birthday bash at the Bungendore Park. And they all came! They have a great time running themselves ragged on the play equipment and returning periodically for snacks. 

Party Girl Turns Three

The littlest kitten has turned three! And oh how gorgeous she was soaking in her special day. This was the first year that she was truly aware of birthday season and after watching Finley and Primrose have their special day she eagerly awaited her own. I hadn't planned on doing a party but she talked about her upcoming party with so much excitement I realised I didn't have much choice! 

Our Girl is Eight

And she is eight! Where did that time go? I can still remember Primrose as my little toddler, our little ray of sunshine, always by my side taking the world in. My eight year old Primrose may have grown and changed but she still has that spark of magic - she loves life and is such a interesting and insightful person. 

Finley's 11th Birthday

Finley is 11! With every passing year I can see Finley growing and changing and coming into his own. Those childhood years are beginning to make way for the next stage, more independence, more self discovery and Finley with his independent spirit is loving it. 

Hop, Hop, Hop

The stars aligned and my dream of having bunnies for Easter was fulfilled! A few weeks before Easter we picked up our two little baby mini lop bunnies. The sweetest, tiniest little bunnies ever. We named the lavender bunny Flopsey and the orange tri-colour Harriet. They have been the most wonderful addition to our family, the kids love playing with them and they let them carry them around in their arms like babies. The arrival of the bunnies bought the Easter spirit early and I am here for it. Easter dreams coming true!

Little Lily { 2022 }

Our Lily started the year very much our baby and ended it a self proclaimed little girl. She is universally adored and such a funny, fun, loving little presence in our home. Everyone always wants snuggles and has their own special relationship with Lily. Quill and her being so close in age results in the best of friends or foes depending on moods. Primrose is the big sister she wants to keep up with, and Finley the protector and source of lots of fun. With mummy and daddy she loves one on one, cuddles and attention. 

Master Quill { 2022 }

Quill has really turned from a little boy to a mini kid this year. He is so independent and loves riding his scooter with the big kids in the street and trying to keep up with his big brother and sister. He definitely doesn't like being held back from the fun and see's the street as an extension of our house, no need to tell anyone where he is off too! Much to mum's dismay. He has grown up so much and is changing so quickly, some days I can't believe how fast it has all happened. 

Miss Prim { 2022 }

Primrose our beautiful first rose has had a brilliant and wonderful year. Almost weekly she tells us that something in her life has made her dreams come true. That is how she makes he way through life. A true and steady optimist who sees the best in all her experiences. She isn't our little girl anymore, she's growing into a very capable, confident and talented young miss. We adore the light she brings into our family and the friend and peacemaker she is for all. It's been a nice, steady year for her, learning and growing. 

Mr Finley { 2022 }

This boy of ours has had a big, exciting year all round and we have seen him come more and more into his own. He's definitely moving into that tween stage, wanting some time to himself, knowing his own mind and what he likes, very excited to be with friends and have some autonomy. Finley has had lots of really interesting and unique opportunities that have made this a really exciting year for him. Levi and I are so proud of his work ethic, his enthusiasm and his willingness to give everything a go. 

Another Big One { 2022 }

Every year feels like a big year, which is no surprise with the comings and goings of six people to consider. Sometimes we long for quiet stretches of nothing but mostly the buzz and hum of our home and lives feels full and meaningful. I definitely came out of covid wanting to live life to the fullest and not let any opportunity, experience or event pass me by. This year has really felt like that, nothing has has been missed, big projects have been completed and we've really lived a big, full year achieving that. At it's end I feel glad and grateful for it, content at what's been and ready now to move to a new cadence and shift some focus for 2023.

Quill is Dino-Four

Our little man Quill's birthday has finally come and he is four! He has awaited his special day through all five of our birthdays but it came with a bang and all the bells and whistles to make a very special day for our boy. He was full of anticipation leading up and was very specific about having a dinosaur themed day with Grandma and Grandpa present. Together we all made it a dino-day to remember. 

Play Time for Bungendore

After two years the Bungendore Playground is complete! Many moons ago, there was a call out from the council for volunteers to form a committee that would work to bring a new playground to Bungendore. I joined up with other mum's in the area and we set off on the long and sometimes fraught process of bringing this incredible asset to the community. All the time and work has culminated in the ultimate outcome, an incredible new park for our town. 

7 + 2 = Happy Birthday Girls!

These two dear sisters share a bedroom, toys, lots of snuggles and this year a birthday! With only a few weeks between their 7th and 2nd birthday's, and mummy and daddy's trip to the US colliding with Lily's day, Primrose very graciously invited Lily to share her day with her. They made for a gorgeous little birthday pair with pigtails for their morning of pancakes and present opening. Grandma came to celebrate too to share in all the fun.