Easter + Parade

Easter is a favourite in the Catton household. Bunnies, chocolates, easter hats! What's not to love. And Easter at Avonlea is very fun, with lots of hiding places and real life bunnies and chickens to share in the search. This was also Lily's first year in the Easter Hat parade and designing and making her hat was a family affair with much planning and consideration. The motif of 'Maypole' was decided upon and our imaginations did the rest. Levi was called in for engineering expertise, Primrose for creative guidance and Lily and I set about bringing the vision to reality. And what a wonderland was created. It makes me want a real maypole. Miss Lily paraded with great pride and many comments at what a marvellous hat she had created. It may become a family heirloom. 

Show Time { Maitland Show 2026 }

Another very fun show year with lots of entries, excitement, big wins and lots of ribbons! As is tradition we had a ride on the dodgem cars and the kids chose a great fun ride flying up in the air. We saw the animas and the cutest bunnies, which we would take taken home but we have reached bunny capacity. The poultry was impressive, we saw a few breeds we liked the looked of and took notes for future reference. Our favourite of course is racing to the pavilions to see who has taken out the most wins! 

School's Back

Big milestone for us this year. All four of the Catton children are in school! Lily is the most excited of course. She has been waiting patiently to start Kindergarten for the past two years. Literally counting down. Everyone else is well and truly in the swing of things. Finley entered Year 8, Primrose Year 5 and Quill Year 2. They were all as ready as they could be. Squeaky clean, new shoes, pencil cases and bags packed. We are excited for everything ahead of them this year. Finley has his debut musical performance in Mamma Mia coming up in June. Primrose has Virtual Academy at school and leadership opportunities. Quill begins karate and is working hard on his reading and Lily has started dance and is starting to learn to read too. We are proud of the little people they are and are looking forward to the the year ahead.

Summer Holidays

What a summer! Probably the best in memory. We had the Ryan cousins come and stay at Avonlea for a full two weeks and it was one big, long, fun sleepover. The days were warm and many adventures were had. The project of the summer was making a movie - written and directed by Tristan Ryan, cast - the cousins. I caught snippets of the action as it was filmed at the river and the dam and helped them acquire a cow skull as a prop but truly have absolutely no idea what it is about. We eagerly await the release! 

Miss Prim { 2025 }

Fun, adventure, learning, horses, horses, bunnies, bunnies, bunnies, Primrose has had a lovely year full of all of her favourite things. Lots of fun with the usual - school, netball, pony club.. Lots of determination, courage and effort. And lots of memorable adventures along the way too. 

The Moment

In September we had a beautiful experience having a family photoshoot home at Avonlea. The pictures came back more beautiful than I could have imagined. I had really wanted to capture this moment in our lives, at our forever home, with all our children still children. I'm very conscious of how fast they are all growing up. That it won't always be like this. Our life feels like we are at this heightened stage, it takes all that Levi and I have to make it work, like all the best and hardest things are happening to us all at once. We are truly living the long held dreams we've dreamed - owning this beautiful place and raising four wonderful children here, and also trying to manage life and all the things that come our way. What I do know is that I want to hold on and not speed through it too fast. Look at my children's little hands, the freckles on their noses. Breathe in the country air, take in the joys that surround us. I'm so grateful these pictures capture us, just as we are, living the beautiful life we've created. 

Family + Fun

We have had such a fun, full, school holidays. We've barely sat down but loved every minute of having family visit, creating fun and going on all sorts of adventures. We had the Ryan's spend a lovely 5 days with us, a quick trip to Sydney in the middle and then Courtney with us for the end. We love sharing our home and surrounds with our family and love that they come to visit. 

'Book an Adventure' { Book Week 2026 }

We had another very fun and creative Book Week this year. Lots of back and forth about what books and characters, ideas for how to put together outfits and general excitement for a fun day. Finley went with last years Keefe from 'Keepers of the Lost Cities' and was joined by Primrose as Sophie from the same book. Primrose did a great job hand making her brooch for her cloak. Quill went as the Boy from 'How to Catch a Star'. Sadly his seagull didn't arrive in time for the day but we made an beautiful big star which completed his outfit. Lily had three days in a row of Book Week dress up's at preschool. She went as Willa and the Fairy Princess from Spellbound. 

Camp Prim

This is party year! It had been a little while since any of the kids had 'big' parties so we got to dreaming up something special this year. Primrose decided on a camp theme/parent swap type theme highly encouraged by mum - I was excited for the possibilities at Avonlea and it was lots of fun to put together. Primrose invited lots of her friends from school to celebrate, we had the perfect day and a very happy newly minted 10 year old. 

Easter Bunnies

This was our first Easter at Avonlea and was extra special because we had bunnies again! With bunnies and a giant egg hunt, dahlia's still blooming and a lovely breakfast morning, it was just beautiful. A lovely celebration of my favourite holiday. 

Show Time { Maitland Show 2025 }

We went all in with the Maitland Show this year and it was a big one! Ribbons, prizes, 1st places and even a a $100 prize. This year had it all and we loved being apart of it. The competitions give us some fun things to focus on over the holidays, crafting and creating and this was our first year entering the horses which is something I have dreamed of doing. 

Miss Prim { 2024 }

What a wonderful, exciting year for Primrose. Full of friendship, fun and new experiences. Oh to be 9 years old and finding yourself and what you love. It's pleasure to watch Primrose living life. She has a beautiful energy and attracts friends and fun everywhere she goes. She has a brilliant imagination and finds joy everywhere, so it goes without saying - she's had a great year. 

'Reading is Magic' { Book Week 2024 }

Another book week roles around and it was all systems go in the Catton household. I love it and it's the one dress up celebration I really get behind so we tend to go all out. We are book week purest, the character has to have originated from a book and the kids spend the month before thinking up and planning their costumes. I think they did great this year!

On Cloud Nine

Every year as Miss Primrose turns a year older I can't help but look at her and remember the little tiny girl she once was. She isn't so little anymore. Nine years old and growing up into such a talented, vibrant, kind, content girl that ever was. It is a joy and pleasure to watch her grow. We are very often in awe of who she is and feel excited to celebrate her birthday with her. 

Show Time { Maitland Show 2024 }

We've been waiting a good ol' while to participate in the local show. I thought we'd get the chance in Bungendore but weather, covid and cancellation meant that in the 5 years we were we never got the chance. Moving to the Hunter I was so excited for us to participate in the Maitland Show and we had such a great time preparing entries and attending over the weekend. 

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. 

The Dress

Ever since having Primrose it has been on my mind to make her a special white dress for when she turned eight and was baptised. I had originally thought I would use my wedding dress for the fabric but everyone was universally horrified by the idea of me cutting into that dress so that idea was shelved. A few years ago though, Hanna asked me if I would like the train to her wedding dress, so I've held onto that and it turned out to be the perfect fabric and amount for the project! Not to mention incredibly special for this keep sake dress. 

Primrose Gets Baptised

In June Primrose was baptised. She spent a bit of time after she turned eight considering the decision and ultimately decided she's interested in learning more about God and taking this step to show him that. She's a deep thinker and took her time coming to the decision that was right for her. It was lovely to see her confidence in making that decision her own.

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. 

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.