The Gallery - My Weekend...

Once again joining Tara's Sticky Fingers blog for The Gallery ... the theme this week is My Weekend.

My weekend was dominated by Julia's first Calisthenics competition (see my last blog post). Weekends are for spending time together as a family, so here is a weekend moment captured in Autumn last year. Julia (then Miss three-and-a-half) loves collecting leaves, twigs, flowers, stones - anything you can find outside. She is showing me something very important, I'm sure!

If you would like to join in too, please take a look at Sticky Fingers!

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Calisthenics - a beautiful sport

Julia (Miss Four) started Calisthenics this year. She has been practising really hard, and in the lead up to her first competition, she practised every day.

We had to wake up early on Sunday morning... so early that it was still dark and even Julia agreed that it was still night-time. My first attempt at a bun was halfway decent (I think), thanks to copious amounts of gel and hair spray, and about a hundred bobby pins.

All those hours of practice were totally worth it... Julia had such a fun time in her first competition with her team. Huge thanks to her coach Kirsty, team assistants Chelsea, Sam, Caitlyn and Jess, team manager Nicky, and everyone else who put so much work into making the day such a success for all the girls.

Why do I like Calisthenics so much? Because it promotes teamwork, encourages physical development and co-ordination, and takes a series of routines set to music and turns them into beautiful performances.

But it's also something I did as a girl. This is me with my sister.

If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at Calisthenics ACT if you are in Canberra like me, or Calisthenics Australia for more information about Calisthenics in other states.

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The Gallery - Three Words...

Today I am joining Tara's Sticky Fingers blog for The Gallery with thanks to Reluctant Housedad for the introduction!

The theme this week is 3 Word Gallery.

"She's so perfect".

These are the first words I thought when I first saw my daughter.

If you would like to join in too, please take a look at Sticky Fingers!

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Collaborate for a Cause ♥ ♥ ♥

Have you seen this oh-so-wonderful Facebook page yet? It's called Collaborate for a Cause and it's bringing the Facebook handmade community together once more for a charity auction event with a difference.

Created by Jen Kennedy of Ainslee FOX, this page is all about promoting fun and friendship through collaboration on a handmade item for the auction. Collaborating Facebook partners create a handmade item for the auction and choose a charity to which the proceeds of their item will be donated.

I am so happy to be a part of this fabulous idea - my own Mini-Me Handcrafts will be collaborating with Lella M to create something special. The proceeds of our contribution will be going to Raising Hope for Brittany.

Here is a sneak peek...

Bidding on the auction will commence at 8pm AEST on July 29th 2011. Please take a look at Collaborate for a Cause on Facebook for more information, and get ready for the most uplifting and wonderful auction the Facebook community has ever seen!

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Listography - Top 5 Places I'd Like to Visit

I love to travel. The world is such a fabulous place that it's always hard to decide where to visit - there are so many places I haven't seen yet! But worse still, there are so many places I'd love to re-visit.

Joining Kate Takes 5 again this week, here are my top 5 destinations that I'd love to see and show Julia (Miss 4)...

1. Disneyworld
Having just returned from a family trip to California where we finished in Disneyland, the obvious choice for our next holiday would be Florida to check out the other side of the US. Especially as the US dollar conversion is so good right now!

2. Austria
This is my husband's birthland. He and I have travelled there and seen so much of this beautiful country, but I would love to go back and show Julia her heritage. Plus, being such a small country, we could take in some of the bordering countries too whilst capturing the highlights of Austria.

3. Ballarat
Now this is so much closer to home, but I recall fondly my visits to Sovereign Hill as a child. Julia would be captivated by the hands-on experience of Australian history.

4. New Zealand
The thought of flying overseas and landing in only 3 hours is too good to miss. New Zealand's proximity to Australia makes it the perfect overseas holiday. Plus it's got so many great places and cities to explore.

5. Europe
It's so convenient being able to consolidate my travel plans into one destination as I cannot choose any one country or city from the smorgasbord Europe has to offer. Yes, I have already singled out Austria, but now I have to choose between at least 30 other countries that I would love to see! When I win lotto...

Thanks again Kate - now I have my holidays planned for the next 5 years. If you would like to join in too, please take a look at Kate Takes 5!

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Mini-Me Handcrafts - Burger & Chips

Julia (Miss 4) loves watching Masterchef. The show gets recorded so Julia and I can watch it together in the afternoons. She knows the names of all the contestants and calls them out at the beginning of every show. She loves to cook with me, always wearing her Masterchef apron and chef's hat.

I recently thought I would try to crochet some play food, so I created this hamburger and chips.

This 17 piece play set includes bun top with sesame seeds, bun bottom, burger, cheese, fried egg, three tomato slices, lettuce and eight chips.

I had so much fun creating this burger, I'm going to make some more! Sushi anyone?

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Listography - My Top 5 Decisions

Once again I am joining the fabulous Kate Takes 5 for Listography. Kate has made me think about the choices I've made to get where I am today. Wow, here goes...

My Top 5 Decisions I'm Glad I Made.

1. Not going to University.

I really didn't have a clear picture of what I wanted to do when I left school. After year 12 I had had enough of studying so I deferred my Uni placement and joined a bank. I started at the bottom, operating an encoding machine, then teller, and worked my way up to Manager. I loved my job - dealing with people, solving problems and analysing companies. I don't regret for a second not going to Uni.

2. Buying property.

My Dad always said that I should buy property, whether it be to live in or as an investment. I think he was right.

3. Starting my own little business.

After 17 years with the bank, I was introduced to a life-changing opportunity to own my own business. After much deliberation and analysis of cash flow and business plans, I took my long service leave and gave it a go. It certainly has been a challenge!

4. Moving from Sydney back to Canberra.

For most of my primary and high school years I lived in Canberra before moving to Sydney to complete years 11 & 12. In 2003 I hit a major rough patch in my love life and moved back to Canberra. It was a huge move, but I had the support of friends and family - and I love living in this wonderful city.

5. Asking my future husband out to the movies.

Taking a chance on asking a workmate out to the movies was a huge step towards finding Mr. Right... now we are married with a gorgeous 4 year old. Fabulous!

Thanks Kate - this has been a very interesting list to make. If you would like to join in too, take a look at Kate Takes 5!

Oh, and before you go, please head over to sign the petition at Save the Children and see Thinly Spread for Kate's inspiration for Listography this week.

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Teddy Bear Land - Favourite Toys

I was recently catching up on blog reading, as I had missed quite a lot whilst being on holidays. One post in particular caught my eye and stayed in my thoughts - Favourite Toys at Bub & Moo.

So as it's my birthday today, I would like to share some family photos with you...

Here are some early pictures of me with favourite toys:

And here are a few pictures of Julia (now Miss 4) with her favourite toys:

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing today, I hope your day is as wonderful as mine!

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Teddy Bear Land
Deluxe Personalised Children's Book
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