The Summertimes: Not Me! Monday

 Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.  

This is a link up that I've often enjoyed reading so I thought it was about time that I shared a few of my own Not Me! moments. The following is intended to be dripping with sarcasm and just a little too much truth...

I most certainly do not allow Tavi to feed himself because it gives me some time to blog and edit photos, nope I definitely do not value my own hobby enough to make it worth the colossal mess and cleanup afterward, nope Not Me!

This week I did not check the letter box and upon realising it was just some junk and letters for someone who used to live here I did not just put them back because I couldn't be bothered bringing them in to the house.

I certainly did not encourage my husband to install air conditioning in our babies room so that he could sleep better without checking it with the rental agency first. I am such a responsible rule follower and would never do something like that.

I did not deliberate about what to make for a recent birthday party for ages, constantly changing my mind and I definitely did not end up making exactly what I had planned to do in the beginning, I would never be that indecisive.

I am always up to date with all washing and folding, and I did not find some random clean pocket nappies and inserts floating around the car. I also definitely did not stuff Tavi's nappies while in the car and stopped at a red light, because that is just weird, and only for frazzled time poor Mums... and totally Not Me!

So what have you not been up to lately? 

My Must-Watch Chrismas Movies

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol

I can't remember a Christmas where we haven't watched this movie, so suffice to say that its pretty much ingrained in the Christmas culture of our family. Who doesn't love a bit of Charles Dickens retold by frogs and pigs? Such a good movie and the songs always get stuck in my head. Definitely a good Christmas activity to watch this as a family over the school holidays.


2. Elf

 

One word: hilarous! Will Ferrell at his best, all of his comedy with none of the crude storyline. We like the movie so much that we went out and bought it again the last Christmas we spent in Ireland, because it wouldn't feel like Christmas till we had our Elf fix :)

3. The Holiday

Romance, travel, and Christmas all intertwined in a lovely chick flick. This might be one reserved for watching with your best girl friend as I do think chick flicks are best enjoyed in the company of another girl with a steady supply of snackfood. I've already watched this one but I love it so much that I'll probably watch it while making my next Christmas decoration project (its has to do with ripping a book to shreds, which normally I would hate but I think this will be so worth it!)

Special Mention: Robbie the Reindeer, not technically a Christmas movie but more like a Christmas version of Wallace and Grommit. We stumbled upon an episode of it on ABC back when we had TV and we thought it was hilarious, and of course the Irish accents and humor helps to sweeten the deal. Definitely worth fitting in amongst your Christmas viewing.

So what am I missing out on? Do you have any recommendations to add to my Christmas viewing?

For Hayden's Adoring Fans

I had the pleasure of taking photos of this little cutie today, and by popular request here are some more photos :) Isn't he just the cutest? We had a lot of fun with different props and poses and Hayden took it all in his stride. Thank you so much Amore for letting me borrow your little son this morning, these are just a few to satiate Hayden's adoring crowd, dudes got a following already :P

The second I saw this amazing tattoo I knew I had to get a photo of it!

Such a sweetie. He totally lights up when he sees or hears his Mum. Absolutely gorgeous.

And what could be cuter than a naked baby? Oh yeah a smiling naked baby :) 

 

Many more photos to come of this little guy and even more cuties! Lets just say my week is looking mega full with photo goodness. If you would like some photos taken of your own little sweet cheeks baby then email me: summertimephotography (at) gmail.com for more info or check out my website http://summertimephotography.smugmug.com/

Early Morning Edits

For some weird reason I woke up when the sun was coming up, oh that's right I have a baby to feed. Usually I'd go back to sleep but today I couldn't...so i did what any normal person would have done and got up and edited photos... 

 Mmm so much glorious colour, hooray for rainbow themed birthday parties! 

And lots of cute kids everywhere for me to take photos of!

 Ralphie was loving the attention

 

 And the birthday boy was having a great time too

 

The kids had lots of fun playing pass the parcel

And I had fun experimenting...

The weather was just perfect and the children had a great time in the newly constructed sandpit

And there were rainbow colours everywhere

I stole some rainbow goodness for a few family photos with the help of my accomplice and child entertainer extraordinaire Grace :)

 Squish the baby!

He doesn't seem to mind...although maybe he doesn't count as a baby now that he is 2? I'm not sure about the technicalities but I am sure about how adorable this sweet family is :)

Did I mention he has a gorgeous little brother? MOAR baby goodness!! :P

And we can't forget Zeke's amazing technicolour dream cake...or rainbow cake to some. It looked awesome and tasted even better...mmm butter cream icing!

And what do I love about these photos? Oh just everything! Two people that are so dear to my heart, a scrumptious cake and a friend who goes along with my sometimes nutty ideas, a toddlers joy, sweet moments, and how photos are not always about capturing a moment but actually help in creating a fun memory. 

 Love x 4

Three years

 

Happy Birthday To You!!

 

Happy Birthday Mister 2 year old! 

You are a bundle of fun and energy and we can't wait to celebrate with you this Saturday :)

We I first met you I was ginormously pregnant with our little guy and you were probably wondering who is this oddly shaped lady and why won't she get down on the floor and play cars with me?!

Thankfully I've been able to make up for that with lots of play time since :)

Tavi adores you and I'm sure if he could talk in more than single syllables he would say so himself. Even when he was a few months old he would always give you the biggest smile, and I can't wait to see your friendship develop through the years.

You came to visit us in hospital and I'm not too sure what you thought of your new little friend but you were very gentle and intrigued.

You kept me company when I was a bit too shy to feed Tavi out in public during the first few weeks and that meant the world to me :)

You are a joy to us and we are privileged to be a part of your life as you grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Love you lots Ezekiel xox

Tuna Nicoise

After having a baby you have a heck of a lot less time to go out for dinner, or make a really lovely one at home. Sad but true. However, when you do have a chance to make something truly delicious and spend some quality time with your loved one you enjoy it so much more, so I think that balances it out a bit.

 

We don't tend to eat a whole lot of meat around here these days, but fish? Now that's a whole other story. I have actually woken up craving tuna and salad in the morning?? Most definitely not a breakfast food! (I am somewhat a stickler for appropriate times that things should be eaten) And no, I am most definitely NOT pregnant, but this whole healthy eating thing is making me want weird things.

 

When I was out at the Redliffe Sails restaurant with Cassie the other day I had tuna nicoise (said like: knee-swa) and it was oh so delicious that I knew I had to make it for Chris. We're heading out on the weekend to celebrate our anniversary but I wanted to make something lovely on the actual night. He approved. Immensely!

So light a few candles, pick up some tuna steaks and make this lovely meal for you and your loved one(s)

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."  ~Voltaire