Reward yourself

This is my baby, well, toddler, well nearly 3 year old Lukas! He is so cute I could eat him!!!

We just found out that Lukas has been accepted to attend our children's school and he starts at the end of February. Our school is a wonderful place of learning, however, the only requirement they do have is that children start from the age of three and attend five mornings a week.

When Hanna started at three years of age, I was reluctant to send her as I felt it was too much for her. However, when I observed how much fun she was having, I questioned my reluctance was based on what I thought not what she needed.

Then Kye started at three and I was ready for him to go five mornings a week. He was ready to explore and needed other people in his life beside Scott and I.

Now, its Lukas time to attend school. He is starting a few months short of turning three years old, but my big boy is more ready than any of his siblings. He is already walking around the house with his school bag and asks if he is going to school "today". He even decided to become toilet trained in 2 days because he knew this was the deal to be able to go to school.

As he is my last baby, I am hesitant in cutting the umbilical cord, but know that it is the right decision for Lukas. He is going to have a ball!

A girlfriend asked me yesterday how I planned to celebrate on the day that Lukas starts school. I was not sure what she meant, so I asked her. She explained that I should book in a massage or a treatment to celebrate the last child going off to school. She went on to tell me that I have done a wonderful job raising all three kids to this point and now its time to let them go and congratulate myself on the hard work involved.

Now, who would have thought of it this way! I was so impressed and thanked her for her wisdom and encouragement to celebrate the past 7 years of raising kids and entering the exciting new phase of our lives.

If you have a child starting school this year, take on this advice as well and book yourself in for a treat! We all deserve it.

What will 2010 bring....

Welcome to 2010! This is Scott and I on the veranda of our holiday house down the South Coast on New Years Eve. The sunset is magic. I like to think it is glowing over us with good luck, happiness and health for the year ahead.

The beginning of the year is always a great time to sit down and set goals for what you really want to achieve out of your life. For mum's, it is time to become a little selfish and do something for you. Whether this is committing to exercise, taking a long bath once a week, going for a manicure once a month, starting yoga, trying meditation or booking yourself time to be with yourself once a week to have a coffee and read a magazine.

We all seem to busy to ever do anything that feels indulgent or selfish, but the secret is that everyone including ourselves benefit from taking time out to re-energise. The kids can wait, the house can wait, the husband can wait and the bloody mobile phone and emails can wait.

Make a pact with yourself right now to do the one thing you love to do once a week and stick to it!

I am very excited to watching Miracle Beginnings evolve into what the vision has been all along to help women get through their tough times through premature births as well as the women who have lost their spark and need reigniting. We have huge plans to bring joy, wisdom, laughter and confidence into your life this year.....hold on and enjoy the ride!!

Kye's facination with Santa...

We recently went to a Reptile Party located near the Central Coast for a family Christmas Party.
Santa was attending a corporate function located near us and he was very busy with the kids.

Kye spotted him and waited patiently for him to say goodbye to his crowd and make his away to leave the park. As he was leaving, Kye ran up to him and introduced himself. He asked him very politely if his elves were magic and could he please have a "Sleeping Beauty Dress".

Santa was so kind and took the time to answer his questions and confirm a Sleeping Beauty Dress was on his list for Kye.

Kye gave him a hug hugged to thank him and smiled from ear to ear. The Christmas Spirit had touched him through a kind man who took the time to speak with our boy.

I can't wait till they are a little older to show them the most important side of Christmas, the gift of giving and the gift of helping others less fortunate. However, at 4 years old, our boy Kye is in his glory knowing that his Sleeping Beauty Dress is on the way......

Eating with out guilt!

I opened up the paper yesterday to be bombarded with "How to stay thin over Christmas" campaigns! How sad.

No wonder we all eat with guilt at this time of year with the media on our backs to keep in shape, to not overindulge and to watch our waistline.

My reply - eat what you want! All year we are conscious of what we eat and when we eat it. I personally have worked too damn hard in the exercise department to deprive myself! In saying that, I have eaten too many gluten free mince tarts today and feel a little ill.

See what happens when you deny yourself of yummy treats, you binge when you have the opportunity!! Well, maybe just I do that!!

So, you have my permission to eat all you want and enjoy it without guilt. We all start a diet on 1 January (that lasts one week), so lets just enjoy the yummy Christmas food whilst we are in the festive season.

Reflection....

This time of year is the best! I love the build up, the excitement, the kids, the sound of people having a great time, all the yummy food and of course, the bubbles of champagne! This is us decorating our fresh Christmas tree. So much fun!

Its also a great time of year to reflect at the year that was. We achieve so much in a year that we deserve the acknowledgement to ourselves and a pat on the back.

Take the time right now, just to think about all that you have achieved. Its also a great opportunity to be grateful for all that you have. I was told today that the Salvos in Surry Hills host a Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day for 1500 homeless people and this is now including families who have a car and a mortgage, but no money for food or gifts because they have been retrenched. For those of us who have food on the table, presents under the tree, family to be with, our good health and a roof over our heads, we have so much to be grateful for.

Breathing Space

Don't you wish you could sit in this chair for an hour and just breath! Take 10 deep breaths. Stop and think about nothing. Now go on with a slower pace - if you find yourself rushing, come back t this picture xxx

Christmas - a time to be grateful!

Christmas is the best time of year! I love the excitement of it all, especially with the kids and all the traditional activities we do to create the excitement.

I was just recently watching an amazing documentary when Oprah visited South Africa and agve 12,000 gifts to orphaned children. She created winter wonderlands, Christmas celebrations and memories the children would never forget.

These dear little children are often left alone in their huts when their parents die of AIDS. They take care of themselves, feed themselves and are in survival mode everyday. Oprah's gifts included shoes, clothes, school books, pencils, soccer balls, dolls - all of which the children have never owned before.

The visit made such an impact on their lives, but even more so an impact on the viewers lives. I was touched by the generosity from Oprah and the gratefulness of the children. It gave perspective on the meaning of Christmas.

At this time of year, I really feel its a time of gratitude. To be grateful for what we have, for our families, for our health, for our hardships, for our great times and for ourselves. At some point this Christmas, take a moment to light a candle and be still. Take time to be grateful and enjoy your Christmas!