FFW: Busy Little Hands

One of my favourite things to do as a mummy is to watch little hands being busy at work and play. Watching little minds grow and develop to learn new skills and accomplish new feats. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they have learnt something new. It's all just so precious.

 

 

 

 

As I type this I am watching my Little Mr R playing beautifully with a set of stacking marble tracks. He's not been able to put it together on his own before ... but today he did!

 

 

  He's jumping happily around the room, then watching as the marbles slide down and around the loops of the tracks.

 

 

Watching our children discover new things (no matter how small) is a beautiful part of being their mummy. It's also a beautiful opportunity to build confidence and self-worth into the hearts of our children through praising their efforts and accomplishments. We can teach them to persevere when something's tricky and they're getting frustrated at themselves. We can teach them to be kind and helpful to others by helping them. I just love it!

 

 

Little Mr R has really begun to enjoy drawing lately as well. I love the drawings that are typical to this age with legs and arms sticking out from the head! Little fingers grasping pencils and becoming aware of the world of colours and art.

 

 

Our whole family has been receiving these lovely little artworks almost on a daily basis, and my mummy box is filling up fast! I'm really loving this stage of my children's lives (reality check ... there are still times of stress in this home, we are a real family, it's not all bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils!)

 

 

This season of my mothering won't last forever. Soon, there won't be little fingers and hands eager to explore and discover. So, for now, I'll cherish these small moments, taking it all in and making the most of the precious little people in my life.

 

 (All images on this blog are the property of Sufficient Grace, please do not copy in any way, thanks)

Family Friendly Wednesday: Our Date Night ... Finally!

We finally went on a date night! It's been months! My mum very kindly came up for a visit to look after the kids for us (which they were ecstatic about!) and we set off on our date.

 

It was just so good to have this man all to myself.

 

You know what I mean. You love your kids but sometimes it's nice to have a conversation that is not interrupted by questions like, "Do you know how to say 'How are you' in Latin?" or "You know that song, like that one that we sung a few months ago ... ?" or "Can we please open up the new packet of toothbrushes because this one is leaving little bits in my mouth?" (What is it with kids and new toothbrushes anyway?! I brought some out shopping the other day and left them on the bathroom counter to open later, and Little Miss P saw them and excitedly exclaimed, "Thank you sooooo much mummy! New Toothbrushes!!" ... I just don't get it!)

 

And if it's not kids and questions it's phone calls. "Hello I'm calling you about this top of the range ... " No thanks! Or a work phone call or extended family (you know the ones that you love, but they always have the worst timing to call!), or the school or it's texts messages galore!

 

Not to mention the normal day to day things that must be done, work etc. and pretty soon you're left absolutely craving your man and some time away from responsibility to just enjoy your relationship. Just to have fun, chat, laugh, plan and dream. (also to not cook and clean up after a meal!)

 

Well, I finally had this time with MR S. It was really really really nice!

 

When we were dating, and living in a different suburb, our 'dating spot' was a gorgeous old-fashioned drive-in that we would frequent almost weekly. We would enjoy fish and chips and maltezers (you always have to have maltezers!) ... they were lovely days.

Now that we have moved 'out into the sticks', there is not as much choice for date night 'adventures'.

 

However, this last date night saw us creating a new tradition. We found a new restaurant that we love, and a new chatting spot after we've eaten together where we can enjoy our friendship. It was just so good to remember why I fell in love with this incredible man. I don't know about you, but sometimes with the hum-drum of life we can lose the 'freshness' of our marriage and it can become 'stale' and well ... boring.

 

We are looking forward to many more nights at these places together, it's just so important to us to make the most of this marriage we share as (Lord willing) it will be our only one. We are realising that after many years of marriage that we can't ever get to a point where we don't take time out for each other. It was a wonderful night and we enjoyed it so much!

 

What about you? What are some of your date night traditions with your man?

 

 

 We have a few exciting days ahead of us! Our Little Miss P turns nine tomorrow (I will not cry!) and on Saturday we are going on a family holiday for a week at the beach! So, I will be taking a break from blogging here for a week or so ... look forward to seeing you when I get back!

Enjoy your beautiful families!
 

Be Inspired Monday: The Most Delicious Biscuits Ever!

These are the most delicious biscuits ever! Best of all, the dough mixtures can be frozen till needed and you can create any flavour combo your family likes best! Enjoy, and be sure to let me know how much your family liked them!

Here's the recipe, just for you!

Basic Biscuit Dough

 

Ingredients:

• 250g butter, softened
• 2/3 cup castor sugar
• 1 tspn vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2-2 1/4 cups of plain flour, sifted

Method:

1. mix butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl with electric mixer, until light and creamy.
2. add egg and mix until combined.
3. stir in two cups of flour for a soft dough, or 2 1/4 cups of flour for a firm dough.
4. add flavourings and shape, as desired.
5. bake at 180 oC for app. 12-15 mins

Flavour combinations:

Our favourite of all is dark chocolate drops and chopped up pieces of dried apricots. Delicious! We have tried white and dark choc and craisons, which were also very nice! MR S is currently in the kitchen making some 'lemon' ones using the rind and juice of some delicious lemons we received from a lady at church ... so we will see how they go!

 

I think a white choc and macadamia would be nice too. Or you could place them on a tray and press in a dint to make jam drops (if you're using the 'firmer' dough recipe).

 

What other combinations could I make?

 

Oh would you like a picture of them? ...

 

 

I would love for them to be on a pretty little plate next to a steaming hot cup of tea, but they just don't last long enough!

 

Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!