A Perfect (Sparkly!) Storm

I have good reasons for only posting once in November, way back on the 4th. It's all to do with the temporary insanity of holding three kids parties in four weeks. Topping that no mean feat off with being chief decorator for my son's year 6 farewell (awesome pic below). So, apologies, but posting fell by the way side. As did house cleaning, Christmas decorating and tree displaying (sob), book reading and sleeping. 

Yep, event-based insomnia is definitely a thing!

It was worth it in the end. Sometimes you have to let the schedule slide in order to throw your everything behind making some one-off things great! The milestones have been gathering speed and I feel like I'm only just keeping up!

So now, on the other side of the perfect storm I find myself tired and slightly confused about where all of the time went. Nothing a strong coffee won't fix and finally the chance to flop on the couch, newly adorned with some gorgeous Christmassy cushions. It's the easiest way to give your living area an instant festive feel - and these beauties are only $15ea at Big W so what's stopping you?!

What Do You Wish For? 

By Jane Godwin and Anna Walker.

Any book that Jane Godwin and Anna Walker collaborate on is a treasure and this one at Christmas time has me gazing lovingly at every page - I actually seriously thought about (shock! Horror!) ripping out the pages just so I could frame them! With all of Walker's gorgeous illustrations there's delight in the details. The flashes of red, the delicate fine lines, the whimsical wishing tree - it's a visual feast 

Children, wishing and dreaming go together - like strawberries and cream, buckets and spades, parks and play! And that's what is celebrated so gently and joyfully here. 

As we follow little Ruby reminiscing on favourite elements of Christmases past, and of what makes this time of year so magical for her, her friends and family - the reader is caught up in the magic too. Simple pleasures: babies delighted by tinsel; piggy backs with Dad; baking with Mum. 

Not an iPad in sight!! Just saying...

Catch some of the sparkle and do your littlies a favour by reading this book to them, preferably while wrapped in a tartan blankie and drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows on top!

More to come - it's on the way - promise!!