Kid's Birthday Party Printable Themes

I finally get to plan a child's birthday party! Yay, I am so excited about Ezra's 1st Birthday. But I am realising that it is in just over a week and I have barely organised anything,  it is not going to be a very big party, so I don't have that much to do, but for me the biggest job as always is cleaning the house! I have loved looking for 1st Birthday party themes!

In my search for lovely party themed things I have come across so many amazing printables on Etsy.

For almost every theme imaginable! How great is that, I no longer have to scrounge around the expensive party stores to find a specific themed item, only to be sorely disappointed when they don't have what I am looking for. Basically they are packs of Invitations, banners, cupcake papers, food labels, party favour bags and a whole lot more that are all matching a theme. So many of them customise them for you as well, like putting your child's name on them or the colours you want. I actually don't even have to leave the house, although I may have to run down and buy a pack of nice white card to print my party printables onto!

Here are some of the gorgeous items I have found in my Etsy searching!

If you follow me on Instagram you may already have guessed what my theme is!

Have a wonderful weekend.
Karen xx

1. Pirate Theme by BeeAndDaisy
2. Vintage Carnival by 2PartyPrintables
3. Airplane Biplane Party by Dimple Prints
4. Nautical Party by SpaceShipsLaserBeams
5. Sock Monkey Party by BelvaJune
6. Mickey Mouse Club House by Amanda's Parties to go

Get on ya Bike

So cute in his duck helmet!

It has been a long time since I've been on a bike. Probably just under two years. Pretty much since I was pregnant. I was a worry wart pregnant lady who was too scared to ride my bike for the fear of falling off, even though I can't remember the last time I fell off a bike (it was probably when I was in high school when couldn't get my feet out of the clip-ins and fell in a rose garden on a busy road). When you have a baby, you really have to be dedicated to get some time to head out on the deadly-treadly, and well, I'm just not that dedicated. Obviously.

This week we got Ezra a bike seat (a Wee-Ride), and a helmet. So we took advantage of the awesome weather this weekend and headed out on a family ride. The Wee-Ride was attached to Joel's bike,  seeing he rides to work most days, he has the leg muscles to carry an extra 10 kilos or so. I realised, I didn't even have the leg muscles to carry myself along very fast. The way back was the hardest, because of course it was all up hill. I am so glad I didn't have to carry a toddler too! Although I really want to get myself to the level that I can ride with Ezra and then we can do mid-week rides as well.

Ezra LOVED the bike ride, he was laughing and clapping and having a blast.

We got lots of comments from passers by about his amazing DUCK helmet!

It was so good to get out and exercise properly though, and I want need to do it again soon! I really love riding, its just hard to get back up to the fitness level I want to be at. It is hard to get motivated when you know that you can no longer do the things that you used to be able to. At the same time I have to remind myself how much I enjoy being active and playing sports, that is my motivation!

Is there some exercise or sport you have been hanging out to do, but haven't since the kiddo's came along?

Off to the playground. 

Bikes keep him occupied for...minutes

Perfect weather to relax, and Joel gets his face attacked by Ez!

And linking up with Jess at Diary of A SAHM for the first time!

First Timer at a Blogger Event

It's been a while since I have put myself out there and gotten out of my comfort zone. It has also been a while since I have been out on my own on a Friday night!  I used to meet new people all the time with work. I was always challenging myself in new situations and I felt at ease with small talk and meeting new people. It's funny how much things change. 

For the last year, apart from my awesome Mums group, I haven't really done much 'meeting' new folk, so when the opportunity came to attend a WOMBATS (Website and Online Media, Bloggers and Tweeps) Christmas in July Drinks, I jumped at the chance to meet other bloggers in Perth. As the day approached I started to get a little nervous, suddenly realising I would be turning up alone to a bar to meet a bunch of people I had never met and had only seen online and twitter (it felt oddly like some kind of strange online dating situation). 

I resisted the temptation to pull out at the last minute, and figured that the worst that would happen is that I would awkwardly stand by myself with a drink, and well that is not really that bad seeing I rarely get any time to myself these days, and even rarer with and alcoholic beverage.

Looking at my smile, I must have been having a good time! How Huge is my mouth, seriously.

I ended up having a really good night. I was maybe a little quieter and more reserved than normal, but that will change next time I'm sure! Not surprisingly everyone was so lovely, warm and welcoming. I had a glass of bubbly in my hand about a minute after arriving, and conversation very shortly after that. Thanks to Yvette, Colin (Associate Woman), Cie (Pathetic To Pinup) and Taryn (This is Taryn), I didn't have any awkward standing on my own moments. It was great to meet other Perth bloggers and feel part of a blogging community, I even got told I look like Yumi Stines, but less Asian (Thanks @RealJiveTurkey, I will take that as a compliment). 

Me with the lovely Yvette (Delightfully Tacky Lil Squirts) and Glow (Where's My Glow)

Everyone was very intrigued by what was in these boxes!

As an added bonus we walked away with these amazing gift boxes, although I was extremely bitter and disappointed to find out my box was mysteriously missing the Macaroons. I guess my waistline can be Thankful for that, because I am pretty sure I would have devoured them all that night. 

I didn't get the chance to meet everyone there, but some of the other lovely bloggers I met were Jules (The Bumpiest Path), Narelle (CookCleanCraft), Feli (My Life in Mono), Sarah (Dear Baby G), Chantel (Bossy Mummy) and Silly Mummy. I am looking forward to checking out all of their blogs! 

A big Thank You to the Wonderful Sponsors Bubbler Deals, Digital Parents & Nuffnang! I am looking forward to the next one, and maybe I won't drive this time so I can have a couple (or more)  glasses of Red!!

 I didn't take any pictures at all that night, so these are all from the W.O.M.B.A.T Facebook page.

Karen xx 

Walking is Good for my Soul

I've been feeling a little blah lately. Probably because we came down with the sickness that everyone around here seems to have, a cold that lasts about three weeks. We had a major case of cabin fever, and because the days have been so cold I haven't wanted to take Ezra out into the cold air too much with him being sick. 

This morning it was Chilly!! About 3 degrees celsius. But I was desperate to get some exercise and just some fresh sea air. This is one of my favourite places to walk. It is so peaceful, no roads, hardly any people, just us and the ocean, and my footsteps on the pavement. I think, why don't I do this all the time. It gives me a chance to clear my head, focus on what is important, pray, get rid of the negativity and crap that builds up and helps me relax. I feel so much better afterwards, I just need to do this more often, it is so good for my soul. 

There is just something about the ocean! 

It was so beautiful this morning that I took a lot of pictures along the way. 

Have a look, take a deep breath, relax and have a great day or night!!

Karen xx

Family Dinner: Homemade Pesto with Chicken and Vegetables

This is another one of my go-to dinners for the whole family, including baby! 

When Ezra was younger this was a meal that I could quickly puree and give to him, and now he can eat the same meal as us. It is so easy, and yummy. I love the strong basil flavour this meal has. 

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breast

Zucchini 

Carrot

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Pumpkin (Butternut Squash) 

Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

Making the Pesto:

You need: Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese and Basil (optional extras Pine nuts or cashews) 

Basically you mix about 2 cups of Basil leaves, with a handful of Parmesan and about a half a cup of olive oil in a food processor until the basil leaves are chopped finely. You want it to have a paste like texture. Add more olive oil if it is too dry.

You then roughly chop all the vegetables, I add about a cup of each vegetable, but you can tailor it to your own size family.

 Cut the chicken breast into smaller pieces and add both the chicken and vegetables into a Slow Cooker or Casserole dish. I listed the vegetables I use but you can add potatoes, sweet potato or any other vegetables you like. 

Drizzle the pesto mixture over the chicken and vegetables and stir in. 

Add a cup of water if you are cooking in a slow cooker. 

In my slow cooker I cover and leave it on high for about 3 hours and it comes out beautifully. 

In the oven, I cover and cook for about 45 mins at 180 degrees celsius (approx 350 fahrenheit).

When the vegetables are soft and the chicken is cooked through then it is ready to go. 

Serve and enjoy. 

It would also taste great served with couscous or quinoa. 

It is delicious, healthy and so, so easy. 

I hope you enjoy.

Karen xx 

You is Smart, You is Kind, You is Important

I have a new embroidery piece in my Etsy store, my first new addition in a while. This piece was inspired by the book The Help written by Kathryn Stockett. I read it last year, and I loved it. It made me angry, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it was a beautiful story. This quote stood out to me immediately. One of the main characters is an African American maid called Aibileen Clark, who looks after a little white girl, Mae Mobley. Mae Mobley "ain't cute" according to Aibileen, and doesn't really fit in with her mothers ideas of the perfect daughter, even though she is but 3 years old. Aibileen doesn't care about this, she cares about teaching Mae Mobley that she is smart, she is kind and she is important. No matter what anyone else says. They really have a beautiful relationship, one that Mae Mobley's Mother should have with her daughter but doesn't seem to have that desire.

I love this quote because I think every child should have these words spoken to them, that they should be able to grow up believing these things about themselves. It isn't about what they look like, or what they can or can't do, it is about who they are as a person. It breaks my heart when I see children in terrible situations. There is a family that I often see that have major domestic disputes in the middle of the street, which we have called the police about before. They have a small child, who isn't even two years old yet. When I was stitching this, I thought of this little boy. It makes me wonder if he has ever heard these words, it makes me so sad to think he has to grow up with this kind of volatility around him on a daily basis. It doesn't do much for creating a secure and loving environment to help him to become a well balanced and secure adult.

So for me, this is a great reminder, to tell our children everyday. 

You are Smart, You are Kind, You are Important. 

Success for the boy that hates shoes

I finally found a pair of shoes that Ezra is happy to wear, keep on his feet and walk around! It has been bothering me so much that his feet have been so chilly just padding around in his socks on our cold wooden floors. I felt so bad for him, but every time I put shoes on his feet, he would cry and scream and then rip them off. 

These little Robeez arrived in the mail from endless.com yesterday, and I slipped them on and although he had a small protest, he quickly realised he could still walk properly, and off he went. The soles are suede, so they are soft, but not slippery. They are a tad bit big still, but that is ok, plenty of room to grow. They are such cute little shoes. Oh man. He's already been getting compliments about them when we are out and about, and people have been asking where we got them from, so I thought I would share here too! 

It is the little things that get me excited these days, ha. I love kids shoes!

At This Moment: 11 Months

11 Months old.

First of all, this week Ezra finally said 'Mum' hip hooray! The first of many, many times I am sure! I was pretty excited because he has been saying Dad for so long. Finally, we moved past only saying the 'D' sound, and moved on to M and N too. 

This photo above is a captures Ezra's personality perfectly. He is running to me, mouth wide open, probably making some kind of roaring noise, ready to attack with full force. Gives me a big cuddle, then he is on his way again. I love him so!

I officially have a walker. Crawling is lame, so he seems to think because he doesn't do it any more. Just walking, sometimes very fast walking that kind of resembles running. I better get used to running too. Although when he is concentrating on walking he walks with his arms up in the air, it is hilarious. He is such a confident and fearless little boy. I can't believe the things he tries. As you can imagine this means he has a lot of bumps and bruises. Thankfully nothing major yet.

These new teeth that are supposedly causing sooo much pain for my little man are yet to make their grand appearance. I am just hoping and praying that they bust through those gums soon! For my sake as well as his.

I am still in disbelief that we are nearing a year. I am so excited about his birthday, baking him his first cake, celebrating with a party especially for him, and how fun is it to planned themed kids parties? I am loving perusing online for all these fabulous ideas.

I have been saying all along that I would like kids spaced two years apart, and well, I better start thinking about that soon too.

5 Reasons I Hate Instagram

1. As I sit here freezing cold, looking at rainy skies, my friends in the Northern hemisphere are inundating Instagram with glorious pictures of Summer. I am so jealous, these pictures of swimming, beaches, summer drinks and all sorts of stuff I'd rather be doing. Summer is my favorite, it seems like everyone is just rubbing it in my face.

2. My Instagram feed is full of delicious food. It makes me hungry and want to eat all the time. This is not good for my budget and for my waistline. It doesn't help me people!!!

3. Babies, lots and lots of pictures of babies and kids. That are too far away for me to cuddle and play with. It makes my heart sad to think some of my dearest friends have these gorgeous kids that I have never met, or have spent brief amounts of time with. I know Ezra would have so much fun with these awesome kiddos as well.

4. Gorgeous locations. Instagram makes me want to drop everything and travel around the world. Some amazing pictures of far away places fill my feed and it makes me pine to get on a plane again and go on an adventure. Unfortunately, pining is all I will be doing right now, so I'll just sit here and wallow shall I.

5. I see pictures of our friends out for dinner or doing something fun, and there's something missing. We are. So many of our closest friends are too far away to just 'hang out' with. I wish that I could teleport to join them for an evening or a party or just lazing on the couch. Instagram is a constant reminder of how far away we are in Perth, and how amazing my friends are!! Sob, Sob.

Ok so I really LOVE Instagram for all of these reasons too. I am so glad that I get a glimpse into the everyday lives of my friends and family that are so far away. It inspires me to create new dishes and drinks. It helps me stay connected, I am addicted to it. It's true.

Do you have a Love/Hate relationship with Instagram too?

Happy Weekend,

Karen xx