And ode to those who came before us

My family history is steeped with people who served for this country. They proudly took their place like their father's before them. Most times against the wishes of their families, who knew full well what they were to experience. Who didn't want their sons going through the same hell they went through.

Most saw active service, some, like my Grandmother, did not. She dismisses her role as being insignificant. Once when I had made a comment about it on here, she messaged me and said "Just so you know, I never left Australia" like it made all the difference. Her support role behind the scenes, like so many other Australian women is what held this country together while the men were away.

My grandfather was in active service. His story has never really been told. It's one he holds close and only in the last few years has really made reference to it. As a teenager I convinced him to allow me to question him about WW2 for a school assignment. Even at my young age, I couldn't mistake his angst at some of the memories. At the time I recorded our conversations as I didn't want to miss anything important. What I wouldn't give to still be in possession of those tapes. If only my 14 year old self had known how important they would be to family history. I'm hoping he'll let me sit down and have those same conversations now.

So to my forebearers and to all those who fought with them and supported them, I thank you. I thank you for the country we live in today. I thank you for the freedom we have today. I thank you for the life you have created not only for me but for generations to come. 

Picture courtesy of The Australian War Memorial

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Oh darling cause you'll always be my baby

My baby is five. FIVE!! Where did the time go? *sob

I still remember carrying around that monster belly like it was just yesterday. I still only remember bits and pieces of your birth story like it's a blur.

I still remember the chubbiest, reddest little face squinting out at me from behind those puffy cheeks. All 10lbs of puffiness right there in those cheeks I think.
I can't believe that was 5 years ago.



My gorgeous girl. I find it so hard to remember what life was like before you joined us. You changed our lives so much for the better. You coming along made us re-evaluate what we wanted from life and how we wanted to live. Every day you give us joy (and you give me more grey hair) but I wouldn't change a single thing about you. My favorite little girl, I love you to the moon, the stars and the unicorns. Love forever, your favorite big girl, Mummy xx

Miss 4 becomes almost Miss 5

The fancy lanterns that I threw up a the last minute

Well Miss 4 is only a few days out now from being Miss 5 and to celebrate we had a handful of her little friends over to celebrate with her on the weekend. In typical Kylee style, I had so many fancy things planned. It was going to be a My Little Pony Spectacular. Then one stupid sandwich at a cafe threw a spanner in the works by giving me a ripper case of food poisoning. So from Wednesday right up until the morning of the party I was still really sick. So all those important preparations, out the window :(

Ok, not at impressive as Pinterest, but it'll do

The day before the party I was seriously thinking about just cancelling the whole thing but Miss 4 had been counting down the days for weeks and would be heartbroken so I pushed on.

Luckily I had a boost of energy on the morning and I also had an awesome best friend who pulled out all stops at the last minute we managed to pull off a day that Miss 4 just loved. Maybe not the My Little Pony Spectacular I had in my mind, but spectacular in Miss 4's eyes all the same.

Sick or not, there was still time for these

And of course since I seem to be jinxed, I was handed another curveball when I whipped out my phone to find that the focus was no longer working on the camera. I could take close ups, but that was it. So I grabbed the trusty old bulky camera. Trying to run a party and take pics with a bulky camera around your neck means that something's goning to give and really, I'd much rather Miss 4 enjoy the day than me worry about photos. So there are very few and they were quick shots and unfortunately they're not that great. But hey, at least we have some to look back on.

The kids moved that quick, I couldn't even get an unspoilt shot

Everyone loves a chocolate crackle

The "smile" you get when you ask for a "proper" smile

With her BFF

The terrible trio

Supposedly you get a better shot of the t-shirt if you poke your stomach out like so

 

Oh and that wonderful polka dot cake I was bragging all over the place about. Yeah, too sick to attempt it. So ice cream it was. After all, who doesn't love ice cream.

All in for a photo

In editing mode

Hey Peeps,
Ignore the Plain Jane looking blog today. Today's upgrade day so please bear with me while a play around.

Aussie Curves : Mesmerising Maxis

Ahh the Maxi dress. How I love thee, let me count the ways:

1. Most of you have an empire line cut which accents the good and hides the bumpy
2. I don't have to have that "Groan, do I REALLY need to shave my legs" discussion with myself whilst in the shower if I'm going to wear one
3. The material is usually light and breezy, just perfect for summer

I could do on, but I don't want to bore anyone to death. Let's just say I heart a good maxi.

And now, since we're finally blown over into Autumn weather here in good ol' Melbourne, I got smart and grabbed out the camera (well in actuality I got Miss 4 to get snap happy) when we had a last run of stinking hot days. So I bring you the last rays of Melb summer with the Maxi.

Voguing it for the camera. Miss 4 even suggests poses now. LOL

If you look really closely you can see Miss 4's outstretched little arm in my sunnies Nawww

 All decked out on Target today

Sunnies : Target

Necklace : From another Moda by Target top

Maxi Dress : Moda by Target

Shoes : Target

Bangles : Surprise, surprise...Diva :)

And the princess herself, who had to be in at least one shot.

Wanna see more marvelous maxis? Click the links below. You know you wanna.