{enchanted} lovely links July 2, 2012

Be Audacious (Another very cool manifesto by Striking Truths)

Hello Friend,

What a busy week we’ve had!  Lola Mae turned 3 on Saturday and we spent most of the week madly getting ready for her fairy party.  On top of that Miss Belle got some horror gastro-virus on Tuesday and really only started improving last night.  So, yes, I’m fairly exhausted – and feel like I could easily sleep for a week or two.

However, there’s so much to look forward to as well.  Ava is on holiday from kindy for the next two weeks – and when she goes back it will be her last term of kindy before she’s off to school!  Lola is also starting kindy next term, I got the call last week and she’ll be doing three mornings a week starting the third week of term three.  She is beyond excited and already telling me that I’m not allowed to stay!  We’ve also got a bit of a countdown on – with a month and a half until my parents move back to China, we’re trying to fit in as many magical moments as possible until we see each other again at Christmas time.

I’m definitely looking forward to a more relaxed pace of life this week.  Maybe I’ll even have time to try out some of the ideas in the lovely links I’ve gathered below…

Thoughtful Posts

• A wonderful blog: 52 Brand New, by Danielle Greco, documenting her family’s adventures as they try a new experience every week of the year.  (via Awesomely Awake)
• Make the ordinary fun (Planning with Kids)
• Ten lovely tips for wedded bliss (Bliss Beyond Naptime)
• Clutter is my downfall.  I would love to be more organised, but alas, am not quite there yet.  This post has some great tips for finding a way out of the clutter and getting more productive (The Creative Mama)
• There are days that I’m just exhausted and don’t know how I’m going to be able to meet the needs of my 3 little girls.  This post is a great guide to making it through those tough days. (Creative with Kids)

Craft and activity ideas for the littles

• 35 Homemade Art Materials your littles can make (Artful Parent)
• Fun Road Trip Games and Activities (Kids Activities Blog)
• If you have friends or family with children come for an extended visit, a welcome gift box is such a lovely idea (Classic Play)
• Whoa – these wooden block sets are all super-gorgeous! (Handmade Charlotte)
• Create an irresistible reading nook for your littles (Family Sponge)

In the kitchen

• As if I needed another reason to wish it was summer – anyone for a Watermelon Mojito?! (Oh so beautiful paper)
• Oh my gosh!!  How gorgeous are these stamped cookies!?  (Design Mom)
• A lovely look at one of my favourite food blogger’s kitchen (Dinner: A Love Story)
• 5 Yummy sounding recipes to try (especially the Pina Colada Smoothie!) (Creature Comforts)
• A list of fun games to play at the table (The Family Dinner)

Crafty Mama

• A cute little video: How to make all-purpose cleaner  (Armommy)
• Add handwriting to your photos (A Beautiful Mess)
• Some lovely decorating ideas for girls’ bedrooms (Lil Blue Boo)
• Are you on instagram?  It seems like everyone is.  I haven’t quite made it, but when I do – I’m gonna look more closely at this round-up photo editing apps (Dear Lizzy)
• I would really (really, really) love to live here (Houzz)
• A great list of ways to get creative (Tinkerlab)