Weekly 10 round up and Ka kite for a weeny bit

Woah, that was aaaages ago. Story of the blog at the moment. More about that to come, lets see how I actually went with the list.

 

1. Complete appraisal learning stories

2. Do the calf club thing

3. Amy's 30th!

4. Take some sweet photos of Damien doing his stunt driving

5. Get things printed for physical baby books and get them up to date

6. Do some more of the advanced google course

7. Watch 'MKR'

8. Watch 'The Walking Dead'

9. Watch 'American Horror Story'

10. Have a nice hot, relaxing bath.

Still in the pursuit of getting these baby books up to date! I have made a start! And, not only did I do more of the Level 2 google course - I nailed the exam and now and both a Level 1 and 2 certified google educator. Excited!

The next is that I'm taking this year's summer break a whole month early. I am keeping the girl's pages up to date and will be back with a hiss and a roar in January, but I never wanted this to become a chore and it's been hanging over me lately. I'm giving myself 2 months off to focus on the 30 before 30 goals and just spend some time doing what I usually do but not writing about it....until January where I'll fill you in.

Have a great couple months for the start of summer, today feels like it's already begun at our house <3

Looking back and looking forward - Weekly 10

Here is last 'times' list and how I went...

1. Make sure I blog 'Tasty Tuesday' this week.
Lots of yummies here
2. Begin Willow’s 52 weeks page.
You can see it here
3. Think of idea for Leah’s photos this year.
Thought of and begun! Here.
4.  Do a 52 list.
5.  Proofread and order shutterfly books.
6. Complete the maths portion of my assignment.
7. Make Leah's birthday cupcakes ready for Sunday.
8. Complete planning for next term.
9. Make another slice for workmates.
10. Finish watching AHS: Freakshow

Wow, that seems like so long ago now! Since then I've received the shutterfly books and completed the whole assignements (and TWO others!). I also did a tonne of other stuff over the holidays even though I didn't technically have a 'Weekly 10' list, they were...

Get Tattoo

Uni Girls lunch

Got my hair did

Make summer bucket list

Had High Tea @ TriBeCa

Hei Papa Tikanga workbook - complete (two of them in fact!)

Blog about 30 before 30 things I have achieved (some of the more obscure ones)

Make a big dent in the 40 before 40 list. I have written 31 of the 40 things.

Start planning Christmas advent stuff/& elf on a shelf stuff

Booked in Lynn for family photos

Project life things

Call connect about phone

Herb and vege stuff - weeded gardens and leveled them ready for top soil. Covered with newspaper.

Maths course complete and enrolled for the next free one.

Boom! That's heaps, plus I probably did some other extra things in there... like have a shopping spree and stuff lol.

So how about this coming week? Let's see.

1. Complete appraisal learning stories

2. Do the calf club thing

3. Amy's 30th!

4. Take some sweet photos of Damien doing his stunt driving

5. Get things printed for physical baby books and get them up to date

6. Do some more of the advanced google course

7. Watch 'MKR'

8. Watch 'The Walking Dead'

9. Watch 'American Horror Story'

10. Have a nice hot, relaxing bath.

Half relaxing stuff and half balls to the wall. We like a bit of balance!

What are you doing this week?

xx

"...Your princess is in another castle"

I've decided to cross this off my list...

I didn't plan on this happening really, it just kinda did. Actually, I lie, I have my husband to thank. One rainy day a few weeks back he decided to fire up the old Super Nintendo to play Street Fighter and Leah became interested. He then changed the cartridge to a more suitable game for a 4 year old, 'Yoshi's Island' and began to show her what to do. She loved it!

Over the next few weeks Leah asked if she could play some more and I've been showing her a few different games, but she's actually decided that she really likes to watch for now and prides herself on knowing everything there is to know about 'Rainbow islands', one of mummy's favourites that is currently played on a nightly basis. It's a freakin' nightmare nice to have a little sidekick watching you and giving you advice as you play. "Mummy, you need to get the crystals so the other islands will come up", "The boss is a robot now mummy, make sure you have three rainbows". We also got out Buzz Jungle Party the other night and she thought that was the bees knees.

I'd still really like to get the Wii U up more and clock 'Pikmin 3' and also get cracking on 'Kingdom Hearts' on the DS but for now I'm content with trying to clock a game that I've been working on since I was 5. I also love that I can share this love with Leah, as I know many happy hours of my life as a child was spent watching my big brother play Amiga. They're fond memories. The catalyst behind this goal was to reignite my love of gaming, and not find it a chore (how silly was tackling gaming like it was something I had to do!). So even though I know 'Pikmin 3' is lurking there (I bought a $500 odd console to play the bloody thing!), at the moment I want to play what I want to play... and that's OK by me.

Another goal bites the dust!

30 before 30...Crossing some stuff off! Episode 2 - All the foods

Ok, I'm aware that 2015 isn't over and I couldn't have tried a new restaurant every month...but... I've tried more than 12, so that's every month. I've just been super efficient at eating all the foods. 

I have blogged about the following 11:

Longroom in Ponsonby
Red Earth in Papakura
Paasha Turkish Cafe in Pukekohe
China Yum Cha in Auckland CBD
Karaka General
The Langham
Nishiki
Mikano
Miss Clawdy
Mecca Stonehouse
Calendula Cottage

And there are a few others I know I haven't written about, plus the two I'm going to share today.

Portifinos has a few spots around Auckland. We visited the one in Howick. Delicious seafood plate I had, and everyone enjoyed their meal. My only gripe is I think it was sliiiiightly over priced.
I thought the desserts were adorable and had to take a photo of everyones before they ate!

I also recently had High Tea at TriBeCa in Parnell. This place seemed very fancy and the food was delicious, BUT.. in comparison to the Langham High Team - this is a bit disappointing. The white chocolate lollipop was super dooper cute though right?

This has been a great goal because I got to eat a whole lot of food, which I'm fond of. No seriously, it was great to be conscious of finding and eating at new places and not just going to the same old same old. I'd love to continue this, and in fact my book club now meets at restaurants - which has been very helpful. I've got a group of workmates who love this as well and we've began a little list of places we'd like to head out to every couple of weeks or so. Gotta love fellow foodies.

There are some fancy schmancy places that I'd still like to eat at - like Euro, but all in good time. I have a 40 before 40 list encroaching...maybe I can add that to my new list.

30 Before 30... crossing some stuff off! Episode One

Over the next little while I want to begin to cross some of my 30 before 30 goals off. There are a tonne I've been chipping away at and I've even completed some up to my standards. Will be exciting to begin getting them crossed off and not just a 'work in progress'.

So to begin, the reason I've had such a super fun week.

Since January, I have been working on this savings plan.

I think I got up to Week 40? It was always my plan to stop in these school holidays so I could go on a shopping spree. I also had some birthday money stashed from January, so I had a nice little whack of money that I went out on Monday and spent all on MYSELF! For me, that's insane. I'm very good at spending money, but I usually do so on the girls, not me.

It was really nice, and I'm loving having some brand new shiny things to wear and use. I've been wanting that Karen Walker necklace for aaaaaages so to have the money to just go and buy it was superb. The shopping itself was even fun. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it.

So without trying to brag too much. Here's all my goodies...

Tasty Tuesday - That's why they say that I'm Tasty... I'm back, I'm back.

This crock pot honey mustard chicken was yummy! Even given the seal of approval by the one year old AND the four year old! I'll definitely be making it again.

Sweet Garlic Chicken was really easy and quite yummy. I love a good chicken breast meal and this was one of those.

And next I have a couple of slices to share. My workmates, as usual, have been delighted by these goodies on Friday morning tea. Slices are so easy to make and are real 'bang for your buck', these two don't disappoint.

 Hedgehog Slice

 250g plain biscuits, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup cocoa powder
100g dark chocolate, chopped
100g butter
1T golden syrup
1 egg, beaten lightly

Chocolate topping:
200g dark chocolate
50g butter

1. Grease slice pan, line base and two long sides with baking paper.
2. Combine biscuits, coconut, sugar, nuts and cocoa in large bowl.
3. Stir chocolate, butter and syrup together in a small saucepan over low heat for 4-5 minutes or until mixture is melted and well combined. Cool slightly. Add egg. Stir chocolate mixture into dry ingredients.
4. Press mixture firmly into pan using a fork: refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.
5. Make chocolate topping: spread over chilled slice. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until set.
6. Before serving, cut slab into squares with a hot knife. Store chilled in an airtight container.

To make chocolate topping - melt chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl over saucepan of simmering water.

Chocolate Honeycomb Slice
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
100g butter
200g plain sweet biscuits, crushed finely
 3x 50g crunchie bars, chopped coarsely
200g milk chocolate, chopped
2t vegetable oil

1. Grease slice pan, line base and two long sides with baking paper.
2. Stir condensed milk and butter in small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes until butter has melted melted and mixture is well combined.
3. Transfer butter mixture to large bowl; stir in crushed biscuits and 2/3 of the chopped crunchie bars. Press firmly into pan using a fork; refrigerate 30 minutes until firm.
4. Stir chocolate and oil in a heatproof bowl over saucepan of simmering water until melted. Pour over slice; sprinkle with remaining crunchie bar. Refrigerate 25 minutes until firm.
5. Using a hot knife, cut slice into squares before serving.

New Weekly 10

This week's list...

1. Make sure I blog 'Tasty Tuesday' this week.
2. Begin Willow’s 52 weeks page.
3. Think of idea for Leah’s photos this year.
4.  Do a 52 list.
5.  Proofread and order shutterfly books.
6. Complete the maths portion of my assignment.
7. Make Leah's birthday cupcakes ready for Sunday.
8. Complete planning for next term.
9. Make another slice for workmates.
10. Finish watching AHS: Freakshow

SUCH a busy time at the moment. Couple that with becoming very accustomed to jumping into bed at 7:30 and I don't have a lot of spare time! But That's OK. Super happy with my achievements recently and looking forward to a new list tomorrow :)

1. Write Leah's birthday letter.
2. Take Willow and Leah's tradition birthday photos & do Leah's birthday quiz.
Here are a couple of the pics...

3. Go for a walk in the weekend.
I would ideally like to make this a common occurance but our weekends have been too busy or too wet recently :/
4. Find a costume for Danielle's party.

5. Make slice for workmates.
Recipe coming up in Tasty Tuesday, which I will do next week... I will I will I will!
6. Make a list of things to do in the coming holidays.
7. Organise get together in the holidays.
8. Call McDonalds about Leah's party.
9. Map out 30 before 30 goals between now and January.
10. Finish Willow's Shutterfly book. 
I even finished Leah's too. Almost time to order - just need to proof read.

Weekly 10 - The Sequel

As I said yesterday, I may not have had a Weekly 10 list for a little while, but I've been busy in between lists. In the last week I have...

• Booked time for my next tattoo and emailed the artist my ideas
• Done more than 20,000 steps each day (I did close to 120k in the workweek)
• Met with my Kaitiaki and got started on my new Open Wananga course - Hei Papa Tikanga
• Got a good chunk of Module 2 begun on my university maths paper 
• Wrote Willow's birthday letter
• Finished 'Cross Stitch' and 'Play dead'.

So I'm quite happy with myself. Let's see what's happening this week.

1. Write Leah's birthday letter.
2. Take Willow and Leah's tradition birthday photos & do Leah's birthday quiz.
3. Go for a walk in the weekend.
4. Find a costume for Danielle's party.
5. Make slice for workmates.
6. Make a list of things to do in the coming holidays.
7. Organise get together in the holidays.
8. Call McDonalds about Leah's party.
9. Map out 30 before 30 goals between now and January.
10. Finish Willow's Shutterfly book.

Weekly 10 - It's been a weeny while

With party prep, parties and birthdays it's been a busy wee while. Here's how I went with the last list. Make sure to check in tomorrow to see what else I've been up to and what I've got coming up :)

1. Put together party favours

2. Get hair and nails did

3. Decorate ready for party

4. Wrap Leah's birthday presents (organised little poppet I am)

5. Clean front door entrance ready for party favours

6. Clean out/ re-organise the girl's clothes

7. Decide on cake and make

8. Take cake smash photos

9. Whole day Saturday prep for the party - clean, food, shop, last minute decorations

10. Snuggle the crap outta the husband that's back from 'Straya. 

That's right! Smashed it.... and although I haven't had lists, I've done a whole heap of stuff in between lists. Read about it tomorrow in Weekly 10, the sequel. Lol

Man it's been a busy week. I may not have written my weekly ten this week but I've done a tonne of stuff - I'll outline this week I finally write my next weekly ten. It's been on my mental to do list all week but I haven't got around to it! Couple all my productivity with Willow's birthday and of course that pesky little full time job and the week has flown...absolutely flown. Never too busy to be grateful though.

So very grateful for all the family and friends who joined us for Willow's birthday. She was super spoiled and just loved all the attention. Our little social butterfly. She's one. Can.Not.Believe.It!

As I said last week, I have amazing friends who I'm always grateful for. Our cake smash cake was made by one and I wouldn't have been able to get all this food on the table last Sunday if it wasn't for another. I love these two like crazy and I'm so grateful to call them my best friends. Thanks girls. Willow and Leah are lucky to have amazing Aunties like you.

Speaking of helpers...

Grateful that this isn't her usual disposition, and that we have such a happy wee one year old at home who's way too close to walking. I've enjoyed her starting later as she's just such a monster, but I'm afraid it won't last much longer at all... :/

So very grateful for my stubborness this week. I have many traditions that I begun with Leah and that I also wanted to do with Willow. I'm not only happy that I've kept them up for Leah but have also started them again now for Willow.  This is Willow's first birthday letter along with Leah's last 3 (soon to be 4).

And always, always grateful for being able to eat pig. Pulled pork in the slow cooker for dinner tonight and I'm dreaming of it already...om nom nom nom

What are you grateful for this week? xox

Grateful Fridays

What a week. We've been full blast with party preparations and although I'm looking forward to the weekend it's going to be a busy one. I already have a a page full long list of things that I need to do beginning this afternoon as soon as I leave work this afternoon.

First and foremost, I'm grateful to have my wonderful husband back in the country. We didn't have a horrible week without him like I thought we might, but it's just nice to have his presence back in the house. We missed him. We love you dadda <3

I'm grateful for being able to zip back home and get photo day outfits when I forget them. Thank goodness for working 5 minutes from home now! Also grateful for the cutest girls in the whole wide world.

Feeling very grateful for amazing friends who are helping me out with the birthday party this weekend. I have one friend making a cake for a cake smash that I need to photograph and another coming to stay on Saturday night to help out with decoration, food prep and general shinanegans. I remember you ladies were also the ones who stepped up and ran the kitchen for me last year at Leah's birthday when I was as huge as a whale in my heavily pregnant state. You know who you are and you are just amaze sauce.

Grateful for raisins and their attention keeping capabilities. We had no tears and focus on the task at hand the whole hour we were at the restaurant. Success!

Grateful for helpful big sisters.

And lastly and most recently, I'm grateful for a hairdresser that can make me my hair look this good.

What are you grateful for this week? xox

Weekly 10 - A new week

I quite like doing the 'Weekly 10' in two posts - one to round up the last week and then outline the next. I did a smashing job with last week and this week is all about getting ready for our wee ones first birthday party on Sunday.

1. Put together part favours

2. Get hair and nails did

3. Decorate ready for party

4. Wrap Leah's birthday presents (organised little poppet I am)

5. Clean front door entrance ready for party favours

6. Clean out/ re-organise the girl's clothes

7. Decide on cake and make

8. Take cake smash photos

9. Whole day Saturday prep for the party - clean, food, shop, last minute decorations

10. Snuggle the crap outta the husband that's back from 'Straya.

Weekly 10

Phew! What a busy week. I haven't had time to blog, but did you notice how fast the turn around on this Weekly 10 is? 4 days!!! That's 4 days people. After streaks of 3 weeks I'm very proud of myself. PLUS I've even done things extra to the list, see below. Keeping in mind that I've had parent teacher interview two nights this week AND it's just me without my sidekick at home with the girls. THAT'S impressive... maybe it's the sidekick that takes up too much of my time usually? Or maybe I'm just trying to keep myself busy so that I don't miss him so much (3 1/2 more sleeps <3)

So, here's to how I did.

Productivity:
1.  Laminate and cut out things for Willow's birthday.
2.  Get cook books ready to sell.

3. Get baby books up to date - shutterfly ones and physical ones. 
I've completely got the digital books up to date, here they are for your paroosal. I've also decided to hold off on printing the photos that are needed for the physical ones as I will do them in one fell swoop after birthdays so I have everything I need. I have although, got all the needed photos on a memory card ready to go. *PROUD*

For the family:
4. Get through the week without dadda!
5.  Take Leah to choose and buy her 4th birthday bracelet charm.
I'm crossing this out now as it's planned for the weekend. Needed to do something productive while daddy was away. These littlies would drive me nuts if we stayed at home all weekend! LOL

Work and stuff...:
6. Finish making Gloss aligned maths resource.

7. Write plays blog post... when the videos hurry up and upload to drop box!
You can see it here.

Just for me:
8. Be kind to myself this week - it's a busy one and we're one man down at home!
9. Track eating on 'My fitness pal'.
Proud that I did this every day, even though my eating has been mediocre. I often stray away from tracking on days that I'm not super awesome with eating, but I've found that I've actually not done too bad this week! Yus!
10. Finish reading cross stitch.
I was happy to 'complete' my list with this goal 75% finished. I've begun watching 'Outlander' which is based on the book, and that's taken up some of my time. Still loving and enjoying the book also and didn't want to make it a chore by forcing myself to read when I also want to watch.

Other things that I have done this week include...
Updated Willow's 365
Listed cookbooks to sell
Lister make up to sell...and sold it