Bits & Pieces – Page 4 – Loving Family Life

Change – First and Last Day of School

Eloise graduated from High School this week – which means our family’s school days are over after 15 years. Everyone tells me it’s a happy time, so why am I so sad? After her formal on Friday night, which Geoff and I attended, I cried just about all the way home. The Year 12 students went off to a party and even though I was really happy to see them all leave on a “party bus” to a friend’s home to celebrate their new found freedom, I was dreadfully miserable. Get a grip, I told myself.

So I’ve worked it out – for 15 of the last 18 years we always went away the first Sunday of the holidays (that would be today in any other year) to sunny Queensland for our annual holiday. I’m not sad about her leaving school, I’m sad because I’ve missed out on our family holiday. So I sit here alone (OK not alone as Geoff is working in the garden), while Eloise has left for study camp for a week and Ruby is heading off to Melbourne tomorrow for a week with some girlfriends. Bliss, you might say, a week alone in the home (Geoff still is at work). But again, I’m missing my family holiday. So really it’s not about the change or transition of my children from school student to young adult, it’s about the fact that the long tradition of family holidays at this time of year has ceased. My mum always says how she used to love going on our family holidays and misses those days. Why? I used to think – we all piled into Uncle John’s car (7 of us), no seat belts and headed to Queensland – 14 hours of non-stop chatter between my mum and Nanna. BUT the memories and fun of those days are some of my favourites.

So I’m missing the chance to be with Geoff and the girls and family time. Even though it takes effort to pack, especially when you do it all for the children, getting in the car and taking off – it is well worth it. I actually use to wake the girls with the song “We’re all going on a Summer Holiday” by Cliff Richard played very loudly, this was the holiday alarm clock. Wherever you are in your family’s journey, please take time to go on holidays. You won’t regret the time, money and effort.

Enjoy the school holidays.

Love Chris xx

Chris

You’re Special

I read the following the other day and thought I’d love to share it. Well, Geoff is watching Friday night football and getting very excited, the girls are out, so perfect time for me to be at the computer. I won’t even tell you who Geoff is barracking for……..actually I will and it’s not Manly. How can he even think that’s OK when you live on the Northern Beaches. Oh my goodness, he has just popped in tell me excitedly how HIS team has just scored!!

I hope you enjoy the article, it’s not only for you, but something to remind your children (or someone special) about.

You’re special. In all the world there’s nobody like you.

Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you.

Nobody has your smile, nobody has your eyes, your nose, your hair, your hands, your voice.

You’re special. No one can be found who has your handwriting.

Nobody anywhere has your tastes for food, clothing, music or art.

No one sees things just as you do.

In all of time there’s been no one who laughs like you, no one who cries like you, and what makes you cry or laugh will never produce identical laughter and tears from anybody else, ever.

You’re the only one in all of creation who has your set of abilities.

Oh, there will always be somebody who is better at one of the things you’re good at, but no one in the universe can reach the quality of your combination of talents,ideas, abilities and feelings. Like a room full of musical instruments, some may excel alone, but none can match the symphony sound when all are played together. You’re a symphony.

Through all eternity, no one will ever look, talk, walk, think or do like you.

You’re special…you’re rare. And in all rarity there is great value. Because of your great value you need not attempt to imitate others….you will accept – yes, celebrate your differences.

You’re special and you must realise that you have something that no one else can do as well as you. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified, only one has the right combination of what it takes.

That one is you, because…..you’re special.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as me, especially when you are feeling a little down and maybe not so special. I think we all need to learn to love ourselves and appreciate that we are unique.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Love Chris xx

Chris

Chicken Coriander Balls

These little chicken balls are simply delicious. My friend Jules gave me the recipe, and we both agree that we are lucky to get half of them to the table as we start munching on them as soon as they are cool enough. I don’t think they need sauce either as they are so moist due to the coconut milk. So if you are taking something along to a party – these are perfect.

Ingredients:

500 gms chicken mince
2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
4 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 tin (160ml) coconut milk
¼ cup chopped coriander

Method:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl – spoon into greased mini muffin tins. Bake in a preheated oven – 180° C for 15 minutes.

Bon Appetit.

Sorry that I don’t put photos along the way and this one was taken by my iPhone. Trust me they taste much better than they look. If you make them, please let me know what you think.

Love Chris ♥

Chris

Father’s Day

I’m away on Father’s Day…that’s never happened before and it’s been 3 years since I’ve been away from Geoff and the girls at the same time. Oh well, skiing with my girlfriends beckoned. I know that Geoff will be looked after in a loving and caring way. When the girls found out I wouldn’t be here, they immediately went into planning the day mode – I think it is a wonderful opportunity for them to “take-over” the home, the kitchen and hopefully the cleaning up.

I’ve asked them to let me know what makes their father a good dad. This is what they said.

Dad is always willing to hangout and have a chat. He encourages me in all my ideas and dreams even if they seem a bit crazy. Dad is always generous in time, money, encouragement and wisdom. He is always excited to see us when he gets home from work – he may have had the worst day, but he is still happy to see us. He is generous and loving. I love how close we are and that I can tell him anything and he has great advice. He is hilarious, easy going – the best dad and friend.

That sums up their dad!

I didn’t have a dad around, as he became unwell when I was 10. So I don’t have a great deal of experience with having a dad or, as it happens, being a dad. The closest thing I have is watching Geoff with our children. You don’t have to be perfect or brilliant to give your children a great start. There is room for imperfections and mistakes, but your children will know if you think they are special. I read the following in a magazine, which I hope you enjoy reading and sharing with the man in your life, who has the extraordinary role of being a dad.

Tips for Dads:

Stay Calm – Try to take something positive out of every new experience your kids introduce you to.
Be silly once a day – If it’s not your job description to have fun with your children, then it’s time to rewrite it!
Don’t take yourself too seriously – character matters more than reputation, you might lose face occasionally, but modelling character means being willing to apologise, being honest about mistakes, forgiving other people for their mistakes, and moving on.
Honour their mother – This teaches your children an important lesson in life about respect. Presenting a united front on boundaries, discipline and priorities will make your children feel more secure.
Celebrate their differences – Each of your children is different – try to spend time with them individually, and don’t compare them with each other. Each child is unique.

Happy Father’s Day to the dads of the world. What a special place you have in your children’s lives. Have a wonderful, fun-filled day. I’m smiling just thinking about how special it must be to be a dad!

Love Chris xx

Chris

Welcome to Bits and Pieces

Hi everyone. I’m pleased to announce that I have relaunched my Blog – Bits and Pieces. It still contains all my old posts, but with a beautiful design. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Sarah Rosborg of Castle Design (www.castledesign.com.au). Sarah has given me so much support and help and she was extremely patient with all my questions and requests. I think you will agree Sarah has done a magnificent job – how cute is the Bits and Pieces logo (the anchor was my idea!!). I would love to know what you think and I look forward to putting some posts up. As usual, I’ve got lots to say.

Love Chris xxxx

Chris

Ruby May – EP Launch

Last night our daughter Ruby (Ruby May) launched her first EP, Wanderer. It was one of the most memorable and happy nights of my life and I’m sure Geoff’s as well. There are so many stages of children’s lives, from their first steps, toddler years, middle years, teenage years. Our girls are very different people, yet I love them equally. I have done my very best in helping them, guiding them, “parenting” them, alongside with Geoff. Over the years I often didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I tried to love them unconditionally and encourage and support them whenever it was needed.

Well, last night as I watched Ruby and the incredibly talented band supporting her, I was enthralled and a little mesmerised that my gorgeous, strong-willed (very), loving, funny, empathetic, fun young lady could be performing her own songs. Ruby pulled the whole night together, organised the recording with the help of her fantastic producer, the practices, the printing of the CD’s, organising the venue and much more. Oh my Ruby has worked so hard to put this together.

So I would like to encourage any of you who are mums or dads of little ones, that your efforts of love (and discipline) will be richly rewarded, which I’m sure they are now. The only disappointing thing about last night was that Eloise wasn’t permitted to attend as she wasn’t 18, but texts, photos and her heart was there with her older sister and they haven’t stopped talking about the night.

I’m about to cry because as I’m typing this I’m listening to her music which I’ve downloaded from the CD onto my computer.

You can listen and buy Ruby’s EP Wanderer HERE

Love Chris xx

Chris

What Was I Thinking?

I’m going through our photo albums and scanning the photos into my computer. I’m up to March 1995, yes a very long process, plus I keep getting distracted by all the memories.

Occasionally I come across some doozies (is that even a word?). What the heck was I thinking dressing myself and Ruby in the same clothes. Oh I didn’t stop there……quite a few years later I’m at it again with Eloise. Thanks to my darling friend Jen T for having those Sam Wiggle parties all those years ago.

Then I’ve found a few photos where I just didn’t seem to know when to stop with the high pony-tail on top of the head. Adding to this I dressed up Eloise in a beautiful dress (that my mum made) but then expected her to attend Ruby’s 5th birthday party at the local kindygym. This would have been really restrictive for the little darling, especially as she was the most active kid around. And trying to jump around the place with a dress that was down to her feet, impossible!

Again, what was I thinking.