i'm gonna put on, my boogie shoes...

Well, at least a low-ish pair of heels... Yep, tonight's the night of our school mother's night that we've been organising and it looks like everything's fallen into place. We've got bigger numbers than they've seen in years, we've bought lovely french sparkling wine as a farewell gift for the mums who are leaving {rather than paint-stripper nasty stuff} and I do believe I even have a frock or two in mind.

Because we changed both the venue and the format for the evening {from a two course sit-down dinner at the local pub to finger food and champagne at a gorgeous new bar in town} I was worried we'd have a backlash from those expecting 'tradition'. However, as I said to a friend yesterday, traditions should really only be celebrated if they're successful and fun. While the other years have been fine, the venue couldn't offer us Friday nights - only midweek - and who wants to go out midweek and then have to get up for the school lunches the next day? Not this little black duck. Also, the sit-down format meant that there little opportunity for mingling and chatting - the real point of the evening.

So tonight there will be mingling and chatting. There'll also be a bar that's filled with cocktails and a really good variety of wines and spirits. There will also be plenty of food circulating - and some traditions will still stand {speeches from a few mums who're leaving, presentation of gifts to the mums and even coffee and tea available for the non-drinkers}

Off to paint my nails now {and my gal's who's on a pupil-free day today}. Wish me luck x

tea time

Rosepetal and violette cupcakes are about to go into the oven - which means afternoon tea time in about 20 minutes! The girls were beside themselves when I told them they could pick a rose each and decorate the cupcakes with petals {our roses are organic, hence, edible}.

Now, how's this for an idea for a tea tray? From Martha natch. It's a series of little planters which look ever-so-lovely filled with the necessities for afternoon tea. Bless.

blog redecoration

My blog make-over is well-overdue. Hope you like it! I think it's still pretty, and while it needs a tweek or two, I think it's kinda cute and classic.

happy daze

Phew, last night was hot - damned hot. The cool change that normally kicks in when the sun goes down refused to raise even so much as a toe towards kicking in. So that meant a restless night. However, surprisingly, I'm feeling refreshed and ready to get on with the day.

One interview to do and then I'm free to climb rock walls with the gals {who, adorably, made their breakfast, and their bed, unpacked the dishwasher and are now hanging a load of washing - cuteness!}.

We're packing so much adventure into these school holidays that I'm pretty sure that even my school-loving miss isn't really missing school too much.

Best investment ever? The pool. My gal had seven swims yesterday and I had two - even tied my hair back tightly and did a few laps of fast freestyle {rather than my usual slow breaststroke}. Husband spent the day top-dressing the lawn in the courtyard {stinky much?} so it should be looking lush and green in just a few weeks time.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

We went in to visit Santa at David Jones again this morning so all the girl cousins could have their photo taken together. All five gals lined up and now we've got a gorgeous reminder of our first Christmas with the English side of the family. Cute!

Afterwards everyone came back here for morning tea in the pavilion while the girls swam - hence my late posting. Nothing's better than hearing their giggles as they swim. The girls are all getting along so beautifully together that it just reminds me what this season is about.

My gal's gone off to spend the afternoon with the other gals while I'm working away. I'm more than halfway through my deadlines now - three quarters perhaps... I've just sent off another story, and have five more to send off by the end of the year. Whew, will I enjoy those festive champagne bubbles!