X-Race

   

This weekend we got out for X-race - a family team building race where you run in teams of 1 adult, 1 child. Over the 5 kms, there are 10 obstacles - sewing buttons, dancing, building lego and many more. The child also leads the blind folded adult, directing only with their voice. As I had the blindfold, I can't tell you how far it was, but it felt a very long time. Depending on the age of your child, it's also quite scary!!





It was held in Newington Armory, and as I'd never been before, I took a few pics on the way home. It's really quite a lovely setting with lots of interesting curiosities. I think we'll be back with the bikes in the School Holidays!

It was a great way to spend a Sunday, and have a fabulous time as a family.

In a rare change, we just played together. You could say we were all loving life in that moment! And you? What did you get up to this week?

Linking with #PhotoFriday

Advent - Christmas Link Up

We all know what an Advent calendar is, but do we know what Advent is?

'Today, the Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. (Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.) ' (from this website)

A brief chronology from this site tells us that the first known Advent calendar is recorded in 1851, so they aren't a new thing. At the beginning of the 20th century  Gerhard Lang produced the first Advent Calendars with little doors to open, previously they'd been crossing off or adding pictures or candles. Advent Calendars filled with Chocolate were already available in 1958. Who knew? When I was a kid we only got the picture one - and only once and then used it each year, carefully shutting back the flaps and putting it away until the next year.







I have gone to ebay for pokemon lego to fill an Ikea reusable one, and the girls are getting make up ones for a bit of fun.

As a treat for myself, I got the L'Occitaine one ...

but then received this sensational one in the mail from a friend! It's full of all different teas for each day! I've never seen it before but it is the perfect gift. I literally squealed with delight when I opened it!

Ikea also sells little bags that you can put number stickers on and make your own, for the more creative.

I acknowledge it's all quite farcical as we're actually just counting down the days until presents. By getting daily presents. So technically I'm intellectually against this, but like all traditions, logic goes out the window and common sense does not prevail.

Do you do the advent thing? Do you think it's stupid and commercial? Do you make your own, and if so, what do you put in it?


(Housekeeping. Please feel free to link your Christmas posts. I will however have to delete non Christmas ones. They can be pro-Christmas, Bah Humbug anti-festive, Gift ideas (but link back to the Christmas link up please), seasonal food ideas, old or new but they do need to be Christmas related.) 
Linking with #MummyMondays,  

An InLinkz Link-up

Post Trump World.

I will admit I'm in quite a funk, post election, even though I saw it coming in January and have been arguing with everyone that he would get in. I so wanted to be wrong. However, all I will say is this, stolen from Tom Thum's facebook page "a presidency that has divided a nation almost down the middle. There is nothing more dangerous than extreme divisions, I really hope people remember that they are humans." We must act when necessary, rise above it all and hope that we survive the next four years. (For those interested in History, this article on Trump & Brexit, written awhile back, sums up the new world order and it's dangers, perfectly).

However, I am making this a Trump free zone. I am having a space where I avoid filling my headspace with the doom and focus on the light.

So here is what I'm LOVING right now:

1. Assembly Pizza. So amazing. And if you go Sunday nights, there's a  $10 special.

2. Bread & Butter Project. You can buy their bread at markets and David Jones. I had their olive bread at Social Brew and it totally blew my mind (that I had to ask the waiter about it like a nutter). 
The Bread & Butter Project is "Australia's first social enterprise bakery, 100% of our profits are reinvested into baker training and employment pathways for refugees and asylum seekers.". Not only is it the best bread in Sydney, you can feel good about yourself eating it.

3. Parov Stelar. I'm totally Hooked on P.S!



Just a reminder that the Christmas Link up goes live each Friday. 
Give me your current pick me ups for this global gloom!

Linking with #FortheloveofBLOG and #OpenSlather

The Bloody Long Walk

On the weekend, I took off from Malabar to walk to the City as part of The Bloody Long Walk, to raise money to cure Mitochondrial disease (mito) . Having only ever walked 28kms, I was a little worried about the extra 7, but I managed them with only slight discomfort by the end (though I am going to lose a toenail, I think, which came after dropping something on my foot in the move, and then irritated by 73kms of walking in 2 weeks. Only time will tell...

The highlights of the walk for me was seeing parts of our beautiful city I didn't know existed. and a whale breaching. We saw the puff of spray from the mummy and then the baby just leapt clear of the water. The woman I was walking with and I both squealed with delight. It was amazing - but alas no photo!

For 7 hours, I was truly loving life. What about you? What are you loving this week?











Linking this old post (because I'm not seeing much of the World at the moment) with #WednesdayAroundtheWorld and #TravelTuesday

New Christmas Traditions

Last year I was put onto a wonderful charity idea, where you take a handbag and fill it with toiletries and treats for adult women. I won't go into all the details - they're here. What I love about this is that it's so easy to do. If you are a savvy shopper, every time you notice something suitable on sale, you grab an extra one. Come November, hey presto, a heavily laden goodie bag is full! 

There are many collection points all over the country at Bunnings. so they're easy to get to or you can sponsor a bag online and save yourself a trip.

The bags are due by December 1, so they can make it to the recipients by Christmas. There are some rules on what you can't pack, so read over the instructions before purchase.

While I organise the kids Advent Calendars, this new tradition for me has also been on my mind. I've been down in the dumps lately so I decided to finish off the purchases and have the bag ready to go. I have to say I really enjoyed getting the final touches and the lovely goodies to go with the more practical side I'd collected over the last month or so.

I also got some of the Thank You body lotion so I'm giving twice, which made me doubly happy. They've also started making a Coffee Body Scrub for $14.95 which makes for a great girly present. The Thank You products come with a tracker code so you can see which part of the world the profits from the product you purchased are going to. (My coffee scrub profits are going to a hygiene project in MANDARBARI WASH, BANGLADESH.)

When do you start thinking about Christmas? Have you started any new traditions? What would you put in the bag? Do you like the gifts that give twice?

This is the first of the weekly Christmas link up. Please add one Christmas themed post below. #ChristmasLinkUp

Linking with the #OpenSlather and #MummyMondays

An InLinkz Link-up

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Last year, I held a link up every Friday for Xmas themed posts. This year, I plan to do the same. I am particularly grinchy at the moment, so figured now is as good as any time to start.

This Friday, and for the next 7 weeks, join in with me sharing (or trying to build) some Christmas Cheer.

No rules on what you link, as long as it's Christmas related. (As for start time, you know me, I'm fairly flexible on dates and times so first thing, or maybe even the night before ;)

I leave you with this Christmas Song - skip it if easily offended, it's dark and kooky.



See you Friday!

Linking with #ThrivingonThursday

Loving Sydney, Loving Life

Linking up an old post with #WednesdayAroundtheWorld because I'm really not getting out and doing anything of interest. But the pretty pictures make me smile! Stay safe everyone - and stay home!

Have had a crazy busy few weeks, with many frustrations and been a little down in the dumps, we spent a stellar Saturday on the water, as those of you who follow my Instagram may already know. Sydney Harbour is truly beautiful, and when you're lucky enough to get invited on a boat with your friends, it's even better! The ability to instantaneously forget all your woes is amazing!

A sensational seafood feast and then we toured the city coves on the way to Chinaman's Beach for a swim (is that still what it's called? It seems a little offensive now).

Lots of fun was had by all and after a very busy weekend, it was most definitely the highlight. The water was this stunning green but my phone, which is the worst, wouldn't pick up any of the colours! 

It was a good reminder of the fact that no matter what else is going on, there are still so many things to love about life!

We even saw a submarine out on the water, which I've never seen before!

What are you loving this week?

Do you get out on boats often? Ferry, kayak, tinny?

We did miss the ice cream boat because we were too slow to notice it (but neither did the kids so there was no complaints!

Linking with #Allseasons because it's heading into boat day season