Author: Melissa

Sunday Love

Sunday Love

Whoa. One week down of Dave’s European tour and we made it. Missing him terribly but loving being able to talk to him twice a day on Face Time. I am such a sucker for a good bridge photo.  Love Aucks x Soooo excited about 

Happy Absent Fathers Day Dave!

Happy Absent Fathers Day Dave!

Dear Dave I just wanted to let you know that even though you are on the other side of the world, stuck in that cess pool Rome, we have not forgotten it’s Father’s day.  This letter may make you a little upset and homesick, because 

Holiday | Animal Kingdom

Holiday | Animal Kingdom

In the early stages of planning our trip we thought we would do three parks in three days and tack Wet n’ Wild on at night time.  When I really started thinking and investigating how much admission actually cost {approx $300 USD per park} we decided to cut it back to two days and two parks plus Wet n’ Wild.

I  AM SO GLAD WE WERE CHEAP ASSES.

Ethan was done after two days, in fact if I am totally honest he spent most of the time at Animal Kingdom with his eyes on the ground looking for lizards anyway.   That lil weirdo would have been just as happy {probably happier} if we had taken him to a swamp, given him an empty ice-cream container to catch critters and told him we’d be back to get him in 5 hours and don’t feed marshmallows to alligators.

But dammit we were going to DISNEY!

The Jacks at Animal Kingdom

  Like SeaWorld the park was gorgeous, our miracle run of no queues continued, there were slushy margaritas (!!!!), the weather was scorching hot but  the novelty of summer in winter still hadn’t worn off so we were stoked.  The rides at Animal Kingdom were more suited to kids of Ethan’s age than those at SeaWorld, he was able to ride everything so we quickly booked our Fast Pass to Everest which was amazing – a real classic roller coaster that younger kids can enjoy.

As we were at the park well before opening we were able to make it on the 3rd jeep for the Kilimanjaro Safari.  Wow.  We were SO close to the animals, and they were out and about and frisky as it was still early morning.  Lucky Jacks.  The best way to describe Animal Kingdom is that it is the ultimate zoo cleverly integrated into a theme park, you almost forget you are within the confines of the great Disney empire.  It was a strangely peaceful day – I know that sounds insane but there is a lovely atmosphere at Animal Kingdom, people take their time and 90% of the time you are completely unaware of the enclosures – they are so seamlessly integrated into the environment.  We had an amazing day at a place that is the perfect family destination.

Giraffe_Animal_Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

The Jacks!

Ethan

Komodo Dragon

Dave and Ethan

Tiger

Deer

Flags

Dave Jack

Bird

Frozen banana

Tree Lady

Iguana

Hippo Skull

Meer Kat

Gorilla

Silverback Gorilla

Silverback Gorilla

House & Home | Lounge #2

House & Home | Lounge #2

I have waited a long time for our very own lounge to decorate and I have loved piecing together the bits and bobs in this room. It’s cosy, bright, comfy and Ethan friendly. I’m in love with this room. Truth be told, I only sat 

Holiday | SeaWorld Orlando

Holiday | SeaWorld Orlando

After all of the trouble I had getting back to America {read here} and the excitement of THE Wedding {read here} we were ready for some down time.  Of course Orlando is never going to be a lay-by-the-pool, doze off, super-relaxing holiday spot, but we 

What I Wore

What I Wore

Photos by Ethan, he has decided he is the only one capable of taking my ‘fashion photo shoots”.  Most of his shots were blurry but that’s not really a bad thing;

What I Wore

This is a completely uninspired outfit in that my boots, bag, jeans and jersey are all Country Road, the chiffon ruffle tunic is from The Warehouse {such a great find!}, scarf from Urban Outfitters.

A4A Blog Carnival | Day 3 Challenge Accepted!

A4A Blog Carnival | Day 3 Challenge Accepted!

I am participating in wegohealth.com’s Advocating for Another (A4A) Carnival – Parenting Edition. This is a month long event where health and parenting advocates write, share and enjoy! The FB page can be found here for more info + grab the parenting prompts here and 

Sunday Love

Sunday Love

It’s been a week at home and every day has been been hectic and busy but lovely and New Zealand-ish. I am loving that this big fat travel folder is stuffed with a to-die for itineray of travel. Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Lyon and Paris.  

A4A Blog Carnival | Day 2 These are a few of my favourite things

A4A Blog Carnival | Day 2 These are a few of my favourite things

I am participating in wegohealth.com’s Advocating for Another (A4A) Carnival – Parenting Edition.  This is a month long event where health and parenting advocates write, share and enjoy!  The FB page can be found here for more info + grab the parenting prompts here and join in!  The blog carnival runs from August 21-28, 2012.

 Day 2: These are a few of my favourite things

After yesterdays gushing post about my son, he knocked one out of the park with more of the epic bad behaviour we have been seeing since returning home from our trip.   Needless to say he has be banned from TV watching for 3 days and banned from Ninjago toys for the same period.  He got off pretty lightly I think.  I am really struggling with his sassy mouth and the constant back chat.  What I wouldn’t give for a few simple responses of “YES!”.

But I digress.

I have many favourite things about Ethan, here are a few;

  1. Ethan is brave.  He will try anything once, sometimes not twice but always once.
  2. He will eat anything, he has an exceptional palate and enjoys food which makes eating as a family so much fun
  3. He is very loving {when he is not being bad of course!}
  4. Ethan is super complimentary.  He has learned this from his Dad.  He will tell me when I look nice, when my hair is looking awesome, when I need to buy that outfit – his honesty when shopping is def appreciated!  His girlfriend will be stoked one day.  He certainly knows how to make you feel like a million bucks.
  5. Ethan’s perfectionism is actually something that endears him to me.  I appreciate someone who always strives to achieve at their best.
  6. I love Ethan’s legs.  They are thick and strong.
  7. Ethan has the best giggle.  When it bubbles up it is loud and hard to contain.
  8. I love this boys smarts.  Recently while walking the Santa Monica Pier, I had to stop my feet and just look at him.  He was going on and on about snakes, admittedly I had half-tuned him out {don’t judge, you know you do it sometimes!}, but then I realised he was listing all of the different types of Pythons, WITH DESCRIPTIONS, Bubba style.  Amaze.
  9. Ethan’s feet, I LOVE, though 99% of the time they are filthy and torn up – my kid does not like shoes.  Summer, winter the shoes come off as soon as he gets to school.  I’m talking 8.30am.  They never get put back on.  One pair of school shoes has lasted him this whole year!  That’s surely some kind of record.  Even Grandaddy Ray in Georgia (think snakes) couldn’t believe how feral Ethan’s feet were.
  10. I love that boys hair.  It’s as wiry as straw, you can brush it and five minutes later it will look like he just rolled out of bed.  I’m fairly certain you could make one of those sweeping-broom-brush things out of his hair that would last through the ages.  It’s thick and it grows like weed – long may that continue aye Dave!

Are you blogging along?  What are some of your favourite things about your child?

Far North Snapper

THE Wedding.

THE Wedding.

That’s how I’m going to refer to Hadyn and Joanna’s wedding until the end of days because it really really was THE Wedding. Everything was amazing, beautiful, perfect, on trend and everything just worked brilliantly.  When you glean tid-bits of ideas here and there over