Merry Christmas Eve Everyone

Thought that Christmas Eve would be as good a time as any to write our final update for the year!  We had planned to be off tramping (hiking) tomorrow after a big Christmas breakfast however the plans have changed as the rain has begun to pour down. Now it will be a leisurely day at home, after having made a quick banana cake which the kids decorated Christmas style and a pavlova for dessert.  The tramping can wait until next week over New Years.

Our quickly made Christmas Cake as decorated by themselves.

Liam is still threatening to cancel Christmas - nothing much changes there ;)  This year however the kids, with an additional year of wisdom behind them, have told him that he will need to stay in his room with just water and a book if he is cancelling it and they will open his presents!!  Still not sure who was more serious or excited.

December has seen us travelling quite a bit.  To start the month off we enjoyed our first un-schoolers camp over the hill in Staveley.  It was great to be with other families that although on a different journey still had much in common with us.  The kids loved running around with all the others, climbing trees and going on bush walks.  Only stayed the one night however it was enough for us to know that we would be back again to mix, talk and share with like-minded families.  Think it was great too that Dads were there as often it is the Mama's always getting together and giving information out second-hand ;)

Daniel up yet another tree!  He wanted to climb every one that he could on camp.

After this we headed over to Christchurch for an unveiling of a Kiwirail statue.  It is the 150 year anniversary so a special installation statue was created for all to see at Ferrymead.  Great to get free entry for the event and then get to look around, ride on the trains, sample sherbet and play olden day games.  I hadn't been there for years and years so really lovely to revisit some memories.  Then the following weekend proved to be our only at home for the whole month!  The kids and Liam got out into the garden to check over everything that is growing.  It has been great getting all our own salad bits along with peas and the odd early strawberry.  Still waiting for the tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers and beetroot to mature so we can continue our feasting.

Seeing what is coming up in our new front garden veggie beds.

The middle of the month saw us back in Christchurch for a send off to Branston Intermediate (the school I used to teach at which is a casualty of the Christchurch School closures).  It was great to have a night out with friends, even made it past mid-night, and the kids loved being with Nan without parents to turn off the T.V.  You can tell I don't go out much these days though as by Sunday night I was in bed by 7pm!!  Before both kids were even asleep.  Further in our travel feast of December - last weekend we were up in Westport to catch up with friends and family.  The kids were in heaven going out to so many cafes in one weekend and of course getting to watch T.V. again in our holiday accommodation.  Great to be able to go away with the dog too and we (the dog and I that is) had a good long run around the lighthouse track which was my extra treat in a month of holidays!!

During our weeks at home Jasmine has been busy at Art Club creating and making.  She enjoyed all the art however she tells me that she can't wait to get back to Pippins because they have lots of different cool things ;)  Next year she will be stepping up to Brownies which she is looking forward to although I'm not sure if she realises that it will be more work than at Pippins - oh well ignorance it bliss at times ;) 

Liam has been giving the kids lots of Star Wars stories for bedtime lately and it has inspired a whole heap of stories, drawings, Lego play and craft!  The best activity to come out of all the story telling would have to be when the kids made their own C3PO and R2D2 after Liam showed them a YouTube clip of both the robots.  It was amazing to see them go ahead and make what they had visualised in their minds and just make it without any assistance - well apart from handing them cello tape that is ;)

The robot friends.  Herself even managed to create R2D2's wheels with bottle caps!

It certainly has been a busy month for us and yet more adventures to come.  Been so great spending every weekend together having fun and being out and about, think that January may have to be our rest month before we head up North for a holiday in Feb. 

Hope this finds you all warm, merry and ready for a relaxing Christmas and New Year.

Arohanui
Y

www.becominghealthy.co.nz

For all you Business Women out there

Just  a few months ago I was wading through procrastination over tasks I had begun, feeling sorry for myself, struggling to know which way my business was going and if I even had a business.  I had dreams of helping people in a natural, holistic way and yet I just couldn't seem to get everything lined up to actually make it happen and make money at the same time.  I began to search the internet for inspiration, trying to see if I was 'doing the right thing' or if I should completely change what I was doing. 

While searching I found a women in Australia, Leonie Dawson, who caught my eye.  What she had to say was pretty amazing and inspiring.  I was intrigued by what she had to say so I had a good look at her site, I looked at the products and then wasn't sure.  I told myself it wasn't really for me.  I wasn't an artist like her so definitely not for me and left it at that. Her site did stick with me though and I looked again a month later then still procrastinated over the whole idea, after all I probably won't find it that useful for the money spent so why take the risk?

Within another month however a dear friend, who had a friend who was using Leonie's products,  told me all about this amazing women Leonie Dawson and her FABULOUS Academy (This and others are Affiliate Links where if you buy through my link then I get to a wee reward from Leonie) who had a year long membership which allowed you to access all her goodies (now this one is completely FREE so go over an check her out.  Go on!! I'll wait right here till you click and look at the new tab full of Leonie's FREE Goodies.  Did I say they were FREE!!!! )  along with amazing courses on business and a network of other like-minded women in business.  

It was the hearing if from someone that was actually in the The Amazing Life and Biz Academy (Affiliate Link) themselves that made all the difference for me so I thought I would let you all know about it on here.  That way you can hear first hand how GREAT it really is and you won't miss out on any of the fantastic, empowering and transforming products she has.  You'll be able to get into it without wasting time like I did ;)  I feel that any money I spent on joining this Biz Academy was so worth it and the money has been repaid with all the knowledge, know how, inspiration and support I'm getting.  Now most of you know me and I don't rave about things unless they really are GOOD!!  and this is GREAT ;)


The membership is for a whole year of goodies, resources, community, business connections, freebies (Affiliate Link)  and INSPIRATION GALORE.  It has had me excited and ready to move forward in my business ever since I signed up.  It amazes me how much my confidence has grown in this short time and I am finally starting to achieve all those dreams I have.  Her courses are easy and fun to read while being packed with inspiration and information on how to move ahead with your business.  It is all from her experience of creating a 3/4 million dollar business and it filled with lots of links, videos and support along the way. 

I downloaded her freebie  Biz & Blog Star Workshop   (You know these are all Affiliate links now - right? however this one is free if you sign up to her e-zine.  It is a great wee book with loads of tips for online marketing to move you ahead) which I read and re-read.  With a bit of confidence gained through trying out suggestions from the Biz & Blog Star Workshop   (Affiliate Link)  I began with the Business Goddess E-Course (Affiliate Link) which connected me with loads of lovely ladies all working at growing their businesses and within the Business Goddess (Affiliate Link) course is also a Magic Money making kit freebie which helps you to outline your goals concerning wealth and how to go about getting it. 

Leonie's  'Create Your Amazing Year Biz edition Workbook' (Affiliate Link again ;)) is a real jewel in the crown for me though as it helped outline where my business was and where I wanted it to be.  This is something I had been avoiding as I was a bit scared to face the hard, cold facts.  Actually though once I did the  'Create Your Amazing Year Biz edition Workbook' (Affiliate Link)  I realised that it was half as bad as I thought and inspired my to get my 'A into G'.  The transformation has been wonderful and I finally feel like I am moving forward with my business.

I have loved every part of  The Amazing Life and Biz Academy (Affiliate Link) and benefitted immensely through Leonie's inspirational and up-lifting business advice.  It is like having a mentor at your side 24/7 and literally at your fingertips.  I really feel that I have got my money back and more in the 2 months I've been a member.  Every time I have a worry, question or concern I can connect with thousands of like minded business women online and receive help.  Now what could be better than that!!  Go on give it a go ;)

 

 

Arohanui
Yossarian

www.becominghealthy.co.nz