I met up with Renae , Travis and Chloe at the park for some family photos to capture their last weeks as a family of three. Chloe is adorable. Such a happy, easy going little girl, secure in her parents love and in just a few more weeks she will become a wonderful big sister. I can’t wait to meet her new little baby brother in a few weeks time.
I am a toy rotator. Once upon a time I used to have everything in the kids rooms, out where they can play with it all the time and they would wander around bored, not bothering with any of their toys. And then other kids would come over and empty EVERY SINGLE box, tub, shelf and draw. And then I would put it all back. Then one day I realised this was crazy and I bought some big plastic tubs, packed up 80% of their toys and slid them into the laundry cupboards. I made it clear I wasn’t taking them away from them, that they were still able to play with them at any time, they just had to swap me a box first. Ahh the bliss. When everything was emptied out, it was only 20% of the mess it used to be. And I noticed the kids became more interested in their toys. It wasn’t overwhelming to look at so many toys anymore. They were able to find something they wanted, or they were inspired to play with something they had not played with for a long time. After a few weeks when they started to tire of some of the toys, I’d pack them away and switch the tub for one from the cupboards. It was so simple, and it really did work.
Amelia does like to play in her room, but she prefers to play out in the family room around us. To save a trail of toys scattering through the house she has a little cube shelf in the family room, and she has 6-8 toys out at a time. The rest are either packed away, or her favourites, like her prams and babies are in her room. I theme her shelf and change it around every two weeks. A few weeks ago we had a ‘family’ theme. We had books about mummy’s, daddy’s, siblings, people we love, babies, cubby houses etc. And I kept my littlest poppet (and her brothers who love to join in) busy with family orientated activities.
She washed her babies clothes (that used to be her own suits!), while I did ours…
We coloured in families, and stuck them onto string to make a garland, so we could hang them all up. (Or run around flying them like a kite)…
(yes I ended up doing most of the colouring on this one, while she told me what colours I had to use)
She lovingly tended to her baby and walked her around the garden in her pram until she slept, and prepared cups of strawberry tea for me…
And she dressed her magnetic dolls in all sorts of outfits, for all sorts of activities…
And just as the two weeks came to an end, she started to tire of her toys. Just in time for a switch to a ‘farmyard’ theme.
As usual quite here, means very NOT quiet behind the scenes. October is crazy busy with weddings, beautiful new babes arriving, pregnant bellies, and gorgeous families. It’s great to be busy though, I am not complaining at all. With the change in weather its also a great time to start getting outdoors for some sessions too, which is exactly what we did with Davina and David’s gorgeous family. Although the weather looked a bit iffy, it played along nicely for us. Thanks Davina and David, was great to spend the morning with you all!
I spent a lovely morning with this gorgeous little family, in their beautiful home for their session. Jasper is almost three, he’s gorgeous. He’s cheeky and full of life and so well mannered. Oliver and Toby are 10months and every bit as fun and adorable as their big brother.
Meet Olivia, Austin and Ruby and their parents. Such a lovely family, so full of energy and love. A pleasure to spend the afternoon with. Their mummy Mel is the principal at Central Peninsula School of Dance, so it was only fitting that Ruby show off her stunning little tutu – and her completely unplanned poses!
I was so excited to finally meet little Eden. I photographed Dani and Tor’s wedding last year, then their maternity session a few weeks ago, and this time I got to see them all again, and play with Maxx, but also have beautiful bubby cuddles with their newest little one, Eden. 