Taking Stock - December 2016

Welcome to the last 'Taking Stock' post for 2016. In case you missed any, you can read all of my Taking Stock posts HERE. Pip from Meet Me At Mike is the mastermind behind this, so be sure to check out her blog. This is something I have done since I started blogging and will continue to do next year - I love looking back at previous months. In a nutshell, it's simply taking a step back and 'taking stock' of what's currently happening in your life. 

Here's what's been happening in the month of DECEMBER...

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Sunday Share: Currently: #inthepicture (Week 7)

Sunday Share is where I get to share extra tidbits of my Life, Home & Family with you, and let you know what I'm currently doing on and off the blog. It's also a great way to get to know me, Charlene, the blogger behind Teacher by trade, Mother by nature. If there is anything you would like to see or read more of on Sunday Share, let me know.

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! You can read more about me and my blog HERE and read previous Sunday Share* posts HERE. And if you like what you see and read - Don't Miss A Post & Subscribe Today!

Here's what I've been Currently up to...

Enjoying: a date night with my partner! Thanks to my parents who looked after the kids for a few hours and to our awesome Real Estate Agents for giving us the Gift Voucher! (Free Dinner - even better)

Cleaning: the fridge - it looked like a crime scene!

Loving: my new job and school! Teachers and students enthusiastic about learning Te Reo Māori - warms my heart.

Turning: a spare desk tray I had into an awesome jewellery organiser! #KMARTHACK

Finding: our very first butterfly in our Butterfly garden! Welcome to the world! They are so pretty!

Celebrating: TWO birthdays today! A 5th & 1st Birthday Celebration - Pirate & Princess theme! We had a great time! How amazing is this cake my friend made. She's a clever cookie!

Sharing the love:  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you all!

INSPIRING: OTHERS, MANY THANKS TO BRON!

I was inspired by Bron from Maxabella Loves when she shared THIS post back in February 2015 - encouraging mothers all around the world to get 'in the picture' with their kids - stepping out from behind the camera and getting in front of it. This is exactly what I have done - I have been sharing my photos for a whole year now on or around the 10th of each month. It really is a great reminder to us all. You can see all of my previous #inthepicture posts HERE.

This is ME #inthepicture - with my kids...February 2015 - February 2016. Will you join in this year? 

 FEBRUARY 2015

MARCH 2015

APRIL 2015

MAY 2015

JUNE 2015

JULY 2015

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015

OCTOBER 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

DECEMBER 2015

 JANUARY

FEBRUARY

*******

How was your week?

 What have you been cleaning? celebrating? enjoying? finding? 

Have you been getting #inthepicture with your kids! 

Have a wonderful week, my friends.

Charlene

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Sunday Share: Currently - Week 2

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! You can read more about me and my blog HERE and read previous Sunday Share posts HERE. And if you like what you see and read - Don't Miss A Post & Subscribe Today!

Sunday Share is where I get to share extra tidbits of my Life, Home & Family with you, and let you know what I'm currently doing on and off the blog. It's also a great way to get to know me, Charlene, the blogger behind Teacher by trade, Mother by nature.

Here's what I've been Currently up to...

Admiring: my son playing with his sandbox & water table (yes he is in his pjs) 

Drooling: over this yummy Pavlova with fresh fruit (kiwifruit & peaches). Oh so good!

Reading: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying - Marie Kondo...New Series on the blog SOON! Watch this space. 

Feeling: inspired - "Keep it real" & "Today is the Day"! Love it!

Organising: the kids books by colour because it looks pretty! "It's a Rainbow" 

 Drinking: icy cold water - I love my new bottle! Makes me smile every time I look at it! 

Enjoying: watching my son helping his Daddy build our deck - using his very own drill-bit. 

So cute! 

Sharing: this photo of ME getting #inthepicture with my kids (last week at Motat). I was inspired by THIS post by Maxabella Loves...if you haven't already read it, please do - you won't regret it. 

How are YOU? 

Hope your are having a great week and the weather has been kind to you. 

Tell me, what have you been ORGANISING, SHARING & READING lately?

Charlene

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Sunday Share #51 - Currently

As we head into Week 52, I can't believe this will be my last Sunday Share for 2015...I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, sharing extra tidbits of my Life, my Home & my Family with you, and I hope you have enjoyed it too.

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12 Days of Christmas - A Blog Collaboration by Kiwi Mummy Bloggers

Are you looking for some Christmas inspiration? Well my friend, you have come to the right place. I have recently joined 11 amazing Kiwi Mummy Bloggers to bring you '12 Days of Christmas - A Blog Collaboration'. 

In this collaboration, you will find a great range of ideas to inspire you and get you ready for Christmas. From decorating your home, getting creative in the kitchen to gift wrapping ideas and sharing family traditions, plus everything in between - we have got you covered. 

So, grab a cuppa, get comfortable and let US inspire YOU this Christmas. Simply click on the images or links below to be directed to the original post. 

Enjoy!

Charlene

Day 1: Our Merry & Bright Christmas - Teacher by trade, Mother by nature

Sharing 'Our Merry & Bright Christmas' - A Home Tour + a few tips for getting organised this Christmas.

Day 2: Four Popsicle Stick Christmas Decorations - Mummy Do It
I am totally adding popsicle sticks to our Christmas Craft Box. The kids are going to have a lot of fun making these awesome creations! How cute is that Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer?

Day 3: Kiwi Tiramisu Log - Sweet Mama M
If you love coffee & cake - then you will love this...Natasha is sharing her favourite treat, and it looks so good!

Day 4: So, about Christmas - Lisasaurus
Lisa is sharing some of her 'most loved traditions' she does with her own family. We have a few family traditions, like decorating the Christmas tree on the 1st December & opening one present on Christmas Eve. What about you? Do you have any family traditions? 

Day 5: Christmas Eve Kids Goodies Box - Girl on a Missi0n
I love the idea of creating a box of goodies for your child to open on Christmas Eve - to prepare them for Christmas Day. Claire is sharing what she has put in her son's first 'Christmas Eve Kids Goodie Box' over on her blog. Have you made these boxes before? What do you put in your 'Christmas Eve Box'?

Day 6: Elf on the Shelf - Misses Mac
Have you heard about the 'Elf on the Shelf'? He's a cheeky character who loves to spread the joy of Christmas, and gets up to all sorts of fun...Jodine tells us more about this lil guy...See more >>>

Day 7: Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies - Always Made With Love
How cute are these? Lydia is sharing a super easy gingerbread cookie recipe over on her blog.
A perfect Christmassy treat for your kids.

Day 8: Gift Wrapping - Dorothy Nada
I am loving this collection of brown kraft paper gift wrapping ideas that Leigh-Ann has put together. I have wrapped a couple of gifts using brown paper & ribbons, and it's becoming a favourite. What about you? What style of wrapping are you going with this year?

Day 9: Christmas Tree Rocky Road - Mrs Cake
Oh me, oh my!! These Rocky Road Christmas trees by Rosa look absolutely divine!! A great gift idea - a 'Christmas treat' for your family & friends
smile emoticon

Day 10: Christmas Book Advent Calendar - Nesting in the Country
If you are looking for an Advent Calendar that doesn't involve sweets or chocolate...check out Simone's amazing collection of Christmas Books, she has selected for their family tradition. This is a family tradition of ours too...wrapping 12 books and putting them under the Christmas tree - opening one book each night and reading it together as a family. It is such a great idea! START TODAY!

Day 11: Great Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Children - Outdoorsy NZ
Do you have an adventurous/outdoorsy child in your family? Michelle is sharing some great gift ideas over on her blog. Check them out today!

Day 12: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream - A Kiwi Mumma
What a gorgeous way to finish our collaboration, with these scrummy gingerbread cupcakes, with cinnamon buttercream (drool) - a nice alternative to gingerbread men! Check out the recipe >>>

*****

Thank you for visiting the '12 Days of Christmas - A Blog Collaboration', I do hope you enjoyed yourself, and found some inspiration along the way. Be sure to PIN and SHARE our posts with your friends and family, who might need a bit of Christmas inspiration, too. Remember to click the links or images above to be directed to the blogger's original post.

And lastly, a massive thank you to all the amazing Kiwi Mummy Bloggers involved in this collaboration. You are fantastic and it has been great working with you all.

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#inthepicture - December

Hello, we meet again...I can't believe we are in the last month of 2015, counting down the days 'til Christmas and then we will be welcoming the new year. WOW! Time flies when you are having fun, and I really hope you have been having fun this year - especially getting #inthepicture with your kiddies. If you are new to my blog, I was inspired by Bron from Maxabella Loves when she shared THIS post - encouraging mothers all around the world to basically get 'in the picture' with your kids - stepping out from behind the camera and getting in front of it. I have been sharing my photos since February 2015, and hope to continue this in 2016. It really is a great reminder to us all. You can see all of my previous #inthepicture posts HERE. 

Also on the 10th of every month, I dedicate this date to do a full back up of everything on my computer, including ALL of my photos (and as you can imagine, I have A LOT). It's reassuring to know this is done on a regular basis and if anything ever happens to my laptop - I know I have my back up in a safe place. Do you regularly back up your computer/photos? Maybe start today and mark it on your calendar. 

Did you get #inthepicture this month with your kids? Here's a few snapshots of me getting in the picture with mine...

Visiting our neighbour's awesome Christmas Light display

Mummy & Daughter

Our last Mainly Music for 2015

Selfie at Miss B's End of Year Celebration

 Getting 'crafty' with my son

From my family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

***Thank You Bron for inspiring me***

See you next month! 

Charlene

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Share the Joy of Giving: Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal

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‘Tis the season of giving, so take the opportunity to brighten a stranger’s Christmas.
This year I have been asked to spread the news about the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal in partnership with the Salvation Army. The annual Appeal, now in its 21st year, runs until 24th of December.

Many families each year go without a Christmas and the wish is to provide these families with gifts and a little festive cheer. Kmart has 18 stores across New Zealand and aims to collect 50,000 gifts for Kiwis who need a helping hand.

We can appreciate that one of the most valuable lessons we can teach and pass onto our children is compassion, kindness and thoughtfulness towards others. Even the smallest of gestures can bring a smile to someone’s face.

If you would like to be a part of this amazing Appeal, all you have to do is purchase a gift*, fill out a gift tag from any Kmart store, and place the gift under the Wishing Tree. *The gift doesn’t even have to be from Kmart, and it can be HANDMADE! (Used or second-hand gifts will not be accepted). For more details about the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, and different ways YOU can participate, click HERE.

My daughter, Miss B donating her gifts to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal. 

Proudly displaying our Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal tag on our own Christmas tree at home.

*** A GIFT FOR THE KIDS ***

Here are a few Christmas activities to keep your kids busy over the festive season – plus the added bonus of a few handmade decorations for the Christmas tree at home. Click on the image to be directed to the download page.

Will you be donating a gift to the 'Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal' this year?

Charlene

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