Toys...

She loves playing with them.

There is something magical about seeing your child explore how something works and what they can do with it.

Banging toys against other objects creating "music" seems to have been all the rage at the moment.

However there are times when she grasps a toy in those tiny little hands, studies it with those big blue eyes, gives it the quick 'taste test' to make sure its all okay, before amazingly using the toy for its intended purpose.

My clever little girl. Yesterday we explored play dough. The non-toxic variety in case of consumption, which I might add is highly likely to be consumed with any 13mth old child. The way she manipulated it in her hands. exploring the texture...just gorgeous.
Memories of toys that I played with in the past come flooding back when I watch her play.

Wouldn't it be great if as adults, we could take some time out just to play? How good would that be for the mind, body & spirit? I guess as a mum, I am fortunate enough that I can use my daughter as an excuse as to why I am playing with toys.

Lego was a big favourite of mine. I still can not believe that there is a place in the States called 'LegoLand'! It would be great to sit down and build something with lego right now.
Would love you to comment on this blog telling me what your favourite toy was growing up.

Maybe it was one of the images above? Maybe something different?

J. Robert Oppenheimer was quoted so well in Pearls of Wisdom,

There are children playing in the street who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perceptions that I lost long ago.

So keep playing. You never know when you may be called upon to solve a tricky physics problem :)

Cuddles!

Aren't they just the best!
OKAY...
WARNING!!!!! MUMMY MOMENT AHEAD...

I remember the first time I cuddled my newborn baby... breathing in that intoxicating scent of her skin, the scent that sent shock waves of love right through my mind, body and soul...

I knew I was in love.
Just like the Huggies commercial had told me in all those months of pregnancy;
"Must be love...love...love..."
This was my Huggies cuddle momentDuring those precious moments when Ashlyn would just snuggle in, falling asleep in my arms; I imagined all the amazing times ahead for our family.
I can remember telling my partner that I just simply could not wait until my precious little girl would walk up to me with arms wide open and give me a big cuddle with arms wide open.

Well today I said to my little one,
"Mummy wants a cuddle".
I opened up my arms. She looked up with those amazing blue eyes, smiled and came toddling up to me with arms wide open. With that, she wrapped those little arms around me as far they would go.
Two words to describe that feeling...."PURE HEAVEN!"My heart crumbled into a million pieces. I think the only thing that could possibly top that will be the day that she utters 4 magical little words...
"I love you mummy"

Good times. Good times.

We spent some time outside today.

On a blanket in the backyard, we took our favourite toy Shaun the Sheep along with some other random things to amuse us and we were set for some fun in the sun.

We are absolutely loving these Autumn days where the sun is just enough to warm your skin and the air is fresh.

The dogs were never too far away.

Winston had quickly stolen a ball from Ashlyn's ball pit on the back verandah and was out running a muck. Max chose to soak up some of the suns rays whilst having a snooze. Ashlyn started exploring her basket of goodies and I got snap happy!Enjoying a French baguette!

"Mmmm...You smell like sunshine!"

Several studies have shown that regular, unstructured playtime in nature makes kids smarter, calmer, more self-disciplined, more cooperative, and happier. As a child, I loved going outdoors. Sometimes it would be to play with my sisters on the trampoline, explore the reserve that backed onto our property, practice throwing netball passes, ride our bikes on the driveway and footpath or my number one favourite; to play with our dog Laddie. Miss you mate.

I want to make sure my daughter experiences that as well. I want to cuddle her on the lounge at the end of the day and inhale her beautiful scent and whisper to her "Mmmm, you smell like sunshine."

This afternoon Ashlyn, Winston, Max & I headed off to the park for some much needed sunshine. At the mere mention of the word 'walkies', the residents of our home were in a state of uncontrollable excitement to be heading out the door. Leads, drinks, baby bag, pram, camera and if Winston had a baby bag, his most important must have item to be packed would be a ball, so that was also included.

On arrival at the park, there was a race to see whose feet could touch the ground first.

The grass is just amazing at this time of year. Soccer season is just about to start so the grass is in pristine condition. It is a lush shade of green that is soft underfoot and I am sure the boys loved it under their paw pads.

There were many good times to be had.
Grass to run like the wind on...
New play equipment to explore...
Slippery Dips to slide on...
And at the end of the day, someone needed a ride home. It's a tough life!