Justin Bieber eat your heart out....

So I was sitting on the lounge the other night, sifting through ipad photos to email to family members, ones that looked like this :

and this:

 

Or this: 

You know, the "Yes we had a merry christmas,holidays are going well, check out these obligatory happy schnaps" type photos.

As I looked and collected I discovered numerous photos like this:

and this:

and this!

Clearly in those quiet moments when I dare sneak to the toilet, have a shower, do laundry or think about cooking dinner the gremlins creep in and hijack!

One of my favourites by far however had me in STITCHES on the couch, tears streaming down my face,  in fits of snorting belly rumbling laughter. This little video filmed in secret by Master 6 (who fancies himself a little bit Michael Jackson, a pinch of Elvis and a whole lotta popstar!) check out the face!

Thought of the moment:

"Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."

Anon

Free school holiday fun with small children....and snails!

Before Josie got chickens, this is what we liked to do with our snails....turn them into pets! Beautiful, shiny, sparkly, glittery pets...

A little nail-polish can go a looonnnggg way on a snail! We transformed their shells into moving works of art.
Now I thought about writing a tutorial on this, but figured you would know what to do! Don't worry, they aren't as hard to catch as you might imagine...try the stalk and pounce approach, then when you pick them up dangle them by their shell and then make girly squealing noises when they start "blowing bubbles, Mummy!!!"

Then of course we had to name them all. 

So what does one name a snail?

With a four year old and almost 2 year old this is what we came up with...

Ruby

Snow White

Mandarin

Sparkles

Rosie

Pinky

Violet

Pearl 

What do you think? Better names than the 7 dwarfs right? I know, my girls are VERY creative!!

And the fun didn't stop there. Once we had painted and named them all we had to:

Watch them race (I know, its cruel and should be banned!)

Watch them climb Rapunzel's tower (aka an icecream bucket)

Hide them in the garden and play "where's the snail"

Make snail towers (no snails where harmed in the making of said towers)

And then the next 3 or 4 days, EVERY morning the first thing we had to do was race out to the garden to play 'find the snail'!

The look on her face says it all really, doesn't it? ❤

Now before you go thinking I have become a big softie...this was the last snail-loving activity we ever performed in our garden...as only a week later The Owl household got CHICKENS!! Yes, my snail loving days were over in an instant..we became the Snail Hunters in The Elephant garden and those chickens started getting FAT!

What do you do with the kids to create memories during the holidays?

Thought of the moment:

Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but a man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly

honesty is the best policy

Children are without a doubt the most honest people in the world. When faced with the everyday questions like "do you like my cooking", "how does my hair look" or "does this outfit make my bum look big" I have learnt NEVER to ask ANY of my children!
"Mum it isnt too bad, I just like it better when Nonna makes it".
"Your hair looks great - I like how it is all fluffy".
"No it doesnt make your bum look big, your bum looked big before you put it on and your tummy is like jelly, I like how it wobbles when you laugh" 



So today we invite you to take a leaf out of their book. We really moustache you a question and welcome your responses with the same childlike honesty we hear from our lovelies everyday.....

 What do you think of our flashy new website?

Please be honest, though our feelings (and our ego's) may be bruised and battered we are ready for it!! What do you think? Easy to use? Nice to look at? Marks out of ten? All that jazz?

Off you go... put on your best critics hat (or moustache what ever takes your fancy) and tell us what you think!

 Thought of the moment:

Beware of the half truth.  You may have gotten hold of the wrong half.  ~Author Unknown

karrraaaatttte CHOP!

Life is full of those little "heart break" moments. Today I am having a moment.So just bare with me on this one.

I remember back when I was a teenager and I so desperately wanted this particular item of clothing that hung in the window of a shop I walked past every.single.day on my way to TAFE - it taunted me with its come hither looks and its "I'm new and you can't have me" smell.  Oh I CAN have you - and I WILL! I saved all my babysitting money and it was mine. At least I thought it was. That top that had teased me for three weeks was gone. Somebody else had bought it. Heartbroken.

When my first ever "real" boyfriend broke it off with me. ( thats the nice way of saying I got ditched) Heartbroken.

When my hair just wouldn't do what it was supposed to. Heartbroken.

Now? Four kids latter, I sit here thinking about my "babies" (one of whom is 8 now, they will ALWAYS be my babies) and think wow, I wish I was only ever "someone else bought that top I wanted" heartbroken. Not I would move mountains to stop this happening to you heartbroken. Who would have ever thought with a "job"" that could be so damn awesome would come so many tears.

I have these moments about ALL of my children. I love each and every one of them more than I ever thought was humanly possible.These particular tears however are for my baby baby. Little Maximus Owl who was born 8 weeks early fighting for life but doing just that - fighting. His little gladiator name suited him to a tee as he fought against the odds, screwed his little button nose up at the doctors and said "pfft - I don't need your help breathing, didn't you catch my name? I can do it myself!"

Now my little baby is two and facing his second bilateral eye operation for a squint. He is beautiful. I know I know EVERYONE says their kids are beautiful. Mine REALLY TRULY RULY are beautiful ( totally no bias at all of course) and the fact that there is anyone else out there that looks at my littlest big man and sees anything but what I see breaks my heart.

On the odd occasion we go shopping, well we do this alot (ALOT) and we often get comments or looks or those innocent children with the "MUM mum mum MUUUUM look, whats wrong with his eyes?" . I want to crash tackle them ALL and tell them how when I cuddle him he likes to play with that little soft bit on my ear lobe, or how he is the most ticklish right underneath his bum - that little spot just before his nappy. Or how he has just learnt not 1, not 2 but THREE new words. He isn't all about the eyes - he is so so so much more and I love him so much that my heart literally feels like it could explode and if I could, for one second - for the rest of his lifetime - take away all the comments, all the operations and all the pain I would in a heartbeat. I would undergo a million katrillion eye operations if I could just save him from this one.

Once whilst shopping we took our goods up to the counter to pay and the lady looked at Max and smiled, then she turned to the three ladies behind the counter and called them over "Girls, ( I cant remember the names she was calling) come over here, you have GOT to see this little boy - he is SO cute - look! he is going cross eyed at me!!" she said as she tried to return the favor by going cross eyed at him.
I gripped my fingers ever so tightly around the handle of the trolley. I would not ninja roll the counter and beat her with my purse. I would not! I politely told her he had a squint and therefor no choice, gripped the handle a little tighter and.calmly.walked.away. Put the kids in the car, my head on the steering wheel and sobbed. My heart broke. I saw Max's little life floating in front of my eyes. The cruel comments from the other kids at school. The first rejection from that girl he likes ( that I have of course hand picked and preapproved because this is my vision and thats how ALL my kids life partners are chosen) and then I saw myself, commando roll through my own little dream and take them ALL out with one ninja kick WHHHHHAAAACHHHAAAAAA ( that's the noise I would make) HE IS BEAUTIFUL.

I know that life will throw so many hurdles at him, squinty eye or not. There will be times he comes to me for advice, for a bandaid, for a hug and in a selfish way I look forward to every single one of them. Its the times I can do nothing about, nothing but sit back and watch that break my wee little heart. Yes I know I know, thats life and life happens and things happen and these experiences will shape him to be the man he is going to be and it will be awesome and he will be great and and and and YES I have heard them all and somewhere deep down inside I know its all true -but today, the day before he screams whilst they put him to sleep. The day before he screams when he wakes in that room full of nurses that he doesnt know desperately looking for me because all he wants to do is rub that soft spot on my ear lobe, today - the day before he screams because it hurts. Today I am just going to cry a little and pray that this time it will work and it will all be ok and wish above everything else in this world that I could take it all away.

That and ninja chop anyone who stands in our way. He is Beautiful and he is my baby. Perfect in every.single.way.

Thought of the moment:

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Stop the clock!!!

*Sigh* today master 5 owl became master 6. Where does the time go? Born 6 weeks early, weighing little more than a bag of sugar and struggling for life he went from this:

to this:

He is such an incredible blessing and we just love him to bits!!! He is our funny man. Our little performer. Always out for a laugh ( is it not unbelievable how funny the word "poo" is to a 5/6 year old?), always having a dance ( he moonwalks like an absolute champ!), always singing a song ( I would like to have serious words with the person who introduced him to "peanut butter jelly time" google it. Its not as funny the 100th time). I can not even imagine what he will be when he "grows up" I still remember him telling me at the age of 3 that he wanted to "be a mummy whene I'm growed up cause they get so many hugs and always get to choose whats for dinner"  *sigh*

The night before birthdays I always find myself as excited as a child myself. Wrapping presents and blowing up balloons - Every birthday I make sure my kids wake up to a "carpet" of balloons in their room. I LOVE hearing them wake up to it - it never seems to grow old and each year they are just as excited at the sight of them as the last. The morning always starts incredibly early with those excited "whispers" outside my bedroom door "shhhhhh is she awake? should we go in? *giggle giggle* " followed by 3 small "intruders" jumping on the bed, the retrieval of baby owl from the cot, mountains of torn wrapping paper and waaaaay to many toys!

He is so "grown up" now that Master 6 decided dinner at a restaurant was needed. As is the norm with our family the table booked for 7 soon became a table booked for 20. Many a laugh was had and we could all but hear the sigh of relief from the wait staff (and our fellow diners) as they relised that the loud, over the top table from the back was leaving!

His birthday party is on sunday and unfortunately somebody forgot to shake me when I said "oh lets have it at home!" WHAT WAS I THINKING??!! Stay tuned.... Sunday nights blog post could be a doosey!!
What are your plans for the weekend? Whatever it may be we hope it is filled with love, laughter, family and copious cups of tea and chocolate!





 Thought of the moment:
 Just a bit of fun tonight! - Go to google maps, hit "get directions" Type in "china" with "taiwan" as your destination. Read step number 48. Commence laughter!!

find of the moment...

Love it when your researching *cough* wasting time on the net *cough* and you come across something that just makes your heart smile!

I (Josie) have been desperately searching for ways to calm master 6's night time terrors and through the wonders of Pinterest (don't know what that is? Google it... now!!) I found this.....

Isn't it cute? And just a incy bit brilliant? I am off to buy a spray bottle tomorrow fo shizzle!! I would love to hear of your favourite internet finds. Leave us a comment with a link so we can go take a gander too!


Whilst speaking of things I love I thought I would chuck in just a couple more.....

Our local shopping centre has a little public noticeboard and I think I am going to post one of these on it:

and this.... well my exercise routine is sorted!!!

Nat having just become the proud mother of a BEAUTIFUL little SLR camera is imagining this on her wall....

and in light of her OBSESSION (yes Nat ... we both know you have a problem!) can also imagine this hanging somewhere...

What have you found online lately that you just love love love? We would love you to leave us a link!!!

Meanwhile, Mr Owl is complaining he has no clean socks so I'm off to ...

 *sigh*


Thought of the moment:


Women speak because they wish to speak, whereas a man speaks only when driven to speech by something outsider himself - like, for instance, he can't find any clean socks.

Jean Kerr

Babyccino's and best friends.....

A day in the life of  "busy" Owl and the Elephant mini me's!!

SMILE! you mean like this?

ohhhh like this!!!

                                                                

Do we have something on our face?

mmm sugar...

There's something about Mischa in a There's Something About Mary kinda way.......

                                                    

Quote of the day..... "Best friends wear matching sparkly tops, Mum."

mother of the year award....

Do you ever have one of those days where you sit back on the couch at night, your legs ache because your just plain exhausted, your throat hurts from maybe yelling one too many times today and the kids are all in bed despite the fact bedtime does not actually hit for another two hours ( thanking your lucky stars they have not yet caught on to the fact mum has been winding the clock forward!!) You think back over your day and realise that today is NOT the day you will be recieving the mother of the year award!! My (Josie's) most recent mother of the year day started with good intentions.


Maximus woke with JUST enough time for me to pack both him and Bella boo into the car and race to the local shops to buy some craft materials for an after school activity - head held high feeling mighty good about what a great mother I am. I left the shops, put our goodies in the boot, buckled Bella in her seat, buckled Max into his, shut the car door - "click" car locks itself. Hmm ok weird - go to grab my keys and unlock the car.........
The keys which are sitting INSIDE the car next to Max!!!

Moment of panic followed by MANY moments of insanity "Bella, sweetheart, see the red button on your seat? Yes that one - press it! no two hands sweetheart! yes thats it - yep REALLLLY hard" tears - not happening, Bella looking at me like I have lost the plot, Max screaming wondering what the hell mum is doing, Bella realising something is going wrong and screaming too!!

I turn helplessly to the man returning to his car beside me - "please will you go get someone - I have locked my kids in the car!!!" to be met with a "Sorry I'm in a hurry" followed by him speeding off!

Next man a little more agreeable, gets security who call RAC and stock up on supplies (water and snacks for the kids for when they get "released"). RAC arrive, kids out of car in two seconds flat, me a sobbing mess blowing big snot bubbles, Max a sobbing mess blowing bg snot bubbles, Bella a sobbing mess blowng big snot bubbles, a kazillon rubber neckers checking out the action. Group hug -  MOTHER OF THE YEAR!!!

Now I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing this will NEVER happen again and offering you all the opportunity to NEVER experience my day of sorrow!!! Check these little doo lackys out:

Our latest product! Key fobs/key rings/wristlets AND lanyards!! PERFECTOMUNDO!!!

Need one ASAP? Head to our website and buy away!!

As they say... the proof is in the pudding - look how beautiful my keys look!!! I solemly swear I have NOT locked my kids in the car since!!!!

Thought of the moment:

Don't lock your kids in the car... they don't like it!!!

bubble wrap

The Owl and the Elephant offspring + one gigantic roll of bubble wrap = hours of entertainment!! Now where to post them to......

STOP.. Hammertime!

So you know those days when someone just has to say a word or you just have to see a picture and thats IT! Its stuck... that annoying little song that just goes round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round in your head - even MORE anoying when you only know two words and the rest is all " da da da da dum dum de de da da" .
This did it for me today.....

Now all I can do is - stop! Hammertime! Lucky its such a cool picture hey? (and a cool song *blush* ).
What song gets stuck in your head?

Our kids have been doing a bit of the same to each other - Bella Owl has such an obsession with Michael Jackson she has totally terrified Evie Elephant with Zombies from Thriller and Evie Elephant has such an obsession with The wizard of Oz she has totally terrifed Bella Owl with talk of cyclones and being "swept away" lucky they are so damn cute hey? Do your kids have any fears (irrational or otherwise!) that have been passed on by others?

Anyway fluff and fancy aside - we are VERY super dooper oupper exited to be attending not only Market Girl but also Perth Upmarket  where we will be showcasing our awesomely awesome (orse even!) range of homewares, handcrafted goodies and delectable delightful range of beautiful fabric covered light switch covers, baby wipes cases, chalk mats, fabric baskets, serving trays, glass dishes, screens and more!!!
We so hope to see you there!!! What will you be keeping your eye out for?

moments

ahhhhh the moment you realise all the kids have left the room and your STILL dancing to Hi-5. Alone.

Or the moment you get home from a full days shopping and socialising to discover that you had your top on inside out ... the WHOLE TIME!!

Realising you have baby vomit all down your left shoulder .... realising others have all ready noticed it to.

Discovering you have sat on your phone and rung a family member whilst sitting back whinging to a friend... about said family member.

Watching your son finger painting on the walls - then realising he is fingerpainting with all your expensive eyeshadows.

Wondering why the cake tastes so funny, then realising the "salt" is sitting right next to the "sugar"

Being handed a hand drawn "The Owl and the Elephant"  by Master Owl aged 5 years..................

How blessed are we hey?

Thought of the moment:

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.
Franklin P

Master 8.....

In a few short weeks this little owl baby.....

Who now looks a little more like this......

Will be turning 8!! I have NO idea how that happened and am now in a panic as to what to get him!!  SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!! link me to some gorgeous online shops, show me some unique ideas, share your solutions to my problem!! please??


Thought of the moment:

Some Parents say it is toy guns that make boys warlike. But give a boy a rubber duck and he will seize its neck like the butt of a pistol and shout "BANG!" 


 George F Wills

Out of the Mouths of Babes....

So faithful follower, you might find yourself wondering a little more about "The Owl and the Elephant" so let us share with you a bit more about who we are.

"The Owl" is Josie - Sydneysider at heart, relocated to Perth 4 years ago. Married to Tyler and mum to 4 beautiful children Toby (8 in March, gees when did that happen?) Alex (5) Bella (3) and Max (18 mths)

"The Elephant" is Nat - Perth born and bred, married to Chris and mum to two gorgeous girls Evie (3) and Mischa (10 mths)

We are both incredibly blessed in our families as our children are just amazing (and we are not biased AT ALL!). And they all get on incredibly well (99.9% of the time anyway!)
The Owl and the Elephant is our newest baby. It has been such a joy getting it "up and running" and learning to juggle our kids, our home life, our social life and our work life but we have loved every minute.

Our families provide incredible support and  life with kids... well, they just make everything so much fun! To be able to see what they see for just a moment, to "simplify" life through the eyes of a child would I'm sure be a breath of fresh air into many lives.... to be just as happy with a brand new flashy toy as with seeing a furry caterpillar in the garden.

Recently our church put on a pantomime "Snow White and her Motley Crew" and the kids just LOVED it.
A few days later as I (Mrs Owl) was sitting at home, Miss 3 came toddling in to me wearing her clickly plastic $3 Target heels...and so began the following conversation:
"Mum, do we have any poisoned apples?"
"Ah, no I think we are fresh out of poisoned apples"
"Ohhh but Prince Charming won't come! I need to be poisoned!!"
"You don't need a Prince Charming yet sweetheart"
"Noo but I want his horse!!!"

Sometimes kids say the darndest things! I still remember when Master 7 came to me with this pearl of wisdom:
"Mum Superman must have had a pretty bad mum - she never taught him that undies go on the inside" (he was 3 at  the time!)

Then of course there is Mrs Elephant's eldest daughter Evie, who once informed me she could not go swimming "because I forgot my water skin!". She loves nothing more than playing with her Owl and the Elephant Doctors kit and once came to Mrs Elephant with kit in tow... "Mummy, let me check your heart. OH NO! You are VERY sick! You have snake germs!!!"

What do YOU do with all these moments?  I have come to the decision that it is time to start writing them all down so they don't get forgotten. These moments pass by so quickly! Blink and they are gone, that 3 year old who was so concerned about Superman's underpants is suddenly 16 and wayyyyyy too cool to care!

We would love to hear some of the funny things your kids have come out with.

Thought of the moment:
Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone