Snow-much fun

The week after Sofia's birthday we heading to the snow fields. We booked in accommodation earlier in the year, and as it turned out we couldn't have picked a better weekend!

We were there for three days, and two of those were perfect weather. I organised a lesson for myself and the kids on the second day we were there, although unfortunately that ended up being the coldest day. Poor Sofia just got too cold and didn't want to continue after around 20 minutes. But the next day, with the sun out, she was all smiles again.

I wasn't sure how Alex would go with the ski lesson but was pleasantly surprised. He kept with it, and was so proud to see how well he did and so happy watching him enjoying it so much! The only way to get him into the car at the end of the day was to promise him another go the next day...

Alex and I on the chairlift... he was so excited!

But then the next day we didn't have another day up our sleeves to promise him... so he miserably climbed into the car to head back home. I think we'll have to take him back next year!

I first tried skiing a couple of years before Alex was born—and only for a couple of hours! So this was pretty much my first decent attempt at the sport. Between my lesson and some patience from Al who also gave me some one-on-one lessons, by the end of the three days I was feeling pretty good about my new-found skills... albeit rather tired and with very sore muscles!

We're not sure if we'll manage to get to the slopes again before the last of snow disappears as we're now are in saving-mode for our upcoming overseas trip... more about that soon!

Until next time x

My Princess Sofia

I can't believe how much time has past since I last posted! Al and I are going overseas soon, so between usual routines with kids and work, I've been researching and preparing for that. However, I do have something I haven't yet shared with you...

My baby girl turned 4 last month... Four! Can you believe it? I barely can. And all she wanted was a Princess Sofia (from Disney's Sofia the First) dress. As I couldn't find one in the shops, I decided that I'd attempt to make one and make it an extra-special birthday gift.

Using a picture from the internet, I decided to simply modify the Butterick dress pattern that I used in April, as this was a really easy pattern to follow and I knew it would fit Sofia. I added some simple cap sleeves, added some length and a white under-layer to the skirt (which I finished off with some purple ribbon, scalloped the edges of the upper-skirt, added some applique and embellishments... and ta-da! I'm pretty happy with the final result. And so was Sofia, which of course is the main thing!

Sofia had a party with her little friends from child-care the week before her actual birthday. Ahead of that I made up some simple shoulder bags to be used as party-bags... They took an afternoon to cut the fabric, and then once I got going at the sewing machine I got all 10 little bags done in an evening.

The girls were all so excited when they got their little bags at the party! And Sofia placed each one over her friends' heads as though she was awarding them with a prize... ah, she's a funny little thing.

Until next time x