Tickled Pink

I'm Back.......

2011-05-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

Well I am imagining that this has to be the longest time between posts for a Mummy Blogger. I think I might be back for good. Lots has happened in my life over the past 2 years and I felt that I had to deal with it before I put it out for others to read. I also felt I couldn't post "just stuff" when I was feeling so unhappy.
I am ready to share my thoughts now so I will give you a quick update of the past 2 years.
The first thing was my father was suffering from Cancer and sadly passed away in February 2010. I still find this hard to talk about and miss him everyday and the other thing was I was very unhappy with my career. I have taken some time out and I am being a stay at home Mum for a while... although I will need to find some type of job soon.
I am so lucky to have a very supportive husband who at any time soon will be posted to Sydney with his job as a fireman in the NSW Fire Brigades. I am not looking forward to this at all. Being a very career driven person myself I totally understand the need for him to do this (I just wish it was me)!
My girls are growing up! Octavia will be 8 in 2 weeks and has asked for a ipod touch for her birthday. She loves school and is now in year 2 and has many friends. She plays netball on the weekends and is CRAZY about dancing.... she is very committed to this and lasts year's highlight was her being part of a team that won an Australian title at the All Stars Cheerleading Nationals. I will post some photos over the next few weeks as a catch up.
Piper is 4 now and we laugh at her and with her everyday! We also wish at times we could give her away... She has a wicked sense of humor and is very egocentric. This makes my days very frustrating and funny at the same time. She goes to preschool 2 days per week and also LOVES dancing.
I have many great friends that have been supportive over the past few years, this I am very grateful for.
Two of my good girlfriend friends and I have recently launched a brand of handmade hair and jewellery accessories called 7 lil' girls so this is keeping me busy for the moment.
Now that I have started I feel that I have so much I want to share about my life.... so stayed tuned.

Thai Dinner and Dressing Up....

2009-01-20T02:39:00.000-08:00

On the 2nd of December Justin and I had been married 8 years!! We were both so busy with work and juggling kids between us that we forgot until the next day. So on the 3rd of December we went to the Thai restaurant for dinner as a family. Octavia is great to take out to dinner very grown up and eager to try different foods.

Well what can I say about Piper and going out to dinner!!! She just couldn't work out the cushion seats.

Piper and Lucy having a play in our backyard.

Piper is just getting into dress - ups. She found this in Octavia's collection and decided to dress- up.

Lots to catch up on!! First Dancing...

2008-12-29T02:59:00.000-08:00

Here she is at the end of a very long week of practice and concerts although she thinks it is all worth it when you get to bring home the BLING.

This segment is called Ice Palace. The performers were doing classical ballet. Octavia is in this photo somewhere!

Octavia ready for Ice Palace.

All ready to be a Show Pony in The Circus (tap dancing).

Octavia The Buzzy Bee in Bottom of the Garden (jazz ballet).

Octavia's School for 2009

2008-10-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

Octavia is very excited about starting School in 2009. Recentley we had her school interview with the Principal and she also met the Kindergarten teacher. We have received a letter and she has been accepted into the Central Wagga Wagga Catholic School called St Josephs Primary School. Sadly in the early hours of the morning of Australia Day 2008 the school was the target of a arsen attack by a few teenage boys. The school has not been used all year as the site had to be assessed, insurance claims etc. It has now been decided and work started to rebuild on the same site. The school should be finished in about twelve months. Here are a few pictures of the devastation.

The picture below is the house across the road from the burnt out school ,this is currently the school office and the gate to the right leads to the temperary class rooms. The school has done a great job this year with the facilities available. I imagine they are all eager for the school to be rebuilt.

This will be the gate Octavia goes in, her class room is the first one on the left. "She is sooooo excited - she has orientation this Thursady"

Oh Yes we have a Wabbit!!!!

2008-10-26T03:20:00.000-07:00

I need to apologise that I have not done a post for ages. "SORRY" Life has been busy and I have been a bit lazy. Well as you can see we have a lovely black loop eared Wabbit called Lucy. Piper just wore us down and we caved. Haha . The girls just love her and she is growing huge as the days go by. They love to feed her beans every day.

Lucy has huge feet "everyone tells us it means that she will be a big rabbit" She will probably be bigger than our dog Millie. Haha

Piper having her first supervised cuddle!!! This is after she crawled into the box of 7 baby rabbits at the Sunday markets when we said she could have one!!!

Poppy Dave arrived from Tasmania for a visit and first job he got was to go buy the girls a rabbit hutch "THANKS POPPY DAVE AND JOYCEY" and then help Justin put it together.

Lucy's new home, all settled in.......

Hair do's, baking, playing and Piper wants a Wrabbit!!!!

2008-09-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

Octavia likes her hair curley so we used the Avon twist rollers. It did turn out lovely although I forgot to take a photo that day. Maybe because she was awake at 6am taking them out showing me her hair..Agrrr! That night she also did some baking with Justin a lovely love heart chocolate cake. Mmmm!

Both the girls had haircuts this week. Here is Piper co-operating (it did help the hairdresser gave her a bag of lollies - smart hairdresser)

We have new play equipment at the park in our street, so here they are giving it the once over.

Now, this is all Piper talks about. Her cousin Jake has a rabbit "Fluffy". She loves it and cries when she leaves their house saying "Wrabbit". She has now taken to walking around our house crying saying "Wrabbit". Daddy has nearly..... given in. I bet by next blog we have a WRABBIT!!!!

Daddy's B'day & Father's Day.....

2008-09-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

On the 6th of September Justin celebrated his 37th Birthday!

Piper loved the balloons that Octavia blew up for Daddy!!!

The following day was Father's Day and we had a picnic at the park. This is Octavia, Jake (my brother's son) and Piper.

Justin was trying to do some gardening with his helpers!!!!

What are they up to? I don't know!!!

Very Spoilt & some gardening....

2008-08-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

We finally found some "In the Night Garden " toys today and Piper scored well with a Upsy Daisy Dolly and a Igglepiggle Doll. She just loves them and calls Daisy "Daisy Do". Both the dolls sing and make noises when you squeeze their belly. Here she is ready for bed and she is showing me her nose. I hope Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy don't keep her up all night.

We planned to do some small gardening jobs today, Octavia was keen to help Justin plant some panzies in some pots out the front and also some strawberry plants in the strawberry pot.

Piper wasn't that interested in the gardening she was just happy do some drawing on the easel.

Toooo... Cute!

2008-08-24T03:01:00.000-07:00

Piper now poses for the camera, I took these photo's yesterday and had to share them with you! Because we just think she is gorgeous.....

www.ricwoods.com

2008-07-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

We are very lucky as Great Uncle Ric is a little handy with a camera so as we were staying at Ric and Pip's at Newcastle the girls went and hung out in the studio with Ric for a photo shot!

Newcastle

2008-07-31T04:56:00.000-07:00

We went to Newcastle to visit Justin's family. His cousin Maree has a beautiful new baby boy Cruz. We went to his naming ceremony and hung out with Justin's Aunty Pip and Uncle Ric for a few days. Much fun was had! Octavia loved meeting her new second cousin Cruz.

Piper was more interested in Cruz's toys than him!

We visited Nobby's Beach and the kiddies just loved it. This was Piper's first time in the sand on a beach. Great Aunty Pip and Great Uncle Ric were in charge of the sand castle making. They came well prepared check out the size of the shovel.

Pipie with her Great Aunty Pip.

Great Uncle Ric(Lol) was clever at finding star fish on the rocks.

Disney on Ice and Chinese......

2008-07-31T04:19:00.000-07:00

In the school holidays we spent a few days in Sydney catching up with some friends. On the last Friday of the holidays Cazie (Octavia's godmother) Octavia and I had tickets to Disney on Ice. We met up also with my friend Kylie and her daughter Paige. The girls Tav and Paige couldn't take their eyes of the performers it was great.

Cazie, Octavia and Paige.

After Disney we went to a Chinese resturant for dinner. Octavia wanted to use the chop sticks, so Cazie gave her a quick lesson.

Quick learner!! Had to be or be hungry!

Piper had fun eating her chicken and corn soup. Very grown up!!

Piper's Favourite Thing

2008-07-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Piper is now 19months old and has a favourite TV show. This is the only thing that she will stop and watch on the television it's called "In The Night Garden" It is a bit crazy but she just loves it. When she hears the show starting she runs to the TV shouting "Night, Night" So funny!! I have managed to find a few books of it in the shops and she reads the books all day long. I'm waiting for the DVD to be released in Australia (not till August) figured it could be handy at times. Ha ha. I have put a little preview for you to enjoy.

Octavia (Scarlet) Bentley.

2008-07-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I just had to put this photo up to show you our sick chickie. She was complaining of sore ears and nose and looked a little like she had hay fever or sinus her lips then became swollen late yesterday afternoon and after a visit to our GP was told maybe allergic reaction but if gets worse take her to hospital. About 10pm last night I wasn't comfortable with her going to bed as it looked worse and she was distressed. On arrival at the hospital I have never seen so many excited Doctors and Nurses as another little girl had presented two hours before with the same symptoms as Octavia and they believed that she had Scarlet Fever but as there had been no other cases weren't sure. So she is now at home resting and taking her drugs. (I think I need a few myself as didn't really sleep last night). She is still very red and rashie and uncomfortable but hopefully on the mend. Takes about a week and then the skin may peel off that was red. Yeah, How nice. Anyway I will keep you updated.

All Grown Up

2008-06-28T05:11:00.001-07:00

This evening Octavia had her midyear dance display. She has jazz, ballet and tap lessons once a week and tonight all the students performed in their classes to show the parents what they have been learning. These photos are not the best as they were moving and had to zoom in. Octavia is in the middle of each photo. She was very confident and I realised how grown up she is.

Silver Medal Time

A Very Special Dolly

2008-06-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

Justin's Station Officer "Sally" (his boss) arrived at our house the other day with this very special dolly for Octavia's 5th Birthday. Sally had asked her Mum to knit this for Octavia, it is a ballet dancer girl her name is Rosebud and yes that is a rosebud on her bottom! Octavia has taken her to bed everynight (with the 4 bunnies).

Just Things At Our House

2008-06-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

The other weekend I went to Sydney and found this cool jewellery hanger. All my necklaces were all messy in the wardrobe so this is much better.

After we tidied up the jewellery. Justin arrived home with the shoe organizer. Maybe it was because I had arrived home from Sydney with 5 new pairs of shoes.

These are our Hermit crabs, their names are Wayne, Dwayne and Shelly. I got them some new painted shells in Sydney so we are waiting for them to move to the new shells.

This looks very strange but I had to add a photo of this to show Carolyn. Octavia's godmother 'Carolyn' gave her this hatching crocodile and the growing unicorn below and she wanted to see how they turned out, so Octavia told me to put them on the blog to show Cazie. So here they are after a week of growing in the water.

Parties and Pressies

2008-06-09T05:12:00.001-07:00

Princess perfume and a pink footy "What every five year old girl wants for her birthday".

Next was roller skates "Justin did check our health insurance"!!!

After having a quick lesson with Justin, I found her on the lounge reading her book!!!

She was checking up how to roller skate. She is soo.. by the book!!

All ready for the birthday party. Beautiful sweet girls! "Maybe"

Birthday Cakes

2008-06-09T04:50:00.000-07:00

I am lucky that Justin's Mother (Nannie Chel) is clever at making cakes so the girl's just put their order in and they turn up looking like they are straight out of the book. This was Octavia's cake for her birthday yesterday. She was very excited about turning FIVE hence the cake.

I just had to show you last years cake (Octavia's 4th Birthday) I'm sure it took Nannie Chel two days to make. "amazing"

New Boots and Parties

2008-05-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

All the kiddies were lucky enough to get new boots the other day. Here is Octavia and her cousin Jake modeling their new boots on Henny's coffee table "Like you do when you get new boots".

When you hear someone say big TV's are a waste of money "not true". Food and TV keep the kiddies quiet at Henny and Poppy's.

Piper joined in some boot modeling with Octavia.

Our little friend Sofia turns 2 this week and we celebrated with her many cousins and friends.

We are the best kiddie wrangler's around we had the children (eleven of them 5 and under) very orderly for dinner.

Cupcakes and Pedicures

2008-05-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

Tavie and Daddy made some yummy pink cupcakes!!

Tonight at Tav's preschool the children had a night where they treated their Mum's to massages, manicure and pedicures. Just wasn't sure about the purple nail polished she insisted on putting on my nails. Very professional they were.

Been busy!

2008-05-08T01:30:00.000-07:00

The twins ready for bed. They are going to hate me when they are older!

This was soo... yummy I had to share it!

This is what the girls get to do if Justin is late home from work. I don't think they mind that they have to come to work with me.

Piper demonstrates her child care skills. She will graduate soon with a Diploma as her class attendance has been often since she was 6 weeks old.

Justin took the girls to the park to practice their boat driving skills over the winter period.

Visiting Friends

2008-04-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Cazie, Octavia and Piper. Apparently head lollies are all the go in Sydney!

Justin, Piper, Packi & Octavia having breakie at Manly Beach. Hoodies are also the go.

Justin, Tav and Pipie catching up with Piper's god parents Packi and Kay.

Our friend Paige opening her birthday present.

We also caught up with Octavia's god father Stewart. His little girl is three months older than Piper and she didn't know what the rides were for in shopping malls. The Bentley girls are full of knowledge to share with other children. I'm sure Grace will often show Stewart and Helen the rides on shopping trips from now on.

Cute Stuff

2008-04-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

Octavia's dancing bootie. These are what she has collected for doing Jazz, Tap and Ballet over the year. They are participation awards, she is very proud of them.

Piper in her TUMMY TUB!

Piper off for a drive.

Piper being FUNNY, asking if she is in a Where's Wally book.

My new clock. I was given a gift voucher at my favourite homewares store from the preschool that I have worked at for the last 5 years as a farewell pressie.

Octavia's Day

2008-04-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Octavia's day started with a bubbacino.

Then off for a pony ride.

A little bit of a makeover.

Afternoon tea with her cousin Jake. Chocolate fountain with marshmellows and strawberries.

Gone Fishing

2008-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Justin and Octavia heading down to the lagoon at the end of our street for the annual fisharama. The idea is to open it for fishing for one day a year to clean carp out of the lagoon.We purchased a $8.96 pink fishing tackle box from Big W in preparation. Justin felt well equiped although he did mention he didn't want to catch a fish because he didn't have a fishing net. Very keen he was! (Can you see the coffee in his hand that might be because he has a little hangover) Ha ha

Octavia had a ball, Justin was very skilled at throwing the line from the hand reel out, only hooked a willow tree a few times and lost a few bits of tackle.LOL
Sadly no fish were caught by the Bentley team although the pros were pulling them in everywhere (massive).

After fishing, out for coffee and it was all too much for Piper.

Sunday arvo we had jobs to catch up on. Piper helped Dadda clean the boat to pack away for winter.

Piper has found a stubby holder. Good job Pipie

Easter Bunny Time

2008-03-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

We started with two bunnies! "BIG MISTAKE"

It is soooo true what they say about rabbits! Aren't the twins cute at the front. Ha Ha.

Piper checking out if the Easter Bunny has come through with the goods.

"Octavia better not have more than me!" "Because I will just take them!"

"More"

Boat Time

2008-03-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

First ski of the day goes to Dadda!

Dadda getting his ski fix like some kind of crazed junkie!

Dadda says "Now Pip's what do ya reckon me and you have a ski together."

Tavie our skiing chickie!

Tav's reward after a hard day skiing. Abby(left),Tav(middle),Bailey(right)

Chocolate

2008-03-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Piper is wondering why Henny and Poppy are giving her
socks for easter "Where is the chocolate?"

" Now that's more like it" says Piper

Yum!

"Princesses in training!"

Welcome

2008-03-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog. We are hoping our blog site will

give you all a good pink fix by checking out what our

gorgeous chickies have been up too.