Lately... Summer is in the air

Keeping up with the my Blog has been a big challenge.

I have to confess, looking after my 3 little monkeys and working on Sweet Lavender And Chili Flakes barely leaves me time for showers and toilette breaks...

Yesterday, though, I was lucky enough to go the hairdresser, for the first time in a year!!!

To be honest, our day didn't start off very well. Baby Conor is badly teething, and he was nursing all night long. At 5 o'clock I had enough... I brought him downstairs and our day had begun...

So, I spent a few hours at the hairdresser. I mean, my hair was really in a very bad condition. Even the lady who looked after me felt sorry for how bad it looked... 

We had a long nice chat while she was working on me. 
I told her all about the kids and my busy days. When I was leaving she said: "Treat yourself to a night out, luv, you look beautiful!"

Well, I didn't go out last night, but once the kids were in bed after they had their bath and story, big Conor and I had a lovely dinner with our au pair, Sofia.
Friendship in the making...

... and I'm back!

OMG, over 7 months since I wrote my last post!

Yep, we've been quite busy over here...

Let's start with some updates, then.

The BIG big news is that, we have a new little monkey in our zoo, baby Conor Sebastian has arrived... 3months ago!

Baby Conor was born on 21st October, the day after his big brother's birthday. We had a quite rough start, but we're getting better. He is such a handsome boy, with fair hair and the softest skin I've ever touched. He's a smiler, like his brother and sister. 

Our family feels now completed...

... The second big news is that I finally opened my little online Shop on Etsy. It's called Lavender And Chili, and it's full of colourful handmade treasures made by me.

... You should stop by sometimes...
If you are wondering, I don't know how do I find time for sewing and making "stuff"... I just do it. I find always a hour here and there...It's my therapy for stress relief, it's my way to keep myself sane, I guess.

Our life is beautifully frenetic, we are always'on the go' but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

We are very lucky to have each other and above all we are so lucky to have nonna Lucia to help us...

My mom spent over two months with us when baby Conor was born. We couldn't survive without her. I'm so thankful for what she's done for us, and for her devoted support. She is actually coming back in the next few weeks, and we CANNOT wait to see her. 

We love you nonna!

At the beach!

One week in Italy and we finally got to go to the beach!!!

The first few days we were in Vibo Marina the weather was quite unstable. We got a few sunny sprouts but also some wind and rain... the kids were not very impressed with the Italian weather 
Sam got a BEAUTIFUL present from my mom. At least he was happy enough to spend some time cycling around "our" holiday house....

Any way... our holidays have officially started!

It was Shannon and bump first time at the beach...

... Shannon wasn't really happy with the "cold" water, though...

... while Sam was so excited...

We are going to have a fantastic time!

A few productive weeks...

Sam and Shannon are finally feeling better, no more chicken pox, no more tears, no more scratching and itching... Yuppie!!!

It has been quite tough with the kids sick. Trying to entertain, and console them while they were feeling down. Besides, the weather in Ireland wasn't the best, so, we were not able to spend much time outside. 

But... it's all over now... the kids are doing great, the sun is shinning again, and we just started our Summer holidays in Italy.

While the kids were sick, I've spent so much time in the house, I had to find a way to keep my self "sane". So, I've been sewing and crafting like a crazy woman for a whole month.

I've made lots of greeting cards, for my families and friends...

... and I've sewn summer clothes for both Sam and Shannon...

... and baby Emilia...

... I've also made a few accessories... a nice hairband and a bib for Shannon...

... and a wedding rings cushion for my sister's very Special day...

I'm a very creative person, and making stuff has a therapeutical effect on me. It soothes me. 

We are on holidays now... so it's time for some beach fun and ice creams!