Finding a balance

After a super hectic start to the year, I was determined to find a better work-life balance. I initially struggled to find the balance but this weekend, I forced myself to put away the school work and marking and have some time to myself. Of course the usual household chores had to be done but I also spent a lot of time playing with pretty papers :-) Please excuse the dodgy photos - my much-loved Canon 40D died this week so am making do with my phone.  On the bright side, a new 60D is heading my way thanks to my lovely husband. He is pretty good sometimes ;)

I decided the best way to use my 'me' time was to do a few challenges.  The first one I came across was the March challenge over at the revamped 123 Challenge blog using this criteria:

Layout 1- 'A New Year' capturing the boys first day back at school this year.  It is difficult to believe that we have one child in Grade 5 and another in Grade 3 - where has the time gone.  The boys have both set goals for themselves this year so it will be interesting to revisit those in December to see how they went. Hmmmmm I can feel another layout about their goals coming on ;)

Love, love love the wood veneer from Lawn Fawn. I really need to get my hands on some more of their gorgeous products. 

 Playing around with clusters.  Still haven't got the hang of it yet ;)

Layout 2 - His First Rep Team. The title says it all really. Mitchell made his first school rep team for swimming this year - the Bunya District team.  This is a team made up of competitors from all of the schools in our town and surrounding districts. Once in the team, they head to the regional trials. Mitch made it for 3 events and was super excited just to have made the team.  Last year, he was more than 2 seconds away from the qualifying times so all of his work in the pool this season has definitely paid off as he was one of the top swimmers in the district. He didn't make the regional team but he has already made that a goal for the 2013-14 season.

How cute are the swimming flair badges??!! They are from Purple Pumpkin and I MUST get more as I have a stack of swimming photos to scrap. And of course, another Lawn Fawn wood veneer made its way to this layout. 

I hope you all have a good week. For those in flood affected areas like us, take care and don't take silly chances with all the water lying around.
S xoxo