Mother’s Day in our house is never dull. There’s jumping on the bed, jumping in the bed, lovingly-made cups of tea and a few cuddles too, if I’m lucky! A bit like most of my days with my three active boys – Freddie, Max and Campbell. Life with this trio is full of energy, joy and challenges. You get to feel it all.
This year I’ve stepped into a new high-energy challenge, our little Port Fairy boutique, Penny and Reiby. As a mum of boys this is a great opportunity for me to embrace some feminine flair. It’s a space where I get to be creative, have lots of fun, connect with our community and meet lovely people from all over Australia who call into the store whilst they are visiting beautiful Port Fairy.
I have always loved the family celebration that comes with Mother’s Day and the chance to be grateful for the special women in our lives. It’s why I was so keen to make our first Penny and Reiby campaign for 2023 all about mothers.
My mother, Mary is a huge inspiration to me and the life I lead today. She’s a mother of four, and grandmother to eleven. She raised we four children in north west NSW, and while at times I’m sure she felt isolated, we never knew it. Our childhood was full of laughter, fun and the outdoors. Home and family were everything.
Mum has so much energy and always has something on the go. She loves all things creative, interiors, gardening, fashion and she loves planning a party… we are a like in so many ways… I wish she lived around the corner.
This year, like so many before, will be low key with home-made cards and a cup of tea the things I’m looking most forward to, alongside lunch with my husband’s mum, Elaine, who is also such a special part of our life.
Wishing all our friends and supporters a beautiful day with your families as we say thanks for the love and guidance from our mums, aunties, grandmothers, God mothers, big sisters and other women mentors in our lives.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I would like to introduce you to my three sons, Freddie, Max and Campbell who I interviewed at our kitchen table.
WHAT DOES MUM ALWAYS SAY?
Freddie: You say don’t touch that (Laughing)
Max: Stop and listen (laughing)
Campbell: I love you
WHAT MAKES MUM HAPPY?
Freddie: Giving her hugs
Max: Giving her kisses
Campbell: Loving her
WHAT MAKES MUM SAD?
Freddie & Max: If we are naughty sometimes
Campbell: Not looking after you
WHAT DOES MUM DO THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Freddie: You tickle us
Max: You tell silly jokes
Campbell: You give me a hair kiss and shake your hair in my face.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MUM WAS LIKE AS A CHILD?
Freddie: Bouncy and up and about
Max: Beautiful
Campbell: I think you would have liked going in the pool
HOW TALL IS MUM?
Freddie: 1 metre and 70 cm
Max: 6ft 6
Campbell: I think your 1.2
WHAT DO YOU THINK MUM DOES WHEN YOU'RE AT SCHOOL?
Freddie: Work at Penny and Reiby and Patterson bradley and you go for walks
Max: You cook
Campbell: You go and buy us stuff
WHAT IS MUMS FAVOURITE THING TO DO?
Freddie: Hug us
Max Eat curry
Campbell: Give us kisses
WHEN ARE YOU PROUD OF MUM?
Freddie: Im proud of you for being Mum
Max: I love your cooking
Campbell: Im proud of you because you love us
IF MUM WAS A CHARACTER WHO WOULD IT BE?
Freddie: An octopus
Max: You would be superwoman
Campbell: Flash
WHAT DO YOU AND MUM HAVE IN COMMON?
Freddie: We both have blue eyes
Max: We both like cuddles and we both have a green jacket
Campbell: We live in the same house
HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?
Freddie: You were born in NSW and I was born in Victoria
Max: We have different coloured eyes
Campbell: You got borned before me
HOW DO YOU KNOW MUM LOVES YOU?
Freddie: She gives us hugs
Max: She gives us Kisses
Campbell: You look after me if I get hurt and give me lots of kisses on my cheek
WHERE IS MUMS FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT?
They all say: Noosa
Freddie: Noosa
Max: Oak and Anchor
Campbell: Home
MY MUM IS AS PRETTY AS...?
Freddie : You can’t explain it
Max: A rainbow
Campbell:Me
Photographs taken by Jo Okeefe
Amy wears:
Knit Vest: Francie
Pink Dress: Binny
White Dress: Joslin
Knit Jumper: Leuchtfeuer
Cords: Rollas
Boots: Merry People
Wrap Cardigan: Francie
Leather Leggings: Ralf
Mary wears:
Jumper: Francie
Shirt: Shirty
Tableware:
Tablecloth: Binny
Napkins: Binny
Teapot: Fazeek
Cups: Fazeek