Catch up

I had every intention of posting a blog in January, especially when “someone” turned 35 (gasp!) on Australia Day.  We spent the day on the river, and although my arms didn’t thank me for having a go on the tube, we had a great time.

And February just flew past in a blur, plus I lost my camera on Kangaroo Island.  I am still in mourning over the lack of photos of our lovely holiday (even the photo of me and Cami with a huge snake draped over my shoulders- eek).

Another somebody turned FOUR!

We also had a “pirate” birthday party!

Now we are mid-March and armed with a new camera I am still finding it hard to catch up!

Guess who had his first day of kindy last week???

As for Cami- aka Miss Diva- she is going really well.  She has been on the verge of crawling the past few weeks, very cute!  Here she is this afternoon…still a baldie as you can see, but the hair she does have is blonde : )

The Second Sister

So, Christina arrived in Toowoomba on Friday, & we hit the main street looking for a wedding dress.  Mum had said that the bridal shops were great in T-town, but Christina was rather pessimistic about her chances of finding the perfect dress.  Of course, mums are right, & this was no exception.  The most beautiful dress, THE DRESS, was found.  And purchased!!!!

Then, mission accomplished, it was off to have some chocolate.

That Friday night, we had an amazing Mexican fiesta…it featured the legendary Banoffee pie…we needed a chainsaw to slice it, but gee it was delish!

Then it was time to commence the BrisVegas leg of our trip.  I had a fun evening out (sans kids) with the girls & must say a huge shout out thankyou to David for offering to look after my little munchkin.  He had a ball.

We spent a few lovely days with Christina & Dave in their new apartment.

And I think that about concludes our trip up to Queensland.  I have a gazillion other favourite photos…so many happy memories!  We had the best time.

But it is good to be home.  Especially because we missed this man so much.

So home for a day and now we are off again to Clare Valley, Mintaro to be exact, for a much needed family long weekend in the countryside.  I seem to have packed twice as much for a holiday that is only 3 days long…

Marble cake

This was a marvelous cake!!!  I loved watching mum making it.  I don’t think she was all that happy with me taking photos though because later in the week she told me that I couldn’t take photos of her preparing her banoffee pie.  Oh mum- I miss your cooking already!

This cake was made for Poppy Rog’s birthday.  We had the most awesome picnic in the park.

Making Meatballs

Ah, food, glorious food.  And there’s nothing better than watching my mum cook.  Or cooking with my sister.

T-town

We arrived safely in Toowoomba.  Unfortunately our flight was delayed for more than two hours, meaning that we didn’t actually get back to T-town until 2 am in the morning!

Ash was a total trooper.  Seriously, this kid makes being a mum look easy.  The old lady who was sitting next to me  on the plane commented that “no mother could complain about this little boy’s behaviour”.  He charmed her socks off!

So…I was right about the weather.  It has been so cold & rainy & foggy!!!!  To combat this crazy insane “spring” chill, Tanni & I hit the coolest little tea shop & stocked up. Mmmmmmm.

Tanni has also been cooking me delicious caramelised bananas to go on the most divine porridge.

Today was actually not so bad & we had a bit of sunshine.  Maybe spring has decided to visit T-town after all.  We visited the beautiful Japanese gardens.  They are so lovely and peaceful.  Apart from all the ratty schoolkids on holidays racing about the place like lunatics……and the fact that Ash was dragging us along behind him at quite a rapid pace in order to explore  every single corner of the garden…

Nevertheless, because I am in the process of reading “Eat Pray Love”, I could fool myself that I was surrounded by tranquility & calm…

Winner!

It must be Pauly P’s month.

More good fortune in a design comp!  This one was a design for a new clothesline for apartment living.  First prize!

I had to take a picture of him doing what he usually does, where he usually does it…

This is him holed up in his office, far from the light of day, pulling apart an electric screw driver to figure out how it works.  Note his winning entries from the two competitions on the wall.

King & Queen of Parties

Mick & Christine have retired in style!

Yes, we had enough food to feed a small African nation.

Here is the hostess with the most!

The boys did a very cool speech for their parents- they recorded a song to “Romeo & Juliet” & made up their own lyrics.  It was pretty funny.  Good job, boys!  And well done to Leigh for singing!

My little chicken had a great time at the party.  He was up until midnight.  Um, bad parent, I know.  Needless to say, we both spent Sunday afternoon on the couch recovering!

After most of the guests had left, Mick thought it was the perfect time for some shots.  Me, I thought it was the perfect time for bed!

Now, soda water was my drink of choice for the night.  But who am I to argue about making a toast to my pyjamas!!!!!!!

Then it was obviously time to dance.  Because that’s what you do at a party…

The most divine cake ever- a temporary diversion from my sugar-free path…nom nom nom

Mud & more rain

This is our backyard.  Lovely, right?

The rugby oval behind our house has been turned into a mud bath.  The poor guys who were out there yesterday & today in the pouring rain were totally brown by the end of their games.  I couldn’t even tell what colours their jerseys were.  But at least I was looking from the warm comfort of my dining room!  I really have NO idea why anyone would have wanted to be a spectator in the crazy heavy rain & wind this weekend.

Rest assured, we will be getting a proper fence.  Although, I really like looking out onto the oval, especially under lights at night- it’s so green & beautiful.  I also like the open expanse of the view.  But, I do not like soccer balls being kicked over the fence at 8am on a Sunday morning.  Unfortunately, at this time it is highly likely I’m still in my pjs & dressing gown, & they stand at the fence & try to make eye contact with me in my kitchen- trying to make me feel guilty enough to go out (I repeat; in my pyjamas!) & fetch the ball.  No thank you.

I must admit, I’ve been going a bit stir crazy in this weather.  Being stuck cooped up inside with a toddler who really wants to be outside is not much fun.

I attempted to try to keep on top of the housework, but was thwarted every occasion.

Today is also Father’s Day!  We actually haven’t seen P in about a week as he has been locked in his office doing a major assignment.  He’s been pulling all nighters & everything!  Kids, make sure you go to uni when you are young & footloose fancy free.  This thing called “tertiary education” is not for the faint-hearted, & it’s definitely not family-friendly.

Thankfully today P could take a few hours off & we had a bbq with the whole family.

To my darling husband, mwah, you are the best. xx

Happy Father's Day 2010

Hurrah!

Aunty Ra-ra is here.  That’s Ash-speak for Tanya.  We’ve had a fabulous time so far- bacon, eggs & croissants for breakfast, a walk along the beach followed by huge chocolate frappes & even a trip on the tram!

Diamond ring

There are more diamonds in the family!  My little sister is getting married.  Oh, how very exciting!

I expect Ash will look very cute in the suit that he will no doubt smear with all varieties of wedding food.

Indeed, this was one of the first things I thought of when C told me her happy news.

And of course, I also thought of how beautiful the bride will be & how love really is a wonderful thing.