Good day

To be honest this photo is from kinder pick up last week.  I missed kinder pick up today by a few minutes.  Fiona did me a last minute emergency favour and picked Jack up for me.  I love kinder pick up, so I was disappointed to miss out.  I love seeing how happy he is at kinder and love how happy he is to see me!  

It wasn't all bad today though.  In fact I had a good day!  It started with a brisk early morning walk with friend at 7am.  It's becoming a weekly ritual that I'm loving. Actually, I'm wanting to do more exercise, just need to find the time around the kids. Then I dropped Jack at kinder and met two of his friends, Damon and Presley.  Very cute!  Damon is his co-conspirator in terms of the 'blue beard' incident last week.  Presley was saving Jack a seat next to him this morning, then invited him over to his place because he has 'lots of toys'.   So from kinder I headed on down to Rosebud to visit a dear friend and her two boys.  Had a great time catching up and sharing stories, wish we could catch up more often.  

How's the weather?

We had lunch outside today before the rain set in for the afternoon. You wont read a complaint about the weather here as someone I know is experiencing a cyclone at the moment. Hope you're keeping safe. 

Tea time!

Hanging out for this cup of tea right now!  It's been a full day, memorable moments include fist-pumping a student and being called          'B-dizzle'.  

Ahh.. Pari!!

Dressed by his french-teaching-soon-to-be-uncle Yannick.

Sunday's Post... by popular demand

This is for the person who sent me two text messages that read, "Where's your blog post for Sunday?" and one that said "No excuse!!"

As I ended up doing two posts on Saturday that consisted of 3 photo's I thought I'd take Sunday off.  But if my devoted fans want more... then more they shall get! :)

So Sunday... Lachlan & I went to church in the morning.  I was being interviewed about my work with three of my co-workers.  I had thought a little bit about what I was going to say, but it never comes out the same way and I just have to hope and pray it sounded ok.  We got home a bit before midday to find that Leigh and Jack had gone to the swimming pool with Phil, Harry, Paisley & Nathan.  Lachlan needed a sleep and I took the opportunity to have a rest myself.  These moments are few and far between so I enjoyed the moment!  By the time Lachlan woke up Leigh and Jack were on their way home.

We had about an hour at home together before Leigh asked for a lift to the train station so he could meet up with Biff and get to the Heart game.  On the way home from the train station Jack fell asleep in the car so I put him to bed even though it was only 4:30 in the afternoon.  He'd had a big night with the dinosaurs on Saturday and then swimming always tires him out too.

So it was almost peaceful only dealing with one child for a few hours.  Leigh came home, happy with the Heart win.  We watered the garden, and got it ready for the council workers to return today.  Then came inside and watched The Block bathroom reveal.  We loved Josh & Jenna's winning bathroom, but felt very sad for Phil & Amity as chumps.  They didn't deserve it. But perhaps the fireplace was a bit OTT!  Where as the mix of old and new in Josh & Jenna's combined with that beautiful marble... gorgeous! I can't believe Mark & Duncan put a Rhinoceros in their bathroom... it was a very male bathroom. I don't think I could cope, but the addition of a urinal intrigued me.  No more seat up or splashes in unwanted areas...??? (That's my life with boys) And as for Dan & Dani's grey bathroom.  Maybe it looks better in real life?  

So that's it, that was my Sunday.  How was yours?

Dinosaur date

Ever since Peppa Pig and her brother George went to the museum to see the dinosaurs, Jack has been asking to go too!  So when I heard there was a special dinosaur exhibition tonight I thought I'd take him. There were photos with dinosaurs and a roaming life sized puppet dinosaur!  We watched a 3D movie that Jack said was "Great!"  He loved the displays and kept on saying "Wow!" at everything he saw.  I hope it's a special memory he keeps... his dinosaur date with mum!

Celebrations

The dress code was dress to impress.  The evening was sophisticated, with a touch of Downton Abbey.  

The celebrations worth of a happy engagement!

P.S.  I'm behind in my posts by one, so two photos makes up for it in my book!

Blue beard

When I arrived at kinder for pick up time the teachers apologised to me for Jack's appearance.  When they weren't looking, Jack had painted a blue beard on his face and added a purple stripe to his hair.  They got most of it out but there was still a faint trace of it when I arrived.  As they apologised to me I felt I needed to apologise to them, for the crazy kid they have to constantly keep an eye on! 

Must love trucks

Grandma gave this front loader to Jack for Christmas.  It's supposed to be a sandpit toy, but we don't have a sand pit yet and it'll need to be a huge sandpit for this truck to get in.  Luckily for us the work the council did in our backyard over a year ago still isn't finished so Jack thought he'd give it ago.

Sleeping buzz

Haircut

Henry had a long over due haircut today.  When we went to pick him up, he was the last dog to be collected.  He certainly recognised us, but Jack didn't recognise one of his best friends.  "Where's our fluffy dog?" He wanted to know.

Small steps

Despite the look on Lachlan's face, he was enjoying this and it is an improvement from Jack taking ownership of the toy and instead playing together.  

Anniversary

11 years today!

On Saturday the 16th of February, 2002 I said "I do" to the man of my dreams!  And the tall, dark hair and handsome man said "I do" too!!

I remember walking down the isle, thinking to myself, 'remember to smile, remember to smile'.  I'd seen too many petrified brides walk down the isle before me.  I also remember the moment I said, "I do" as I thought to myself, 'are you sure?'   Yes, I was sure.   And it wasn't as if I had second thoughts, I just wanted to make sure I remembered the moment I promised a life time.  Sure it hasn't always been smooth sailing, but how good is an achievement without a few challenges and bumps along the way?

In years past we have celebrated with candle lit dinners, weekends away, and spa treats.  But these days it's a bit different.  In the morning we celebrated a friends 4 year old daughter's birthday at a farm out in 'whoop-whoop'. We did manage a special dinner at home where we swapped gifts in between coercing the young ones to finish their meals.  Then in the evening I left Leigh at home with the boys to celebrate my aunty's 60th birthday.  I had planned to come home and write this post, but didn't quite make it!  What mother of two comes home after midnight from a 60th????

Friday night

'Easy Friday night' as we like to call it is whoever can make it to fish and chips for dinner, usually at Mum & Dad's but tonight at Fiona & Biff's. (Mum & Dad had a better offer and Alice & Yannick were either enjoying the delights of Lygon street or planning a wedding that is happening in only 4 months!!!)  

Anyway, after dinner Jack played under the sprinkler and Lachlan explored the backyard.  The men folk walked to the pub to watch Heart play... not very well, unfortunately.

Back at the house Jack showed Fiona how to play with the iPad and Lachlan happily climbed in and out of a box.

Birthday week

We were trying to spread out the birthday gifts for Lachlan. Perhaps we should have waited until the weekend?

The perfect gift

We wanted Jack to understand that it was Lachlan's birthday, so the presents were for Lachlan.  It's been a tricky concept for him and there has been a fair bit of disappointment for Jack.

Leigh asked Jack what he wanted to give Lachlan and he said, "A toy, with bendy arms and legs."  So I immediately thought of Gumby but I don't think he's around anymore.  Instead I found a Woody doll from Toy Story with the appropraite arms and legs.  It was a difficult task as most toys with bendy arms and legs are barbies and Dora's.  Anyway, as you can see from the photo, Jack is pleased with this gift and Lachlan likes the packaging.  Hmmm.

Work

Dr Dinosaur

Another busy day comes to an end.  This photo was taken at playgroup this morning which feels like days ago right now. 

Birthdays

I'm sharing my birthday celebrations with Lachlan who turns 1 on Wednesday and my nephew who turns 2 on Thursday.  Today, I am 21 again of course! 

Special Delivery

All tuckered out

It's been a big couple of days.  All day at kinder yesterday & all day at Nana & Grandpa's today, makes for one tuckered out boy!  I took off his shoes, carried him to his room and put him to bed fully clothed.  He didn't even wake up for dinner!

Ready, set...

The bags are packed and lunches made. Have I forgotten anything? Am I ready for the big return to work?

All smiles

Here he is coming upstairs with his party hooter and empty bottle to ask for some more milk.  He loves the stairs and surprisingly he mastered them by 10 months.  He slides down them at a crazy speed and loves to race people.  Yes another boy that likes racing...

Shopping

Went to my favourite shopping centre today. You can't wear track pants to this place!  I picked up my jeans that my parents bought me for Christmas, I'd had them hemmed.  Now they are ready for my return for work, but I think it's too hot to wear them just yet.  Never-the-less they are ready and I love them!   And we bought a gift for a friend who needed some TLC.  Although she may be grossed out when she realises that Jack had the bag in his mouth!

I pushed the boundaries a bit with the kids on two counts while at the shops.  1. I didn't bring the pusher, so Jack had free rein and I was carrying Lachlan.  2. On the spur of the moment I decided to 'window shop' some clothes.  Jack hid underneath a display of clothing which was on wheels so of course he was moving it around.  And then shook hands with a mannequin only to have the hand fall off!  Oops!  We left fairly quickly!

He loves cars

There was a climbing wall, a slide going into a ball pit, a cool trampoline and tunnels, but the computer games were what drew the attention of my boy!  Luckily he was happy enough with the demo mode, so I didn't need to fork out any money for a game! I explained the gears.... you know, 1 is slow and 4 is fast.  (Yep, I'm a car expert!) He couldn't reach the peddles so I said they didn't matter!

I laugh because he loves racing cars!  For Christmas he asked Santa for a racing car, when we are in the car he is always telling me to go faster and beat the other cars around us.  He has the manoeuvres all sorted and gives me instructions on how to over take the cars around us.  He spots the space and tells me there is room for us to move!  Crazy, as if I'm taking driving instruction from a 3 year old!

Back in December he had an opportunity to drive a kids sized dodgem car!  He was in heaven!  I was in the passengers seat, grabbing the wheel in moments of panic to which he would tell me to get off!  And really it wasn't too bad until he noticed a guy dressed up as a pirate and lost concentration!

Sand

Up to his neck in sand!  And lovin' it!

Sport

Even before the boys came along, my vision of parenthood had me watching my kids play sport.  I imagined going to sporting fields, with a nana rug and thermos of tea, barracking away at the side lines!  Strangely enough none of my day dreams included sleepless nights, nappies, me wearing dirty clothes, my hair not being brushed for days on end...

Anyway, today Jack & Leigh were kicking the soccer ball around. Henry got in the way a fair bit so was relocated to the laundry.  Leigh has plans to take Jack to a Melbourne Heart game at some point.  Both Jack and Lachlan will of course support Heart, just like they will support Collingwood. 

Escapades

When no one was looking he went on an adventure to his big brother's room!  Look at him, so proud to be in Jack's firetruck bed!