Wednesday, December 31, 2014

adelaide central markets day

he
He got to choose one treat from Haigh's Chocolates, and one piece of fruit from the big fruit stall.

she
 She slept on my sister for the entire trip to the markets, and stayed awake for the entire picnic at the playground (it was a bit windy).

me

 We always squeeze in a trip to the Central Markets with my sis (and often other pals) when in Radelaide. We stock up on tasty savoury goodness and visit Haigh's for a chocolate treat. This time we each chose identical treats, because the lemon/white choc/cream cheese truffle is seriously delectable (apart from my little he who is a sucker for a christmas tree), and celebrated with an early new year count-down and a big 'cheers'. Sis also introduced us to her favourite market combo - cannoli for dessert and vegetarian dumpling laksa for firsts. We also bought the world's biggest flatbreat, dip and cheese. The cannolis didn't last long but the rest came with us to an awesome playground/park in North Adelaide for a picnic. 

B
In a little Christmas miracle, B left his custard tart on the roof of the car, and it was STILL THERE when we got to the next stop.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

barossa valley day

he
 

Playgrounds in the Barossa are grape-themed, of course! He was pretty stoked to have two 'big' boys to play with (i.e. follow around adoringly) for the day. Our munchkins found something fun to do at each winery: grass for running; rock cliffs for climbing; lounge chairs, paper and crayons for some reflective writing; creeks for throwing sticks into; car for sleeping...

she
She's a delicious addition to any picnic.

me
It is such a gorgeous drive, heading out of the burbs and into the wide, hilly, familiar countryside. The dry yellow contrasts the blue skies and bursts of green vines. I really, really like colours. My very oldest pal and her boys were in Radelaide for Christmas, too. Yay! We met at a playground in Tanunda then spent the day playing, winery-visiting, picnicing and catching up. We catch up so infrequently, and our lives are so different now, that it really shouldn't feel as comfortable and normal as it does when we see each other. It feels very special to have a friendship like this.

Monday, December 29, 2014

adelaide christmas

he
 


 Highlights:
- Opening presents, each time asking for a bit of help from the gifter.
- One present, from Granny, was for him and his Auntie. The label said "Open BEOFRE Christmas". It was a cookie house and it was so much fun to decorate and devour!
- At the rellie Christmas lunch he was such a big kid, standing alongside a favourite cousin in one of the squares to 'play' foursquare with the other big kids. Pillow cricket was also a 'hit'! 
- Movie night! Oh my goodness. The Sound of Music. In every scene that didn't include Maria, he said, "Mummy, where's Maria?" and whenever she arrived, "There's Maria!". Interestingly, it was Brigitta that he chose to 'be' in the following days. Taking the lead from a friend of ours (whose mother cleverly ended the movie after the wedding scene every time she watched it during her entire childhood), we ended the movie after the von Trapp kids sang "So long, farewell" at the party. The party really is over after that.


she
 
Cuddles asleep and cuddles awake. Cuddles cranky and cuddles smily. Cuddles with dribbly drool and cuddles exploding out the other end (sorry, Grandpa, that was a whole week's worth). Cuddles with auntie, grandparents, brother, great aunties, second cousins, second cousins once removed (I think), friends, friends' kids... Even parents, once in a while! 
She also pulled off an 11 hour night sleep (in her bed, not on a shoulder. Thankfully, for all shoulders).

me
It's always lovely to be home.

Friday, December 26, 2014

flying as four

he
After many, many flights as a littler person, this was his first paid seat on a plane. The paid seat sat empty (apart from Giraffey) for the majority of the flight - it was all a bit scary and Daddy's lap was preferred.

she
She was a contented traveler - pleased to be in such close proximity to her food source for so many hours. 

me
She didn't sleep much, but I had my kindle ready to go for the moment she did doze off. She and I were sitting across the aisle from the boys, and, knowing that I'd be feeling a bit exposed (feeding her) for much of the trip, I was hoping to get someone not too scary as my seat neighbour. I was thrilled to find that I was sitting with a lady who was pregnant with her first baby! We had a nice time.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

queensland family christmas

he


 He was still in bed when family started arriving - the only toddler in the world who reliably sleeps in - but woke up ready to PLAY ALL DAY! As usual, he insisted on dressing as Santa for most of the day. Lots of cousin time, including lunch at the kids' table. Too cute!

she


me
I enjoyed having everyone at our place, such a great day.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

dazza christmas gig

he
He prefered boogying on the spacious stage in the foyer to boogying in the crowd by the actual stage.

she
She assumed her regular partying position.

me
Dazza's Christmas gig, always lovely. I divided my time between the foyer party and the crowd party! I could hear the music from either place, and the view was entertaining in both. The photo shows our little pals who ran back for 'one more song' after their parents tried to leave to take them home. Cheeky!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

end of school year

he

At his last swimming lesson before the holidays he was given a chocolate santa AND an icecream cone! So lovely. So lucky! He's been receiving some Christmas cards (with chocolates, gingerbread men, etc) from daycare friends, and went to the daycare Santa party with his Daddy. We also hosted a Christmas play/party with our regular Tuesday playgroup this week, and our new sprinkler snake had its debut.

she
She has now officially attended a start-of-school-holidays-breakfast-on-a-weekday which is a quarterly event that I share with my teacher friend (and now, her pup, too). I guess she has kind of tagged along before!

me

 With a bit of help from him, I've been making christmas cookies/chocolates, writing cards, etc, for his various teachers and daycare classmates (and for our neighbours).

Friday, December 19, 2014

big rellie christmas 2014

This post (from a couple weeks ago) disappeared, so I'm just putting it back now:

he

 

The predicted storms were nowhere to be seen, so he spent hours in the shade, climbing trees, reading Christmas books, playing ball, building with blocks, playing on the awesome playground and eating the jellies that he and I had made to share (and other tasty treats). After a rest at his Grandparents' place, we headed back into town for their incredible lights display/festival. He was particularly impressed by the big toy train! It was all going so well, we were just about finished, when the boom boom boom of fireworks began - the big finale for the nearby carols event. Much like the Riverfire fireworks a couple of months ago, he was pretty sad about the noise, covering his ears tightly and cuddling tightly to his Daddy as we walked back to the car. Unlike the Riverfire night, he did sneak a peek or two at the Toowoomba fireworks.

she


She was a bit of a star. LOTS of cuddles from lovely rellies and kisses from her gorgeous cousin. It was her first 'big' car trip (it's been a while since we've left Brisneyland!) and she slept most of the way, there and back. And in between, actually. Oh, she's so gorgeous.

me

Christmas picnic at the majestic Queen's Park in Toowoomba, with B's rellies yesterday. There are lots of rellies! Not everyone could make it this year, so there was only... fifty, or so, people! It was a perfect day. And I do really, really love the Christmas lights.