the rest of radelaide

he

Truck watching with Granny, bubble chasing with friends, op shopping with Auntie, playing with Grandpa (some of the toys are as old as Grandpa, made by MY Grandpa), adopting Kanga (my beloved bin and friend from childhood) sleeping and playing on my old bunk bed (usually right down the hidden end).

she

More cuddles, of course!

me

I used our Radelaide trip to further my quest to understand coffee drinking, which began a couple of years ago but hadn't actually progressed further until I consumed 5 or 6 mochas in the time since she was born. Someone then suggested that half-strength cappuccinos may be the next step and I am proud to say that, in the past week, I have had FOUR! And I didn't hate them. However, one evening (at a cafe with a pal while the kiddies slept at Granny, Grandpa and Auntie's place) the menu offered mug-sized babyccinos (with 3 marshmallows) and I couldn't refuse. It wasn't so different from the half-strength cappuccino, just a little bit yummier.

boxing day

he

He was happier watching the kids play cricket than actually joining in, but found plenty of giggly energy for rolling down hills and general picnic partying. The Story Book Trail was excellent!

she

RAdelaide gave us some proper Adelaide weather while we were there. She wore 4 layers for night sleeps and wore a beanie/sock/legging/cardi/blanket combo at the boxing day picnic.

me

Controversially, I proposed a new location for our annual Boxing Day Picnic. We love the botanic gardens but a friend had suggested that we check out Carrick Hill, so we picnicked there instead! It is an incredibly beautiful spot! AND THERE WAS A KOALA IN THE TREE NEXT TO OUR CAR!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.