Sans kids

Monthly date night again tonight and this time it was an early movie and dessert. Luckily Noah stayed asleep long enough for us to enjoy some churros while chatting and people-watching from our table overlooking one of the busiest intersections in Parramatta.

Mashed up

The memories were flooding back as I cooked up the first batch of food for Noah today. We're starting with pumpkin and apple (separately, not combined).

I remember the few hours each week Darren and I used to spend cooking, mashing and freezing food for Isaac when he first started eating. We found ice cube trays are a good way to freeze the food because you can start with one cube and increase the number of cubes as they start to eat more.

So far Noah hasn't been too keen on his 'big food'. Isaac has always been a great eater but I can't remember what he was like at the very beginning. Hopefully with some more consistency Noah will get the hang of it soon and start to enjoy it.

Happy little Vegemites

After voting for a friend's blog in the Kidspot Top 50 bloggers competition I was browsing other mummy blogs when I came across a recipe for Vegemite and cheese scrolls. It sounded so easy and I had all the ingredients at home so I whipped up a batch for after school/work snacks. I think they were well received by the hungry boys when they got home.

Hindsight

My plans to go to the movies tonight fell through so I decided to watch a film at home instead.

With the upcoming reunion movie I thought a refresher on this original classic might be in order.

There's definitely some classic humour but I also found myself thinking that some of it was just wrong in hindsight, mostly the webcam scene. I'm wondering if it's just me getting more serious in my 'old age' or whether that kind of technology was so new back then (1999) that we didn't really understand the consequences. I wonder whether the same scene would fly with audiences today...

Disconnected

My mum comes to help out on Tuesday's and I'm always grateful for all her help when she leaves.

As well as fold washing and do dishes today she also looked after the boys for an hour or so while I spent some time alone, under a tree at Lake Parramatta. It's so rare that I'm by myself doing absolutely nothing and to be honest I found it hard to just sit or lay there without the urge to be doing something on my phone. With so much technology these days are we ever really disconnected and just with ourselves?

Lie in

What better way to ease into a new week than a lie in with both my boys in bed.

Most of the time I'm telling Isaac to be gentle and stop squishing Noah's face (you'd think he would've got it after 5 months) but there are moments, like this morning, I just watch and see the way he interacts with him and how Noah responds. You can tell they both love each other so much already - it really is beautiful.

Lazy Sundays

After a big Saturday we spent today at home doing not overly exciting things like water the plants Isaac and I got last Sunday.

A giant beginning

AFL is a big theme in our family and the new team in Sydney has started a little rivalry. Isaac decided last year that the Giants were going to be his team (not the Swans or Collingwood like Mum and Dad respectively). Dad, wanting to see more AFL in Sydney, decided that the Giants would be his second team.  So we headed off to the first Sydney derby in AFL history. I was in my red and white while Isaac and Dad were decked out in Orange. When Noah is old enough he can decide who he will support but until then I need someone on my side :)

All aboard, the sushi train

I took myself out for a spot of window shopping (well at least that's what I intended it to be) and sushi today. Not having a four year old trying to jump on and hide between all the furniture meant I was able to browse Ikea at my own pace.

Staying put

I took the little boy grocery shopping this afternoon before we went to pick up the bigger boys.

It's so nice when they're this little and stay put in the trolley while you browse the aisles. Shopping with a four year old on the other hand is a completely different story. I must enjoy this while it lasts.

Water play

 

One of the great things about attending play groups or mothers groups is the sharing of ideas. 

We went to preschool playtime at the primary school today and the water trough was out for the kids. One of the parents mentioned that they often fill the wheelbarrow with water for their boy. I thought this was a great idea and wondered why I hadn't thought of it earlier. I've always wanted a water play area for Isaac so this seemed like the perfect solution. We tried it out when we got home - it was the perfect height for him to stand at and it kept him occupied for a good while.

Reality check

 

After a very sombre day having to attend a funeral, tonight I'm grateful for my family. I have been reminded this week how easily they can be taken away from us. Go and hug someone you love.

Dear friends

The boys and I traveled into the city today to meet up with a dear friend visiting from the UK. The last time we saw each other was at my wedding in 2010. I'm disappointed I forgot to get a picture of her and I for my post today but nevertheless it was great to catch up. Although we don't get to talk or see each other as regularly as we'd like, the distance never seems to be an issue when we do eventually get together - the older I get I realise that's the mark of a good friendship.

This is Isaac on the way home after lunch and a big play at the new Darling Quarter playground. It was also just after he finished telling me that he wasn't tired at all.

Splash of colour

 

Sorry for the slightly blurry picture today (well most days really). 

After our original plans for today fell through I decided to take Isaac to the nursery for a bit of a look around. We decided on a few pots of rosemary and some of these pretty litttle flowers in orange and yellow. Back home for lunch and then Isaac helped me plant them in front of our hedge in the backyard. I hope they like their new spot and grow as quickly as the hedge has.

Gumboots

 

With all this rain around I decided it was time to finally buy Isaac those gumboots I keep saying I'll get him. What better place to buy them than from, well... gumboots.

Look out for future pictures of the boots in action.

Cutie

No stories today, just a cute photo of Noah :)

Fine form

I seem to have accumulated quite a few forms to be filled out over the next week or so.  With a new school and daycare coming up I'm sure there'll be many more before the year is out.

'Big' school prep

Isaac is off to 'big' school next year and we're in the process of deciding where to send him as we live on the border of two school zones. Recently I noticed one of the schools we're considering started a preschool playtime session so that's where we headed today. 

I thought it would be a good way to familiarise ourselves with the school a bit more and also allow Isaac to get to know some of the kids he may be off to school with next year. Hopefully it will make the transition a little less scary... for Isaac of course, not me :) 

Lego madness

I feel we have begun a long, love-hate relationship with Lego. Like a lot of young boys, Isaac has discovered the wonders of building something, breaking it apart and rebuilding it. With so many small pieces starting to accumulate we needed a way to keep it all organised. A quick trip to the 2 dollar shop today and we have a solution, for now at least.

De Ja Vu

We headed home today so it was suitcases, planes and airports again for us. Isaac having his own little suitcase has been a blessing. Instead of lagging behind he's off ahead of us wheeling it along like the seasoned traveller he is.

Sunday stroll

We took a bit of a stroll this afternoon to get some exercise and fresh air as well as let Grandma have a bit of a rest after her big party last night.

Isaac was very interested in all the rocks and animals along the way especially the wallaby we came across half way around the track. I was quite impressed with how far he walked without any complaints. He even managed the big hill at the end with ease. He may not be a fast walker but he goes the distance.

Party food

I love party food and at tonight's party there were a few things on the menu I hadn't seen before.

First up what I think Wendy called Sputnik, something she said she remembers from when her mum entertained. It's basically cheese, cabanossi and onions or gherkin on a toothpick and stuck into an orange. 

I also helped make devilled eggs which I don't recall ever having before. That was evident when I cut the eggs the wrong way in half. These are hard boiled eggs cut in half lengthways with the yolks scooped out, mashed, curried and then put back into the whites. For someone who likes eggs they were very yummy.

The third thing that stood out as different was the tuna mold. I didn't help making this one but it's a tuna type dip in the shape of a fish and again, was very yummy.

I'm not sure if I haven't seen these things before because traditions and rituals differ from family to family or whether the differences are more border related. Whatever the reason it's the differences between us all that make life so interesting.

Feeling good

I spent a couple of hours at the shops today while the boys stayed with Grandma.

While I was trying on a few clothes I saw this in the change room and I thought it rang true. In case it hasn't come across clearly in the photo it reads;

"While fashion can't change the world, a woman who likes what she sees in the mirror sure can."

I've never been big into fashion but I do understand how much confidence plays a part in being successful. So I think this is true for both men and women.

Look good, feel good, do good :)

The people you'll meet

With this being Noah's first trip to Melbourne he had a lot of new family members to meet today. He'd only met Grandma from Melbourne before so he had lots of uncles, aunts and cousins to get acquainted with. There'll be many more extended family members to meet over the next few days including his namesake, Great Grandpa.

Up, up and away

We're off to visit the family in Melbourne today. This is Noah's first time on a plane and while Isaac has been on many in his short 4 years he seems to think it's his first time too. I think maybe it's the first time he's actually aware of what's going on though.

He was very excited to pack his own suitcase for the trip and it was so cute seeing him wheel it proudly through the airport.

Hairdresser (part 2)

Today I got to head off to the hairdresser again to finish the job that was started last Thursday. With mum looking after the boys I was able to relax for an hour with no one asking me anything other than whether I'd like a tea or coffee. Ahhhh!

Like father, like son

I love seeing fathers and sons spending time together.

While I was getting dinner ready Darren and Isaac put together one of the Lego trucks he got today with his birthday money. Isaac has aquired quite a bit of Duplo over the last few months but this is his first 'real' Lego set. He was so excited and did really well following the 'constructions' (i.e. instructions). He was so proud of himself after they finished.

Short reprieve

 
We had a short break from the rain today so I took advantage of the blue sky and sun by doing more than a couple of loads of washing. Darren also got to fit in mowing the lawn before we headed off to some friends for a play and a delicious meal.

While we were on the verandah with the prawns finishing up on the barbie (very Australian) we noticed some big clouds rolling in. Fortunately the rain held off just in time for the food to be done.

And so we seem set for another soggy week...

I'm a big kid now

After deciding not to do a party this year for Isaac we gave in recently and decided on a very small gathering at a park. Even with all the rain during the week we still had our fingers crossed that it would fine up in time for today. By Thursday night we'd decided that crossing our fingers was no longer enough so yesterday morning I rang around to source an indoor venue. Luckily the play centre up the road from us was available. So this afternoon Isaac got to run around with a few of his closest mates laughing, having a good time and celebrating the fact he is finally four.

Man cave

Since we moved into our own house Darren has had to play handyman more than a couple of times and he's started to build himself quite a little workshop in the garage. We spent some time in there tonight finishing off a little project.

With the help of his man cave, and the neighbours occasionally, I'm very appreciative of all the work he does around the house.

Hairdresser (part 1)

Off to the hairdresser again tonight. I was all settled in with my kindle, some magazines and a colour in my hair when I got a phone call from home saying Noah wasn't taking his bottle. We agreed I'd quickly wait for the colour to finish, have a very quick cut and forego the blow dry and treatment which, for those who saw my earlier post, is the best part of my trip to the hairdresser. Darren would try again with the bottle and attempt to keep Noah occupied for a bit.

With the colour now rinsed off I checked in at home again - Noah was still not happy and getting worse. I told the hairdresser the cut would have to wait and left with my hair still dripping wet. So, while I'm a little disappointed I didn't get my couple of hours pampering tonight it just means that I get to go back next week for a bit more 'me time'.