November 2019
Hi all, Well we are here again, how many times? 6, 7 ? I have lost count but this is like coming home again except – the home has grown !! Adam and TJs extention is ENORMOUS and fabulous although they have saved Bob and I a few little jobs to keep us busy while we are here for 6 months, it is all but finished. Its funny how you very quickly get used to the extra space, the office and attached “mancave” for Adams playstation is well used. (I am actually sitting at his computer writing this blog while he is away for a few days working in Perth.)
Well its been busy as usual, the first week we were washed out by colds and viruses and it was only after 2+ weeks that we felt back to normal but we have still been out and about. Every week we have taken up the school and daycare runs and to give Adam and TJ a break we have also done some of the dance class and swim class ferrying too. It has been interesting to see the changes in the girls, Mia, more grown up and able to do so much herself, and Zoe – well a “little” girl who has changed beyond belief, she was only 2 when we left and now she is almost 4 and a completely crazy funny kid who has us in hysterics regularly with her Ozzie voice, actions and comments. She loves to sing, in the bathroom, on the toilet, in the car – well everywhere actually and she adores to dance to any music available. This last week we went to see them both perform at Superstars Concert and they were very proud to be with the 750 or so other children performing their dances, – it must be very daunting for an almost 4 year old and an almost 6 year old to stand on a stage infront of a whole theatre full of people but they did well! The previous day Mia also performed in her Speech and Drama concert.
Lots of little jobs for us to do, I have recovered the seat in the hall and the cushion for the outside bench, repaired clothes and lots of little jobs, like making toothfairy bags with the girls names on them and on their drinking cups and finishing off some embroidery things for christmas and birthday presents – oh Mia has a wobbly tooth and she is very excited to loose it – watch this space. Bob is on painting duty and has almost finished the fourth coat on the Cubby House for the girls and he and Adam are building a wall around the posh new BBQ /Outside kitchen we have on the deck.
Well what else have we been up to? Trips to parks, a ride on an electric mini train, swimming, shopping and much more. We had a great visit to the enchanted garden in the city which the council sets up every year at christmastime – beautiful displays and fairy places all done in lights, the girls love this place. We took a picnic and ate in the parkland before we went in. Another evening we travelled into the city by train to watching the Christmas lights turned on in the city, a treat for the girls, we then went out for dinner in an Italian Restaurant with them.
Bob is back to playing golf every Tuesday, giving me time to myself to catch up on tv programmes, write the blog and sew or craft but I did play last week for the first time in over 2 months and beat Bob hands down. Will play again perhaps next week, although TJs sister arrives next Monday for christmas so we will be busy out and about with her too.
Before the end of November we put the outside lights up and the christmas tree although it took 2 weeks to find enough time to decorate it with the girls as evenings aren’t long enough and weekends are booked! We have an Elf on the shelf in our house this year and the girls have named her Lily, she is a good Elf so far, except the night she put chocolate all over the toilet paper and as Zoe announced the next morning ” Lily has RUINED our bathroom Mummy”!! This week she has been sewing on Nannies machine and made herself a new skirt and a dress and she also appeared one day with a Scout Neckker on as she is a Scout like Mia.
We have nearly caught up now, this week saw the Dads have a night out, (thats the dads of Mias class friends at school) and a good time they had, returning home late looking a bit glassy eyed ! I did hear that 2 of the dads continued after everyone left and one only arrived home at 8am the next morning?? No questions! The Mums (and me) had a much more sedate lunch the following day, down on the rivers edge at Mr Percivals a very classy bar that has recently been renovated, along with a whole wharf of restaurants. We had a playdate at one of Mias friends houses, the parents provided a lovely bbq meal and everyone was welcome to use the pool, however, the children and the dads went in, leaving the ladies to chat. Yesterday I felt like baking so I made a very large Frittata and some, I mean 64, little lasagne cups for the girls birthday party on 31st december and a garlic dip, all frozen ready. It was very hot in the kitchen and the outside temperature was very high too so we decided to go to the local pool for a swim and I am pleased that I managed to get 60 lengths in. Mia is learning the Eukelele so after school Bob and I went to her concert for a 5 minute rendition of Jingle bells and something else?
Wednesdays are Scouts, with Adam in Perth, Grandad took and came back with 2 more badges, she loves the group and Adam who helps out when he can (especially cooking at the sausage sizzle) is toying with joining as a leader too, perhaps when Zoe starts. Last night there was a terrific thunderstorm that started around 10pm and went on for sometime, lightnening flashing constantly and the rain lashing so we were all a bit bleary eyed this morning. Well Adam is home, flew back from Perth overnight so off the computer and onto my machines, name tags to make….
Sending best wishes, love and happiness to everyone this Christmas and hoping that 2020 is a spectacular year for everyone. xx