Fun on the water

Its been a while since I have posted. Somehow I just don't know where the time has gone. I guess it is all that getting ready for Christmas and all the social events that are on.

Last weekend (yes it has taken a week to get to this!) Mario and Peter went down toBatemans Bay to pick up our new toy - a Sea Doo - a jet ski or wave runner or personal water craft or something that is going to be a lot of fun. The following day it was out to Burrinjuck to give it a run. Oh..... my .... goodness ..... it is amazing - and fast. I don't think anything wiped the smile off Marios or Peters faces.

It is fast and you have to hang on esp if someone decides to do some crazy driving. It came with a 3 seater tube so Mario and a few other kids in the back zipped around in the water getting wet and having fun (no photos as I was on the back observing). I had a ski and then Mario had a try - 5 tries as that was the deal (also came with a lolly option .... Mario drives a hard bargain). Out of that 5 there were 3 successes and Mario was a skiing champion!!! Even when he came off he was still smiling and bobbing in the water. It was so much fun to watch - I am waiting on some photos of the event as I was in the water helping Mario get up and going.
This new toy is bound to bring hours of enjoyment and entertainment over summer.

Girls (and kids) weekend

Last weekend was the annual girls catch up - three friends who met on day 1 studying occupational therapy some 23 (nearly 24) years ago.

We may be a little scattered but we plan and make a date and get together for some important catch ups. We aim to solve our own problems and the worlds while having a good laugh and lots of fun. We rented a house for the weekend on the central coast and except for some internal steps (and the BBQ being out of gas) it suited the weekend.

Normally our partners join us too but for various reasons they didnt make it this year. The 5 kids did come along and had a wonderful time. The big kids look after the little kids and the little kids play with the big kids and you couldnt ask for better.

We all arrive feeling a little worse for wear and leave feeling happy and back in control. It is so wonderful to have friends like these to share special times and who know when to call a spade a spade and just lay it on the table.

So until next year, thanks for the fun.

Concretor extra-ordinaire

Mario joined Daddy on a concreting job. He was sooo excited and was dressed for the occasion.

The first question on arrival ... can I stand in the concrete ... the next thing you know .... there he is with concrete tool in hand "helping Daddy.

Somehow the job got done and Mario had lots of fun. Fortunately Daddy cleaned the gumboots before he walked back in the door at the end of their working morning.

Maybe we will be P&K Concreting and Son .....

Look .... no training wheels!

Another momentus occasion
the training wheels were removed -
Mummy shut here eyes -
Daddy pushed along -
and next thing you know Daddy had let go and Mario was riding on 2 wheels!!
Mario was however more concerned that Daddy wasn't hanging on and was looking over his shoulder the whole time.

There were no serious crashes, just minor tumbles that resulted in no tears and some minor scratches worn as badges of honour. The first aid kit I had with me wasn't needed.

Day 2 had Mario following Daddy on his bike that included paths and slopes and ... would you believe it .... stairs ..... OK it was only 2 but ..... Mario was pretty game.

I was with them on Day 3 when both Mario and Daddy tried to ride me off the basketball court and show me their tricks.

I have a feeling my little boy is gamer than Ned Kelly. I can see jumps and crazy stuff in our future. I might find I have my eyes shut a lot.......

Happy Birthday!!

Where does the time go? Just 2 1/2 years ago we picked up a little 17mth old boy who was around 11Kg and 85cm tall. Now he is almost 18Kg and 104cm tall.

Mario seems to be a happy settled boy with a cheeky smile, an infectious giggle and a love of anything with wheels (and preferably those with 22). Of course there is the other ratty side that goes along with it but a smile and a laugh makes all that fade into insignificance.

What a birthday celebration it has been. It started with cupcakes with his friends at gymbaroo followed by Fathers Day celebrations combining with birthday celebrations. That all included presents and cake (a bear one this time). That then turned into his "real" birthday on monday with cupcakes at childcare (all in all I made 50 or so cupcakes) and party food and burritos followed by another cake - this time chocolate covered in mini teddy bear biscuits. Yes ... we had a bear theme this year.

Of course there were presents and if it had wheels it was a huge hit. Must say the games, books and toys have been keeping us busy in the evenings and before we know it bed time has arrived. Check out the look of concentration!!

It has been a wonderful celebration and another magnificent milestone in Mario's life. I wonder what lies ahead in the next 12 months .......

Surprise!

We just had a wonderful weekend in Sydney with family. It have Mario special time with his cousins and me time with my sisters and Peter time with his brothers in law. We all get along great.

The plan was us to all get together and just celebrate as our last get together was at Easter and with Matts family about 12 months or so. My sister wanted to cater and just do something special. Boy did it turn out to be special .....



All of a suddent a celebrant was there and we were celebrating Ange and Matts marriage. It was beautiful and casual and just so Ange and Matt. Even though Matt has been in the family for about 5 years now, and there are 2 beautiful children, they made it official and we are all so happy and excited for them.

Definitely a day to remember.

A winters tale

Well today we had snow!! It doesnt normally snow here. Our house sits at 617m above sea level so sometimes we get a bit of sleet. Today it decided to snow down. Not a huge amount but it lasted for at least 15min on the ground. It send us running for our coats and shoes and into the backyard to make snowballs and to run around.

For Mario it meant jumping on the trampoline making footprints (and making sure he didnt do any bottom jumps or fall over!). It was beautiful and fun and made the day so exciting.

The day has warmed slightly. Any snow now melts as it hits the ground. We can look out to the Brindabellas and see them covered in snow with more on the way. So pretty ......

Mario is ready for more! I am quite happy now sitting in front of the fire with a cup of coffee curled on the lounge (and watching the Olympics).

Fun with Friends

What a lovely weekend!
A quick visit from some very dear friends meant a catch up, a drink or 2, a lot of chatter and laughter and time for children to play together and just have fun. There were no tears, no fights, just kids revelling in the fun of playing and being together. Therewasn't much sleep had by anyone and today we are suffering the effects but hey!... there are always other days to catch up.

Loved it!

Humpty Dumpty Men

We have just had one of those moments ..... It wasn't huge or earth shattering but it was one of those moments when I saw my little man growing up ........... and......... what was that magical moment ........... Mario's first people drawing

(and according to my sister they look like humpty dumpty men hence the name of the post). It also contains snakes, rainbows and an M.

The artwork now hangs proudly on the "Mario Wall" for all to see - and it is thewallpaper on my mobile. Yes I am a very proud Mum as I see Mario learning and growing and loving life.

Hello

I can't believe 2 months have flown by since I last updated this blog. What has been happening since Easter ......
the seasons are changing and with shorter days and colder weather we do hibernate a little work for us all is busy (and that includes Marios fun days at childcare - oh he has his first school disco next week (known to him as dancing in the night) and when we are at home it is all about being a family and spending time together

spending time together includes our precious weekends when we light the fire and grab a drink and catch up on what has been happening

we had to update our computer after it died another dramatic death on us and so we decided to change emails and just take a few leaps with our technology and just getting our heads around that has been tricky

when I have my time out I love to get out and go to the gym or take Charlie (the dog) for a walk or on weekends curl up near the fire with a magazine or watch a bit of telly (unless Peter is watching the footy and then I find something else to do)

on weekends Peter has had his football umpiring and sometimes Mario and I join him (plus it is usually located near some great markets and Mario and I love to pick up some fresh produce and taste the honey and the fudge and whatever else might be on offer)

and finally there is lots of time spent jumping on the trampoline - one of the best things you can do I reckon to clear your head after a busy day - or playing with trucks and trains or when we need some quiet time doing drawing, playing with play dough or doing jigsaw puzzles.

So I hope that everyone is well and that with whatever you are doing there is some down time to smell the roses or at least play with the roses.

Happy Easter

This Easter was a wonderful family Easter. With Mum and Dad now in Canberra my sisters and their families came down to Canberra to celebrate. It was hectic and crazy as we were always out and about and it felt like we were always eating and talking.

I know all the cousins had a ball together as they would come home in the afternoon and instead of quiet time they all had a few hours nap. Relief for parents but with the late nights and bouncing and playing from morning til night they needed it. The time together resulted in no fights, lots of sharing and those family moments that you hope that they will remember all their lives.

Of course no Easter is complete without the egg hunt and Easter bunny and chocolate. It is also one of those special days in the year when chocolate for breakfast is OK. Even for us big kids it is still a special treat.

I loved watching Marios face as he found his eggs hiding on the trampoline and then laughing and playing with his cousins as they found theirs.

I hope everyone had a special moment this Easter.

Where did the time go?

I cannot believe that we have just hit autumn! What happened to summer? What happened to our time? And just how fast is 2008 flying!! In the last month we have all been kept busy with our day to day busy lives - work, childcare, running a business, swimming lessons, gymbaroo, golf, gym, playing, bouncing, weekends away down the coast and the everyday house jobs. One moment it is Monday and the next thing we know we are tucked up in bed again on a Sunday evening ready to go again.
I think the big news of the last month is that Mum and Dad sold their house, have purchased one in Canberra and as of this Thursday will be living less than 30min drive from our place. It is a big move after 30years. I hope it is one they don't regret. I think Canberra is a great place with lots of opportunities and a good way of life. Mario will get to have lots of time with his NannaRose and Griffy and that is something I am looking forward to. I know how close I was to my Dads parents and how much time we spent with them and it will be great for Mario to have that too. A 30min drive is so much better than a 4hr 30min drive. It is also closer for my sisters who will only have to travel 3hrs rather than 8hrs give or take a bit. Looks like everyone will be down for Easter.

Of course can't let today go by without mentioning that today is Peters birthday. He is off playing golf as I write, we have had morning tea out and tonight he gets his favourite dinner - BBQ T bone steak and salad and a delicious chocolate mud cake that Mario and me made yesterday. Mario has had a lovely time licking the bowl and getting covered in chocolate. Happy Birthday!!

Happy Australia Day

January 26 was Australia Day but since it fell on a Saturday we have Monday as our holiday and so we have been celebrating in a fairly typical way.
Like last year we had a week at the coast caravanning, water skiing and doing any number of water sports, golfing, relaxing with friends and just generally enjoying an Aussie summer. We travelled home on Saturday but did celebrate with a lamington at lunch time.

We celebrated our day today with a BBQ lunch of prawns and chicken and plenty of salads. So typically Australian - a very laid back approach to our national day.

What this day does mean is the end of summer holidays and the start of the school year. My eldest nephew starts kindy so it is an important time in our family. Over the next 6 years we will see all 5 kids starting school. Two more years for Mario (but first we have to bring the day sleep to an end and I can't see that happening quite yet).

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY and have a happy year ahead!!

Holiday Fun

We are home from our post Christmas break up at Jindabyne. The weather this year was perfect - hot and sunny and very little wind - perfect for waterskiing and water activities. In summary .... we had a ball! We relaxed, unwound, spent time with friends and celebrated the end of 2007 and whatever 2008 may hold.

Mario loved being in the boat and although he didn't waterski did try tubing and boarding behind the boat, played on the kneeboard and swam and swam and swam. OK so he rarely put his head under but he would go out past where he could touch and would kick and do tiger arms and at a pinch blow a bubble or two - oh and in case you are wondering he had a vest on.

On top of that Mario was doted on and in turn idolised all the big boys who we were camping with. Of course that made him feel very brave and super human and he did all sorts of things that had me cringing in fear of injury (and fortunately none eventuated). Apparently it is all a "boy" thing and since I have a boy boy I have to expect this I am told. But hey it is a Mums right to be over protective.

We did have a couple of non boat days when Mario and I went for a short mountain walk while Peter played golf. It was a tad foggy but if it helped to get Mario ready for some longer walks in the future then it was worth it.

It was a wonderful break and now it is home to reality (and cleaning up) and getting ready for work tomorrow.

For now I wish you all a wonderful 2008. This is our traditional new years shot taken at our family new years time of 9pm (I like an early celebration)