It's party time

8 four and 5 year olds for two fun filled hours. That was our day! What party! What fun!

How exhausted were we by the end of the day but it was so worth it. A motorbike ride and some quiet play with the awesome presents that were received nicely brought the day to a close.

What was nice was that there were no tears or tantrums or carry on (and that was me!!) In fact I felt so organised I managed an early morning gym session!

It has been a wonderful celebration of turning 5. Have a fantastic year my dear Mario!!

Mario turns 5!!

Tuesday morning saw Mario wake up to being 5! A little bleary eyed but excited (it was 5.45am!!) Mario wandered into the lounge room eyeing his presents. The first thing he saw was a badge saying "I am 5" which is great but it was sitting on top of his main present .... a motorbike! Took a while to sink in that it was his and once it did there was no getting off!! Even breakfast was eaten on the bike.

That afternoon Mario and Peter went riding and it was like a duck to water. The balance was incredible and he was already asking to do jumps. By the time I got home from work he was zipping around doing great stuff and loving every moment.

We celebrated quietly at home. Mario wanted takeaway Chinese and we made a yummy chocolate cake for dessert which Mario proudly chopped up for us.

The next post will be the birthday celebration with all his mates. What a fun day it was!

Happy birthday dearest Mario!!!! Mummy and Daddy love you lots!!

Mario and Charlie

OK, so it is not a really good idea to have a dog and child share the same bowl but it was too cute to pass up!! The bowl did get a really good clean out afterwards though! Charlie and Mario are the best of friends and enemies but would be lost without each other. No food is wasted between these two!

A pleasant snuggle by the fire on a wet wintry afternoon though it wasa bit warm judging by the colour in Mario's cheeks!

Of course, there is the just looking happy and cute on the lounge with all our favourite toys look.

Baptism day

Having thought Mario had been baptised we had not gone ahead with a ceremony when he came home. It wasn't until we were preparing for school that we found out otherwise. Not a problem and last Sunday we had a lovely special service.

With Michael and Paulette as godparents, NannaRose and Griffy and Shane and Belinda in attendance Father John completed the ceremony.

A little tricky being held over the baptismal stand but with Daddys muscles it all went to plan. What was lovely was that Mario was able to actively participate as you can see by him holding the candle.

I am sure Mario loved being the centre of attention with a party, presents and celebration.

Mario was a little unsure of the crosses and wondered why he could not see them all. Not sure what he was expecting but he was just so beautiful through it all.

I just wish I could get that white shirt to remain tucked in for longer than 5 seconds. But Mario did look smart and was well behaved.

A busy day

Some days after working hard at drawing, playing with friends, eating, playing with trucks/cars/ planes or building things out of boxes it is time for a nap surrounded by favourite toys lying on your winnie the pooh lounge wrapped in a spiderman blanket. Don't we all just love our afternoon naps to give us the energy to just keep on going as everyone around you is starting to crash.

Happy Mothers Day

What have I learnt as a Mum???

That most big trucks have 22 wheels and 3 windscreen wipers. The amazing thing about windscreen wipers is that they can wipe in a range of different ways. It can be tricky when there are 3 and sometimes you even get one on the back. Then there are the lights that they have, the number of trailers and the number of spare wheels.

Now I don't recall in any book any Mums passing on this sort of important information (esp to someone who grew up in a house of girls). For some strange reason the books that I read on being a Mum were about providing the basics in life -how to get a 4yo to eat their vegies, dress themselves, have manners and grow into wonderful human beings. It appears we need a new book for Mums - how to answer the why questions? (my fall back ... because that is the way it was made), all about trucks/cars /motorbikes/aeroplanes, anatomy of animals and people and all that important boy stuff.




Thank you Mario for my mothers day (it was fun watching you kicking the ball at Auskick) and for you and Daddy being organised (I got a beautiful bracelet and all I had on my list of ideas was a scarf!) esp seeing Daddy is in hospital recovering from his hip surgery. I also loved the delicious cake I made to enjoy while sitting at the hospital. Hope all Mums had a lovely day.

Happy holidays in Cairns

Here is a pictorial of our wonderful week in Cairns and the world heritage listed areas of the Barrier Reef and Daintree forest. It was truly a beautiful area to see and for Mario to enjoy and learn about the environment to make sure it is there for him to share with his own children one day. It crossed a lot of things of Marios wish list as well.

Easter

HAPPY EASTER 2009
Another Easter has come and gone. The meaning of this time is significant but it also means a time for family to get together and so that is what we did. It also means time to make bunny easrs and have easter baskets as you can see from Mario's happy face!!

We spent the weekend in Kiama with Nanny and Peters brother, wife and 3 kids. Mario just loved playing with his bigger cousins aged 13, 10 and nearly 7. There was lots of energy used up as they climbed trees, rode bikes, played in the park and played with hot wheels and Tonka toys.

We also took Charlie and Mario for a run on the beach. Note to self ... next time take some swimmers!!

Of course there was the arrival of the Easter bunny on Sunday morning with his lovely supply of eggs and toys.

Easter Monday saw a day with my sister, husband and 2 kids aged 3 and almost 2. Again plenty of playing going on and a fun picnic in the park and walk to see if we could find any koalas. Ok the one we saw was a little tricky but the little rock wallaby loved the attention from the kids which was quite exciting to see.

What a wonderful time was had by all and I hope you all had a lovely Easter too!!

What a week!

Sometimes it feels like everything is crashing down around you. This was one of those weeks ....

Peter saw the specialist (finally) about his hip (it took 6 months from referral to get the appointment). It is getting worse and really affecting work and what he can do so it is really timely. Thinking it took 6 months to get an appointment the chances of surgery would take as long. Guess what! it didnt and on 7 May Peter goes off for a hip resurfacing - thank goodness for private health insurance as it really costs a gzilion $$.

Of course that has set me off in a spin as we are off on holidays in mid April, all paid for - oh yeah and as an aside the flights have been changed and that has meant a bit of re-jigging of plans and the cost of the hire car went up a bit more - so typical of the week. Anyway back to the story - with Peter off work for maybe 6 weeks a holiday is the last thing we really needed at this time but I am sure it will be fun. No, thats wrong I know it will be fun as there are so many things we want to do especially out on the barrier reef. Mario is sure he will see Nemo.

Then on Thursday night dear little Charlie was nipped by the dog next door while we were all outside talking and playing (they never see each other but argue or bark through the fence, a face to face meeting has nver been good in the 8years we have been neighbours) resulting in a trip to the vet, surgery for a tear to the intestine, an overnight stay, a sad and sorry dog and a slightly poorer bank account.

Not sure too much else could go wrong but that is 3 things and enough to handle. Nothing is unmanageable and there is always someone worse off and you always gets by but sometimes it all gets the better of you.

It is a gloriously warm autimn day and time to go and enjoy the sunshine and have a picnic in the park!

Another milestone

Today was the 1st full day of pre school ... another step in the life and times of Mario. The ACT government provides for 12 hours of pre school for 4 year olds either over 2 or 3 days. We elected 2 days, Thursdays and Fridays. I know it is going to be tough with work and making sure I am on time but Mario is number 1 in all this and you do what you know you need to.

Mario had a 1/2 day yesterday followed by a full day today. He loved it!! He did some drawings and plenty of playing and I hear he gave his new teacher plenty of cuddles. He also learnt about morning tea and lunch and how you dont eat everything all at once. Note to mum ... pack an extra 1/2 sandwich for morning tea with honey or vegemite on it. A banana and a fruit bar just wasnt enough!

It was a great day and he was very tired when he got home - no more days sleeps or rests! He is ready for next week!

Happy Family Day ... and more

Last Saturday was our Happy Family Day. It was celebrated in unprecedented heat that took your breath away. I am sure we were living in a desert at the time and we managed to top over 40 degrees celcius around 4 days in a row. As we are on water restrictions due to the dryness there was relief provided which meant we could play under sprinklers and let the kids cool down.

Mario had a fantastic day and received presents .... 3 years ago we became a happy family. This year it was books - Dougal the garbage dump bear and Dougal and Bumble and the long walk home. They are such Aussie books and ones Mario can recite and we have so much fun with the characters. The books talk about "how bad things sometimes happen so good things can happen" and "just keep on trying, you can do it" and "how wonderful friends are".

We celebrated with chicken and pork adobo and sticky rice. I had planned on making halo halo but decided a good chocolate cheesecake with dollops of cream was the way to go. Yummo.

Of course this day was marred by the most horrific of days for residents of Victoria who were utterly devasted by the worst fires imaginable. So many lives lost, so many stories of despair and so many tears shed until you could shed no more. Although these fires are around 8 hours from us and we are not impacted on directly by smoke or anything you feel like part of you was affected. As usual in times like this Aussies have rallied together in typical Aussie spirit and support. It just must have been the scariest time for everyone involved. Seeing your home, your family, your community destroyed in minutes. Our hearts are with those affected.

Holidays

Its HOT HOT HOT and it was so nice to be away at the coast with the sea breeze and surrounded by water. It made it all the more pleasurable.

We celebrated Australia Day in typical style - water skiing, swimming and a delicious BBQ. All very relaxed and wonderful.

The rest of our week was spent quietly as a family. Well ... maybe not quietly .... maybe .... busily ....

while the time was laid back and relaxed we were always doing something ... expecially Mario ... so it is no wonder he slept so well.

If Mario wasnt skiing or on the jet ski he was in the water or in the pool or riding round and around and around on his bike. It was all physical activity and playing games and being a kid (yep even for Mum and Dad). We just had the best time and the best family time.

The unfortunate part now is we are home and preparing to go back to workand wishing it wasnt quite so hot. Mario starts pre school soon and so we start another chapter in his life. It is also time to think and plan the next holiday ......

With thanks

With thanks to another friends blog I am following her simple womans day book (thanks Tiffany). Just the idea makes me feel relaxed and calm and in some semblance of control as I now know what needs to be done and what is important to me.

For Today...January 18, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is shining, the sky is blue , the birds and cicadas are singing and all is calm.

I am thinking...about how on earth I will get everything done that I feel needs to get done especially since I have a weeks holiday coming up?

I am thankful for...my life and my beautiful family and I don’t think I need to say any more.

From the learning rooms...Mario has his childcare but not today. Today is about learning about life and playing and feeling and touching and causing mischief. It started with playing with his trucks to drawing a picture for his friend to going to a birthday party that was all about under the sea and now a Thomas DVD lulls him (I hope) off to sleep or at least a rest. Who knows what will happen next

From the kitchen ...comes meals and food and the things that are important in Marios life. It is the place where everything happens. It is the hub of the home. I am wearing...comfy summer clothes, pretty much my summer staple – ¾ pants, flat sandles and a sleeveless top. I did get a little too much sun out this morning at the party.

I am creating...food … the way to Marios heart is always through food – nothing like a banana cake for afternoon tea for us all to enjoy.

I am going... to prepare for the week ahead and get very excited about a weeks holiday down the coast … just the 3 of us.

I am reading...a house and garden magazine .. isn’t that sad … I need to grab a few books for my week away. Don’t know if you have every read Love Our Way by Julia Rollings about adoption but it is a beautiful read and I like to go back and revisit it as it makes you laugh, cry and turn the page. Plus there is nothing like catching up on some Matthew Riley books.

I am hoping...that I can get all my jobs done and we can get away for our holiday in a calm and relaxed state of mind.

I am hearing...Marios Thomas DVD and some snoring coming from Peter. It is a relaxing Sunday afternoon after a hectic few days.

Around the house... a million jobs that need to get done so we can get away, washing waiting to be ironed, dishes to be put away and toys in some form of order in the corner slowly taking over the house.

One of my favourite things.. “me” time to do whatever takes my fancy. Also a snuggle goes a long way.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...work, do the business books, cook, clean, wash, iron, pack, play games, jump on the trampoline, go for a bike ride, have snuggles and … sleep!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

Holiday catch up

What a wonderful family Christmas! It was chaos! It was mayhem! There was so much going on that days and time flowed together but it was all about being together and having just a great time. The cousins were fantastic together and played so wonderfully. It was just great to watch and enjoy.

It was also very special as my Nanna came from Adelaide to have Christmas with us all and to meet all her great grand children. Her time with us came and went all too fast but was made up of many wonderful and lasting memories.

The family time ended all too soon and we were off in the caravan for our week in Jindabyne. A wonderful time - even if the weather was a tad dodgy at times. It was time to relax and not have to think about work or the day to day jobs that need to be done but enjoy our company and that of our friends. This year Mum and Dad were able to join us and I think they had a great time as they have booked in to join us again next year. Of course we did our traditional happy new year photo to add to our memories.

We spent as much time as the weather allowed on the water. The end result is that Mario learnt to water ski which is totally awesome. He looks so cool standing there behind thejet ski going from side to side. Won't be long and he will be jumping the wake...... leaving his parents in his wake.

When we weren't in the water Mario was on his bike making friends with the other little boys in the caravan park. He may have been the youngest but he was a little leader and even I had to remind myself that he is only 4 and there is a need for quiet time and early nights and there is nothing like a good nights sleep so you can go back and do it all again.

Gotta love this time of the year!! May you all have a wonderful 2009!!!