Welcome 2011!

After all the eating and outings over Christmas, we decided we'd have a low key New Year's eve. With 2 young children in tow, a big party with loads of people around is just simply insane. So we decided it'd be just us 4 ushering in 2011.

We started our low key celebration over at a friend's, who have 2 sons that were fairly closely aged to our girls. They kindly took out their waddling pool for the kids and as it was a warm day, the kids were excited to get into the water and out of the heat. Poor Rachel could only watch from the side because it was not long before the water splash fights began. It was nevertheless short lived as Annabel's princessie girly side took over and we all had to play nice to avoid mega tear bombs.

After lunch and a cup of tea. We headed home for an afternoon snooze and dinner before heading out again for the 9pm kiddies fireworks. The streets were dotted with party goers coming out for a peep at the early sparkles. And the atmosphere was festive. There were heaps of families out too with children all dressed in their pjs like our girls. Some even brought poppers and had their pretend midnight shout outs!

The girls really enjoyed the fireworks. Even Rachel whom we reluctantly woke because we did not want her to miss out. The warm day had mellowed into a cool night. And the girls were fast asleep mid drive home, quickly concurring their over stimulated senses. It was just a perfect end to the day. A perfect end to the year.
Here's looking forward to yet another amazing one. Happy New Year to you all.

Our Christmas Week

Christmas Eve Morning: Went to watch a play for kids at the Sydney Opera House.

Than hang around the city before attending Christmas for kiddies service.
Had a cuppa while the girls have their afternoon snooze.

Christmas Day: Morning, the girls opening up their presies. And we had a festive lunch with friends and family.

Boxing Day: Drove up to the coast to spend the day with family who were holidaying at Magenta Shores.

A couple of days later: Soaking in the sun at Taronga Zoo.

It has been an awesome week.

Merry Chirstmas Everyone!

Remembering our Lord Jesus Christ.

Little G

Mel's Mum, Sister and her little toddler had been over visiting past couple of weeks. It was great catching up with them and to finally meet Gracie. Up till last week, our only coorespondence with her has been through Skype. I was so delighted that Annabel and Rachel took to her instantly. And the love was reciporated by little G too.

It's that time of the year...

I cannot believe it's almost the end of the year. This year past by way too quickly for me. I know I say this every year, how I always struggle to fit everything in. And how I am almost always chasing after lost time. But this year really did go by SO quickly. Too quickly.

Perhaps having 2 growing and demanding children speeds up the clock a little. And going back to work does make the weeks go by that much faster. But I also noticed that as I age. Time just seems to elude me at almost lightning speed.

Do you feel that way too? Or is it just me.

This time of the year, I like to reflect on the year gone by. The good and the bad. The lessons learnt. And remembering the ones I had forgotten. I like to reflect on the blessings. And remember to thank God for them. I tend to forget them too quickly.

I also try to do some baking. Just so my poor cookie cutters and rolling pin don't feel too neglected. (I know I know. Once a year is not nearly good enough. I am certain if they had legs, they would have ran away by now.) And last year I was too sleep deprived nursing a new born. So this year, I made up for it.

In one night. I had baked over 40 vanilla christmas cookies. A small army of gingerbread man. And used up all my black bananas on a yummy banana yogurt cake. I had turned baking manic.

So here I sit. Close to midnight. Wrapping up some christmas cookies for some friends. Feeling tired as hell. But quietly happy. For me, I couldn't think of a better way to slowly end the year with.

And here's my little helper.

Annabel's Body Guard

I need one because I'm so darn freaking cute.

Bejeweled blitz

It has been a while since I last posted. The mother and sister-in-law and her super duper cute toddler have been visiting. Thus we have been busy.

However the main reason for this void, very sadly, was not really that. It is our addiction to Bejeweled Blitz. Yes. I am hopelessly and shamelessly hooked.

It is awful. The soonest we got the kids to bed. Out comes our iPad. And that addictive "bling bling" begins.

This game is not new to us. In fact, this love affair started about 3 years ago. Before Annabel was born. And it has seen me through sleepless nights when I had to stay up to feed Annie. But it was mainly to pass time and some light entertainment.

But now. With the easy accessibility of the iPad. And the option to compete with friends over cyberspace. It has become irresistible! I simply cannot stay away. I think I need to join some AA club for finger tapping addicts or something.

Anyhoo. I will be posting pictures of what we had been up to soon. The "bling bling" awaits.