At the park

A couple of weekends ago, we met up with a couple of friends and their two little boys to spend a warm Saturday afternoon together at a park. It is really nice to have friends who are at the exact stage of life to ours. And to be able to share all the ups and downs of parenting over a cuppa every now and than is just priceless.

Our friend's first born "J" is just 1 week older than Annie so they are at an age where they are able to occupy themselves for a good 15 to 20 mins (if we are lucky). That means we get to actually sit down and chat a little, which is fantastic. Of course we also have our 2nd born to care for but after having used to taking care of two children, having to care for just one is a walk in the park.

Annabel has always been a very careful and guarded child. And for that reason, she is never usually adventurous at playgrounds. J on the other hand is the complete opposite. Being true to his boyish make out. He is adventurous and is very skilled with his hands and feet. So I am always very keen to get the two together to hopefully entice the little adventure junkie in Annie to come out and play. They have been "friends"since they were babies so it's really nice to see them finally interact and play with each other and having mini chats of their own.

Anyhow. I really wanted to share some pictures she took on her own with my compact digital camera that afternoon. Not too bad for her first attempt me thinks *proud mum beam*.

They were trying to take a picture of each other at the same time. How cute is that! A fail shot

Back

Oh I missed you all. Haven't been blogging as regularly as hoped past week or so. Did you even noticed I've been gone?! *pff*

Three weekends ago we were at a wedding. And we celebrated my birthday over Sunday brunch. Yes folks. I have reached my mid thirties and am officially over the hills.

*GIVE ME BACK MY YOUTH* (fist in the air)

I still have not gotten over feeling temporarily depressed that I have moved on to a new age box. Not to mention the looming fact that I am just 5 years shy of the 40's! (That is my scary age) And all this talk about how the 50s are the new 30s is just plan old cr**. What does that even mean!? Does that mean I ought to feel like I'm fifteen now!?

And because I am all gloom and loom. I will leave you with a less dramatic caption of shots we took at the wedding. Just the fabulous glamourous bits of course.

My weekend past

We had a couple of friends visiting from Perth last weekend. It was great catching up with old mates. And fantastic to know that time does not dilute friendship.

Over the last 3 days, we visited the Hunter Valley, the Rock's market, ate seafood at Prymont fish market and comb the restaurants lined street of Darling Harbour. We did touristy things like taking pictures of the Opera House and watched a British lady street performer squeeze into a box.

The the kids love the new house guests too. They were so chatty and happy and well behaved. AND. They love hanging around them all the time.

We generously gave the willing pretend parents many "practice" hours. And spent most of that time carefully concealing how ecstatic we were that we had found two baby sitters for the weekend.

Hailey's 1st Birthday & BBQ at Bryan's

Happy Birthday Hailey!

The Bells holding hands

And than we are off to Bryan's bbq
The best satay I have had in Australia everThe chef of the day

Christmas Day

It was such a good week past. The past 3 days, we have had friends and family over at our place for lunch, and a barbecue at a friends. Everyone stayed till late for both nights and we even had to bring out the refrigerated leftovers for dinner as people got hungry again.

Amongst the cooking and cleaning and tending to our guests. I surprisingly felt relaxed and satisfied. It is quite unusual for me to feel this way. Usually when I have 12 people over for a sit down cooked meal (not to mention 2 days in a row), I would turn into a control freak and run myself silly making sure that everything was in their exact place. This year, I felt really happy, calm and content. As I looked around and saw all the wonderful friends and family that surround our lives. I cannot help but feel blessed. Really blessed.

And I have my daughter, whom from birth, has made me feel like I am the luckiest and most special person alive.

So in how ever ways you celebrate this beautiful day. May you find all the happiness there is to find.

Annabel making her way to her pile of presents

Salem digging for his gift. A can of Tuna.

Chao time

The folkies The sibs having a go at each other over a game of Wii. The Bestest Evil Santa pick EvER! More WiiAnnabel wearing her Xmas gift from Rina Determination personified

Xmas cookies

I am SO proud of the fact that I am SO organised this year. *wide smiles*

I try to make my gifts as personal as time allows each year. And because there are quite a few of us and a baby this time round, I decided I'd make the gang yummy butter vanilla cookies.

Congratulations Tom and Ava!

I love going to weddings. Especially when the groom is one of your close mates, and your hubby is one of the groomsmen. I also enjoy hearing the speeches. Even more so when they are filled with so much love and sincerity.

We are so happy for you both, and blessed to have shared in your joys and celebration. May God keep and bless your marriage always.

Ribs and Bibs

This has definitely been my week. Not only did I get Friday night off (being mummy). I also got to hang with the gals Saturday night! 2nd night in a roll!! The husband had been a darling and had been taking care of Annie on both nights. Honey, you are the BEST!

So Saturday night was Ribs at the famous (ridiculously hard to get in too) Hurricanes. I had eaten at their reputed Bondi restaurant and have been dying to try out their new Darling Harbour restaurant. And I have to say, it has been worth the wait. It was truly a gastronomical treat. The ribs were just as juicy and tender as I remembered. It is meals like these that I am SO glad I am a carnivore.

Brave women in bibs.

New mates & Chocolate

It has been a long while since I had been out and about by my lonesome. So when my uni mates suggested we met up for dinner and hot chocolate one Friday night, I was absolutely delighted. So the little one was left home to get all cosy up with Daddy while the mummy took some much needed me time.

Since starting my studies, I have been blessed to have met four wonderful and amazing girls. They are all smart, beautiful and ambious. And of course fun to be with. It really made this going back to uni experience all that more enriching for me. Their endearing warm friendly personalities have made all those 4 hours weekly lectures fly by and those Saturday project meets fun. Not to mention all the great chocolate treats that is always there just when you need a sugar hit! You guys are the best.

And of course, I had to post our delicious rich hot chocolate treat we had at Max Brenner. Hmm.

My 1800-Pacifier(s)

Annabel's sound asleep. How cute.

Hanging out

I lurve ending the week with fun relaxing activities. So last night, a group of us met in the city for a quick dinner and headed off to Hyatt on the Rocks for a night of jazz, coffee and sweets.

Blast from the past

The husband's long time buddy, also best man in our wedding, visited over the weekends. It's always nice when an old friend visit. Especially an old friend that is equally as crazy about Xbox games as your husband. haha...











We had a ball mate. Hope to see more of you soon!!