Australia Day, Birthday and Holiday

So where did three weeks go?????

I'll go back a bit to Australia Day - we met up with some friends in the park down the road for a BBQ brekky, it was a great atmosphere down there as there was a community event starting at 10am, Rotary sposored it I think, they had a pit dug for damper, gum tree branches everywhere, tents and flags etc, it looked great. We found a table and had a quick swim before cooking. Not long into breakfast though, Hayden decided he wanted to go home, he was really tired - he'd been up late the night before as we went out to the surf club for dinner with a bunch of our neighbours. He spent all night running around with all the other kids from our street. So our morning in the park was cut short a little, Erin took Hayden home to bed and I finished brekky and packed up with James and Melissa and Dave, we all went back to our place and transferred into the pool - the beers started flowing, the Aussie music was blaring, the sun was out - perfect! We set in for the day, another friend Maria joined us and we just hung out - it was a perfect day.





Last Sunday (4th Feb) was my birthday - we started the day with Breakfast out at one of my favourite cafe's down at Moffat Beach - I don't have any shots of me yet, but here is one of Hayden!



Then we had a party in the afternoon down at La Balsa park which is at the Mooloolah rivermouth, I love it down there. It was a beautiful afternoon, we headed down there around 4pm and about 30 - 35 people joined us, we put on a barbie for everyone and the boys (and some of the girls) played cricket, the kids amused themselves, it was just a lovely relaxing afternoon surrounded by good friends.

Then, later in the week we headed to White Water World which is the newest water park on the Gold Coast, it's a sister park to Dreamworld and we'd purchased a 2 day 'world' pass for my Dad for Christmas, so we all went down to spend two days there. We hit the rides hard, well, Dad, Erin and I did - Mum's not into swimming or rides, but she had a great time playing with Hayden in Wiggle Bay which is set up for under 6's with slides and other cool water stuff. He also had a lot of fun at the Nicklodean world



There was a huge bucket on top that would fill with water and tip out over everyone - Hayden thought that was hilarious and loved to stand under it with Daddy and B'pa.





Hayden had a great time in wiggle bay - there were several slides he could come down by himself - his favourites were the purple and yellow ones.



He had fun hanging out with underwater Wags



and after all our swimming we went into Dreamworld to hit the other rides. Hayden loved the little kid rides like the merry-go-round and Dorothy's rosy tea cup ride





and after our ride on the Big Red Car he met the real Wags



who he was very excited to give a cuddle to.

After all that ride practice he graduated to a 'big boy' ride, this one had no height restrictions as the cage was fully enclosed but there was an age restriction of 2 I think, so he was fine to come on. Eirn and I were both in the carriage with him...



There we are right at the VERY top!!



He actually said he was a bit scared in that one - I don't blame him, I much prefer the tower of terror to rides that go around and around - my stomach is not what it used to be!

We mangaged to get Mum on the Tower of Terror - she didn't hate it but I don't think she'll be going on it ever again!!

So... we've packed a lot into a few short weeks, and a lot more to come. I have a new staff orientation at Uni tomorrow and lectures start next week, with my first teaching classes starting on 26/27 Feb. I'm still going to be doing some days at H2Options as well and Hayden is now in day care 4 days a week - M - Thur. We're saving up now for our trip to Paris, London and Dubai, we're going from 29 June - 15 July this year - more on that another time, I'd better get this posted!!

Signing off for now. Phew!!

Time flies when you're....

WORKING!

Correct... I got a job... hence, no blogging from me of late. I'll get to that though, I thought I'd pick up from where I left off just before Christmas...

Christmas Eve eve we went to the Carols by Candlelight down at Kings Beach, very nice and very festive, then the following day, Christmas Eve we just took it very easy, it was our third wedding anniversary, Erin did a few jumps, can't remember what else. My sister and her boyf were driving up from Bris after their lunch with Joorj's Mum. Mum and Dad were also coming around and we had a great barbie dinner. Our neighbours a few doors up always host everyone in the street for drinks on Christmas Eve so we wandered up there while Dad slept on the couch minding Hayden. We came home and put together a few of Hayden's presents and called the USA before climbing the stairs close to - or perhaps just past - midnight.

Christmas Morning - at last! I think I was the most excited out of everyone!

We didn't want Hayden coming out of his room and seeing his presents before we got down there so we got up early and shut his door, when he woke I went into him and talked about Santa visiting - he was excited and ready to go



Then we took him out to the living room where his 'Santa' presents were:





He was allowed to play with those, his kitchen and his tool bench and the things in his stocking until Cec and Joorj got up and then Mum and Dad arrived, ready to 'do' the presents.

There were so many...



and after a while Hayden was completely overwhelmed by them all. He was very content with his trains and his Lightening McQueen and Maiter cars from 'Cars' which were the biggest hits of the day.



He did take a moment out though when he opened his present from B'pa which was two cricket bat and ball sets, one plastic one for now and then a wooden 'proper' bat and some stumps for him to grow into. He picked up his bat - first time mind you - and then stood like this:



Methinks we might have a natural in the making.

After presents were done we had breakfast, the traditional pancakes for Cec and I and the traditional oysters for those so inclined. With Champers of course. We all then jumped in the pool and tested out the new pool toys before Cec and Joorj headed off and Mum and Dad went home to prepare for the Christmas Dinner. Hayden went to bed and I cooked/iced gingerbread to go with desert. Erin and I also started packing up the car for camping and getting the house cleaned up so we could leave it in 'inspection' condition whilst away.

We went to Mum and Dad's around 4pm for Chrissy dinner, the table looked wonderful and the turkey smelled fantastic. Hayden tucked into some food and then had a great cuddle with Mima and then my Grandfather, Papa.







It was a much quieter Christmas than I'm used to, but relaxing and lovely just the same. The turkey gravy was again, scrumptious!!

Boxing Day... Camping!!!

We spent a great four days up at Noosa North Shore, it rained for most of the time but not downpours and there were clear times so Hayden could still get out and play with all the other camp-ground kids. I haven't optimised any pix of the trip yet, I will and add them in an edit, check back!

So... we returned on the Friday, 2 days before New Years. Erin worked Sat/Sun and then Sunday night we went over to some friends for a New Years party. Good night, good fun, Happy 2007!

Tuesday 2nd Jan - I had a client meeting booked to sort out some brochures, whilst I was there, to cut a long story short - I was offered a job, part time or whatever hours I could to help them out, the phones were rining non-stop and they really needed more help. I started the next day and did Wed, Thur Fri 8am - 5pm then Mon, Tue Wed the following week, same hours, then again last week. I'll say there doing that for a few more weeks until Uni starts when I'll be teaching as well as doing my honours which I recieved official acceptance into the program on Friday.

After my client meeting on Tues 2nd Jan I was on a mission to get Hayden's new bed, we kept putting it off until we moved but hey - that may be years away at this rate so we put some Christmas money towards it and Mum and I went out to pick one that afternoon. I'd narrowed it down but saw another one I liked and it turned out to be cheaper and available the next day, Hayden was so excited to be in it...



I didn't have time thought to go out and get him a new doona cover until last Friday, I couldn't find what I have in my head, so some more searching is required but here is what I bought in the interim...



He's so happy in it, and it looks great in his room. Such a big boy now. He's almost out of Nappies all together, he's moved into the next room at Kindy, soon he'll be learning how to drive - OMG - where did my baby go??????!!!!!!!

Anyway - this is a MAMMOTH blog, but all good things must come to an end :-) We've had a great day today, we did a bbq brekky at the park with some friends and then E went to jump for work, Hayden slept early so was up when E got home and we went down to Kings beach for swims, the Ocean was amazingly warm, I took Hayden out to the first line of breakers and we rode the waves, he liked that for a while, then we went into the new oceanside pool which was fabulous, then he had an icecream and after that washed it off in the fountains, again, he had a great time. So he's had a huge day, we've had a big day and the working week starts all over again tomorrow... phew!!

Amazing photos

Wow - we just recieved back the proof of Hayden's kindy photos - this is a huge brag - but seeing as it's my blog, I think it's okay - but OMG, he looks amazing!!!

Due to copyright I'm not going to post them on here, but here is a link to the shots - it's worth checking them out!!

Christmas shopping all done, except for groceries and stuff to take camping.

Can't wait to go camping, to get away for a few days, will be fab.

Jumping

Okay - we'll see if this works - last time I tried to put a youtube file in here, the formating went haywire...



Ohhh... yay - I fixed it.... view away!

Gingerbread Man!!!

Yesterday we made another batch of Gingerbread - Hayden loves to help cut out the shapes, he gets covered in flour, most of the house does too, but it's all fun and in the end we get yummy gingerbread shapes to eat!!

Parties, parties, parties

Well it is the silly season after all!! We had two parties on Saturday. The first one was Gabriella's first birthday party. There were farm animals there and Hayden had a great time feeding the goats and sheep, and brushing them, and playing with the chickens.








Then it was off to Brisbane after his sleep for a housewarming party for some friends Craig and Simone who finally moved into their completed home just over a month ago. There were lots of other kids for Hayden to play with, he found a police car and then Craig gave him an old police cap to wear (Craig is in the force). Hayden thought he was the ant's pants!!





The cap was deemed 'too big' tho and ditched. Then the real fun began in the pool. The rain had stopped and the kids decided it was pool time. The Dad's obliged the littlies and they had a blast in the pool - I'm so proud of Hayden and how far he's come with his confidence in the water - perhaps a little too confident for his abilities at the moment - note the large boulder he's jumping off!! I have this on vid and will attempt to link my youtube posting with this....









What a great party and a huge day!!

Couple of Chrissy Photos

A wonderful package arrived from the USA on Thursday - wow! Inside was a great child's size santa hat, Hayden loves it!! He modelled with it on...



Then on Friday afternoon Mum and Dad came over, Dad wanted to have a swim with Hayden and then take a family photo of the three of us for his Christmas letter. Here is the result



We haven't had a family shot taken in ages, I like how this one has turned out.

A Wiggly Day

Tuesday 12th December was the Wiggles concert - long anticipated by us Mum's! Hayden seemed excited to be going on an adventure to Brisbane to see the Wiggles, although he kept going to the TV to put a DVD on to see them all morning when we mentioned it. The concept of 'live' hasn't really sunk in yet!

We drove down with Finn and Janelle and met Kate with Zoe and Isabella there as well as Sophie with Emily and Gabriella and Sophie's MIL Marlene. We found our seats, they were great, 6th row from the stage starting right at the aisle. The kids were all a bit in awe of their surroundings and then when the wiggly men came out on stage and the music started there were smiles all round.



Hayden took off down the front with a lot of other kids who were dancing down there, he tried to get on stage a couple of times, security were onto him!! Then suddenly he wanted to go home... ??? I think he was a bit overwhelmed. He sat on my lap for a while and then Jeff came out to collect some roses, he walked right next to us and Hayden shook his hand.



It all became a bit much for him though and just about half way through I had a sleeping bundle in my lap... awwwww....

Dad's Birthday

Last Sunday was Dad's Birthday and we had a BBQ breakfast down at one of the local parks. It was a beautiful morning, we took Hayden's bike down and he had a blast zooming up and down the path. He took great delight in 'helping' B'Pa blow out his candle - and then of course enjoyed eating the cake too.



We stayed down there for ages after everyone else left, Hayden was playing on the rocks and watching the fishermen and women, splashing about in the water and in general having a great time. A lovely way to spend a morning.

Mother's group in the Park

Well this was a week and a bit ago - but the pix are so cute I had to share.



Hayden contemplating what to play with next...

We had Mother's group in a park that we've been to a few times in the past few weeks, it's a great park and there is never anyone else there. The kids had a blast playing around the tree and pretending to 'fix' the bridge.



A fun morning out!

Christmas is coming

Ho Ho Ho!

Hayden has been right into Christmas this week with 2 visits to Santa and tree decorating and the Christmas boat parade... the festive season is amongst us.

We took him to sit on Santa's knee at our local shopping centre on Monday afternoon, he wasn't afraid of Santa at all, walked right up to him and sat on his knee, the only trouble then was trying to make him smile - he was being so serious. We had to settle for this hint of an upturned corner of the mouth.



The rest of the week has been pretty 'normal' as far as that goes in our lives. I've been getting right into the gym, going 5 days a week to various classes and doing my training program - I'm loving it. Hayden comes with me on Tuesdays and Saturdays and he goes to the creche, he has a great time there while I'm sweating it out.

We've been having a lot of early mornings with him though - he's often up before 5am, by about 1pm I'm exhausted. He's definately getting block-out blinds in the new house and for God's sake Peter Beattie - bring on daylight savings!!!!!!!!!

I guess officially I should make mention of the fact that I'm no longer pregnant - unfortunately the baby had an extra set of chromosomes and was never going to survive, it's now been almost a month since I had a D&C.

The Christmas boat parade was on Saturday night - we have some friends that live on Harbour Parade opposite the river so we had prime viewing position. It was a great night, the kids all had a blast too and Hayden was in his element with Emily - middle child of the house, they are in day-care together and adore each other.



We started putting up the Christmas tree on Saturday - resigned now to the fact that we won't be selling the house and settling before then - Erin has also put up a few lights outside. Hayden and Erin finished decorating the tree yesterday morning while I had a rare lie-in.



We're going to attempt some gingerbread baking this week - I have grand ambitions of making a gingerbread house - stay tuned!

The house... we changed the wording of the ad this week and we had seven groups through - our biggest numbers in one day yet. Of those, two groups are apparently keen, so we'll just have to wait (that damn word again!) and see what happens.

This week is shaping up to be busy - final semester results are posted online tomorrow morning - I pretty much know what I'm heading for but am waiting for official confirmation. On Thursday I'm down to Brisbane with a girlfriend to see Varekai, the latest Cirque de Soleil show to tour here. Then it's Dad's birthday on the weekend and also another friend's birthday so it's bound to be a busy one.

Must fly - Hayden is asking for his weetbix and I have to go to the gym for my boxing class!