More brotherly love!

Cuddles

We really have been busy. New baby, new kitchen, new job for S and lots of visitors or visiting because the thing about babies is that (most) people love to cuddle them. Here are some cuddlers with Sam. Luckily he'svery sociable and doesn't mind being passed around too much.

 

 Chelsea

Uncle Craig 

Nonno 

Jeannie sitting very still & upright

 Barn 

 Ganma 

  Amy (the baby whisperer)

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Big Brother

For nine months or so Jack has been soooo excited about the imminent arrival of his little sister. No we didn't know that we were having a girl (though most of us thought that). Jack was just absolutely certain that I would have a girl and then the family would be balanced (obviously not taking into account the dog and three chickens and 1 broody duck). We even discussed finding out so we could Jack used to the idea of a brother (not that that was going to happen - surely all those weird jalapeno cravings meant a girl?).
Then on the9th of March Sam made his debut and he was definitely not a girl. S laughing gave this away, followed by the cries of "It's a boy!"and then he weeed on me and I had other things on my mind.
Jack took the news well and didn't try to put him in a dress, as suggested by a friend of mine, but did have to find a new home for a very girly doll that he and Barn purchased. Jack finds the whole sleeping/feeding baby thing booooooring but is trying hard to be a fab big brother and is making the most of Sam's 'playtime'.

Sam!

So surprisingly (for some) we have a new member of the family. For about eight and a half months we thought it was going to be a Ruby Sparkles (Jack's choice of names) but we ended up with Sam instead. Luckily he's cute and doesn't cry too much, or feed as often as Jack did, so we think we'll keep him. More photos to follow.

Bunningtastic Birthday Bash!

ta-da!

We decided (where 'we' means me) that due to the imminent arrival of RubySparkles* it would be prudent to have Jack's birthday party early. I was hoping for early March but got the last Sunday in February. My choice was limited due to the fact that we were booking the party at Bunnings. Bunnings?

Whilst I haven't been the biggest fan of Bunnings in the past, though I do like the availability of sausage sangers on weekends, I have to say I was impressed by the party. We turned up and all the bits and pieces were set out ready to make toolboxes. Kids, with the help of parents and the lovely professor and Cassie from Bunnings (whose crowd control was impressive) put their toolboxes together




and then painted them.


After that it was off to the cafe and playground for Cake,


hammer shaped biscuits


and teddy racers. According to one guest it was, "the BEST party EVER!" which I was well pleased with and we didn't even have to tidy up.
The surprise hit of the party bags were these mini Groucho Marx glasses which I thought would amuse me (they did) but the kids loved them too, though they thought they were Harry Potter glasses.



And of course Jack and I got a sausage on the way out (it's for charity you know).

*RubySparkles is Jack's new brother or sister due in a week and a bit!

Ballet star

thrilled?

At the beginning of this year Jack decided he didn't want to do ballet anymore. And then halfway through the year he changed his mind. Just in time for the preparations for the end of year ballet extravaganza. No matter what, it always seems stressful with long essays being sent home about costumes and makeup and rehearsals (though Jack's makeup section was left blank).

lots of pink fairies and Jack

Somehow Jack made it to every rehearsal and S took him to his matinee performance. That night Ganma, Nonno and I attended the evening performance. That was a long night although my dad, due to his hip was given special permission to arrive at half time. The "babies ballet" as they are dubbed were not on until near the end (to stop us all leaving early methinks) and there was Jack twirling tiredly right in the middle of the row. He was thrilled with his medal that he received at the end and is keen to do Ballet again next year.

Busy, busy, busy

I will breathe a sigh of relief when December is over. Firstly because it has been a very busy month with lots of parties, concerts and get-togethers and all the cooking that entails. It also hasn't been the best year (though I guess the second half was an improvement on the first).

We also went away twice in December before Christmas which S assured me would be relaxing but just made me mindful of my lists of things to do. Yes that's right lists plural. Such a sad, sad Capricorn. It did for the most part work except for not telling one person about the work secret Santa - whoops - and presents nearly not arriving (though that was due to our mailman having a heart attack). Anyway I thought I better do a recap of recent and not so recent events.