spring fling

tigs had a special day at school on friday. it was their 'spring fling wear your bling' day to celebrate the spring racing carnival.
they were invited to dress up and dazzle as if they were going to the races.
i popped back to school in time to see the arrival of a very special and famous visitor, subzero.
what a relaxed and gracious gentleman he was. the children lined up and all had a pat (i snuck one in too).
' subby', well he just nibbled away at a new patch of grass.

tigs won the fashions on the field which he seemed to take in his stride. he was without a doubt the most handsome boy on the field.
oh, am i allowed to say that? course i can.

today is derby day and it's bucketing down, we're expecting a month's worth of rain in 48 hours. i feel sorry for all the inappropriately attired ladies out at flemington, but even sorrier for the horses having to gallop through the rain and the mud.

friends

 

Tiggy with one of his oldest friends.

They rarely have the chance to see each other now they're both at school so we arranged a play date with some of his old playgroup buddies. It was special to see them pick up where they left off (a good many months ago) and enjoy each others company. When the rest of the group had to leave we headed to the beach and the Tigs and his friend played for a looong time. It was chilly, but that didn't faze them.

As I chatted happily with Lisa my mind turned to another wonderful visit I'd had here a few  three years ago - almost to the very day - with my friend Kylie and Josh and 'Ony.

A golden day, impromptu, free, fun. The weather was glorious, a chill wind combined with the warm sun on our backs and an amber sunset. Happy, happy, carefree children playing in their undies! A day that won't be forgotten. I still miss Kylie, too often.

 

We started to walk back, me knowing that this too was a day to remember. And then my phone rang ... "Number withheld". Odd.

Notice the clothes on the wall?

Clear as a bell, straight from Abu Dhabi - Kylie!!! Coincidence? Serendipity? Providence? Putting out into the universe - -as Kylie would say?  I'd say so.  It only took a couple of words for her to remember the perfect day we'd had in this very spot.

Not quite 3 years old

Greg arrived with an armful of dry fluffy towels to wrap the frozen happy babies up!

As Tigs and I drove home we reminisced about Kylie, Josh and 'Ony.

 "Oh dear, oh dear, I miss Kylie, Tiggy".  I cried. 

"And I miss Joshy & 'Ony", sighed Tigs.

Thank heavens they'll be back to visit soon.

For you Kylie - X

monday, monday ...

...so good to me.

For the past few Monday's our Mothers' Group has been meeting at the St Kilda Sea Baths (make no mistake it's all about the mothers! OK, who am I kidding it's all about the scrumptious babies) .  It's just lovely down there and the first time we went I really felt as if we'd been teleported to France.  The first day we met there it was balmy and tropical - heavenly.  The children had a ball and played in the sand, scootered around and sipped on Babycinos.  Cute kids, fun outing, followed by a great nap in the afternoon - that just about says it all don't you think?

Last week the weather had turned chilly.  I know, I know,  those in the UK are probably rubbing their poor chins that just hit the floor with this image our 'crummy' winter weather but we still met at the cafe and this time decided to do a little more than sit on our derrieres sipping cafe au lait!  So we strolled along the pier to the  replica of the original kiosk.  You can read all about its history at the link up above.

Our pretty city and bay from the end of the pier.  I never ever tire of how beautiful the Melbourne skyline is. 

  I turned from snapping photos of the city to see the Pram Parade behind me! Woo's friends - and mine!

See it really was chilly enough to have to pop on some bears ears!

This is just four weeks ago at the same place.  Not really put here for any other reason than I think this is possibly my favourite photo of Woosey-Woo. What a pretty baby.  You don't have to tell me you agree though - because I already know it's true!

Back soon,

E x

eye spy

with my blue, blue eye ...

 

a female Satin Bower bird at the Melbourne Museum.  So pretty.

a week of playing

Last sunday we met at North Road Pavillion for brunch with old friends. Oh, it was so good and I was SO happy. I miss Kylie to much and to have her in front of me with no time delay and cut-outs from good old Skype, was such a treat. This was the first time Kylie & co had met the baby. 'Ony Rose had fun playing with her.

Kylie's first cuddles with Woo

Woo-woo is really fascinated by phones and remotes - in fact anything with buttons. I finally gave in and she now has her own mobile! No, no credit on it, just for fun! Phew she's happy, although if you're not quick enough with the swap over, Heaven help you!


fireman tiggy

On Wednesday we went to the park after creche and had such fun in spite of the fact that poor Tigs was clearly coming down with a cold. Here's my spider-boy.

Tigs was really keen to take a photo of Woo and me on the ladybird ride. I had no idea how springy the spring underneath was until I was half way in with my weight pushing down and the spring bending wildly. I implored my deeply buried tummy muscles to wake from their slumber and prevent me from falling, humiliatingly, to the ground.

Thank you muscle-memory you saved me!

Woo pretending she likes the swing. Mostly she just sits there looking slightly hauty and looking around, anywhere but at me. Maybe I should stop torturing her with the swing. Tigs used to LOVE it to bits and would laugh and smile and beg for more. Not Miss Self-contained.

kisses for mummy

sheer unbridled joy!

She liked the ladybird ride much better ...

especially when she's in with her big brother

Have a great Sunday

x

hollywood children's farm

Collingwood Children's Farm or 'Hollywood' Children's Farm as a little girl I used to teach called it!

We met up with our friend's who are posted in Dubai at the moment. It's 48C there right now, so a chilly, but gloriously sunny day, was the perfect change for them.

Kylie all rugged up.

How could anyone eat them? Honestly. Having said that I have a pot of beef casserole on the stove for the meateaters here and am making myself some Tourta, courtesy of my friend Lisa.

Joshy and Tigs and hungry Nanny Goats

The boys had a wonderful time feeding all the animals. They, the animals, that is, are so used to all the children and are also incredibly greedy. There was a great balance to their relationship, the children fed them and the animals succumbed to the patting.

more boys and more goats

Oh, it's just so lovely there. You're a mere blink from the city and yet it's so tranquil and rural. It's the most wonderful place for the children to go and enjoy 'farm' life and for the adults to gulp in the country ambience.


Cockadoodledoo! Isn't the red spectacular? You can even buy the chickens (for $5) if they have some babies available. Kylie's husband Alex, ever the joker, was overheard asking how much chooks were at Coles, "Because 5 bucks seems like pretty good value!". Ha Ha Alex.

Even the usually grumpy geese rested quietly and preened, a sure sign that these
Goosey-goosey's have little to worry about - if you know what I mean.

We had a yummy organic lunch in the cafe overlooking fields and fowl!

I do hope this dear little piggy is not going to market. Look at those beautiful lashes s/he was so inquisitive and brave. S/he has 5 brothers and sisters, their big, exhausted mummy Maisy lay wallowing as her one month old babies jumped around her and skittered through the mud. They are so cheeky and adorable.

A closer look at those lashes. I want them! Actually I'd keep the whole piggy if she wasn't going to get so enormous. I've a long held dream to have a mini-pig as a pet. They are SO clever, prefer to be clean and George Clooney had one! They make puppies, even very smart ones, seem a little daft. I'm told that the brightest of pups will learn up to 50 commands, that'd be Spice, but a pig can learn 200 without so much as an 'oink'!

Tiggy making friends

Dear 'Ony Rosey.

Animals make her a little nervous but eventually she made friends with some of them too. Isn't she gorgeous?