South Coast, NSW

We recently had a weekend away to see our friends on the South Coast, NSW, about 3.5 hour drive from Sydney.  We hadn't been to their house since MissE was 8 weeks old (her first trip!) and their eldest was celebrating his Christening.  We were all very much looking forward to getting away from Sydney, and enjoying a relaxing weekend with good friends.   Cranium (US Edition) and Jim (Bean) were packed!

Unfortunately our 3.5 hour drive took close to 5 hours due to a truck fire which had us at a stand still for over an hour.  It was so much fun with a 3 year old who doesn't stop talking and a hungry 8 month old who couldn't get crackers in his mouth fast enough!  We stopped in Berry, NSW for lunch which is this gorgeous rustic town full of delicious organic cafes, bakeries and antique shops.  I also made us stop on the way back to Sydney too but more on that later.  And we finally reached our destination!

The first order of business was meeting the B Family's newest additions: 3 alpacas!

Dot (mama), Mars (male) and the baby Galahad

Eden loved the alpacas!  He would yell at them and giggle
when they said "Mmm".

MissE also went on a tractor ride

After a good night's sleep, and enjoying the view of the wild kangaroos at breakfast, we spent the morning at Mollymook Beach while waiting for our other friends (it was a full house!)

Getting our toes wet at Mollymook Beach

Mr.E trying surfing with Wills lending a hand

MissE surfing

Writing her name in the sand

Stomping sand castles with L

The party started that afternoon with 6 children under 4!  Luckily there was so much to do at the B's: trampoline, swing set, a jumping castle, feeding alpacas, tractor rides and roasting marshmallows over a bonfire (yes Mr.H and I made s'mores although they still don't taste right without graham crackers.  I will have to try a homemade recipe).

MissE with B1 and B2 in front of the bonfire

It was amazing we got all 6 to sleep with time for the adults to play 2 games of Cranium!

The next morning, we headed back to Mollymook Beach.  It just so happened that there was a 2.3k open water.  While I considered doing it, I haven't been in the pool in a while thanks to conflicting bedtime and practice.  Maybe next year as they call this swim, Mollymook golf course reef, given it's calm, clear conditions and wafting weeds.

MissE and L boogie boarding

 Unfortunately, it was time to head home.  Mr.E kept the backseat (and mama) entertained with games of peek-a-boo until we again reached Berry.  This time we stopped at The Famous Berry Donut Van.  Reviews of the Donut Van said their "donuts will change your life".  Yep.  It was that good.  They do not cook your donut until you order but the short wait is well worth the piping hot, fresh donuts!

It's Easter!

Happy Easter!

Easter Crafts
MissE and her BFF (CJ) spent an afternoon making Easter Baskets and toilet roll chicks and bunnies.

Easter Bonnet Parade (at daycare)
The Easter Parade is a favourite of MissE's.  Although she made a hat at daycare, she asked me to make her a hat with purple flowers (fabric flowers, too easy) which she wore for the parade.

Daycare-made hat

After marching with her friends, the Easter Bunny paid the children a visit with a basket full of chocolate eggs.

Hot-cross buns were on the menu for afternoon tea.  I made Hidden Egg Surprise Rice Crispie Treats for her friends too.

Speaking of baking, I had a 3 month hiatus post-MissE's birthday so I decided to spend a good portion of the holiday baking.  Here are my mini-cupcakes:

Mini-chocolate bird nest cupcakes

Easter Sunday
MissE and Mr.E woke up to find the Easter Bunny had paid them a visit!  MissE scored a Monster Police Truck with a chocolate egg and Mr.E, a Peter Rabbit toy with small chocolate eggs (which MissE happily ate for him).  The Cadbury Marshmallow Eggs were for Mr.H and I.

No girly-girl here!

Easter Egg Hunt
This year's Easter Egg Hunt & Breakfast was at Cousin H&C's.  The girls enjoyed running around gathering as many eggs as they could find and also finding the big Easter Bunny!  However they thought the chocolate eggs were breakfast...

*MissE also had an Easter Egg Hunt at daycare.  The teachers set out the chocolate eggs while the children were outside playing, gave them their paper baskets made earlier during the day, and let them loose!  A few teachers told me how MissE found ALL the chocolate eggs before the other children had a chance to look!  MissE was more than happy to share her findings as long as the teachers slipped her a few extra.


The Sydney Royal Easter Show
A favourite of mine, we ventured off to the Easter Show on Easter Monday.  We took the train there which made Eloise and Eden very happy.  Eden loved looking out the window as we were travelling.  That was all the excitement he needed as he spent most of our time at the Show fast asleep!

We spent the most time in The Food Farm learning where our food comes from.  Eloise got to sit in a tractor and turned oats into pastry.

Where does my burger come from?

On the tractor

One of many cut-outs we took photos in
(like mother like daughter!)

Grinding our oats

Rolled into pastry

Next was the Dairy Farmer's Farmyard Nursery where she got to feed and pat baby farm animals.

She requested to go on one ride, first choosing an adult ride (I don't think so) but was happily steered into the Kids Carnival onto the Fantasy Cups (in-training for Disneyland!)

Spinning, spinning, spinning...
maybe too much spinning for a very tired MissE?

On the train home

This year, she chose a Sesame Street show bag (although she does not watch Sesame Street anymore), mostly for the Elmo Umbrella which Sabi ate last year.

MissE's Elmo umbrella and hat

First Words, Mistaken Identity and Opportunity Knocks (April)

Another month, another blog post!  It's been a busy month with Easter and a weekend away, so here are the formalities with Easter and our weekend away to follow in separate posts.

MrE is 9 months!
Eden is 9 months.  He now weighs 21 lbs 8 oz or 9.9 kg

Mr.E is one happy boy!  We are still treated to lots of smiles, kisses and now return hugs.  Mr.E has a discovered Sesame Street and Ollie (an orange muppet who sings on Nick Jr) and is mesmerized.
                                                            
 Milestone: First Words
This month brought his first word: "MAMA"  He has been babbling for some time but one morning as I was feeding him breakfast, he looked at me and said "mama" clear as day!  Eloise got very still, her eyes widened and she said "Did you hear that?"  Yes, I did!  He has since started saying "dada".

Mr.E does the Worm
Mr.E is no longer lazy!  In a matter of a day, he decided he liked moving around the room and off he went.  He prefers to commando crawl still although he does sometimes move on his hands and knees.  He loves to explore his home, playing hide-n-seek to find us in different rooms.  The big smile on his face as he peers around corners and doorways is priceless.  And don't tell MissE but he loves to play in her room when she is at pre-school.  He will crawl to her room and go for her toys!
Unlike his sister, we have had to find our child proofing kit.  Although I bought electrical covers, etc for MissE I never had to use them as she never touched anything.  The first thing Mr.E wanted was a socket, the second was the power board and the third was the XBox 360 and wii.  He already does not listen to "no!"  He turns around, smiles and giggles at you then goes right back to what he was doing, trying to pull the plugs.

Another favourite pastime is using us as a jungle gym and pulling up on our pants (better make sure the belt is tight!)
I am really enjoying that Mr.E has taken the 'slow and steady' approach to milestones like rolling, crawling, pulling up.  This time I feel like I have a baby for much longer.

WINNING!
I am so excited about this STILL.  As I have written about in past blogs, Mr.E likes to face me when we are out and about.  I have spent months in search of a  bugaboo bee + (the only pram to meet all of my requirements: reversible seat, compact and lightweight, foam filled wheels) and had only recently resigned myself to purchasing it in the US (while it retails for $899 here, it is $649 in the US) and carefully transporting it back to Australia after a few failed offers on our local classified website and bids on eBay.  Very unlucky, the Special Edition bugaboo + Missoni was what I had my eyes on and no longer at Neiman Marcus. Then, one morning, by chance I thought I would check eBay and a BNIB (or brand new in box) bugaboo bee + came up for under $500 (my price point and unheard of for brand new!).  I emailed the seller to ask if it came with a canopy (these are an additional $49-79) and during that time, the item has sold.  But when she replied, she said she actually had another one she was going to list.  I had to consult my eBay guru to weigh up the purchase which in retrospect was silly.  I bought it and we are all living happily ever after with the bee + (Mr.H and I love the way it pushes, Mr.E loves the option of facing in or out, and MissE loves riding on the skateboard attachement).   Here's the pram liner I made for it:

My First Passport

Have passport, Will travel.

A few more photos:

I 'mustache' you to feed me!

Hipster in Training

His and Hers 'winter' hats

MissE
The power of the internet to prove you wrong (let's hope after I write the next line I don't get proven wrong again)!  After last month's post, MissE has been good... er, calmed down (Darn power of the internet working again!), other than talking back.  That's still a problem but I've heard that will be a problem until she's 18.  We only have a few incidents here and there but for the most part, she is open to listening to you and following directions.  Talking about Big School (although she is still 1.5 years off but she doesn't know that) has helped as she is desperate to go to Big School and wear a uniform with a hat.  We are also working on days of the week, telling time (digital clock) and looking after her things because that's what you do at Big School.

MissE Misses Gung-gung
Recently at the grocery store, MissE saw a Chinese gentleman  and shouted "Hi Gung-gung!", waving madly. And yes, the gentleman had an uncanny resemblance to Gung-gung (I might add, a younger version, which will put a smile on Gung-gung's face).  Conor and I laughed and quietly told her that it was not Gung-gung to which she replied "I really miss Gung-gung".

Kiss the Boys and Don't Make Them Cry...
As I posted last month, we've had a few issues with MissE not listening at swimming in regards to her not kicking when asked.  Hello, bottom of the pool!  A few weeks ago, it finally clicked.  I am not sure what it was as there were a combination of things at work (no beach/ pool threats and a promise of chocolate post-swim) but we had a big laugh over this exchange:

Mr.H: Miss.E, if you kick your legs very fast today and I will be very happy with you.
MissE: Okay daddy.  You and mama will be my friend if I kick?
Me: Yes, the boys (in her class) will also be your friends.
MissE: Will they give me a kiss?
Mr.H: You would like that, wouldn't you?
MissE: Oh, YES!

Uh-oh daddy!  During swim lessons, she kicked her legs very fast so she was rewarded with her chocolate post-swim.  As we were driving away, she asked: Mama, I kicked very fast.  How come the boys didn't give me a kiss???

Bernie Mullane Sports Complex
We had the chance to check out a new park nearby.  It was fantastic, although lacking in seating for the adults!

Surfer Girl

Little Drummer Girl

Me
I haven't written about me for a while so here's what I have been up to in a nutshell: now that Mr.E is happy to have bottles during the day, I am hoping to pick up an extra working day or 2 with my temp agency.  I am currently doing one day every other week with a (great) pharmaceutical which I am very much enjoying.  While I check our job search engine and keep my ears open daily, I am still waiting until we return from our trip to seek a permanent position.  I hope the right thing will be there at the right time for me!

To start up or not to start up?
I've been thinking about this for some time now but only now it's starting to take shape in my head.  After each party for Eloise or Halloween, I am told I should start a children's party business from friends with and without children.  What has deterred me before is the amount of work I put into the parties but when it's your own, you are a perfectionist.  After this weekend, of persistent hounding and being given a deadline of a year to get it started, I am truly giving it a thought.  How to?  How much do I need to start?  How do I start?  Is it profitable?  Will it be worth the time?

Sew Cute
Pinterest is my cryptonite! I can't jump on there without pinning at least 3 sewing projects then running out to find the perfect fabric for it the next day.  My craft room is currently brimming with fabric and patterns... and good intentions.  Here's a few completed projects for April:

A new sunhat for Mr.E 

Pretty in Pleats Tunic

One-Shoulder Dressy Dress

A Date Night!
Mr.H and I recently had a date night, thanks to my B-I-L.  One of my favourite book series was recently turned into a little movie called The Hunger Games and we were one of the first in the world to see it!

Mocking Jay Pin

It was excellent, both the movie and a night out!  I recommend reading the books and seeing the movie if you haven't!

Insanity!
                                                                  
Have you heard about Insanity?  It's a very aptly named workout series that is all the rage in the US but not here... yet.
After not losing the baby weight from Eloise and carrying it over to Eden, this time I was determined to not let it weigh me down!  It's become something that Mr.H and I do together every night before we watch a little bit of TV.
We started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred at the recommendation of a friend who swore by it (and she had an amazingly fit body).  It was okay.  I liked that it was 25 minutes but I still felt like I could do more.  After flipping through a few US magazines (love Zinio for iPad) I saw an advertisement for it.  I checked it out online then saw that one of my friends on Facebook was doing it and said it was a good workout but tough.  Let's give it a try!  Thank goodness we did 30 Day Shred because we didn't suffer as much when we started Insanity.  The fit test nearly made me run for the hills!  It's a 60 day program with a Sunday rest day and a fit test every 2 weeks.  We are in the home stretch now with 2.5 weeks to go.  I've had a few days off first for a back injury (during week 2) and more recently our weekend away so I am trying to get back into it (and put my diet back in check after Easter eggs and glasses of wine all weekend).
So far so good with the results!  I won't embarrass myself by posting before and after photos but I have lost 17 pounds, and taken several inches off my arms, thighs, waist, tummy (not enough off the tell-tale mama pouch though!) and hips.  I am now back in my pre-Eloise clothes!  And hopefully, I am not done yet...