Pause on 2014 (May)

Here we are… 5 months into the year!  I feel like it’s on fast-forward… and am desperate to hit the Pause.

May the Fourth

There is no better way to kick of May than with a celebration of Star Wars day.  We dressed for the occasion. 

I made Miss E's Chewie-inspired tee

We then spent the afternoon watching Return of the Jedi (only Mr E and I were still recovering from our colds and fell asleep.  Oops.)

Mr H

It’s was Mr H’s birthday this month!  He celebrated with a big work lunch so we had takeaway Thai, washed down with this cake I made:

What else do you make for a Thronie (Game of Throne fan)?  The Iron Throne!  It was red velvet with cream cheese frosting, fondant, gun-metal grey edible glitter and delicious.  I have to say, it was one of the easiest cakes I’ve made - I call it the “in-the-time-it-takes-to-pick-up-Thai cake” (30 minutes if anyone is counting).

Happy birthday Daddy!

Hawkesbury Show

We visited Nanny at the Hawkesbury Show and got in a few rides, patted some farm animals and played some games (Eden was a big winner at a fishing game, although he prefers his prize (snake) to live unseen in his closet!).

I rock ruff and stuff with my afro puffs
(alpaca wool)

They did not enjoy this giant slide.  Tears were flowing.

Getting dizzy on Teacups...

Our 3rd time on the teacups.

Flying High on Circus Elephants

Having fun (kind of) on the ferris wheel

On the garbage… er, fire truck.

Animal nursery: feeding the goats

Show bag time!  MrE wanted "shooting"
You're either SWAT or you're not!

We brought home Eloise in a show bag

Goodbye cow!

We had dinner at Aldo’s before heading home.  Yum, yum!

So exhausted...

Mother’s Day Drive

Gift form Eloise: Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast at the table…
Eden helping himself

For Mother’s Day, I woke up to art projects from the kids and a spa day voucher too.  After breakfast, we piled into the car for a day trip to Berry.  Our excuse was to visit a nursery but it was closed – darn!  So we had a delicious lunch at Savannah (African cuisine) then drove through Kangaroo Valley to Fitzroy Falls.

Soweto BBQ Plate and for dessert: peppermint tea chocolate panna cotta

Fitzroy Falls

Lookout!  Waterfall below

Hello Wombats!

Happy Birthday Miss H!

We helped celebrate cousin H’s 6^th birthday with a Frozen birthday party.  Eloise partied so hard, she ripped her Elsa dress (back to the sewing machine for me)! 

My sister-in-law is so talented; her Frozen cake

Pin the Tail on the Donkey fun

VIVID Sydney

It’s one of my favourite times of year – VIVID Sydney Festival!  This year it’s expanded to several points in the City.  We decided to forgo the overnight at a hotel like we usually do and opted for going in two nights.

We’ve had the most incredible weather lately and with it came the entire population of Australia to the festival (I’m joking but that’s what it felt like).  Despite the crowds, we enjoyed the night on the town.  One word: Lightsabers.  For more photos, click here.

Vivid Sydney 2014

MCA

Follow the White Rabbit

LIGHTSABERS!

MissE & MrE

Cute moment caught between the E's

Iron Tiger

I am thrilled I get to watch MissE at taekwondo now (since becoming a yellow belt, her class is later in the afternoon).  She has her very own paparazzi. 

She is also enjoying practicing at home and earned 2 stripes at 1 practice for her hard work.

MrE's been practicing too

As MissE approaches 5.5, we are starting to notice more attitude and arguments from her.  It's like she holds in the naughty all day until we pick her up, then lets it out.  *Sigh* The good news is that we currently have Disney on Ice we are holding over her and it's working.  

MrE

It’s been a tough month.  It looks like he is fast becoming a ‘threeanger’.  He’s been more assertive and stubborn this month.  And "why, why, why, WHY?" is back in our house.  He has also moved into the pre-pre-school room, graduating from Toddlers at daycare.  He has adjusted well.

Then there was the ‘Banana’ Incident of 2014.  For the sake of being a TMI/ MOS (too much information/ mom-over-sharer) I have interchanged ‘banana’ for another word and because banana is a funny word.  The minions are totally onto something.

‘The Banana Incident of 2014’

A short backstory, I hate squirt toys.  I hate them, I hate them, I hate them to the point that I tried to glue the squirt portion closed so that they are water tight.  Anyway, we still have a few that are not glued shut or the glue has come off.  I can’t get all the water out of them so they get a brown mould inside that floats into the water and the kids get upset that it’s ‘poop’.  Okay, back to the ‘Banana Incident’:  The two E’s are now having separate baths/ showers because they fight too much over toys.  MissE was being a mermaid in the bathtub while MrE was showering.  I was in Eden’s room putting laundry away.

MrE: DADDY!  Please come, there is a banana in the shower!

I come because I am closest and I find Eden trying to get the shower door open with a banana in his hand.  Yep. A. Banana. In. His. Hand.  Part of me was disgusted and the other part of me couldn’t stop laughing.

MrH: PUT THE BANANA DOWN RIGHT NOW!  WHY DID YOU BANANA IN THE SHOWER?

MrE: Umm… I don’t know?

Later that evening, before bed time, he gave me a big cuddle and kiss and said “Mama, I’m sorry I did a banana in the shower”.

Later that evening…

MrH: Hmm… nothing funny happened to me today.

Me: Really?  He was holding A BANANA IN HIS HAND in the shower.

MissE Says the Darnedest Things

Eden was getting changed downstairs while Eloise was eating her breakfast.

MissE: Eww!  Ed-en, I can see your doodle! (in a sing-song teasing way)

MrE: Ha, ha!  You have to see my doodle!

Good comeback, buddy!

Can’t Sleep.  Tickle Monster will get me.

MrE had a nap that afternoon and later at dinner, we had this conversation.

MrE: Mama, I had a dream.  There were tickle monsters and chickens in my room!  Daddy and mama killed them though.

Me: Oh, that’s good.  No more tickle monsters and chickens?

MrE: Nope.

Unfortunately he had forgotten that we “killed” them later that evening and was up 3 times worried about them!

*Update: These tickle monsters of his are actually a product of too much Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.  The tickle monster is sarlacc/ Great Pit of Carkoon.

Me

The most unflattering suit ever!

I kicked off May with a Bucket List tick… actually I didn’t even know it was on my Bucket List until I was presented with the opportunity.  I was invited to experience a Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb with a twist.  On top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we received a black carpet “ascent” and were met by the Executive Chefs of Sake (Shaun Presland), The Cut (Grant Croft) and Ananas (Paul McGrath) at each turn who served us hors d’ouvres.

The Cut - Beef Tartare with Quail Egg, Truffle Mustard, Traditional Garnishes (read: gold flakes) and lavosh

Ananas - Seared Yellow Fin Tuna Salade Niçoise

Sake – BridgeClimb Monster sushi roll

While we enjoyed our delicious mouthfuls (no really, you had to put the whole bite in your mouth before moving past in case you dropped anything)  and the view, we were serenaded by a local singer and ukulele player.

We descended while the sun was setting over Sydney.  Firmly on the ground, we celebrated with drinks and more canapés at Ananas with Executive Chef Paul McGrath and our singers.  And to finish the evening, we were spoiled with goodie bags!    

Oh, goodie!

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

We had a morning tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council.  We had a little competition within my company on the best “baker”.  Those that came to the tea were given a vote for their donation.  As they loaded up their plates to try a little of everything, they also voted for the best dish.  I came in 2^nd with my lavender gateau mille crepe cake. 

Caramelised topped crepe cake with lavender fresh cream

The next day, we had tea with Mr E for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea too.

Moe’s Tavern

For a limited time only, Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel opened Moe’s Tavern from the Simpson’s, serving only Duff Beer on tap.  So while we had Nanny and Parps staying with us for a few days, and the E’s were sleeping soundly MrH and I took the opportunity to have an impromptu Sunday night date night.

It was a bit of fun there – and the Duff wasn’t bad (very much an American beer – light and on the flat side).

Since Moe’s closed early, we headed to The Star for dessert from Gelato Messina (Australia’s best gelato).  I was feeling adventurous and had “So Wrong, It’s Right” – cream cheese and caramel gelato smashed with white chocolate potato chips, smothered in duck fat caramel.

Date Night (again)

It’s like we won the lottery!  Two nights in a row!  This time we took in X-Men: Days of Future Past in 3-D.

Girls Night Out

Like I said before, time is flying; our last dinner was in early March.  This time, we tried CJ’s French and Fondue Restaurant in Neutral Bay.  (I love fondue – I dream about La Fondue in Saratoga).  I had a horrible day at work (things going wrong with every event I am working on) and trying to get home (dead car battery) so I was really looking forward to a girls night... and a large glass of wine.  CJ’s didn’t disappoint; the little restaurant was charming and the food was delicious!  Oh, and the wine was good… we had so much fun, my bad day was long gone!

So yummy… I want to go again!

Crafternoon
I wasn't as crafty as I hoped to be this month, but I did make 2 tee-shirts.  Yay!  Pictured above was the Chewbacca inspired tee I made to celebrate May the Fourth.  And this tee, has been on the 'to do' list for some time now.  It so suits MrE.

I solemnly swear I am up to no good -
Midnight Marauders map from Harry Potter series.
Made with bleach!

Until next time… someone (me) is getting a year older and we have been busy DIY-ing (hopefully we will be ready to reveal our latest projects).