Blowing Bubbles!

Lily has loved bubbles for most of her little life which is nothing special because who knows a child that isn't fond of the old bubble?!

I always knew she loved them but I didn’t realise until today that she actually knew how they worked. She knew that she needed to dip the bubble blower in the liquid (which she tried so vehemently to hold her self but naughty mummy wouldn’t let her - I'm not dumb - It would've be everywhere in 5 seconds flat) and to blow (that's if you can call spit flying everywhere blowing). Sometimes she got it all wrong and put the blower in her mouth (tasted yummo!), but sometimes she got it right and when she did she thought she was wonderful. Trevor and I haven’t really been big bubble blowers but I know they do it a lot at kindy - it seems she’s had some practice!

When it was all over, there were tears! She wanted more bubbles. Needless to say, the evening went down hill from there.

The Adventures of Big School

I shudder to think how my emotions will be holding up come Australia Day eve 2009. I mean, it’s not every day that your first born toddles off to school for the very first time. Byron’s first day of school has always been a distant event…never really on the horizon, until now. It is officially 365 days until he puts on that little uniform and heads out of my arms and into the realm of formal education.

The countdown is officially on! For every month that disappears in to the abyss of 2008 it’s one month closer to ‘big’ school.

*sigh*

I’m a working mum and have been for most of my kids’ young lives. So, I have had the opportunity to deal with separation anxiety (me not them) long ago. That said there is a huge difference between sending your children off to kindy (where they are cuddled, babied and nurtured) to sending them into a classroom of up to 30 children, with one adult minder. For the last three odd years I have been content in the care Byron has been receiving. I am completely reassured in my self that he is well looked after and enjoys where he goes. Dropping him off to Kindy is part of our routine; a routine I would prefer not to change. I’m scared of change – especially change this huge.

As I made the kids lunches for kindy this evening, I couldn’t help but wonder what it will be like to make Byron’s first day of school lunch – how will it stay cold? Who will make sure he eats it all? What happens if he loses it, or someone tries to steal it?

If I’m thinking about this type of stuff now, how will I manage in 365 days time? What hope do I really have?

If truth be told, we haven’t yet decided 100% which school Byron will attend next year, although we are fairly certain. It will be a public school that’s for sure. We decided that we are happy with a public primary education…we’re comfortable in the education he will receive in a public school. That said, we’re pretty sure (ok 99% sure) he will be attending a private high school (again, we’re just not quite sure where yet).

Formal education is such a huge step in a child’s life. It represents the formative years...the foundation if you will. We all attend school at some point in our life – some for longer then others. I know the schooling years will bring much joy into our lives or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Look, don’t get me wrong…It’s a big milestone heading off to school and I’ll embrace it for all it’s worth, but, I’m just glad I have 365 days before I have to let the embracing begin.

I’m definitely not ready to call myself a mother of a school aged child – that would mean I am getting older (I think turning 30 and sending my first born off to school all in the same year would have been way to much to take...he he he).

For now, I still have my two 'babies' and no school aged children to speak of! I better make the most of it while I can. I can see those 365 days counting down in my head already.

Summer Bliss

There is only one more month until my little Lily is 18 months old – closer to two then to one! I simply can not believe how fast she is growing up. It’s been the best ride so far. She is truly a blessing to this family. A wonder to behold!

Lily at 17 months!

My sister, a teacher, jokingly said over the Christmas break that ‘summer weather’ would arrive during her first week back at school (you might recall that we had about 5 weeks of rain during December and the early part of January). She couldn’t have been more right. This weekend, the weekend before school starts, was the most glorious weather – so sunny and hot! It was weather I thought would never arrive.

I love summer! I have been a summer girl my whole life. I love the clothes, the lifestyle, the feeling that summer brings. It’s synonymous with the fun part of the year (i.e. Christmas) and well it’s just bliss.

This weekend, we made the most of the beautiful weather and took the kids swimming at every opportunity. It has been a weekend of just 'hanging out' and it's been a most enjoyable one at that...the best one in a long while.

My Super Hero!

This Australia day, we trotted off to a superhero birthday party for one of Byron’s little kindy friends who was turning four. Anyway, the kids were apparently supposed to dress up as a superhero and well, Byron and the birthday boy were the only ones to dress up which was a bit of shame – Geezers I don’t know about some parents – kids are kids for such a short time – if the invitation says dress up well in my opinion they should be dressed up! Anyway, I digress…Byron went along as superman and can I just say he was the cutest superman alive…so darn cute it was ridiculous.

Staking it out

Soaring through the sky...

...Coming in for the landing!

Byron isn’t a boy-ee boy if you get my drift. I mean he loves to play with trucks and stuff like that but he isn’t the typical rough and ready type boy (which is why I suspect the girls love him). He is sensitive – sensitive to people’s feelings and emotions. I don’t know if it was something about the costume or what, but he certainly was a typical boy today. Wresting…he and the little boys wouldn’t stop wrestling and jumping on each other; punching and well just being rough and ready. It was the first real time I have seen him act like a typical boy (and I’m kinda glad – I don’t want him to be too sensitive – the whole bully thing worries me but that’s a story for another time).

All in all (aside from worrying what injuries Byron might return home with) it was a great day…just hanging out with Trevor, Byron and Lily for the afternoon. It was a nice way to spend Australia Day.

Windows and Doors

Can I just say at the outset how strange it is to walk through a house that has windows and doors yet no walls?! It’s just plain odd.

Well, there you have it – we have windows and doors and hopefully *fingers crossed* we will have walls very very soon (although if they continue at the snails pace they are, it may be next year before we have walls – but that’s another story).

Creative Juices

You have probably noticed of late my passion (or obsession) for pictures. I’m totally in love with my new camera and totally in love with taking pictures. I haven’t felt enthusiasm like this for a very long time. To be honest, it’s very refreshing to have a creative outlet; something to focus your energy on (although some would argue my energy could be better spent elsewhere i.e. house work).

If truth be told, I have always been somewhat creative in my endeavours – now I’m no artist and couldn’t draw to save myself, but I do like to use my hands and love to take a step back and see what I have created. I went through a scrap booking stage before children but time unfortunately got a hold of that interest. I have always enjoyed crafty type activities but again time got the better of me with those happenings. I have no doubt that I would have been a builder/carpenter or a tradie of some kind in my past life – cause I love tools!

It’s ironic really, that I became a lawyer – I mean what creative juices does that entail? Others may argue differently, but all I see is a desk job and loads of reading and a lot of writing/typing/dictating. Hence, my need for an artistic outlet – something that I can grow into; something I can love and best of all a finished product that I can look fondly at and know I created!

Photography fits the bill on so many accounts is it any wonder I love it. I can’t help wondering how I didn’t stumble over it long ago. We all take photos right? It’s something I have been guilty of for a long time (taking way too many photos). I took photographs yes, but did I really take them? Did I look at what I snapped as a story; a piece of art? Possibly not. Over the last few months, I have gained so much insight into photography and the ‘art’ of it that my brain is bursting with its new found knowledge. Who knew there was so much to learn? Who knew there were rules to composing a shot? I certainly didn’t. Photography is so much more then looking through the viewfinder and pressing the shutter button – it just is!

What’s really got me though is the ‘processing’ side of things. I love Photoshop - read: if I could spend all day mucking around on there I would - and the fact you can change a photo from a great shot to a WOW shot. It’s amazing! Processing has probably been the most frustrating part of my very short journey to date. I guess it’s no wonder when you practically need a degree to operate it. Practice makes perfect as they say and I’m slowly but surely getting there, practicing with every spare moment I have.

It’s uplifting to look back at photos I took a month ago and see improvements. At this stage, improvement and a sense of accomplishment is all I require – oh - and the gorgeous photos of my children, which brings me to crux of why I was drawn to the camera. I guess what I love most about photography is the moment it freezes in time. Literally, a moment captured that otherwise could never be relived. A moment in time, forever frozen...

A moment frozen for ever in my heart (and on my wall!)

Breakthrough!

Byron cracked some poses for me this afternoon (albeit for 30 seconds). Needless to say, I was rather excited!

I have to say, without doubt (no bias of course), that I have one of the most handsomest little boys in the world. He is so gorgeous...and those eyes! Divine.

Byron couldn't help but admire his good looks when he saw these photos on the computer, saying to himself, "I love Byron". Talk about vanity. Oh the joys of being four.

My Jasper Roof

Well the roof is on; it’s finally finished. My beautiful roof is complete!

*sigh*

I’m sure I have mentioned it previously, but if you didn’t already know, our roof is a colorbond roof called Jasper. Apparently, it is touched by the colours of the earth, stone, shale and the deepest hues of the eucalypt. In other words, it’s from the brown family.

As soon as I saw the colour I knew that was for us. Aside from black, there was really no other colour I (opps *we*) liked. I quite like the earthy natural tones as does Trevor so we both agreed on Jasper. All we need to do now is pick the colour of the house – the paint for the rendered finish. Some how I think that's going to be much harder then the roof it self - it could make or break the house. Oh the pressure!

*sigh*

Front of the house

Alfresco side of house

Not so interesting - close to fence side of house

P.S I promise...no more diary entries for today!

Byron's First Shave

Nanna gave Byron his very first shaving kit for Christmas complete with shaving cream, brush, razor, mirror and comb! She said she had seen it in the window of the local toy shop as she headed to go to the post office and well, couldn’t walk past it with out buying it! Needless to say, he thought it was a great present - “just like Daddy’s shaver”.

He was itching to give it a go but of course had to wait until Trevor could teach him how. I know how to shave legs but not the face thank you very much!

Trevor doesn’t really shave that often – he can go weeks if he likes and there isn’t a beard to speak of. Trevor isn’t blessed with fast growing facial hair (no five o’clock shadow for him) which some would argue is a good thing.

Anyway, a few weeks back he was finally given the opportunity to share a shaving experience with Byron. There was no blood, cut faces, shaving rash or anything like that – just some male bonding if you will.

And Bryon’s response to his first shaving experience… “Maybe when I grow I can be like daddy!”

No!

“Are you beautiful?”
“No”

“Is mummy beautiful?”
“No”

Do you want this?
“No”

Lily has discovered a new word. No! Ninety percent of the time, if you ask Lily a question she will respond, in a little mouse like voice, ever so politely, with the answer “no”, Nothing more, nothing less…just no. She only uses it in answer to a question which got me thinking that she must at least have some idea what the word means. I mean, how could she know that it’s used for answering a question if she didn’t have some idea? Hmmmm….I wonder where she picked it up from? Possibly the constant barrage of ‘nos’ I’m dishing out all day long?!

Anyway, ‘no’ is the word of the moment. Although, if you ask her if she wants a bottle you’re greeted with a nod of the head and a resounding YES! She definitely knows the difference.

Speaking of words, Lily’s vocabulary is without doubt expanding. She knows her own name now. When I show her a picture of herself and ask her who it is, she says “Li-ly”. She has also taken to coming up to you with her arms spread wide saying “cud-dle”. My favourite though, is when I point the camera at her (which lets face it, is a regular occurrence these days) and she says with a big tacky grin “cheeeese”. She likes the camera, much more then Byron does which helps when all I want to do is take photos of her all day long. She especially loves to play with his camera. She picks it up, puts it to her eyes and says “cheeeese”. It’s amazing that she knows what it is and how to use it (well nearly…the photos are a bit hit and miss!).

Smelly Bum!

Arghhh! I would have to say in all honesty that I have never met a child that can poo like Lily. She is a pooing machine. Sorry for the ‘too much information’ entry but it really does have to be recorded for prosperity – that I have the stinkiest girl in town!

Every morning I have to get up to the wafting present Lily leaves for me in the morning and poooooweeeee it’s horrible! Six out of seven days, at the crack of sparrows, I walk into her room to be greeted with a delightfully happy sausage jumping around her cot, arms stretched for me to pick her up, appearing to not have a care in the world (how can that be when one's bottom is covered in poo?!). As I get closer to her cot I’m often overcome from the fumes that waft out of her nappy (which turns in to gag factor when I go to change it – so much so I consciously don’t breathe through my nose when I change her nappy in the morning).

I just don’t get how such a cutie pie can ‘produce’ the nappies that she does. Girls are meant to be a sweet smelling and nice...right?!

It’s not just the morning either. Lily will continue to poo all day long. She has always been a phooey little pie – up to 6 dirty nappies a day. I thought it would slow down though...you know down to 1 or 2 a day. Umm know, not Lily. She has continued on as she did when she was a little bubby - up to 6 a day! This makes me very scared about impending toilet training. Arggghhh! I wish I could skip that.

Byron was never as ‘smelly’ as Lily; or at least I can’t remember him being like that. Like I said, I just assumed girls would be more fresh and sweet smelling – seems I was wrong!

Hot Pink Tutu

You might recall I mentioned a few weeks back that Lily was the proud new owner of some silver tini tiny jiffies. Well, I also purchased *naughty naughty* a divine little hot pink tutu to match those gorgeous little shoes. Hmmm, I think I might have mentioned that. Anyway, I popped it on Lily this morning, as you do when you’re not going anywhere special but hanging out at home. I couldn’t resist taking a few snaps in between the showers of rain (yes what a surprise…more rain).

She was just eatable!

P.S I haven't forgotten about my other child....he just needs a bit of bribery to pose...It's rather painful trying to take pics of him at the moment, but I'm working on it! This one cost me a freddo!!!

Slowly but surely...

The weather has been *ok* these last few days and wait for it…they have ¾ finished the roof!

*sigh*

Don’t ask me why it’s only ¾ completed and not finished because I can’t give you an answer. The roof was ¾ finished on Thursday and today it is still only ¾ finished. That is a tad frustrating especially when the weather has been conducive to building. Anyway, so long as they finish it on Monday I'll be happy. So, no photos until it’s complete. I don’t want to spoil it!

In other exciting house news…guess what! We have bricks. They were delivered yesterday! Plus, we have plumbing. All the plumbing was hooked up reading to connect to the bath, taps and shower heads. It’s starting to move along albeit at a snails pace.

I spoke to the builder on Thursday and he has advised the windows will be delivered on Tuesday and the electrical will be done early next week too. The baths (including my spa) will be added to the bathroom and then, after all that, the bricking will be started. I’m a little worried about all the brick work because the weather over the last few months has been far from building friendly. I think we will need at least two weeks sunny weather to get it done but I’m afraid it will drag out for months. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Slowly but surely. Slowly but surely. That is what I keep telling myself.

When we were visiting the site yesterday, I took this sweet photo of Trevor picking up Lily to get her out of the sun shower (yes more rain!).

Seven Things.

I have been tagged by Karen (stupid blog game he he he) to detail seven things about myself that might not be so well known, so here goes:

1. I hate seafood. I absolutely despise it. I can’t stand the smell of dead fish, prawns or lobster – whatever comes from the sea. Yuuuuuuuuuuck!!! I would rather eat a Big Mac then a lobster any day of the week.

2. I’m missing both ‘eye teeth’. Apparently I was born without my adult eye teeth, which makes me deformed if only on a minor scale. As a consequence I had quite a large gap between my two front teeth when I was growing up but that closed somewhat over the years.

3. I’m a terrible house wife but I guess I might have mentioned that already. I’m just pretending, for this stupid game, that know body knows (denial is the best medicine)!

4. I’m a procrastinator. I’m always doing things I shouldn’t be doing (like writing my blog) instead of things I should be (working, cleaning etc). Story of my life really.

5. I hate spiders, snakes, cockroaches (any creepy being). They scare the bejesus out of me. Thankfully, I don’t see too many of them around the place. If I happen to come across them in my travels, I freak out (not a pretty sight).

6. I love freckles and M&Ms. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I can eat a whole bag of freckles in one sitting. If I tried hard enough I reckon I could eat a 500g bag of M&Ms in one sitting too. Not too good for the hips though. I guess that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take!

7. When I was a teenager I loved Oprah! She was my absolute idol. I even read a few biographies back in the day. There were times I dreamed she let me come and live with her in her big mansions. Strange but true!

So there you have it, seven things you possibly didn’t know about me.

I tag Kylie to do the same.

A thousand words...

A picture says a thousand words...

Damn Rain!!!

I thought I would provide an update on the house since it has been a while.

You see, I had all intentions of providing an update but I thought I would wait until there was more to update if you get my drift. The thing is we still don’t have a roof. The roof is delivered ready to go and the beams and stuff (because I have no idea what they are called – it’s the stuff the colour bond is connected to) are on the roof, but that’s it. We do have guttering though, so I guess that’s a start.

The roof was started last Wednesday and a week later there is still little progress to see. Why you say?! Well it’s this damn rain. I never thought I would use damn and rain in the same sentence but I just can’t help it. It is completely and utterly interfering in the progression of my house. This damn (and I will say it as much as I like – damn, damn, damn) rain just won’t let up. Since we started building there has been more rainy building days then sunny building days.

There are some sunny days though – like Saturday and Sunday when the builders don’t work. Plus, there was yesterday when it rained for the first hour or so of the builder’s working day (so 7-9am) and then was bright and sunny for the rest of the day. Do you think they stuck around to see how it would turn out? Nope! They called it quits early on which is so frustrating. If they had stuck around for a little bit longer they could have started and got the job finished.

That is the most frustrating part for Trevor and I…it’s the not making the most out of the sunny days we do have or not working on a Saturday to make up for the time lost. I'll be having a quiet word to my builder about my disdain of this – I’ll let you know how it goes.

As things would go, it is supposed to rain for the next week and if Fox weather channel is to be believed it is supposed to rain for the next month.

D-A-M-N R-A-I-N!!!!!!!!!

Fun in the sun!

In keeping with my new year’s resolution to do more fun, outdoor things on the weekend, we headed out for a Sunday drive. It was touch and go as to whether we would actually get to go out because I slept in to 10.30am – Yes I know 10.30am….I so needed it!

We headed to Wynnum for some fun. It was a great afternoon. The kids and Trevor went for a swim (I was too busy taking pictures LOL), we had some lunch in the park and played in the playground after which we headed home.

Doesn't she have the cutest little bum...I could eat her up!

...and on the sideline watching Byron and Daddy swimming.

She is such a doll!

I promised Byron he could have an ice-cream from one of those ice-cream vans (that was before I knew it would cost $4 for ONE ice-cream). The ice-cream melted every where in about 1 minute flat, but he seemed to enjoy it.

The Little Red Wagon

When I saw a little red wagon sitting all on its lonesome at the toyshop just before Christmas, I couldn’t resit but to take it home (even though my children had plenty in stall for them already). It was just one of those things that I couldn’t resit.

It seems the old world charm got me hook line and sinker.

If truth be told I really wanted to get one of these tandem tricycles we used to have as kids – you know the big red ones with the white seat at the back?! Well apparently though don’t make them anymore. Why am I not surprised with today’s stringent standards on children’s toys? Anyway, all I wanted was a little something that Byron and Lily could play with collectively; something that both, with their varying degrees of development, could use together.

The little red wagon was perfect. As soon as I saw it I instantly pictured Byron pulling Lily along for a ride! How was I to know just how brilliant that little red wagon would be?! We love it! Trevor and I get immense pleasure out of taking the kids for a walk in it…Lily strapped in the back, holding on to the sides for dear life and Byron sitting in front with his legs crossed. They both fit in there perfectly and best of all they both love it.

Byron likes to pull Lily along but when he gets tired he just hops straight in for a ride himself and either Trevor or myself (but mainly Trevor he he he) takes over the reigns. It is without doubt one of my most favourite childhood possessions I have provided my children. The best thing is, I know if it is looked after well, it could potentially serve the next generation to come…more little red wagon adventures. How exciting!

My Niece

I don’t get to see her much which is the biggest shame around because she really is the sweetest little doll ever! My niece is just beautiful. She has these magical eyes that literally suck you right in. Plus she has the cutest little features on that adorable little face of hers.

My sister in law sent me a few pics today. Seeing the pictures got me thinking just how much I’m missing out on her life. She would hardly know who I am…I mean she knows I’m aunty Nic but that’s about it. She probably wouldn’t know me if she walked past me in the street. It’s been a while since I have seen her; Easter last year if my memory is correct. I hate that I can’t develop a relationship with her…a repour like my sister has with my kids. It just plain SUCKS my brother lives so far away (I suppose Sydney is a far cry from Hong Kong but sadly still 1000kms away). I hate that Byron doesn’t get to interact regularly with his little cousins. Apart from my brother’s children, there are no other cousins. That’s it until my sister has children – who knows when that will be.

I would love to see Byron and his cousins running around in the back yard and playing happily with each other.

*sigh*

On a happier note...isn't she just a princess!?...

It's here!

How excited was I today when Trevor rang to tell me that my package had arrived? Let’s just say there was a tad too much clock watching, and possibly not enough work for the remainder of the day.

When I first put my lens on the camera I was a little shocked at how heavy the camera became (and I only have a small lens). I was also a little overcome with all the buttons. After Lily went to bed and Byron was left watching Scooby Doo I was lucky to have a little afternoon light remaining; just enough for me to go out for a little play. The subject matter outside wasn’t the greatest. Thankfully though, there were some flowers to shot and after that, Trevor and Byron became my lucky subjects.

Here are some of my fist *ever* manual photos taken on my first *ever* DSLR. I know I have a long way to go but you have to start somewhere and I'm willing to learn and that’s all that matters.

I'm just happy that using 'manual' settings wasn't a complete debacle.

*If you click on the photos you can see the big versions*

I have added a vintage affect to the photos of Trevor and Byron. I like how they turned out (they are better then the photos that came straight out of the camera - they were far to warm i.e a bit yellow. I will have to figure out how to fix that). Also the ones of Byron and Trevor are a little 'noisy' or grainy as a consequence of being taken inside at night with no flash.

Funny Conversation

Just reporting a funny conversation I shared with Byron in the car this morning on the way to kindy…

B: "I will be turning five soon".
M: "You don’t turn five for another 9 months…in late September".
B: "How do you know?!"
M: "Because I gave birth to you".
B: "What’s birth?"
M: "When you were born. Remember when I was in the hospital with Lily and she was born? Well I was in the hospital with you too".
B: "When I was in your tummy, with Lily, you had no kids. When I get 5 and 6 you will get another baby. I will be older and older and older. I will be in grade 1 and 2 and 3".

I just love how he thinks he was in my tummy with Lily at the same time, but that he came first! Awwwhhhhhhh...how incredibly sweet. I'm not too sure about how many 'babies' he actually thinks will be coming. I can assure you it won't be anymore then one and it will be when he is in prep (finger's crossed).

Shopping for the perfect dress...

I met mum and my sister today for a spot of wedding dress shopping. They headed into the city which was good. It meant I could catch up with them on my lunch hour (or two he he he).

When I arrived my sister was dressed in the perfect dress complete with veil and all. She looked beautiful…just like a princess. The dress was perfect. One of those Cinderella gowns I so love. Honestly, you get married once. It’s the only time you ever really get to dress up and feel truly like Cinderella; a princess. I have never understood the girls that decide the slinky number is the way to go for their wedding dress. I guess it’s each to their own.

Like me, my sister loved the very first dress she ever tried on. She tried on a few more following but she always came back to the first one (once again like me). So, in less then an hour she managed to pick her dress, tiara and veil. Apparently (because I wasn't there as it was time to end my lovely lunch 'hour') she picked up her shoes too! Talk about a painless experience.

In addition to the bridal gown we also managed to pick out the bridesmaid dresses. They are divine. I love them. They are strapless kinda Audrey Hepburn inspired – tight bodice with a little puffy (but not 80’s puffy or anything) ¾ skirt with a layer of tulle showing at the bottom. They are elegant and match the wedding dress perfectly. I’m wearing the colour toffee and the other two bridesmaids’ are wearing a colour called rose.

I can’t wait to get dressed up with my hair and make-up done. I’m sure this will be one of my very last weddings for ages seeing as all my friends are married now.

Just under 7 months to go!

Day at the Beach

Finally a sunny day…something to smile about!

We headed up to the Sunshine Coast today to visit some friends who were staying up there for the week. We were indeed very happy to have awoken to weather other then rain, wind and clouds. It was delightful to see the sun…the beauty it beholds was starting to slip from my memory, it had been so long.

We headed off nice and early so that we could get a good day in – this wasn’t a good thing given Trevor waltzed home around 2am (later I suspect although he would only tell me 2am). I didn’t get to bed until after midnight because dear little Byron was being a pain in the ‘you know what’!!! I could have pulled my hair out over him last night.

Anyway, I digress. We arrived at the Coast at around 9am. Shortly thereafter we headed to the beach for a swim. It had been ages since I had been to the beach, which is a far cry from my adolescent and teenage years – I loved the beach; spent many a day there sunning it up. The water wasn’t as striking as it would normally be given the terrible weather the Coast has copped of late; it was a brown swirl of sand. Never the less the water was beautiful; a little choppy but beautiful all the same.

I’m embarrassed to say that, until today, Lily and Byron haven’t had the opportunity to go to the beach in the last few months (say 11ish months *bows head in embarrassment*). That made today Lily’s first ‘real’ beach experience. What was her reaction to the water you ask? Hated it; was scared of it; was completely unsure. She was gripping on for dear life. This was a bit of shock with Lily being my water baby and all. I guess it should be expected given waves can be quite intimidating, as can be the sand. Every time we put her in a wave she would crack it. She wasn’t even sure of the sand.



Byron didn’t want a bar of the waves either. He too cracked it (must have been in the air). He was much happier to play with his little boogie board in the storm water runoff. I don’t get it! Anyway, Trevor and I on the other hand loved it. The water was beautiful, the sun was shining. It was so refreshing – just what I needed.

After our morning at the beach we headed back to our friends apartment for lunch and a swim by the pool. What do you know...the kids had a ball in the water. Lily was diving in off the side; smiling at every opportunity – sheer joy for her. She was such a little water baby that other people in the pool were watching her all smiles. Some even made a point of commenting on my little mermaid. Byron had a ball as well.

After lunch and a chat, we headed home. My only major side effect of the day being extremely bad chafing on one of my legs (oh my it hurts!). I think it was caused by a combination of my boardies and the swirl of the sand (I’m telling myself it wasn’t my expanding thighs rubbing together in the wet). Thankfully I have the talc handy and that is soothing it somewhat. Trevor has made a point of laughing at my pain telling me if there’s no blood I shouldn’t complain…apparently he has suffered serious chafing in the past.

Leaving the horrible chafing aside, all in all we had a great day. We plan (being a new year and all) to do stuff like this more often. I guess there is no excuse when you only live 30 minutes from the beach!

In other news…this afternoon I picked up my camera (and other goodies) from mum (thank you mum!). I haven’t really had an opportunity to have a play. As soon as that lens arrives there'll be no stopping me.