Happy holidays nearly over

We have had such a lovely holiday.

 Hot, hot, hot NYE.  My beautiful sister set up a paddling pool and sprinkler for the kids at her otherwise-very-cool-20something party.  When Dylan heard he said, "what's a sprinkler?". Poor deprived children of water restrictions.

 Splashing on the path.

 I love this one.  Bathing beauty.

 Sharing an inter-generational interest in fart noises.  Something everyone can enjoy!

Okay 2012.  Show me what you've got.  I'm sceptical, but willing to be convinced.


We made stuff too.  My girls love their craft.

Abi's dinosaurs.

 Evie's...something?  Thing With 1000 Eyes.

Abi holding her girl riding a unicorn.

 She requested a better photo of said girl riding a unicorn.

I have many of these pictures.  Abi likes permanent records.

 Snow girl

 Outoor artistes

And introducing....Toby the dog!

Yes, we are now a family of five.  Eight if you count the guinea pigs and cat.  Which I don't really, to be honest (sorry guys).

Abi has been asking for a dog for a while, and I've always wanted one too, so I'd been browsing the rescue sites occasionally for the last six months or so.  After Christmas, I got more serious and found this little fellow up in Mount Macedon.  DH was not super enthusiastic, but very graciously aquiesced, although I did bulldoze him a bit.  Sorry about that my love.

Isn't he cute?  I think he looks like the fox*, Sir Didimus, from Labyrinth.  He's somewhere between five and seven, and apparently a Maltese/Shitzhu cross.  He's very fluffy in reality, but had a slightly wonky clip at the vet's to keep him cool.

Abi named him Toby after the dog in the Milly-Molly-Mandy books, which we are working our way through, a chapter a night.  She loves them, and so do I.  I have such strong memories of those stories from my own childhood and there is nothing worrying or scary in them at all.  We tried My Naughty Little Sister a while ago, but the whole 'naughty' concept upset my sensitive girl, so they were less successful.

MMM though is perfect.  And now we have our own Toby too.

         *            *           *          *         *           *           *            *            *            *           *

So here we are at the end of the holidays.  We still have a week and a half to go, but I am sad.  We have had such fun - lots of playing, watching tv, eating ice cream, seeing friends, library visits, swimming, relaxing in the mornings.  It's going to be hard to switch gears, that's for sure.

*I always thought he was a fox anyway, but apparantly not?  Some kind of small dog, it seems.

9 years and 2 days ago...

Most of our wedding photos are not digital and we haven't quite got around to scanning them in yet.  It's on the list.  But you get the idea.

Married under a majestic Golden Oak at a glorious winery on a perfect summer day.

9 years, one house, two daughters, more pets than necessary, a lot of tv and so much love.

So glad I married you, my love.  Best thing I ever did.

Celebrations, celebrations everywhere and way too much to drink

We have been in a whirl of festivities over here, starting with Evie's 2nd birthday party!

 The much-anticipated George and dine-saw cake!  It took forever and was the reason our guests arrived while we were still tidying the family room.  Luckily our guests were all family of one sort or another, so all very relaxed.

 Let the present opening commence.

And let it continue...

 Especially if they contain fairy dresses.

Happy birthday for me?

 Evie's bike!

A quiet moment.

Then it was Evie's actual birthday on the 22nd.

 "I want that" on spying below..

"My playhouse!"

"I make dinner.  Pasta?"

"Hello, le' me know if need some help, 'kay?"

"Baby cupcake cute!"

Pancake breakfast for the birthday girl.

Then Christmas at my parents (on Christmas Eve)

 Doing craft with Mama, my beautiful grandmother

Finally!  The first presents are given.  The traditional babies from Mama and Papa. The girls were so patient, they waited beautifully until about 10.30!

 And to go with them, from Nanny and Grandpa..

 Bunk beds!  Babies were put to bed immediately.

 My suitcase?

Please take note of my Christmas earrings.  Abi picked them out for me all by herself.  And the necklace was part of a very special present from my grandmother; a necklace, bracelet and earring set that was originally her aunt's sometime in the early 40s.  I adore it and am going to get the earrings remodled to pierced-ear compatible.

And last but not least, Christmas day with my own beautiful little family.  I am so blessed.

 It was all fun, but sadly the fun is written all over my face.  The exhaustion, it resides in the bags beneath my eyes.

   Happy New Year, everyone!