Planting in the "garden" - Mothers Day revisited

After seeing Brett's post about Mothers Day, I had to post a photo-story-line of the whole event. It was wonderful. We all went shopping to buy plants, soil and containers and then came home for the main event. First we had to bring everything downstairs to the grass - because we knew how messy it would be!

Then we got started, mixing in the various mixes to make sure the plants would be happy.

Alex didn't exactly realise what was involved in "mixing" until afterwards - she really examined her hands hard and wanted them cleaned until daddy showed her how to wipe them on the grass. Eventually she even ended up with dirt on her face!

After all that mixing, we had to make holes for the plants for daddy - Alex really relished digging out the dirt and putting it into her own little pot.

Then she helped put it back in the container and press it around the plants.

At the end of the afternoon (early evening actually) both Alex and daddy had a well earned rest at the picnic table - here you see the product of their efforts. Cherry tomato plants, strawberry plants and basil plants - YUM!

Then we moved them upstairs to our balcony and watered them in. We can't wait until we can see the start of little tomatoes and strawberries! What a great Mothers Day present!

Mummy? Playgroup t'morrow?

Almost every night before she heads off to bed, Alex asks me "Going to Playgroup t'morrow, Mummy?" This is an outing that she absolutely loves and she'll always ask who we are going to see. She's pretty good on the relationship thing, who is who's mum, brother etc. so she also knows who we will likely see at any given playgroup...thank goodness for my sanity as I don't think I'd survive without getting out and about and meeting up with wonderful friends!

Our friend Donita is an excellent photographer - witness the gorgeous photos of a recent playgroup in the park! Of course, her subject matter was definitely above average... ;)

The first photo is of Donita's daughter, Sarah, leading Alex onto the play equipment. Alex has recently developed a "fear" of the slide - perhaps she knows she's not indestructable?! She is slowly getting over this, but is still a little wary. The second photo is when (I think) Alex asked Donita to take her photo - and then immediately asked to see it in the viewfinder! She knows from experience that you can do this with the wonders of digital cameras! But I say it is pretty damn good for a "drop down on your knee and shoot" kind of picture!

Hmm, sandwich anyone?

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Happy Mother's Day

So we were a little late with this, but Alex had a virus last weekend and the family was in no mood for extracurricular activities.

But, this weekend we celebrated Mother's Day with some gardening. We planted some strawberries, tomatoes and basil all for our sunkissed balcony.

Hopefully, Alex will enjoy reaping as much as she enjoyed sowing.

Yes, we're expecting again

Hmm, now we're back in the States, and heading into the hot and humid mid-western summer, and expecting baby number two!

Today (30th April) we had our first ultrasound and yes, we have a very active baby on our hands. It took the techs over an hour to get all the shots they needed, but we've been told that everything is where it should be and it seems to be a very healthy baby.

And for those asking the question "Did you find out whether it's a boy or a girl?" the answer is "Yes, eventually!"

Baby brother come on down!!!!

Alex (who when asked if she'd like a baby brother said "No, baby sister!") is expecting a baby brother to join us in late September so now we have to put our heads together to come up with names....

On to the Wedding in Bright, Victoria

Well, finally we came to the pointy end of our Australian holiday. Aunty Lyndall and Uncle Pip's wedding. This photo is the only one we have so far of the wedding, but it has Alex as flowergirl sitting on Aunty Lyndall's lap after she signed the registry. Aunty Chelle is holding the flowers behind her. Luckily Alex did everything that was asked of her (perhaps she could have walked a little slower...) so there were sighs of relief all around. Lucky for mum and dad, Grandad and Grandma had come down to Bright to babysit Alex for the reception, so mum and dad could let down their hair...except that mum is pregnant and couldn't party like she used to!

On to Narrandera with Grandad and Grandma

I had a great time with Grandad and Grandma. They have a pool which they heated so I could go swimming. I love swimming. The best part was being in the tiger float "all by myself" although Grandad chasing me was cool in a scary/fun way. Grandad also took me out to a farm and I had a ball - this left mummy some much needed "mummy time" that she spent eating lunch and reading a book in Leeton. Apparently I found another puppy dog and some actual puppies - and had a ride on a tractor (I love tractors - and motorbikes). Grandad took great delight in teaching me my colours - if I got the colour right I got to eat the jellybean, if I didn't then Grandad got to eat it. This didn't faze me at first as Grandad did "colours" (as I called them) five or six times a day, but then mummy suggested it should be once only - which really upped the odds. I'm pretty good on my colours now!

Grandma also took me on a tour of downtown Narrandera and let me wander in and out of shops everywhere. No wonder she was tired when we got home! Mummy also got this time off for good behaviour and made a second pilgrammage to Leeton for lunch and reading. Maybe she needs to get out more??

I visited lots of people with Grandma and Grandad - I had so much fun! And then we had to go back to Canberra to see Daddy arrive at the airport (who I had been studiously ignoring on the webcam for the past 5 weeks - mummy was worried about the welcome he would get...)

Next stop, Canberra

Luckily Aunty Chelle came up to Armidale to visit and she kindly drove the whole way from Armidale to Canberra!! Well, we did stop off in Sydney briefly. I still remembered her from her visit to the States in October 2006 so wouldn't let go of her hand when she came off the plane - and wanted her to sit next to me in the car.

We managed to see my Uncle James and at last meet Aunty Clare in Canberra - plus they kindly babysat me whilst mummy went shopping with Aunty Chelle. Uncle James gamely changed his first dirty nappy ever - and even having used all of the wipes in the travel case, did a pretty good job!

I also got to see cousin Tristan play basketball - I love basketball! He is so grown up now. And his mummy and daddy were there too which was great too - I love having two Aunty Chelle/Shell's.

I really loved staying at Uncle B and Aunty Chelle's house - they have two "kids" too, Bruce and Anika. I love animals and mummy is happy that Bruce and Anika were so accommodating, letting me serve them cocktail drinks on their bed and talk on the phone with them. We really only spent two days in Canberra - heading off to Narrandera was the next part of the trip.

I am lucky to have more than one birthday...

Wow - I didn't realise that they had birthdays in Australia too! I had a cookie and icecream cake party in America before we left, and when I got to Australia my family had organised a birthday party in Dorrigo with some great aunts/uncles as well as second and third cousins. It was excellent and the rainy weather meant that there was plenty of leech entertainment! I wasn't overly impressed with my crown, but the fairy costume was a hit as was the lamington catapillar cake - yum!

First stop, Armidale and Grandy and Poppie

While we were home, Alex got to water her gum tree that had been planted the first time we were home. It has now grown bigger than her! She also spent some time with Poppie (and Aunty Chelle) in the garden, digging holes, filling them with water and planting more plants. She even learnt about picking flowers with Poppie...

Luckily Grandy had a big stash of family jewels for Alex to wear so she felt appropriately attired all the time. Even down to clip-on earrings! She wore her jewels at every opportunity, even whilst watching tv!

Poppie also introduced her to sticky date pudding - which she promptly devoured leaving him not much more than half his serving! Perhaps the icecream was an incentive?!

A blogging we will go..a blogging we will go..

Well, it has been an absolute age since I ventured into these pages - international travel does take it out of you, especially with a social 2 year old!

So March and most of April saw Alex and I getting to Australia for a vacation with Brett joining us for 10 days at the end for my youngest sister's wedding.

We had a great time!



Of course, it didn't start off well with Alex deciding that 3 hours sleep for the whole trip was enough... 1.5 of which were in LAX waiting for our connecting flight.

But we had a lot of people to see in quite a short time - it always seems to be shorter than we need.