A Long Weekend

Better late than never....

I love long weekends, but I always find that for the rest of the week I am a day out.  The following takes place on the Labour Day long weekend... Friday 2nd - Monday 5th March.

It was a lovely long weekend, HOT and busy.  We also kicked off what we call March Madness here in our household.  Every year is the same, birthdays, events and family reunions.

Friday morning we headed to Kalamunda to visit Nan (Granny).  The kids had a great time climbing the steps and playing Lego while Nan and I had a cuppa.  We then walked into Kalamunda for lunch at a local coffee shop.  Bbefore sitting down for lunch we realised that bunny was missing, so a quick run back along the way we walked located a little blue bunny lying helplessly on the path.  (Running in a pair of thongs is not good on the knees - or any part of the body for that matter!)  We ventured back to Granny's via the Park and of course a stop at the swings.

Friday was Dad's birthday and after a late change in plans to accommodate the kids we headed to Freo for a picnic at the park.  I had been holding on to a couple of Scoopon vouchers for a picnic for two from the DiChiera Brothers in North Perth and decided it would be a great time to use them.  Wow what a feast they put together.  and the strawberries & chocolate were an awesome dessert to end a fabulous night.  But first, we headed to Little Creatures brewery for a pint or two while we watched the sunset over the sea.  The boys had a grand old time in the sandpit - this has to be the best invention yet....a sandpit built into the deck outside!  We stayed for a few beers, some nibbles and once the sun had set, we headed back to the park for some dinner.

Mitchell spent a few hours running round the playground, asking nanny & grandad to "come play with me" or "come push me pease"on the swing.  Grandad even taught him how to roll down grassy hills - another habit he has learnt from his grandad.  I guess that's what grandad's are for, and I love the fact that Mitchell & my Dad get so much enjoyment having fun together.  Around 9ish we decided it was time to go.  Liam hadn't slept and Mitchell was pretty worn out (as were we).  I think I tried a few times to get Liam to sleep in the pram - I even chased Mitchell around the light pole while pushing Liam in the stroller!  

Saturday saw a few things completed around the house - some party prep for Mitchell's birthday, Quentin started on fixing the back limestone steps and I did the usual....washing, cleaning, tidying.  We headed out for a little lunch date and some shopping at the local chinese supermarket.  I have a balinese chicken curry on the menu this week.

Saturday night I went out with the girls - I wasn't planning on going out to Joondalup, but after a few wines and a little convincing, I found myself in a taxi on the way to the pub.  After a few drinks, a kebab and a few chips and gravy I was home around 12.45am.  (Thanks girls for a great night out).  

I had big plans for Sunday, but unfortunately they did not eventuate... something possibly to do with a small hangover!  Pancakes for breakfast (of which I got the recipe a little mixed up - I blame tiredness for this) and a cup of tea - just what the doctor ordered.

Heatwave Number ??.... too many to count

This weekend has been a stinker.  and it still is.  Our little weather station outside under the patio shows that it is 39.8 degrees and 10.30am.  Crazy huh - crazy thing is that it said that an hour ago.

Thankfully we have the pool.  Mitchell would live in it if he could.  All day long we hear, "come on guys, lets for swim".  We have so much fun as a family in the pool, it really reminds me of how lucky we are - that we get to spend this time together.  It has been a huge relief from the heat.  That and the water pistols.

We had a lot of events to attend this weekend, it was a reunion weekend.  The only thing is we just didn't make all the planned events.  Saturday was party day for one of Mitchell's little buddy's and Quentin had a high school reunion in the evening - which meant I had a few lovely hours to myself.  Big plans for some Project Life, but lazing on the couch with some chocolate and a few episodes of Revenge was the overall winner.

I'm not too sure what time Quentin came home, but I do know that there was a very sore head the next morning.  It was all self inflicted, with something called a few pints of "Newcastle Brown".

Sunday we were supposed to attend a Uwen/Stoffels Family reunion at a local park, but Quentin wasn't up to it and it was at the wrong time of the day - 12 noon.  Lunchtime.  The hottest part of the day. The boys naptime.  I think it was me making the excuses too.  Oh well, there will always be next year.

It was nice to have a lazy day at home on Sunday - I even had a nap when the boys did.  I must have really needed it.  I'm not a nap during the day kinda girl - not even when the boys were newborn.

The sea breeze is in now and is providing some much needed relief from the stinking hot days we have just had.  Come on Autumn, enough of the hot hot hot weather, just cool it down a notch or two.

P.S My heart goes out to the Eastern States, all the towns currently experiencing flooding. You are in our thoughts. Take care everyone.

What I am working in right this minute

It's only a few weeks until Mitchell turns 3 and I am busy burying myself in the decorations for our "Dump Truck/Construction" theme.  It seems to be Mitchell's favourite thing at the moment - Diggers, Dump Trucks, Cranes and Bobcats!  Where ever we go in the car, we are always on the lookout for the previously mentioned items.  Even when I'm in the car all  by myself, I hear myself say "oh look, there's a BIG crane, or there's a BIG Digger".  It's a habit I can't seem to break, but I will keep it until the next favourite item replaces it.

After Liam's first birthday, I was all partied out, but Mitchell has been asking "when my happy birthday cake mum", so how could I not give the boy a "Happy Birthday cake".  A Digger cake at that... I found this on pinterest and knew this was the one.

                                                                Source: fredellicious.blogspot.com via LoveShootCreate on Pinterest

So with the cake in mind, I am now working on the decorations....  This is what I am working on right. this. minute.

Me and my trusty Silhouette.  If you haven't seen one of these machines, there are a few different versions here in Australia.  But this is by far one of the best on the market I think (but that's my opinion).  I am still getting used to all the wonderful things this machine can do, I'm sure by the time the kids are teenagers I might just have it down pat.

The items in the picture are going to be little pop up cards for the food table.  And the next item on the list will be little construction signs to hang around the table and near the cake.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks of the party decorations in the coming weeks.