First day at work & new school

Today was my first day back to work- an opportunity came up at Belle Property (the same company I worked for in Sydney) to work along side another agent- and I couldn't pass it up. So although it was sooner than I had originally planned... I am back in the work force. Lucky for me, it's flexible and I only have to be in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday).

I was really enjoying staying at home with the girls during the week- especially now that I've made some great mom friends. But this is perfect, cause I can do both.

I have to admit, today was a bit of a shock to the system- and a reminder of what it felt like to juggle work and parenting. Its like working 20 hours a day..

I was up late last night getting the millions of things ready for the first day of school (kindy for Dyllan and preschool for Ellie)-they each needed to bring: 2 sets of sheets, pillow, water bottle, hat, backpack, lunch, morning and afternoon "tea" (snack). Plus Dan and my lunches.

We woke up early this morning, went on our usual morning run (Dan pushing the double stroller, me trailing behind)- only this time, I had to actually run fast.. Or else I'd be late for work..

We got home- raced around the house to pack backpacks, get kids fed, coffees made, and fly out the door with enough time to do the CRAZY check in at school. Dan thought I was joking when I told him we had to take a piece of fruit out of dyllans lunch and put it in the "morning tea" bowl. Oh and they have to have their sunscreen applied before coming to school.. Great, one more thing for this mom from Seattle to remember!

The kids were off, and so were we. Dan to work before heading to Sydney this afternoon, and me off to my first office meeting.

The day went great. The agent I work with is amazing and I think we'll make a great team. But boy is it different from the office I came from in sydney. Laws are different in queensland, systems are different, it's much more laid back.. But it will be nice to be able to take things I know from there and apply them here.

Anyway- my day finished and I picked up kids at 5pm, Ellie fell asleep the second I out her in her carseat, got home, tried to feel and bathe Ellie while she was half asleep.. Put her down, Dyllan and I ate dinner, played playdough - then she went to bed around 7:15. And since Im having A few girlfriend over for dinner tomorrow night i needed to clean the house.. It's now 9:40pm and I'm about to start packing lunches for tomorrow.

I am pretty sure I function best when I'm super busy. But I have to admit, I'm already looking forward to Friday!!

An inappropriate distraction

This is probably a little inappropriate to post on my blog.. but it's too funny not to share..

I'm TRYING to get ready for a night out w Dan tonight for valentines day.. But these two cheeky monkeys won't let me.. Look they've finally found -- something to keep them both occupied... Tampons?! What?? And Dyllan smells it (weird?!) and says "smells like champagne"! ... Umm, do you even know what champagne smells like? Or what it is? I'm dying...

Photo Album

Ive been pretty bad at posting photos lately.. so heres a snapshot of what we've been up to the past month or so.

Swinging Sisters

Sisters in a box

Relaxing at South Bank

Ta-Da!  

Pony Rides at the Sunday Farmers Market

Checking out open houses

Lounging by the pool (holy chub!)

Celebrating Dyllan's 4th birthday

Being Superhero's

Doing laundry

Riding the shark 

Yunny and Lozzo visit Dyllan's swimming lesson- a private lesson because no one turned up in the pouring rain.

Merin and James came to visit for Dyllan's birthday weekend- we took the ferry to South Bank for Ice Cream and local markets

Riding the Ferry with Merin and James

Japanese Temple along the Brisbane River

Australia Day at James and Nat's

Practicing her stroke with Greg 

Hanging out with Mischa

All decked out in Australia gear- oh "hi" Ellie!

Cruising.. and so proud of it

LOVES to eat with one leg out..

Ballet Princess.. doing her thing..

Ballet Dyllan with her Ballet treasure box

River front picnic when Justin came to visit

Watt Bar on the river with Justin

At Pig N Whistle on the river watching the Seahawks WIN the Super Bowl.

Collecting the mail.  Everyday. 

Found her scooter

Taking down "missing scooter" signs

Trip down to surfers paradise.  And a new "kini"

Swimming buddy Kuen

Ballet Class (oops no photos allowed)

Ellie- during Ballet class.. ugh.. longest 30 min ever keeping her busy and quiet!

outside of ballet class

Love that smile.

Girls beach day down at Gabby's parents holiday house (Surfers Paradise- about an hour south of Brisbane)

Gabby and Nat manning the fort/Ellie- while the other kids played in the waves

Dyllan and Zane jumping waves

Saturday night- family night- ferry to New Farm- and a cruise through the streets, shops and parks

Live music and an empty alley.  

Dyllan the photographer.

Braids... sort of. 

Ready for Kindy:)