Walks, Sunshine and BBQ's

What a weekend!  I'm too tired to type much- so the pictures will have to do justice to our weekend.. but it was a fun and eventful one!

Friday afternoon Natalie came around with lunch- and to hang out - Dan had just gotten back from a business trip (just overnight) down in Canberra- so he was able to join in our back yard picnic!

Friday night- we had a friends 31st bday party down the road.. unfortunately I couldnt make it- cause it was after Dyllan's bed time- so Dan went while I watched reality TV and painted my nails (haha, I'm not sure who had more fun, actually!)

Saturday morning we woke up early and walked down to Manly for coffees and to read the newspaper.  Bushy came around for lunch in the afternoon- and the boys watched sports while I got ready for a girls night in the city.

Saturday night- I went out with a few friends for drinks and dancing- while Dan had a "Daddy and Dyllan night"- they dropped me off at my girlfriends in Manly- then headed straight to the beach for a swim and dinner (so cute!).

Sunday we picked up Wal and Rocky and drove up to the central coast (about an hour and a half) for a BBQ at our friends Eric and Michele's- who have recently had a baby and bought a place up there.

Crikey!  Dyllan caught a (plastic!) snake!  Thanks Girl!
Thursday afternoon Dyllan and I brought Gaga some homemade banana birthday cupcakes

Friday afternoon- smoked salmon, avocado and cheese toasts

After lunch- Nat, Dyllan and I went down to Manly beach - took Dyllan to the park- and walked to Shelley beach

My friday night- in.
Mango's wine and TV

Reading the paper on the park bench
Dyllan is picking out toys.

HAHA look at what Dan's reading about...

Stopping to smell the flowers

Little Manly Beach- swings

Girls night
Catching the ferry over to the city- no one will even know its not coffee in our wine glasses!

Sunday BBQ at Eric and Michele's new place
Wal and Mere pushing the kids

The boys ... with the kids! Haha.

A Beachy Christmas

Photo from here

Its taken me a while to get used to the whole beachy, hot Christmas.  Growing up Christmas was all about savoring each present- opening it slowly so that it would stretch as long as possible.. because in the rain, snow, or cold- when nothing was open- and all of your friends were busy with family things.. there was nothing left to do the rest of the day..  Sean and I used to wake up SUPER early- open our stockings, then twiddle our thumbs till mom and dad woke up- made their coffee- and told us that we could start opening our presents.  Mom used to make us go to the midnight church service on Christmas eve- so you'd think we would be able to sleep in a little later.  Nope- 5am we were always up- bright eyed, and ready to start the day.  Probably the one day of the year we were both excited to be up that early.

After having spent a few Christmas's in Australia now- I am starting to embrace the theme.  Still an early wake up- but less of a rush to open presents and gather under the tree.  Instead it might go something like this... wake up early- go on a walk to the beach.. maybe go for a swim- the boys usually go for a surf.. have a "take-away" coffee from a little cafe on the beach or go home and make coffee and have breakfast... THEN... open presents.  Yes, I know i'm not a kid anymore- so maybe that is the difference.. but it seems a lot more leisurely here.  I think partly because there is so much else to do.  The beaches are packed with swimmers, sun-bakers (they call it here), surfers, kids with their new boogie boards, or sand skateboards.. families camped out on the sand with their giant umbrellas and gallon pump bottles of sunscreen- coolers of ice cold beer and kids running around with buckets of "chips".  The beach is lined with over sized beach towels, grandparents reading their summer novels, pregnant women in bikinis, children with bleach blond hair and tanned skin, dad's playing beach cricket with the kids, teams in fancy- dress outfits for beach volleyball tournaments.. lifeguards in their crazy costumes.  Music is loud- people are relaxed and on vacation- and the city comes alive.

So here I am- embracing the Aussie Christmas.  I bought our first (fake) Christmas tree (well second- our first one was hot pink- several years ago- wish i had a photo!) the other day and I can't wait to set it up.  All 7 feet of fake pine!  It seems everyone here has fake trees... I am assuming because they don't grow real Christmas trees here?!  And since we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here-and there is no reason to wait-  I just might have to set it up this weekend!

Here are a few photos that remind me of Christmas in Australia..

A sand man- picture from here

People camp out at the beach- all day long 
Image from here

BBQing on the beach with friends
image from here

This photo is exactly like the off roads we take to camping destinations (but not proper camp sites)- on the beach

 Wharf Bar- the best place to be on a Sunday summer evening

Manly Wharf Bar in the distance

Queensland Mango's - Probably my favorite fruit of all time!

not even sure where this came from.. 

HAHA!  Santa on Vacation - photo from here

A typical Aussie BBQ on the beach
image from here

Photos from here

Swimming Lessons with Mom

 I was starting to feel a little bit guilty for not having enrolled Dyllan in swim lessons yet.. I have to admit- its been on my mind a lot lately.  I was so lucky to grow up knowing how to swim at a young age.  In fact- I still remember my swim instructor at the Mary Wayte pool- and the little bar bells with the white styrofoam balls on the end that we learned to kick around on.

So today- when the opportunity opened up to use the pool up the street (in the same shopping complex as the gym I go it)- I jumped at it.  Dyllan and I woke up bright and early to meet my friend before work to get her swiper card- and access to the pool facilities.

We spent a little over an hour- blowing bubbles, learning to kick, dunking our heads under water, jumping off the steps, splashing, laughing, and floating.  Dyllan's favorite was holding onto my shoulders while I swam the length of the pool.  I didn't expect to get a work out myself- but treading water- with Dyllan on my back- up and down the length of the pool was more of a work out than I expected!  Bonus.

Im not sure the proper technique of teaching a (almost!) two year old how to swim.. but today was a good start- I think.  Maybe I will do some research on youtube or something.. any suggestions?!  I am lucky to have a bug who loves the water!  That's a good first step.

Scoping out the pool...Nice belly Dyllan!

Lets go!

All geared up

Quick bevy break

Happy Girl!  Loving the pool.

Splashing around

All done swimming.. snack time!

If you look really carefully- in the far distance- you can see the ocean (manly beach)

My new office

For my birthday- Dan's parents- so generously- gave me a tow bar for our car- so Dan could hook up his bike rack to the back- and so we could move all of our stuff out of storage without having to borrow their car.  Nice.  Haha, actually- its been great- its really helped us with our move!

So, for Dan's birthday- appropriately- they gifted us a large piece of timber and a whole day of Laurie's time - to construct my new office.  Well- desk really- but its more than just a desk.

The inspiration came from an ikea book shelf/ room divider with an option for an attachable desk.  I was just about to buy it- when Dan suggested we make it instead- using our old crap furniture.  I was a little hesitant at first- but I have to admit- in the end I actually like it much better- plus its unique- plus doesn't scream IKEA.

On Sunday- handy-man Laurie arrived bright an early- at 8:30am- to help sweet Dan put my office together.  They took our old bookshelf- removed the backing- and fastened it to the ceiling for stability.  Dan painted the piece of timber white- and our original plan was to paint the book shelf white too- but now- looking at it- it matches the wood work along the windowsill perfectly.. so I am having second thoughts.. still leaning toward all white- but need a few second opinions... what do you think??

Also- another funny match- was our old night stand- which is now acting as desk drawers- again perfect wood color match.

Calling all you interior design lovers... I could use your help....take a look at the pictures below- should i paint the book shelf white?  drawers white?  new knobs on the drawers if i paint them?  Also- how do you decorate a book shelf- as a room divider?  I don't want to over crowd it - because I want the light to shine through.. but I needs a little love..and functionality.

Also- notice our new art!  I snached up an offer on group on for a photo on a canvas.  Although it didn't turn out quite like I imagined (because its a square - not rectangle- and cut off my favorite parts)- it matches our make-shift couch cover and room colors perfectly- plus I love this photo.

I had to give Dyllan her own basket (the round one with the Micky ears popping out- so she could unpack and repack all she wanted!  She is into EVERYTHING!

Feel free to share your decorating tips - I would love the input!  

Laughing Monkey

This morning- like most mornings.. I woke up to Miss Bug singing at the top of her lungs- standing up in her crib.  I went to get her and bring her into bed for my morning entertainment.  We sort of have a routine now- a breakfast in bed routine... where I get her something easy and as clean as possible to eat in bed.  She hardly ever sits still for longer than a minute.  This morning was no exception- but it got me laughing so hard we were both crying!

What a great way to wake up in the morning!

I dare you to watch this without laughing....