Day 3

same again, not quite so hot and a nice sea breeze.
there was much anticipation on the way to the beach as the boys had new nets bought this morning after a trip to the local shops. however the wind played havoc with the sea today and it was really hard to see below the surface with the wind blowing the sea and the sun sparkling on it. we could see the minnow schools swimming around our feet but no luck in actually catching them. the boys were cold after their time in the water and warmed up under their new beach towels that grandma and Popeye gave them for Christmas.
as Hugo was lying there he must have been thinking of our nightly story last night, a picture book called "water boy" . suddenly he was up saying "I'm going to make the castle like in water boy", and off he went. we all helped and he was really proud. we explored the sandbar and i was showing Hugo how we used to make "drip castles" he loved this and did a great job.

Day 2

same as the first, still hot hot hot, and after the hottest night on record, 31 degrees we were glad of the beach. mum came with us today.
lots of swimming, and exploring the sand both dry and wet :: sandcastles and burying themselves in the sand, playing ball in the water with Hugo while mum and arch build in the sand.

happy birthday take 2

celebrating Hugo's birthday with mum and dad.

Day 1 hot

hot hot hot, thank goodness we are at the beach for a week staying with mum and dad.
this is the first time the boys have spent a week at the beach in the middle of summer; crazy i know seeing that mum and dad have a house on the mornington peninsula about a 1 minute walk from the beach. we always seem to go for a few days here and there, but this year i have decided to do a week and just quietly i can't wait.
Day 1 :: 44 degrees, new skiffle board tested, and given the thumbs up, fun in the sea, watching the tide go out and exploring all the creatures, coral, seaweed under the pier.

where are you worms

it always surprises me the gifts at birthdays and Christmases that become the favourite, more often than not its not the big ticket item. arriving home last night after 2 weeks at eildon there was tears that we couldn't go out and create a worm farm he was given.
but first thing this morning we were out in our PJ's hunting for Worms. the garden is pretty dry.... it took us awhile to find some, but eventually we managed to find 4 worms for the farm.
its all done, privacy screens are up now we wait to see the tunnels appear.

holidays

2 weeks in "paradise" aka Lake Eildon......
great friends of ours have a house boat and we were fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks with them.
our days were filled with fun, laughter, sunshine and relaxed moments for all. we skied, tubed, canoed, jet skied, swam, talked, ate, relaxed, read books, played cards, and enjoyed each others and others company and conversation and weathered stormy weather.
the 2 weeks passed so very quickly.
it feels like i have had a real break away, switched off, recharged and regrouped for the year ahead.

happy birthday

6 !!
it seems so old.
six years since i first held you and fell in love.
happy birthday my Hugo.
I hope you had a wonderful day.
I love you very much :: my kind natured, sensitive yet strong little man. you see the best in everyone, you give everything 110% and crumble when it doesn't work first time! your inquisitive thirst for knowledge in your own quiet way pondering over things in your head and asking a few well thought out questions to gain the information you need. the quiet achiever :: snow skiing black runs last winter, water skiing this summer, mastering the canoe and taking your friends for paddles, your infectious laugh and smile. i love you so.... don't change, grow, enjoy and have faith in yourself and your abilities you can do anything.

happy new year

wishing you all a happy new year.
may 2010 bring you all you wish and hope for.
may you laugh often, love lots and create many many memories.

happy day

the end of a happy day...........

oh so tired but oh so happy

Merry Christmas to you all and to all a good night

christmas morning

true magic and belief of all things Christmas had us up at 530 this morning. both boys were bleary eyed and looked like they wanted to be asleep but the wonder and excitement of what Santa had left was too much.

the excitement was catchy, the birds were only just starting to sing but i could have been in no better place. with wide sparkly eyes and exclamations of joy, i could have lived in the moment forever.
it was a morning of giving and receiving.

i want to hold onto moments like this forever the magic and wonder of Christmas mornings like this one when Hugo so strongly and powerfully believes in all the magic of Christmas. i hope there are so many more Christmas mornings filled with this much belief, anticipation and magic.

the elves

:: 7pm boys asleep
:: 715pm Santa's elves arrived to help build a trampoline.
::all was on track till we needed to make the cut a little wider : one burst water main pipe
:: a call to one of the elves nephews who is a plumber, he drove over and fixed it.
::resume building trampoline
::930 all done

as i look at these photos i get a tear in my eye. great friends helping us make our boys day special tomorrow. it was no stress for them all to come over and help us, true lifelong friendship is a wonderful gift, and as for Karl and 23 year old nephew of one of the boys that we have watched grow up, dropped everything to come over and fix our water pipe. now that's the spirit of Christmas. Giving.
thank you boys, you are truly special people in our lives.

Merry Christmas

food for santa

reindeer food

carrots of all reindeer

milk and beer for santa.

boys asleep by 7pm

merry christmas to you all.

may your day be filled with laughter, fun, magic and family.

myer windows

a tradition each year is to go to town (Melbourne city) with mum and dad and look at the Myer Christmas windows.
despite the heat we ventured off early today and had a lovely time.