A day in the country, A day in the city

Last Sunday, we had a day in the country, in the Dandenong mountains. Toby was desperate to see some kookaburras, so we went where we knew we would find them. We also spotted some yellow-tailed black cockatoos, sulphur crested cockatoos and crimson rosellas on our walk through the forest.

A fairy door

Toby loved his walk. I told him that fairies live inside the tree trunks, and he spent ages knocking on their doors and trying to spot them.

Knocking on a fairy door

Explaining to Gaw-Gaw all about fairies and fairy doors

And we hiked over some slippery rocks to see a waterfall, Toby was pretty proud of himself.

And we even went fishing (Imaginary, of course.)



This Sunday, we had a day in the city. Breakfast at the European, then on to the craft market, then to the art gallery. Where we met a huge rhino that both terrified and fascinated Toby, as he stomped about and tried to spray him with water. And in the art gallery we were chased by crocodiles and had to run very fast. (Toby is just loving imaginary games at the moment. Especially if it involves being chased, and even more so if it involves robbers and police)




Two lovely days out.

An Autumn Walk

It's Autumn, and getting pretty cold around here. This year though, the leaves on the trees are making the most beautiful show, after the best summer rains in a decade or so. We decided to go for a walk in the Botanic Gardens on Friday, to enjoy the fresh air and the colours of autumn, (and collect a few leaves for printing and painting later on.)



Toby wore his new wellies, he thought they looked like fireman boots, so was very proud of them.


And he loved collecting all the leaves, checking for bugs, watching out for fairies and keeping his eyes peeled for kookaburras. We saw a few bugs, we think we saw some fairies, but no kookaburras. We're going to go looking for some of those tomorrow....

Original & Fancy

A month or so ago now, we had to give Gaw-Gaw a bath. Knowing that life for us all would be impossible with Gaw-Gaw out of action while he dried, I had to dig the spare Gaw-Gaw out of the wardrobe, and give him to Toby. He wasn't fooled for a second, and immediately said, "That's not Gaw-Gaw Mummy! He's all funny. What's his name?" I couldn't lie to him, so I explained that Gaw-Gaw needed to be bathed, and this new one would help Toby to sleep while the other one dried.

He was quite pleased with this explanation, and immediately ran to the sofa to try him out, with a hug, a rub of his nose with his tail and a good thumb suck.



And then he was desperate to help bath Gaw-Gaw. So we had a very fun afternoon together, carefully washing him. With Toby gently brushing his fur with his baby brush.

And so now we have two Gaw-Gaw's. Which is not particularly good news. I had intended that as soon as Gaw-Gaw was dry, the spare Gaw-Gaw would be sneaked back into the wardrobe in case of future emergencys. But Toby will not be separated from either of them. Both Gaw-Gaw's accompany him to bed, and around the house. And now they both have their own names and distinct personalities. 'Original Gaw-Gaw', the favourite, the one who is up for anything, and who likes to sleep a lot. And 'Fancy Gaw-Gaw', who is a little bit vain, a little aloof, but very loyal.



And that is how Toby refers to them now, Original and Fancy. His best friends.