Australia Day Weekend

Toby's idea of heaven, a 3 day weekend. Three whole days of being with Mummy and Daddy.

Lots of visits to cafes, lots of ice cream, lots of playing.

And after months of promising, Toby finally got to go on his first fishing trip, using the fishing gear he got for Christmas.

About an hours drive from home, we went to a trout farm. It was pretty cool. Ponds full of different kind of trout and salmon.
Toby was super excited to catch his first fish, a golden rainbow trout.
But fishing is hard work for a four year old...too much sitting around and waiting for Toby's liking. Not enough action. He has yet to the grasp the concept that sitting around contemplating the world is highly enjoyable.
So it wasn't long before we were packing up again and off playing mini golf.

And then it was on to a late lunch at the Olinda Tea house, before heading back into the city to go to a hip hop dance workshop for kids. And then on the way back to the car, we spotted the Rebecca boat. The boat that Luis had thrown me my surprise 30th birthday party on, too many years ago now. It was heading off to the tennis centre, taking people to watch Australian Open men's final. We managed to jump on board, and cruise the Yarra for a few minutes.

And then back home, to barbeque the fish Toby had caught.
It was delicious.

Growing up

Kinder has started back again for the year.
It's Toby's last year before school, and I can't really believe it.
We'll have 2 days together each week, just the two of us, and I want to make the most of them. Because he really is growing up, and before I know it, he won't be doing some of the stuff he does now. Like kissing me a hundred times and squeezing me close, saying I just love you mummy for no reason at all.
And the way when we are out somewhere, and something arises that makes him unsure, he'll silently reach for my hand, and squeeze it tight. His body pressed close to me for safety as we walk along.
I love how desperate he is to play pretend games with me. We play all sorts of things. His bed is often turned into cars or campervans, and we go off on adventures, chased by man-eating bats.  Or I have an imaginary son (gaw-gaw) and he watches in awe as he spies Toby, who is a world champion skateboarder, or break dancer. Or he is a Jedi teacher giving children instructions on how to use a light saber.
I love the way he still likes to do everything I do. He tried his first cup of tea today ( it's really just milk with a bag dipped in for 5 seconds) adamant that it was to be in the same tea cup I was drinking from. I could see he felt so grown up and proud.
I love the way he asks me, Can babies eat this? Is it only for big boys and grown ups? Yes or no? And I'll answer, Oh yes, it's only for very grown up boys.
And as much as it makes me worry, his reason for crying everyday before kinder is kind of nice too. He'll say, Today is a bad day. I have to go to kinder and you're not there. I just want to be with you, mummy.
And the way he makes me laugh. Oh, how he makes me laugh. Whispering cute and funny things to me, knowing I'll burst out laughing at him. Saying grown up little phrases in his beautiful little boy voice. 
That's random. 
What brand is this? 
I look stunning in this.
Oh!  Delicate, delicate! (when we try to cut his nails)

My beautiful, funny, grown up little boy.

Christmas and New Year

We had a lovely Christmas. Toby was so excited, and loved all of his presents, especially his Jedi Knight costume, and the Star Wars mini figures he asked Santa for. And he couldn't believe the muddy paw prints left behind by the reindeer.

We ate too much for lunch. We had lobsters and fresh prawns,  Luis's famous cerviche, glazed ham, roast beef and salads. Lemon tart and pavlova for dessert. It was a good day.

And ever since we have been on holiday. Doing bits of shopping, going out for breakfasts, and lunches and dinners. Catching up with friends. Toby had had a few play dates. Scootering in the park with Manon, and splashing around at the Children's Garden with Lily.

New Year's Eve was quiet and low key. We made mexican food and ate it on our roof terrace, and watched the fireworks at midnight, with Toby.

And for the first day of the new year, we took a day trip to the beach at Mornington. Playing beach ball.
And it has been hot ever since. A scorching 41 degrees today. We spent the morning at the pool, where the water actually felt cold, and the afternoon at home in the air conditioning.

Only 2 more days left until it's back to work.....

Christmas is coming

We have been doing all manner of Christmassy things.

A visit to Father Christmas last weekend.
And a visit to the Christmas maze in the city, with a treasure hunt to find reindeer.
A letter to Santa written, decorated and posted on Monday (requesting 2 Star Wars figures)
Christmas decorations have been made. It is amazing how good a lump of plasticine, a plastic cup, cotton wool and some cheap cupcake toppers can look!

The tree and house have been decorated. Toby just loved doing the tree. With nearly all of the baubles hanging off the same few branches at the bottom of the tree. Later that evening I subtly re-arranged them. He realised straight away the next morning what I had done, of course.

Yes, there is much excitement in the house. Constant counting down until the big day, and planning of things that still need doing. The gingerbread house to make and decorate, and deciding which biscuits will we leave out for Father Christmas? All the important things.
 Just 12 more days to go....

The artist

In a nearby cafe the a few days ago, we stopped for a freshly squeezed juice.

Toby got straight into drawing on the outside blackboard. He was so enthusiastic, his hands were soon covered in chalk. Then he realised it was easily transferred onto his trousers. Which soon became drawing straight onto his trousers with the chalk.

And then he announced, once totally covered in the stuff,
 Mummy, I look like an artist!

Thank goodness for weekends

It has been a bit difficult and tiring since we have been back, with our routine all out of sorts, and Toby spending more long days at kinder. I am hoping we are slowly gaining some sort of rhythm again now, and that Toby will start to settle down again. The tears and tantrums everyday are heartbreaking and exhausting.I think it has all led to an obsession with weekends.
He talks about them all week long.
When is the weekend? Will Daddy be home at the weekend?  How many days is it? What are we doing?
Endless questions and worries.

We have had some good weekends over the last couple of months.

Picnics in the park. Barbeques on the rooftop. Playing in the park. Chocolate brioche at Seven seeds cafe. Bike riding along the beach. Baking cakes. Playing light sabers with Daddy.

Taco truck picnic in the park

The beach

Summer puding and vanilla ice cream lovliness

Seven Seeds

Using "The Force' on Daddy

Hiding from the "Dark Side" at the park

Strawberry and vanilla cream cake

Sunshine, food, play and happiness. All beginning to make Toby a little happier.

Truly Great

We had such a wonderful time during our trip to England.

Seeing castles, the English seaside, ice-cream, fish and chips.
Birthday parties galore.
Spending lots of time with Gragely and Grandpa.
Toby playing with his gorgeous cousins.
Travelling in a London cab.
Playing dress ups, as Spiderman, knights,and pirates.

It is a bit sad to be back.
We had such a good time.
Truly great.

New Bicycle

A bit of an early birthday present from Daddy.
Toby is very proud of his new bike.