Christmas part deaux

 Isn't that a nice view? Over the Christmas break when it seems nearly everything shuts down for the summer season we spent a lot of time at the beach. Which was good since it's the rainy season and after the new year boy have we seen our fair share of the rain! This beach is down in Coolangatta, which I believe is technically in New South Wales the state just south of Queensland.

 Lindsay went surfing here one morning with a mate and realized that his surfing skills weren't quite up to the skill level of the surf here. The current is strong and you have to walk a long way from where you end up riding in to where you start. But it's beautiful. In fact recently we had our first set of family come visit us and and "Cooly" as the locals call it was a beach that we went to. We played and were able to watch part of a pro surf competition going on that day. Saweet!

 Back to Christmas....in March....On Christmas eve we did an afternoon activity with some friends. We made gingerbread houses- the boys doing one and the girls the other. It was fun to compare the attention to detail between the genders.

 And of course when it's that hot out...who wants to be cooking? Not me so we did a simple yet yummy sausage sizzle for lunch. And then we headed down to the pool for a swim

 That little doll of a face makes me want to just love on her. Her affection is openly given to anyone and I have been able to earn her trust a bit and it makes my heart truly sing. I have even been able to babysit her without any crying, which is an achievement for this little girl. She is very attached to her parents, so it's been nice for everyone that I can help out, especially since she will have a new sibling next month!

My good friend Jody and the little munchkin. We had a blast with them and tried our best to exhaust our little ones for the big visit from Old Saint Nick. Having Christmas in the summer is not something I want to do forever but right now I absolutely love it! It's so different it is hard to compare and while there are lots of things to miss about a cold and white Christmas, we can create just as magical as a Christmas in the beautiful shining hot sun. Where else can you swim all afternoon to take up a Christmas eve day. Where seafood is plenty and so yummy for the dinner. Where you want to sleep with absolutely no covers rather than piling them on. It's so cool!

Christmas morning to come!

to stay in habit

I realize its been nearly a week since I have posted. And I really want to get back into a regular posting routine. When I take the time o blog I enjoy it. It can get a bit stressful when I am so behind and need to catch up like now, but I WILL get there! This last week was the week I had planned to it and really catch up and schedule out posts because we have our first family visitors coming here to Oz this weekend! I can't wait. 24 hours and we get to share this experience with some family! But Monday morning EJ woke up and proceded to vomit over a dozen times in a few short hours. Finally he exhausted himself and slept for a good three hours and when he woke he finally was able to keep a bit of water down. So basically this week's plans went out the window.

But my efforts were not completely in vain. I took the time to really get some other projects done that have been hanging over my head. Worked hard on going through all my paper clutter and files and purging. I also spent a good chunk of time making EJ a new chore chart so that his jobs reflect his abilities now rather than a year ago. I also made him a chart for our preschool time that we will start up just after family leaves.

Its a good thing there are some fun things to look forward to after family leaves because otherwise I think I would be a bit down. But St. Patrick's day is one of EJ's favorite holidays now since the leprechauns made such a cheeky appearance last year. We are going to set out some traps this year to see if we can catch any, and boy is our little man so excited. And also starting a more structured school with him. Then in April when the second school term starts, he will get to start swim lessons and I think we will all have a great time with that. EJ will get to go twice a week and he already does great, but I cant wait to give him that physical and social outlet.

I am typing from the new laptop and still need to get our photos backed up so I can upload them but until next time friends...I am still around, just running around having a blast with family-well as of tomorrow!