Sun Burn

 

I have been jumping out at every chance I get when the sun comes out lately. Being outside in the golden warm sunshine just makes me happy. And tanned. And sunburnt. I forgot to apply sunscreen on my shoulders one day. By the time I remembered, damage was already done. Ouch!

But look! I'm not the only one! Out on one of our walks in the parks one afternoon, I spotted this tree standing all tall and majestic, but with most of its tree bark peeling off its trunk. Standing under that tree, I was in awe of its colours, and the way the tree bark fell and was held suspended from the ground by its own branches.

I love it when I spot something out of the ordinary, on an ordinary day out.

Venus Bay

Over the Christmas break, we went away on a day trip to the beautiful beach at Venus Bay. It was a glorious 32 degree day. Our quick thinking cousin remembered to grab a beach tent. Yay!  We got there, set up the tent and sat down in it for a picnic before we went out to dip our toes in the cool clear waters.

Well, I thought that was how I was going to spend my afternoon at the beach. Kayden, however thought otherwise. Somebody turned into a real sook! I held that certain somebody in my arms and slowly inched my way towards the splashing waves. The closer I got to the edge of the water, the higher he climbed up my body. By the time my feet were actually in the water, that certain somebody was clinging onto me for dear life, with a hilariously fearful look in his eyes. Yes I did say hilarious and fearful in the same sentence. That somebody didn't think it was funny at all though.

So I bent down and held him out to dip his toes in the water. And what do you know? That somebody clamoured right up onto my shoulder, tears and all. Despite his pretty boy looks, that baby is LOUD. Even out in the open.

So, with a sigh, we went back onto our tent where hugs and kisses were offered.  Kayden thinks the best vantage view point of the beach was from inside our tent. So with a nectarine in hand, he stood under the shade and waved goodbye at me. I was STILL in the tent. I broke out in hysterics because I found it so funny he was implying for me to go ahead without him!

Oh my, Kayden, that is a beach day not to be forgotten. When you get to your 21st birthday, maybe one of your friends will find this blog post about that certain somebody's day at the beach.

Parenting is about eating my own words

Once upon a time, I have said :

• I will never let my child throw tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. I will STOP him.
• I will never let my child eat anything off the floor
• I will not spoil my child, and give him an alternative but the meal I have prepared for him
• My child will never have poop ride up his back like hers did!
• My child will never have screaming attacks in public

 The list can go on, I had plenty of those "I will nots". If there was a reward for paying people some good money for capturing what I said I will never do, those people would probably have a small little wad of cash in their hands by now.

Today, when I see other moms and dads in the change room cajoling a squirming baby on the change mat, I give him a knowing smile. And as that mother picks her baby from the pram and buckles her in her car seat, the pram and grocery bags still next to the car, waiting to be packed up in the boot. I am still waiting patiently while sitting in the car for a park. I have skin possibly thicker than a mule these days. I am able to comfortably ignore pairs of eyes looking at me, as I try to distract my screaming baby who is getting bored in his pram as we eat our lunch at a restaurant.

What's my point? Parenting is humbling.

The floods in Queensland

Unless you have been living under a rock, I am quite certain you would have heard about the floods happening in Queensland, Australia. I won't post any photos of it here, but I am sure if you do a quick google search, it will bring up a ton of breaking news on the flood crisis happening there. 

Aerial views show just only the roofs of family homes. Some have had their entire house under. Boats on suburban streets. People being airlifted from their roofs. Families fleeing from their balconies. Things like that.

Watching the Queensland Premier shed tears on live television this morning, brought tears to my very own eyes. The devastation.

The floods have left a trail of destruction not only in the country areas but in the inner suburbs and areas close to the CBD area as well. I recognize places I have been to while on holiday there and seeing people wading  hip deep in the flood waters there has left me stunned. Who would have thought this sort of thing would happen right here in Australia? 

I don't know anyone personally, who has been affected by the floods. But I know of members of a forum I visit, who have been evacuated from the affected areas but safe. 

They are now reporting that the Brisbane River has only peaked at 4.4m instead of the 5.5m as previously forecasted. But what what a difference that ONE METER has made. One report told of a man who woke up this morning in his suburban home, to find the water halfway up the stairs. Barely just short of the mark where the water would have gone into the bedrooms where they were sleeping. 

With the unusual amount of rain we have had recently in Victoria, it is scary to think this could happen right here where we live too. What would we do? Where would we go?How far do we have to go? Do you even take anything or just flee?

I've been whinging so much about this wet summer we've been getting here in Melbourne. I think I am going to just shut up now. So today, at home, we actually enjoyed watching the rain come trickling down the windows. And then we played cubby houses, an activity I loved doing as a child. 

My heart goes out to those affected by the floods.

So typical

 

I don't know why, but I am curious. How do boys always end up having a obsession with cars? I popped Kayden into the driver's seat of somebody's car the other day. He had a ball while he was in there.

He wiggled the key that was stuck in the ignition, obviously imitating Daddy. He tried to turn the steering wheel this way and that. Stood up in the seat and leaned over the window, making all sorts of funny faces at himself in the side mirror. Then he found a stash of lollies and at one point, looked like he was about to drive off with his find! It was so funny to watch him!

He eventually found the horn. At 8pm. So that as you can imagine, brought him to the end of his little adventure.

Best thing in the world

Have you ever wonder how true someone's words are when they tell you  that, it is the best thing in the world? I hear Celebrity chefs use that phrase all the time. I reckon its overated. Until the weekend just passed. Don't read this post on an empty stomach.

I had THE BEST SPIT ROASTED LAMB in the world.

Ok maaaybe not. Since technically, I've never actually eaten a lamb from the spit ,carved straight off it as it is cooking. But by God, it tasted devine. Look at it. How can it not? 

Granted that it took 3 hours to cook. Slow roasting it to a crisp moist perfection. It was so so worth the wait. Our friend had it on a powered rotisserie that turned the meat, so it cooks evenly. No plates nor cutlery were used. Just the carving knife and our fingers. The carved meat rarely made it to the serving platter!

It was an extremely addictive rosemary and vinegar concoction that had us all hooked. In the anticipation and excitement of it all, I FORGOT to take a photo of that basting sauce that was used! But take my word for it, it IS the best thing in the world!

Hours after the bbq, I swear I can still taste the lamb in my mouth. In a good way. If anyone happens to know the recipe for that basting sauce, please please please email me!!!

A New Year

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the festive season as much as I have! Spending time with ones you love make life so much sweeter.

Summer, I am happy to announce is finally here! Yippee! We've spent countless days over the holiday season outdoors enjoying the sunshine. We are heading out for a day trip tomorrow, and I can't wait to share some pics of that later on! 

1.2. Kayden doesn't like his feet touching the grass much at all, but on this occasion at the botanic gardens where we had the most glorious and restful time picnicking on the grounds, he was happy to explore on all fours.

3. He had a field (haha literally) day finger feeding himself blueberries and fresh mangoes. Recently, he's also taken a liking to eating nectarines, Yum!

4. Love his little backpack his little friend gave him for his birthday, WE finally got to use it! It surprisingly packs heaps in it!

5.6 We had a cozy christmas with the family. Food, feast and more homemade yummys! Poor bubba was exhausted when it was finally time to open the pressies. After the first box, he pushed all rest away! Santa(s) if you're reading, he loved all his pressies, thank you!