More parties

Today we are a little 'partied out'. Last weekend we went to two 1st birthday parties and today a 3rd birthday party. The first was cousin Sophies in Centennial park and the second was little Oscar's in Breakfast Point. We had glorious weather, wonderful food and plenty of kids for the kids and friends to chat to for us.

And we have 3 more parties coming up in the next few weeks and of course the long awaited 5th birthday party for Ela. So far the guest list has reached 28! I'm hoping there will be a few who can't make it.

Swimming

Today we took Charlie for a swim at the newly opened D2Spa (doggie daycare facility around the corner from us). Not sure he really enjoyed it but we sure did. Especially the kids - luckily they were behind a perspex screen otherwise they would have been soaked as he continually swam to the edge and tried to climb out.

Check out the big plasma screen - who knew dogs like tv too :)

We enjoyed a lovely coffee while we watched and I got to read a Japanese magazine (as this is owned by Japanese, and groomers are Tokyo trained!) Oh and did I mention it was free? Because I filled in a pre-opening survey I got invited for a free swim...or rather Charlie did. It's a wonderful place and we'll be going back soon.

Weights

Dad is on a new health kick and went out to buy some weights this weekend.

Tom thinks it is great fun to go down to the garage and 'help' dad.

Skinny Charlie

I have to let the pictures speak for themselves. Today Charlie went to be groomed and although I left instructions that consisted of 'not too short' and 'just a medium length', we got back a a whole new dog this afternoon. He is so skinny and light - although we did put him on the scales and in fact he weighs 31kgs!

A busy Weekend

This weekend began on Saturday morning at 8.40am when we all piled into the car for the drive down to Dolls Point park on the water at Sans Souci. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd birthday party of their friends Elliot and Isaac. They played on the swings, on the ride-on toys and scooters, pass the parcel and Tom especially enjoyed practicing his newly acquired song 'happy birthday'. However he seemed somewhat perplexed when they didn't include his name in the song and even more so when he didn't get invited to blow out the candles. The train cake was made by mum Karen and very professional it looked too.

It was getting very hot by the time we left at noon and so we headed to the beach in Cronulla. In fact it was the spring carnival in Cronulla St and we met up with our good friend Cassie and her gorgeous daughter Ruby. Ela and Rubes were off in a flash discovering how many rides they could go on before they felt sick. Tom was always close on their heels and on the airplane ride he looked very close to revisiting his lunch.

We finally enticed them away with ice cream and then dropped the kids down at Nanny and Grandad's house. Grandad was still out on his long walk through the national park at Bundeena but he was given strict instructions to come home via the fish and chip shop.

We then trekked home and changed and headed up to Kenthurst for a birthday party at our friend Danny's place and arrived wearily home at midnight - like Cinderella. Charlie was quite bemused by it all and came dutifully in from the back garden and headed straight down to his bed in the garage.

The next morning we made it up to him and took him for an extra long walk after visiting Shepherds for our coffee. Meanwhile the kids were enjoying shell collecting and paddling at South Cronulla beach. Grandad dropped them back to us at noon, and then off we went to our friends place in Strathfield. Their kids Hannah and Ethan were pleased to see us all and again the girls went off to play with Tom trailing close behind (again). After a lovely Indian lunch, we said our farewells and I had to drag Tom out from behind the dressing up table and away from a cupboard full of pretty dresses which he was pointing to and shouting "me too". He has a serious dress fettish at the moment - particularly tutus :)

Then to Rhodes shopping centre to pick up the weeks groceries - a quick play in Smaland for Ela and finally back home to water the roses and tidy the house and garden. What a fun filled, hot and sticky weekend!

Fathers Day

I have to admit that I forgot to take a picture on Father's Day. Dad did get his lie-in that he was promised but it was short lived as he was up by 8am - thanks to Tom - and we were out in the garden tending to the grass and the roses. In fact he didn't even get breakfast in bed - but he did gets lots of nice presents (books, shoes and various hand-made items from the kids - including a keyring with a photo of Ela - although she wants to know if she can have it when she gets her key!)

Tom's Party

Today we had 9 small children running amok through the house. There were minimal tears though and plenty of fun was had by all. Tom was quite bemused by it all, taking part in pass the parcel, musical chairs and of course the obligatory candle blowing and singing. He took it all in his stride and has been playing with all the toys ever since. Not only those he got from people (thanks everyone) but also all his old ones that I got out the night before for the party. We have verious 'stations', including a playdough section, a drawing table, a trucks and trains area and of course the construction site. {I have since realised that having a playroom at this age is pretty useless as he rarely goes there but is quite happy to play with all the toys if they are brought out in the living area.}

We had a lovely 'TOM' cake made by nanny and grandad was official photographer. And we rounded it all off with dressups and dancing. Exhausting but great fun, Tom agreed.