Bannisters

Mark and I took a long weekend away - leaving the kids in the hands of the grandparents, we set off for Mollymook down the south coast to stay at Bannisters Point Lodge. We've been hearing how wonderful this place was from all of the family who have been there - Angie even got engaged there. But it was not till Rick Stein the famous chef from Cornwall moved in and put his name to the restaurant that Mark was convinced it was time to pay a visit.

In reality this is just an upgraded motel with 4 star furnishings, although the  penthouse rooms are new additions. We plonked ourselves by the side of the amazingly beautiful infinity edged pool and pretty much didn't leave all weekend. We were blessed with beautiful weather, and I enjoyed a number of spa sessions, plenty of poolside cocktails and on Saturday evening Rick's restaurant. We let the somalier chose the wines and we shared three entrees - cos we couldn't make up our mind, we wanted to try them all, so scallops, sashimi and a raviolo of lobster. Mains were a  fish bouillabaisse and an Indonesian prawn curry - again half n half. We even succumbed to dessert as we were trying to prolong the experience!

Would love to go backa again soon, but unlikely. We returned to the maelstrom - Ela out with Tom, Harry and Grandad at the kindy Egg Hunting event being held in our local park. Of course there were tears when Nannie and Grandad departed - obviously a good time was had by all this weekend!

A real sleepover

This weekend we had a wonderful time when our friend Maria came to stay with her two gorgeous kids, Liah and Marco.
We enjoyed long chats, swimming in the pool, and a lovely long walk through the woods to our favourite fairy glen (before the mozzies started to attack).

Saturday night movie for the kids whilst we adults enjoyed a beautiful fish salad (thanks Mark) then all Ela's dreams came true at once when Liah slept in the trundle bed in her room. She has been begging us to have friends over for a sleep and finally she got her wish.

Liah was a good sport and sat patiently between her adoring fans (Ela on one side and Tom on the other). She even submitted to Tom's harassment to hold her hand when we went for a walk - even though in Liah's words 'eee he's been picking his nose'!! We reminded her that she needed to get in practice for when her own brother gets a bit bigger.

Party Central

Life for the kids seems to be a never ending circuit of friends parties. A few pictured here are Ollie's at Cubby Corner - in which Ela and Tom took it upon themselves to take over the party throne! And Ela's old friend Kelli which was at Clown Town. She got to catch up with all her old friends from Gumnut and it was hard to drag her away. I enjoyed that party too as we mums got to compare notes on our school experiences.

They also got to enjoy our good friend Mel's 'big' birthday - although there were as many kids as adults there and plenty of play things too.

Then we had dear Bo's 5th birthday in which the whole kindy class was invited. I think her mum was hoping for some 'No's' but unfortunately everyone was keen to come. Well at least she'll enjoy all the presents. Now of course I'm getting questions like 'how long to my birthday mummy?' and 'when I have my next party....' Don't want to break it to her that the next party will be Tom's and that she won't be getting one this year!