Happy Birthday.

This time is was my brother's 24th birthday. He's getting married next year.

I can't wait.

Happy Birthday to my little brother. I am so proud of you!

xx

I'm a dancer!

Well the thing is, I'm a dancer's mum. And I don't necessarily do the stage mum thing well. Do you know why? Because there is, oh, maybe a million things to remember.

Literally.

And I always remember them at the last minute and go in to internal meltdown mode.

And I have a boy, who doesn't need particular coloured underwear to match the tights to match the leotard to match the scrunchie to match the make up and

Breathe.

But, I felt like the biggest stage mum when I took Darcy for a hair wash and a cut.

His first of many, proper, hair washes.

This is Jill. He loves her.

And today? Professional photo day, in costumes and all. This year's concert is a movie theme. No prizes for who guesses what their tap piece is.

My niece is in the show too. Could these two look any cuter.

I am biased.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing them in the show. The other million kids I don't know who'll fill the three hours of dancing.

Not so much.

xx

Veggie Progress

The garden, it's a-growin'!

The tomatoes are almost ready to change colour..red. Just in time for christmas.

And check this out, little carrot finges starting to poke through. Almost time to pull I think!

But sadly, the sunflowers were a no show. I may have drown them.

Have a happy day!

The stork is fluffing his feathers.

But it's not for me. My sister is due to have her third baby after Christmas. And since the day she had that second pink line, you know the one? That leaves you with goodbumps on your skin and a flutter in your heart?

That's the one.

I've been thinking, dreaming, searching, and living - baby sprinkles. And I was chuffed that she wanted me to throw this afternoon tea in her honor.

And so now that uni is finished and I have time to spare. I have been creating.

And with the help of my beautiful friend, I hope to make this day a lemony, sunshiny and beautiful day full of celebration and joy, all in anticipation of a new life we can't wait to welcome here with us.

And while I created, the kids wrote to Father Christmas.

Tilly wants Darcy for Christmas..after I explained that she already has Darcy, she wrote for a rabbit.

Ahem.

And she wants an Iplog, even though that was followed with 'What's an Iplog'? Good question kid.

Darcy wants a lego train, a dvd and a DS game. But he's thought of a thousand things since, so there might be another letter to Father Christmas in the works.

I love having time on my hands. And how much do you love this sunshine!

xx

When Father Christmas came to town!

There aren't many things in life that will have me bounding out of bed when the digital clock is screaming a '5' at me. There are the obvious, kids, toilet, dog. And then there is the Credit Union Christmas Pageant. 

Did you know it's the largest in the southern hemisphere? That's big.

King William Rd at 7am. 

The Christmas pageant marks the official coming to town of our good old friend, Father Christmas. It also marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

I think so anyway.

Christmas pageant day is no small feat. In fact, it requires one to be in town by 7am at the latest in order to secure a good spot. I am not along in this. There are always other, brave souls, who arrive early to mark their territory and wait for their families to arrive. Some people think I am crazy. But I arrive at 7am, lay out the blankets, sit in my deck chair and drink coffee whilst reading the paper.

The men bring the children, along with the rest of Adelaide, on the train. And they think I'm crazy.

Who's the smart one?

Entourage of space savers.

 But, apparently I am not a hardcore, experienced and knowledgable Christmas pageant space saver. There were people who were there at 2am to reserve their space. And it was taken.

Ok, there is hardcore - and there is sad. I'm voting sad in the case of the 2am space saver crew.

But maybe, secretly, I am a bit jealous that there are bigger Christmas fans than me. You'll never know.

As the sun moves higher in the sky, friends and family start to arrive - and it's a real and true street party. Sometimes the wait for the parade is just as much fun as the parade itself. Children are allowed to play in the road without fear of being mowed down. They create impressive chalk masterpieces and get chalky bums.

 They eat chips and chocolates before ten o'clock. Because it would be mean to say no on this Christmassy day.

This year, Adelaide broke the record for the biggest choir. Or something like that. We sang four Christmas carols and the record was done! I mean honestly, how tough is that! Adelaide, city of churches - and giant choirs. Tough. Hardcore. Awesome.

And see those three women singing their little hearts out? They were on the news. Yep! Channel nine felt we were talented enough to broadcast us to the state...but with no sound.

Shutup.

Darcy and Matilda lost sleep for excitement of the day. And they wore their elf hats, finished with bells, in the days leading up to this most special event.

And what I love most? Is that my Dad, and my Nanny, they still aren't too old to arrive early and wait it out with the rest of us. All bubbling with excitement about catching a glimpse of the big man himself.

And that Adam, who would normally repel other men - will cuddle up under a pink umbrella, with my brother Ash. All in the name of Christmas.

And when it starts! There is magic in the air. The kids and adults all laugh, clap and wave to all. Strangers kids will huddle in your lap to get a better view and the anticipation grows!

Dad sitting amonst the kids

And when he arrives...everyone is on their feet to welcome him. Kids have tears of excitement and jump up and down on the spot. Adults shout 'Merry Christmas'. And big kids take 53 photos of him on the Nintendo DS.

Which, by the way, is the cutest thing I've ever heard.

And Christmas has truly come to town.

x

A mum at Christmas.

A Christmasy mall I visited in Melbourne.

Do you know what? I love Christmas. Not just 'Oh yeah,  I love Christmas'. I luuuuuuurve Christmas. It's my favourite thing ever.

You know what  is even more special? When you go from just being you and loving Christmas, to loving Christmas and sharing it with your own children.

Yesterday we went in to our local shopping centre, and the Christmas decorations were up. Not just in the department stores, but in the actual centre itself! Trees, wreaths, lights. Everything.

My heart skipped a bit, and did a little flutter.

It may have been to the beat of jingle bells.

But what made it more special? Watching the kids gush and ooh and ahh. And chat excitedly to each other about what their favourite part of Christmas is.

Tilly singing Christmas carols in the trolley, while Darcy interrogated me on what we'll be eating Christmas day and if we'll have pudding or not.

Watching the kids feel as excited about Christmas is just the best ever. I love it and it brings tears to my eyes.

Which is funny. Because I'm just like my mum. And my Grandma. Ok and let's be honest, my Dad. And I know only too soon my own children will be laughing about how I cry at Christmas too.

And that's what it's like to be a real mum. Isn't it?

Have a Happy Day. x

It's up to you. Mel-bourne! Mel-bourne!

This last weekend, we did the right thing. Left the men and children at home, and jetted off to Melbourne, to shop, eat, partake in awesome musical theatre, and eat.

The group consisted of these ladies. Jenny, Sarah and myself.

Our first meal together

Degraves.

After a fabulous meal on very cool Degraves, we walked back to our hotel.

I may never walk again after this weekend, it was walking central!

We thought it would be a good idea to walk off our rather large dinners..but then accidentally walked right on in to Krispy Kremes. Honestly - there was some magnetic forces beyond our control, we literally did not mean to walk in there. And then once we were at the counter, well - this happened.

So we had to keep walking to burn the dessert.

And when we got back to our room, we totally rocked out and partied hard.

We are hardcore like that.

What doesn't rock about Home and Gardens CHRISTMAS edition. Seriously - I was drooling, and it wasn't alcohol related. How grown up am I?

The next morning we hiked back to Degraves for possibly the best breakfast I have ever had. A giant bowl of the freshest fruit salad, ever, topped with yoghurt and toasted muesli. I am still dreaming of it. I chased it down with the best juice, ever. Freshly squeezed.

Then we shopped. Sarah had a list of amazing little shops we otherwise would never have discovered, where I stocked up on beautiful christmas decorations and a few pretties for myself too.

Then I went to macaroon heaven. Do you know, before this I had NEVER tasted a macaroon? It was just one of those things I never thought I would like. So I never tried.

I am three years old like that.

And you guys, seriously. These were the best macaroons ever. The one I'm holding here? Pistachio macaroon. Delightful. This was courtesy of Laurent bakery which is a definite and absolute must for the touring and residing Melbournians. Heaven, in a building.

Then we shopped, then we were turned away from the Titanic exhibition. Because we didn't line up at 7am to get tickets. Tickets which the don't sell online.

Angry.

And we trammed it a little out of the main city area to the coolest place ever.

The Soda Rock Diner

Where they sell real old style American diner food, like burgers and chilli fries. Did you know that Chilli fries is fries, with a chilli con carne type affair on top? Topped with a mountain of melted cheese? It is really, really tasty. Yum.

And that Root Beer is like Sarsparilla yet completely and totally sugary. That was ok, but I overdosed a bit and didn't quite finish him off.

See? Chilli fries!

But the absolute best part of this diner? The juke boxes that sit in each booth, ready for you to choose your favourite songs from the 50's and 60's. And if you choose the right one - the staff bound out from behind the counter and dance to the music. It was so much fun. So much fun in fact that the table next door thought we were ex-staff coming in for a bit of nostalgia.

Maybe because we danced in the booths, doing all the moves to 'Shake a tail feather'.

Maybe lame for some. But we danced like no one was watching, and I think that made us cool.

But the absolute highlight was the reason we went in the first place. Seeing Hairspray on the stage.

 I was speechless! Sarah looked like this. The entire show.

 It was the most energetic, colourful, happy and fun thing I have ever been a part of. I just loved it, and I can't say it enough. The dancing, the sets, the costumes. Just amazing! Well worth the trek over here. And when it finished, I could have turned right back around and watched it all again.

And we left on the biggest high of the trip. And you know what? It was just what I needed. I missed my Darcy and Tilly. I missed Adam. And I was excited about coming home and being mum again.

It was just what I needed to get away from life and enjoy the big and exciting things that Melbourne has to offer. To enjoy company of women who enjoy life the way I do. And to just have fun being me!

I might start saving for next year! x