Market and Coffee

With the big at work today, I thought I would venture out to Matilda's market. So we were all packed in the car and off we went. I had to use the double pram today - or else I could have easily wandered off with someone elses kids, and Alexander was a great help. We saw Aunty Cookie and OneGirl who I hope had good days. Sadly we didn't buy anything as I couldn't get close enough, also I was only killing time, not really in a shopping mood. So after a quick round of the market, we crossed the road for a quick coffee at Georgios. As it was a baby and kids market, there were heap of prams there, so we settled for a table in their outside area and I thoughtfully folded the pram to make space while we all sat at the table.
Our coffees came quickly and we all drank them happily. They were all so well behaved and I could feel people looking and admiring. I have pens and books in my bag to help pass the time while I finish my drink. The time came to leave and I gave my bag to Alexander (fatal mistake) to hold while I unfolded the pram. As the pram was opening I heard a crashing sound. Not one of the boys, not cups or cutlery but the entire contents of my bag splattered across the floor of the restaurant. Pens, two tubes of glue, books, tampons, coins, dirty tissues and all the bits and pieces that rattle around in my bag exposed. Not only this but I have three kids on the loose. I scurry to clean up but other are all to quick to offer to help. I just dont need other people helping load the contents of my life back into my bag. If ever you witness such event - look after the kids and let the poor embarrassed woman salvage some shred of pride as she shoves all the crap back into her bag.

Busy, Busy

It has been a busy couple of days - we had our first school transition day on Monday. Where has that time gone?? Alexander loved it and ran off with a teacher quite happily without even a glance t'wards me. They now do four of these day to help them with their transition to prep next year. I don't think there will be any problems as he already seems settled there and one of his friends from our mothers group is going with him, so at least he has a familiar face there.

We had the usual rounds of swimming lessons, kinder, music, my kinder meetings and playgroup. I did manage to squeeze in not one but two visits to theo's during his sale. Both times I had my entourage, but all in all they were pretty helpful. One has to be pretty desparate for habby to walk two toddlers on a boiling hot day into the theo's warehouse, but we did it with no incidents!!! (Only a dent on the credit card but there were so many bargains. I got over 300 zips for $8! What a bargain. Now what to do with 300 zips???)

Drawing on a sunday afternoon...

After a long overdue haircut - thanks Nan- we settled down to some drawing at the table. It was all very civillised and enjoyable.

However, Spencer quickly lost interest, and decided to stack things from my cupboard instead!!

Free wheelin

With a bit of help from Dad the training wheels are off - and so is he.

Down came the rain....

You would think in drought conditions in Melbourne in Spring, you could be pretty sure of sunshine - or at least not rain. While that was true for our very public days - Derby, Cup and Oakes Day, today - Drew and Dern's wedding day - it was sadly not the case. Even sadder - their ceremony was outside in the Fitzroy Gardens.

The setting was lovely, with the chairs lined up, with white covers, an umbrella for shade and a pink carpet for the bridal party to walk along to the old bandstand where the nuptuals would take place but everything was soaked.
Beautifully dressed guests huddled together under umbrellas as the rain came sideways. The bride was stuck in terrible traffic caused by the rain as the mens suit trousers got wetter and wetter.
The bridesmaids ran across the road, in their lovely brown cocktail frocks- still being careful not to splash mud onto their bare legs.

The groom waited patiently for his bride - this has been 12 years in the making, and he has proposed more than once, although the bride didn't realise the first time.. so he is obviously a patient guy. Yet, given all of this, the bride arrived and glowed. You could not wipe the smile of her gorgeous face- and she showed why she was worth waiting for...

(Just FYI- A line dress silk dress - no petticoat with deep v front and back. Empire band went right around covered in silver seed beads with some crystal drop beads around bottom of band. Simple A line skirt with puddle train. She wore it with a catherdal length train)

The celebrant was one of the best I have ever seen - I thought he was an old family friend - the ceremony was that personal and intimate (not just because we huddled with them in the bandstand) There was no music available so together everyone was jollied along to even sing the hymn!

The rain stopped for the end of the ceremony, signing the registers and announcing of the new Mr & Mrs. I heard the bride say to her new husband - was this how you imagined today would be? But really I don't think it matters - it makes a great story to tell their future children, and I know everyone there will think of it as perfect.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The race that stops the nation

You should all know by now I love a bit of dress ups. It needn't be in the costume sense either - just any excuse and I am this way with my kids too (poor, poor boys!!)

Today we had a Melbourne Cup Day party. In the olden days, this would have been at the racetrack, but now its in the backyard of a girlfriends house - however the same dress code applies. With the big squirrel at work, off we went all frocked up. I had a green dress and jacket with a small top hat I made many years ago, and the boys looked very dapper.

Alexander in his tweed coat - a la nana.

Spencer -

Benji - in outfits supplied by Popeye. They even managed to stay respectable most of the day. We didn't make it to the actual Cup race - we headed home with two little boys asleep in the car - so tired that they actually transferred into their beds for a long time. Oh - and the other win of the day - the big squirrel met us there which is a great help wth the boys at a generally child free party.

Happy Halloween

We had a busy day - firstly we caught up with some good friends for a BBQ. Sometimes life just gets in the way and you just concentrate on what you have to do rather than put effort into maintaining friendships. So today was about that and it was a lovely day - simple food and just playing and chatting.

Then we went out trick or treating. I know it is a day late and all, but it is not a big thing here. We had the best time. A neighbour from America walked the streets inviting the locals to participate. She was thorough and planned and with lots of young children in the neighbourhood, she arrange for daylight and a specified time when both parents would be home. We only called on houses that chose to participate, and they indicated this with decorations, or a pumpkin sticker on their letterbox.

Again we walked with some friends and all the kids were dressed up - robots, batman, dinosaurs, witches, fairies and princes. My only criticism is TOO MANY LOLLIES - but it was great to be outside walking the streets with your family and friends - meeting other people on the street and visiting your neighbours. It really did a lot to build that community feeling which is too often lost in these busy times.