so chilly... but so much fun...

Yesterday we ventured into town to spend the day with Mart, Mum and Gaye. We packed the pram with food and nappies and started off by going to the op-shop, where Kai found a big stuffed car "to hug at night" and a ball and a few other bits and pieces. Then we went to the Adventure Playground where the kids ran around for an hour or so. I bumped into an old work colleague, which was nice as I got to catch up on what had happened to the advertising agency I worked at just before embarking on my trip to the States, all those years ago. Then we headed down to Acland Street to look for warm hats and some tights. We all got ice creams and kept walking to try and find a house that had be designed to look like a dragon. We found it and the kids thought it was quite awesome. Then a walk along the beach while we decided what to get for dinner. We ended up just getting a chicken and some salad from Safeway, which was the cheaper and healthier option...
All in all, it was my idea of the perfect day. The best part was that I seemed to have more stamina than usual, even though I am pretty sick with a cold. I could have kept walking and walking, even though everyone else's legs were falling off.
The kids fell asleep in the car on the way home, and Eli and I watched In Bruges. Then flopped into bed totally exhausted!

mum and dad...

My wonderful folks...

easter party in the hills...

This was our second party for Easter here and I think it may become an every year occasion. It was really wonderful. I spent the whole last week stressing that there wasn't going to be enough food for everyone and of course there was a huge abundance. The kids had a great time and seem to be getting the hang of all this chocolate on Easter Sunday. I did let them eat a little but we have a cupboard full of eggs and will be doling them out for the next few months. The ironic thing is that this pregnancy has left me with a complete aversion to chocolate, try as I will to eat and enjoy it I am just not into it... what a change for me.
here are a some pics...

good friday with my beautiful family...

Today the boys and I drove down to St Kilda to spend the day. Mum, Mart and I walked to Alma Road park and let the kids run around for a while. We then went to Chapel Street for lunch and the most amazing chocolate tapas from San Churro Chocolateria. Then Gaye met us for the walk home. It was one of those slow meandering days in St Kilda that I have come to love so much. We didn't get home until 8pm and I am ready to crash... Eli was busy working on the house all day and getting it ready for the party on Sunday.

teddy bear picnic at the pre-school

Today we met Kai for lunch at his pre-school, all the kids brought along a teddy bear and it was pretty cute. Liam loved being able to spend some time actually playing at the school as usually we are whisking him away after we have dropped Kai off. I made a cake and some of Kai's friends shared it.

littlest one...

First ultrasound of the littlest bubba...

things getting back to normal...

It's been a pretty rough month this end... I think my last post was something about the hot weather coming and hopefully we will be spared any major fires in Vic... well needless to say, that didn't happen. The fires were horrible and we were in and out of our house for about a 2 weeks. It was really upsetting for all of us, but mainly the kids felt the mood change. Liam started to wake often in the night after sleeping right through for almost a year, Kai's behavior was pretty erratic at times, he was having a hard time making sense of everything. I was feeling violently ill and Eli was becoming increasingly more homesick.
I am really happy to say things have started to settle down and our little house is starting to feel harmonious again.
Liam is pretty much back into a good sleep routine and I feel like Kai has calmed down and is able to communicate better his feelings and thoughts. Eli seems to be happy again pottering around the garden. He has planted so many veges and herbs, it's funny because I have been practically bed-ridden I have hardly even noticed the plantings, then when I took a walk outside, wow, we have tomatoes, basil, squash, parsley... not to mention all the fruit trees survived the heat and seem to be thriving.