gaye's birthday

I took Liam and Zoe into town today for a picnic at Alma Road Park for Gaye's 53rd birthday. I picked up Nana on the way. We all arrived at the same time and spent about 3 hours sitting around chatting. It was pretty cold even though the sun was out. I don't mind so much when Melbourne Autumn feels like it should. It's when it feels like Feb in the middle of April that unnerves me.
I got Gaye a really simple black wool top for the coming chilliness, and opted for some more colorful winter tights to the plain black ones I had originally intended to get her.
Mum went back with the gals to St Kilda (I thought she was coming to stay with us for a while). She is roughing it in her half finished renovated flat. I can't wait until it's finally done and we can look around at all that has changed without the debris.
Kai and E stayed home resting up. Kai has been pretty sick, actually we have all been run down with some cold or other. Back home now and about to get everyone bathed and bedded... then time out for Mum and Dad : )

train ride into the aquarium...

We took the boys into the Melbourne Aquarium today. We took the train in and it was pretty fun. Too many people for such a small aquarium I thought, but it was great to see the penguins and the sharks with the kids. Zoe was loving the huge fish tanks.
It was nice way to spend a sunny holiday.

grumpy mum...

dollhouse of my dreams...

Classic example of living my childhood through my kids. Picked up this dollhouse from a yard sale. I painted, renovated and got some new furniture. I don't think the kids appreciate it anywhere near as much as I do. Maybe Zoe will?

daggin' around in st. kilda...

Spent Sunday with Mart just wandering around St. Kilda.
Grand Prix buzzing in the background.
Got a $20 toasted sandwich for the boys.
Adventured to the playground.
jets roaring overhead.
Wowed by the 747 low fly over.
Coffee from the Gal.
Gaye made yummiest chicken burgers ever.
Mum played games with the boys.
Had a little parking/Grand Prix convo with Joe Camilleri...
Great Day in my old hood.

camping and grandpa's visit...

We went away to Queenscliff this week. Had a great time. We borrowed Uncle Tony's RV and set up and a pretty swanky caravan park for a few days. The kids had an amazing time and made friends immediately with a group of kids down the way. There was a pool, jumping pillow and movie room, so maybe not so much like real camping, more like 5 star caravan parking. Anyway, whatever you call it, we had a great time. Grandpa Walter has been staying for a couple of weeks and is due to fly home tomorrow. He has done pretty well being around the kids so much (probably more than all his time with them combined before). They have really gotten a chance to know him and I can see that one day we will be shipping them off to Vermont for a Summer or Winter vacation (not for a while yet).
The kids and I got home on Sunday to go to a party for Nana's family in Jells Park. Is was a nice way to end a really lovely week.

few more pics...