Holiday recap so far

Christmas has come and gone.

We had a fairly relaxed day at home and at each of our mother's places. The children got many gifts even though they didn't get much from us. I think they were happiest with the gift they asked for and received from us.
New Year was celebrated in the City. It was very crowded yet surprisingly pleasant.

Family days out have been great.

Whether at the beach near home or on a day  roadtrip its good to see the family enjoy time out.

Melbourne museum is a favourite with our children. So much to see and they get to play too. I know I learn something new each time we go.

Brickvention is a Lego Convention held at the Melbourne Town Hall. The boys were so keen, they even waited 2 hours in a line that went around the block.

We took a family day out in Bendigo. I don't remember it being so far from home! But we did enjoy the day. We first visited the Bargain Room at the Bendigo Woollen Mills before having lunch by the lake. We visited Cold Rock Ice Creamery and the conservatory.

I have been having a go at embellishing knitted items. I am quite happy with the strawberry I did on this vest. I am getting the hang of it and I wont say I completely suck at it now.

I have been making a lot of newborn items so I wont bore myself or others with copious amount of pictures or details so just a few examples. (If you are interested, find me on Ravelry.)

Crocheted singlets made in 4ply cottons for testing. As you can see I enjoyed making these as there is 4.

I have made lots of mittens, booties, bonnets and hats.

Bibs too.

Of course a few soakers too many

This was a test knit, Lee pullover. I did a heart embellishment on it which was a little rough but I think I am getting better.

I have been having many pattern ideas but usually they stay as pictures or notes in a book. I would like to develop some pattern ideas but I don't think I have enough passion or enthusiasm for it.

Test crochet hat, Urban Shells to fit a child.


The children have such a short time at home before school starts. Grade 6 and grade 3 for my big girl and big boy. Av will be at home, he has wanted to learn to read so he trialled Reading Eggs online which he really enjoyed and I can see he has learned a lot. For a child who had no real interest in the alphabet, he has surprised me with learning phonics and the like.
J has been going to the toilet all  the time now, he has been out of nappies for a couple months. Sometimes he sleeps with us, sometimes not. He comfort feeds and to me he is still very much a baby but his speech is slowly improving so its nice to hear him communicate in more verbal ways.
Currently in week 25 of the pregnancy with a very active baby and gladly no nausea to speak of these days.

Treat Mama like a Queen day (End of the World)

My daughter proclaimed that the public holiday we call Queen's birthday will be now Treat Mum like a Queen day. :)

We planned to go for a drive and we took a good friend with us. (On this day I had actually a great sleep, sleeping all night, woke at a reasonable hour, did some laundry and went food shopping and made a dip and sandwiches all before the sleepy head J awoke!)
It was a lot of fun and very relaxed. We drove down to Rye and had a picnic lunch. The kids loved playing on the beach, rocks and pier.

We arrived in Portsea at about 5 so it was too late to visit the National Park so we just went down to the Pier.

Not quite the end of the World, but the end of Victoria.

Merimbula family holiday Day 3

Pancake breakfast on the day we left Merimbula.

The big boys had one each, J had at least one on his own and our girl got another one which she graciously shared with her Dad who would easily had many more!

It was such lovely weather in Merimbula. I brought along jackets and blankets which we did not need. Though the big boys wore their jackets?! My big boy got this jacket for an early birthday present. It is so cool (spot the Rickenbacker bass). Kids have the coolest things these days.

Anyway, it was better weather than I could have hoped for. Not too cold or windy or wet and not too hot either.
We headed back home via Canberra.

The trip took longer because there were several roadworks happening on the mountains and so it was stop start and then we stopped in Canberra for lunch but had to stop early for a toilet break. We stopped at the DFO and my big boy spotted shoes he liked and for $5 I thought it would be fine. Then of course Av wanted a pair too. They didn't have his size so he settled for socks. Actually he was very rapt with the socks. He wore a pair and carried the other!

We stopped in Gundagai and planned to stop in Albury for dinner but then moved on to Wangaratta for a quick dinner.

We had to stop often for power naps, the travel fatigue was an issue. What a trip!

Merimbula Family Holiday Day 2

Without going into details, I was not feeling my best, so the kids went with their Dad to do arts and crafts in the morning. We then went for a short walk down the hill to the beach. It was beautiful, quiet beach with very few other people there.

 J walked all the way down that hill and when it was time to go back to the cabin, he insisted on walked back up. He also insists in climbing into and out of  the car on his own. Where is my baby?

 

Our water confident babies

The boys made a moat and sandcastle with Dad. Then J decided to throw sand. He even chased me with his newly found face of determination. "I mean it!" Also known as Mean Abram face.

The sand was easily imprinted and the waves were coming in and washing it away. My big boy in particular was enjoying writing in the sand.

Merimbula Family Holiday 2010 Day 1

We started our roadtrip in the early morning on Sunday. The kids were so excited that they could go for a drive in their pyjamas. We stopped in Lakes Entrance so they could get changed and stretch their legs while Dad had a nap.

The kids love going to different places and sleeping someplace different. We stayed at a family cabin minutes from the beach. Colourful birds perched themselves on the verandah.

There was many things to do at the holiday park and only having 2 days there, we were limited in what we could do.

Pajamas

This is the best indication of the colour of these longies I could get. I love them, they make for great pyjama pants on cool nights. This photo was taken in Canberra where we stopped for lunch. J was watching a man clean the windows.
The yarn is Manos del Uraguay wool clasica in Poisedon. The trim is Woolganics worsted merino. The pattern is my own.

Roadtrip (Nowra - Lakes Entrance - home)

J enjoys his first interstate roadtrip.
Its a good thing our kids enjoy long car trips like their parents.



We stopped in Bega for lunch and a break.







Pambula Beach and Eden are two beautiful places.
We didn't visit this time unfortunately.



We had a break just before the border.



We were almost home.

As it was getting late we decided to stay in Lakes Entrance. This is a place we visit often since we first went there in 2004.



We left early. I mean, earlier than usual! 9 instead of the usual 10.



I enjoy a good roadtrip but I also like coming home.



We got back in the early afternoon.