Don't really have anything to report but wanted to put these pics of the boys on. The first is James playing with the eggs Grandma and Grandad gave him for his birthday, which he absolutely loves to organise and tidy. He also loves wearing my beads!
The second is of the boys at Toby's soccer game last week enjoying a snow cone.
The third is James enjoying the swing and showing off his toothy smile!

James's birthday lunch

Before you start reading this - have you seen Leigh's blog? Don't expect anything anywhere near as impressive as that!!!! I have limited material to work with.... enjoy!

After we got back from Twin Waters we went to a cafe on the river for lunch to celebrate James turning one. Finally, an occasion especially for James!!!!

Uncle Brent, Great-Grandma Mavis (she's 91!!!), James, Liam, Zane and Toby
Borrowing Grandma's zimmer frame for a while as the birthday cake is sampled

Talking candles with G-G

White Chocolate Cheesecake - took me hours to make

A vice-like grip on the kids as the picture is taken

Enjoying the loveliness of James

Entertaining the crowds...

...and enjoying the reception!

Pressies! Thank goodness for Liam who is always available to help with opening.

The Masons

Winter Fun at Twin Waters

We had a few days up at Twin Waters last week. It was a fantastic break and was great to "get away from it all". As always the weather was postcard perfect and we spent most of the time in our togs. Zane and Liam went out on the lagoon in a catamoran while James and I frolicked in the pool (heated of course!), and we also checked out the local pelicans, Barry and Laura. Barry was very cranky so we kept our distance!!!

Other activities included a spot of shopping at Sunshine Plaza, and we went out for dinner one night to the local Italian. The boys were well behaved and nothing was broken!!! A night of red wine, port and card playing followed, with the obligatory sore heads the next morning.

We also met up with our friends Jason and Juanita for a play date in the playground at Cotton Tree which is right on the river, a fabulous spot. We took the boys' bikes up and did laps around the lagoon. Mum and Dad, the trike you gave Liam for his 1st birthday has now officially been handed over to James and he is loving it!! There was a thorough exploration of the local beach as well, and Liam was fascinated with the holes in the sand, wondering what strange creatures could be lurking beneath.

It was with much reluctance that we packed up and headed home on Sunday morning. The more we go up there, the more we want to just move up there and be done with it!! It's such a relaxed lifestyle ... maybe one day!

Snack time at the beach (note my less than impressed smile - I'm not a fan of leg shots)
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
May I present my new bike...

Catch me if you can!

Mamma Mia! The pasta here is delicimo!

A quick colouring in session between courses

Stocking up on provisions at Coles - they have kids trolleys - how cute is that!!!

A quick ride on the doggy car - two steering wheels - very convenient

Jumping castle fun at Sunshine Plaza

So it's a miracle we didn't catch swine flu after all that activity but we seem to have made it unscathed!

James 1st b'day

Hmm what do we 'ave 'ere then?
Roller skates - how cool am I!!

James chatting up the ladies at the party

Morning tea time!

Cake - gimme gimme!

Check out the jumping castle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lunch time
A nice birthday snap

Our little boy turned one on Sunday! It was a fantastic day, although we were (yet again) celebrating Liam's birthday - at a joint mother's group party for all the older kids. James was none the wiser though and everyone made a fuss of him on his special day. He also had a visit from the Masons in the afternoon, so he had a great day!

James is a constant delight and just gets cuter every day! He has started walking, and I even caught him jogging up the hallway this morning! He always seems to be in a hurry. So much to do, so many toys to play with!!!! He has started feeding himself (very very messy) and his current favourite thing is to stack, sort, and organise things. It doesn't matter whether it's measuring cups from the kitchen drawer, or a specially designed toy, as long as they can be stacked or sorted, they are fun! He also loves going on the swing and the slide, and being pushed around on the trike. He's started saying a few words but it's still a lot of babble. He is very expressive with the babble though!

All in all it was a great day and one we will remember for a long time.

More birthday pics

A friend of ours took some good pics at Liam's party so I thought I would pop them on the blog for you to have a look at.

Sunday brekky

Checking out the big statue thingy Bear hug

Liam being adorable

Check out the new wheels!!!

Last Sunday we went to the North Shore River Cafe for brekky. It's a great spot, right on the river, and we took Liam's new bike so he could have a spin after brekky. It was a gorgeous, sunny but cold day.

Liam is Three!

Opening pressies - thanks for my Diego Doodle Pro Grandma and Grandad Birthday Portrait

Soph and James enjoying the party

Checking out someone elses' wheels while James tries to make his escape!

Birthday cake!

Liam is now THREE - can hardly believe it! What a year it has been - easily the most challenging I would have to say, since he was born. They don't call it the "terrible twos" for nothing!!! We have had a very long and slow process of learning limitations, boundaries, and what is acceptable behaviour. Liam had his world turned upside down when James arrived home, and had to do a crash course in sharing, being gentle with babies, competing for Mum and Dad's attention, and suddenly not being the youngest, cutest, most interesting person in the room any more! I am pleased to report that Liam has taken it all in his stride and is getting better every day (although there are still plenty of relapses!!!). He has also enjoyed being able to communicate with us a lot more, and being given a bit more freedom to do things without someone watching over his shoulder all the time. We are really enjoying the fact that he can talk now and tell us what is going on in that head! We have had some very interesting and hilarious conversations. Another great thing about getting bigger is that Liam has started to form some really nice friendships with the kids in mother's group and at C & K. He has a friend there called Charlie and they are as thick as thieves. It is very nice to see him enjoying being with other kids.

Anyway, back to the birthday. Liam woke up in the morning to find a shiny new bike next to his bed. Extreme levels of excitement followed as the bike was road-tested up and down the hallway and out on the back deck. A "thumbs-up" was given - much to the parents' relief! Then it was time to get dressed, packed and ready for the party which was attended by family and a few friends that we don't get to see enough of.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made Liam's day special. And thank you for the fabulous pressies given by everyone, especially the ones sent from overseas. You all helped to give Liam a birthday he will remember for a long time.

The next birthday is young James who turns one on Sunday! We are really looking forward to reaching that milestone. James took his first tentative steps around about Liam's b'day and he is gaining confidence every day. He shuffles along like a little old man, it is very cute!!! He has also decided to start asserting his independence, and insists on doing everything for himself now, including feeding himself, so meal times are very messy now! He is a very determined little fellow and wants to do everything Liam is doing.

So that's about it from us - watch this space for the James b'day pics which I will try to put on without too much delay.

Ange