Happy 5th birthday Tobes

Can you believe Toby is 5? Pity I only have an out of focus photo to memorise it.

Toby's story

Can't resist, this is so cute. Toby loves to write books. He has recently discovered the stapler and loves to put together a few pages, with illustrations. No that's not his writing, just his words.

New 26 - Tempe house

This is another one of those things that would never have happened but for the challenge. Tempe house is in the suburb next to ours, Wolli Creek. A whole lot of apartments have been built around it but the developers had to keep Tempe house due to it's historical significance. Unfortunately it's rarely open - only a couple of times a year. so this time when I saw it was opening, instead of just thinking it would be a good idea to visit, I actually did.

There was even a band playing on the Sat when we visited. The occasion was a local art show. we only sort of got to see some due to trying to keep 3 excitable children from causing too much destruction.

 

As well as being a cool old "villa" built in around 1830 and home to a Caroline Chisholm (of $5 note fame) school for young ladies, it also has some cool gardens on the hill behind it - also of historical significance apparently and also just good for little kids to run around. A very cool place. Glad we got to visit.

New 25 - girls weekend without orienteering

 

How long have I known this lot? It must be about 25 -30 years but in all this time, I have never been away with them other than for orienteering. We have travelled all over Australia and the world for orienteering but not to just catch up, just the girls. Last weekend however, we went to Melbourne for Belinda's 40th. There was lots of great food and cafes and restaurants.

There was also the super cool Melbourne hire bikes. One of the many great things about the weekend is that I didn't have to make any decisions on what to do. Much as I like to organise things for me and the family, it was a relaxing change to not have to decide where to go and just follow happily along.

First thing Sat morn, Cathy and I cycled to the Victoria Markets on the cool Melbourne hire bikes. You can't help but smile cycling on these upright bikes. Melbourne's amazing bike lanes, including some separated from the cars in the heart of Melbourne are also a cause for joy.

 

It is rather amazing all the things I've done so far this lifetime. Been to Victoria markets before. Tick. though this time I bought some Ugg boots - goodbye synthetic smelly boots that I usually buy each couple of years. Hello WARM WARM WARM furry boots.

Sunday morning I went for a long run which was beautiful, running along the yarra then loops through the gorgeous botanic gardens. Everyone was running in a circuit around the outside of the gardens, there was hardly anyone in the gardens for some reason. Had been to gardens before too though, lucky I hadn't done a girls weekend with this lot otherwise I'd be struggling to find new in a weekend and that's not right! Guess I did find some funky Melbourne art. the top left is a bridge that crosses the Yarra, bottom left some sculpted hedge in the botanic gardens and finally a cow in a tree just near where we were staying at Docklands.

All up a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend. Thanks be to Jase for organising it.

New 24 - I sewed a new thing

I'd been thinking for some time that I'd like to sew something new. I learnt to sew when I was about 14 and I did a course one holidays and learnt how to make a pair of shorts and that's been about it.

Recenlty I did make some new cushions for the house, but that's been done before. I wanted to make something else that I'd never made before but was struggling a bit to take the leap.

Then along came an opportunity to "test run" a new online course at https://www.facebook.com/SewEnSow

It's a 6 week course with just a little bit to do each week. There are written instructions, skills cards and utube videos to help you understand. The first project was a mini bag. It's lined. I've never done anything lined before. There was a thing called "pressing" (ironing) involved. It's been a whole lot of firsts.

I love the format of it, being online I can do it anytime that suits instead of having to get to a community college at an inconvenient time. It's great.

So great to learn a few little skills week by week. It would have been a lot easier if I'd made one instead of 4 but if you try and do craft while children are around, they will need to partake.

I could get into this sewing thing. It's the creative outlet that I like but because the material is right there I don't need to do that bit of the creative bit, which probably isn't my forte.

I woke up the other day dreaming of combinations for bags. I'm liking this!!!!

Now that we have one car

Sometimes the children are shock horror .... Forces to walk places. Sometimes there are lovely trees to see.

Just because she's so cute

Bianca, aged 2 and 10/12ths. Dressed by Bianca.