Melbourne trip - Part III

While I was away, I didn't really have time to write a diary, or blog posts, or even much in the way of notes about our days.  But I had a single page document that I wrote a couple of dot points on, to help me remember what we'd gotten up to.

Turns out I really need those!

We were SO busy (but in a good way)!  By the end of the first week, I could hardly remember what we'd done the day before, let alone a couple of days before that!

So, using said trusty dot points, I can tell you that after our slightly more eventful trip down, and our fun day at the science museum, the Little Big Fella and I had a more sedate day with the Big Fella's parents, sister and her partner.  And it was absolutely lovely!

Unfortunately I don't actually have any photos of this day (sheesh!), so I'll just have to tell you about it and let you use your imagination.

We had a bit of a sleep in that morning (I have no idea why we were so tired!), then got ourselves ready and headed over to the Big Fella's parent's place.

They've lived in the same house for about 20 years, which is kind of amazing because Grandpa used to be in the Airforce and the Big Fella's family had lived all over Australia, and in Malaysia for a time.  Since the last time we'd been there (in 2010!), they've renovated the kitchen and upstairs entry, as well as both bathrooms.  It was so exciting to see it in person after hearing all about it!

So we got the grand tour, then had a cuppa in the downstairs lounge room, in front of the fire.  That's one thing I miss about living in Victoria.  We don't have much opportunity to really snuggle in front of a fire up here, and it is definitely one of the delicious things about winter!

The Little Big Fella wanted to check out the yard so we took him outside and walked down to the bottom of the property.  It's only a 1/4 acre (I think... there's a possibility that it's a 1/3 acre), but it's a very steep block!  The Little Big Fella (of course) ran up and down it a few times, while we struggled just a little.

And that's when he saw it.

Grandma and Grandpa have an outdoor spa.

Which, to the Little Big Fella, looks just like a pool.

And he loves playing in water!

So he convinced Grandpa to turn on the heater and get the water warming up so he could have a spa swim splash.

While we were waiting for it to warm up, Grandma got a delicious lunch started.  She did a Turkish bread (pide?), filled with delicious treats like olives, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and so on, and with a little cheese on top.  Then it got put in the oven to warm up and get a little crispy.  Served with a lovely salad, it was a fantastic lunch!

By this time, the Big Fella's sister and her partner had arrived as well, so we all ate together and had the chance to catch up.

Although I love where we live, I really do miss our families.  We enjoy one another's company, and there's something very special about families that you just don't quite get, even with very good friends.

Anyway, after lunch the spa was warm enough so Grandma, the Little Big Fella and I jumped in (amazing how I just happened to have our swimmers in the bag, huh?).  Even though the day was quite chilly, especially in the shade, we ended up getting rather too warm in the spa because the heater didn't get turned off until the water reached 40 degrees (about 104 Fahrenheit).

The Little Big Fella loved splashing about though, especially when Grandma found a pair of goggles that he could wear!  Talk about making your grandson happy!!!

After we got out, we all had a bit of a chat then the Big Fella's sister and partner took the Little Big Fella and I to a chocolaterie.  Seriously delicious!

They have a big window along one wall where you can watch the masters making the chocolates.  While we were there we watched one of the girls making chocolate covered licorice bullets.

And right at the front door are 3 big (and I mean big) bowls of chocolate drops that you can sample - white, milk and dark chocolate.  And it was very nice chocolate!

They had all kinds of chocolate delights, as well as a cafe with handmade ice-creams and desserts.  We decided to have a drink, and I got a fruit flan that was to die for!  With every order they give you a shot of "hot chocolate", which is basically chocolate drops melted to a thick, creamy liquid.  Very sweet to drink, but lovely in the cold wind.

The chocolaterie also provided buckets full of outdoor toys for people to take out onto the grassy area in front of the building.  The buckets had balls and frisbees and all kinds of things for playing with.

The whole atmosphere was really, really fun!  I'd highly recommend a visit if you're in that area!

We purchased a few treats, sampled a couple more chocolate drops then headed home.  The Little Big Fella was completely tuckered out and fell asleep before we'd gotten very far.

When we got back to Grandma and Grandpa's place, we went in, had a quick chat then said our goodbyes and went back to my parent's place for a quick dinner, bath and off to bed.  Then end of another lovely, eventful day.

4 year old vaccinations

Here in Australia, when a child turns 4 they get to have their last vaccinations (until year 8 - about 15 years old) and a developmental check.  What a way to celebrate, huh?

Yesterday was the Little Big Fella's day for it.

As I was thinking about it last night, I realised we'd kind of been preparing him mentally for this for about six months.  When our little dogs had to get their vaccinations in December we talked about what a it is and why we have them.  The Little Big Fella also learned the word at that stage, which blows me away as well!

Also in December, January and February I received some vitamin B12 injections, and then had a blood test, and the Little Big Fella came along with me once or twice.  He got to see that it's no big deal (yes, that was a bit of an act on my part, given that I'm not great with needles), and he even got a chocolate with the blood test for being "such a brave boy watching Mummy".

Last week we went to the doctor's surgery to make the appointment so we got a chance to talk a little bit about what would be happening today.  No big deal, and he promptly forgot about it.

Yesterday morning I thought it would be a good idea to let him know that it was vaccination day.  We talked about it just a little, then he went off and played.  After lunch we jumped in the car and I noticed that he was a little quiet on the way to the next town.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

No real answer.

"Are you a little bit nervous?"

"Yeah."

I told him it's okay to be a bit nervous and we also talked about the other things the nurse would do - check his eyes and ears, maybe watch him play and ask him about stuff.

When we got there he was weighed (22kg) and his height was measured (118cm), then the nurse sent us into the next room while she prepared the needles.  The Little Big Fella was really relaxed while we were waiting.

When she came in, the nurse asked me to take his top off (we couldn't push the sleeves up high enough) and sit him on my lap, with his hands in his lap, and mine over his.  The other nurse came in and recognised him, making a big fuss over how big he was etc.

Then 1, 2, 3 and the needles were in (one in each arm)!

The Little Big Fella was a bit surprised that it hurt, I think.  He watched one of the needles all the way, and kind of squirmed very slightly.  Then he just said, "that hurt a little bit".

The nurses made a big fuss of how brave my boy was, then second nurse left and the Little Big Fella was given 2 chocolate frogs!  He ate one and we put the other in my bag for later :-)

Then the nurse asked a bunch of questions to both me and the Little Big Fella and we were done.  I'm happy to let you know that there are no indicators of developmental issues.

We had some food shopping to do before coming home.  In the supermarket, the Little Big Fella was really well behaved, but just kept getting louder and louder!  He was saying "hi" to everyone we came across, and telling them that he was 4 and he'd just had his "vaccinations".  I was starting to think we'd have to go for a bike ride or something when we got home because he had way too much energy and volume!

But, wouldn't you know it?  He fell asleep on the way home and had a half hour nap!  (I used to kind of love vaccinations and chiropractor appointments when he was a baby because he'd always have a big sleep that afternoon!)

So it turns out that my big boy, who cries when his friends bump into him, is brave when it comes to vaccinations.

The Easter Bunny was here!!!

"Mum!!!  The Easter Bunny was here!!!  He was in my ROOM!!!  And he's left footprints everywhere!!!"

And that's how the day began :-)

Like I said the other day, I love that the small things make my son's day.  Last night's minuscule effort of making a cut-out rabbit footprint and sifting flour around the house was absolutely worth it.  Even cleaning it all up today, after the Little Big Fella had spread it everywhere, was worth it :-)

 

Lucky we made Easter baskets at playgroup this week!

 

 

Thank you, my lovely son, for walking in Easter Bunny's footprints... and spreading them all over the house!!!

Well, even though the Little Big Fella searched the house when he woke up, it turned out that he hadn't found all the eggs the Bunny had left behind!  It turns out he'd left some downstairs as well!  So another search was had (when Daddy woke up).

This time Daddy got to be the egg basket - the other one was full!

Chocolate all over his face = a happy Little Big Fella.  And some nice, clean water to wash it all down ;-)

All partied out

I'm feeling a little partied out tonight.


After our big days on Wednesday and Thursday, the Little Big Fella and I spent most of Friday morning on the couch, just veging out together.  Normally he gets a bit antsy and is ready to play after being quiet for about an hour, but he was quite happy just sitting there with me so I'm guessing he was ready for a slow morning too.


We spent a bit of time in the afternoon at the park and that evening headed to the local pub for dinner.  The Big Fella was a little put out, I think, that when we were there I caught up with a couple of the girls - he thinks I have a massive social life... and he's kind of right!


Saturday the Big Fella worked until about midday, so the Little Big Fella and I headed to the next town to do some shopping.  We'd attempted to make chocolate mousse the afternoon before and it hadn't worked, so I was collecting the ingredients to try again.


That afternoon the Little Big Fella had been invited to a 5th birthday party.  We rocked up and there were kids everywhere!!!  A quick headcount by a friend said there were at least 30 kids there, and apparently some had not attended!  That's a big party for a 5 year old!


The Little Big Fella wanted to go on the swing (as he always does if there's one around) so I went and gave him a push.  Soon I was juggling three swings, stopping them after a bit and helping kids swing across the monkey bars at the top, then pushing a new lot of kids on the swings.  If I'd pulled some balloon animals out of my pocket I reckon I could have charged as the entertainment for the afternoon ;-p


After the cake and such, we had to race home to help finish preparing for our dinner guests.  The Big Fella was having a second attempt at making the chocolate mousse and so far all was going well.  Okay, that's not quite true.  He added some rum essence to the melted chocolate and it went almost solid again!  Frustrated, he returned it to the stove to try to re-melt the chocolate. Eventually it did so he took it off to cool a little before adding the eggs.  After adding the egg yolks it looked like it was starting to go bad again so he folded in the whites and... success!  It looked (and tasted) like mousse!  The last step was to add a cup of lightly whipped cream.  Unfortunately he missed the "lightly whipped" part of that instruction and tipped the liquid cream in.  He told me it didn't look right and asked me to read the recipe for him.  As soon as I said "lightly whipped" he collapsed on to the floor, completely frustrated!  I stepped away from the dishes and looked in the bowl and decided I could probably tip off most of the cream, whip it a bit then try adding it back.  It worked and the mousse was saved!  Hooray!


Our guests arrived and the Little Big Fella went absolutely hyper!  He insisted on showing them his bedroom and telling him about everything that was happening (including the knife in his hand story).  Thankfully he showered and went to bed after the main meal.


The Big Fella is a great cook you know!  He made a delicious potato/carrot/pumpkin/sweet potato soup with a little cream, thyme and fresh nutmeg and it was so lovely!  The mains were lamb shanks, which were lovely but not quite as lovely as some that he's done before.  And the mousse turned out to be absolutely delicious, especially with some cream and berries! I am a seriously lucky woman to be married to that man!


We had a really enjoyable evening, sitting around and chatting.  Although the guys talked trains for a little while, it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours and I'm looking forward to doing it again.


This morning the Big Fella was at work again but the Little Big Fella and I went next door for a baby shower.  I must have been warm after my workout and shower because as soon as I got there, I realised I was going to be cold! After about 20 minutes I snuck back home and got changed, and I felt so much better for it :-D


As you do at baby showers and such, we played several games.  My little bit of competitiveness... jumped out and reared its ugly head!!!  We played one game where everyone was given a nappy (diaper) pin and if you caught someone crossing their legs or arms, or saying "baby" or the shower-ee's name, you could take their pin.  Yep, I turned out to be a horrible little monster, pouncing on unsuspecting ladies with shouts of "give me your pin"!  Okay, that's a mild exaggeration... but only just.  Happily, I won that game :-D


I also won the dummy (pacifier) spit :-D


It was a great morning!  The kids all played well together, the ladies had a good time, and the shower-ee didn't look quite so tired as she has recently so I think she was having fun too.  And I was stoked when she liked the gift of coupons I gave her - for things like babysitting, massage, housekeeping, shop runs, venting sessions etc.  Now to ensure she uses them...


After the shower I took the Little Big Fella home, gave him some solid, non-sugary food, heated some leftovers for my lunch and sat down for 5 minutes, realising that I was actually quite tired.  Sure enough, the Big Fella calls.


"Honey, I need you to come down to the pub."


"What for?"


"You need to bring the jerky down."


"Really?"


"I'm not kidding, we need it."


I sat there for another 5 minutes, willing my body to get itself together and get up.  Eventually I got there, packed a couple of things in my bag, got the Little Big Fella all set up with his bike and we rode/walked to the pub.  I met a few people that the Big Fella works with; names I've heard, and some I hadn't.  He seemed very relaxed and happy, which made me happy too.


The Little Big Fella was ready to go to the park pretty quickly so we said our goodbyes and headed back.  I'd left my picnic blanket on the fence of the park on the way past (I love our small town!) so spread it out while the Little Big Fella started riding around the skate park and playing.


By this stage, I was tired!  I just needed to lay down for 5 or 10 minutes.  So I did!  I lay down on my picnic blanket, in the sun, listening to my son happily riding around, and had a little doze.  I can't tell you how good it was to have those 5 or 10 minutes!  I revived much more than you'd think was possible!


After a little while some of our other friends turned up and we spent the next few hours hanging out at the park, kids happily playing, mums happily chatting.  I really enjoy that you can get out of your house and go to the park here and it's pretty likely that someone else will turn up and you can have a chat, vent if you're having one of those kinds of days, or just socialise and feel that connection with other people in your community.  I'm sure I've said it before, but it's a definite strength of this place.


When it started getting cool we all headed home and did the evening routine. The Big Fella slept on the couch - he has a little catching up to do I think.  The Little Big Fella went to bed really easily, but unfortunately had too much to drink this afternoon and has already had a bed and pj's change.  He goes to bed with a nappy and then wakes to use the loo, struggling to get the nappy out of the way, but if I agree to leave the nappy off...  Oh well!  He'll get there eventually.


I'm hoping to get an hour or so tomorrow to go through the paperwork and phone calls that need dealing with in the office tomorrow.  We also have our first house inspection this week, so I want to make sure the house is relatively neat and tidy (and the yard isn't completely toddler and puppy trashed).  Other than that, there's no major plans for the coming week.  Let's see how it turns out hey?

Solo shopping and popping chocolate

I had my first solo time this afternoon and even though I was only doing the food shopping, I really enjoyed it!

I loved driving 15 to 20 minutes to and from the next town.  By myself with no requests or complaints.

I loved doing the food shopping without trying to keep the Little Big Fella from exploding with excitement and running all over the place (no idea why this shopping centre makes him go nuts when he's always been pretty good before).

I loved being able to stop and look at things instead of doing a mad dash trying to pick everything up before everyone loses the plot!  It was almost relaxing!

I even bought a semi-trashy magazine for myself.

The whole shopping trip felt like a treat - and it was only food shopping!

One of the girls from playgroup mentioned that a guy sets up a fruit and veg stall opposite the shopping centre every fortnight so I got to check it out today.  I'm in love with this guy now!  His fruit and veg were fresh and smelled real!  He's looking at coming up every week instead of every fortnight too!  Yay!

Have any of you tried the new Cadbury's Marvellous Creations chocolates?  I bought a bar of the "Jelly, Popping Candy & Beanies" and was going to share it with the Big Fella.  I pulled it out of the cupboard this evening and had a piece...

I love the popping candy!  I'm pretty sure they called it rocket candy when I was in school.  I loved it then and I love it now!  But in chocolate, oh my that's good!

I savoured that piece of chocolate for several minutes.

Then I savoured another.

And another.

And another... until it was all gone.  Oops!  Sorry honey!

(I'm glad I only bought the little bar and not the big block!)


The Little Big Fella and I went to playgroup this morning and they'd set everything up out in the sun.  It was a lovely morning and I had got to play in the sand with the kids.


I'm probably also going to be helping out with selling food at the local footy games some time in the next two months, which will be interesting :-)


And we're going to a Lions Club dinner on Saturday night too.  We're looking at becoming members, partly to get to know people around here and become part of the community, but also I think because we're both at that point where we're ready to give back to our community.


And we really think of this as our community, even though we're just new.  Maybe it's just because this is a small town and I don't think you can survive really well in a small town if you don't integrate with the community.


I don't know, it just feels quite different to being in a city or even a larger town.  Probably has something to do with the fact that everyone waves and says hello when you walk around town too :-)


I've finally ordered some blinds for the kitchen and dining room windows so we'll be able to shut out the world a little at night time.  I feel very exposed without blinds.  Not that I'm doing anything that I'd be embarrassed by...