Monday, May 07, 2007

Growing Up

My kids are getting so big. At times I feel quite sad and melancholic about it - particularly when we stumble across an old photo album and flick through it. The kids love it. We all love it. It's fantastic to look back and remember times gone by. At the same time it's quite sad to think that those versions of our children now exist in our hearts, minds and various pictures and videos but we can no longer hug them or play with them.

Then we remember that life is truly a journey and our's is still in it's early stages :-)

---

Our weekend was quite busy. It all started on Friday night when Clan McK visited for some dinner and a game. The kids all made a lot of noise and a lot mess and had a lot of fun. For some reason they all chose to walk around the house with no shirts on - including Hayzey. I'm convinced she thinks she's a boy ...

Saturday started off with some swimming lessons. Again. LGR reckons he doesn't have to go any more. He readily acknowledges that he can't swim properly yet but for some reason seems quite content with what he can do. I think it's because he can stand up in the pool now. Cheeky bugger. Hayzey is quite happy. It's still a game for her.

From swimming it was up to Katoomba for Grandma's birthday. First stop was her home for swim quick cake (and banana and grape and cheese if you're aged 4 or less); then a walk up to the top of Katoomba St for lunch. It was a nice, leisurely old stroll and the kids handled it very well considering the massive hills we had to traverse.

We did run into a little issue at lunch time - the place we wanted to go was shut!! No matter. Plan B swung into action and we ended up at the Carrington. I've never eaten there before - but have had plenty of loud, long nights there in a life long since past. The food was good - cafe style unfortunately at restaurant prices. In balancing that out the serves were generous and it was tasty. The kiddies loved the little play area near where we sat - so we all got something out of the meal.

The afternoon consisted of a quick snooze, some games and a run in the park before packing up and heading over the Nanna's for dinner. The kids continued a very active day by heading out into the backyard to ride bikes, throw balls and generally keep moving. A bath was very much required (Hayzey had all sorts of stuff in her hair - mainly from the park) and very much enjoyed. The bath toys were quite novel and Nanna's bath is a touch bigger than ours.

Dinner was eaten (Hayzey was thrilled - the salad had fetta, tomato and olives), dishes done and a further bit of gamery had before we began the not too long but very weary trip home.

Sunday ....

Sunday started very early for me. At about 04:00 we heard a very loud bang inside the house. We got up to investigate but couldn't figure out what it was. Alas my sleep was disturbed so I stayed up. Mrs G had no such issues ....

LGR wandered downstairs at about 06:45 and Hayzey and Mrs G joined us at about 07:45. LGR had a crack at some American style brekky pancakes but I got some quantities mixed up and they ended up tasting terrible. Better luck next time. It was fun making them and that's what I really wanted to get out of it.

The day was busy - grocery shopping with some side trips for birthday's, Mum's day and whatever else is coming up. Lunch was quick and easy. LGR and I then mowed the grass while Mrs G and Hayzey went out to a party. After the grass mowing we had an 'Eagles party' which was really just the two of us eating some corn chips, sipping a drink and watching the footy. This lasted for about 20 minutes and then it was off for a shower and some house work.

The rest of the day was more of the same. Dinner was anything but ordinary.

While out shopping we bought a nice, fat round of beef. LGR and I marinated it and then we roasted it up with some potato, pumpkin and onion; boiled some broccoli and cauliflower and ate it. The meat was fantastic. We were a bit unsure when we bought it but in hindsight we can see where the extra money that we paid for it was spent and were well satisfied.