A hair cut

(the night before - out for drinks and tapas)

Jacob was waking in the morning with bed hair. It wasn't getting easy to control and flatten back down, so it was a trip to the barber's for our little man.

I was so impressed with how he behavied. He was sat on a plank across two arms of the chair, got a cloak put around him, his hair sprayed with water and then the barber began. I think Jacob enjoyed sitting that high, looking in the mirrors, watching the barber next to him too. I managed a couple of photos and should do a before and after too ...

(here we go)

(Aren't I a good boy)

(All done and how much smarter is this)

Birthdays & Anniversarys

Dave celebrated his 34th birthday on 17th May and we then celebrated our wedding anniversary on the following Saturday, 24th.

For Dave's birthday we decided to have a drive to the Hunter Valley and had intended going on a brewery tour. When we got there we decided it didn't look that exciting, so just had some lunch followed by a drive to the Hunter Valley Gardens. Jacob had a great time playing and I loved it as they now have a British sweet shop. I came out with some Monster Munch, Minstrels and a bar of Cadbury's chocolate.

When we got back to Newcastle a humpback whale was playing outside at the end of the street. I was in a frenzy of excitement and couldn't decide what to do - get Valerie, get the camera, watch the whale. It played for a while, slapping the water, blowing water out of it's blowhole and generally pleasing the crowd. We also got to see a pod of dolphins that came to play too.

We were very lucky for our anniversary. Tracey, Ant and Ciara kindly offered to look after Jacob overnight. Which I like to point out now, he was a good little boy, ate all his dinner, slept through the night and played nicely with Ciara. Dave and I had a great time away. We went out for dinner, which was nice and relaxing, shared some sparkling wine and a bottle of white wine, watched some tv, slept well in the nice hard bed, woke when we wanted to (still just after 7am though), had a nice breakfast, a swim in the pool, a lovely read of the papers whilst drinking coffee with the windows open in our room and a walk along the beach. I felt so much more relaxed and felt my batteries had been recharged.

More playdates

Jacob is very lucky, as I may have mentioned a few times, he has quite a few friends he sees on a regular basis. One of his best friends is Elise. As she lives next door, they regularly bang of each other's door and go round to each house to play. Valerie and I also go for little walks when neither of us have got much on. We've been up to King Edward Park recently and the kids loved a new play area to mess around on.

Valerie also wanted to have a trip to Sydney on the train, of course Jacob and I went along. The day started at 7.45am to make sure we got the train in time and we got back home at 6pm. The train journey was 2 1/2 hour long (there and back!) and we went to the Botantical Gardens for a picnic where we met Sophie and Coby. We had a little play there and then it was on to the Rocks. Valerie was looking for a specific wood bird she wanted for Elise. We managed to have time for a coffee and some cake at a French pastry cafe and then it was time to walk back and catch the train for our return trip.

Jacob also gets to meet up with Ciara on nearly a daily basis too. They were playing recently with Ant's (Ciara's dad) phone. There was much snatching, moaning and whinging but I think Ciara won in the end. They also managed to call a couple of contacts between them too.

Jacob

I just love this photo taken of him on Saturday ...

Another busy week or so!

We went to Alfie's first birthday party on 3rd May. Alfie is the youngest of the antenatal group. His parents, Beth and Paul, moved to Australia just before we got to Newcastle. Alfie is a little sweetie and is two months younger than Jacob but is still taller than him!!

Here is a picture of the boys on the day.

(Ben, Alfie, Elliott & Jacob)

After the party, we went and test drove a second hand car. If we are staying here longer, I need a car! I've had enough of rushing in the morning to take Dave to work, just to have the car to go shopping or swimming. Anyway, back to the point. I am now the proud owner of a Ford Festiva, 1996, 1.3 manual with air conditioning, windows that you need to wind up and down, a CD player and 3 doors! Jacob enjoys going out in it, as he can see more from his seat and I enjoy the freedom. I'll put a photo of it on, when one is taken! Dave's enjoyed the fact he hasn't been dragged grocery shopping for two weeks now!

The weather was great last week, the sun shone, the tempreature hit 23 degrees and we went out as much as possible. As normal, a few play dates were to be had. A meeting of mothers and children in the local park. A picnic at Blackbutt Reserve and the odd shopping trip to the local shopping centres ;o).

Saturday was a great day. First of all we went to OneSteel to see what Dave does at work. We even managed to have a tour of the Rod Mill and saw how bars of steel get made into rods for reinforcing concrete. All I remember is that is was hot and noisy! Actually, it was fasinating as I've been to a steel foundary before and used to work in a steel drum factory, so it was interesting to see another way for steel to be used. Oh and we saw Dave's desk and there were photos of Jacob and I on there too!

After the visit we got to go on Kerry and Steve's boat again. This time the boat was at Lake Macquarie and we enjoyed a different setting to spend the rest of the day in. It is so relaxing just sitting, talking, eating and drinking bubbly on the boat. The kids are all happy, so we are all happy and the sun shone again. Perfect.

Yesterday was Mothers Day. I got to sleep in and was woken by my lovely son bringing a box of chocolates to me and there was a lovely card too. We went out for breakfast and had a lovely walk. A nice relaxing day finished off by Dave cooking a scrumptious roast beef dinner.

Busy Days

April seems to have flown by for us. Dave has been away twice, once to Melbourne and once to Sydney - leaving Jacob and I to cope without him (which wasn't a problem). I've met with my antental group, where most of the group has now turned one (Alfie, the youngest, turns one this weekend). Elise has celebrated her first birthday with a great "cake" party. We've been out on a friend's boat "Lancashire Lass" and saw dolphins. Jacob's had his first painting session. I've been away for one night with my good friends Tracey, Susanne and Kerry and we've met for the usual exercise sessions, coffees, walks and playdates. And not all in that order! April turned out to be a very wet month and we were inside for a good majority of it. It also has turned cold too - 7 degrees overnight and sometimes only up to 17 during the day - bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Roll on Spring!

It is now the 1st of May and wonder what we'll all get up to this month.