In Sweet Remembrance

Our dearest Aunty Ann passed away today. She has been such a bright light in our lives, ever loving and generous of heart. Every moment in her presence was a happy one, and we will miss her to no end. Here are some photos of precious times together.

Babycino Face

We were out at a cafe with our local playgroup and the babycinos were served. All of a sudden Miss R sneezed violently right into her tea cup. She looked up at us quite calmly and stated "I've got babycino face!" We all roared with laughter and it was the best laugh I've had in a while.

Fish

I had placed the fish in a dish of tamari, olive oil and fresh ginger and covered it over with a cloth. Miss R came along, lifted the cloth to peer underneath and stated knowingly: "The fish is lemonating!"

Lean on Me

We were driving in the car the other day when "Lean on Me" came on the radio. As I started singing the words, Raina asked:

"What's that song about Mummy?"
When I explained it was about having a friend to help you when you're feeling a bit sad, she said:
"When I'm sad, Mummy will be my friend."
"Of course I"ll be your friend," I replied. "And if I'm sad, will you be my friend?"
"Yes!" she said, beaming from ear to ear at me through the rear-vision mirror.

Helpful Humpties

I think the song went over the best today at our Virtues Playgroup. The kids had a lot of fun taking turns pretending to be Humpty Dumpty and helping each other off the floor. They laughed loudest when it was a mum who had fallen over and had to be helped up.

As for the gardening, selected plants got a deluge of water from multiple watering cans and we picked up a few leaves. Activity ground to a halt when lollipops were found sunbaking in various pots!


Today's plan:

Theme: Helpfulness
Song: "Helpful Humpty" by Radha and the Kiwi Kids
Story: "Spot on the Farm"
Activity: gardening

Your feets too big

Today, Raina decided to put on her mummy's sandals (instead of her own) and climb down the back steps to help me do some laundry. When she got into a bit of trouble with the big shoes coming down the stairs, she hollered. I went to pick her up and told her, "mummy's sandals are too big for you and they get caught on the steps, don't they?". Refusing my help, she said, "it's all right, I'll just wear my toes".

Sculpture by the Sea

A dear and talented friend, Kath, was chosen to show an artwork at Sculpture by the Sea this year, so we had to go and have a look. What a gorgeous place to view some very interesting pieces - along the walk between Tamarama and Bondi beaches.

Raina and Max pat their new canine friend

Grandma and Raina take in the sea air

In front of Kath's sculpture: Revelations II - strata

Exploring the sandy totems

Our beach crew

Gentle Hands

The kids had a blast today at our Virtues Playgroup painting their "gentle hands". They experimented with sponges, toothbrushes, plastic gloves, and fingers and hands too of course. However we were hard-pressed to keep their attention during the finger puppet story of two monkeys who were pinching and pushing each other to get at a banana. Ah well, they are only 2 and very easily distracted.

Artists in the Garage: Tomas, Lawrence and Raina

Here was today's plan...

Theme: Gentleness with each other
Song: "Gentle Old McDonald" by Radha and the Kiwi Kids
Story: "Two Monkeys Sitting in a Tree"
Activity: Painting our gentle hands

Next stop...Helpfulness...and we're going to do a bit of gardening...

Wisdom for the current economy

This afternoon I was looking at the value of my share portfolio (AKA 401K or Superannuation) in the US. It is the first time I've been brave enough to take a peek since this so called "global economic crisis" hit, and I was none too pleased. When I saw the value had been reduced by some 33% in just 3 months, I cried out, "Oh My! But what can you do??"

Raina, who was doing some of her own important work (removing stickers from a book and strategically placing them on furniture) must have been listening to my expressions of woe, and replied, "You can't do anything..."

She's so right, and I had to laugh and admire her wisdom.

Also earlier today, Raina and I were enjoying a delicious smoothie made by Mei-Ling. It is our custom now to clink glasses and say "Cheers!". After we had finished, Raina ran to her mum and said, "I'm Cheersing Daddy". Good to know she is learning the mechanics of English grammar.

Central Park NY?

We actually went to Centennial Park in Sydney today, though when we told Raina this morning that we were going to a really big park, she asked "Central Park NY?" Thanks to The Wiggles she is already learning geography.

After months of planning to meet up with one of my closest high school friends, Penny, we finally did it - over a pedal car and a picnic. It was a totally gorgeous day for it and the kids just loved pedalling around and taking in the sights. And we got a bit of a workout too!

Penny and her girls, Mathilda and Ella; Moi and Miss R

Castle Cake

Raina's cousin Lachlan turned a royal 3 last week. His castle cake covered in smarties was a huge hit of course.

Busking at the Quay

Raina made her first dollar yesterday by dancing at Circular Quay. We were enjoying an evening on the Harbour and walked by a guy playing an accordian for passers by. Miss R just had to dance to the Italian tune. Darwin and I clapped and bopped alongside while she had a delightful time doing her thing. Suddenly a lady came up to Raina and put a dollar coin in her hand, saying "What beautiful dancing!"

The next day we wandered through the Royal Botanic Gardens. It was so peaceful amongst the ferns, the rose gardens, the camellias and more. It was not so peaceful walking underneath the huge trees where thousands of flying foxes were sleep-hanging!

Flowers and Friends

It was a long weekend in Canberra for us. We took in the famous Floriade and caught up with extended family and some wonderful old friends. Raina got to meet her cousins Tivien and Caminiel and to conquer their tall, spiral staircase, which made her very proud.

We had packed all kinds of stuff - snacks, music, doodlepad, more snacks, toys to cuddle, and dvds (for last resort) - in anticipation of keeping an active two-year old busy during the drive. Lo and behold she slept for the majority of the trip on the way there and boy were we happy about that. Coming back was pretty good too, except we met up with the bumper-to-bumper, end-of-long-weekend traffic, so left the freeway to drive through the lovely countryside around Picton and Camden, and ended up staying overnight at the Camden Valley Inn. The spa bath was the best!

Late!

Darwin was rummaging around in the kitchen, trying to scoff down his breakfast before running to catch the bus for work. He was muttering about how late he was when Raina asked "What's the time?" Two seconds later, after glancing at the microwave clock, she stated emphatically "It's 10 past late, Daddy!" That got him going :)

Little Bit Scary

Raina was "surfing" in my ugg boots tonight. "Here's a big wave," she yelled. She wasn't wearing anything else, by the way. Such entertainment value! And the other morning when I was brushing my hair, she said to me very earnestly "You're so cute, Mummy." Bring on the compliments.

Chocolate face!

It was Grandpa's birthday last week and Raina and I had a fun time together making a big chocolate birthday cake. Naturally, licking the bowl was the best part. There was no avoiding major chocolate face and chocolate fingers and arms and hair too. She really made me laugh when I propped her up on a wobbly stool to wash up in the kitchen sink - she said nervously: "I'm a little bit scary, Mummy!"

Raina and Lachlan help Grandpa blow out his birthday candles

Back to the Moon

We always tell Raina: "Guess how much I love you? All the way to the moon and back!" (We love the book by Sam McBratney) Well today she said with great relish: "Raina loves Daddy back to the moon!"

This girl is just full of beans. This week she is all into prancing around in her tutu, but really her favourite thing to do is her so-called "nudie-pudie dancing." She struts around in her birthday suit, watching herself in the mirrors on our wardrobe. One morning "Wild Thing" came on the radio during our little nudie-pudie dancing episode and she stamped around yelling "I love it!" It took a while to get dressed after all that excitement.

Daddy's Birthday?

The other day Raina and I were talking about birthdays, and she started singing "Happy Birthday", which she knows quite well now. She told me that Grandpa's birthday is coming soon - which is correct. Then she asked me, "It's daddy's birthday?" I said, "No, daddy's birthday is a long time off". "Tomorrow morning?" she enquired...

Feelings

"I'm frustrated," Raina wailed today as I was making her afternoon tea (she wanted me to carry her). Wow, my baby is already into sharing feelings. One of her favourite lines at the moment is "Raina needs attention," and yesterday she was ordering Darwin to "concentrate Daddy!" It took me a while to figure out where she was taking Dolly when she said "Dolly's going to party class." Pilates class of course!

The Two-Parties

Singing, dancing, pressies, candles and cake, and lots of loving friends and family around - what more could a two-year-old ask for?

Spikey

Tonight, Raina, Mummy and I were having a big hug together. Stroking Mummy’s hair lovingly, Raina said, "Mummy’s long hair". Then she rubbed my head and said, rather ernestly, "Daddy’s hair is spikey. Get more hair".

Subtlety and tact must come a bit later I guess.

She's TWO

Happy Birthday Raina - today at 12:50pm you are exactly two years old.

Unconditional Love (and Boogers)

It was daddy's turn to snuggle with Miss R tonight and help her go to sleep. We read 7 books, turned out the light and listened to some soft music. You know it's unconditional love when your daughter then offers you her booger, like a sticky offering of thanks and love.

Wollongong Weekend

There was a whole lot of nervous shouting and jumping up and down off the couch last Saturday night at the Hinton's until the Swans swooped in with a tremendous 11th-hour victory against West Coast. Go Swannies! We had to re-watch the last 15 minutes of the game the next day just so the boys could re-live the glory. What a perfect birthday present for "Fifi". And all the while that hoopla was going on, the girls were enjoying a wee chickflick. Bewdiful.

Raina had a blast - washing dishes in the bath, jumping on the bed, playing dollies with "S'ita" - and generally keeping tabs on what the "boys [were] doing". We savoured some decent Mexican (by Australian standards), brunched with old friends, and walked the beach mile, stopping for hot chocolates. Great weekend.

Night and Day

It was Friday night and time to do something different, so we decided to go out on the town. There we were sitting in a trendy little Glebe cafe, savouring the most delicious chocolate lasagne and listening to a funky jazz trio. When they started singing one of Darwin's all time favourite songs, Night and Day, we snuggled a bit and Miss R who was sitting on Grandma's lap whispered "Daddy loves Mummy". How sweet is that?

Babycino time with Grandma and Grandpa Leong,
Aunty Fei-Lee and cousins Lachlan and itty bitty Kaylee

Last weekend we spent a lovely day
with Grammie Nonna up in the Mountains

Click go the Shears

Take a look at a sheep getting a hair cut (2mins)... We went to Fairfield Farm for the birthday of one of Raina's little friends: the camel tried to eat her shirt, the kangaroos ignored us, the cow was milked, and this poor sheep lost his wool!

Twangy Tune

I was serving up some yummy chicken rice porridge when Raina made up her first song. It has a bit of a country twang to it..."chicken bone, chicken bone..." At Grandma and Grandpa's place that night we were treated to a roast chicken dinner, and out came the same tune... "chicken bone, chicken bone..." Now Darwin has added some extra lines in his silly version. It has been fascinating to watch the new language coming out in the past few weeks. Miss R is constantly commentating on everything going on around us. She has to count everything, and so far the numbers go like this: "1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, ten! Wow!"

Her absolute favourite thing to do at the moment is to play "cubby bed" when Daddy gets home from work. They pile up all the pillows and blankets around them and giggle and hide away until I come and find them. Her next favourite thing is babycino with Grandpa. I get ordered to "call Papa come, go car babycino!"

Baby Kaylee

My baby sister has had a baby! Gorgeous Kaylee was born Saturday morning to proud parents Fei-Lee and Ernesto. With beautiful black hair, big dark eyes, she weighed in at only 2.75kg/6 pounds. Welcome little Kaylee!

Quick Study

I love getting surprised by my daughter. Last time I did the laundry I got her to help place the clean mat back on the toilet floor. This afternoon, after another clean load was piled up in the basket, she went and took the mat and put it back in its place, unbeknownst to me. What a lovely surprise to see that I've got such a willing house helper! Also today she started putting her hand over her mouth when she coughs. I've only once explained how we do this, to be polite. I think some of the kudos has to go to a new book called "How do Dinosaurs Eat their Food?" The pictures of the dinosaurs doing all the things we shouldn't do at the dinner table are fantastic, and Raina just loves it. We had to read it 3 times today!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

We went to Taronga Zoo last week with our Mums and Bubs group; what a blast. It was Raina's first experience with so many different animals, not to mention the ferry and gondola rides and being out and about most of the day. I think her favourite was Miya the Seal - perhaps because she is really into swimming at the moment. We were lucky to see the usually sleepy lions and tigers because we arrived at dinner time. Thank goodness we weren't part of the menu!

A song dedication for my recently fasting friends...

...written by my marvellously creative sister-in-law

Song for Stew
by Price Melanie
(to the tune of "Song for You" by Elton John)

It’s a little bit hungry,
this feeling inside.
I’m not one of those who eats
Kentucky Fried …
I should eat more breakfast but
I must admit
Dawn just doesn’t feel like a
Banana split

If I had more breakfast, that would have been nice
Or more dinner last night with some
Tadik and rice
I know I’m a poor cook but it’s the best
I can do -oo-oo.
My pot-luck is simple and
This one’s a stew

And you can tell everybody
I'm Fasting all day.
They may show understanding when,
I pig-out this way.
I hope they don't mind,
I hope they don't mind
when I eat quick and run –
I get up for brekkie at
5:41.

The Puddle Tap

This is what happens when a toddler comes across an enticing puddle of water...!

Toes are Hiding

What fun to hear Raina's new sentences rolling out. Today's sentence was "toes are hiding" - she was referring to being all cozy and zipped up in her sleeping bag. Her first sentence ever was "Mummy eat porridge" a few weeks ago. She's already telling us what to do!

When you live on a big island, you've got to learn how to swim, so we've started "Aquatots" classes and Raina is enjoying it immensely. In just a few weeks she has learned some great skills along with lots of singing and splashing. She's still a bit wary of doing the "Humpty Dumpty" though - jumping in and going underwater. Problem is, she goes to scream as she hits the water, and then of course takes a mighty drink!

Entering the "bubble tunnel"

Thank you Auntie Charmie for your wonderful drawing of Bert and Ernie!

Happy Naw-Ruz / Baha'i New Year everyone!

Paper Only Please!

I turned my back on artist Raina for a few moments this morning only to find her happily decorating her pjs with purple crayon. Last time it was the kitchen floor. Oh la la, more cleaning for Mummy!

And here's a cute kitchen clip (1min): Raina making apple juice with Daddy

Surprise bladder control!

"Raina toilet," she said this morning right after two bowls of organic porridge with flaxseed. How interesting, I thought, she's never done this before. So I asked if she wanted me to help her take her nappy off and she nodded yes. Then there was a lot of mucking around with the potty... sitting down, standing up, sitting down again... up on the big toilet, playing with the radio (yes, we have a radio on the wall right next to the toilet so you don't have to miss a ball or a kick or whatever game you can't tear yourself away from - came with the house!), back on the potty. And suddenly she did it, for the very first time! For all of you without kids, this is a BIG deal. It's HUGE. I'm already dreaming of a life without nappies and wee and poo and washing and soaking and leaking...

Lounging with Daddy

Baking "mutty" (muffins!)

View Baking Mutty video

Sorry, sorry!

It was a very moving moment to hear Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saying "Sorry" today, personally and on behalf of the Australian Parliament, to the Aboriginal peoples for all they have suffered. What made it even sweeter was that every time he said "sorry," Raina chimed in too, saying "sorry, sorry!" It's about time.

"Let the healing begin," as one onlooker said.

Sydney Morning Herald: The day we said Sorry

Piglet Hat

A little pink pig moved in last weekend...

Sweet Lorraine's Surprise

Sweet Lorraine, Momma Price, Grammie Nonna, what a gal! She turned 75 this week and did we ever surprise her! What started out as a "small family lunch" turned into what looked like a phenomenol episode of "This is your life", with a stream of over 80 friends from far and wide walking through the door to celebrate.

Boon and Sork

We have officially entered the "mine" phase! Raina has figured out the concept of ownership this week: "Mummy's plate, Raina's plate", "Mummy's shorts", "Raina's swimmers" etc. And new words are coming out every day...salt and pepper, orange juice, cabbage, salad...a lot of food! She announces these words like she's doing advertising spiel. By the way, we are currently eating with "boons" and "sorks" :)

Raina having a giggle with her Nonna