Ten years ago

It's ten years to the day since I met Nathan on the way to Italy. I've written about it here...


. . .

Two!

Man-show turned two on Saturday. Two!!

Berry very seriously helped me organise a little Thomas The Train-themed party for him. In the process, I forced myself to start saying Thomas the Train instead of Thomas The Tank Engine, which is what I grew up with.

Our out-of-town guests were Grandpa, Tine, cousin Parker and Woof-Woof (the dog; not his real name) and Man-show was beside himself with excitement despite being woefully sick with a ferocious cold.

"Oh my DOSH!" he shouted when he opened his Handy Manny laptop. "OH MY DOSH!"

It was all pretty marvellous, really.

. . .

That was close

Turns out dragging your feet on your U.S. citizenship application has its advantages. Exhibit A: see above.

Clicked the little box that said "Not a United States citizen" and all the hassle went away. Ahhh.

Brush with the Texas legal system, anyone?

. . .

Well, THAT was unpleasant...

Can I just mention: this is what I looked like exactly two years ago.

It's not right, is it. It's just not right.

. . .

Hello, my lovely....

Look! It's my extremely marvellous mother's day present!

I also got breakfast in bed from Nathan and Berry, and a mimosa which I managed to splash on the sheets while I was admiring the card little Man-show had drawn for me. Sadness.

Berry was extremely excited to have an Occasion and as she cosied up next to me in bed she said, "I'm loving this mother's day with you!" at least three times.

After a while I asked, "Do you want me to come downstairs while you eat breakfast?"

"No, you take your time," she said, all sixteen-like. "It's your day, so you don't have to do anything." She paused. "Except put us in our jarmies. And put us in the bath."

Another pause.

"And clean up."


. . .

To my mum

It's Mother's Day already in Australia, because they're a day ahead on that side of the world. So this is my "early" Happy Mother's Day to my mum, who truly is as kind and warm and capable and clever and selfless as they come (with a neat wicked streak, which I consider absolutely essential to Not Being Boring).

I only hope I can give my kids the kind of complete and unconditional love that she showed all of us.

We really are lucky.

{The photo above was taken at the beach with Nanna and Pa when Mum was pregnant with me (although you wouldn't know it); the family portrait at top was taken before it had occurred to my parents to add three boys to the family. I'm the toddler; the baby is Kath.}

. . .

Cinco!

Tilapia soft tacos, radish and lime salad and salsa verde. I felt quite proud of myself.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

. . .

So... don't say G'day?

"Can you stop talking in Australian ways?" Berry sighed. "I'm fed up with that."

Ahem.


. . .

{Picture of Berry tackling a model wombat at Sydney Wildlife World, a full year ago.}