Beat that!

The weekend just gone was very busy but o, so fun!

Mr Samoa turned...another year older. Two numbers exactly the same. You work it out.

It started with movies with my dad - some nice father and son-in-law time.

I had a babyshower in the afternoon while Tasi spent some time with the kids at his mum's house.

Then dinner at a lovely restaurant Saturday night.

Church Sunday morning, and a party with the kids Sunday afternoon.

I baked my first ever chocolate cake.

Yes, really.

It's not that I felt I couldn't, just that chocolate cakes have to be REALLY good.

In fact chocolate cakes are my least favourite cakes because so often they're a disapointment.

Either dry or tasteless.

Carrot or banana cake win hands down in my opinion.

But chocolate wins in Mr Samoa's books so I chose a recipe with melted chocolate in the cake mix. And it turned out ok.

Mr Samoa loved it, which is what counts.

The kids loved having a party for their daddy.

I mean, who wouldn't love the opportunity to stuff four lollies in their mouth while reaching for another?

And we went a bit crazy with the balloons and streamers afterwards.

What a great weekend!

Spent creating memories and enjoying each other.

And obviously no time for folding washing....who can beat this pile?!

Dear Turbo

Three years have been and gone, and still we feel like we're getting to know you. New aspects of who you are emerge every day, especially now that you're learning to express yourself more. The conversations we have with you are very cute and you like to pretend you're the boss of us! "Wait here, Mummy, ok? Wait!" is a frequent one, with your little hand help up, palm towards us, fingers firmly together.

You still challenge us with your full on and intense personality, but as always, we love who you are and wouldn't change you one bit. I frequently have funny stories to tell, like when, a couple of weeks back, you ran yelling into a nice cafe and nearly gave the waitress a heart attack! All eyes were on us, which I don't actually like but seems I better get used to. You would think I'd be used to it already.

You show us you're growing up all the time by achieving a new skill. A month or so ago you started drawing "people" (round blobs) with eyes, a mouth, arms and legs. And when you colour in, you don't just scribble anymore, you try to stay within the lines and colour the little details, like flowers for example.

Your third birthday party was small, indoors because of the weather, at our little place. Surrounded by family, you and your three big boy cousins ran crazily around, stepping around and over Smiley and Blossom. You loved your dinosaur cake and all your presents, although the highlight had to be when Grandpa presented you with a bike.

You went from not knowing how to pedal or ride a bike to fully pedalling, braking and steering in less than a week! You've always been amazing in this way, Turbo.

We love you, amazing boy, and pray you will be all that God has made you to be.

A little bit glad it's all over

Warning: this is a long, rambling post. Probably indicative of the state my head is in. Stick with me if you can.

It's been a huge weekend with our 6 year wedding anniversary and Turbo's third birthday. And I have been as sick as a dog. Seriously. I haven't felt this sick in ages.

It started on Wednesday with a sore throat, and as I was going to the doctor for something else anyway, I got her to check me out. "It's viral," she declared, "so gargle with salt water, take some Panadol and you'll be ok in a few days." Great. I actually hate that virus word. It means there's nothing you can do about it so suck it up and get over it.

Thing is, I didn't get over it but got progressively worse over the next couple of days. Now I can handle a sore throat, blocked nose and foggy head. I can even handle a bit of a hacking cough. As mums we have to be a little bit tough and carry on. The kids do not wait for anything. But this! This was way worse. I felt like I had to lie down all the time, and on Thursday, I spent a large portion of the day on the couch while Smiley played around me and on me. Thankfully, Turbo was at kindy for the morning. Although, I nearly cried when I realised I had to drag myself off the couch to go and get him.

This sapped me of all strength, I couldn't talk very well and oh, the pain in my ears! On Friday morning, the pain in my ears was unbearable and Panadol was doing nothing. Back to the doctor I went, thinking she'd take one look in my throat and ears and prescribe me some strong drugs. "All clear, " she said. "Sometimes when your throat is sore, your ears get sore too." No kidding. She gave me some stronger pain relief and a precautionary script for antibiotics and sent me on my way.

By that afternoon, I was feeling no better, maybe even worse and I was starting to cough a very painful, hacking cough. I got Mr Samoa to come home early, get Turbo from kindy (I could not even get myself to the car) and go and get the antibiotics and some fish and chips for the boys.

In all of these happenings, I also had to managed to bake for Turbo's birthday morning tea, which was happening on Saturday at our house. That said, the baking was a disaster. Anyway.

After a night of fitful sleep, as you tend to have when your throat is killing you and you can't breathe through your nose, Turbo woke up at 5am. How can you tell him off when it's his birthday though? So around 6am, we put on our happy faces, grabbed the balloons Mr Samoa had blown up the night before, and entered his room singing Happy Birthday. He opened his presents and the long day began....cleaning the house for the party (which thankfully was just my family - 14 adults and 6 kids!!), cooking popcorn, decorating and getting the garden ready. Didn't quite manage everything. The balloons didn't even get tied up and were all over the floor, but the kids all had fun kicking them around.

Turbo had a ball, which was the main thing. He got a bike from his Nana and Grandad and got to blow out his candles on his dinosaur cake. The 4 older boy cousins (which includes Turbo) ran around, made a mess and had fun. A successful party! I, however, was feeling terrible and sat down for a lot of the party, barely managing conversation. Check out some photos here...thanks Sammy!

After the party, my awesome parents cleaned up and then took Smiley home with them for the night. My first night away from him in almost 14 months! My mom was a bit apprehensive but knowing Smiley, all he needs is someone to cuddle and give him some attention and he's happy. I was right. He was totally fine, slept 12 hours straight during the night, gave them a two hour day nap (which is more than he gives me!!!!) and was all in all, "a delight" - my mom's words.

After a brief appearance at Scrag's awesome Toy Story party, (I thought I might just pass out during the treasure hunt, fun as it was), Mr Samoa delivered Turbo to his sister's house where he was spoiled and adored by his two older girl cousins all of the rest of Saturday and today.

Yes. It's true. We had a totally kid-free night ahead! After a long afternoon nap, I dragged myself out of bed, still feeling no better. I pulled on some jeans and flat shoes (Mr Samoa was lucky I even got out of my pyjamas) and we headed out for the long-awaited dinner at local restaurant. From what I could taste, the food was lovely. Mr Samoa loved his so I guess that's what counts? Instead of living it up, we headed home straight after where I crawled into bed and ate the delicious dessert my friend K had made us...even in my sick state I could taste this was good! Chocolate mousse cake with a biscuit base.
Mr Samoa = one piece.
Me = the rest. Yeah well, you gotta eat something when you're sick, right?

After another fitful night's sleep, slightly improved by nose spray, we woke up....by ourselves...not woken by kids....just by our own body clocks, at 7am. We sat around for a long time, amazed at all the time on our hands. My mom on the other hand informed me later that having Smiley with her and all that that involves made them late for church.

Mr Samoa then headed off to church while I raced over the bridge to pick up Smiley, thinking he'd be pining for me by now. He wasn't. I got a very mild welcome actually. Anyway, by then I was feeling awful again, totally sapped AGAIN so I had a little snooze on the couch. Don't you love moms? You can do that when you're at their house.

And this afternoon we picked up Turbo, who had had the time of his little life. And now, my two blessings are  tucked up in bed, back him, safe and sound. Ah, a night away certainly does make you a bit more grateful.

So I am thankful for the weekend, but also glad it's over. I am starting to feel a bit better now. The antibiotics must be kicking in. Mr Samoa has one more all day meeting tomorrow and then it's holidays for him. Looking forward to that.

Did you manage to stay with me all the way to the end? I'm not usually a person of so many words. And some photos might help but I don't think I'm up to it. So this is it. I'll stop now.

The BEST night

 I had the BEST night for my recent birthday celebration.  

Dinner in a lovely, intimate, Italian restuarant, surrounded by close friends and family. 

I'm not a 'hold a huge party type' girl. I'd rather have a few close friends around me and keep things more low key.

There was a cake (rich, dense amazing chocolate mud cake!! thanks Mom) and candles and a few elegant decorations.

The food was scrumptious and the cocktails, delicious!

I got to talk to and enjoy the company of everyone there.

I was totally blown away by the gifts I received, too. They were exactly what I would love to buy for myself. Shows how these amazing people all know me so well.

I felt soooo spoilt.

And I got really dressed up, of course...a women's perogative on her birthday.

And for the benefit of linking up with Fancy Pants.

Dress by Cue, heels by Hannahs,

and hair done with a ghd straightner by my talented friend K