I’m sure I’ve shared with you here that years ago, my Dad decided that he would no longer celebrate his birthday on just one day, instead declaring a “birthday week” which would include the days before and after his birthday as well. So being his birthday yesterday, we had people over for dinner last night. Today we had birthday cake with the kids, and tomorrow we are making him birthday breakfast.

I love that my Dad’s only wish for his birthday was to have his kids and grandkids around, and we were very happy to help out with that. He gets so much pleasure from having Chanbe and Quindy around, and I’m so pleased we were here to celebrate with him. They love their Grumpy so much!

Happy birthday Dad. I hope I am as happy and blessed as you are when I hit your age 😉

No, I am not having quintuplets.

About 5 months before our little Quinn was born, our friends announced the birth of their third child, Quinn. Of course we assumed they had had a girl, but then I realised it could have been a boy, so after some sneaky sussing-out, we found out it was in fact a boy! We decided that we were still able to use the name Quinn, which we actually had chosen for Chance if he was a girl.

A few weeks ago, they sent me a photo of their Quinn. I’m a little concerned that they look as though they were separated at birth!

Theirs & Ours 🙂 Look at those blond curls! 

Home again home again jiggety jig.

Well, Brisbane home anyway. It’s nice not to have to board the plane first with children. It’s also nice to read a book for the entire flight. But the nicest thing is coming home to two gorgeous kids who are happy to see me.

I had such a great few days away, and it certainly helped with my resetting. It’s my Dad’s birthday tomorrow (which means it’s also his birthday week) so there will be a bit of celebrating around these here parts in the coming days. I’m looking forward to more yummy food and cake, and also lots more walking to help with the balance.

But for now, even though it’s not even 9pm, I can barely keep my eyes open so that’s all from me for another day. I plan to start writing more posts on mum’s laptop rather than my phone, as I’m much more likely to put a bit more effort in.

Until then!

Today we caught a bus to Coogee Beach for another delicious brunch (have I mentioned it’s my most favourite meal to go out for!?) and afterwards, on another day of beautiful weather, we went for a walk. We followed the path from Coogee to Bondi but stopped and turned around between Clovelly and Bronte as I was meeting up with my cousin for a catch up back at Coogee.

If you had told me I would be walking that far in my pair of $30 Payless Shoes ballet flats, I would have laughed, but I didn’t pack well this trip expecting it to be much colder, and didn’t have a choice. These shoes (pictured below) are what I have been traipsing around Sydney in these last few days, and have been incredibly comfy.

As per usual the view was stunning. Sydney really has been putting on great weather for me this weekend and I’ve had the best time catching up with everyone down here. But I am missing my little monkeys and can’t wait to see them tomorrow.

Can you tell I don’t have much to say today? I’m having such a lovely time catching up with my friends, eating yummy home cooked meals, partaking in delectable gelato, and doing lots of walking around Sydney in the most delightful weather.

There has also been perfectly cooked eggs benedict and beautiful coffees.

The kids are having a great time back in Brisbane which lessens the guilt somewhat, and although Hubs is recovering from a man flu, he seems to be doing okay without us, though we miss him a lot.

I’ll leave you with one of the views I had today.

I went for a walk from my friend’s place today to the end of the main road and came across this. So I sat down and read my book. I love being on a holiday.

I flew to Sydney today and had the fun experience of sitting next to a pilot. No, not the pilot. There were a few pilots sitting with us plebs hitching a ride, and I was lucky enough to sit beside one. As he was settling in, I was about to make the obvious joke.

Can you guess?

That’s right, “Are you sure you’re in the right seat? “

I refrained. A few years ago I made a commitment to try not to make obvious jokes or comments. So instead I said:

“I can’t wait to tell my 3 year old son that I sat next to a pilot on the plane.“

He appreciated that. I did say I thought I’d refrain from the obvious joke of “are you in the right seat”. He agreed that it does wear a little thin. Does it still count as my not making the obvious joke? I think so…

So as we were landing, I looked to my left and saw another plane. It looked as though it was at a similar height to us, and preparing for landing.

I must say that I freaked out a little. I’ve never flown so close to another plane before and I didn’t think it was “the norm”. I turned to my new pilot friend (who had slept pretty much the whole flight) and said as much. His response was “Yeah it’s pretty cool Hey.” I took this to mean that all was right in the skies. Not long after, this other plane and ours performed a perfectly synchronised landing.

It was a beautiful thing. I have been on dozens of flights in my life and this was a first. It’s nice to know that life can still make mundane things a bit extraordinary sometimes.

Something worth remembering.

In 12 hours time I’ll be boarding my flight to Sydney, Hubs-less and child-less. I’m not sure how I’m feeling about it to be honest, other than a little terrified. I know the kids will be fine – they’ll be spoilt rotten by their Gran and Grumpy and Ouma. I hope they miss me a little though 😉

And Hubs is back in Mount Isa. He’s okay, other than the fact he’s eating meat and ravioli out of a can. Yeuch.

I had a mild panic when I realised I haven’t packed yet, but packing for 1 is a little different to packing for 2 kids and a husband as well.

I think I’m a little scared of being away from my family, as in this point in time, they pretty much define me as a person. I’m a wife and a mum. And for now, that is good. That is enough.

I’m half way through my reset and restore, and I’m already feeling a little better. I’ve been spending great quality time with family and friends and have made a bunch of plans for the next 2 weeks as well. I’m being re-energised by those around me; by the cooler days;  by the rain I can hear right now; by walks along the water; by good coffee and good company.

All good things. And for now, it is enough.