Happy Birthday Mam....

~~ Happy Birthday Mam ~~

We hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Back to school..... holidays are over!

Well I cannot only complain about the weekend passing by fast again but these two weeks of school holidays did also. I guess it was harder with the fact that Noel and I worked through them and the kids spent most of their time with Nana and Grandad.

We had a wonderful weekend, it was really good to spend some quality time together.

Saturday night we babysat Christian for the first time overnight. Confession firstly, we spent most of Saturday afternoon childproofing the house for a two year old. Ornaments up a little higher, etc. Now that both of our children are older you don't think about the little things until you start looking at where they.... Christian wasn't bothered at all by the fact that his mam and dad were leaving him with us, however I think mam and dad felt differently. We all waved them off and then before we knew it Christian had run back into the house without a second thought about his parents wanted to wave to him as they drove past the house again (after doing a u-turn of course). Sean and Vicky were off to a birthday party, to which no children were invited. I am not a fan of these occasions, its a rarity when ares are not with us as well.
After a huge cooked breakfast (healthy of course) we all went to Myuna Farm in Doveton. Noel and I hadn't been there before whereas the kids had been with the school. It was actually quite good considering I really didn't have high expectations.

The highlight I have to admit was watching the kids on the pony rides. At first Oliver didn't want a ride, but as we got closer he changed his mind which I was glad about and doing so he went first.

Then Christian who I just didn't think would go anywhere near the horse (to be honest Shetland Pony) but he seemed to enjoy it.

Alex giggled all the way through her ride and I have promised now to take her horse riding at a proper horse farm! Now that's going to be interesting!!

After dropping Christian back of at his home, it was time for our next adventure for the day. Our last adventure for the school holidays. We had pre-organized tickets for Gold Glass to see Julie and Julia, and decided that we would have dinner out just to make a night of it. Dinner was at Hog's Breath Cafe, which we all enjoyed and I have to be honest and say that I did eat too much. It was the first time that the kids had been there so it was quite novel to them.

But gee did their eyes light up from the minute we got to the cinema.... Gold Class is such a different experience to the normal cinema's. We ordered our drinks and were then ushered to our seats or should I say arm chairs? It was funny to watch the kids change the positions of their seats, up and down, up and down but they enjoyed the novelty of it all! I thought the movie was great as did Oliver, Noel thought it was good but Alexandria was bored. Julie and Julia is a movie about a food blog writer and a cookbook writer. Julie Powell sets out to cook every recipe from Julia Child's cookbook, Mastering The Art Of French Cooking, whilst at the same time the film showed Julia Child writing her cookbook. Well worth seeing if you are a foodie with a cooking blog like me. At time I could see the looks on my family's faces and knew all to well that they were thinking "that's exactly what mam is like or does at home".... lol it was funny!

Although school holidays are over I must say that my beloved weekly "routine" is back to normal or well it is at least for the next 10 weeks when school holidays starts all again!

Another quick weekend....

Well another weekend over and it was a quiet yet full, if that makes sense.

Friday night saw us out for dinner with the kids and Noel's parents to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. We went to La Porchetta in Mentone, which I have to admit wasn't the most brilliant meal we have had, considering we don't mind La Porchetta (the Frankston one is better!!) It was good spending the evening together and catching up. Not only had we not seen the kids for the whole week but we hadn't seen mam and dad for awhile either.

Saturday after working only for a few hours, a little shopping on the way home and we settled in to watch the Grand Final. We were meant to go over to a friend's house but Alex complained of being sickand dizzy. She actually slept from around 3 pm until the next morning.

Unfortunately, as far as the football went, it wasn't the year for St Kilda this year and they lost to Geelong. Oliver cried his little heart out when the final siren sounded much to the surprise of Noel and myself. Like all good supporters we were dissappointed but glad that it in fact was a good game.


Sunday, after having a sleep in (which I enjoyed) we decided to take the kids to the cinema. We went and saw G Force in 3D... the kids loved it even if as adults we struggled to concept guinea pigs being secret agents for the FBI! Not to mention the trained cockroaches that carried minature spy cameras into place where normal agents just couldn't go!! LOL!! The kids look really nerdy with their 3D glasses on - it made me giggle.

Unfortunately, the weather was miserable all weekend but we enjoyed our time as a family. The kids are back to their grandparents again today but only for tonight. Home tomorrow evening until Thursday. School holidays are a pain for working parents who need to organise sitters left, right and centre but we make the most of every day we have together the best we can......

Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary.....

16 years ago I married my best friend

16 years later he is still my best friend

~ ~ o0O0o ~ ~

WOW I really cannot believe that it has been 16 years... it seems like only yesterday we were getting married, dancing our bridal waltz to Rod Stewart's 'Have I Told You Lately", giving birth to our beautiful son, Oliver, and our princess, Alexandria, now watching them grow, moving to Sydney and then moving back to Melbourne, etc.... always sharing the good and surviving the bad TOGETHER!!

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?

Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,

ease my troubles that's what you do.

For the morning sun in all it's glory

greets the day with hope and comfort, too.

You fill my life with laughter and somehow you make it better,

ease my troubles that's what you do.

There's a love that's divine

and it's yours and it's mine....like the sun.

And at the end of the day

we should give thanks and pray to the one, to the one.

And have I told lately that I love you?

Have I told you there's no one else above you?

You fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,

ease my troubles that's what you do.

Take away all my sadness, fill my heart with gladness,

ease my troubles that's what you do......

I love you Mr Murray..... very very much!!

Another earthquake....... two to be exact!!!!

I couldn't believe it last night.... there I was doing the housewifey thing of mopping the kitchen floor and felt a huge rumble and a noise resembling thunder. Thinking no more of it as rain had been forecast I just went along on my enthralling business only to feel the same yet stronger seconds later and this time I noticed the chandelliers shaking!

Listening to the news it was reported that two small earthquakes had hit Melbourne's Mornington Peninusla region at around 6.20 pm and were about 14 seconds apart which explains what I had indeed esperienced.

They recorded magnitudes of 3.0 and 2.6, with the epicentre in Warneet about 25km south of Frankston. So far no major damage has been reported - all's good at our house!

And there I was thinking I "was just having a moment".... LOL!

A quiet house....

It's school holiday's and as we both have to work due to lack of annual leave up our sleeves (saving what we have for Christmas holidays) the kids have been packed up and shipped off to Nana and Grandad's for the majority of the holidays.

They were dropped off yesterday morning by Noel on his way to work and he will pick them up on Friday night on his way home.

Needless to say last night when I got in from work the house was TOO quiet. Not even a little idle chatter could be heard it was just me waiting for Noel for finish his overtime.

It's funny how deafening quiet can be.....

Another family day...... and yet another fast weekend!!!

Noel and I decided we needed another family day and yesterday was perfect weather wise so we go up and without even telling the kids where we were going we all got dressed and were out the door by 10am.

The car had a buzz of excitement about it, especially as the kids had no idea where we were going and we did!! All the way from the back seat we heard "Are we going to...?", "Are we going to...?", "What does it start with?" and "What's the second letter?" etc etc. It was quite a fun trip although we were only in the car for 40 minutes.

We took the kids to Narre Warren to the circus. I had got the times mixed up and thought the show started at 11am only to find that it didn't start until 1pm. So instead of having lunch at a quickie takeaway such as McDonalds etc., we went in search of a nice cafe or restaurant to have some food. Narre Warren really didn't have something that suited so we went into Berwick and to Beno's Cafe and Bar.... and boy, was it good. We all enjoyed our food and we all ordered differently, I had Beno's Big Breakfast, Oliver had Beno's Gourmet Beef Burger, Alex had to have the kids' nuggets and chips and Noel decided on the Tapas Plate.... I won't go into each meal but I can tell you that we were all so full that dinner lasts night consisted of toasted sandwiches at 8.30pm!!!

The circus was fantastic also. Circus Olympia, consisting of several Russian performers and it was mentioned that it was the show's first time in Australia but I would have to investigate to confirm that. The kids had a ball, so did Noel and I. I get great enjoyment watching their faces and seeing the enjoyment and how they light up at even the simplest things. There was some animals in the show and quite enjoyable and varied performances which lasted two hours. Well worth going..... we purchased ring side seats so we were quite close to all the action.

Our house will be quiet now until Friday night. It's school holiday's here in Melbourne and both of us are working. This means the kids get to spend the weekdays with their grandparents, who thankfully help us out when they can and will no doubt spoil the kids rotten. Noel will pick them up on his way home from work on Friday, we will spend the weekend together and then do the same again next week. We have chosen not to have time of this holidays so we can have time together over the Christmas school holidays. Hopefully I will get chance to give the house especially their bedrooms a good clean during the evenings while they are not home...... garbage bags here I come!!

We have been soooo busy.....

We have been soooo busy lately that I just haven't had that much time to maintain this blog... we are doing too much and that is the problem... but you know us we wouldn't have it any other way.

So what have we been up to..... hhhhhmmmm let's see.......

Since Father's Day (6th September) which I cannot believe was nearly two weeks ago, we have been doing the usual school/work caper. Noel has been working a lot of overtime and I have been trying to finalise all the football club books in time for the Annual General Meeting.

However Noel and decided that last Sunday was to be a "special" family day so we took the kids to the city. Even though that doesn't sound too exciting it was a great day. We caught the train into Melbourne - this in itself was a novelty.

We caught the train in from Frankston - this is something the kids have been wanting to do for ages and walked around for most of the morning, ending up in Chinatown for lunch.

After walking the entire length of Chinatown we ate lunch at "Post-Mao Cafe" and had a wonderful banquet lunch for only $14.50 per head and we were full. I am definitely going to recommend this to anyone going to Chinatown.


All through lunch the kids kept asking if we could go to the aquarium... we kept saying no. Only to see the disappointment on their faces at the prospect of further walking around the city did we change our mind. So we hopped on a tram, and without telling them got off at the stop right outside the aquarium.... oh how their faces quickly lit up!!

The aquarium was great, as usual, but the added bonus of the new penguin display was magnificent. The Emperor Penguin are so majestic and mesmorising to watch, I could have stood there for ages.


As per usual I was fascinated by the jelly fish and just want a tank full of them at home. Another brilliant time waster that would be!! LOL!!


Although there was no sign of one of our favourites, the cuttlefish, and that the octopus was snoozing under a rock our visit to the aquarium was great and like everytime we visit it's great to watch the kids faces.

We got home late and were totally exhausted but it was a BRILLIANT adventure... I am sure the kids are going to ask what is next?

Tonight we have the junior football presentations. They are being held at Skateworld in Frankston and it should be interesting to see all the kids on skates instead of football boots. Alex will want me to skate with her.... hhhhmmm I have to think about that one.



PS I WILL PUBLISH SOME MORE PHOTO'S FOR THIS POST SOON......

Happy Father's Day.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To all the men I my life I wish you all a very Happy Father's Day... and a special wish of course to my dad, who I love and still miss very much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today there is NO FOOTBALL and I don't think I am the only one that's a little bit excited about that. Instead we were still all in bed by 8am which is in itself a miracle for this house! And I have to say I enjoyed it.

Father's day saw Noel spoiled with presents that the kids had bought at the Father's Day stall at school and also a wallet, a cherry tomato plant and a foot stool. Oh and the Terry's Choc Orange!!! I think he was quite impressed with his bevvy of gifts this year.

Lunch was spent up at Mam and Dad's with Sean, Vicky and Christian. We had a wonderful time.... we got there for lunch but I don't think we walked in our front door until aroun 7pm.... oh well it was a good day.

Food - amazing and so much as usual!! Zucchini and Bacon Soup, Braised Lamb shanks and dessert (which I ate) who could have asked for me... not me - I didn't go back for seconds...lol... others did. Mam and dad did really well with the feast they prepared and served... and of course the perfect end to the day... watching the football and The Saints WON!!!

Vicky looked great - she carries pregnancy well! I am so glad and am looking forward to the new arrival, which is only in a matter of a few weeks really. I tried to find out whether it's a girl or a boy but both Sean and Vicky are not letting on (they know but don't want to tell anyone).... it's quite annoying but Noel and I did the same thing to the family when we were pregnant with Alex!! Go figure - why do I have the right to be annoyed at the decision they have made not to tell anyone?? Especially when we made the same decision 8 years ago.


All I can say is that I am really glad that I am part of a wonderful family....

Christian's 2nd Birthday.....

Monday was Christian's 2nd birthday (his party is coming on Saturday). We all went to Sean and Vicky's for dinner to celebrate this special little man!! This is our only nephew on Noel's side of the family although another little Murray is due in 15 weeks!


We all decided that he loves cake!!


Cheeky should definitely be his middle name!! LOL!!!


A "glowing" mam - Vicky looks really well during this pregnancy. And Sean is just such the doting dad!

And of course then there is the grandparents who idolise all of their grandchildren and play such an important and special role in their grandchildren's lives...... all three (and shortly four) grandchildren are loved greatly by these two beautiful people. I have to admit, I am very lucky to have them in my life also!!

The Boite Choir - Our Home Our Land

Both Oliver and Alex sang in The Boite Choir yesterday at the Frankston Arts Centre along with other children from Victorian Primary Schools.


They have been practising for several months now and have learnt songs that are meaningful to the land of Australia and it's people. A few of them using Aboriginal words and phrases. They performed with an Aboriginal dance group and it was such a brilliant event.

I took the day off from work to see them. I had planned with Vera to meet her there as Kayla was also in the choir. We all enjoyed the performance.

Once again I am really proud of our kids.

Vega "Back to East Timor" Concert

Unbelievable is probably the best way to describe last nights "date" courtesy of Vega and Noel making that phone call to win tickets.

The night started out with pure excitement on my behalf... I can't remember when Noel and I went out on a date like this the last time, normally if we go out it's to a restaurant or we have the kids so this in itself was a novelty.'

After meeting Dicko, Dave and Chrissy from Vega 91.5 FM and of course having our photo's taken with them the concert started.

Firstly Dave did a stand up routine, which as usual was funny and he was followed by Mark Spano (who I must say our babysitter is in LOVE with!!). I have to confess at not knowing a great deal about this Australian Idol contestant but damn did he have a good voice. I really enjoyed him, infact he silenced the crowd with his fantastic voice and I have to say it was spine tingling.

Jeff Green was next to take the stage.... oh and did we both laugh. I had tears running down my face and I nearly wet my pants - yes he is that funny!!

Then it was time for the ultimate highlight of the evening - Ian Moss. BLOODY FANTASTIC!! The gig was very acoustic and very blues tainted which I enjoyed. He did a few of the Cold Chisel songs which sounded better than I remembered. I took that many photo's. After he did his playlist of 5 songs and left the stage, he returned to do a very vocally requested encore in which he and his band performed another 5 songs.

I can only imagine the price tag that would be put on the event we saw if you had to pay for the tickets. It was definitely an evening I will not forget.

First thing this morning I sent a "thank you" email to Vega - which they read out over the radio just to express my gratitude for offering such a wonderful experience to lucky people just like Noel and I. This is my email.....

"Good morning Dicko, Dave and Chrissy,

This email is just a HUGE THANK-YOU for last night.

What a bloody fantastic evening - I am still buzzing this morning! The relaxed atmosphere especially with all of you mingling with the crowd chatting, having photo's and signing autographs, Jeff Green's performance which literally left me with tears running down my face not to mention crossing my legs (!!), the crowd silencing and spine tingling performance of Mark Spano and of course, the captivating performance and extended encore by Ian Moss totally blew us away. I know the other people on our table were as impressed as we were.

The "Back to East Timor" concert was brilliant and more than what either my husband and I could have imagined. You definitely did all those that attended the Chelsea RSL proud and one can only imagine the impact that all of you had on our troops serving abroad.

WELL DONE DICKO and of course everyone at Vega."

All I can say now is .... "Noel what's happening on the next date??"

We are having a date tonight!!

Wow it's a weeknight but Noel and I are going out... just the two of us! So I guess you could say we are having a date!

Yesterday Noel won tickets on Vega (a radio station) for the "Back to East Timor" Concert with Dicko, Dave and Chrissy.... I couldn't believe it!! I had actually been trying for 2 weeks and he makes one phone call and gets through!! It doesn't really matter how we got the tickets, we got them and we are going!

The line up is fantastic - Ian Moss, Jeff Green, Mark Spano to name a few and it's somewhat local for us too being held at the Chelsea RSL!! It's all just too exciting!

Actually saying that I don't know who is more excited... us or the kids. Kimbalee, a friend's daughter, is babysitting and the kids really like her. It's the first time babysitting for us so the kids have been read the riot act about behaving etc but I know that they will be good little angels for her.

Will give you the full report tomorrow.

Free entertainment... always good value!!

Just near our local Indian grocery store, in Carrum Downs, is a paddock with the friendliest horses in.... of course we had to feed them!!! In fact we spent more time feeding the horses than we did in the grocery store!!

The kids both love most animals... there was the a few moments of not knowing what to expect, how the horses would react but that nervousness was over after the first mouthful of grass was taken.

Even Noel had a feed, showing the kids that he really is a big softie!!

This kind of entertainment is priceless ... literally it didn't cost a thing!! LOL!!!

Special ladies.....

The end of July marks the birthday of two special ladies in our lives.....

The 29th is Vicky's birthday. We didn't get to see her on her birthday this year as it was a Wednesday and Sean has been working away this week. We did however ring, the kids sang Happy Birthday and we all chatted. During the phone conversation she explained how she was disappointed that we couldn't get together as we are busy and that we don't get to see enough of each other. Little did she know that today we planned, with Sean's help, to meet her for a surprise lunch along with her brother George and his girlfriend Rose at the Chelsea Heights Hotel.

It was a great lunch and after all that has passed between us, it is a good feeling to know that the future is positive and the relationships we all have with her are growing.

The second special person in our lives is Clare. Noel's sister and my very close friend, infact I have to say my sister too!! Her birthday is on the 31st (yesterday) and we all called in the evening to sing Happy Birthday and to give her our best wishes and love. She received our gift of cookbooks and love the kids cards...... her hug from me will have to wait until Mid August when she is planning to come down and we get to meet her boyfriend, Grahame!!