Happy birthday to.....

Cannot believe that it's my birthday already, meaning that 8 days have already flown passed this year!! Being at work on your birthday sucks especially when it's dead quiet but it's paying those damn bills, right?

So far we haven't done a great deal as far as school holidays etc go but both Noel and I came back to work on Monday.

My Mam is babysitting the kids for us this week and so far they all seem to be having a ball. Tuesday they all went to the beach and saw the sand sculptures and "The Blessing of the Waters" by the Greek Community. Didn't know that was on but it added an extra element to the day for mam and the kids. They all got sunburnt!! BIG TIME!! I think they will be spending today at home, just like yesterday in recovery mode!!

Sunday we did go to the races and that was great fun. It was all the family as usual which was great and good to see to see Sean and Vicky again. Christian, being older this year, was fascinated by the horses and it was good to see face his face when the horses were near our area. (Being a member we got to set up our area right next to the race track, so brilliant view of all the races.)

Here is Mam and Sharon relaxing and from the look of it studying the form guide. Some of the races are hard to pick especially when there can be four horse and the TAB is only paying 1st and 2nd! We have even witness a two horse race... can you believe that? Only at Balnarring!! (It was a beautiful day, not too hot and thankfully not raining - somewhat hard to believe for Melbourne!!)

Relaxing inbetween races is some more of the family. Sean (white t-shirt), Mam and Dad, Christian, Oliver and Tom are keeping in the shade and having something to eat. One good thing about the races is we are never short of food or maybe that's a bad thing, everyone brings something to share so we don't have to buy food from the overpriced food vendors down there. This year we took our weber and had some lovely roast lamb with salad and bread rolls, not to mention dips and nibbles, and satay skewers. As I said lots of food!!

Of course there are no photo's of me (I think Mam might have taken one but we will leave that on her camera ... I like to hide behind the camera but who know's maybe one day I will come out from behind it!! LOL!!

But I do have this wonderful photo of my cheekyboy.... Oli!!

Off out for dinner tonight to the RSL with Noel, the kids and our parents. I didn't want a second "birthday" event but I had no say in it really!! It should be a good night and hopefully we will all get a good meal like we normally do, mind you saying that I have to make a good choice food wise! Especially now I am back on my diet - I must be good!

At this point in time nothing major has been planned for the rest of the week or the weekend. But then again, knowing us, things will change - as they always do...

A few days into 2009 and all is well.

After surviving what turned into a huge New Years Party at our house, finishing at 3am I might add, all has quietened down and we are regaining what some would imagine to be normality. HA!!

The house is starting to resemble a home not a party zone with the Christmas Decoration due to come down on the 6th of January (as I said before that's our Christmas tradition) so only a few more days before they are all locked away for another 11 and a half months. I find taking the decorations down quite sad as I just love the thought of Christmas but I make myself feel better by telling me that I have another 11 months to plan the next Christmas for the family to share.

Sean and Vicky came to pick up Clare (she has stayed since New Years Eve and that has been ace). It was sad to see her leave knowing that she was flying back to Sydney today and we wouldn't see her again for awhile. Clare is a fantastic person to be around. Bubbly, funny and so spontaneous. A good drinking buddy also.... OMG did we all drink these last few days! But more importantly she's a unreal sister... we have both dropped the "sister-in-law" tag and just refer to each other as sisters.... and yes if you haven't guessed she makes me feel like a special person.

Mam is still here - now newly nicknamed "Ever-ready" as she is just always on the go and forever pottering. I think we will have to nail or tie her down just to get her to relax but it is still wonderful to have her here (even if we have had several words due to my selfishness). I am going to miss her terribly when she eventually goes back on the 21st January. She will be with us most of the time until then as she has put her hand up to babysit Oliver and Alex while Noel and I go back to work on the 5th.

Today we are all getting ready for the Balnarring Picnic Races tomorrow. Another huge day but it will be enjoyed as it is every year. Most of the family are going and this year we are taking the weber and cooking a leg of lamb to have with salads etc. There is always a beavy of food, normally too much, but it is such a wonderful day and the kids have a ball. Christian will be old enough to understand the horses this year as he was only a baby last year and now that he is walking I am sure tomorrow will be an interesting day for us all keeping an eye on him. We get to the Races early so we can get a really good possy and set up our shelters etc. It is a great day but a huge effort getting everything organised. What do they say - no pain no gain?

Oliver and Alex are having their first sleep over for the year tonight. They are off to Tom and Sharon's. As Sharon is also coming to the Races she will bring the kids down with her. Hopefully they will be good for Sharon and not turn into prize dickheads.... Noel will be reading them the riot act before we take them up there. They get so excited going somewhere else as normally, with us being the entertainers, we have everyone come to our house and that includes the kids friends. Must make an effort to change that this year.....

Oh well better fly as there really is a lot to do.