We woke up on birthday eve, Fez had stayed over and Al and Clemmie were coming over for lunch time, it is also Clemmie's birthday. Jim and Fez took Ellie to the park and I stayed back and decorated the table, hung up balloons and bunting and just generally sorted. We had lovely bruschetta made by Jim for lunch and the girls had their birthday cup cakes, after, we headed to the beach for a swim! All of us are winter babies, Jim, Joey and myself are November, so she is so lucky getting a warm birthday! It was such a lovely relaxed day. When we were at the beach Fez was playing with Ellie and Joey (from the moment he arrives, he has an Ellie shaped shadow that does not leave his side) so Jim and I had a whole ten minutes or so to play in the waves, it was great! I haven't done that in a long long time and forgot how much fun the sea could be! After that we headed back and Jim put together a fantastic bar b q for us all. It was a wonderful day and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves although we were exhausted by the end of it (and we still had wrapping to do!)
The next morning, 24/02/14, bright and early at 6:30 Ellie came into our room, I got her into bed for a cuddle and a few minutes later she said "am I four?" "Yes!" I said, she looked chuffed, she looked at her arms and said she wanted to see how big she was, after singing a wake up daddy song, Jim very coincidentally woke up and Ellie got out of bed and looked in the mirror at her new older self and was very chuffed with the obvious difference in age from the night before. We went and opened her presents and skyped the world and his wife so they could admire the new grown up Ellie and headed out for our bus, which again, was late! 30 bloomin minutes, worst bit, we waited 45 as were there promptly! Eventually, we got into Manly and caught the fast ferry which only took 15 minutes, meaning that when we did get on our bus, it was only 45 minutes from bus stop to Central Sydney which was impressive. We walked (Jim and I did, he pushed Joey, I carried Ellie) to Darling Harbour to go to the park there which had been recommended, it was great, it had about 8 swings, four slides, one of which had a climbing wall you had to get up, a whole water play area, some of which was shaded and sand pits. We were probably there for two hours, they loved it. After, we headed to china town for some food, we had some delicious Korean beef and some average other bits, Ellie ate with what she calls "snipdeedoodles" chopsticks to us! And then on to do some trainer shopping for Ellie. Jim didn't like our choice and thinks I only bought them because I had a lager with lunch but I bought them because Ellie loves them, the colours clash horrendously and they are so so cute on her! We got home for about 17:30, truly exhausted and made Ellie's favourite for tea... Mashed potato, beans and sausages. Whilst eating, there was a knock at the window and it was Nicky from upstairs, she had something for Ellie. Jim called me around to the laundry room door and there was a big huge sweety bouquet! I initially thought it was from her as Ellie had mentioned it a few times but Jim opened the card and it was from England! My sister Charlotte had organised it on behalf of my family! How amazing, we were really blown away by the thought. To top it off, I then got the text that my best friend Sara had had her baby boy, on Ellie's birthday! Baby Fred is the newest member of the Atkins family, how bloomin amazing! I can't wait to meet him.
25th... Birthday Boxing Day and it is to be a quiet day. Another bright and early start, this time coutesy of young Joseph at 6:20, I do enjoy watching the surfers though first thing and all of the action on the beach. He was back in bed by 8:20 for a nap! Ellie and I headed to the park for a bit and then we all went for a walk around the headland, it had some truly stunning views, and properties (wowzers!) after a bit of lunch we went to enjoy our last bit of time at this wonderful beach. I have loved this apartment and it's location. Time has absolutely flown but we have to move on... To a motorhome tomorrow (bugger! We are totally regretting booking it!!)
Pictures
Opening pressies
Cake with Aunty Clemmie
Water play at the park
Lunch
The sweety bouquet
New trainers
No comments:
Post a Comment