Summer holidays

Happy new year! Dave's recently wrapped up a two and a half week break and we have been holidaying at home, enjoying the company of friends and getting to know our enchanted corner of Sydney a bit better. Plus catching up on a few chores. 

We have had some super catch ups with friends including several beach days that have culminated with a slap up barbecue back at our place. To be able to wander down through the bush to an idyllic beach is just magical and our setting at home with mature trees around the property plus good separation and privacy from our neighbours and the charm of our somewhat dilapidated house seems to act as a tonic on many of our guests.

Our new kayak (thanks Bidey and Pamps) has also proved a hit with the boys (particularly Charlie, who is now much more water confident) and our friends' children. We have made expeditions to Manly and a couple of nearby harbour beaches as well as taking the kayak into the swimming enclosure at the beach several times for the kids to enjoy cavorting around, towing boogie boards, jumping off and the like. Charlie and Dave were lucky enough to spot a sizeable turtle near Reef Beach while taking some other kids for a scenic tour. 

Siobhan & her mum and son Sammy with Flick and Charlie, watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart on a walk from home.

Sammy, James, Christian and Charlie get their feet wet at Reef Beach

Des's Chocolate Pav on Boxing Day - we were too full to eat it on Christmas Day!

Kerry, Liz, Arielle, Flick and James

Kayak and boogie board fun - Charlie, Brandon, Zac and Ed

Sandworks with Jamie, Arielle, Flick and some local kids

We had a low key Christmas Day with our friend Des, who came over the night before to get the full "stocking experience".  The boys were of course beside themselves with excitement and despite great expectations about what Santa might bring (Charlie had written a fairly elaborate list) they seemed to be reasonably pleased with their respective hauls. However, we are now placing a moratorium on new toys until they learn to look after the ones they have and are willing to clean up and contain their play to less than all the rooms in the house! 

Presents!

Des and Flick on our constitutional post breakfast Christmas walk

Oysters and Tina's bubbly on the verandah

Xmas spread with Flick's famous ham

A few days earlier we went into the city to see and hear various Christmassy things including the giant tree at Martin Place (this year with a special digital display wrapped around it), an intimate carol sing along led by an Opera Australia baritone and pianist in the sumptuous banking chamber of the 1880s GPO building (astonishingly attended by <30 people despite being free), and the Christmas windows at DJs. 

Martin Place Xmas Tree

Classy Carols courtesy of Macquarie Bank and Opera Australia

Another amazing tree in the sumptuous QVB

James enjoys Hornby train fun at HobbyCo

Charlie was also lucky enough to be able to go twilight racing with Dave. He was very good and our skipper Stephen says he is welcome to come back again. We did pretty well too, coming fourth in a field of 20.  Conditions were perfect so it was a great intro to the sport. Steve donated his son Ellis's old sailing gloves too as he's grown out of them and Charlie was pleased as punch. 

Charlie (and to a lesser extent James) is obsessed with all things Titanic to the extent of watching full adult documentaries about its making and sinking. Yesterday we painted and assembled the wooden model he received for Xmas. Charlie did quite a bit of it himself and as you can tell was very pleased with himself. The model was the most basic we could find and is not very well constructed but it's been an excellent experience for him. 

Duplo ships are also popular - the bigger the better

The RMS Titanic - well done Charlie!

For New Year’s Eve we went down with a few friends and neighbours to the beach to watch the 9pm Manly fire works in the bay.  Both the boys wound up with friends to play with and the glow sticks and sparklers were a big hit.  The atmosphere was great – made for families with younger children.

Flick and Joan

Jenny and Frank

James and Liam (and Charlie's hands)

Glo stick fun

Charlie sparkles

Jenny, Flick & Natalia celebrate the end of the year

Slightly fuzzy fireworks

Charlie decided that he'd like to help with a spot of house work.  I think he was motivated by the new vacuum cleaner (the old one died on us) and particularly when I told him I used to earn pocket money doing the vacuuming at Bidey and Pamps house. 

Charlie vacuums - earmuffs to protect his sensitive ears