Putting up the Christmas Tree with the grandchildren

Dylan helping nanna put up the Christmas tree he did a terrific job..



Singapore: a Christmas tree made with teddy bears:


Oh my favourite time of the year.... work has come to an end at least for a few weeks... I switch off and concentrate on my family life... leading up to Christmas is always very busy... this year I was in Singapore early December which puts pressure on in terms of time and Christmas parties.



My Christmas tree was late going up this year... as Kirsten moved out in October and she normally helps me.... so I was tardy getting up this year... until I thought the grand kids can help put it up... so there begins a new trend.... the kids putting up the tree.... they are such helpful little cherubs.... even Isabella helped by the decorations on the tree..




The Christmas cake was later than usual but the fruit managed to get a soak for at least a week.... it was too late this year to make the gingerbread house.... so I had to find something else to make for the kids that would distract from the usual ginger bread house.... so I put chocolates and candy sticks in the welcome bowl near the front door and made some Christmas crackles which went down a treat... and nobody mentioned the gingerbread house... will do it next year.....




Then the kids decided that uncle Scott could be decorated as a Christmas tree and then Dylan also thought he would make a good Christmas tree and put the tinsel all over him... it was all good fun......

The grandkids are growing up quickly

Its been a long time since I have written on this blog... thought of it often but work is so busy that I have not had time. What reminded me was all the stories I have to tell about the grandies....they just make you laugh... they are so much fun... today Jess, Dlyan, Isabella and Logan all came to visit... the two older ones are four and the younger 16mths and 13mths... and off course there are the other three grandchildren that were not here today... that would really make the house full.... surprising you think the house is big enough until you get the kids in it and it never seems big enough...


For me as a Nanna it gives me time to play like a child again, watch cartoons and Disney Movies....it is so much fun.... and to listen to them talk.... the incredible stories they come out with and the way they mimic their parents... it is so much fun being a nanna, although there are times you cringe at what they say.... and wonder where do they get it from....

Nanna I don't like anything on your oven rail... please dont put tea towels on here!This is the only baby grandchild to come this close to Monty....



Little Logan is walking and like a walking tornado and an eating machine, Bella is sweet a real girl, with a high pitch squeal and trying to boss everyone, Dylan is a georgoues little man so helpful... ready to come to resuce everyone and Jessica, Miss Jessica wise beyond her years... "Nanna dont you know 'sex is when you get naked' pursing her lips towards me... its a worry.... when I asked where did you hear that she replied "the TV".Grandpops said "I want to watch her TV"... I do wonder what is she watching on TV and do the kids just watch too much....



Dylan has almost finished his first year at kindy.... he bought his books for nanna to look at today.... how nice... he was so proud of the work he had done...."Nanna look I did this" so cute....



Jessica is always telling me she wants to marry Dyan..."Nanna he's my best friend" and I keep trying to explain you can not marry your cousin... especially your first cousin.... alas it falls on deaf ears... the only saving grace is that in a year or two she would make lots more friends and have a bigger social network her cousin won't be as important to her....she will be to busy with her school frends.


Yes this is how I keep them all in one place....and quiet.... 'ice cream'

Kings Park Adventure

Yes Nanna we will be good.

View from Kings Park over looking Perth.

I have been meaning to right up this adventure for some months now, but as usual life is so busy and time passes so quickly. I have however drafted many starts to this blog, each one different from the other, finally I have begun.
It’s funny as you get older as a parent, your children began to treat you as if you were the child – both kids (now in their 30’s twins) were a little unsure that I was going to be able to manage the grandchildren on my own – I had no doubt about it at all, in fact was very excited about it. Needless to say Dylan 3yrs and Jessica 3yrs were delightful and also excited that Nanna was taking them out to her favourite park. They chatted endlessly in the car, both trying to outdo the other. Dylan, “Jessie my daddy is at work today, he works lots”, Jessica, “yes Dylan my daddy is working lots to and he loves me”, Dylan, “my daddy loves me too”. They talked nonstop the whole journey, not one argument, just continuous one-up-man ship. It was very funny to listen too, I should have tapped it and added to the blog, it was entertaining for me. I had such fun.

Once at the park we looked for a parking spot, which is much easier to find with two kids helping. I did not realise that the Red Bull air show was on the same day, and from Kings Park it is a bird’s eye view of the aeroplanes, which they also enjoyed although it was noisy. We started at the top of the park and looked at the War Memorial; the kids enjoyed playing on the walls and climbing the stairs. When you have time to just let them play it is so much more fun, I sat and watched how simply they played with each other keeping me in their sights, it was a real treat.


Let me help you Jess!

This is how you do it! Nanna come on!

Dylan decided he would try and climb every tree he saw, Jess was happy to follow and do rollie pollie on the grass, having small children gives you permission to do silly things as an adult, like rollie pollie down the hill, we laughed and laughed – it was now lunch time – time to cue at the kiosk, for yes you guessed it a healthy lunch of chicken nuggets and chips with mayo for Dylan and tomato sauce for Jess, orange juice and water. Nanna enjoyed a cup of coffee and a sandwich. All was eaten with great gusto, sitting nicely at the table under the umbrella. Now it was time for the playground, “let’s go Nanna.”
Now the kids run and run, climbing on every possible piece of play equipment with Nanna watching with her eagle eyes. Heaven help trying to explain to their parents something happened whilst in my care
I'm tired Nanna and I am going to rest!


We did it Dylan, look we are at the top!



Treats, laughter & fun were bountiful, great therapy I recommend it for anyone with kids, spend time having lots and lots of merriment.

It was home time now, and you guessed it, the little darlings slept all the way home, it was a quiet drive home. I smiled to myself with great satisfaction, we all had a fantastic time.



Aren't they just beautiful!