cupcakes at Kindy

A birthday is never complete until you have the mandatory cupcakes at kindy. On the day Mummy took the cupcakes to kindy, Mummy and Lucy stayed until morning tea. Annie was so excited to show Mummy some of her favourite things to do during 'outside playtime' these included swinging like a monkey on the monkey bars and playing in the sandpit. Lucy had an absolute ball playing at kindy. She thought she was one of the big kids so when it came time for Miss C to ask the class to pack up, Lucy was right there too listening to the instructions and carrying them out. After we finished packing up it was time to sit on the carpet and sing 'Happy Birthday' to the birthday girl. Annie was so excited and loved it when everyone was singing. We all then proceeded out onto the verandah for morning tea and cupcakes.

baking with Noonie

On the Saturday before Annie's birthday, Annie and Noonie decided to do some special baking. They baked some special small birthday cakes to celebrate Annie's special day. Annie really enjoyed being in the kitchen with Noonie and Lucy really enjoyed the 'licking of the beater' tradition! Even though Lucy didn't help cook, at least she helped to clean up.

Lucy does not like to miss out on the action so when she heard Noonie doing the dishes she ran to the bathroom to get her step and proceeded to tell Noonie to move out of the way so she could give it a go. Lucy absolutely loved washing up. I just it continues!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I can hardly believe it has been four years since my 'Baby Girl' was born. The day Annie was born started off like any other Wednesday (at the time). Daddy was up early to go the prayer meeting at church, Matthew and Benjamin woke up and was snuggling in bed with Mummy. We then proceeded to do our normal morning routine: breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed. Daddy arrived home from the prayer meeting as we were getting dressed so he decided to get ready for school too. We then both sat down at the dining room table to chat about what Mummy was up to for the day seeing as the baby was now one day overdue. After we chatted Daddy thought it was best he headed off to school seeing as now he was running late. As Mummy stood up to say goodbye, my waters broke, or should I say gushed everywhere! Daddy called school to let them know he was not showing up today and Mummy called Aunty Cherie to say that playgroup was cancelled and if she could call everyone to let them know. Daddy then called Grandma and Grandad to come over so they could look after Matthew and Benjamin. Mummy called Noonie at work to let her know what was going on but the receptionist told me that she was in a very important meeting but I insisted that I needed to talk with her. So she put me through and Noonie sounded very worried on the phone so I reassured her that everything was okay but I am having this baby! I heard this almighty scream on the other end of the phone and her boss asking if I had had the baby yet. So after all the phone calls I got my bags together for the hospital. We were in no rush because my waters broke at 8am and I was not experiencing too much discomfort with contractions so we were taking our time. However by 8:30am I was in full blown labour. Daddy in all his wisdom decided to drive Mummy to the hospital in his $200 old old OLD Corolla so in case anything happened I would not dirty the Patrol. As we were driving to the hospital, in peak hour traffic, Daddy decided to inform me that he had not driven his $200 Corolla this far before and was not sure if it would make it. AND IT DIDN'T... as we were driving through the boom gates to park the car, the Corolla decided to STOP right there and then. So the boom gate went up, we went through, or should I say partially through and the car STOPPED. Daddy was laughing so hard as he thought this was hilarious but Mummy was not so happy. So Daddy had to PUSH the car to a parking spot, thankfully it wasn't too far away! We then proceeded up to the Birth Suite. The first nurse took us through to the waiting room and asked us to wait for another nurse who would examine me. The contractions were coming on stronger and there was no sign of a nurse so Daddy asked to see one and this lovely nurse showed up. The Birthing Suites were so busy they didn't have any spare rooms but seeing as Mummy was about to have this baby they took me into there spare room/store room to examine me. As Mummy was getting on the bed I said "This baby is coming" the nurse freaked out told me to 'hold it in there' and rushed me to a Birthing room. The cleaner was putting on clean sheets as we entered the room but she had to jump out of the way so Mummy could get on there. It was only a matter of minutes later that our beautiful little girl was born. We were so excited that we had our girl. We felt so blessed by God that he chose us to be your parents. The feelings of joy and excitement were indescribable. We were just beaming from ear to ear. One thing I do remember telling Dad after having you (we were still in the birth suite) was "I am not doing that ever again". (Well we know now that did not happen!) We love you so much Annie Jane and our lives would not be complete without you in them every day.

Annie Jane

born at 9:35am

March 16 2005

8lb 6oz

57cm

three days old

FOUR YEARS LATER.....


The day had finally arrived. After counting down her birthday since Christmas Annie was so excited that HER day had finally come. So the day was kicked started by an early morning of opening presents and receiving handmade birthday cards made by two of her favourite fans, Matthew and Benjamin.

Matthew giving Annie the card he made and the present he bought with his own money

Annie with her necklace and bracelet

The day continued with one of Annie's favourite activities, swimming lessons. She absolutely loves swimming and so the lessons are a highlight of her week.

Annie waiting on the step for her lesson to begin

After a fun filled morning the day continued with more celebrations and presents. Aunty Cherie, Georgia and Bradman came by for some special afternoon tea - which of course means eating more birthday cake!

Annie opening the present from Georgia

The day was only completed once we had pizza for dinner!

pre-birthday celebrations

Annie's birthday celebrations started a day early this year! The first celebration was with Amelie. Aunty Cath had a great idea to take the girls to the movies to see Angelina Ballerina. This was Amelie's first time to the movies so there were celebrations all round. Annie and Amelie really enjoyed the movie and their popcorn and their Easter eggs!

Amelie and Annie waiting to go into the movies

the girls sitting in their seats

After the movie we went to have a special morning tea at Donut King! Annie and Amelie did not eat much of their donut, they just entertained the crowd by dancing and prancing around the tables. These girls love to dance.

Annie opening up the present Amelie gave her.

Annie looking through her new Ballet book with Amelie looking just as excited!

The day didn't finished there! In the afternoon Noonie, Grandma and Grandad came over for dinner and cake and of course presents.

Annie insisted on wearing her new Dora PJ's to bed.

Annie's Birthday Barbie cake.

And as per tradition, if the birthday girl touches the bottom of the plate when cutting the cake the she must kiss the closest boy! Daddy was the lucky one!

Let the Music begin!

Matthew has started piano lessons and he absolutely loves it. After his first lesson he was very eager to show us what he had learnt. So after dinner Matthew serenaded us all but instead of playing on the big keyboard (because Daddy had not set it up yet) he had to play on the kids toy keyboard. He didn't care as long as he could play.

Mummy wont be doing this again!!

Getting out my wisdom teeth that is! Mummy had the unfortunate task of getting out ALL four wisdom teeth. I was very anxious about the whole thing so the lovely oral surgeon thought it best if I was completely asleep for the whole operation and get out all four at once so I did not have to go back again. I think the doctor knew he only had one chance with me so he wanted to get them all out while he could! Daddy took me to the surgery and waited patiently for it to be all over. When I first went in the anaesthetist went through the procedure and asked if I had any comments or questions so I did inform her of my phobia of needles and she reassured me everything would be okay but as we walked into surgery she did say to the surgeon and his assistant that we have "a patient who needs us to talk to her alot". So then both the surgeon and nurse started firing questions at me about family, children... and then the next thing I knew I was being woken up by the nurse to say it was all done. My first thoughts emotions were relief followed by tears while I was saying to myself "it is over, it is over, hold on I don't remember getting the needle." So once I was alert I was allowed to go home.

Mummy holding bags of peas on my face

two days later

Daddy was fantastic! He cooked, cleaned, made school/kindy lunches, did the school/kindy run, homework, bathing, played lots of uno with the kids AND looked after mummy. It was so nice knowing that everyone and everything was being taken care off. And thanks to Noonie for also helping out on the two days Daddy had to go to work and also on the weekend. You were both so good to me.

This is definitely one experience I will never forget and one that I know I will never have to experience again.

one of the best days of my life...

I love my family. And there is nothing I like better then spending my birthday doing things that make my angels happy. For my last birthday we went for a train ride into the city to look at 'Santa Land', the Myer windows and the BIG christmas tree AND ice cream! Matt had the wonderful idea to take Mummy to Cold Rock in Southbank (as he has only ever seen a cold rock there!) for a birthday ice cream cone. So we decided to make a day off it. So as tradition Noonie joined us for the day. We got an early train into the city so we could beat the crowds at Santa Land. The kids were able to have a ride on the train around 'Santa Land' and they received a special golden ticket in which BJ was not letting go of. We headed down to look at the Myer windows which the kids absolutely loved. There was so much to look at with all the intricate details of North Pole in action. We stopped and had morning tea at the BIG christmas tree (which does not look that big to me anymore!) and the kids thought it was fantastic. Once our tummy's were full it was time to walk across the bridge to Southbank for our ice cream. Matty absolutely loved being the one to instigate this and Daddy gave him the money to pay which just made his grin even bigger. We then went on a ferry ride as this is one of Mummy's favourite things to do. We all really enjoyed sitting on the top deck watching the world go by - or should I say Santa go by on his jet ski! The kids thought this was hilarious. So after a full morning we headed back to the train station for our journey home so we could rest and get ready for a FULL evening. It started out with the Christmas Eve service at church followed by a beautiful homemade Mongolian BBQ with family that Daddy so wonderfully prepared before concluding the night with christmas lights. I had the BEST day ever! I love you all xxxxx