Sunday, September 28, 2008
Breakfast with the Bride and Groom....
This morning we took Mitchell and Amy out for breakfast, after their last Sunday morning lie in as singles! It was a beautiful morning and warm enough to sit outside. This was made all the more interesting as very strong winds were picking up the shade umbrellas and throwing them around!
After a breakfast spent with each person doing a stint with Alfie walking up and down the seafront, repeatedly climbing stairs and coming back down again, we walked along the plaza to where a fountain shoots water out of the paving stones at random intervals. Alfie was quite taken with this, first watching some bigger kids playing before playing Fountain Russian Roulette by standing over the holes. However the only person who managed to get blasted was me en route to help out Alfie ... oh how I laughed!!!
Good luck to Amy and Mitch next week... we can't wait. Have a great day guys!
After a breakfast spent with each person doing a stint with Alfie walking up and down the seafront, repeatedly climbing stairs and coming back down again, we walked along the plaza to where a fountain shoots water out of the paving stones at random intervals. Alfie was quite taken with this, first watching some bigger kids playing before playing Fountain Russian Roulette by standing over the holes. However the only person who managed to get blasted was me en route to help out Alfie ... oh how I laughed!!!
Good luck to Amy and Mitch next week... we can't wait. Have a great day guys!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Grand Final Flops...
Saturday was Grand Final day and thanks to Matt A'Beckett who stood aside on the day to a potential injury I got to play. What a gent - thanks Matt! With temperatures in the thirties to match our ages in most cases we found things very hard going against a much younger Garden Suburb side. Playing into the wind we managed to hold out for much of the first half before five mad minutes saw the opposition take a two nil lead. We managed to get one back before half time and we were hopeful that we could play a little more confidently in the second half.
An early goal for Garden Suburb in the second half finished the game as a contest as we huffed and puffed in the heat. I actually drank four litres of water during the game and still ended up thirsty. It was a disappointing end to the season when you consider that we had beaten them twice during the season. I also felt bad that so many people came along to watch including all the neighbours and even some students from school. Finishing top of the league counts for little in any Australian sport! We did however pick up a grand final losers medal, a minor premiership trophy along with a slightly embarrassing "Dudley Boys 2008 Minor and Major Premiers" stubby holder! No complaints or excuses from us, we didn't deserve to win on the day.
We had some beers after the game and we have a day at the races planned for next month. Other than that thats it for football until April next year...
An early goal for Garden Suburb in the second half finished the game as a contest as we huffed and puffed in the heat. I actually drank four litres of water during the game and still ended up thirsty. It was a disappointing end to the season when you consider that we had beaten them twice during the season. I also felt bad that so many people came along to watch including all the neighbours and even some students from school. Finishing top of the league counts for little in any Australian sport! We did however pick up a grand final losers medal, a minor premiership trophy along with a slightly embarrassing "Dudley Boys 2008 Minor and Major Premiers" stubby holder! No complaints or excuses from us, we didn't deserve to win on the day.
We had some beers after the game and we have a day at the races planned for next month. Other than that thats it for football until April next year...
As nature intended!...
With the temperature soaring into the thirties it was time to strip off and cool off for Alfie and Ben. While adults found other ways to stay cool, like cold beer!
The play house provided some shade and a way to preserve some dignity!
Beth's Birthday...
Friday was Beth's birthday! I thought I would clarify that as she would lead you to believe that her birthday started on the 1st of September and will run until October the 1st! I think that much of the morning was spent sunning herself on her new day bed (prezzie from me!) on the sun lounge after getting up early to open up some other bits and bobs from me and Alfie.
Beth then spent the rest of the day with Sharron on the foreshore having lunch and enjoying yet more sun. In the evening we met up with lots of people for a Fish and Chip supper and a couple of beers. It was a great night, enjoyed by all.
PS: Mum I ran to the top of the tower thingy! ;0)
Beth then spent the rest of the day with Sharron on the foreshore having lunch and enjoying yet more sun. In the evening we met up with lots of people for a Fish and Chip supper and a couple of beers. It was a great night, enjoyed by all.
PS: Mum I ran to the top of the tower thingy! ;0)
Monday, September 15, 2008
What no Grand Final!!!???
Now I'm sure all of you have been wondering what happened to the much heralded Grand Final for my football team that should have taken place last weekend. Well let me fill you in...
At the end of the season Dudley (my team!) finished in first place and had to play Stockton who finished second., now you'll remember that we beat Stockton to progress to the Grand Final. Meanwhile Garden Suburb played Valentine in the third and fourth placed play off game, which Garden Suburb won 3-1. They then should as winners of the semi gone forward to play Stockton losers of the final... got it so far? Now that game could not be played due to a weekend of heavy rain, the league managers then decided that the Stockton vrs Garden Suburb game couldn't be played because the Grand Final had to be played during the weekend just gone. Instead first and second (Dudley and Stockton) should play each other in the final as they had the best results during the season. However after some crazy protests and news coverage this decision was reversed with Stockton playing Garden Suburb as planned and the Grand Final moved to this coming weekend ... simple!
The upshot of all this is that now we will play Garden Suburb on Saturday in the Grand Final after they beat Stockton on penalties! The sad news is that Beth's brother Matt is unable to play due to a business trip, but this does open up a small opportunity for me it was looking as if I might have had to sit it out! Stay tuned...
At the end of the season Dudley (my team!) finished in first place and had to play Stockton who finished second., now you'll remember that we beat Stockton to progress to the Grand Final. Meanwhile Garden Suburb played Valentine in the third and fourth placed play off game, which Garden Suburb won 3-1. They then should as winners of the semi gone forward to play Stockton losers of the final... got it so far? Now that game could not be played due to a weekend of heavy rain, the league managers then decided that the Stockton vrs Garden Suburb game couldn't be played because the Grand Final had to be played during the weekend just gone. Instead first and second (Dudley and Stockton) should play each other in the final as they had the best results during the season. However after some crazy protests and news coverage this decision was reversed with Stockton playing Garden Suburb as planned and the Grand Final moved to this coming weekend ... simple!
The upshot of all this is that now we will play Garden Suburb on Saturday in the Grand Final after they beat Stockton on penalties! The sad news is that Beth's brother Matt is unable to play due to a business trip, but this does open up a small opportunity for me it was looking as if I might have had to sit it out! Stay tuned...
Big Boy PJ's...
Up until this point Alfie has been sleeping in two piece PJ sets consisting mainly of a top which is increasingly less likely to cover his belly (... see earlier bathing post!!) and bottoms with sewn in feet! With the warmer weather its time to switch the air con from heat to cool and think about how to stay comfortable at night. So today it was time for some new PJ's not only in a larger size but ones which allow your feet to stick out the bottom... something of a novelty for Alf who spent a good ten minutes laughing at himself in the mirror!
On a side issue Beth has stated that we'd love to encourage his love of trains... he has a little wooden train set, I love it!.... ahem ... sorry he loves it, but we have found that anything which has the face of Thomas the Tank Engine on it costs the earth. The last thing she said to me this morning was I won't be buying anything with Thomas on it... now you can draw you own conclusions about the success or failure of the shopping mission! ;0)
On a side issue Beth has stated that we'd love to encourage his love of trains... he has a little wooden train set, I love it!.... ahem ... sorry he loves it, but we have found that anything which has the face of Thomas the Tank Engine on it costs the earth. The last thing she said to me this morning was I won't be buying anything with Thomas on it... now you can draw you own conclusions about the success or failure of the shopping mission! ;0)
Garage Sale...
With Summer approaching there's nothing better than a good Spring clean, an opportunity to get rid of some junk, raise some cash and spend time with friends. On Sunday we decided to have a Garage sale having placed the advert in the local paper. In Australia it's very much the done thing as there don't seem to be many car boots.
... Alfie got the sign ready, dad hung it, drivers ignored it!
... Great customer service from Alfie. Welcomed those that did come with a wave and a smile!
The sign was made and we sat out expectantly waiting for customers, and we waited.... and waited ... and waited. Some five hours and $10 later, thats £5 to most of you guys it was time to pack up as the weather was turning a little wild and the tarpaulin we had erected to keep the rain off threatened to take off!!! Maths has never been my strong point but my calculation suggests that we are actually $7.50 out of pocket due to the cost of the add! MMmmm at least we achieved the spending time with friends as Amy and Mitchel were also on hand and selling as little of their stuff!
... The customer is always right! .... Or at least they would have been had they come!
... Note impromptu shelter not built at this stage!!!
...Alf looks poverty stricken ..... "These were trousers once!"
... Alfie got the sign ready, dad hung it, drivers ignored it!
... Great customer service from Alfie. Welcomed those that did come with a wave and a smile!The sign was made and we sat out expectantly waiting for customers, and we waited.... and waited ... and waited. Some five hours and $10 later, thats £5 to most of you guys it was time to pack up as the weather was turning a little wild and the tarpaulin we had erected to keep the rain off threatened to take off!!! Maths has never been my strong point but my calculation suggests that we are actually $7.50 out of pocket due to the cost of the add! MMmmm at least we achieved the spending time with friends as Amy and Mitchel were also on hand and selling as little of their stuff!
... The customer is always right! .... Or at least they would have been had they come!
... Note impromptu shelter not built at this stage!!!
...Alf looks poverty stricken ..... "These were trousers once!"
A dummy in the hand is worth two in the mouth...
Alfie loves nothing more to hunt the house and collect up the dozen or so dummies that we share the house with. He doesn't use them much during the day but when its time for a nap its dummy then blanket! There must literally be about fifty in the house somewhere with "not seen for ages" ones turning up not so mysteriously in my sock drawer, kitchen cupboard or in with the hermit crabs!
Very often he'll select a favourite and discard those he doesn't like on that particular day. On this day Alie he obviously couldn't decide and he had a go at getting two in there!
Very often he'll select a favourite and discard those he doesn't like on that particular day. On this day Alie he obviously couldn't decide and he had a go at getting two in there!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Humble Pie...
Promise this is my last post on the subject...
Australian sports minister Kate Ellis has honoured her Olympic bet with British counterpart Gerry Sutcliffe.The pair had wagered on their nations' final positions in the Beijing medals table, and Ellis lost out as Team GB won 19 golds to Australia's 14.
She therefore accepted the ultimate humilation for an Aussie sports fan by donning a Team GB top during a visit to the Paralympic Games in China. Ellis was magnanimous in defeat. "It's great that there's a healthy rivalry between our two nations and I congratulate Great Britain on their success at the Olympics," she said.
"I'll eat a little humble pie along with the Australian team and we'll work a little harder for our future success."
Australian sports minister Kate Ellis has honoured her Olympic bet with British counterpart Gerry Sutcliffe.The pair had wagered on their nations' final positions in the Beijing medals table, and Ellis lost out as Team GB won 19 golds to Australia's 14.
She therefore accepted the ultimate humilation for an Aussie sports fan by donning a Team GB top during a visit to the Paralympic Games in China. Ellis was magnanimous in defeat. "It's great that there's a healthy rivalry between our two nations and I congratulate Great Britain on their success at the Olympics," she said.
"I'll eat a little humble pie along with the Australian team and we'll work a little harder for our future success."
Scrub-a-dub-dub...
Wait a while for a video to come along and two come along at once!
The things you need to watch out for here are his attempts to grab the running water, the size of his tum tum after dinner time, his high standards or personal hygiene and his fascination with himself on the video camera screen. Enjoy...
The things you need to watch out for here are his attempts to grab the running water, the size of his tum tum after dinner time, his high standards or personal hygiene and his fascination with himself on the video camera screen. Enjoy...
107 shopping days til Christmas...
We've already started thinking about Christmas because if we want to send our gifts by sea then they leave in a months time, to send them by air is only a little less expensive than booking yourself onto the flight and carrying them as hand luggage and taking advantage of the complementary drinks and nuts!
Last year Beth and I worked out that we spent as much money on the postage of gifts as we did on the gifts themselves. We also appreciate that its very expensive sending things to us. Therefore we are asking friends and family not to send gifts for Beth or I but instead chuck a picture of yourself (... and family!) in a card for our friends and family wall. If you want to send a little something for Alfie (Please do not feel at all obliged) then please do. This year we'll be sending a card from down under, might get Alfie working on these, and family picture of our own for you big people. We'll also be sending a little something for the little people in your lives!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Like father like son?...
At the end of what was Fathers Day for Australian Dads (...I had a great one, lots of lovely cards, paintings and presents followed by a BBQ with friends. Perfect!)I'm looking at some pictures of Alfie on the digital camera which take me back a long way. In my family a picture of me taking a bath in the kitchen sink at my Uncle Davids has long been doing the rounds, and whisked out when maximum embarrassment can be caused!
I did wonder why Alfie was running around without his pants and soaking wet all down his front when I got home last week!
Back Seat Boys...
On what turned out to be a very wet Saturday we looked after Liam and Joel. With the rain pouring down it was time to have some fun inside at Lollipops indoor play. Cousins Liam and Joel made sure that Alfie stayed safe on the play equipment and were most helpful back at home later when a very tired and grumpy Alfie needed some TLC. Thanks guys...
Friday, September 05, 2008
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