Friday, December 28, 2007

A very sad loss

We learned, just before Christmas, that a good friend of ours has passed away after a long battle with cancer - our deepest sympathy and thoughts go to all of her family and friends.

Anna & Chris

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Friday, December 21, 2007

The Goose is getting fat

Maddie's Birthday

As one of her 30th birthday presents, Anna received a “coffee & chocolate tour” around Sydney (from Janet & John, I think). So, on Saturday morning, she headed off for her caffeine load, with the plan that we would meet up for some Christmas shopping afterwards. She really enjoyed the tour, and we all enjoyed the chocolates that she bought!

The main David Jones store in Sydney always does a special Christmas window display, which only added to Caitlin's increasing hysteria at the imminence of the 25th - I thought the beer bottle musician was just as good!

On Sunday, we all headed down the road for Maddie's first birthday (the daughter of one of Anna's mothers group). We all had a good time, but Caitlin almost needed to be dragged off the mini-trampoline that the kids were trying to share...

Chris

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Friday, December 14, 2007

Birthday Boy

James Birthday

Anna made it back into Sydney on Sunday evening (as her mother is recovering well) and, having just about adjusted to UK time, once again had to re-acquaint herself with the local time. On Monday, as James & Caitlin were at “school”, she managed to have a good sleep and that helped her to get back on track.

On Tuesday, it was James 1st birthday, so he and Caitlin had great fun:

Many thanks to everyone who contacted us to wish James a happy birthday - now we can start preparing for Christmas!

Chris

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Friday, December 07, 2007

Unplanned Trip

Pirate Party

Anna had already heard that her mother was unwell, but the situation escalated last Friday when we learned that she was to undergo surgery to manipulate two of her cervical vertebrae; which were pressing against her spinal cord. So, last Friday, Anna booked a flight and was on her way back to the UK on Saturday. Fortunately, the surgery went well and Claire now has a lot more range of movement, so it looks like Anna will be making her way back to Australia tomorrow.

As we only have childcare organized for two days in the week, currently, I had to take a few days off work to look after Caitlin & James. Fortunately, my boss was very understanding and quickly approved my request for some “family leave” on Monday.

So, I've had a few days of experiencing Anna's life, when she is at home looking after the kids. Generally, things have gone pretty smoothly, but it has been pretty hard work too! The highlight of looking after them both this week was definitely when we went to the Christmas Show at their childcare centre - the performances were good fun, but Caitlin's focus was quite clearly on the bag of lollies she received at the end. We went home for dinner soon after, and when I asked her what she wanted to eat she was very clear - “I'm having chocolate”.

Chris

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