31st January 2012 - Tenzin's 6th birthday/1st day at school

Tenzin and Charlie (pictured below) did not go to the same pre-school but knew each other through Barney and Oscar (Charlie's older brother who is in the same year as Barney).

My gorgeous friend Fi, (Charlie's mum) and I have had so much fun during 2011 getting them to know each other, going to Oceanworld, the Zoo and Little Manly every Thursday that we are quite gutted they are both starting school any day now!! This coconut moment was taken by Fi just days before 'life became serious' for our two small boys.

The wee man turns SIX!!

That same day he starts SCHOOL!!

Just before the first school bell goes for Tenzin and Charlie on day ONE!

The hoon back home that afternoon with his ice cream cake.

Here is 'the one I made earlier' - the Hero Factory lego kit from the Daniels which he loved.

January 2012 - Seal Rocks

Still our favourite place in NSW (at least until we venture further to find a new playground!) - what a top, top spot. Sadly Mum and Dad were meant to have been here with us in a cabin but as Dad was taken ill in December we had released their cabin and come as planned with Steve, Helen and the kids. We had a superb week as always but missed Gummy and Gumpa's presence big time.

Campfire at Fisherman's Beach.

Dolphins at Seal Rocks.

Dunc and Steve catch a few waves.

Arthur very comfortably getting on with his surfing.

Iona's Xmas present!!!

Barn and Tenz adopt a sand/seaweed construction left behind by others. Looks a dubious shape but they still had fun!

2nd January 2012 - Barney's 9th birthday

We had birthday cake with friends at home then met Dunc at a Teppanyaki house in Neutral Bay where a chef is assigned to your small group and cooks in front of you. It was a very basic place so although the food was good the ambiance was lacking and we wouldn't rush back to that same venue. The kids loved it though especially when they threw eggs at you to catch in a bowl!

Barn found this baby Silver Eye which he thought had fallen from the nest so desperately tried to convince me to let him keep it in a box to nurture it! We soon saw it flit over to a heap of babies and adults in the creek behind the house.

December 2011 - New Year 2012

Had a great day down at Manly Dam with the Veritys, Gordons and Campbells. Lots of kayaking, swimming, jumping from jump rock (apart from poor Barn who had split his head upon on Boxing Day and couldn't get the steristrips wet for several days).

A whirlwind visit from Kirstie, Julian, Edward and Nina who were here briefly from Dubai. Barney and Nina shown in the picture used to hang out together as two year olds as Kirstie and I spent so much time together in those days. Both of them still have a gorgeous photo of them hugging each other and kissing, aged two.

New Year's Eve at Little Manly. Perfect opportunity to smash the gingerbread house and have lots of kids to eat it!

Now you see it....

Now you don't!!

Our cabin guests, a lovely family of four from Holland, joined us down at Little Manly for the evening along with other friends and picnics. Dunc and Okke made a promise to go for an ocean swim together the next day as Okke had never done one.

December 2011 - Xmas Day - missing Gummy and Gumpa

Stockings stuffed to the brim!

Very happy kids with their Xmas goodies. Tenzin with his new skateboard.

Barney with his new skateboard.

Iona with her mini surfboard.

Arthur got an IPod Touch so I don't have a photo of him playing with it - I wonder why?

There was an underlying sad feeling this Christmas as Gummy and Gumpa should have been here with us. We thought of them all day and knew that Gummy was at home with Hanni and poor Gumpa was just at the beginning of his journey in hospital.

December 2011 - Xmas Eve!!

It was a scorcher on Xmas Eve. The Howes were coming over for a smoked trout and new potato supper later on but Laura and I took Arthur, Barney and Hamish into Manly to see the nativity play at St Matthew's Church in the Corso. It is hugely popular as they have real camels carrying wise men which parade along the beachfront and down the Corso attracting the crowds for one of three performances in the Church. We knew it was very popular so got there early to queue up. Check out the camels and wise men being led by dudes in their crocs and raybans!

The nativity play was hilarious and very entertaining for the boys as it was "Star Wars" themed! We had been totally unaware of this before going and Laura and I spent half the performance wondering if Princess Leah was going to be giving birth to baby Jesus (the woman acting her part just happened to be heavily pregnant!) When the nitty gritty part of the story unfolded Mary, Joseph, the wise men and of course baby Jesus were all present and correct. Certainly kept the attention of all the young people in the congregation.

This little fella (which we hope is a girl as roosters aren't allowed in our street) just 'had' to be called JESUS as he was due to hatch out on Xmas Day but actually arrived on Xmas Eve.

Stockings ready and waiting Santa...

December 2011 - more sad news - this time about Gumpa

We thought life had pretty much returned to normal as Dunc was getting used to his new look and getting on with life. Then the next bombshell hit us. Dad was told he had a very rare form of lymphoma called Burkitt's Lymphoma. The plan for him and Gummy to travel around New Zealand and then spend six weeks with us obviously had to be cancelled and before we knew it Dad was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital (just up the road from their house fortunately) to start his treatment. I made a quick decision to fly over there with Iona and Arthur in January. Counting the days to see him.