Lucinda's Smiles

Lovely Lucinda is growing up fast. She's nine weeks old now, and full of smiles.

She weighs 4610 g, and is 56 cm long.

On Sabbath afternoon she had a great time hanging out on the play mat with Daddy and Grace while Charlotte had her nap.

With smiles like this, you're bound to see plenty more photos of her in posts to come.

A Day at the Zoo

We had another great day out at Melbourne Zoo yesterday.

High on the agenda this time were the monkeys and gorillas.

Grace and Charlotte check out a gorilla.

Wasn't there only one a minute ago?

Hanging around.

We discovered Keeper Kids - a building full of activities for children. Grace and Charlotte played there with Neil while Lucinda and I made use of the five star parent's room.

Playing with the animals.

A three year old with a chainsaw - scary!

A hard hat is definitely a good idea!

That big sister of mine can be very noisy!

Yes Dad, my heart is still beating!

Looking for animals in danger.

Animal rescuers on their walkie talkies.

We were all very impressed with the sea life displays.

Grace watching the seals.

Who needs the Olympics to see synchronised swimming?

Getting up close to the fish.

Sea horses.

If I can strike a pose ...

... so can you!

Daddy enjoying a day out with his two big girls.

The lion's roars could be heard all around the zoo, and meant we had to drop in and see them.

A lion eating his lunch.

We had some lunch at the take away kiosk, and the girls delighted in feeding their sandwiches to the many sea gulls flocking around. So did every other child in sight!

Next time we'll go on a bear hunt (Grace and I only had a quick glimpse of a bear this time) and visit the butterflies.

Picture Perfect

Well, almost!

I have a very large collection of recipe books. I love them! I do a bit more reading and planning than I do cooking, but I enjoy preparing new dishes, especially when entertaining.

However, if you search my collection, there is something you are not likely to find. I very rarely buy a recipe book without pictures.

I need a picture of the finished product to pique my interest, inspire me, give me guidance about 'plating up', and provide a yardstick against which to measure my effort.

On Friday night Nicole came over for dinner, and among other things I decided to make the "Tahini-dressed courgette and green bean salad" from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'River Cottage Veg Everyday!' cookbook (2011, Bloomsbury Publishing). The publishers thought the photograph was so inspiring it is featured on the back cover of the book. (It is a great recipe book too, by the way).

I couldn't locate any yellow zucchini at this time of year, but otherwise I thought I didn't put in too bad an effort. What do you think?

The tahini dressing (with ingredients including crushed garlic, lemon zest  and orange juice) was absolutely delicious, and I'm sure I'll make it again.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, but in recipe books they often paint just one. Yum!

Sleeping Beauty

I took a photo of Lucinda asleep on her Daddy's lap the other night.

It looks like she's having sweet dreams.

What a cutie!

A Flying Visit from Family

Last weekend was a very special one for our family.

We had a visit from my sister (Aunty Janelle) and one of her sons (cousin Benny). They flew in from Brisbane on Friday morning, and flew out again on Sunday night.

The main purpose of their visit was to meet baby Lucinda.

Lucinda enjoying a cuddle with big cousin Benny

Lucinda smiling at Aunty Janelle

But we managed to squeeze in a lot more than just that!

Shopping (at Westfield Doncaster, DFO South Wharf, Parenthood and Harbour Town), Sabbath school, a play and picnic at Hay's Paddock adventure playground, dinner out in North Carlton, lunch at Southgate, browsing the Arts Centre market, riding a tram (twice), playing in the snow (man-made), a brisk walk through the CBD ... and lots of games and chats.

Grace was very excited to have Benny visit, and enjoyed lots of running around and playing games with him. I enjoyed how well she slept at night after all the extra activity!

Grace and Benny watching a DVD together

Melbourne put on some beautiful, warm (17 degrees) and sunny weather on both days, which meant we could enjoy a lot of time outdoors.

Grace playing at Hay's Paddock

Charlotte enjoying her picnic afternoon tea

Aunty Janelle staying warm in the sun

It is a long time since we went out to a restaurant for dinner on Saturday night, but we chose a family friendly pizza and pasta place, and it all went quite smoothly. Rainbow ice cream for entree and pasta scattered over the floor is par for the course, but everyone was happy and we were in like company.

On Sunday it was great to be in the city and experience a truly Melbourne day. We learnt that it is best to catch the City Circle tram from the other side of the road at busy times (in order to actually get on it), and that walking back through the city is actually quicker than the tram anyway!

Enjoying lunch by the Yarra at Southgate

Benny playing in the snow at Harbour Town

We had a fun and memorable weekend, and were sorry to see our visitors leave.

Janelle did mention making a weekend in Melbourne with one of her kids an annual event, and I really hope she does. We're looking forward to the next one already!

A Reading Nook

I was browsing Pinterest (as you do!) for playroom ideas when I first saw photographs of various reading corners set up for children.

They varied widely, but most included shelves where books could be displayed and chosen by the cover rather than the spine.

The next time I was in Ikea, I purchased two little shelves, and they were finally installed on Monday. I raced out and got a little rug and beanbag, and there is now a reading nook in Charlotte's room.

Grace and Charlotte didn't waste any time in trying it out.

It's not actually in a corner, just tucked in a vacant spot between the furniture. But hopefully it is comfortable enough to keep them interested in reading frequently.

One thing I have noticed. They are much better at putting books back on this sort of shelf than the other ones!

Big Sister Little Sister

Grace adores her new baby sister.

This time around, she is old enough to really enjoy helping to change her nappy, bath her, get her dressed, and play with her.

Lucinda responds well to Grace, and gives her some of her biggest smiles.

I still need to keep a close eye on them, because Grace's love can be a little rough. But it is lovely to see the bond they already share.