Dear Nikki....

....thank you for reminding me about the existence of this blog! I think you are the only one who still checks it, so am addressing this post to you. It'll feel a bit like chatting to you in person, except I can talk and drink wine at the same time! I love that about you (amongst other things).

Look how my little men have grown up since the same time last year! Alex and Ben finished their first year of school in December. They have done so amazingly well, and I'm really proud of them. Tears on their first day, and tears on their last day - from Mama of course. My baby Ollie has just started solids, and is growing waaaaaay too fast. I'm sure I ordered one that stays a baby for several years, but no such luck. He is such a happy, fun little dude, and his big brothers are just in love with him. Will I ever stop wanting more babies?! Probably not.

We had an awesome time at Phillip Island, the weather was perfect and it was all very relaxing. The highlight was seeing the newly hatched baby penguin chicks waiting outside their burrows for their parents to return from sea at dusk, and then being fed. Magical. Plenty of beach and pool time, and even a boat trip and a chocolate factory tour - didn't want to come home. Still, not long now til Kennett River, and once I can get my head around the ridiculous amount of stuff we have to pack, I'll be very excited! Better stock up on redjuski!

So lovely to talk to you today, see you soon.

Kirst

xxxxx

Test Post

Testing.

Hitting the books

It was off to school for more than just the twins this year - I headed back for yet more postgrad study on 1 March! After much angst around whether I could juggle a pregnancy, three (soon to be four) little ones, two part-time jobs plus a demanding study load, I decided to jump in and give it my best shot. Our baby is due just 3 weeks after exams, and given that Sam was 4 weeks early, I'm a little nervous......but what will be, will be.

A recent photo of the big brothers-in-waiting too. They are very excited about their new sibling - this is going to be one seriously loved baby!

An early glimpse

Our new little one at 19 weeks. Already looks like Sammy's profile shot at the same gestational age!

And there they go...

Well, we did it! After months of planning, excitement and apprehension (from me!), my big boys finally took that big step into the world of school today. What a bittersweet moment for me - seems like just yesterday that they'd made my dream of motherhood come true and we were bringing them home from the hospital. They couldn't wait to get into their new classroom and meet up with several classmates from kindergarten, and very happily waved goodbye to Steve and I. Our world will never be the same. Love you, my big schoolboys.

Happy New Year!

Farewell 2009, and welcome 2010! Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year. We're enjoying the sun and sand at Warrnambool again, due to go home tomorrow but would rather stay for the month - it's been beautiful. Big year for us this year.....

The Graduates

Well, kinder days are officially over for my big boys. Their Christmas concert and 'graduation ceremony' was last week, and they had their last day today. The concert was just gorgeous, with Alex and Ben playing reindeer in the play. We didn't know about the caps and gowns until all the children appeared dressed and ready for the presentation. Having held it together during the concert, I lost it completely when I saw them all dressed up - water works. I'm surprised I could hold the camera still long enough to take these photos! So, that's it and it's ever onwards towards school. Their uniforms are neatly folded in the cupboard, ready for 1 February 2010. Whoa, will Mama be a mess THAT day!

All three boys are super-excited about Christmas, and the energy level in our house has been rising by the day. They'll be beside themselves by Christmas Eve. Me, I can't wait for some beach time and no timetables - not long to go now.