tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12502281533502660582024-02-20T04:30:00.163+00:00Alex Meets WorldAlexander Auberon Butler, born March 31st 2010, explores the mostly amazing world he's found himself in. We decided to create this blog so that family and friends in various parts of the world can keep up with young Alex's adventures.Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-18893522372759978232014-04-10T23:32:00.000+01:002014-04-10T23:32:01.812+01:00Pressie Opening # 1The majority of head-scratching (done by me) around a kids birthday stems from the age old question regarding <i>kid-presents</i>. Do we super-spoil him by letting him open them all-at-once, on the day that the present-givers intended to them to be given? Or, do we intervene. Cruelly and methodically snatching the presents from the pressie table before Alex's little peepers have peeped them. Thus, pro-longing the joy of receiving by drip-feeding them to him over the course of the proceeding months.<br />
Sometimes, sneakily offering the pressies up as reward for doing his chores and going to bed on-time. Well, this is a present from Nana B two weeks on, with Aunty Sians present opening vid soon to follow.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP9VDf0eZWo&feature=youtu.be">CLICK HERE FOR PRESENT OPENING</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-17967991082422393552014-03-30T11:07:00.001+01:002014-03-30T11:07:53.875+01:00Alex is (almost) 4 - A Cars Party and good reason for a blog post at last<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Apologies to anyone who has been looking at the same WAY out of date blog post for the past 12 months or so…<br />
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To make up for it here are some hot-off-the-press photo's from Alex's 4th birthday party yesterday.<br />
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It was a big day, lots of planning involved and a cake that almost killed me… the photos below do not adequately capture the preparation, pain and stress involved.<br />
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… but we all survived and the party went off without a hitch, lots of lovely friends from daycare as well as friends and family came along, there were games, lots of presents, a bit too much sugar but smiles all round. That evening a very happy and exhausted Alex said 'I'm tired mummy' (FIRST TIME EVER) he took his pass the parcel prize to bed and fell asleep before I could even finish the story (SECOND TIME EVER).<br />
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The birthday boy</div>
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All the kids got drivers licenses when they arrived</div>
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Racing car bears - didn't take a picture when they were all finished but you get the idea</div>
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I tried to tell the kids we could just 'look at the cake' no need to cut it up</div>
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they weren't having it...</div>
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a look of horror from Uncle hOb re the amount of sugar involved</div>
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the anticipation</div>
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everyone was keen for cake </div>
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duelling blowy whistle things - what are they called?</div>
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Piñata fun begins</div>
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Alex has a turn</div>
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OK, so I had to have a go or we would have been there all night</div>
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the rush for more sugar begins</div>
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it's like they'd never seen lollies before!</div>
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variation on musical chairs - thankfully no injuries</div>
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jumping castle - I forgot to take a photo until the party was over so looking a bit sad with just Alex</div>
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Will try to do another post before his next birthday!</div>
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Lilyfield NSW, Australia-33.8712197 151.1607523-33.897587699999995 151.1204118 -33.8448517 151.20109280000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-43656460890079460732013-06-08T23:38:00.000+01:002013-06-08T23:38:06.741+01:00The racing car bed of hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF2bwvCxUHuJyv2ppWS39hVlx3jI__iKhhgtIOeEQ4rkPzFwnfjY9wr63F_81TTP2e2j0MA0h_H_pV32zVGH-ELzXzczBsnA1sbnAJFG9p9jKG3jyDEz7j6aGtu9kvKPOL-wVbpYShLjQ/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF2bwvCxUHuJyv2ppWS39hVlx3jI__iKhhgtIOeEQ4rkPzFwnfjY9wr63F_81TTP2e2j0MA0h_H_pV32zVGH-ELzXzczBsnA1sbnAJFG9p9jKG3jyDEz7j6aGtu9kvKPOL-wVbpYShLjQ/s640/IMG_2871.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
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Pardon the pun but there was a lot riding on Alex's birthday present. I'd been planning to get him a big boys bed for months and considering his birthday was approaching I thought we'd make it a special one. He loves cars and what little boy wouldn't love a racing car bed? I did have doubts, is it only spoilt boys who have 'themed' beds? Will he grow out of it too soon? Does it turn bedtime into playtime?<br />
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In the end we decided that it was awesome and we'd do it.<br />
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The bed also offered a glimmer of home for a bedtime challenge which had been brewing for several months.<br />
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About 6 months ago Alex declared he wanted a 'pat' before going to sleep. A 'pat'... where did he get that from? We went with it initially although the alarm bells were going off in my head already - would I be patting him to sleep for his 18th birthday?<br />
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He'd never been one who needs much settling to go to sleep - we'd had a nighttime routine since he was a few months old - dinner - bath - milk - story- bed and he'd go pretty happily if we stuck to that and would fall asleep on this own. What was this patting business? He was very specific about it too, we had to sit on the ground next to his cot, he'd trust his hand through the bars and we had to pat the palm of his hand. And there was no sneaking out until he was asleep.<br />
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Once I realised this wasn't a one off and he wanted it EVERY night I tried to go back to the way things were but he would literally scream the house down, going from zero to ten decibels in 0.5 seconds and not letting up.<br />
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Daddy didn't mid the patting so much, he would take his kindle in there and quite enjoyed being with Alex as he drifted off to sleep. I, on the other hand resented losing that one glorious hour I had to myself once Alex had gone back to bed and before I collapsed exhausted into my own. On a weekday it felt like the only me time I had. It didn't help that Alex would take much longer to get to bed when I was patting him compared to his dad.<br />
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So back to the great racing car bed of hope. <br />
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We started talking about Alex getting a big boys bed a month or so before his birthday - mainly so I could start seeding the idea that when Alex got said big boys bed he wouldn't need a pat anymore. I said this statement frequently and often - not convinced it was getting through but hoping against hope. By this stage even Haydn was over the pat routine we'd been landed with.<br />
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The moment I thought it might be working was when Alex said to his Amma on skype - I'm getting a big boys bed and I won't need a pat.<br />
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So when the day came and he got his racing car bed (he didn't know about the car factor) we were weighed down with expectation. Grandpa was down for his birthday part so kindly helped put the bed together while I distracted Alex downstairs. When Alex saw it, it was love at first site. He was actually due for a day nap and he basically pushed us out of the door said goodnight and went to sleep in his awesome new bed.<br />
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That night was the true test though. We reminded him a few more times that he wouldn't need a pat anymore but he was so convinced already and excited about his bed that he didn't even question it. Over the next few weeks occasionally he'd ask for a pat but I'd just remind him of the bed and that he was a big boy now and IT WORKED! I haven't patted him to bed since.<br />
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-67531178999000907332013-06-08T23:11:00.000+01:002013-06-08T23:11:23.408+01:003rd Birthday Tour - Part 2 Sydney<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzwNbahY2zSyJhlhYd-1zhmDWemn9iGE-WTDMUtpD5yWg26MUUdnYbWqquu-sfyp1aB0br8S-OxgYbidyfsr1GIvKqEdp6YXY3sev8d6qQCKNqi4uTHzmX3qkKKhF783ePl_I5uVQamLp/s1600/JF2A5120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzwNbahY2zSyJhlhYd-1zhmDWemn9iGE-WTDMUtpD5yWg26MUUdnYbWqquu-sfyp1aB0br8S-OxgYbidyfsr1GIvKqEdp6YXY3sev8d6qQCKNqi4uTHzmX3qkKKhF783ePl_I5uVQamLp/s640/JF2A5120.JPG" width="550" /></a><br />
Alex's birthday tour continued home to Sydney a week later (yes I am a good 2 months late with the post) with family and friends gathering for a little party at our place. It kind of worked as a house warming as well (we've been here a year now, you might be sensing a pattern).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HdgbsjjGzHR5V1PSNe4uw9vVpeBmN79RQLB7RkpppK-92Gi5mjp4xtslSslo-fvximSc98lB8EyJXjpXmTCC2P8ALjYbVQiXEtap6xBTdmrTWsJ8gY8Zi7v-XZZB5oSkt5WT8uDLODOS/s1600/JF2A5116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HdgbsjjGzHR5V1PSNe4uw9vVpeBmN79RQLB7RkpppK-92Gi5mjp4xtslSslo-fvximSc98lB8EyJXjpXmTCC2P8ALjYbVQiXEtap6xBTdmrTWsJ8gY8Zi7v-XZZB5oSkt5WT8uDLODOS/s320/JF2A5116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends in the courtyard thanks to the sun making an appearance</td></tr>
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Despite panicking through most of the rainy week leading up to it, even buying a tarp in case we had to cover the backyard, the sun shone brightly on the day and it was great to see our little place full of friends and their various small people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpylQnolEFQ0zyrBrZ8wwuxm7QIKiE0Xzd478iNySBG56rlNatdmY_Wp4za9_w0CflqZq0Q-TaUyNbVXOK3jrQUV5tNpHpieD-wAhqorJR4NS8BqFjSNTlwppdYJ5_1L7HoTFftALMlZbY/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpylQnolEFQ0zyrBrZ8wwuxm7QIKiE0Xzd478iNySBG56rlNatdmY_Wp4za9_w0CflqZq0Q-TaUyNbVXOK3jrQUV5tNpHpieD-wAhqorJR4NS8BqFjSNTlwppdYJ5_1L7HoTFftALMlZbY/s320/IMG_2894.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with Fern & Elliot</td></tr>
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I was worried there wouldn't be enough little friends for Alex as we don't have that many friends with kids his age so I invited a couple of people from daycare as well. It turns out we had about 12 kids and remarkably the day went off without a crisis. Ok there was one moment when a little girl had found grandpa's electric razor and was inches away from shaving my (female) workmate's head but thankfully the would-be hairdresser's dad arrived just in time to avert that crisis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNuy_Wz2I13nB9SeVgJQY1_yGrU5Y6nIiS9XPuaugP0OmFb0Qkus4lj0DM0hTfAQYxkPZ2AqItYrkqlo-zSGdIU8nv0Q5jAl4OLbeuoWyd4gtmZcgAWnANf_ZAWwiksidL5hyphenhyphen1QG3Yzym/s1600/JF2A5104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNuy_Wz2I13nB9SeVgJQY1_yGrU5Y6nIiS9XPuaugP0OmFb0Qkus4lj0DM0hTfAQYxkPZ2AqItYrkqlo-zSGdIU8nv0Q5jAl4OLbeuoWyd4gtmZcgAWnANf_ZAWwiksidL5hyphenhyphen1QG3Yzym/s320/JF2A5104.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like I said - I was pretty proud of the cake effor</td></tr>
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In fact I don't think there were even any tears all day and Alex had a ball getting lots of presents (some of which are still in the cupboard unopened - don't tell Alex); eating his number 3 cake (particularly proud of that one) and some healthy-ish snacks and running around with his balloons and bubbles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pasHDLRr41YP50UE8LdaNGytSmDvGftBbgieeRv42O_ezI3XaKOH7yFamRKhXyRhEEkDQ7jM375hUFCAKXrJI31qQRTYdyOHui9A3QJb26rb4Ro3Tyjmru671_kM93dozR4sxKlxO3HY/s1600/JF2A5160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pasHDLRr41YP50UE8LdaNGytSmDvGftBbgieeRv42O_ezI3XaKOH7yFamRKhXyRhEEkDQ7jM375hUFCAKXrJI31qQRTYdyOHui9A3QJb26rb4Ro3Tyjmru671_kM93dozR4sxKlxO3HY/s320/JF2A5160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble present was a hit</td></tr>
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Lilyfield NSW, Australia-33.8712197 151.1607523-33.897587699999995 151.1204118 -33.8448517 151.20109280000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-6787646505502052452013-04-09T12:00:00.000+01:002013-04-09T12:00:21.580+01:00Alex's 3rd birthday tour - part 1 Melbourne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6nHlrNk1Yq2IZn3f1Kxp3UQ9Soeur68H0XPuixtcntb6kB8hOSc58Sd3hAsFX944yduMcVDtH8pXYHGgeiG5y1GE2Ax_pdnVvDyCHEvw1BqWLn4O_EBXDhsHZuyFpqiQNagRBOMv5gkN/s1600/MelbourneBirthday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6nHlrNk1Yq2IZn3f1Kxp3UQ9Soeur68H0XPuixtcntb6kB8hOSc58Sd3hAsFX944yduMcVDtH8pXYHGgeiG5y1GE2Ax_pdnVvDyCHEvw1BqWLn4O_EBXDhsHZuyFpqiQNagRBOMv5gkN/s320/MelbourneBirthday2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">official candle blowing ceremony</td></tr>
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In a move normally reserved for royals - Alex chose to take a tour to celebrate his birthday - with celebrations on multiple dates down the eastern seaboard. The tour began with a trip to Melbourne where his Alexness was accommodated by the most wonderful Theodossiou / Braun family and the lady Emily. During his time in Melbourne Alex visited local attractions, got up close and personal with local flora and fauna at a trip to the zoo and supported the local economy by paying far to much for a punnet of hand picked strawberries. As you can see by the photos below all celebrations were thoroughly dignified and proper...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHCOiVLtcqw6JUiFTVu-Y6F7qieOkfCQXCC3Woa2ScRfdhJnNIFhyphenhyphenIpMQLygFYye6UngJcn4cQMYBVkfVUGIgO4Nzu_yZuY78taqACV3eDTe7UsarJWzX94CU9K7kuZwtKtS3rXQnu3Qt/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHCOiVLtcqw6JUiFTVu-Y6F7qieOkfCQXCC3Woa2ScRfdhJnNIFhyphenhyphenIpMQLygFYye6UngJcn4cQMYBVkfVUGIgO4Nzu_yZuY78taqACV3eDTe7UsarJWzX94CU9K7kuZwtKtS3rXQnu3Qt/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When touring it's important for one to sample<br />the local produce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5lrWgtXu7flWcOwAxaq2VD6iKxAoTLKp8NP062CDMuE3qlMsU8R5OzVzYeYFSf3rlRZdUGKBUqtSNn01WyX6YRJWbcuxHRZMTm4MK6b8Dflf8SDVry7rnnqG83li6CaDRPGI5uHNF0Eq/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5lrWgtXu7flWcOwAxaq2VD6iKxAoTLKp8NP062CDMuE3qlMsU8R5OzVzYeYFSf3rlRZdUGKBUqtSNn01WyX6YRJWbcuxHRZMTm4MK6b8Dflf8SDVry7rnnqG83li6CaDRPGI5uHNF0Eq/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I mean sample...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77ey0imrpkSZklk4HnF5GDPYMA-mC5_69rpQSnI7t4R-iyPbfR5qTqiey1vOQOZ6ilxzgKXrqdk0eFgpKO2Ykvum5PCUTdWNtA-TezyIxcFLNwf7Kcx6wLzPSoFjcBN-nHAY2uVPAng_4/s1600/MelbourneBirthday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77ey0imrpkSZklk4HnF5GDPYMA-mC5_69rpQSnI7t4R-iyPbfR5qTqiey1vOQOZ6ilxzgKXrqdk0eFgpKO2Ykvum5PCUTdWNtA-TezyIxcFLNwf7Kcx6wLzPSoFjcBN-nHAY2uVPAng_4/s320/MelbourneBirthday3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely no fun happening in this picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFMFFBffnMwWO3-2aofAM_s5gj3ED6FMYsEagi-_FrHnVTvjW-EabS6xLMhCM-AvZN3fHL3lVSZrbO1EL_aSvmtc9t_pEODjP8JFOjFwiHdKZt_K1rM7ihPuCMUw7AJknFRGnvFAYxgg4/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFMFFBffnMwWO3-2aofAM_s5gj3ED6FMYsEagi-_FrHnVTvjW-EabS6xLMhCM-AvZN3fHL3lVSZrbO1EL_aSvmtc9t_pEODjP8JFOjFwiHdKZt_K1rM7ihPuCMUw7AJknFRGnvFAYxgg4/s320/IMG_5206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inevitable nude royal snap! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXAubZcsKCOeHj-4BFA0NfMVcyorQ6jgg8Q2rllo8YrPqvLIeT1nf4J6JqASjhpRw7ncF4uKRbud5tGOojOR1m1Vped3mgUW0G4QYsZqhupyy7W81ANtXTnqz4g_xPEV9mloMb2FV_HPj/s1600/IMG_2819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXAubZcsKCOeHj-4BFA0NfMVcyorQ6jgg8Q2rllo8YrPqvLIeT1nf4J6JqASjhpRw7ncF4uKRbud5tGOojOR1m1Vped3mgUW0G4QYsZqhupyy7W81ANtXTnqz4g_xPEV9mloMb2FV_HPj/s320/IMG_2819.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes one just has to take the wheel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSyzn1EQ6Y5xWnjUf-U6WWYJ3_VNhkSok62vzsTOlBKMOGWJz2NC7Mph5iMNs1i8OujGgyFPRVLfZZyCQu5QQvoGO2VBUlF9DI99mzLufI7RmiKd0-mVPqbcIwmFys28_9TULWF5bGqLa/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSyzn1EQ6Y5xWnjUf-U6WWYJ3_VNhkSok62vzsTOlBKMOGWJz2NC7Mph5iMNs1i8OujGgyFPRVLfZZyCQu5QQvoGO2VBUlF9DI99mzLufI7RmiKd0-mVPqbcIwmFys28_9TULWF5bGqLa/s320/IMG_2777.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting close to nature - and the lovely Lady Emily</td></tr>
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Melbourne VIC, Australia-37.814107 144.96327999999994-38.6164245 143.67238649999993 -37.0117895 146.25417349999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-52569857500265412102013-03-11T11:47:00.000+00:002013-03-11T11:47:07.371+00:00taking things into my own hands...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXUM1l2vzAfudDpOG_Jx5OoSEL3O4HL0YnZ_JMtTsDJjoMfl7dUnuvvklBarR0GcE-Iu6J5sZy0NslOB8jOF_sJ3QnnTLz4QV7YE3tp6uGCL4hyPODBO8Fbg2wZyFfP7ozREOhaEJDD3B/s1600/SummertimeGlasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXUM1l2vzAfudDpOG_Jx5OoSEL3O4HL0YnZ_JMtTsDJjoMfl7dUnuvvklBarR0GcE-Iu6J5sZy0NslOB8jOF_sJ3QnnTLz4QV7YE3tp6uGCL4hyPODBO8Fbg2wZyFfP7ozREOhaEJDD3B/s400/SummertimeGlasses.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling</td></tr>
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Dear Blog,<br />
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Let's not beat about the bush here - mummy has been quite frankly terrible at updating my blog so I've decided to take over and let you know what I've been up to this summer.<br />
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But first, the latest with me. I'm almost 3 now, I can count to twenty, although sometimes I forget 13. My favorite things are chasing the new pussy cats, Bronte & Bear, who live in our house, eating grapes and playing with my next door neighbour Lexy, she's only 1 and a girl but she's OK.<br />
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It's my birthday soon, I'm going to have a party. I like presents I would like a motorbike, a harmonica and Woody to go with my Buzz Lightyear. <br />
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This summer I've mostly been...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2WEXBbkPEZ_JhV3dLCULT14YWTjWX8bD-Ff6G1YRfwrnX9jhV21SksTvwg8sFxGirtP1PP0fekPSSU9DFabXfYKZAMcr9adGM-35YbvkgIVaZGpgRy-aJwcSgrYpuP39WsGkxGyorZVR/s1600/fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2WEXBbkPEZ_JhV3dLCULT14YWTjWX8bD-Ff6G1YRfwrnX9jhV21SksTvwg8sFxGirtP1PP0fekPSSU9DFabXfYKZAMcr9adGM-35YbvkgIVaZGpgRy-aJwcSgrYpuP39WsGkxGyorZVR/s400/fountain.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splashing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5QlDViMdsvFM4RZSCIDI-K4dTp1HJ1nMqkBi644p-HhyCZamO-iJ9DVPK6gXHq_tiWFqnW9QuEiZ4i4Ivcw2Wt62obxNyF9r5npXpyZeQ3g4Po_LT2op3lqiZh7IeXTaERlEzzOTK56q/s1600/beachAvalon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5QlDViMdsvFM4RZSCIDI-K4dTp1HJ1nMqkBi644p-HhyCZamO-iJ9DVPK6gXHq_tiWFqnW9QuEiZ4i4Ivcw2Wt62obxNyF9r5npXpyZeQ3g4Po_LT2op3lqiZh7IeXTaERlEzzOTK56q/s320/beachAvalon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaching with Uncle hOb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbV8lvH-earrj-SDAH5WwzkpFUQPUu-ZH4wh3Av9vgOGK0dZWpcVv-bX53OKRY8QSuFF6ewFryiSH-a0j9h-hmEqSggRnLSXr-hj7OhvwGccsW538xGEbkzZsEa5UlhavNCphqJLX4Y7z/s1600/moresplashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbV8lvH-earrj-SDAH5WwzkpFUQPUu-ZH4wh3Av9vgOGK0dZWpcVv-bX53OKRY8QSuFF6ewFryiSH-a0j9h-hmEqSggRnLSXr-hj7OhvwGccsW538xGEbkzZsEa5UlhavNCphqJLX4Y7z/s400/moresplashing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Splashing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13a83adtsB9CeaWBBivHsti2DB5jj3B73g5IPznGrXmythjZiLUrGIUoXoZq_Wp6kOeY8O3I4xR_bqw1ZUxd33FjsB1V3j9ZXyTM4uLgS5abW746jDjcgMBwIAouLT17oc8yA80xrZYQ7/s1600/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13a83adtsB9CeaWBBivHsti2DB5jj3B73g5IPznGrXmythjZiLUrGIUoXoZq_Wp6kOeY8O3I4xR_bqw1ZUxd33FjsB1V3j9ZXyTM4uLgS5abW746jDjcgMBwIAouLT17oc8yA80xrZYQ7/s400/box.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63dY1YDBPuyzHKbTfE3kP1L0ZXqT3x_0ETQWKFmVmdByMkrDtsqfOrLqEHbgwy1zglJ9ebuYdC67jsZiDTWpa8Oc_F1yXrr_4irlWmocfK9RVO1H95k0rZKAaTa6t5wf_NFpZBniX7rQo/s1600/girlfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63dY1YDBPuyzHKbTfE3kP1L0ZXqT3x_0ETQWKFmVmdByMkrDtsqfOrLqEHbgwy1zglJ9ebuYdC67jsZiDTWpa8Oc_F1yXrr_4irlWmocfK9RVO1H95k0rZKAaTa6t5wf_NFpZBniX7rQo/s400/girlfriend.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65ZY960MpaiCI82kqAU6MAAUp2p8Rv5uzRJRojsQ9DPKon6HIw9wci4Jap0ZnaoZP1wfjkhxDeXf2QKoTlKK_lq-j1-Y_bWudd4xi1921m_qOCUuiXKoL-4uZGyKBV4GOOWl1ok_OW9Ds/s1600/nannaseesaw.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65ZY960MpaiCI82kqAU6MAAUp2p8Rv5uzRJRojsQ9DPKon6HIw9wci4Jap0ZnaoZP1wfjkhxDeXf2QKoTlKK_lq-j1-Y_bWudd4xi1921m_qOCUuiXKoL-4uZGyKBV4GOOWl1ok_OW9Ds/s400/nannaseesaw.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up and down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1t3tlK1YdwbDmjrl7RxcdmlB7koJaM5L8_Si2SgF-GtR5J9L5yvCLLsDjhx7p4r1bvRxsGA9QxbMkR06_UVyMS8UBaY3S7IiWcTwDeGG0kWq8JUwQJlpsEGPNXVVPDfXivDXQM53ZUa/s1600/raining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q1t3tlK1YdwbDmjrl7RxcdmlB7koJaM5L8_Si2SgF-GtR5J9L5yvCLLsDjhx7p4r1bvRxsGA9QxbMkR06_UVyMS8UBaY3S7IiWcTwDeGG0kWq8JUwQJlpsEGPNXVVPDfXivDXQM53ZUa/s400/raining.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK-hwLzbEnv0Mk6ejQwbLNgEg5JnvY0QpUe7f8-mhpTPKLTn-GF2ce75kYM3pG_Deu1pcXolCzkL9oTftRehOQqZS_tqV-IoTD9nlF92cZcAmpNMw4I1HYB-cXSjY222ZmNzdRLItAH_U/s1600/wiggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK-hwLzbEnv0Mk6ejQwbLNgEg5JnvY0QpUe7f8-mhpTPKLTn-GF2ce75kYM3pG_Deu1pcXolCzkL9oTftRehOQqZS_tqV-IoTD9nlF92cZcAmpNMw4I1HYB-cXSjY222ZmNzdRLItAH_U/s400/wiggles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a bit of 'culture'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cfFn9vBQZUMlGp1dc2sQa3blkodjvO39lwkeTO5LBR4C-vbxsyzFIpX997v26SVqTRFjjZhA-tmjRJF8tIA0zi66D1z7KEANFWb42FbMsKqV-XA7BtIl7ogUbdXf7MAAd7TOzk5ru9vN/s1600/alexunclehobbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cfFn9vBQZUMlGp1dc2sQa3blkodjvO39lwkeTO5LBR4C-vbxsyzFIpX997v26SVqTRFjjZhA-tmjRJF8tIA0zi66D1z7KEANFWb42FbMsKqV-XA7BtIl7ogUbdXf7MAAd7TOzk5ru9vN/s400/alexunclehobbeach.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even more splashing (are you picking up the theme?)</td></tr>
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-50246450376131923262013-01-27T22:27:00.000+00:002013-01-27T22:27:12.211+00:00A train journey to forget and a christmas to remember<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlaTgXGQ-lmw-ZWIrI9Y7WSTD9sofUg8mVDpa86UIxfAtM7E-qaYvfqXHLt_BDRTZkrO-8FvcL51pHE6ME248nOJMWtS_6Clqdzc_x8I2J8jkg5U7vWIiKgk7d1QC6DVXse3mMh57FSDS/s1600/CoffsChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlaTgXGQ-lmw-ZWIrI9Y7WSTD9sofUg8mVDpa86UIxfAtM7E-qaYvfqXHLt_BDRTZkrO-8FvcL51pHE6ME248nOJMWtS_6Clqdzc_x8I2J8jkg5U7vWIiKgk7d1QC6DVXse3mMh57FSDS/s400/CoffsChristmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This year we decided to have Christmas as a proper holiday for everyone, without any of the family needing to cook and more importantly clean up a big Christmas meal. Grandpa picked Coffs Harbour as it was vaguely between the various family members (on mum's side anyway).<br />
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We somewhat foolishly decided to catch the train up to Coffs, "it will be an adventure" we told ourselves, "more interesting than a plane" we assured ourselves.<br />
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This was true for the first 7.5 hours of the 9 hour trip. Then Alex had what could only be described as a meltdown. He was overtired, scared of the noisy dark train and wanted out of there - fast. <i>Well, he's a toddler, the other passengers will be understanding</i> You might think but - you'd be wrong.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVLfvZAFdArjQCj9PGCIZ5WWxpj015OVRleLs62c4uJPVd54_x0ymhanPcpJtaHwLg-QNhRs3omD9DM_mHI7p3pIXzTWMXR8X-OPmY3FXCR3dcVSXv3F4_F3gN5usp5ACzXR95HyPycjI/s1600/FamilyCoffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVLfvZAFdArjQCj9PGCIZ5WWxpj015OVRleLs62c4uJPVd54_x0ymhanPcpJtaHwLg-QNhRs3omD9DM_mHI7p3pIXzTWMXR8X-OPmY3FXCR3dcVSXv3F4_F3gN5usp5ACzXR95HyPycjI/s320/FamilyCoffs.jpg" width="320" /></a>OK, so it was about 1am when the aforementioned meltdown occurred and the other passengers were more keen to try and sleep than listen to our darling Alex scream the train down. Surprising I know. Even the guard was less than sympathetic offering sound advice such as "can't you give him something to suck to keep him quiet". "He's almost 3 years, not 3 months old - but thanks"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W849B_lFwQIOz_AFY6vWOMl1UVs8tyRI8xB7xPDn9g4mlLo8IaY-vYL6GDhPgVmtpcG89Kvg9vGyt5KwLsK9Ap1YR8QPkKEbC4_sMjZFz9MXf4U7M3s3XZZPJUQsaP6RtTv3ZgJIC3TY/s1600/CoffsFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W849B_lFwQIOz_AFY6vWOMl1UVs8tyRI8xB7xPDn9g4mlLo8IaY-vYL6GDhPgVmtpcG89Kvg9vGyt5KwLsK9Ap1YR8QPkKEbC4_sMjZFz9MXf4U7M3s3XZZPJUQsaP6RtTv3ZgJIC3TY/s320/CoffsFamily.jpg" width="320" /></a>In the end we had to escape the evil glares of our fellow passengers by <span style="color: #0000ee;">traveling</span> in the noisy area , between the carriages which only served to terrify Alex even further.<br />
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But we survived and arrived at a lovely resort with pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and our fantastic serviced apartment filled with family and lots of presents for Alex. The horrors of the train journey were forgotten as Alex embraced the buffet breakfast - and lunch - and dinner...</div>
Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com1Coffs Harbour NSW, Australia-30.2900241 153.09718750000002-30.5093866 152.77446400000002 -30.0706616 153.419911tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-48900560063165049982013-01-27T21:53:00.001+00:002013-01-27T21:54:59.484+00:00Rock and Roll vs maths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently Alex's passions have recently run beyond the pleasures of counting. Although it's still difficult to walk down the street without Alex doing a blow by blow account of every house number, license plate and roadside speed limit - over the past few months he has discovered the joy of music.<br />
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This video was taken a few months back at his friend Lily's birthday - but he's been rocking out and jamming with the new family band (Alex on keyboard, Mum on drums, Daddy or Nanna on guitar) ever since. Unfortunately I have to clear all videos with his agent so it might take a bit longer to get a new musical post.<br />
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-15237734809176514912012-12-26T10:45:00.001+00:002012-12-26T10:45:45.647+00:00Beach joy<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/225.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_225.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Alex has come along way since last summer when the sight of waves on the beach would cast fear into his little heart. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/226.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_226.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />This year - during a Christmas holiday in Coffs Harbour with the family we took a little walk along the beach. It was pretty choppy but that didn't stop Alex running into the water giggling and shouting waves! With ever growing excitement. We had to virtually drag out the soggy little one from the water to dry off. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/229.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_229.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/234.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_234.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />P.s now I have the benefit of time and a shiny new laptop for Christmas I promise to update the blog again. Alex has done all sorts of growing up recently that I've not been blogging about. Bad mummy blogger! <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-54840605426937269532012-11-12T07:49:00.001+00:002012-11-12T07:49:39.950+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday we went to a mini-kid-festival-jamboree-extravoganza. The sweet smell of candy floss, sausage sizzles and animal turds assaulted our nostrils in a strange yet bold combination. This is the second mini-kid-festival-jamboree-extravoganza we've been to in as many months. Completely free music, kid presenters, face-painting, entertainment and food/drinks. Best of all there has always been a petting zoo tucked away in some corner (see photos), where Alex can finally meet all the species he comes across in such abundance in his books.<br />
Basically, what we're gradually learning is that Leichhardt Municipal Council is a dab hand when it comes to putting on the ole' mini-kid-festival-jamboree-extravoganza...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-63498722425386522252012-11-06T05:45:00.001+00:002012-11-06T05:45:11.450+00:00Alex poolside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alex is practicing his leap, though not a complete '10' he does manage to go under water and emerge again without the coughing and spluttering that marred previous attempts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-20459672408949690032012-09-23T05:46:00.000+01:002012-09-23T05:50:18.910+01:00Look more numbers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Alex has a new obsession - and it's not Dora (although she still holds a big place in his heart) its not dinosaurs, cupcakes or even little girls. It's numbers. He LOVES numbers and gets ultra excited whenever and wherever he sees them. And I can safely say that numbers are EVERYWHERE!<br />
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An equal level of excitement is generate by house numbers, speed limit signs, license plates, oven dials, remote control buttons, letter boxes...<br />
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Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dobroyd%20Parade,Haberfield,Australia%40-33.869746%2C151.143237&z=10">Dobroyd Parade,Haberfield,Australia</a></div>
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-91456525745303399582012-09-02T09:24:00.001+01:002012-09-02T09:24:28.276+01:00Daddy daycare<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/02/163.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/02/s_163.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />We know it's not ideal having Alex at two different day care centres. Even though both are very good and he enjoys the people at both, it must be unsettling for him. At first it was a result of not getting into a place locally due to the crazy long waiting lists, now it's more about enabling Haydn and I to share the load dropping and collecting wise. <br /><br />We've now decided to try and get him into one place, Garfield Street so he gets a bit more consistency. <br /><br />So all going well this is the last fathers day where Alex will bring home two different crafty father's day cards and presents. But for now Haydn is basking in the glory of 3 fathers day cards from one son (including one home crafted version - that's the big silver one!)<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/02/164.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/02/s_164.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />He also got 2 sleep-ins this weekend, roast lamb for dinner and a papa's baked ricotta cheesecake for dessert... Mmm when's mothers day again?<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grove%20Ln,Lilyfield,Australia%40-33.870921%2C151.164616&z=10'>Grove Ln,Lilyfield,Australia</a></p>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-57198457073402881312012-08-29T22:29:00.000+01:002012-08-29T22:29:03.223+01:00grrrr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-47946159956524908762012-07-14T23:31:00.001+01:002012-07-18T12:11:45.878+01:00The AB Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's the first look at our new house and area with tour guide Alex Butler. <br />
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More local and new house adventures coming soon...<br />
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</div>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Lilyfield NSW, Australia-33.8712197 151.1607523-33.8844037 151.1410113 -33.858035699999995 151.18049330000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-9803377729824485202012-06-16T12:13:00.001+01:002012-06-16T12:17:39.967+01:00Motherland<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/16/619.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/16/s_619.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Over the past few weeks things have been a touch crazy, not necessarily bad crazy, or good crazy just 'wow there's quite a lot going on isnt there? - crazy'. <br />In the space of a week we bought a house, I flew to Melbourne, back to Sydney and then to London for 6 days for work. <br />The pro's and con's list of this very last minute London trip was fraught and competitive...<br />PROs<br />Free flights/accommodation<br />Catchup with much-missed old friends<br />The shopping<br />Interesting worky-type experience<br />See London again at a fun Jubilee/Olympics time<br />CON's<br />Being away from H & Alex for 6 WHOLE DAYS!!!!<br />The most I'd every managed before was 2 nights and that was once in the previous 2+ years. <br /><br /><br />But we survived, helped by the power of regular Skypes and H and Grandpa doing a wonderful job looking after the little man. <br /><br />For me the whole London experience was surreal. The only way I could subconsciously explain why I was in London again, without Alex or H and seeing my old UK friends was that I must have travelled back<br />in time, to a time before babies, before early nights in and the constant rush of work and family life. <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/16/614.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/16/s_614.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />To be honest I kind of enjoyed it... for a bit anyway... That being said once the work was over and I was heading home I was desperate to see my little man and throw myself back into the wonderful chaos of my old/new life. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/16/620.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/16/s_620.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-31575743412635326932012-06-13T10:57:00.001+01:002012-06-13T10:57:53.012+01:00Ode to a poor neglected blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Alex has composed a little song, including guitar accompaniment by way of recompense for the blatant lack of blogging over the past few weeks... months even?<br />
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There is much to report on including a random trip to the UK (Van) and Hamilton Island (Haydn) family visits (Nanna B & Grandpa), house moves (mortgage eek!), horrible colds (sniff) and happy daycare times (at last) but for now I leave you with this performance and the confirmation that Alex definitely gets his musical ability from the Butler side of the family...<br />
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p.s special prize to anyone who can figure out what he's actually singing...</div>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-19312601605459381552012-04-24T23:01:00.001+01:002012-04-30T21:46:54.709+01:00Flashing at little girls<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2971.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2971.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />The weekend before last while Dad was working away all with the kids at Nickelodeon - Alex and I and a few friends went to the Royal National Park, about an hour or so south of where we live. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2972.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2972.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />I'd never been before and discovered a combination of beauty (lagoon, waterfall, secluded beach) with a good dose of practical (toilets, BBQ facilities, picnic areas) thrown in for good measure. <br /><br />After a super delicious BBQ lunch we wondered down to the beach. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2973.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2973.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />I interrupt this blog post to mention the fact that it's mid Autumn - almost winter and we can all not just have a picnic but also go to the beach and actually swim without earning some sort of 'surviving extreme conditions' badge. This has to be why moved back to Australia. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2974.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2974.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />In an (increasingly frequent) organisational oversight, I failed to bring swimmers for myself or Alex. So I resorted to splashing about in my dress and Alex went nudie (because he's only 2 so can get away with such things). He actually attracted the attention of a little girl who seemed in equal parts fascinated and horrified at his blatant disregard for the conventions of polite society. He responded by splashing in the water with his bum in the air. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2975.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2975.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2977.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2977.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Royal%20National%20Park%40-33.840290%2C151.122494&z=10'>Royal National Park</a></p>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-57748088098164723242012-04-24T22:35:00.001+01:002012-04-26T13:23:20.303+01:00When I grow up I want to be a...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2865.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2865.jpg' border='0' width='500' height='373' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Rockstar?<br />Classical Musician?<br />Electronics store sales person?<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dick%20smiths%20store%20somewhere%20in%20western%20Sydney%20&z=10'>Dick smiths store somewhere in western Sydney </a></p>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-72595048742310412702012-04-24T22:26:00.001+01:002012-04-24T22:27:42.343+01:00He marched them up to the top of the hill...Catching up on some of our NZ holiday adventures. We bought a backpack for Alex to travel in and christened it with a walk up the beautiful mount maunganui. I'll admit Dad did the heavy lifting in on this one, I'm not sure I'd make it up with the not so little Alex on my back. <br /><br />Step one 1 heading up<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2768.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2768.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />Step 2 picking up the pace<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2769.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2769.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />Step 3 the top!<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2770.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2770.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />Step 4 heading down<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2772.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2772.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />Step 5 look sheep!<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2773.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2773.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />Step 6 return to ground level triumphant<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/24/2774.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/24/s_2774.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-85510956574714926812012-04-09T04:25:00.000+01:002012-04-09T04:25:13.839+01:00Back in New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I can hardly believe that it's been over a year since we were living happily in New Zealand - there we were for three long lounging months of summer; going to the beach; walking up the mount and generally having a lovely time with Nanna B with not a care in the world and our Sydney adventures still to come.<br />
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So now we return for a couple of well earned weeks rest after lots of work and more tummy bugs, coughs and snotty noses than you can count on one hand, which is perpetually clutching a tissue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLerxiyiRqi9sIED6q0qKHj5qf3HZy_klihJtTODSrXYdR-71q5j-TS4vZZCHk65lVa0t9BXbhiOwfwPR6JQDHHQHipAjbW0_oi7X7gSXBda088vwVtTaoAXQH6-71abuHryRb_bRrYVg/s1600/mount_familybeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLerxiyiRqi9sIED6q0qKHj5qf3HZy_klihJtTODSrXYdR-71q5j-TS4vZZCHk65lVa0t9BXbhiOwfwPR6JQDHHQHipAjbW0_oi7X7gSXBda088vwVtTaoAXQH6-71abuHryRb_bRrYVg/s320/mount_familybeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A windy beach walk with Aunty Jan & Nanna B</td></tr>
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It's amazing how quickly you can switch off from all the work worries and slip back into doing very little. Alex recognised Nanna at the airport and was immediately very comfortable at her house which makes me thinks he remembers it, even just a little bit. He's spending his time climbing up and down the stairs, chasing the pussy cat every chance he gets and hanging out with his (2nd) cousins Ruby and Jackson. He's becoming very good at saying 'Jaxshon' although 'Boobie' he still struggles with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backpack, up and safe from slobbery dogs</td></tr>
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We also bought a backpack for him to travel in when we go for walks which he loves. Haydn and I walked up Mount Maunganui with him in it, admittedly I had the easy ride as I didn't have a 12kg+ toddler on by back. Well, I say that he 'loves it' there was one moment where he was strapped into the backpack but dad hadn't picked him up yet and a very friendly dog came up and gave Alex a big lick across the face, he wasn't such a fan of the backpack at that moment....<br />
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We've been having daily walks on the beach with Nanna B and Aunty Jan and the weather, which keeps promising storms and rain has been lovely and sunny the whole time we've been here.<br />
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</div>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand-37.6386541 176.1836273-37.6889501 176.1046633 -37.588358099999994 176.26259130000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-31980796074040170992012-04-08T02:07:00.000+01:002012-04-08T03:47:12.767+01:00Alex's 2nd birthday party stays afloat - just<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pirate ship cake complete Agrrr!</td></tr>
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The weekend before we left for New Zealand we had a little birthday party for Alex. Technically speaking it was his 2nd birthday on the 31st but we were flying that morning and didn't fancy squeezing in a birthday celebration to the 30 mins we had before checking at the Airport. So we decided to subtly shift his birthday to the weekend before "he's 2, he doesn't even know what a birthday is so he'll never know" - we said to ourselves. That is until he learns to read and discovers this blog post. Hmm...<br />
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So anyway, the all important cake baking started the day before and at about 1.50pm, a whole 10 mins before the guests were due to arrive the cake was done. Due to a um... (rare?)... moment of disorganisation I forgot to book the BBQ area that I'd sent everyone to and had to hastily change plans and have the gathering in our apartment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAxWLanU3n68TF7_dWlXn2PgQlYJ9hx52svNBT7EUe__nXEnrgo9GNKHen98dNzAvsNk48-WW0nBezprTYVR24WEO9lN_igBPAOWH5wIHPBnTf4W8Qtr_gbT_lEZZ7iFg6bpnx6tsEC1d/s1600/bdayparty_group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAxWLanU3n68TF7_dWlXn2PgQlYJ9hx52svNBT7EUe__nXEnrgo9GNKHen98dNzAvsNk48-WW0nBezprTYVR24WEO9lN_igBPAOWH5wIHPBnTf4W8Qtr_gbT_lEZZ7iFg6bpnx6tsEC1d/s320/bdayparty_group.jpg" width="320" /></a>Grandpa was a surprise visitor and we had lots of other friends, little and large come by and Alex was very spoilt with some lovely gifts including funky PJs, beautiful books (we love books at the moment), two fantastic toy cars, bubbles, an Elmo balloon (still love Elmo) and lots more.<br />
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Alex made sure to run to the door every time the buzzer went to greet his next visitor and was remarkably happy despite all the fuss, noise and people wanting to play with <i>his</i> toys (now is not the age for sharing). There was a tense moment with an altercation between two little people over the little tykes car which ended in tears and a few scratches. More on that here: <a href="http://bubbymakesthree.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/party-pooper.html">http://bubbymakesthree.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/party-pooper.html</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harper, just before the incident with little Elliot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex loved the kitchen he got from mum and dad</td></tr>
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But in the end the party sailed on happily with the Pirate Ship cake going down a treat with grown ups and little people alike. And most importantly Alex had fun!<br />
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Birthday song video and candle blowing didn't quite work out...</div>
<br /></div>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0Abbotsford NSW, Australia-33.8481508 151.1281365-33.8613383 151.1083955 -33.8349633 151.14787750000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-90633425376536892012-04-02T10:33:00.001+01:002012-04-02T11:02:54.576+01:00Boats and birds and booties...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, been meaning to catchup on some recent adventures, where Alex has met Kookaburra's, boats, practiced lots and of steps, lost a shoe in the mangroves and mud, had aforementioned shoe rescued by his heroic mamma and probably other things I can't remember because it's been a while and I really should have done this blog post a few weeks ago. <br />
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Anyway, it's really all about the photos isn't it?<br />
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<em>Stair master!</em></div>
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<em>Alex meets the locals - who get increasingly daring over the weekend, at one stage stealing a sausage straight from the BBQ.</em> </div>
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<em>Being swallowed by his life jacket. </em></div>
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<em>It's kind of like the bath... Just much bigger</em></div>
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Special thanks goes to Captain Ian and First Officer Sandra for organisng such a fantastic long weekend and keeping us afloat! We had a ball, even if we didn't catch any fish.<br />
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Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Hawksbury%20River,%20NSW&z=10">Hawksbury River, NSW</a></div>
</div>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-78900203571061615612012-03-05T11:26:00.001+00:002012-03-05T11:28:31.317+00:00There comes a time...There comes a time in every parent's life when they realise their little one is not so little anymore. That it's time for them to find their independence, their freedom to go out into the world and seek adventure... At this time you realise your not so little man is ready for his own set of wheels. <br /><br />For us, that time came just before Alex's 2nd birthday. <br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/05/421.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/05/s_421.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='224' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/05/424.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/05/s_424.jpg' border='0' width='224' height='300' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=The%20Promenade,Chiswick,Australia%40-33.850500%2C151.135830&z=10'>The Promenade,Chiswick,Australia</a></p>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250228153350266058.post-92161638369713565982012-02-19T01:41:00.001+00:002012-02-19T01:41:59.362+00:00Weeeeeee!<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/02/18/2558.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/02/18/s_2558.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />For once this post isn't about bodily fluid. It's actually about a bike seat we bought for Alex called a 'wee ride'. As you'll see from the photos it's like a normal toddler bike seat but goes in the front rather than the back so you can have conversations, check out the view together and more importantly ensure that your little person hasn't fallen off or lost a shoe or an arm behind you and you just didn't notice! <br /><br />Needless to say Alex loved riding around with his dad - Grandpa and Mum also came along for the ride around the neighbourhood and nobody laughed at their funny folding bicycles. <br /><br />I'm pretty sure Alex spend most of the journey saying 'weeeeeeee!!!!'<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/02/18/2559.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/02/18/s_2559.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/02/18/2560.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/02/18/s_2560.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Drummoyne,%20NSW&z=10'>Drummoyne, NSW</a></p>Alex Meets Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648409481963954192noreply@blogger.com0