Two Birthdays In Two Days.

The week just past was pretty full on - hence the lack of blogging (most unusual of me!)

Three major things happened. First thing -  Monet returned to school after her summer break of close to 11 weeks.  ELEVEN WEEKS!  She was more than ready to return to school; a new school year (hello Grade 2), a new teacher, a new classroom, new school friends.  And for Lily and I, a new routine.  Second and third thing - Miss Lily turned 2 on the 6th (the day Monet returned to school) and Miss Monet turned 7 on the 7th.  If that's not full-on, then I don't know what is.

Tuesday, when the littlest family member, turned 2, we had decided to hold a small party for her with a few neighbour friends.  And since we were already holding a party, Monet suggested that we should celebrate her birthday too.  So we did.  On Monday I baked and decorated two birthday cakes.  No wonder I was exhausted this weekend.   In the photo below, that's a #7, not a letter L.  Lily's cake was the #2.

Lily was taken back a bit with us singing Happy Birthday to her, which you wouldn't believe an hour later when she kept wandering around singing the tune to herself.  I love this photo below of an unsure Lily (in new 'Lola' apron which she wouldn't take off), neighbour Jahli and myself.

Monet was thrilled with her cake.  I might not cut it on 'Cake Boss', but in Monet's eyes I would.  Ain't children grand?

The girls both had a great afternoon.  It was rather exhausting come bedtime, with our first day of returning to school plus a birthday plus a party.

Monet's birthday the following day (yes, the girls are born five years minus one day apart), in which we went out for dinner as a family with a couple of good friends here.  These friends are like an Aunt and Uncle to the girls and Monet invited them to join us.

I can't believe that the girls are now 7 and 2.  Makes you stop and think.

We've done so much since Monet was born seven years ago in Frankston, Victoria.  Sometimes I still see Monet as my baby but now she's this big seven year old who is intelligent, pretty, (moody), a teacher, amusing, crafty, shy, well traveled, pretty switched-on kind of girl.  I see her maturing, just about daily, just by what she does, what she says, what she watches on television.  Sometimes she needs reminding that she's not 4 or 5 any more, but then I too have to take a step back and remember that she is still 'a kid'.

Lily is one of those children that you can't remember and could never think of life without her in it.  And oh how two children born of the same parents, be so different.  She has a big personality once she lets you know her (it can take time for her to warm to you, but once she does, oh are you in trouble!), she's funny and cute, loves her dummy, loves her teddies/dolls, knows exactly what she wants and tries her best to communicate and get her point across.

In the meanwhile, I will enjoy my two girls aged 2 and 7.  Before I know it they'll be 12 and 17.  Slow down life, slow down.

Happy Birthday girls.  You both are my world. =)