And The Baby Turned Three...

Can't believe my baby turned three, coming up to three weeks ago.  My parents were still visiting which was nice as they got to spend the day with her, on her birth day, something that had not ever happened before, as we were living in Abu Dhabi.  

One thing Lily wanted to do was visit the local zoo.  So we did.  With Monet at school and MrL at work, the remaining four of us went.  

For some reason or another, Lily has decided that she really likes Dingos.  She was rapt to see them animated at the zoo, giving their howls.  I can only imagine how it must sound across the desert in the outback in the evening.  *scary*

And the birthday girl wanted to feed the kangaroos.  It was a pity they weren't really hungry on our visit.

But all the walking around made our three year old hungry so a bowl of hot fries, washed down with some chocolate milk from the cafe, did the trick.

Later in the afternoon, after school pick up, we popped on our party hats and began celebrating...

There is a few things my girl loves.  Besides Dora The Explorer.  She loves Cheese and Bacon Balls, Chicken nuggets, cocktail frankfurts, teddy bears, balloons, Barbie Dolls and skirts, made by me.  =)

She also is still very partial to sucking on her dummy (urgh!) and sticking her hand down my top! Or up my sleeve!  And if it isn't her hand it is her foot!  (I kid you not.)  And when I am unavailable, she comforts herself by doing the below pose...

A hand down her own top!  Nepolian.  =)  She is still very much a Mummy's girl, who loves to give hugs and kisses and cuddles.  It is very sweet.  She's so funny and has a real little personality of her own.  She was a joyous two year old and I am pretty sure she will continue being a joyous three year old.

And of course, every three year old Dora fan MUST have a Dora Birthday Cake.  *heehee*

Views

*I know*  (Three weeks later I decided to do a post continuing from the previous post!)

I love the below photo I took when we (my parents, Lily and myself) were up at Kuranda.  Pretty sure the framed silk painted hibiscus was placed there on purpose....

The drive down the Kuranda Range towards Cairns never seems as slow going, as it does going up.  

Along the way you get little glimpses of the Coral Sea and then there is a spectacular lookout before the final descent, which overlooks Cairns, or more specifically the flat lands of the International Airport in North Cairns (the serious of white buildings in the middle of this photo) to Trinity Park, just south of where we live....

On a sunny day, the view really is something but always difficult to photograph.

Barron Falls...more like a Trickle

During the week I took my parents up to Kuranda.  It's a good 25 minute drive from our house on the Northern Beaches, through the Kuranda range (a 13 kilometre windy road at 60ks/hr).  I detoured to the Barron Falls.  Lily and I had visited there a while back and knew my parents would like the walk and views.  I was correct in thinking so...

The initial view you get after a 50 metre walk is this...

I am positive that during 'Wet Season' that view would definitely take your breath away.  The Falls are quite famous for how powerful it is and how much water passes down the river.  But during the 'Dry Season' it trickles.

Along the boardwalk through the tree tops, you're never quite sure what you'll come across.  A Rhinoceros Beetle for example...

The trail you follow leads itself across a pedestrian bridge to 'Barron Falls' train station.  The railway is a pretty famous one in the tourist industry, due to it leading through rainforest (only accessible by the train - which there are two only) and past waterfalls and the like.

Well, we could not have timed our venture up to Kuranda and the walk we were on any better.   I said to Lily "Oh, I think I can hear the train coming"....and sure enough, two minutes later what do we see coming along...

I'm not sure who was more excited - Lily, Grandma, Grandad or myself! *heehee*

"Wave to the train Lily!"  She did and the train driver waved a big wave back and tooted the train horn.  Pretty special.

The train is really long, I can't tell you how many carriages (seems like at least two dozen).  The train stopped at the station and the tourists piled out for a photographic opportunity.

We stood at a lookout and took some photos ourselves.

That was before we were bombarded with a handful of the train's travellers on our viewing station...

We knew then, it was time to walk the trail back to the car park.  =)

Last Sunday

All up, we have lived in FNQ for roughly three and a half years and not once had we walked down to our local beach and had fish'n'chips for lunch there.  Well, I can say now that we have done that and it was really nice to do so.  

Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, warm day, though a bit windy.  We decided to enjoy some lunch down the beach and were lucky enough to score a sheltered picnic table, opposite the view below.  

Even though the photos don't show it, it was busy down the beach.

There was a cruise ship anchored out at sea, ferrying it's passengers back and forth between the mainland and the ship.  The main cruise terminal in Cairns is currently being renovated so we figured that's why they were doing this action.

Gee, that lady, ahem, my mum is wearing a nice skirt isn't she?  So is that little Blondie. ;P

After returning home we decided to brave our pool.  Yep, still winter here (only just) and the first use of the pool since returning.  Sure, was a little cool but really nice once in.  Both girls enjoyed themselves, along with MrL.

Always Something Different

I have my parents (VIPs) up from (cold) country Victoria for a visit.  Both girls are enjoying having a couple of different faces stay and so are MrL and I.  

Monet's school held their annual 'Grandparent's Day', the day after they arrived so everyone was happy about that.  Considering in Abu Dhabi schools, such a day isn't held,  it was good for Monet to be able to have two Grandparents visit her school and stay for the morning.   And by all accounts it was an enjoyable event.  

Yesterday I took the VIPs to the Flecker Botanical Gardens.  I swear, every time I visit (and the last time being early last month), I see something different.  

I guess this tree doesn't want anything climbing it's trunk!....

And look how long this flower is! Wow...

And I love seeing flowers that are not of usual colour, like black for instance...

I love seeing tall trees set behind lower ones.  Would make a gorgeous painting...

And then my Mum and I spotted these flowers and could not believe the colour....

Spearmint colour I suggested.

Lily wanted to pose on the little 'stage'.

And both my Mum and her wanted a photo (or two) taken on the park bench.

I wonder what I'll spot next time I am there?

A Productive Sewing Week

I never thought I would actually follow through on a project that I found on 'Pinterest' (google if you must), but the double-sided headbands I had pinned onto my board drew me in.  I found the instructions easy to follow (a miracle for me) and gave it a go, using my scrap material.  

All lined up and ready to sew.  Fun!

This was my result!  

Monet loves them and they just fit her (they are aimed at ages 8+) so she's bagged a couple, which she wears proudly.

My other project this week was to make complete outfits for girls.  And of course Miss Lily is my model (and my inspiration).   I spruced up a tshirt adding rosettes and buttons and Lily adored it.  You little ripper.

After a successful showing to my mother and sister-in-law via iPhone I decided to do a complete outfit for my Lily.  The photo below has had 600+ hits on Facebook so I think I could be onto something (or probably because the just-about-3-year-old is impossibly cute!)

I am hoping they are a success, as I have just posted my first available whole outfit on my Page.  =)

I'm a Sucker for Advertising. (Banana Muffin recipe)

I've always said that Advertising works and yesterday those words rang in my ears again as I took Lily to the local news agency to purchase something we had seen on the telly.  The new Dora 'Little Cook Collection'.  How could I resist the $2.99 price tag for the two year old who is Dora mad (just like her big sister once was).   Of course the first issue sucks you in with a low price tag and then the future issues jump up to $7.99, then $12.99!

Miss Lily insisted we make the muffin recipe inside the magazine straight after walking back in the front door.  So, being the obliging mother I can be at times, we did.  A very simple Banana Muffin recipe with easy to follow instructions and the result?  Delicious.

Here's the recipe - it only makes 4, but I didn't mind that as I know that none would go to waste and they were very simple, easy and took no time to make....

You need...
1 large banana
40g soft brown sugar
2 tablespoons rapeseed oil (I used olive oil!)
1 small egg
65ml milk
100g self-raising flour

1.  Peel and mash the banana in a bowl using the back of a fork.  Mix in the sugar and the oil.

2.  Crack the egg into the bowl.  Pour in the milk and stir.

3.  Sieve the flour into the mixing bowl.

4.  Gently stir in the flour into the rest of the ingredients.

5.  Spoon the mixture into four muffin cases.  Fill each case almost up to the top.

6.  Place in a 190 degree C oven for 15-20 minutes.  Take them out and leave to cool.

As Dora would say, "Delicioso!"

Skirts for Little Girls....

It started with a 'one off' and a 'tester' skirt, made especially for Monet.  And now it has snowballed into my obsession and I just love making them for my girls and for sale...

And then the last time I visited Spotlight (fabric store), I spied a little gadget that helps you make fabric rosettes.  Awesome little gadget it is too.  With a button sewn into the centre of the rosette and then hand sewn into the corner of the skirt front, I think it really finishes them off.

I think I am addicted to looking at fabric too.  Online or in stores.  Oh there is so many lovely fabrics out there and I am always on the look out for something a little different.  When I spied the fabric below I knew it would make a gorgeous skirt.  I think it ended up looking more gorgeous than I possibly imagined.  Definitely a favourite and both girls have said they want one each.  Lucky they have a mother who is obliged to make them one each....

I have listed all these skirts on my Facebook page (link on the right) and are priced at $25 each.  I'm sure you must know of a little girl (sized either Small, Medium or Large) who'd love one?  *wink wink*