First and last

 This seems like yesterday to me - the day my last baby started school.

Today, she headed off for the first day of her very last year of school. How did that happen?
No photos from this morning. She certainly wasn't as enthusiastic today as she was on that very first day so long ago.
Traditionally, when each of our kids have begun Year 12, I've presented them with a "care package" to help them through this difficult year. For the girls, these packages contained all sorts of pampering products and comfort food - hopefully to be rationed over the year (wishful thinking on my part I know!)
 J convinced me that the best stress-relief / relaxation item for him would be a PlayStation game, so that was what he received when it was his turn.
Z was very excited to receive her package, informing me that she has been looking forward to it for 8 years - ever since C received hers. I had fun putting it all together and presented it to Z yesterday, much to her delight. Hopefully, it will help ease her through some tough times as she does tend to be a worrier.

Cute little munchkin.

Queen

Most people around here are enjoying the break from work and school due to the Queen's Birthday holiday. Doesn't change my routine much as Monday is my day off work anyway so it's the same old cleaning and tidying stuff for me.
My baby girl, who was queen for the day yesterday, has spent the morning responding to a gazillion Facebook birthday messages and must now get back to reality and study for exams.
I think she enjoyed her birthday weekend.
It began on Saturday night with a fairly civilised gathering of friends here - all gone by 1am.
Present opening on Sunday morning was followed by the traditional birthday breakfast of Macca's hotcakes.

After some pondering, Z, C, and I decided to go to the city for lunch and birthday shopping.

Home again, and the birthday dessert was consumed for late afternoon tea.
 Z's choice: Oreo Cheesecake.

Z finished her day with an evening out for dinner with her boy (back to the city!) and was showered with even more lovely gifts.
She has already made a point of mentioning that she is now in her EIGHTEENTH year - as if I needed reminding - and that she can't wait for her next birthday! It will come all too soon for me.

Friday

Here in Melbourne the current temperature is 27 degrees celsius and expected to reach 30. What's that all about? I know this unseasonably warm weather is not unheard of in unpredictable Melbourne, but Good Friday, in my opinion, should be spent cosily tucked up in bed or on the couch with a good book, the occasional warm drink, and lots of Hot Cross Buns. This is how I passed many happy Good Fridays in my childhood.
Instead, we are all walking around barefoot with minimal clothing and wondering if we will need the air conditioner on later in the day.
However, some traditions don't change.
 The Hot Cross Buns are still being consumed at a great rate.
 I'm still reading - finding much inspiration, creative and otherwise, in the books pictured above.
Well, at least it's not unpleasantly hot and it is a lovely, quiet, relaxing day. Just as Good Friday should be.

Australia

Very traditional Australia Day celebrations at our house. C had to work, but E, J and Z all went to different barbecues at friends homes.

I made pavlova and D cooked up a few sausages and chops for our tea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good day.

Painting

E is painting her room today which is fine by me as she is old enough to do this without parental assistance.

I will miss that beautiful blue, but as Z's room has undergone the same transformation, I know we will be pleased with the fresh new look.

Here's Z in her room prior to repainting. (artistic photo taken by a friend)

This is Z's room now. Very peaceful.

It's funny how things go full circle. When we first built this house, every room was painted the same colour - it was called "ice-cream". Eventually, the kids all wanted their rooms different colours. We've had various shades of purple, pink, blue, yellow and green. Two years ago, we began to repaint the entire house in "Antique White USA". After E's room is painted, only three other rooms will not be this colour. J has three pale blue walls and one blackboard wall. C's room is green. Not her choice. This used to be Z's room when C lived away from home for three years. Here's Z enthusiastically painting over pink walls in her old room.(This room wins for the number of times it's been repainted- cream to yellow to pink to green)

C hated this colour when she first moved back home but says she can tolerate it now.

D's and my room is pink. An aquired taste for many, I'm sure. We love it in the winter months because it feels warm and cosy. Not so much in the middle of summer - a crisp, cool, white room is looking pretty good right now.

In other exciting developments, we kept cool today with ice-cream and lemonade icy-poles. Also finished off the traditional New Years Trifle( tradition started last year)

Yum.

Lights

One of our Christmas traditions when the kids were little was to go on long evening walks to check out the extravagant outdoor light displays on other peoples houses. This year, for the first time, I've draped some fairy lights around our house - white solar in the front yard, coloured lights in the back. They look lovely and now I feel like I deprived the kids by not having them when they were younger.

Still unwinding tonight after my second work-related Christmas function - a trivia night. Lots of fun had by all in attendance. Our table didn't win (damn those sport-related questions!) but we still had a great time and enjoyed the free drinks, nibbles and musical entertainment.