Autumn Beach Days

Dear Olive,
Temperature outside the water: 26
Temperature inside the water: 23.8
(And it's been like this for a week.)

Oh, these Autumn beach days. Damn, I adore you.

Home Holiday

Dear Olive,
Our holiday at home has turned out to be most excellent. Just the right mix of laziness*, activity**, and 3 o'clock beers***. And, guess what? It's continuing for a few - unexpected - more days because Shane isn't starting until Wednesday. Yessssssss. Nothing like the gift of a few surprise days to alleviate my anxiety about Shane going back to work, returning us to the ratio of one parent to one two year old, when two parents to one two year old is so preferable.
* laziness includes days with no plans, slow morning swims (& attempting to tan out of saltwater sandal tan), afternoon reading sessions developing into accidental naps, ignoring the washing up.
** activity includes visiting our friends at the duck pond, picnics at Nielsen Park, yum cha in chinatown, watching the holly throsby sydney festival kids show (highly recommended - you've wanted her album on repeat ever since), and dinners with friends (at home and out).
*** 3 o'clock beers includes beer, cider and champagne (just Mum and Dad, of course), at the pub and at home (of course).

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Dear Olive,
We could almost smell it in the air the past few weeks, and The Time has now officially arrived. Time to get your pins out and get sand on those little feet of yours.

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Dear Olive,
The one advantage to starting work sickeningly early, is the potential to sneak off at a decent hour. The long shadows of the afternoon sun by the beach yesterday afternoon were a warming reminder that spring really is just around the corner.

Sand Sushi Storm

Dear Olive,

It was the perfect morning for a spot of sand eating. Our sushi was far tastier. The weather's turning now, into a lovely big storm. Just in time for your afternoon nap.

Weekend

Dear Olive,


We had a beautiful, relaxing weekend (think reading the papers, a sleep-in and lots of thai take-away). Saturday we actually got some sun and you loved your first nudie swim. Sunday was a 1st birthday party and an afternoon catch up with your God Nonna. Lovely lovely weekend. (Although it all ended far too abruptly for poor Dadda who had to get up at 4am this morning to get to work. Ouch.)

Sand Sand Sand

Dear Olive,


Today is cloudy but hot - perfect weather for a paddle and a play. You obviously wouldn't remember the beach from last summer, but you spent a bit of time there, usually sound asleep in the sling. But this summer, get ready to be covered in sand. We went down this morning and while I wouldn't say you were immediately rapt (certainly not in the water and definitely not in the waves), you sure loved looking at all the other kids, playing with the sand and in particular, heading over and seeing what goodies other people had on offer. Buckets, tonka trucks, half chewed bananas, dirty underpants. It sure is amazing what you can find in other peoples bags. It's going to be a busy summer!