Happy First Birthday Bubba Boy!!

We celebrated Aidan's first birthday before we went on holidays.

We enjoyed his cake!

He mashed it up, had a taste and threw it on the floor then happily ate a banana.

A little unsure of the Buzz couch!

Aidan celebrated the day in Fiji.
We went out to dinner where he had cake and the restaurant staff sang happy birthday.

He isn't too good with people being loud and making a big song and dance but thankfully he didn't cry.
Phew...!

Rain Rain Rain!

Cabin fever....awesome!

This was pretty much Christmas Day at our place!

We did head out on Boxing Day...we needed to get out of the house.
On the way home a roadblock was being set up to close off one of the bridges we cross.

The boys quite clearly over it!

We did some rearranging and moved some play equipment inside.
I think Aidan had more fun during the clean and construction!

Cake!

I got a number 1 cake tin the other day so I can make Aidan's first birthday cake.

It was a lot bigger then what I was expecting so I thought a practice cake was a good idea...

What a good wifey I am!

Sunday Fun!

The wet weather has been driving me up the wall and Aidan has hardly had any outside time.
I was hoping for a nice sunny day as we were off to the Markets and to Cyclone Sunday.

Too many clouds and no sun....grrr!

After the markets we went and had a coffee....
and Ahem, yes Aidan had his first babycino!
(Yes Daddy, you read that right ;)

Not happy...I want more!!

After the markets we went to the strand and the clouds were getting worse and the wind was picking up.

I was so hopeful!

I really wanted to stay at the strand longer because only my favourite radio station in the world were broadcasting there from 10am.

Aidan was getting antsy just sitting in the pram and he couldn't go down on the ground for a crawl because it was wet.

He had fun looking around and he got a balloon!
This is a big step for me...kids and balloons are a huge FEAR...

Loaded up with all of his goodies :)

A big day out and ready for bed.

Fluffy Butt

Today we did cloth....all day.

And we're going for the night as well!

This is one of the nappies and the boosters that can be added.

Aidan doesn't have all of the boosters in during the day because he gets changed regularly...however they are in for the night
Hello Man sized wee!
Lets hope he wakes up dry!!

No more photos Mum!!

Getting ready for bed!

Even with all the layers his big butt still fits into his jimjams.

We seem to have a bit of an animal print happening.
It didn't happen on purpose...I am waiting for some new prints...soon!

I'm selling my bike....

If I blog about it then I have to commit right?

I love my bike but since my car accident I haven't been able to ride it much.

So it is for sale :(

On the bright side I will be getting a mountain bike which will be easier on my back and more family friendly.

Fig, Pecan and Ginger Cookies

Miner Marto is off tomorrow so I made him something for the trip out.
I dont like ginger so I thought this would be perfect in that I wouldn't be tempted.
Ha!
Oh they are sooo nice and crunchy...YUM!

Ingredients
85g (1/2 cup) figs roughly chopped (I used semi dried)
200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar (this is more then what I world normally use, however the first time I make something I follow the recipe exactly then tweak)
125ml (1/2 cup) olive oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
115g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour (I always use wholemeal)
115g (3/4 cup) plain flour (wholemeal)
2 tsp ground ginger
70g (1/2 cup) pecans

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
Combine sugar, oil, egg and vanilla in a large bowl.
Add flours and ground ginger and stir until combined.
Add pecans and figs and stir to combine.
Roll mixture into 24 portions and place on lined trays about 5cm apart. Press each cookie to flatten slightly. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and place on rack to cool.

Clearly I didn't make 24!!

Christmas Movies - Do you love them?

Aidan was born December 16 and I was in hospital for a week.

A weeks worth of indulging in day time TV - cheesy Christmas movies...bliss.

Now that Aidan is here.....things can only get better come Christmas time!

And Christmas has begun in the form of ....

Handy Manny -
A very Handy Holiday!

Thanks to Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Porter Novelli and Aussie Mummy Bloggers we were able to indulge...
in October!!

Aidan is probably a little too young for this, however he had an upset tummy and all he wanted was Mummy cuddles so it was the perfect time to watch and it kept his attention.

Clearly it rates as its about Christmas but is also promotes team work...and talking tools? Too cute!!

The DVD will be available November 3rd!

I have a copy of Disney Christmas Favourites to
give away....

Leave a comment and tell me what your favourite Christmas movie is and it could be yours!
Dont forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if your the winner :)

Cooking frenzy!

I cooked!
OMG!

When J is away I cook for Aidan and that is as far as I go.
Cheese and vegemite sandwiches are perfectly acceptable for dinner for a hard working mother ;)
This weekend I made a chocolate cake....ohh the oooozing icing!
Followed by a baked risotto.

The risotto ingredients just looked so fresh and has made me want to have better dinners when J is away.

Usually I do not 'do' Creamed Corn....however J loves it and this recipe is supposed to be a hit with the kids....the sacrifices I make for my boys!
J, are you reading this?

Ingredients:
4tbs butter (I used one)
100g diced bacon
1/2c chopped shallots
2 cloves of garlic - crushed
1c arborio rice
500g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and coarsely chopped (I used breast)
1/2c red capsicum - diced
2c hot chicken stock
400g creamed corn (ICTAI)
1/2c grated parmesan

Method:
Preheat over - 200degrees
Place butter, bacon, shallots, garlic, rice, chicken, capsicum and in larger casserole dish and stir
Cover and bake for 20 minutes
Remove from over and stir in corn
Cover and bake for another 20 minutes
Stir in cheese.
YUM!

Aidan goes Cloth!

Cloth Nappies?

Well I never!

We are giving them a try on a part time basis and if I like then we will switch full time.

These fancy cloth nappies, its a whole new world.

We got 2 different ones to try, he looks pretty smart I must say.

I needed to wash them a few times before we could use them so I was pretty excited when we could put them on....and well wouldn't you know....5 minutes into the first one and hello no2. So we only got to see a swirly little butt for a short time!

Splish Splash

Today we went for a swim, Aidan's first.

Coffee, banana bread and milk first, under the shade of the massive trees at Riverway.

Aidan was not impressed with his hat. But he did really well and kept it on.
No hat no swim!

Getting used to the water with Daddy.

This swimming business is hard work - ready for a snooze.

And just a random photo for this post.
This is in our front garden, there were 4 frogs but one jumped away just before J took the photo.

Reef HQ

Gran is in town so we went out to the aquarium.

I was a little disappointed in there not being too many displays that were more eye catching to the littlies.
I know Aidan is still a bit young for this...but still!! And the interactive area for kids...hmm not so hot.
It was still nice to take him out and we had a good time looking at the fish and coral.

Aidan Vs. Turtle.

Photo of the day:)

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal.

With what seems like the weeks of sickness Aidan lost his squeal.
Its back.
In a BIG way.
Listen to this, then imagine it with a crying and cranky teething baby.
In Coles!

Dorothy the Dinosaur - Romp-Bomp-A-Chomp!

If I didn't listen to ABC radio we would have missed out!!!

Getting his wiggle on!

The show was at Riverway. We have never been to the performance centre, so it was nice to see what that was like.
This is the main pool and our view as we lined up.

Aidan was clearly a little unsure about what was going on!

The star herself!

Wags

Dorothy and the fairies

I really wished I could have taken some better photos of him during the performance.
He was in awe and a bit stunned.
We were in the second row so he could see everything clearly.

Just a little something to get through the rest of the show!

Go Captain Feather Sword!

Henry and John the Cook.

Happy Boy!

He was such a trooper!
We were in our seats at about 12:15pm ready for a 12:30pm start. I thought they would start on time given its a kids performance.
9 minutes late...not huge but for a lot of kids in one place thats a LONG time.
He had a great time and watched the entire show, no tears or crankyness which I was very impressed with as he has just cut a new tooth.
Go Bubba Boy!! xx.

Yes Daddy, we had to buy something ;)