grief

We are a bit sad in Toaster town.

A very dear friend of Gaye's and good friend to all our family, Carol, died last week. Carol was an exceptional woman and her community contribution enormous. So much so there has been a research fund in her name and Gaye has put plenty of energy assisting with the establishment of this in the past months as her friend was dying. Carol was excited about the fund and what it represented and it has been a bit of a blessing for Gaye as she has poured all her sadness into action.

For Gaye this is an incredible loss, and that is not for me to blog about. But it has also been a big loss for our family ... and for me, as I mourn the loss of a friend, mentor and supporter, it has been a time of also thinking about how to walk the boys, Thomas in particular, through grief.

Carol was a big part of our lives, sharing in big and small family events and spending many an hour in tea fueled conversation about the boy’s development, milestones, trials and tribulations. Carol was a fan of our two boys and they of her. Always pleased to see each other, no matter how much time had passed between visits it was always comfortable and fun to have Carol at our home. Her visits were filled with laughter, shocked expressions, raised eyebrows and gossip er, debriefs. We talked about work, politics, public policy, our friends, her grandkids and our boys. We ate and talked and talked and ate.

I can't tell you how impossible it is to believe that this life-filled person is no longer with us. All the way through her funeral there was this sense of unbelievability about it, surely at any moment we could turn around and talk to her about what people were saying and doing in their grief.

We remained hopeful - perhaps in denial of reality - of a good or better outcome until only a short while ago. But at the same time we were open with the boys, Thomas in particular, that she was very unwell but fighting, very unwell but trying so hard to stay with us and her family for as long as she could.

Once we became aware that this was a fight she couldn't win we talked about that with him too. He broke my heart each time we talked about it, 'is there no crack not even the smallest crack in the door Mum that she can win?''what if we took her to another doctor, one far away?' Her grandchildren had similar and even more heart wrenching conversations with their parents. Making bargains and hoping for another outcome.

Although Thomas has experienced some death in his life, Carol was the first person he really loved who died.

We all went up the funeral, Thomas and Al's first. It was a very child friendly funeral ... balloons, colouring in and stickers.

We took a friend to look after Al. Al at two is not aware of the loss or the meaning of it. But I feel so sad that he will not know Carol as he grows.

I was so proud of Thomas, he cried gently and easily, he spent a lot of time gauging the reactions of the other many children at the funeral aware that some had lost their nonna, he bravely sat on his own while Gaye spoke (and I stood by her) about her love for Carol and Carol's love for our boys, he went and got both Gaye and I a cup of tea without being asked at the wake he continues to be concerned (without being anxious) for Gaye as primary griever.

It keeps passing through my mind to tell Carol ....

Thomas' first impressions

Thomas came home from his first day of school pretty impressed with new school.

Mainly he likes that he is expected to get about the school both in the morning and on the way to language and music classes on his own - rather that marched about in two lines from place to place.

He also thinks the canteen looks like a cafe.

And he got to choose his own buddy - apparently a good thing.

His main comment on the kids was that 'they sit up straight and listen all the time mum.'

Gaye and I almost wet ourselves at his story of getting lost thou.

After being told by the teachers at orientation 'not to worry about getting lost everyone does. Just remember you are in the Wright Building on level 1. That is right with a 'W', W R I G H T.'

Much to his embarrassment I made him practice walking into the classroom (two floors up, past reception, along the walkway, into the other building and down a floor) before we left.

One of the first things I asked him was 'how many times did you get lost'

'Only once Mum,' was his reply. 'It was because I was looking for the wong building - you know wrong without an r.'

That is one for the 21st....

That big boy is 11

Thomas turned 11 yesterday. And really we couldn't be more proud of him. He is really doing the transfer to the new school with a mature attitude and an open spirit. Makes a mumma's heart sing.

He was thrilled to bits with his i*pod n*anno and speakers telling me over and over that it was 'the best present of his life'

We celebrated with chocolate afternoon teas and dinner with Aunty Lou.

He took cakes to school and commented on how the kids were so lovely and all kept wishing him a happy birthday.

The party is to come - but the day it self was a very happy one.

what did little school say about his first day ...

Al’s First Day at Little School
3rd February 2010
We welcomed you today Al, as you arrived with your mum Clare, who spent some time with you as you familiarised yourself more with our morning tea routine.
You appeared so comfortable in your environment, a big smile appearing on your face as you looked around your surroundings. No doubt many of the things you saw were already familiar to you, as you’ve done quite a number of pre visits before your first day of care today. You only took a few bites of your morning tea (which was corn thins and apple slices), as there were so many distractions around you and you couldn’t help but get up from your seat and explore these.
When your mum left you kept that smile and continued to explore what was around you. You played with the toy cars, pushing these along the table; you also were drawn to the drawing experience a few times and made markings on the paper using textas. Drawing is an interest of yours, and this is something we can provide for you to engage in while at the centre. You pointed to the Thomas hats on the hooks and picked up a book on trains from the book shelf and looked at this. From speaking to both your mums we found out that you like trains, and you are already showing your interest in the objects with trains at the centre on your first day.
Inside you were quite interested on the beds on the floor and happily lay on a few of them, as if deciding which one is the most comfortable for you to lie in. Again you couldn’t sit for too long during lunchtime and just wanted to explore the indoor environment. This is understandable as everything is still a novelty for you and all you wanted to do this day was explore and engage in the experiences.
By now your day at the centre had ended, with Anmah (note that is me Clare!) picking you up early. It was great to see you so comfortable on your first day and no doubt you will enjoy the rest of your time at the centre. Welcome Al to Little School and to the Blue group!
____________

He is as happy as a lark. Yesterday he was off to play not long after morning tea and today pushed Gaye out the door when they arrived with a 'byyyeee' He is not eating much there year but slept there yesterday for two hours...

Happy bubba, happy mummas

Little School

Al starts childcare tomorrow. I admit to feeling a level of relief at the flexibility that childcare will bring that having a carer at home doesn’t. We can start and finish when we need to, and if that changes no-one will mind, if the carer is sick we will still have childcare and we will be able to leave the house without being concerned about the environment we are leaving for the child carer to work in.

But at the same time I feel more than a bit nervous. Al has terrible allergies to everyday foods and it takes a lot of attention to remember to wash your hands after wheat and not to have eggs etc. He isn’t speaking much yet and uses a combination of charm and signs to get what he wants and needs. Knowing he was home with someone who cared and was careful has eased my mind a plenty over the last eighteen months.

The centre – which we are calling ‘little school’ - has been so lovely to us and to him. They have come up with excellent plans to manage his allergies and have other children with allergies. It has a lot of green space around it which gives a sense that it is not right in the inner city (although it is).

On his orientation visits Al has seemed to love little school, he is keen to engage with the other kids, dancing and playing blocks. The have a huge sandpit and a cubby house – things he doesn’t get to play with at home. He is thrilled by the mini loos and yesterday sat and ate with his friends. His current carer and his grandmother who have both taken him on visits as well have commented on the friendly staff and Al’s comfort there.

We call it ‘little school’ by-the-way because of Beth Norling’s lovely book Little School I bought this book for Thomas before he started pre-school. It is so gorgeously illustrated and details simply the routine of a day at little school (with lots of different options) and all the action at home before and after. Al loves it , as did his brother.


I am probably a bit marred by the fact that Thomas started childcare just about this age, and despite a lovely environment, just around the corner from our then home (it was the childcare centre in the inner west at the time) – he walked back and forward entreating me to take him to work with us ‘I’ll be good mumma.’ After a few months we gave up and both worked part-time! He was completely fine 18 months later when starting pre-school, but he continues to be more of a homebody.

Al is a completely different sort of boy, highly social happy enough at two to run amuck with 500 primary school students at the Easter Hat Parade and over summer to dance at the camp ground disco in amongst a huge pile of much larger children while we stood by and watched from the sidelines. These are things Thomas never would have done or enjoyed these things at the same age and so hopefully this will also mark the difference in their responses.

Riding along on my push bike honey.....

One of my resolutions for 2010 was to ride my new bike to work at least three times a week.

Since working at this work I have walked, bussed and driven to work. Mostly I am ashamed to say the last as my day usually involves some sort of family pick up or drop off at school or the station at the beginning or the end of the day.

My work is only a ten-minute ride or a twenty-minute walk from home. This year, Thomas’ new school is a five minute ride/ten minute walk from my office, Al’s little school (which he starts this week) is five minutes ride from there and my office is about ten minutes on the bike from little school. ie: it is all close and doable on the bike.

Plus I really need to build in the exercise into my day to day life (this is the only way exercise works for me) and I fundamentally think it is better for the kids days to start with a bike, walk or bus ride to school.

I was full of plans to ride – and Gaye has made it as easy as possible for me by buying me a new bike as a birthday/Christmas present - I put a new seat on the back for Al as we found the front wee-rider a bit hard to peddle around (short legs!).

Al likes going on the back and we have been out for a few runs together.

I started the working year well riding three times during my first week back, but the following two weeks have been filled with commitments to drive Gaye’s Mum to little school or back with Al for his pre-start visits. (Grandma does not like to drive in Sydney).

Thomas was pretty reluctant, he is not an enthusiastic bike rider at the best of times – plus he has left over fear from a fall a few years ago. Plus he didn’t see any kids ride at new school and he is right at the age where it is very important to FIT IN.

Still we set out this morning, lifting his seat about 4 inches due to growth since he last rode it, and suddenly his big bike didn’t feel so big anymore. He was pretty thrilled. In an attempt to accommodate the “fit in” factor we locked our bikes at my work and then walked from there. Once at school we found the bike rack (what do you know many other kids ride to school) and when I pointed out that he would be able to ride from the main road along the path to school on his own (there is a lollypop man to assist with the only road crossing) while I went a bit further on to Al’s childcare he was sold.

The only downside? I was worried about running late to school and so wore my bike-riding outfit to walk Thomas. Ofcourse I ran into my always stylishly and well-presented friend Elissa, with helmet hair and a sweaty top but not on my bike!

A new year, two new schools, a new blogging start

It has been awhile since I have blogged. There are lots of half formed blogs in my drafts list to remind me of things I want to write about so it is not because I don't want to blog it is more that last year was busy, especially with work and so I didn't find the time.

But when I read over my old stuff I am reminded of things that I had forgotten about and my boys are growing so fast (don't they always) that I have decided to try and start again just as much so that I remember these times better.

This morning our biggest boy (Thomas) has started school at his new school. We have made a big move - for us - and shifted him in grade 5 to a private school. This is hard for me as I am a fan of public education - but honestly it just wasn't making it with him or us and so after an offer of a place at new school we took it up.

So far I am pretty thrilled with new school. The staff are responsive to email and calls, the information is timely, the vibe is friendly and accepting and they have taken our not so traditional family group completely in their stride.

I have been worried for Thomas that he might be nervous but I have to say he seems pretty fine. In fact he wishes we would all stop asking him if he was nervous.

Grade 5 is big ofcourse and so I was instructed to drop him off at the door - 'don't come in MUM! and don't give me a kiss please!!!'

I think I will spend much more of today thinking of him than he will of me!

when to think 3

There are about 14 other posts, half written with good thoughts but not complete that fill up the time from then and before then until now. That mark the milestones of Al's and Thomas fabulousness, growth and the laughter that keeps me going. One day i will put them up. One day I will finish my photo albums. Since then and now both Gaye and I have both had promotions,done some house rennovations and spent lots of time sitting on the floor with our youngest making towers from maisy blocks and playing bowls with our oldest on his brand new Wii. Since then and now Thomas has turned 10, started grade 4, finished a season of nippers, grown another foot it seems and learnt how to make a damn good cup of tea. Since then and now Al has learnt to walk backwards, dance holding his own hands in front of him in what we like to call 'bloke' dancing, learnt absolutely no more words, had no more asthma, taught us to all clap our hands and 'ooohhh' at the sight of a fire engine, bus or any other emergency or truck-like thing on wheels, he is now only weeks from turning two. Since then and now Gaye and I have resolved the baby issue, making decisions about the the embryos that are on ice (boarding school as I like to call it) and who goes next. Although we came from very different places we have done this really well I think, without any drama or tension, with open hearts and minds.

And so ... here we go again

Back to work

I have so much to write about our holidays and Christmas and the new parts of my job and have about 11 drafts on the go - but no time to do it until the weekend. So just to say Happy New Year to you and those you love and looking forward to blogging again soon

Getting Organised

I am on another sorting out cycle. These come and go with me and things have sat rather still in the last 12 months or so but suddenly I feel able to move on things that have been sitting in the to do pile – perhaps it is turning 40 or that bizarre ritual of getting things done before Christmas. Maybe it is because we are moving office at work and so organisation rules the day. Most likely it is because I have sold the house I shared with my sister after Gaye and I bought this place and so – although not actually in the money yet! – have a sense of having some actual cash to do the things we have needed to do. Whatever it is in the last month between us we have:

• Organised for the builders to finish our deck this week (Gaye)
• Organised for the new doors to go in this week (Gaye)
• Organised Gaye’s brother to come and paint in January while we are away (Gaye)
• Booked our holiday (us)
• Booked a birthday party (me), made (us) and sent (me) birthday invitations
• Organised the dog for the holiday (me)
• Sorted out myself into one bank with all of Thomas’ accounts and mine streamlined – previously I had four! (me)
• Done my tax (me)
  
• Got ourselves all on one Medicare card (us)
• Put my old super into the new (and much more stable!) super of my current employer (me)
• Got my work mobile handset fixed and the simcard re done (me)
• Got the last lot of work signed off (Gaye) and forms in to Council (me)
• Got the dog final registration organised (me)
• Done a huge health insurance and Medicare claim (me)
• Ordered new lounges and chairs (Gaye)
• Ebayed the old chairs and tv cabinet (me)
• Ordered new built-ins for the bedrooms, tv cabinet and office cupboard (Gaye)
• Sent in all the documentation to GET the documentation so I can go on Al’s birth certificate (me)
• Transferred a whole lot of payments and refunds from our credit cards or individual accounts to our joint account (me)
• Organised my Dad to get the letter about his illness earlier this year so I can claim on insurance the flights we had to cancel for our delayed holiday (me)
• Transferred our photos from my work computer to our new computer (me)
• Sorted through our junk draw (me – about once a month) and our bedroom draws
• Put the old internal doors up on freecycle.

The thing about all these tasks is they have a flow on effect. They all need you to do step one and two before you can actually get to the task. Most frustrating! So I am feeling very virtuous to have done all these tasks. MOST VIRTUOUS!

I still have lots to do thou!

• veggie garden to fix
• photo albums to complete
• send in documentation once I get it to get Al’s birth certificate changed
• sort out the dumping ground that we call the attic
• do Gaye's tax
  
• ohh and get organised for Christmas…

shopping experience

Yesterday I was in town for work and I snuck in some clothes shopping.

I used to work in town and so visited the shops there regularly when (a) I was bored or (b) had time. But now days a trip 'in to town' is a irregular event and usually means a trip to a place with lots of escalators and people, sometimes with a kid in tow and usually by the third floor and the first change room I am over it already.

The other sort of clothes shopping I do falls into two categories the stores along the shopping street which is near where I live. There are lots of nice shops along there and a couple of really nice designers that I like. That shopping is usually done when I am desperate for something and they never seem to have my size or the colour that I like. The third kind of shopping is at the outlet stores for decent quality t-shirts etc. Which Gaye usually does in bulk once a season. Last years become the PJ t-shirts and then the gardening/painting gear and then off to cotton heaven.

Yesterday however I ventured - purposefully - into a designer store in the QVB building in town. On the weekend Gaye and I had seen some of this designers clothes when we had been away on Sunday and really liked the look of them.

It is worth noting at this point that I have struggled - since putting on weight in the last couple of years in particular - lately to 'find my style.' Every now and then I come across something that I like - I have a long wrap vest, a scant, a poncho and some linen things that I really love and so end up with multiple copies of - but it is rare. I like unstructured clothes, with yummy materials, largely in monochrome colours, linen and natural fabrics. I like things that are easy to look after and not to fussy in terms of ironing.

My 40th birthday is coming up - I have declared it the year of the accessory and glamour - and I want something that I feel comfy but also fabulous in to wear for that event. I also want clothes for work and casually that I feel comfy in but also stylish without being overdressed. I am not a heels girl (apart from boots). Really I want to look like Dianne Keaton always does in films...

Anyway, I was feeling particularly unstylish yesterday. I had my period my belly ached and my hair went flat. But something in me said 'do it' and so I did. I went upstairs to the cool quiet of the second floor of QVB and walked purposely into the store.

As soon as I walked in I knew I wouldn't walk out without something - there was the white shirt we had spotted on the weekend but also I felt like I had come to almost 40 and not skinny heaven. It was filled to the brim with clothes and accessories I loved. That were funky and had really clean lines. It was all layers and textures.

And then I met Liza. Liza has been working for the designer since he started up she told. She was so nice to me. And not in the nice sucky pressure way assistants often are. In an interested - lets work out what you want way. She asked me what I liked to wear, what occasion it was. She asked me how much of my body I liked to show and then she showed me some things. She was present without being pushy. She 'styled' me a couple of times - push your sleeves up with this or pop that over there etc. She understood my 'mumsie' complex right away. She told me about the designers desire that women not be having heart attacks when they get dressed in the morning. Sigh ... I had walked into heaven - all be it a rather expensive heaven...and I felt lushed.

I rang Gaye and said "oh my god I am in this shop and the clothes are fabulous but so expensive"(we are meant to be saving mind) "Don't hold back" I was told. I walked out with four beautiful things. Each one I love. Two of them I am wearing today and I feel completely fabulous ... very lush and stylish. All the (in my opinion) well dressed women at work have commented on my clothes... I am just dying to get back there...

five things about Al

that are especially cute at the moment.

1. He loves trucks, planes and lights and gestures madly with his whole arm in the direction of any that he sees or hears. This is accompanied by a "ooohh" sound and very pursed lips.

2. He walks a bit like a penguin. Arms down by his side legs quite straight head moving about

3. He can climb up the stairs on the slide at the park, turns himself around and pushes backward until he reaches the top of the slide, holds on, grins and lets go. Thrilled with his achievement and the joy of the slide

4. When he had his final jab at the doctor with me last week he didn't cry but gave the dr what we call 'the tragic look.' This look is shared with us any number of times a day and involves his eyes half closed looking through the slits at us a frown and a down turned mouth. Any perceived slight (changing his nappy, holding his arm while he gets the jab, saying 'No' about going in the cupboard) is greeted with this particular look. It is so cute some of us like to bring it on!

5. He can't say NO yet in words, but he waves his arms back and forward in a sweeping motion to indicate it very very well!

A picnic with friends

Another weekend, another lovely picnic. This time with dear friends who date back to high school in terms of me knowing them. We were celebrating their 10th anniversary of marriage. They brought together many of us who had been at their wedding, these are people I only ever see at get togethers with these friends and so plenty to chat and catch up with. We ate cheese and drank champagne and reflected on the changes that the 10 years had brought. Lovely.

Tomorrow we are driving to meet up with my family to celebrate my Mum's 65th Birthday. Thomas is so excited to see his cousins and I am so looking forward to showing off Al's new found skills and growth with my Dad especially.

oh happy day

I feel ridiculously uplifted by the election of Obama. Ridiculously hopeful. Suddenly the world seems a more friendly and open place. A place for hope, peace and real potential for change. A real first step away from fear. Silly no doubt to put all this on one man's election...

And (although this is not a driving issue for me) given he has Rudd like policies when it comes to same sex relationships (ie discrimation is not okay but neither is getting married) it is sometimes a bit dulling to think that this is as far to equality we are likely to get.

But still it is hopeful I feel cause lots and lots of people obviously felt the same as me ... time for peace and hope...

celebrating

This weekend we have been celebrating Halloween with sugar and costumes including a Halloween disco at school and a small Halloween picnic with friends on Saturday night. We had so many lollies in our house that we threw out the ones leftover from last Halloween! (Thomas really is very sensible with sugar food!). The nicest bit was the picnic - hanging out with a few friends in a local park with yummy food. So simple and easy and yet fun.

Thomas got one over me by deciding to be a pirate for both celebrations. Which meant buying a sword and a pistol (plastic ones previously not had in our home) he admitted after that was why he chose said pirate costume - clever boy!

This weekend have been celebrating Gaye's graduation from her Masters. With another - much longer but equally enjoyable picnic with friends in Centennial Park. Cricket was played, yummy food was shared and champagne drunk - clever Gaye!

Never under-estimate

I should know this by now. I have been "managing" a hormone imbalance brought on by a pituitary tumour for the last 15 years. I say "managing" because I am actually not that good at managing it. I tend to ignore it until it all gets so bad I can't ignore it anymore.

Anyway I finally did something about it -again- and what do you know the world seems a much better place!

Spy Wizard

Thomas has a problem. He can’t chose on which career to take up. Spy or wizard (or lifeguard or tri-athlete) What I really enjoy about this is he is nine (and the size of a 12 year old) but he is still fully engaged in imaginative play involving him and sometimes-small toys…

The thing is spies have gadgets…

He has been into all things spy for sometime now. He especially enjoys stories about kids who become spies and ‘save the day.’ He has been reading a series of books about a boy called Z@c Power who has joined a spy agency. In the books Zac’s code name is ‘Agent Rock Star’ and the boss is ‘Agent Big Boss’. Z@c’s brother makes the gadgets (a bit like Q in the Bond movies). The most recent series of the books (mega missions!!!) came with Z@c Power gadgets attached to carabinas – a small compass, torch and magnifying glass. Last weekend Thomas and his friend who was over to play packed up these and other spy gadgets and went ‘spying’ writing notes about what they saw and heard. They had a great time.

Anyway, clearly Thomas has been talking all things spy with his Dad too because last night at the dinner table he suddenly turned to me and said ‘hey Mum did you know that my Dad’s dad used to be the boss of the spies?

I said I did know that and that I thought that perhaps his Dad and I had been to his office once. He hammered me with questions ‘were there gadgets in his office?’ ‘how did he become the big boss?’ ’did you see any spies?’ ‘was there a room to make gadgets?’ ‘did he have a code name?’ ‘did he have guards like Mr How@rd?

My lack of knowledge did not impress him all that much (particularly my comment about working hard to become the big boss of something). But in the end he decided that his grandfather would have his gadgets hidden from (the likes of) us anyway, probably in an underground room.

Then again wizards have magic…

When he is not being a spy he is being a wizard. A couple of weeks ago when we were walking his dog he went and sat in a tree in the park (while I actually walked the dog) and he pulled out all of his ‘wizard stuff’ from his ever present small yellow and blue bag which he carries everywhere these days with whatever is important to him of the moment. After he had sat in his tree and played for awhile he and I walked around to the shops to pick up a few items. The conversation went like this “Mum you don’t believe in wizards do you?” “Sure I do honey” "No mum you don’t but that is okay because people who can’t be wizards just don’t know about it. Do you think you would be happy if I were a wizard when I grow up?”

It must be the spring before I turn 40 because

• we are eating our dinner out on the deck most nights - thou we do eat our dinner at a kid friendly time (we have always been a one meal eat all together type family rather than the kids meal followed by the grown-up meal type of family);
• my washing line is full of Al's all-in-one short and top thingos instead of little cords & cardigans;
• soccer season is over so our Saturday mornings are free of driving around this crazy city at peak weekend time finding remote soccer fields (shhh as I say a small hooray at that, thou I will miss the weekly catch-up with the team and enjoy watching the kids play);
• "nippers" season has started (and Thomas was keen to do it again for the first time in a number of years) and so our Sunday mornings now involve a trip to the beach - which is completely gorgeous;
• my oregano is 30 cms high, the newly planted basil is about 20 cms high, the tomatoes and the passion fruit are flowering and if half the limes and lemons that are budding come out we will be able to supply all our friends with fresh lemon for their summer g&t's;
• we have booked our summer holiday - four whole weeks off work for me and more than two whole weeks for us all up north in a cabin near a beach and a pool and a low-key-but-groovy-enough-to-have-good-coffee small town;
• the jacaranda are flowering outside my window at work. A view I will miss ALOT when I move to my new building in two weeks;
• Thomas has started swimming lessons again - his face when they told him he had 'finished learn-to-swim' and was 'ready for squad' was priceless and reminded me what a little boy he still is in some ways
• we are doing the picnic regularly as a socialising event. In the next few weeks we have a halloween picnic (Thomas) , a masters attainment celebration picnic (for Gaye and our friend Gary who both finished their masters this year) and a 10th wedding anniversary picnic (for two dear friends) planned;
• and that last one sort of ties into the next one cause at that wedding I was lovely and pregnant with Thomas and right now I am seriously thinking of having another baby.

First pair of big boy shoes

 

I am told that Al was so thrilled at getting his new shoes he hugged the man at DJ's who fitted him followed by walking around the store arms above his head calling 'oohh oohh' until all and sundry commented on his new shoes.

Cousin time

Thomas is having a lovely school holidays and none of it has anything to do with me. My niece is in town - after taking her first plane flight on her own to get here, and they are having a lovely time together. Beach trips and ferry rides. Later on we will probably go to Luna Park. They have always been good friends these two and really enjoy each other's company.

On Monday when we picked her up from the airport he walked her to the baggage pick up (after standing face pressed against the window as her plane came in) and insisted on carrying her bag to the car for her. So sweet.