Whine fest

I've been stuck home all week with the dreaded flu. It started last week when I lost my voice. Completely. If you stood nice and close to me I could whisper in your ear. It was very frustrating. And I swear the lady at the Woolies deli was trying her hardest not to laugh at me while I tried to order bacon over that high counter. So my voice made it back to me and the flu has settled in my chest. Ugh. Give me a head cold anyday but when I get a chest cold I cough so much my ribs hurts. I coughed so much I pulled a muscle in my chest. Basically I have been pretty miserable..lol

So Emma and I found ourselves stuck inside and bored so we were trying to cheer (me) up by being silly.





Even when she is being silly she is still oh so cute!


and my real gripe for the day is...
This morning I rang our dr's surgery to make an appointment for Emma and I. For me, because I am pretty over feeling blah and for Emma because last night we were up with her coughing and sounding all croupy and distressed and gasping for breath.

And they are booked out for a week. Huh? We might be well in a week. We might be dead in a week (ok so I am exaggerating, slightly.) But really.. NOTHING? for a week?? Aren't they suppose to keep some appts open each day. I rang as early as you can possibly ring without getting the answering machine. This is not the first time either.

I'm shopping for a new doctor.

Emma has just discovered she can do somersaults... or as she calls them "back flips"

Ernie

Meet Ernie.. the newest member of our brood. He's a 6yo Jack Russel cross that we adopted from the RSPCA. He was a little timid at first but is starting to come out of his shell.

The two faces of one day

Happy smiley face


and the not so happy smiley face.
She was not a happy camper this day and of course mean mummy chased her round with a camera..LOL

10

Yesterday was Jacob's 10th birthday, although we actually celebrated it on Sunday. He requested a bean bag and cheesecake for his birthday, both of which were delivered ;)

Happy Birthday Jacob!

The EVIL brownie

Pure evil... but soooooooooooooooooooooo nice!

To commit this particular sin you will need the following..

180g (6oz) butter
250g (9oz) dark cooking chocolate
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa

Preheat oven to 180C (350F).
Line base and sides of a deep 20cm square cake tin with baking paper. Grease.
Chop butter and melt in a medium heavy based pan, add roughly chopped chocolate and stir constantly over low heat until melted and smooth. remove from heat and leave to cool.

Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla together with an electric mixer until thick and pale. Sift together flour and cocoa and add to egg mixture along with melted butter and chocolate. Carefully folding using a large metal spoon.

Gently spoon mixture into prepared tin. Spread to edges and gently shake to settle. bake for 30-35 minutes.. do not over cook. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan.

We reheated and had with whipped cream for dessert.... melt in your mouth!

On Sunday we went to Ben Lomond again and this time the weather was perfect and there was SNOW!

SNOW FIGHT! Ethan caught in the cross fire. Jamie has my pink rubber gloves on..ROFL!

Our snowman.

Snowballs. Big snowballs.

Lets get daddy

You keep him busy Ethan, I'll get him from behind..

Her first taste of snow.

*heart*

Last night it got down to -4C (around 25F for those on the otherside). Half of our suburb woke to no water because the water had frozen in the mains. We got water back around 11am.

We also ended up with burst pipes along one side of the house which dh spent the day replacing. We think they are about 50 years old, so we should probably be thankful that they have lasted this long..lol Ahh the joys of an old house.



and where there is water to play in.. there will always be a little boy

Jumpity jump

Following in his brother's footsteps Ethan is getting quite good at the trampoline. He flips and jumps about with confidence.




and gets thouroughly annoyed when little sister tries to steal the limelight..LOL

Brrrrrr

The temperatures are dropping and we are rugging up.. just a few of my little winter bunnies.


Apparently drawing on your face witht he chalk is fun too.. lol



I am in love with this picture.

When a tree falls in the forest....

This afternoon we took a drive up the mountain to see if there was any snow about. No snow, just lots of mud, rain and mist! So we took a drive down a track.. found a little hut and stopped for a hot drink and a little food.
Depsite having coats and hats Emma and Ethan were still cold so we warmed them up with some extra clothing.. lol (and that is not smoke haze in this shot.. its FOG and a point and shoot camera..lol!)


And how hard is it to get all of us in a shot at the same time.....
(I can't beleive I am even posting this.. ughh!)


and in reference to the title of this blog... as we were packing up and getting ready to leave, there was this loud crack and just to the side of us this WHOLE tree just fell down!!!

So when a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?? You bet you do and it scares the crap out of ya!!

Look who's THREE!

This is the kitchen that daddy and I made her for her birthday.

I loved her reaction when she first saw it. She was so excited to be having her very own "happy birthday"





and later in the day we had some cake



She was far more interested in the tea set on the cake than the cake its self..lol

Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet baby girl.