(Written in the way Hamish speaks.) Me: Hamish, breakfast time. H: What’s on my plate? Me: Vegemite on toast. H: But… How I’m going to get cheese on it?

H: Where’s the chocolate Easter eggs gone? D: Ask mummy – she’s the keeper of the chocolate. H: I want chocolate mummy! Me: Sit on your potty and mummy will give you chocolate. H: ok! Chalk one up for mummy! Not related to this post, but I like the photo.

Today was Hamish’s 2nd birthday. We awoke to rain, rain and more rain. The water was pouring down the streets. But we’d promised to take Hamish to the zoo – his first visit. We batted around the idea of going to the aquarium but none of us was as enthused with that idea. So when [...]

We arrived back from Spain the second week of September. It is now 5 sleeps until Christmas, or so my “sleeps til Christmas” calendar tells me. And so far, I have only taken you through about a third of our trip. With all of the stress, good times and bad times, and just the passing [...]

We take a break from my account of our trip to Spain. Given that the last report was over a month ago, I think that the break has already started. Anyway… A bit of background: Our days start between 5:30 and 6 (yes, even on weekends) with Hamish waking up. Sometimes he yells. If we [...]

Jim, my father-in-law, is a volunteer fireman with the Bomberos. They are a very social group made up of Spanish, Brits and Germans mostly. My parents’ first Saturday in Spain coincided with the 30th Anniversary dinner for the Bomberos. Jim had organised usall tickets, and with Hamish left with a babysitter, we headed to Casa [...]

As it was Mom and Dad’s first day in Spain, after we said good bye to the Stephens, we took them down to the beach front. There are a number of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops along the front. Most are quite touristy, but they all have a wonderful view of the beach. There’s one [...]

Jim bought Susan and I vouchers to the local fish spa. I’d never even considered a fish spa before. On arrival for our appointment, you clean your feet, and then it’s straight to the tanks where you sit on the edge and dangle your feet over the side. Within seconds, your feet are covered with [...]

Why is it that kids are obsessed with the chores their parents do? Kids toys quite often include dustpans and brushes, lawn mowers, shopping carts, vacuum cleaners. Before this trip to Spain, Hamish had only shown a mild interest in being tidy. He will put his crayons back in their tub, and he doesn’t mind [...]

As gifts, we brought Darrell Lea liquorice and Tim Tams. It was therefore a must to introduce the boys to Tim Tam slamming. Duncan made up a big bowl of hot chocolate, we gave a brief explanation and let them go to it. I think it was a success.