Family | The Lattimore Acre

Time to Celebrate!

Family and friends are like quilts, pieced with memories, bound with love. . .

Ben turned three on the 16 April. It was a time to celebrate with family and friends. Ben is blessed to have so many people around him that love and care for him. His third birthday was a celebration that began on Friday and lasted until Sunday night. It was wonderful to have a house full of family and friends and messages from those who could not attend making special memories for our special little man xoxo.

The morning of Ben’s third birthday didn’t begin as early as we had imagined. Ben slept in and we had to wake him!!! He was overjoyed to see a bunch of wrapped presents in the lounge room. He unwrapped them starting with the smallest ones! He was delighted with his gifts – Rocky the crane (from Thomas), Hot wheels Cars, Hot wheels Racetrack, Thomas the Tank Engine wooden track and engines, a book, and the favorite and most cherished was a Push Mower with a pull cord. When we bought the mower it was packaged in its box…… OMG it is the loudest mower ever!!!

Ben spent the day at the Railway Workshops with Mum, Grandma, Bree, Joseph and Tom. It is his favorite place to visit. The Vegemite sandwiches and chips were a hit at lunch! Friday evening saw family and friends begin to arrive in preparation for the party on Saturday. It was fantastic to have so many extra hands to get everything organised and to assist in the last minute challenges. Thanks to all who helped with the balloons and reviving the lamingtons!!

Ben was so excited Saturday morning. His excitement when his friends arrived was so lovely. The children made box cars, played with bikes, scooters, pushcars, gyrocar, kite, trains, matchbox cars, dolls and balloons. They ate lollies, donuts, lamingtons, cake and sausages. They had a fantastic time with the birthday cake. Finlay added some extra decorations which nearly gave me a heart attack. After we had sung happy birthday and blew out the candles I stepped inside to get a knife and in went all the little fingers. The kids loved it!! Andrew and I enjoyed watching the children and loved catching up with family and friends old and new. Ben was very lucky to receive some great gifts. His grandparents were especially generous with Nanny and Grandad George giving him a train table, track and trains and Grandma and Grandad giving him a tool bench with all the tools and some great 3D Melissa and Doug car puzzles. Thank you to everyone who made this time so special. We love, love, love Birthdays in our house!! xoxo

Z50 FUN!

Today brought visits from friends and family. Ben enjoys every opportunity to get on the Z50. Today he shared his favourite favourite motorbike with Jayden, Hugo, and Uncle Al. GREAT TIMES!!

Boxing Day 2009

It’s not Boxing Day without ham and eggs on the BBQ. This year we shared this tradition with family and great friends Mum, Bree, Chris, Joseph and Baby Tom. Here are a pics of the boys…. just gorgeous (well I think so).

Christmas Day 2009

The anticipation for Christmas this year was enormous. It was the first Christmas that Ben understood that Santa was coming. He didn’t totally understand as he had us up early everyday for a week before Christmas. One morning I heard him wake and hurry to the lounge room where he said ‘Been naughty no presents’ and then he began to cry. But of course Santa did eventually come and Christmas day was magical. Ben woke early and we all hurried out of bed to see his response to Santa’s offerings. But it wasn’t excitement….. Ben was in Santa shock. He stood (still half asleep) observing all the loot. It only took a few minutes to warm up and then the Santa sack was being emptied, and he was on his trike. We had to wait for family to arrive to open the presents under the tree. It nearly killed me. Once again Santa was very kind to us all….. thanks Santa xoxo.

The weather man predicted rain on Christmas day, which I don’t think anyone really thought would happen. We traditionally have high temperatures. But to our surprise the weather man was correct and it did rain….. which was just so lovely. Mum, Dad, Andrew, Ben, Darrin, Carly and myself all indulged in Christmas lunch to the sound of rain on the tin roof. I think it was an extra present from Santa. I also had made a fabulous play list of Christmas carols on the ipod. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without carols….. well my brother doesn’t think so. I wondered how long it would take Darrin to crack. To my surprise he survived nearly the whole lunch. It was the Christmas Macarena that did it and fair enough it did have us all in hysterics. Our lunch included baked glazed ham, chicken, pear and beetroot salad, Mum’s special salad, rolls, rum balls, icecream pudding, ginger bread, fruit mince pies and the odd beverage. By mid afternoon we had had our fill when we retired to the lounge. Some of us had a snooze while others watched DVD’s that Santa had given. Al, Claire, Hugo, Auntie Lorriane, Sterle and Grandma Coles popped in from the coast for a late afternoon visit. We all indulged in a little more food and beverage. There really is nothing quiet like Christmas – family, friends, food, laughter and I can’t forget Santa.

Santa…….

Presents…….

Lunch…… (he’s not related)

Snoozing…..

Special Memories

We are back again at Peppers Salt Village for a week of sunshine. Once again the weather has not disappointed. This visit we have taken more of a relaxed approach not filling our days with site seeing but lazing by the pool, walks on the beach and evening trips for icecream. And to my surprise I have struggled with not organising and planning out every minute. I have had to make an effort to just go with the flow……. something that does not come naturally for me. Andrew has enjoyed napping on the lounge and Ben has enjoyed the evening trips for icecream He is in LOVE with cookies and cream icecream. He eats his own so quickly he moves on to sharing Mummy’s! Al, Claire and Hugo popped in for a visit today. We are truely blessed to have such wonderful family. I haven’t taken many picture yet this trip only a few to capture some special memories.

Family xoxo

FAMILY, n.-The ones you live with, laugh with and love.

How do children know who there extended family are? It must be innate or maybe they sense a feeling of belonging. Ben is pretty reserved around people he doesn’t know or see often. But not this weekend as I watched him play and interact with his Cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and Grandparents. Ben just adored having his cousins Tom and Maggie stay on the weekend. It was magic to watch them play together. Andrew and I just loved the house being full with family.

Our house was a pit stop on the way to a very special event. All that could make it were heading to Cousin Hugo’s first birthday. It was wonderful to be able to share in Al, Claire and Hugo’s special day. We enjoyed catching up with family and friends new and old. Ben certainly enjoyed the party. He ate the entire bowl of cheezels by himself! Hugo was an absolute delight and had enough cuddles to go around for everyone. Happy Birthday Little Man – we hope to celebrate many more with you. xoxox