Botanic Gardens and more bollards

Oh my goodness...this week we were struck by winter germs again and little Miss 3 came crashing down with a gastro that left her lifeless and sad. It's been a few days of washing sheets and musical beds and today I think we are coming good. Hence, this week I am posting a retrospective "Sundays in my City" from January this year when it was sunny and life was fresher and happier....ahhhh... (4 days until winter is over people!!)

Anyway... Myself and little Miss just 6 and 2.5 headed to the Botanic Gardens in Geelong. I don't remember going there as a kid and was keen to get into rediscovering my new, old surroundings. Well, it was absolutely gorgeous! The kids LOVED it! They loved walking through the tall trees, looking at the flowers, wondering at the fountain and having morning tea at the Tea House. A gorgeous caretaker also let the girls put on some protective ear muffs and sit in his ride on mower thingy!! Too much fun! It was just like a little piece of heaven right there in town. Writing this has made me realise that I need to head back and I also need to create a “Fun things to do list” to rival my “Everyday, stressing me out to do list.”

We were also excited to see 2 of the many Geelong Bollards.* These were of Daniel Bruce who was the first curator in 1857 and “Young Woman with stolen Sturt’s Desert Pea” (an Australian native plant!)

I look forward to creeping (who am I kidding...racing) out of this winter madness and discovering some more wonders in my city. Check out “Unknown Mami’s” for more!

*BAY WALK BOLLARDS, created by artist JAN MITCHELL.
104 painted wooden sculptures around the arc of Corio Bay, from Rippleside Park to Limeburners Point, tell the affectionate history of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Waterfront Geelong by Baywalk Bollards

Bollards no. 25 and 26.

Had a lovely Sunday afternoon playing at the park near the waterfront after our ice-creams at "Lic." (Lollies, Ice-cream, Coffee)
Miss 6 had strawberry sorbet.
Miss 3 started with rainbow.
Ice-cream loving husband had honey crunch and
I started with chocolate obsession before it got snaffooed by Miss 3!

This week I am featuring a couple more Bollards (I really should do them in order but any hoo!)

Right nearby the park and with great views of the pier and carousel were "Steam Captain" and "Sail Captain"  respectivley. The former is the Captian of Steam ship S.S Edina, in operation from 1888 to 1938. The later depicts a captain bringing  birds to stock the aviaries at the Botanical gardens. (Also apparently a portrait of Gerry Smith, a recent Mayor of Geelong".

I was trying to get a shot of myself with the Bollards (you know holding the camera in front of you) when a couple of tourists offered to take it. I was laughing a bit to myself and felt bad to say no...hence a very daggy touristy photo! That was Sunday in my City
...check out more at Unkown Mami's!

Where I ate today:
LIC
31 Yarra St, GEELONG, VIC, 3220
p: 03 5229 3891

Grateful post

What am I grateful for this week?


1. That my work week is over and that I get to be mum at home.

2. Very grateful that even though life is very hectic, I am able to work part time. I hope I never, ever have to work full time again. I wished I had realised this even before I had kids. I am not a 9am to 5pm type. I know I am lucky and I do appreciate it.

3. That everyone keeps saying that the weather is going to be nice this weekend. (Halleluiah)


4. For all my good friends that helped to make Little Miss 3’s birthday so special. I am finally posting some pics of the event. I am grateful to Miss Mandy for inspiring me to do her party at home! Also to “Baked by Nardia” for lifting the standard of cupcakes to Donna Hay level and for hosting the cookie decorating extravaganza!

5. Feeling peaceful at the end of a busy week, knowing that the weekend is not scheduled to the hilt!

 
Check out Maxabella Loves for more wonderful grateful posts!

Barwon Heads

We celebrated our newfound "wellness" on Sunday with a family drive, "down the coast".

Destination...Barwon Heads! We had such a great day. Given it did take a bit of time to get out of the house, (thank you to kind husband for letting me sleep until 10am!) we kicked off our day with lunch at "Barwon Orange" - great little cafe in the main street of Barwon Heads. Was completely delicious – homemade pizzas, fresh bruschetta with goats cheese, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onions, roasted garlic and basil and the kids had real fish and chips (as in fresh fish and hand cut chips). Was really one of the best meals I had had in ages.

Then off to the park on the water's edge near the iconic bridge. Kids had an absolute ball and of course wanted to walk on the sand, to bit cranky husband’s dismay. We had a chat about "living in the moment" and not worrying if the kids were getting dirty when little Miss 3 almost got completely dunked and of course we had no change of clothes! Oh well!! We had to take off her socks and shoes and I could just hear my dad saying "scousa!" (not sure about my spelling but it is a very big no no to be shoeless in public in my Italian family!!)

The afternoon was capped off with an ice-cream for all. Now happier husband (happier to be away from the sand...husband is not a big fan of sand...something about sand getting up your but!) had rocky road flavour, Miss 6 had berry sorbet (she can't have dairy), Miss 3 had rainbow and I had the macadamia (classic Australian nut!).

I believe the ocean is good for your soul and it certainly did the trick for us. We piled in the car, sandy but content. To top it all off we arrived back to "nonna's house" to a feast of cottaletta, pippi rostuti (veal schnitzels and roasted peppers) and other great Italian treats! Now that is a good day if ever I saw one!

Check out “Unknown Mami’s”, “Sunday in my City” for other great cities!

Where we went today:
Barwon Orange
60 Hitchcock Ave
Barwon Heads 3227
p: (03) 5254 1090
enquiries@barwonorange.com.au
http://www.barwonorange.com.au/

Scandinavian Ice Cream Company
Shp2/ 45 Hitchcock Ave,
Barwon Heads VIC 3227, Australia
p: (03) 5254 3229

First blossom!

I spoke too soon on my last post...the sickness continued. Poor Miss 6 was riddled by her asthma and stuck inside with no school for nearly a whole week...more trips to the doctors and more worry. Then suddenly, yesterday morning she woke up and I couldn't hear the cough...ahhhhh what a blissful sound...just sweet breathing in and out. I am so grateful to have Miss 6 back and also Miss 3, who bounced back a bit quicker. I am in the process of telling myself I am not sick...I don't have time quite frankly. I am grateful this week is behind us. I am also grateful that, even though I am complaining, that this is the only kind of sickness my kids have had and that its not something worse.

I am also grateful for the first sighting of blossom. I LOVE the first sightings of blossom every year. It gives me hope that winter is nearly behind us. I really do detest winter - the cold, the stuck "insideness", the kids runny noses...grrrrrrr.

Two weeks and six days until Spring... bring it on!
After school, we had a quick play in the back yard after being stuck inside for weeks. It was so blissful. I am grateful for that too.

Check out some more grateful posts at "Maxabella Loves" and also the Anderson Crew's, "Embrace the Camera!"

Still alive

Just a quick note to let you know that I am still alive...have had a week of sickness and 3 trips to the doctors! Look forward to getting back to the land of the living this week hopefully!!

Poor little Miss 3