So after much thought, discussion and contemplation we were originally going to sign another 12 month lease to stay in our apartment as it's 1. close to daycare 2. close to work and 3. close to where we're studying. It's in a fantastic location it's just ... unfortunately we've outgrown it.
Instead we've decided to move in to A's parents house. WUTTT?! But hear me out. Aside from the to be expected niggles of living with the (psedo)in-laws their house is definitely big enough to accommodate us since all 4 kids flew the coop years ago and we'll have our own living space in addition to 2 or 3 extra bedrooms for those nights when you don't feel like sharing a bed with your beloved (especially when they have the habit of watching The Footy Show) in bed.
It's even closer to daycare, even closer to campus, and we will have built in babysitters or will be able to hire help and not be able to hear every little thing that goes on with a babysitter there.
Oh and best of all? NO RENT! YAY!
It was suggested multiple times by the in-laws to move in because back in the day when they were getting themselves established they moved in with A's great-grandparents while working their asses off and going to law school to save for their first home.
It's a huge gift to us for them to be able to do this for us and so they're definitely paying it forward. Hopefully we'll be in a similar position when Z is older to pay it forward also.
Also, the reality is A's parents aren't getting much younger. They still work full time in their office but given the size of their house and the era it was built in (it's Victorian) sometimes unexpected repairs pop up and we'd be in a position to help them out with the upkeep of it.
So hopefully the arrangement will be beneficial for all involved. Especially for Z who will have a whole house to run around in like a wild child.
The only decision we have left now is after we've saved for our house is WHERE DO WE BUY?! Inner city or outer suburbs. It's a hard one.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Filling up her week
We haven't been up to much around here. Just our usual routine. Twice a week Z has AllSportz where for 3 hours each morning she gets introduced to an array of different activities starting with scooters, bikes, electric 4 wheelers, then the bouncing castle, then fun kiddie versions of tennis, hockey, and soccer.
For an apartment-dwelling kid with such a high level of energy that she has a program like this has been a real blessing. Plus it also gives us a chance to run off to have breakfast together. This week we tried Coin Laundry in Armadale and Spoonful in Prahran East. While A is on the constant search for the perfect bowl of bircher I'm a lot more eclectic with my breakfast. No pictures as I always am too ravenous to wait.
In other news, even though I said we were going to be staying put we may be swayed. On Thursday we're going to inspect a property $120 cheaper than what we're paying now in a neighbouring suburb. That extra $120 to save towards buying a house is pretty enticing. The idea of compound interest excites me, what can I say?
I'm going to make it a priority next week to add some more winter clothes to my wardrobe. Tights especially! Digging around my drawers today all I could find were some grey gym leggings to wear with my outfit. It's starting to actually get cold now. Today I wore this and it was not nearly warm enough. Whoops. That sun is deceptive. As is the fact I have the heater going non-stop at my place.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Perfect Poached Eggs
(Note: This post was entirely inspired by the lovely Domestic Divinity and her call out for the secret to poached eggs.)
I'm gonna give it to you straight: I am lazy. Not only am I lazy but I am impatient. Especially when it comes to cooking.
I'm gonna give it to you straight: I am lazy. Not only am I lazy but I am impatient. Especially when it comes to cooking.
Years ago prior to the whole Masterchef cooking craze I did a year long certificate in commercial cookery. I wanted to learn how to cook so I decided to throw myself into the deep end. Instead of spreading school and exams over a 3 long period the way apprentices do it, we did the same thing squished into one year so we were basically learning, cooking and prepping for exams all week every week. Let me tell you this: IT WAS A LIVING HELL. It was so stressful.
To cut a long story short I failed when it came to the part where you're supposed to master poaching eggs the traditional way. Whatever. But since then I've also failed poaching them the vinegar method, the cling film method and any other method that's ever been suggested. And there's not always time to dash out to a cafe to get my poached eggs fix.
So the other week I was wandering around my local Woolies trying to avoid the confectionary aisle when I found these. I may have hyperventilated in excitement. Perfect poached eggs every time. Every time!!
Behold!
The instructions say to leave them in the pot for 4 but because I like super gooey eggs I leave them in for 3.
Anyway. Voila!
The first birthday flop
In exactly one month it'll be Z's second birthday. We've decided to make it a family affair again this time and so because the Sydney relo's have already organised to come down we better make it somewhat worthwhile for them.
Z's first birthday was a disaster. I thought I'd be clever and outsource everything. But the food was pretty much the only thing that went off without a hitch.
Basically, I overslept that morning after staying up all night making stupid tissue paper pom pom party decorations and didn't have time to ice the cake. We invited way too many people because we thought it'd be awkward for just our families to be together as they're not the most social people. We forgot to sing Happy Birthday or get a birthday cake. Z ended up sleeping for 1.5 hours of her 2 hour long birthday.
(Z just before passing out.)
Thankfully the decorations were awesome. Lots of posies from a florist in Armadale, pussy willow branches covered in ivy and silver balls from Prahran Market, and of course those tissue paper pom poms that I had Pinterested the previous week (never again.)
The food was a hit because it was all ordered from Phillippa's (God bless you Phillippa's!!) and we drank copious amounts of Prosecco. The only downside was that I didn't get to enjoy any part of the party or talk to many people because I was heating up dozens and dozens of gorgeous sausage rolls that people couldn't seem to get enough of.
This year I vow to do things differently. Simplify. Not only will be just inviting Z's nearest and dearest plus her little cousins but I will plan it properly in advance and it will be themed. I'm thinking Dora. And the cake will be from Woolworths. Maybe we'll all be able to actually enjoy it this time as opposed to running about like headless chickens. And sausage rolls will be a must have! I will also not make the same mistake of underordering. Who knew people loved sausage rolls so much?!!
Z's first birthday was a disaster. I thought I'd be clever and outsource everything. But the food was pretty much the only thing that went off without a hitch.
Basically, I overslept that morning after staying up all night making stupid tissue paper pom pom party decorations and didn't have time to ice the cake. We invited way too many people because we thought it'd be awkward for just our families to be together as they're not the most social people. We forgot to sing Happy Birthday or get a birthday cake. Z ended up sleeping for 1.5 hours of her 2 hour long birthday.
Thankfully the decorations were awesome. Lots of posies from a florist in Armadale, pussy willow branches covered in ivy and silver balls from Prahran Market, and of course those tissue paper pom poms that I had Pinterested the previous week (never again.)
The food was a hit because it was all ordered from Phillippa's (God bless you Phillippa's!!) and we drank copious amounts of Prosecco. The only downside was that I didn't get to enjoy any part of the party or talk to many people because I was heating up dozens and dozens of gorgeous sausage rolls that people couldn't seem to get enough of.
This year I vow to do things differently. Simplify. Not only will be just inviting Z's nearest and dearest plus her little cousins but I will plan it properly in advance and it will be themed. I'm thinking Dora. And the cake will be from Woolworths. Maybe we'll all be able to actually enjoy it this time as opposed to running about like headless chickens. And sausage rolls will be a must have! I will also not make the same mistake of underordering. Who knew people loved sausage rolls so much?!!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Breakfast at our Local
Outfit: Jacket, Arthur Galan; Dress, Juicy Bear; Stockings, Sportsgirl; Crochet scarf, Sophie Digard; Boots, Siricco.
I'm not going to lie, savoury breakfasts are just fine, but this is what I come to eat. White chocolate lamgington from Oscar Cooper. Hidden within a paper bag clutched tight to my chest to be eaten off site so no one can steal a bite of it. Mine mine mine. So good.
Daycare Days
From the moment I felt her presence in the womb I knew Z would be a handful. I suffered chronic 24/7 morning sickness from 5 weeks till about 6 months and for the last 3 it would come and go. From the moment she could kick her legs I was in constant pain.
Z is a livewire and we love her for it, but as soon as we felt comfortable sending her to daycare she was enrolled immediately and she has loved it from day 1.
On the weekends Z stays with her grandparents (A's parents one night, my mother the next night) as it fosters the sort of close relationship I had with my grandparents and cherished. Sometimes she needs a break from us. To run around 2 big houses and do as she pleases. And we definitely need the break from her. Plus it gives us a chance to miss one another. Though sometimes we can't resist and we gatecrash her time with her grandparents and spend night because her antics amuse us so much we kind of don't want to miss out.
On days where she isn't at daycare A has her enrolled in morning sports activities. Like him she is very physical, very active, and we were told from an early age this needs to be channelled into something sporty so off she goes twice a week for 3 hours at a time. Unfortunately she loves it so much she sometimes doesn't want to leave.
Every day is the same with Z. She wakes up at some ungodly hour. Today it was 4:30AM, she insists on her set routine of breakfast in the high chair watching Dora the Explorer, then after about an hour she starts to roam around our tiny apartment while I battle to get her out of her pj's and into her day clothes. A struggle always ensues. After going through all her board books, playing with her blocks and Duplo she decides she's bored and climbs on all the furniture and if we've accidentally left a chair out she'll attempt some risky move like climbing onto the kitchen bench or try to climb up her bookcase.
By then I'm fed up. Bag packed? Yep. Car keys? Yep. Wallet, phone? Yes, yes. See ya!! And A takes her off to Daycare. Sometimes she happily trots off even, worryingly, putting herself in the lift, sometimes she chucks a tanty and throws herself on the hallway floor much to our embarrassment.
Come on Dad!
Quick pose for the camera
Later, skater!
Z is a livewire and we love her for it, but as soon as we felt comfortable sending her to daycare she was enrolled immediately and she has loved it from day 1.
On the weekends Z stays with her grandparents (A's parents one night, my mother the next night) as it fosters the sort of close relationship I had with my grandparents and cherished. Sometimes she needs a break from us. To run around 2 big houses and do as she pleases. And we definitely need the break from her. Plus it gives us a chance to miss one another. Though sometimes we can't resist and we gatecrash her time with her grandparents and spend night because her antics amuse us so much we kind of don't want to miss out.
On days where she isn't at daycare A has her enrolled in morning sports activities. Like him she is very physical, very active, and we were told from an early age this needs to be channelled into something sporty so off she goes twice a week for 3 hours at a time. Unfortunately she loves it so much she sometimes doesn't want to leave.
Every day is the same with Z. She wakes up at some ungodly hour. Today it was 4:30AM, she insists on her set routine of breakfast in the high chair watching Dora the Explorer, then after about an hour she starts to roam around our tiny apartment while I battle to get her out of her pj's and into her day clothes. A struggle always ensues. After going through all her board books, playing with her blocks and Duplo she decides she's bored and climbs on all the furniture and if we've accidentally left a chair out she'll attempt some risky move like climbing onto the kitchen bench or try to climb up her bookcase.
By then I'm fed up. Bag packed? Yep. Car keys? Yep. Wallet, phone? Yes, yes. See ya!! And A takes her off to Daycare. Sometimes she happily trots off even, worryingly, putting herself in the lift, sometimes she chucks a tanty and throws herself on the hallway floor much to our embarrassment.
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