Christmas Day 2017

Merry Christmas! How was your Christmas Day? 

It was a lovely relaxed Christmas at home. It was a smaller group this year as we have family overseas and out of state.

Here's a snippet of our day .......

The boys laid out their Santa sacks and left some treats out for Santa and his reindeers. I love that there is still belief in the Christmas magic in the house.

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is setting the table for Christmas lunch. 

Hydrangeas always say Summer and Christmas to me so I kept things simple with several bunches of them in the middle of the table, a faux garland weaved around them and a few gold baubles.

Once the family started arriving we had a few nibbles and a drink and exchanged gifts.

Our Christmas cocktail this year was a combination of gin, elderflower cordial, lemon juice and soda water. I had a few requests for the recipe and the quantities we used for our mason jars. 

So here it is....

Mason jar - 3 litre capacity

400ml Gin

300ml Elderflower Cordial

2 litres Soda Water

Juice from 2 large lemons 

(or 3 smaller lemons)

Garnish with lemon wedges and ice.

All the trimmings for lunch. Pork, crackling, turkey, roast veggies, corn, potato gratin, stuffing balls and fresh bread rolls. Gravy, apple sauce + cranberry sauce on the side.

Noah especially loved the Christmas crackers this year and was very keen to hear all of the jokes inside! The jokes were as still as corny as ever! 

Dessert was Simon's pavlova and my Malteaser/Raspberry Ice cream cake. 

Also a small plum pudding and custard for the traditionalists ;)

The boys finished off the day with a swim and it was Christmas over for another year.

How was your Christmas Day? Did you host at your place?

My day today :)

Today was one of those days I used to dream about when I thought about being a mum.It was Finn's school Swimming Carnival today. I love going to all the school carnivals and watching him participate. I was so proud of him today.

Finn went in every event, even the events he wasn't too sure about. eg The Open boys 100m freestyle and the Medley (he had never swum those distances before).  All up he went in the Open 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, Medley and he made it into the Junior boys relay race. Someone is going to sleep well tonight :)

Finn got a 1st, 2nd, 3rd a few times and a 4th place, I was just so happy he went in every race and gave it a go. I couldn't of been prouder of him and I know he was proud of himself too. All the kids were fantastic and cheered along all the competitors and the ones struggling in the water a bit. It brought a hormonal tear to my eye!

The school swept through the races pretty quickly and the whole carnival only went from 10am - 1pm. So Finn had an early mark and we had a little lunch. I am loving the Warm Chicken salad from a local cafe at the moment.

Do you go to all the school carnivals? Are you a vocal supporter or more of a quiet spectator?

Simone xx

images my own from my iphone

Our Sunday.

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather this morning and headed down to Manly (along with everyone else!) to take a look at the Australian Open of Surfing. 

As we have a couple of keen surfers in the family, they were in heaven! The festival lasts all week so it will be fun to pop down and check out the surfing and skate boarding after school with Finn.

Finn's career dream at the moment (age 9) is to be a professional surfer. Love that confidence!

Peek into the future perhaps? ;)

Finn also met some up and coming young surfers.

After lunch we headed to aquatic centre so Finn could practice his laps in preparation for his school Swimming Carnival.

Jasper decided today was the day to jump off the diving board.

No fear, that one. He loved it!

How was your Sunday? Hope you had a fantastic one.

Simone xx

all images my own

Lazy days.

This is how I have been spending the last few days.

 The sun, the sand and a drink in my hand.

My drink of choice at the moment is icy cold water with a splash of apple and raspberry cordial. Yum!

These lazy days are the perfect way to spend the last few days of Simon's holidays. I love having the four of us home together.

I had to share this pic of Jasper applying sunscreen to the baby before we went for a swim. It's a little blurry and was captured on my phone but it was so cute and one of those moments that just melts you!

27 wks

This is the first Summer in a while that I have worn a bikini without the worry if my stomach was sticking out too much!

How are you spending these lazy days, or are you back at work already? Are you wearing a bikini this Summer? How do you like your cordial? Weak or strong?

All the important questions!

Simone xx

first image via pinterest 2nd image my own.

Summer Loving...

Here are a few pics in celebration of Summer, (although today was a little chilly!)

Can't wait for endless days of warm weather  and swimming.

Love this pool!

Delicious punch, non alcoholic for me this Summer!

Mmmm Seafood :)

You can never have too many dresses or skirts in Summer. 

Are you a hat person?

I love a dip in the ocean or do you prefer the pool?

The boys only have one more week left of school and then we are all on holidays including Simon. 

I can't wait. Love the break from routine and the anticipation leading up to Christmas.

Simone xx

images via pinterest