Little EddyG turned one on Wednesday. Happy Birthday Eddy!

We were lucky enough to spend the day with the birthday boy. We snorkelled at Gordons Bay (we saw a couple of rays!). We followed that little bit of exercise with grilled fish and chips at Coogee. It was a great 1st birthday celebration. It was also a 29th birthday celebration as Eddy shares his birthday with his Dad, Goldy. Poor Goldy. Nobody is ever going to make a big deal out of your birthday again. We promise we'll make a big deal out of your 30th birthday. Well, we'll call you old at least.

For Eddy's 1st birthday I made him a lambykins. Like the one below except from different material.

Usually, I have to explain what the present is after it is opened. It's a soft toy but it also doubles as a pillow. We didn't have to explain it to Eddy though. We put lambykins in front of him and he put his head straight down and gave it a hug. Everyone there went "awwwwwwwwwww". It was very cute. It's nice to see your presents in action and being appreciated.
Thanks to Nina for the photo. I stupidly forgot to take my camera on the day.

This year, to celebrate Andrew's birthday we went to see Avatar 3D at IMAX. Here we are in our 3D glasses. Don't we look sexy! The movie was pretty good. The story wasn't anything new (um... pocahontas anyone?) but it was well-paced and there were enough action sequences to keep me amused. The 3D technology was impressive. Andrew gives it 4.5 stars out of 5 (which is a big recommendation from him).

After the movie we headed to dinner at Wagaya in Haymarket. We'd picked this dinner spot for one reason... sushi roulette. How does it work? Well you order a plate of 6 salmon nigiri except there is a catch. One of the nigiris has double the amount of wasabi than normal. So, one lucky diner cops a fiery mouthful of sushi.

The participants in our round of sushi roulette were Sue, Andrew, Simon, Clare, Brendan and Adam.

Who was the lucky winner? You'll have to watch the video to find out.




Thanks to GrabYourFork for the restaurant recommendation.

We've been spending quite a few Sundays in the pub lately. We spent a Sunday afternoon in the William IV for Andrew's birthday. A couple of weeks later we headed to The Flask for a Sunday Roast catchup with Juzzy. Last weekend, we celebrated Natalie's birthday in the Mall Tavern.

Sitting in a pub (by an open fire preferably), with good company and a belly full of roast. I think it really is the perfect way to spend a Winter's afternoon.

Before

After

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Today Andrew turned 34. Happy Birthday Andrew!

To celebrate his birthday, on Sunday, we had a little gathering at our local pub where we consumed. We ate roast beef, roast potatoes and drank a few pints of Christmas Ale. For a birthday cake, I baked Andrew a Cherry Ripe Mud Cake using cherry ripes imported from Australia, flown specially in business class. It was a very decadent cake and even those with the sweetest of teeth could only manage a very small slice. I'll be posting the recipe here in a few days.

For a birthday breakfast, I took Andrew out to Fernandez and Wells. A cafe in Soho chosen for the fact that they serve Monmouth coffee and can make a flat white. We both ate a ham and cheese croissant while we read the papers. It was very relaxing and a lovely start to the working day. Next time I'm definitely ordering the porridge.

This morning, after I said Happy Birthday to Andrew, I pointed out the fact that he is no longer in his early 30s. He is now in his mid-30s. You might think this is mean, but he will give as good as he gets when it's my turn.

This year on December 12th, Oscar turned six. Rather than buy him a birthday present, Andrew, Paddy and I decided to take Oscar out for a day of birthday fun. Annie told us that Oscar would have a better day if Leo was there, so Leo came along too. (Although, I think it may have had more to do with the alluring prospect of a CFD - Child Free Day - for Annie and Richie.)

And, what a day it was. We visited the Aquarium, then Wildlife World and afterwards we went for a ride on a little train around Darling Harbour.

We saw the aquariums newest additions, the dugongs. Andrew was a bit disappointed that there were no mermaids.

My favourite part of the Aquarium is the large aquarium at the very end. In a darkened room there is a very large window which looks into the aquarium. It's a pleasure just to sit there and watch the fish and the sharks swim by. Oscar and Leo's favourite part of the aquarium is the oceanarium with all the sharks. They love the sharks, though they also find them very scary.




In Wildlife World, they have a butterfly house at the very end. If you stand very still, the butterflies might pay you a visit, and land on an outstretched hand or even on your head for a little bit. Oscar liked the butterfly house too and was excited that 9 butterlies decided to rest on his hand for just a little bit. Leo never stood still enough for long enough for a butterfly to settle. I think Leo's favourite bit of Wildlife World was the phiders (phider is what Leo calls a spider.)

After the Aquarium and Wildlife World and the train ride we treated Oscar and Leo to an icecream cone. We were really suprised when both Oscar and Leo managed to eat the whole icecream. Then we sent the boys back to Annie and Richie loaded up with sugar. Having to deal with the aftermath of a sugar high, I think it was a reasonable fee for a CFD.




More photos on Flickr.