26 January - Launceston for Australia Day

Australia Day today,  and unfortunately also the day the Merrys head back to catch the boat home tomorrow.

We started the day with a play at Grindelwald where we stayed. The girls loved the jumping pillow, although it was a bit hot on the feet by mid morning!

Then we went to the Cataract Gorge where Grace and Maddie decided they really wanted to ride on the elevator thingy back up to the car park.

Then it was waterworks time as we said 'so long, sayonara, goodbye, cheers, catch you later and arigato' to the Merrys.

I doubt Cass's eyes dried for the next 24 hours. But then, I can't blame her.  I would cry for a day if I was leaving Leah and I as well. We are pretty awesome.  ;)

25 January - Holiday Day 2

On to Launceston today, via Campbelltown for breakfast, where I was most amused by the clever modifications made to the sign near the giant log.

And of course, the first stop in Launceston as always,  was City Park to see the monkeys.

24 January - ZooDoo with the Merrys

The first day of our 'proper' holiday with the Merrys today, as we head up the east coast to stay.

This morning we took them to ZooDoo where the friendly tiger seemed to quite like the girls.

And of course, we had to take Nathan and Maddie on the bus ride to feed the animals. It really is an 'experience'.

Then on to Bicheno, where in the evening we went Penguin hunting.  Just as we thought it was time to give up, we saw some walking across the beach! So while Cass sat and waited for one come near her, Leah and I took the opposite approach, and chased them around until we got good photos!

23 January - Weigh Day

Weigh day for the boy today.
Nearly hit the 5kg mark already,  it's amazing how big he is getting!

And as you can see, he does love being weighed!

22 January - Ponds and Mountains

Today we took the Merrys to the Salmon ponds (where I managed not to take a single photo, not even of my sensational savoury pancake), and then drove up to the pinnacle lookout on the Mountain.

Old lady Grace got tired up there and needed a little rest on the rocks!

21 January - Old friends

Today was both Jens birthday, as well as the first day in over 3 months that Grace and Maddie have seen each other.

Cass and Nathans Tassie holiday didn't get off to the best start, but it meant Maddie got to come and visit and meet all of Graces cousins.

I was impressed with how well she blended into the craziness, even helping 'Nan Jen' to blow out the candles.

20 January - Swimming

Today while Leah did some shopping at Eastlands Grace and I tried out the Clarence pool.

Grace loved the little paddling pool with the toys more than she liked the actual swimming pools, probably because the water temperature was somewhere between -50 and absolute zero (thats -273.15 for you non scientific folk).

But we did still have fun there!

19 January - Sacrifice

One thing I'm learning about the country life from Leahs parents is, apparently it's ok to burn just about everything.

As is clearly evidenced by the remains of a single inner spring mattress,  and a recliner chair.

18 January - Abby turns 9

Abbys 9th birthday today, and we headed to the Salmon Ponds for a bit of a picnic with some of the 'selected' family...

The gardens the are really nice, and Grace loved feeding the fish,  though her favourite thing was definitely the eels!

Eli also seemed to enjoy his day in the sun, and looked pretty cool in his hat.

17 January - Party at the Pub

Johns pub had a kids party today,  and considering it was forecast to be 38 degrees, inside a pub was probably a very good place to be.

Except, there was a jumping castle outside.

Grace played in it for quite some time, but she was really more interested in taking to the lady that ran it, so she spent a lot of time sitting and talking.

I hate to think what she told her...

16 January - Pool Time

With Erikka buying a pool,  we had to go and try it out.

It was seriously warm at home when we invited ourselves up for a swim, but by the time we got to Erikkkas, it was much cooler, and a little windy also.

Grace didn't last too long in the pool,  but I think she quite liked the inflatable to lay on.

15 January - Heatwave

This photo is admittedly a few days old, but that means we are currently living through the middle of the 'heatwave'.

It is hot,  and I'm not loving it,  but I did find it odd that having a few days over 30 would get half a page in the paper!

14 January - Strange Puppy

A very warm day today, meant Grace had fun with a water spray bottle again.

Today, Baxter also joined in, trying for some time to catch the water!

13 January - Froggy little Heart Starter

How do you get rid of a man with a dicky ticker?

Get one of these little bastards to jump on his chest late at night!

Well I'm still here, alive and OK,  but it seriously did give me a bit of a heart starter when it jumped out of nowhere and landed on me.

12 January - Spray Girl

Grace has recently discovered the fun of spraying things with water from a spray bottle. Especially people. And animals.  But mostly, people.

Thankfully, she usually listens to us, and will stick to spraying plants, or windows.

We also bought Grace a 'readybed' today,  in anticipation of the impending visit from The Merrys, and the possibility of going on a holiday with them.

Of course, Grace had to test it tonight.  She slept through ok, until 7am, but I can't say she looked comfortable.  She even told us in the morning, that she woke with her head on the floor!

11 January - Snow White

Grace got a Snow White dress for Christmas, which of course, she loves even though it's too big for her.

Leah and I couldn't help but notice how grown up,  and mature she seemed while eating an icy pole today in it.

10 January - Puppy for a Day

I've always maintained that Grace is a little 'different'.

Today she proved it completely.  While having lunch at the Carlyle, Grace decided her skirt could tuck into her knickers and be a puppy tail.
She stayed in 'character' for the rest of the day,  including bringing her puppy dog 'friends', Petey, Poodle and Wilkins home.

Thankfully, they all got sent home before it got too late!

9 January - Cat & Fiddle

One thing that Grace absolutely loves about Hobart is the (sort of) famous Cat & Fiddle in the Centre of the city.

It's basically a huge metal and wood mechanical thing on the wall that plays the cat and fiddle nursery rhyme and moves the different parts,  every hour as the clock chimes.

I loved it when I was a kid, and I'm actually really impressed that with all the renovations to the arcade itself, they have retained the original old, slightly worn and cracked Cat & Fiddle, rather than replace it with some horrid new digital version.

Oh, and this seems to be the latest evolution of Graces  'camera' smile...

8 January - Outdoors Finally

Today was one of the few really nice days since we got back to Tasmania, so we actually got outside.

In the morning, Grace and I fed cocky the fruit scraps, which he seemed to enjoy,  as did Grace.
Then late in the afternoon, we finally got to take Baxter to the 'seaside', which we had been promising Grace since before we even moved!

Baxter loved the water, and so did Grace,  insisting that we walk through the water to look for shells, crabs, fossils and other dogs!

7 January - 28 Days

Hard to believe it's been 4 weeks already since Eli was born.

But in all his naked glory, here's here. Doing well, and generally happy and easy.

Hopefully that continues for another 28 days,  then 28 weeks,  28 months,  28 years. 

6 January - Fit n Fun

Marathon at the play centre this evening, with almost 3.5 hours there.

As usual, Grace had fun, while for his debut play centre experience,  Eli didn't seem at all impressed.

I guess once he is more than 4 weeks old, things might change.

5 January - Drawdle

Our new game for my phone and all my late night spare time!

I like it, though as usual with many games, it got frustrating very fast.

4 January - The Children

Today was rather historic as it was the first time Grace held Eli, and on her own as well.

She was pretty excited that she had done it, and it is definitely nice as parents to see her liking him.

3 January - Busy Day

Busy day today. Well at least, compared most days in 'retirement' it was.

I still can't believe how long Eli's feet are, they look huge.

We had lunch at 'Johns Pub' today. Grace loves it there not only for the playground, but for the stage that she always has to get up and perform on.

Then tonight she loaded up her bed with toys, and assured me there was still room for her to sleep, curled up on the pillow.

And for some final excitement, we got to watch the fire brigade burning the place next door. Grace was very excited to be so close to real fire people!

2 January - Fairies In Boots

Yep, day 2 and I'm still blogging!
Doing well so far this year.
Today Grace wanted to wear this dress that she got at Xmas 2012.  Amazingly, it still fits about the same, apart from being shorter.
She's clearly growing taller and thinner as she gets older.

1 January - One Tired Child

First day of a New Year,  and I've started a blog again, this year with the intention of actually finishing it for every day (last year I failed this dismally,  and it all ended on  12 June).

Today's pic is a quick shot of a very tired Grace,  who after partying until late in New Years Eve,  was very quiet and tired today.