Merry Christmas! (Buon Natale!)

We arrived!!

We are ensconded in our home in northern Italy, about half hour drive north of Verona in the wine country of Valpolicella.

Alexander survived the trip - as did we!!! He slept 2 hours on the 8 hour flight and 6 on the 12 hour flight.

We saw snow on our drive from Milan. Thankfully it hasn't snowed on us yet. It has however rained every day.

We haven't been out and about to see too much, it's so different travelling with a small child!

In saying that, we are having a fab time and are enjoying each others company and living a local life. We have enjoyed some wonderful cuisine with great wine and coffee and many laughs shared which of course is what the festive season is all about!!

I am blessed to be with all the people I love in a beautiful place. I sadly am missing my elder brother and his wife and daughter and hope that maybe 2011 will be a Maston family christmas for the first time in about 18 years.

I wish you a very happy festive season. I won't be on here too much over the next few weeks, but I am reading my fave blogs each morning when I check my emails.

This year I am also thinking of the diggers who are away from their family and friends, Merry Christmas and thank you!

So from my family to yours, merry christmas, may it be filled with love happiness laughter and fun!! xo

"Sisterly" fun

Yesterday, we were all set to go and out meet Auntie Vanessa and her son Finn for a late afternoon tea to celebrate my upcoming birthday and Christmas. However, little man was asleep and I wasn't too keen on waking him. Normally I wouldn't mind, but he was a little out of the ordinary yesterday.

So after some coffee, tea and Christmas cake, we gave our gifts to each other. Warren, Alex and I gave Vanessa a Donna Hay cook book and a shopping basket (she had been saying she wanted a shopping pull along buggy for when she goes to the markets on Saturday morning). We gave Finn (4 years old) a super soaker water gun - not something I would normally give to a child, I normally go the educational toys but Warren decided that Finn would LOVE the super soaker, and he did!

Vanessa then presented Alex with his very groovy Christmas gift, which was a fabulous drill and work bench, just what all little boys need - and even better it makes noise!!

I was also very spoilt with a DJ's gift card for my birthday and a Borders books gift card for Christmas. I seriously am over the moon because I can purchase the perfume I have been eyeing off these past few weeks and a great novel for my upcoming trip!

But, gifts aside, the best part of the afternoon was having a wonderful chat with my bestie and watching our little boys play together. I dearly love Vanessa like a sister. We of course have our moments but I know she is always there for me and I am for her. She is a fabulous Auntie /God Mother to Alexander.

xo

Currently - December

Current Favourite Food

Grapes and sushi

Current Favourite Past time

Apart from spending time with Alexander and watching him in amazement of his ever expanding vocab and such gorgeous personality, reading my current novel under my fan!

Current Favourite Blogs

Dear Baby http://dearbabyblog.com/

Oh happy Miracle http://www.ohhappymiracle.com/

Retromummy http://retromummy.blogspot.com/

Current Drink

cup of tea, soda water

Current Book

Almost French, Sarah Turnbull

Current Favourite Scent

Chloe Love

Current Favourite Shoes

Birkenstocks - new to my shoe wardrobe but I am LOVING them and their comfort for my screwed (sorry but to be quiet frank they are!) up feet!

Current Favourite Colour

Red (for Christmas)

Current Favourite Accessory

My wedding, engagement and eternity bands (unifies my family even though we aren't together this week)

Current Favourite Thought

Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.
-- Author Unknown

Fun days are family days

Alexander and I went out for lunch yesterday! I enjoyed a Japanese Beef Teryaki and Alex enjoyed some apples and cruskits followed by some juicy dates.

It was so warm but we enjoyed the sunshine that we haven't seen for a few weeks now (due to the constant rain here in Brisbane)!

Today we headed to the local library for Babies Rhymes and Songs, but Alexander wasn't in the mood to sing along and do the actions, he wanted to explore! He kept running off and finding other children's toys or their parents belongings! So we left early and headed off to get some fruit and vegetables from the markets and then some sushi for mamma. I think we will try again tomorrow for story time and maybe take littleman's stroller in for him to sit in....

This afternoon, Alex is hopefully going to have a nap and I am going to do some cleaning and washing before we head out to visit Auntie Vanessa with her christmas gifts for 2010!

Chirpy and Not so Chirpy!

Alex is feeling oh so chirpy! Chirpier than yesterday which is great (teething). I am feeling exhausted today. This morning, we went and visited a friend and her four week old baby, Lara (so darn cute!). Now we are expecting another friend this afternoon and her little man who is the same age as Alex. I whilst Alex was sleeping a little earlier, have been reading my book in the peace and quiet.

mmmm lasagne!

This week darling hubby is off away again for work, so this morning after coming home with a trolley full of groceries, I have made some yummy lasagne to have tomorrow and some extra to freeze for the next two weeks. I can't wait....I haven't had lasagne since August when my sister in law made some and brought it over to share for dinner one night. I haven't made it since pre Alexander days as I tend to make bolognaise as it is so much quicker! What haven't you made in a while and are craving?

Rainy afternoon....lazy afternoons? Nope!

What are you doing on this rainy Saturday afternoon?

Well, while Alex was sleeping I was listening to this CD, brushing up on my Italian for my trip which is coming up really really soon....two weeks tomorrow! I can't wait! I have most of my stuff out and ready to pack which makes it even more real! Alex seems to have enough winter clothes and some thermals for the snow which is predicted. I do however need to source some new socks for myself and Alexander. I am looking forward to wrapping myself into my gorgeous scarfs and cosy gloves that I really don't get to wear here in Brisbane in winter!