Good morning on Mon, Dec 15

Hi,

A new format for the good morning email. Mike wants them collated as a diary of our lives. Fair enough. Let me know if you get this in a weird format that you can't read.

The weekend that was? Where do I start? We're all exhausted. Friday was Toby's birthday and after work we had family there to celebrate. We ate yummy kids party food (party pies, sausage rolls and cheerios - but the last item was mainly for Sally). Toby was far too excited to eat.

Saturday morning we got ready for the main event at Junglerama. Although the day ended up very expensive it was very easy compared to hosting a party for 13 children yourself. I didn't need to sort out loot bags at 8.30am as Dad had sorted it out the night before. Thank goodness. It all went very well. Mike organised everything perfectly. Toby got lots of presents and was gracious despite his obvious excitement.

We dropped off Duncan and Emerson home and stayed for a cup of tea. This meant a direct trip to the ten pin bowling from there instead of a quick refresh at home. We collected Dad on the way and the Sampson children arrived. It was all on then. Dad gashed his hand retrieving a bowling ball from the lane (he'd forgotten how slippery the lanes were). Toby did well - he came second after Hannah.

Toby arranged a sleepover (we did confirm it) for Saturday night and we had Alistair and Vicki over for the first time since we moved to Wellington. How slack are we? It was nice to see them so soon after Vicki's work party. I think we may have bored them with the video game called Name that Tune - 80s edition! They may not take our offer of popping in any time it suits them.

Sunday morning Toby was delivered (along with Duncan and Emerson) to our house and Aidan took me to the farmers market. Why I haven't been before I'll never know. Way cheaper than the supermarket - and bigger veges. I bought some stuff to keep us going this week and then because the day was glorious, Aidan took me home the long way - via Scorching Bay. It was lovely.

The rest of Sunday was relaxed. We bought a Christmas tree and decorated it. Then we pottered around till my parents arrived for dinner. We were all in bed early last night. It was still light when we turned out the light!

My parents leave for Sydney this afternoon. We get there on Saturday. It is very exciting. We still have a lot of Christmas stuff to sort out here first though.

Have a marvellous week!
Love,
Angela