Last year we joked, semi-seriously, about selling our two boys on eBay. This year, we're ready to give them away. Heck we'd probably pay someone to take them, if we could find someone crazy enough to want to!
Joking aside, things have been pretty good for us this year.
At the start of the year we decided that we needed more space, so started to look for a new place. We looked for months with no luck but still put our Lane Cove 'penthouse' on the market. Thanks to Anushika's research and eye for interior design, we got an offer for our apartment pretty quickly. Luckily we managed to find a new place in the leafy and luxurious suburb of Wahroonga, which is as far north as you can go and still be in Sydney.
Our new home is perfect for us. Its 60's style split level with hard wood floors and really high slanted ceilings. It has a Sri Lankan flavour and features a salt water pool, great gardens, a sandpit and a perfect spot for the new trampoline. Best of all, two sides back on the national park, so we have nearly absolute privacy and every morning we wake up to the Australian bush. On our doorstep (literally) we have great walking & biking tracks. The boys love the wide open space, nearby parks and friendly neighbours, provided we can get them off the iPad and outside.
Not long after we moved in, we welcomed the newest member of our family - the only boy who is sane, sensible and does what he is told. Please welcome Malli Chewbacca Lawrence, our chocolate labradoodle puppy, who will be 9 months old in December. Malli and the boy's get on well, even if they do try to kill each other from time to time. Still, they all give as good as they get, so it seems to work out.
Moving house also means moving everything else, and so we found a preschool for Daniel, but, after a while, determined that he was happier and learning more at home. Daniel took up gymnastics, which he loves. Both boys are enjoying swimming lessons and love practising in our new pool. They also have a great time exploring the ourdoors, climbing the cliff behind us, riding their scooter around the patio, jumping on the trampoline, building train sets, stealing Anushika's iPad to watch videos and of course, occasionally fighting and generally getting into mischief.
They've also enjoyed going to their friend's birthday parties and generally have a blast – and too much sugar! They especially enjoyed the Star Wars party that Daniel's friend Sam had for his 5th birthday. Speaking of sugar, in October we did our first ever trick or treat with some other kids from the neighbourhood and a fantastic time was had by all the ghouls and assorted monster.
Thankfully Anushika and Tym have also managed to get out a few times. We had a blast at Roger's Roaring 20's party in July, and have recently found a lovely local babysitter, so hope to be getting out a little more over time. In addition, over the past year we've been able to welcome family and friends to the new place, including a recent visit from Anushika's cousin Maneesha and, in September, we also welcomed Anushika's dad, AG (or Seeya to the boys). AG spent a few weeks with us and spent his time with his grandchildren - teaching them cricket and riding bikes - and helping fix things around the house. While AG was here, we got to go to the Hornsby Model Railway, with the minature steam engines and even get out on the town for a night of sushi, noodles and art in the park.
Of course, having a property means lots of work, so we seem to spend every weekend cleaning, repairing or doing gardening. But with a mortgage and 2.5 kids, we're definitely living the Aussie dream. We've got the BBQ on the balcony and hope to be able to have everyone over at some time or other. All of this means, of course, that Tym is securely latched to the wheel of woe, sorry, work - be it in the office or around the house (particularly the garden, which is Anushika's new passion).
Most recently, we spent around two weeks at Forster. We all got to spend plenty of time at the beach, and Tym even go to dive with the Grey Nurse sharks. However, while it was enjoyable, unfortunately the weather was not the best, so we were somewhat relieved to get back home. Guess we'll just have to make do with our new hammock on the patio.
As the year draws to a close and Christmas Eve tomorrow, we hope that Santa comes to visit and leaves lots of goodies for you. We wish you all a wonderful holiday and fantastic 2012.
Tym, Anushika, Daniel, Cameron and Malli.
You can see the best photos from our year at https://picasaweb.google.com/TymLawrence/XmasCard2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7g2ObotrPhLQ&feat=directlink
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