Xmas Day

Today was a sleep in day. To be honest the TOGs and TOGreatgrandma, TODaughter, and TOFiance, we all felt that it didn't feel like Xmas.

Then we got to TODaughter and TOSonInLaws place, and seeing TOGrandson in his Xmas gear, TOAmStaff with her Xmas bow on the collar, smelling the Xmas feast that was cooking, "it was beginning to feel a lot like Xmas".

TOGrandson made out like a bandit for his first Xmas, toys, books, clothing, and what I loved best the Mirabella Genio Star Projector, its awesome, so good, I ordered one for the TOGs.

Then it was the feast. 

• Roast Chicken whose preparation took days, 24 hours in brine, 24 hours drying, then coated with a truffle butter, and finally roasted.
• Glazed ham leg.
• Four types of salads.
• Brioche buns.

It was goooood.

Then more presents for TOGrandson. What a first Xmas he had.

After letting the meal settle it was off to the Botanic Gardens to meet up with TOSister, TOBrother-In-Law, and TONieces. Played some coights, took some pictures, had some laughs, and then it got cold. We said our goodbyes, and headed back to TOD/TOSIL/TOGrandson's for dessert.

Dessert was a Chocolate Hazelnut Tart and/or Raspberry Tart. Very yummy, hard to say no to seconds.

And then it was back to the accommodation for a sleep. All in all and great Xmas day, especially for TOGrandsons first Xmas.

Album
2021-12-25 - Xmas Day
2021-12-24 - Xmas Eve
2021-12-23 - Country Day
2021-12-22 - Casual Lunch & Dog Park
2021-12-21 - Pasta & Wine
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

Xmas Eve

Early pickup from the airport for younger TODaughter and her TOFiance. No traffic, no hassles, but gees $15 for 15 minutes of parking, seriously, that is just gouging.

Back to the accommodation where luckily we could get an early check in for TODaughter and TOFiance. Just as well as room service wanted to make up our room so we adjourned to the 3rd floor room with a view (top floor 🤣).

We then made our way to TOBestman's place for the Xmas eve lunch festivities. Great food, great company, made for a great time.

Then it was presents time for the U18s, no presents for adults.

Then back home for an early night before Xmas day festivities.

Album
2021-12-24 - Xmas Eve
2021-12-23 - Country Day
2021-12-22 - Casual Lunch & Dog Park
2021-12-21 - Pasta & Wine
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

Country Day

Today, was a big day in terms of traveling.

It started out with a cafe breakfast, TOGs with TODaughter, TOSonInLaw, TOGrandson, and TOAmStaff. TOGreatgrandma wanting to stay close to home base.

A little baby shopping, and then into the car for a trip east to country Victoria to see "TOSister" of TOBestman.

After a near 2 hour drive up the motorway, we arrived at "TOSister's" new home. For a single mum with two teenagers she has done an awesome job of being financially independent, and raising 2 awesome kids. Then we went into town to have lunch, another awesome meal.

I (TOGuy) then rang my TOSister, to see if she was going to be home, she was, so we dropped in for a tea, catch up and a chat. After I drove around a few places where I grew up and lamented how much everything has changed.

Then it was dinner in St Kilda at Lady of St Kilda with TODaughter, TOSonInLaw, TOGrandson, and TOGreatgrandma, then home.

Some great pics at Lady of St Kilda where TOGrandson and I fought for my beer, it was a struggle to get it off him, he is strong for 5 months.

Album
2021-12-23 - Country Day
2021-12-22 - Casual Lunch & Dog Park
2021-12-21 - Pasta & Wine
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

 

Casual Lunch & Dog Park

Today we had lunch with TOBestman (owner of the limo we have borrowed), TOWife and Bubba G.

It was halal at a nice place called The Melbourne Pantry in Pascoe Vale. While the food was awesome (check out the photos of our burgers in the album), the shortage of qualified hospitality staff is very apparent. Almost every venue you go to is advertising for staff from chefs, cooks, waiting staff, etc.. Normally you receive your drinks, then your food, we finished half our meal before the drinks arrived (we had to ask for them) and then we still had to ask for glasses with ice. The sad thing is that these venues could be very good, but they are let down by a combination of inexperience and lack of life skills of younger people.

A nice change was that he meal that I suggested for TOGreatgrandma, who is normally a very picky eater, she absolutely demolished, leaving almost nothing on the plate. First time ever she has finished a restaurant meal without any words spoken.

After a brief sojourn back at TOBestman's place, we headed over to see TOGrandson,at the dog park with TOAmStaff and TODaughter. TOAmStaff decided to steal someone's sock, we thought it was a stray sock until she came back with a matching one. LOL. We quickly found its owner.

Then back to TODaughter's where she relished being able to get ready for a night out without negotiating baby duties.

Album
2021-12-22 - Casual Lunch & Dog Park
2021-12-21 - Pasta & Wine
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

Pasta & Wine

Today was another cruisy day.

First stop, pickup friends spare car. Its a commercial passenger vehicle, as in limousine usually used for airport pick ups and drop offs, but currently under utilised, so ours to use if needed. And it was needed. There are only so many times you can go through Acland Street shopping precinct before your mind snaps, which mine, TOGuy, did yesterday. So as painful as it may be to park a car, it beats screwing with your mental health hands down.

So off to Pascoe Vale in an Uber, hang with Bubba G and mum for a while, then back to St Kilda to pick up TODaughter and TOGrandson. TOGirl drove TODaughter in their car with TOGrandson, I took TOGreatGrandma in the limo.

It was off to Pasta & Wine, a client of TODaughter, and some of the best food you will ever taste.  A friend of TODaughter with her daughter who is 2 weeks older then TOGrandson also lunched with us. Great food, great company, great times for all.

Album
2021-12-21 - Pasta & Wine
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

Beach Day

Today was a cruisy day, chilling at home with the TOGrandson, then off to the beach with all in tow so TOAmStaff could go for a run around the dog beach. Then a foreshore walk with a brief stop for some refreshments, followed by lunch back in St Kilda. A cruisy afternoon relaxing at home followed by some dinner and early night.

Album
2021-12-20 - Beach Day
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL

The first babysitting

Well today was to be our first venture into the world of grandchildren babysitting. And TOParents having a free outing with friends sans child.

It lasted about 2 hours.

TOGrandChild woke up, and unfortunately the three people babysitting were not lactating, and TOGrandChild was not impressed being hungry. After 30 minutes of trying every trick we ever knew to no avail, the call was made.

PARENTS COME HOME.

However by the time they did get home TOGirl had decided to try skipping while holding him and he settled. But of course nothing beats mothers milk, literally that is. After a quick feed, TOParents returned to their party with TOGrandChild in tow. The TOGs and TOGG feeling exhausted.

So we decided to take the TOAmStaff for a walk, get dinner, relax, then return home. Time to bunker down and revise strategies for the upcoming babysitting.

Album
2021-12-19 - The first babysitting
2021-12-18 - BNE to MEL