Ever tried standing on a cliff edge with a two year old? It’s scary. It looks like we’re standing about two metres back, but it’s actually about five. And I would. Not. Let. Go. Of. His. Hand.

DAY FOUR

A trip to Husky is never complete without fish and chips. I don’t know if it really is ‘world famous’, but it tastes good enough to be.

DAY FIVE

Stopped at Milton on the drive home to Canberra. Would have taken more pics but got lost in an antique shop for about an hour.

See how Toby is eyeing his plate suspiciously? Well it’s banana bread with ricotta and honey. He. Didn’t. Like. It. Toddlers are insane.

I took my camera and didn’t use it, partly because I was on strict stroller duties due to hub’s broken wrist, but also because I was having too much fun playing with photography apps on my iPhone! I heart my iPhone. I also heart retro photographs.

I have wanted to buy an old sx70 polaroid camera for a while now, and would also love to have a play around with some old plastic toy cameras, which I’ve never done before… but now that I have these cool apps, I don’t think I’ll bother: this is just too much fun! Plus, who doesn’t love instant gratification?!

Despite a pretty fun morning, I am really disappointed that I missed getting a shot of Toby taking his very first pony ride. I’m not sure what I did, but in my excitement, I must have forgotten to hit save, and I lost the pic. Really bummed about that, because it was one of the biggest highlights of the day. That, and when we were watching the goat stud prizes and he refused to accept that they were goats and kept yelling out ‘CANEL!’ (camel) at the top of his lungs. He loved the pony ride, loved it (although I’m not sure whether it was the actual pony or the cool white helmet he got to wear that was more appealing).

I doubt there are many people who wouldn’t remember that quote, even if they’re not sure exactly where they heard it. I came across it again recently, and I can still remember how it made me feel when I heard it for the first time.

When our hearts are open, beauty is easy to see…
 

Yet when we’re hurting and we want to hide, we hardly notice it. It’s still there, though… and if we can just still our minds for a minute and open our eyes, we’ll see it, and everything else will melt away.

Sadly, our time with our much loved family has come to an end. Thomas and Oscar and their parents are currently on their way home to England. Toby has been asking about them all day; wondering when they’re coming over to play next. I am feeling a bit sad about it, but cherishing the knowledge that they just created a bunch of beautiful memories together that will stay with them always.

First up, here’s another shakeit collection, from our trip to Questacon on Monday.

On Tuesday I was working, so I missed out on Zoo Fun, but on Wednesday we went to Gold Creek which has loads of great places for little kids to hang out, and I had a total photofest! 

First stop was the National Dinosaur Museum, and I was pleased to see that Toby did not react to the dinosaur models and skeletons in the same way he did to the very lifelike moving ones at Questacon. Then we went to the Walk-in Aviary, where Thomas was more interested in eating the apples we were given to feed the birds, and Toby was more interested in playing with the tiny dino toys we bought him at the museum. Oscar smiled the whole time, of course.

This bird fell in love with Thomas’ shoes. They are quite funky shoes: Toby was a bit obsessed with them as well.

After the aviary, we had lunch. Many, many years ago, I used to work in hospitality, and I can’t tell you how irritated I used to get by cleaning up the tables of families with young children. I have now become one of those offenders! You should have seen the mess we left! I still have a pang of embarrassment every single time. [If you ever read this, cafe people at Gold Creek; we're very sorry for the disgusting mess we made!]

After lunch, we headed off for a mini photo session. I just love these shots so much, they tell so much of Toby and Thomas’ personalities, and really capture the fun of childhood.

Thomas just loooooves to roar. Really loudly, like a dinosaur. The biggest roars in the world, he told me, and then demonstrated several times. Toby roars too, but he doesn’t look as scary, and he always puts his hands into it (showing his European blood).

Then I took some family shots. It might be another year or two before we’re all together again, and it scares me to think how much bigger the kids will be.

And after a final set of roars from Thomas… it was time to go home…

[There's another installment coming...]

I also got an iPhone on Thursday – woohoo – and it’s proved a brilliant little documenter. These shots are all from Sunday afternoon, when we had drinks and nibbles with their family and some mutual friends, while the kids turned the living room into a bomb site. These were all taken using the shakeit application, and yes, I’m addicted to it. You can see why though, can’t you?!

This is the amazing Rosa, who scores a ten out of ten for Unbelievable Cuteness, Amazing Eyes and Longest Lashes Ever. She enchanted me so much that I forgot to press the shutter several times because I was so overcome with joy at her beautiful smiles and giggles.

And here is my gorgeous nephew Thomas, who is 9 months older than Toby. He scores a ten out of ten for Most Contagious Cheeky Grin Ever. Thomas and Toby have been getting on like a house on fire. Mostly.

My absolute favourite ages to photograph are 6-8 months and 18 months-ish, and how lucky was I to get to photograph both those ages in one day! This is my other nephew, the adorable Oscar, with his Dad. He has taken as big a shine to me as I have to him.  He scores a ten out of ten for Most Gorgeous Gummy Grin Ever! I just adore him!

And this is my lovely sister-in-law. I think she’s a pretty awesome mum, and how lucky is she to have two such beautiful boys?!