Sunday, December 15, 2013

Mel and Elle do Sydney












Christmas arrived a little early for the Girls in the family with Eleanor and I sneaking off to Sydney for a few days of girly fun.  The trip was booked 6 months ago but I surprised her with her early Christmas present just a couple of weeks ago and she has literally been counting down the sleeps until we could have some special Mummy/daughter time, something that doesn’t happen all that often in our large family. 

The trip was planned perfectly so we could also be there to celebrate my Grandpa’s 96th Birthday. He is doing remarkably well, still living in his own home and staying busy with his exercise regime and "keeping house". It was so wonderful to see him and catch up with family and relatives who flew in from all over the country. I love the photo of 4 generations below - my daughter, me, my Dad and my Grandpa.

We spent one night in the City so we could play tourist. We held hands while we chatted about anything and everything and we walked until our legs could carry us no more. We enjoyed lunch at the top of Sydney Tower at the Revolving Restaurant. It's the tallest freestanding structure in Sydney and so long as you don't mind heights and spinning in a ball perched on a matchstick then you will be rewarded with the most amazing 360 degree views of Sydney and beyond.

As a special treat we went to The Ballet on Friday night. I’m a big fan of the Ballet and have the fondest memories from my childhood of going to The Opera House with my Godmother to see the Australian Ballet perform everything from Swan Lake, Onegin, Madame Butterfly to The Nutcracker. When I found out they were performing Cinderella I knew it would be a prefect introduction for Eleanor. It was a spectacular evening and I loved every minute of it. 

All in all it was a wonderful few days with friends and family and especially some special time with my Girl. Daniel and the boys survived just fine without us. The Cricket was on. It was the first time I've been away from Flynn and although I missed him like crazy he coped just fine too and Daniel enjoyed spending some one on one time with him while the other boys were at School.

I now feel refreshed and ready to tackle the last 4 days of the School Year. I also hope it's not too late to start preparing for Christmas! Are you all prepared or just as disorganised as me?



29 comments :

  1. What an amazingl treat for you and your big girl
    So exciting to go to the ballet and be there for that very special celebration

    I'm sure its not too late for Christmas prep...I'm starting now!

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  2. Hey Mel,

    What a lovely treat for you and Elle! I completley understand the need for a bit of girly time in a house of boys. I love the photos too. You both look gorgeous, and your daughter's complicated plait is beautiful.

    Leanne xx

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  3. What a super trip for you and your girl; we spent part of our honeymoon in Sydney and although it was a long time ago the photos brought back memories. We had dinner in the tower restaurant with cousins of my Grandad who's father had "jumped ship" from the Navy many years before! I'm just about to show my girl your photos!
    And as for Christmas I'm preparing to get prepared, if that counts?! Love to you and your x

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  4. What a wonderful thing for you and your big girl to do Mel, such a special time for you both one that she will forever remember. Ahh Christmas prep definitely plenty of time:) Have a wonderful week. xxxx

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  5. I'm sure your mother-daughter time in Sydney will be a memory you both treasure for many years. The four generation picture is wonderful, and so is the one of you and your grandpa. The braid in your daughter's hair is gorgeous. How on earth did you do it? The most I could ever manage with my daughters' hair when they were young was plain old French braids. :-)

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  6. What gorgeous family shots! Your daughter is adorable with that lovely smile & such pretty braids in her hair. I remember going to the ballet when I was young too ... I had a primary school teacher who introduced his class to ballet and I remember seeing Swan Lake and loving it. How wonderful that your grandfather is so fit & hardy. He looks fantastic and I wouldn't have guessed he was 96!! Happiest of Birthdays to him, he looks quite pleased to have his family around him. Well, I got my Christmas decorations out yesterday, but still have some things to make and things to wrap ... I might get it done in time too ;) Wendy x

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  7. How special to have had that one on one time with your beautiful big girl (her hair in that second shot is amazing!!!) Going to the ballet and enjoying girly time together must have been lovely for you both. I love your family photo too. 96!! Wow! Your grandfather looks so happy and I bet he loved having you and Eleanor there to join in his celebration xx

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  8. What a wonderful trip for you to have been able to take with your daughter. I love the four generations photo, such great memories you will have. Congratulations to your grandfather on his birthday! xx

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  9. Love love love that 4 generation photo. What a special thing to do. Important too. We don't do that sort of thing enough. I always worry the house will fall apart without me there. Of course it doesn't. Grandpa looks very sprightly, good for him and many happy returns! Xxx

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  10. It must have been a wonderful trip for your both! The views from the revolving restaurant look amazing! Your Grandpa looks amazing it must have be a special moment to share his birthday with him.
    Sarah x

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  11. What a beautiful memory! One she will always treasure:){{}} And to top off with the ballet:)
    Actually am very organised this year (not always so) but with the baby due any day I knew I had to get it together this year. I even have a major list like a spreadsheet, with child, present, whether bought even down to columns for wrapped. Told husband I feel like an army major.

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  12. I have tears. How much fun to spend time away with Eleanor. You have started me thinking! I bet you had a great time, and your Grandfather looks incredible! Good on him. I always felt slightly miffed when I first realised one of my children could survive without me, and then I felt relieved and free! So glad you had sometime away. AS for Christmas, I am fairly organised but know I'll hit the panic button at the end of this week! Merry Christmas to all seven of you (and the various creatures). xo

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  13. A beautiful few days with your big girl Mel, and love her gorgeous, long fishtail ... what a clever Mum!
    As for Christmas prep, I'm sure it'll be "right on the night".
    Just enjoy your kids excitement.

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  14. What lovely photos of your amazing trip! Laura and I went to the ballet this time last year to see Swan Lake, so I have similar Opera House photos with a beautiful girl! Hope you survive those last few days of school and that the holidays are everything you hope!

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  15. I love this!!!!
    What a fantastic idea!

    xoxoxoxo

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  16. Such beautiful photos Mel. You and your girl look to have made the most of your time together. x

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  17. Looks like you had a lovely girls weekend! xx

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  18. Mel that photo of you and Elle with the Opera house behind you ... perfection and a total memory keeper xx

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  19. Ahoy!
    I hope you and Ele enjoyed our beautiful city, she sure is something hey!
    I can't wait to take Lulu to the ballet, you've just reminded me to get my act into gear. (well actually, not just yet, we'll let the Christmas credit card breath for a while)
    That photo of you both is beautiful x

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  20. Never a dull moment it seems. How sweet for the two of you to have some special time together. Your grandpa looks fabulous for 96! All your photos are great and show the wonderful time you must have enjoyed. cheers Wendy

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  21. It sounds like a lovely time Mel! I'm not really a fan of the city but it's nice to visit occasionally for a short while, I think it makes me appreciate the peace and quiet of home more :-)

    Merry Christmas!!
    Sarah x

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  22. I do think it's lovely to do a little one on one getaways with the kids. looks fab.

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  23. What a great man, I hope I am as fit and well at 96 with visiting great grand kids coming to celebrate too.

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  24. beautiful photos
    We love Sydney.

    greatings send you Conny

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  25. What an awesome idea! I hope I get a chance to do something like this with Imogen when she is a little older. I am disorganised for Christmas too. Imogen's presents are only half made. I also need to finish the shopping for the rest of the family. This weekend that is my mission!

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  26. What a wonderful couple of days for you two girls to enjoy together. These are precious and special moments in life that you will both remember for the rest of your lives. I would love to come and see Sydney one day and hopefully we will get there. I love the photo of the four generations together, what a special moment in life and how wonderful that your grandfather is still alive and well at this age, a belated happy birthday to him. Gorgeous photos of you and Elle. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year. xoxo

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  27. You are right, 4 generation pics are very special. Looks (and sounds) like you both had a wonderful time. I have just been shopping with my mum and daughter, unusual for us to have girl time these days. Ps. love Doctor Who too!

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  28. How wonderful. Eleanor is so pretty and always smiling (also - did you do that amazing plait thing in her hair? It's fantastic!) and you both look like you had the best time. It's fun playing tourist in your home country, I think. It's great that you could see your Grandad too, I bet that was special. xx

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  29. I could have sworn I'd already left a comment here Mel ... all about getting time to hang out with daughters being the best. Blogger must have eaten it!

    I hope it doesn't eat my hope that you, Daniel, and all the children have the most fantastic Christmas xxx

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