giant balloons

more party decorations. i took these photos a little late. they had already half deflated a week or so after charlie's party, but still looked fun tied to the clothesline & dancing in the wind. nothing like a galvanised steel hills-hoist & a lemon tree in the background to tell you this backyard is in oz, right? i have a love/hate relationship with this thing. if i were to design a garden, i wouldn't plonk a giant hills-hoist smack bang in the middle of the lawn, which makes me think i should remove it. but.. but, it just seems to go with the house and feels like i've got no right removing it; you know? quandary.

charlie's 1st birthday party

some details from charlie boy's special day. we had his naming day ceremony & first birthday celebrations all on the one day & it was an awesome day. we had all of our special friends & family here & man, we felt the love! vivi was here from new orleans, kingsley came from perth, charlie's great grandma; 'the great', great-rosina came from the sunshine coast, the husband's family were all here from mildura & warrnambool, beautiful friends travelled from germany & sydney ..and there were some good melbourne peops too. little charlie is one loved little fella. ok. let's get down to details shall we? i made the same nigella chocolate raspberry 'love cake' for charlie that i did for mirka's first birthday & it was as good as i remembered it. the raspberries smooshed up in the cream in the middle really make it. i sent out the-same-but-different style of invites that i did for mirka's first birthday party & last but not least; to make all things equal, of course i had to use the-same-but-different tissue ball decorations.. or maybe they were just for me because i do love them & yes they're still hanging up. big day.

charlie's 12 month portrait

happy birthday little charlie bear! our happy little harper is one already.. hip hip hooray! he now has 4 huge new toothy-pegs up the top to match the two he already had front & centre down the bottom. his gappy, toothy smile is the cutest. so much to write, but i think i'll keep it short & sweet and finish up with something my mum said in passing one morning.. "i think charlie is going to find life very easy" & isn't that the best wish ever? here's looking at you kid. "cheeky little monkey" is what mirka says to you as she tickles your neck & you reward her with a cross between a big belly laugh & a squeaky baby giggle. happy, happy, happy.