We've been to the beach, with Little Aussie.
Our European trip seems far away, lost in the haze of the Australian Summer which has caught us unawares, unprepared...
It was winter when we left Australia, we had a few days which could reasonably be called Spring...
and Summer has arrived...
Aussie turned 5 while we were away.
His Dad made a fantastic R2D2 cake:
(Our grandsons are all big on Star Wars these days)
Aussie's favourite gift from Europe was a tiny music box from Paris, which plays - ta dum - the Star Wars theme!
and he is enjoying a bit of Italian culture with a Pinocchio book and yo-yo, from a street vendor somewhere in Florence...
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The Garden of Neglect continues to cover itself in glory, with new roses every day. I don't know what's come over it..
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and life returns to normal in the Red Cardinal nest.
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PS I cheated.
I did buy an extra bag - in Rome at the end of the trip...
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Just to squeeze in the dirty washing, mind you...
Have a lovely week
XXXX
A late HB greeting to Aussie´s grandmother too!
ReplyDeleteYour climate mixes my world totally. You always have summer weather : )!
So unfair ; )
Is it difficult to buy gifts for small boys? Seems that you succeeded in it.
Your new bag is way too pretty for dirty clothes!
It does seem we always have summer weather, Mette. I get tired of it. I think boys are a little difficult for gifts, but we have more boys than girls in our extended family so know what to look for. Aussie liked all his little gifts from Europe.
DeleteThe Star Wars music box might be the best souvenir for a boy ever! And of course you had to buy the bag on your way home. It wouldn't have made sense to leave all those dirty clothes behind. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Star Wars box was the biggest hit of his cache of tiny Euro gifts, Kristie. I am sure it is driving his mother crazy by now, however he has loved music boxes since he was a baby, so how could we resist? He he, of course, the new bag was essential :)
DeleteWe still have the sun up in our sky but it is getting weaker by the day - now I want summer back having seen your photos - I think I feel a need to get the suitcases down from the wardrobe again.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to little Aussie getting bigger by the year - is he at school?
He must have loved opening his gifts from Europe - all things thoughtfully chosen by his grandparents especially for him.
I feel a bit short-changed about winter, because we only had about 6 or 7 weeks of it before we went away, and now it is over. The loooong hot summer is upon us.
DeleteAussie is getting tall, and will begin school at the end of January, the beginning of our academic year. It will be a big life-changer for him. And he did enjoy opening his little gifts. It was fun to choose items from museum shops, tourist outlets, et al. I don't think he noticed that we did not buy a bigger gift this year.
I'll bet that music box was a big hit with Little Aussie. You found some delightful goodies for him. We are it what should be our Fall season but the last few days have been in the mid to high 80's. Setting heat records here.
ReplyDeleteDarla
The music box was a big hit with Little Aussie (as it was with me!)
DeleteWow, high 80s for Fall - that seems Wrong!!
I'm am thinking of the Fall in Ottawa, which is cool and colourful.
Hello Patricia. Yes it's me and hoping to get back in the bloggng loop very soon. I'm so glad you enjoyed your European trip and although I missed it here, have been keeping up with your journey as you know on Facebook. It all looked simply divine and I'm very envious that you got to go to the Uffizi in Florence. Although we've visited Florence several times, we've never managed to see it. Here in the UK today, the weather has turned exceedingly cold and the central heating has just been switched on as we speak. Enjoy your summer. P x
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia, and glad you are back in blog mode. The Uffizi was Very Hard Work, we found, with enormous crowds and queues (despite the Museum Pass). It was worth it to see all the wonders of art history, of course. The roof cafe is good, too. So, cold in the UK and hot in the US - world weather is capricious! Enjoy the Autumn cool. xx
DeleteHi Patricia...
ReplyDeleteYou are in Summer...and we are at it's end here...
Those Roses are spectacular!
Perhaps the neglect has paid off!
Enjoy your week...looking forward to Summery posts...
Your grandson is a cutie pie!
Cheers! :o)
Linda
Hi Linda, yes, summer here, but not over there. Remembering you are over near our little Canadian grandsons. We are enjoying the roses! Happy days..
DeleteHappy Birthday dear Aussie! Your grandson is adorable, Patricia. I love these summer pictures. There's nothing sweeter than a boy playing in the sand at summer time. Your roses are gorgeous, and I love that purse. It's perfect for you, as you like to travel. The tray is so unique also. Isn't it fun to come home with some goodies from our trips. I just went to an outdoor mall for Jess' birthday, and bought a tea cup and saucer at the tea place that we ate at.
ReplyDeleteLove all your pictures, Patricia. Your blog is so delightful to me.
~Sheri
Isn't it cute to see a child enjoy the beach. I loved being there. He even began the surf the waves on a little board. When I spotted that bag with the maps, it had to be mine! I am sure it will enjoy a few more trips. There were quite a few goodies which came home with me. Maybe I will show more some time. love tea cups/saucers - I have far too many :) Glad you like my blog Sheri. Yours is delightful, too.
DeleteHappy birthday to Little Aussie! It looks like he had a wonderful day with lots of fun times and presents.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer - five is a very important age. He is very proud of himself and loved it all.
DeleteLovely! It must be good to be home when you have summer to go home to :) I read recently that grandchildren fill a space in your heart you didn't know was there. I'm guessing little Aussie does that too! Your garden must be gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to be home, Val, but I am not overly fond of summer - much too hot!
DeleteI love that quote about grandchildren, and it is really how it is. He is a special little guy.
Are we in for another Long Hot Summer, Val? Could be - today was very hot here. The bag thanks you, and is enjoying its new life in Australia he he
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed this post! Your garden is doing really well isn't it! xx
ReplyDeleteYes indeedy, Amy, we are loving all the blooms. Garden says Hi to your garden! xx
DeleteI guess it gets so hot and humid where you are, that you appreciated winter. One year we went away and it was winter here, then winter there, winter here! Your garden certainly is enjoying itself this year :)
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely too much winter, Sarah Liz. It is tricky working the travelling around the reverse seasons, isn't it?
DeleteThe garden is having a ball at the moment. We enjoy it while it lasts :)
Ah, your summer looks so wonderful! I would rather have it than the approaching winter here, although I guess winter does have its charms. That lovely blue sky and water though.... sigh....
ReplyDeleteEarly summer is very nice, Jenny, and I did enjoy the blue skies and water at the beach. By January, when it becomes extra humid, we look for excuses to fly off to someplace cooler!
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