Grace is ready….she has been ready just about all day. Maybe the excitement is why she did not want to sleep today. When we said we needed to go to Tyger Valley quickly she said, "No going Tidy Baggie, going PE," (which Grace pronounces as "pee" not P-E).

Today was our last get together for the ladies of Duminy Street.  I really enjoy our get time together as friends.  Its not usually a time of deep meaningful chats (because its filled with children and busyness) but it is a place to come together with people who know me, who share history with me and where I feel I can just be me. So thank you lovely ladies I really see and appreciate all 3 of you.

We hopefully started a new tradition this year that will continue for many years to come. Jack, Caleb, Grace and Aunty Mel decorated and made their first Gingerbread houses. I can't say for sure what was more fun, decorating the walls and roof of the houses or just eating all the yummy sweets (I might vote for eating the sweets) but lots of fun was had by all. I just want to say Thank you Karen for doing all the hard work and making my idea a reality I really appreciate it and Lisa Welman I just want to say that these Gingerbread houses were definitely inspired by your Christmas tradition. 

Getting the little houses decorated

Works of Art

I love this photo…Grace and Caleb can't wait any longer and Jack heard something about sticking out your tongue so decided to join in

Grace has always been very observant, but has started commenting on things that people have that we also have.  It started the other day when she spotted a guy who had the exact same shoes as Duncan.  She pointed to them and said "daddy got same".  It took me a few seconds to figure out what she was talking about, before I spotted the shoes.  

Some Grace quotes from the day:

Today was Grace’s last speech therapy session for the year, and it was a great way to end off the year. Today was not just her last session for the year, but also her last session.

It has been an intense year for me. I have approached my work differently, pushed myself harder and taken more risks. In some ways it feels like my business has taken great leaps and bounds forwards, and it others it just looks like I am taking baby steps.

December is here and Christmas is nearly upon us, which means it is time for Boney M. I have not heard it in the shops yet, but it is playing in our home…and Grace likes Jingle Bells. In fact, that is the only song that is playing in our home. If the next one starts then Grace starts moaning for Jingle Bells, and now that we have taught her how to go back on the CD player, she just keeps it on repeat herself (well, tries at least).

Grace and I were very lucky to have sushi twice in one week, Monday with the family and today with Mel. We had a great time eating lunch, drinking coffee and doing a little shopping.  On the way home I was hoping that Grace would fall asleep in the car, but no such luck!  I did not fancy going through the nap time ritual,  so I decided to see if I put her in front of the TV if she would fall asleep again like she did on Saturday.  My thinking was if it happened once surely it could happen again and to my joy it wasn't long before little Miss Grace was fast asleep.  

Waiting for Aunty Mel to come and fetch us.  So much fun climbing in and out of the carseat and trying to strap yourself in. 

At least this time when falling asleep she assumed a more comfortable position