Twenty-two days, a sneak peak and a house

My rolling hem foot did all the hard work.

All the cut strips.

The strips with a rolled hem on one side.

Last night I decided to do something with my calico. And just like a good book once I started sewing I couldn't stop!! I measured, I cut, I even rolled hems!! Not much to see yet but it will be beautiful when it's finished.
This morning was an early start!! I had to take Bella to dance class. The usually good thing is that I get almost one hour of child free time!! I get to drink a coffee while it's hot all the way from start to finish and nurture my inner paparazzi by reading Who or Woman's Weekly and catch up on uninterrupted gossip. Just like bubble-gum for the brain. Delicious!! Only this morning I got to get my coffee take-away and watch her dance class. It happens once a year and today was the day. There was an audible sigh from all the parents who suddenly realised that their little bit of respite from their dancing queen was gone for the week. We all looked at each other and one of the mums said,"oh I guess you'll only need us in half an hour won't you." and before Miss Ellie had a chance to say anything we all chimed in with, "Yes. In half an hour we'll be back" before she could clarify that we could stay for the whole class. We all needed caffeine and that was the end of that!!

Bella wearing her jazz shoes and a little tutu.

Showing me how she can touch her toes.

Here are some adorable "dance class" photos.
Straight after that was a visit to Macquarie Centre where Sammy had an ice-skating party to attend. That left us three hours to search for outdoor furniture. We had lunch and afternoon tea and bought bits and pieces we probably don't need and then picked up Sammy. Off to Parramatta Rd for a look at more outdoor furniture and then a quick Costco shop before heading home.

The box and the goodies shared out into bowls.

Josh's lolly and icing mess.

Sammy's smile matches her gingerbread man.

A bowl of baked beans awaits finishing.

The house ready to decorate.

The finished house. The kids had to wait a day to eat this!

The usual feed, bath and dress Hamish before putting him to bed and then Dave made dinner for us and after we did advent activity number three. Make a gingerbread house. When I say 'make' I really mean 'construct' a gingerbread house because all our stuff came in a cardboard box. Here they are enjoying themselves.
They did a great job!! I added some little swirls to use up the last of the icing. They have to wait until tomorrow to eat it. The only reason I get away with this is that they get to eat the little biscuit they decorate after they finish with the house. Good all around!

Costco

Dave bought our Costco membership on line and we've finally been to get our cards, visit the store and make our first purchases.
We got a great deal on Huggies nappies which were $58 for a box of 184, and bought a few other odds and ends which set us back $210! I read a few forum posts about Costco shopping and how to do it so that you actually save money. People suggested that you first arrive in a big enough car. People mover - check! Next you knew your prices. Other store catalogues (not a check here, but useful for our next expedition). Stick to fresh or dried, canned foods and avoid prepackaged meals that are super high in fat and are NOT cheaper. Check. We bought a big package of snow peas, some cucumbers and a package of cos lettuces. All will last long enough to be eaten. Be prepared to spend a few hours there. Check. Stay calm. Harder to do with the HUGE crowds but a check here too. Also an observation from me. Bring along a strong man to push your trolley. The shopping trollies are all suffering from a serious obesity problem and I was grateful to not be pushing one. On the plus side-you can fit two children in the front of the trolley. We also saw someone pushing a big guy in a trolley. The trolley is almost too wide for the footpath so I imagine there will be many standoffs trying to get to or from the centre. Perhaps even a bit of trolley-rage!
The cafe outside was on par with Ikea prices and meant we could feed the kids cheaply as a treat for dinner.
The only real downside of our journey was Isabella falling backwards off one of the benches and hitting her head really hard on the seat behind her. She screamed the house down and when I managed to calm her down I noticed blood on her head and an enormous egg. Poor little thing! Josh was a huge help and bribed her with playing on his i-phone when Hamish started screaming as well. I had him in the baby bjorn and when Isabella hurt herself I calmed her down and gave her a big cuddle and he woke up. I then needed to feed him and Josh looked after Bella. What a great big brother she has. He was so concerned with how she was he couldn't finish his pie. Almost unheard of in a growing teenager. So sweet!

Police directing traffic outside Costco

Trolleys everywhere.

The queue.

Josh trying out the 3D TV.

Sammy's turn.

Helping Isabella out.

Sammy at the seafood counter.

The supersized trolley.

The crowds.

Eating Costco Frozen yoghurt.

Josh and his pie.

The bill for Costco's cafe.

Pie with mustard, sauce and green relish.

Poor Isabella's injured head.

On our way home.