Cupcake Memories: Life in Sydney, Australia

We have been trying to decide whether to sell up both cars and get a new 4WD or sell one car and still get another 4WD. We would prefer to have two cars in case the other breaks down. Still quite undecided. I wish DH is more of a car guy. I mean one who knows how to maintain cars so that an investment in getting a phython fuel pump would be worthwhile in the long run and certainly saves us money. Right now he probably doesn’t even know what that is.

The reason we would like a 4WD is that we are thinking about doing more travelling locally now that our girl is growing up, thus making it easier to drive long distance. Well, we shall see how it goes.

The birthday preparations are almost complete. I’d totally recommend doing it at Maccas or Hungry Jacks because they save you the time and headache of having to prepare party foods, decorate your home, etc. Basically you do not need to do anything except send out the invitations. It’s really great for a busy mom.

I like preparing the goodie bags, making personalized candy wrappers, etc. I am quite excited for my girl. Only one sad thing is that none of my immediate family member lives here nor is DH’s. You can see why it is so important for me to organize a party for my girl. At least she gets to celebrate it with her friends who are the next closest people to family.

We are in desperate need of a good luggage. I wish they make them as good and sturdy as am aluminum briefcase for the ones we had, are starting to give way after only two years of use. Really, we will need to purchase new ones once we have landed at our holiday destination. I remember two years ago we purchased a red one for our little girl.

This time round, we will probably need to buy two. Hopefully we would be able to find good ones, not too big (else will most likely get overweight and get charged extra on board) and in striking colors. Wish us luck!

We have decided to throw a birthday party for our DD at the local fast food joint with a dedicated party room and hosts. All her current classmates and some from last year have been invited. Not sure how many will turn out but I hope it will be a good number as I do not plan to throw anything this big again for a long, long time.

I just wanted her to have a fast food joint birthday party as she had been to several last year and I know she wishes she’d have one just like that. Anyway, I have got the goodie bags stuff and decor all sorted out. Now I am working on the donut topper. Yup not serving cupcakes but donuts instead. This will be served at school during the class’ recess – mini donuts with animal donut topper.

Ever since we bought our tablet a month ago for my little girl, my best friend in KL had been asking me which tablet to buy. She asked if she should buy playbook for him but I think she should go for whichever that suits her son’s needs or let him pick which he fancies.

I guess the features for all tablets are more or less the same. We are happy with ours – not like we use it extensively but well, every kid has to have one, it’s the way of educational life now. The school is encouraging the use of them and you really do not want to be left out in tech knowledge especially when it is being taught in school.

I hope my friend would be able to make up her mind on which to purchase.

I was pleasantly surprised and taken aback by how awesome the birthday party we attended last weekend was! It was hosted by a professional kids disco entertainer where a host, sounds system, music and lights were supplied.

It was really very well done. The kids absolutely loved it and danced to every bit of the music. They had so much fun. We certainly had a great time videoing and watching our kids danced the afternoon away. They were so hilarious to watch especially the boys!

I would not hesitate to hire the same entertainer if my girl would like such a party in two year’s time. We shall see, it is entirely up to her.

We are bound to go back to NZ for a visit sometime next year as SIL will be getting married once her new home is completed. Being an early planner, I have been thinking about what to pack and buy from here as gifts.

DH has received some golf ball logos as corporate gifts from the company. Problem is, he doesn’t play golf – can’t afford to, actually. So I’m thinking about giving them away to FIL who plays golf weekly. I am sure he would be happy to have them. Now I must remember to pack them into the suitcase first just in case I forget.

To be honest, I don’t even know why I was so exhausted over the last several days. Probably because we had been out most of the time? I don’t know. Can’t blame the weather, it is nice and cool lately.

Hope I will be back to my normal self again this week. However, thinking of sweeping and mopping the house already tires me out! Also have to get back to my exercise routine. My elliptical is gathering dust. Perhaps that is why I had been feeling tired and sleepy – lack of exercise. Also I’ve been pigging out too. That explains.

I am forever wishing we could extend our home way into the backyard because we hardly ever venture out to the backyard lawn to play or whatever. It would have been awesome if we had planned our house more carefully.

For example, we could have 4 or 5 fold doors that open up to a huge patio complete with beautiful patio floor tiles. Can you imagine that? From our current dining+rumpus area opening right through to the backyard. That is combining the outdoors and indoors together and would certainly make the house look huge.

Not to mention, the value it would add to the home. *Sigh* but alas, we can’t afford to knock down the wall and redo it once more. If only we were more experienced when we had the house plan drawn up at the time. It’s a shame the person who advised us on the technical plan did not provide the best ideas at the time. Well, we all learn from mistakes. Maybe we will get another go in another house, who knows.

I have to admit defeat to my garden. Most of the plants died. It only takes more one day of high temp to kill my plants. Disappointing, after all the time and effort I did to ensure they thrive.

I am officially giving up on spending more money to buy new plants for the garden. Will just buy shrubs, Buxus, succulents and hardy plants from now on.

The Gardenia, Camilias, Agapanthus and one more I forgot its name, are the only ones that are surviving in my garden. Now I know why most houses only grow non flowering plants.