Christmas Day

The day started early as usual (Flynn now rises between 6am and 6.30am) and though Blake tried to give me a sleep in, Flynn insisted on opening the presents so I got up to watch the excitement.

Flynn needed no guidance on present-opening and got stuck in immediately - understanding that good things hide inside these wrapped boxes!

Frantic excitement as he realizes it's a digger!

"Cool car!" he hollers

This year we went with a group of friends to the Four Seasons Hotel for a 5-star Christmas buffet lunch. Blake did the free-flow champagne option of course (ie all you can drink), which must have been nice. I did the food-only option - despite which it was a lot of fun and the food was divine.

While we dined, Flynn was supposed to be in the kids' room (creche) eating treats and playing with his mates from Aspen Heights - but he lasted five mins before wailing for mummy. So, to our dismay, he was brought down to the restaurant where he surprised us by spending the meal sitting like an angel, eating sushi!

Santa also came around with lollies for the kids, and there was a choir in the lobby, so there were a few attractions to help keep Flynn happy too.

Arriving at the hotel

Flynn meets up with his Aspen buddies and it's off
to the kids' room!

Uh oh - who's this then?

Luckily he was on his best behaviour and sat
nicely for the entire meal

Our group had three tables of around ten - two of them
Aspen Heights folk. Very convivial it was.

Later in the day we went down to the pool where the kids played and the adults did some more drinking and relaxing.

For New Year's Eve, a group of friends hired a bus and went on a drinking tour of several night spots. Blake reports that it was a very good night out. I was happy to be in bed by 10.30 as I could think of nothing worse than joining the NYE drunken revelry, stone cold sober!

Bintan - Again!

Blake had two weeks off over Christmas so we took off for a few day's R&R at Bintan Island. The weather was lovely and cool (about 25 degrees most days) so we spent lots of time at the beach and exploring the surrounds.

We found a great little cove that was shaded and provided hours of fun for young Flynn.

Flynn enjoyed sitting in his own little pools at the shoreline - This also kept dad busy as the incoming waves had a somewhat destructive effect on the walls. At least the fresh waves kept the pool irrigated - a desirable function since Flynn delighted in standing up, doing wees and then squealing and dancing with delight at his cleverness.

Kicking back with some snacks in the hotel room

Sights nearby

Kids' playground and pool direction

Flynn gets percussion lessons

But more that ANYTHING else, Flynn loved the buggy-cars; the mere sight of which sent him into excited raptures.

Lead-up to Christmas

Flynn and Blake Set up the Xmas Tree

Flynn and Mum Decorate it

Ta na!

It took Flynn about two weeks to get over the initial excitement of the Christmas tree and stop pulling things off. His favourites were the gold balls which he would throw across the room. He even tried to pull the lights off occasionally.

Sheepy gets into the Christmas Spirit

"Whoa! Look what I found under tree mum"




It's Ratty! The (singing & dancing) Christmas Rat!

Santa also makes an appearance at Aspen Heights

Flynn solemnly accepts his prezzie

But the real excitement lay on the trestle tables!

("Waddaya mean I've had enough?")

And the Christmas morning-teas just keep coming!