Kroehn Chronicles: Lee-bo's birthday

Well, it has come around quick but here it is!!! Lee's 29 tomorrow and we're not really sure where the last year has gone (more specifically the last 6 months seem to have WIZZED by at the speed of light!). I toasted him tonight as we were out to tea (Lawrence and Judi took us to Breakers and shouted dinner for Lee's birthday because they were busy tomorrow and wanted to celebrate with us - so nice!), and I said "29 and you finally have a 'real job'". I guess he was right when he said he had one when he was 28, but anyway, it is exciting and he is finally growing up I think... not growing old really, but he is becomming more and more a sensible and mature man who is capable of leadership of even many older men - how bizzare!
The kids are still growing up and doing their mainstream things: playgroup twice a week went back this week and Owen is really starting to be friends with Lucas and Bailey, giving Bailey a big cuddle this week (nearly tackled him to the ground in the process, but it was cute). I had craft group Wednesday night at my house and although there was only 3 of us, I really enjoy this time with the girls for a couple hours, talking, having cuppas and doing our making. 'Stitch and bitch' had to be named 'Make and Do' for the Church calander because some silly pastor type thought our REAL name wasnt appropriate for a church publication...bah!
Immy is just growing in leaps and bounds - she is really really trying to roll over and pulls herself up doing tummy crunches in her car seat because she wants to sit up so badly - we'll be turning that around soon I think - she's nearly 8 kgs anyway. She loves to sit and pull herself up to stand when she's holding your fingers. Lots of people comment how strong she is and always how fast she is growing up!
People also comment how much Owen's language has changed in the last month or so - he is saying so many words, and stringing 2 together sometimes, loves to read his Dr Suess books with us finnishing most of the sentences (he loves the rhyme thing to help him predict the word). He knows most of his colours and is getting very good at his numbers. He has O for Owie, D for Daddy, M for Mummy down pat and loves to draw things. Carol was so impressed with him today as he was doing a drawing. He drew a sun ("bing" - yes, its still there Granny!) at the top of the page and then chose the blue crayon. I asked him what was blue and he said sky, and then put some in the top of the page with the sun. Then he chose the green for grass and put it at the bottom. Carol just coudnt believe that he could put things in the "right" place on the page and knew which colours he wanted for different things - and they were even the "right" colours. I spent the day with Carol getting some of my Christmas presents finished - Tiki, yours is well under way. Hopefully I can get them done by October to bring back with me to save on postage. Carol and I had a nice day with the kids (Owen did about 2 hours of MAKING this morning - was so busy he wasnt even hungry - WHAT THE?!!) and we'll do it again soon because I can just achieve so much at her place! Plus, the bonus of SKY TV with the Disney Playhouse channel kept Owen entertained from 330pm til we left at 530, so thats something special he can watch with her. When we left for tea at the restuarant, Owen said "Paul?", but unfortunately Carol had a casserol in the oven for them so he couldnt come for tea. He loves them so much and he says Paul and Carol now, and its nice to hear him call them by name, especially when he wants something (like a trip upstairs to bump bump down). Then they just cant resist - very typical surrogate grandparents!

Imogen at Daddy's birthday dinner.

Lawrence, Judi and Imogen at dinner for Lee's birthday - go breakers, go! How we had missed thee - at least 4 weeks since our last visit! Withdrawals had set in for Owen who went beserk when we got there running around and enjoying the space!