Linden Park

Christmas had sort of sneaked up on us this year and it was weird having taken a tram ride to the city to find a giant inflated Father Christmas and decorations festooned everywhere whilst we were still in shorts and ‘Birkies’ in 40 degrees heat. It was also strange in a pleasant way, once we had moved into R&M’s house in Linden Park, living a normal life and doing normal things like washing up - the novelty soon wore off. The third odd thing was that a case of 24 beers seems to cost less than buying 18 - even if I’m wrong it was a good excuse.

The kids were enjoying a more normal life too. Not only did they have friends to play up. Also Ruby had a homework amnesty for 2 weeks for the Christmas Holidays allowing for full-time playtime. Dad was doing normal things too like reading books, playing squash (sh*t I’m unfit + feel old) and playing ‘footy’ in the park (only difference being that Aussie footy has nothing to do with soccer but is more like rugby on a huge oval pitch, with forward passes allowed and four goal posts).

Baby Emily was born on 21st December - the same day as my sister Emma - weighing in at around 6lbs (about the size of my hand). It was an amazing feeling carrying something so tiny, only a few hours old and something I hadn’t experienced since Harley was born. Emily came back to the house on Xmas Eve blissfully unaware of the pursuant mayhem. Rob, a friend Scottie (a very bad influence as he used to manage a pub) and I celebrated her birth with a game of 100 shots (beer not vodka) in 100 minutes. Luckily we only got up to about 35 (memory’s a bit hazy) but combined with some wine and port this gave me a stinking hangover all through Xmas day. Thanks Scottie.