On the weekend we had a mini-break in the Barringtons with Team Crews and Team Reeves. We stayed at the Barringtons Country Retreat, which is a beautiful property with cottages dotted here and there. Our cottage had an enormous deck with stunning views. We were often joined on the deck by all sorts of wild things, including birds, wallabies and a huge, beautiful moth.
It was such a lovely weekend with great food and great company. We went for walks, lazed around the pool, went up and down the river and generally had a great time. 
It's been another busy week for Team aBeckett. One of the highlights was catching up with my friend Emily at Merewether Beach. Before Emily arrived, Ben and I had a milkshake and took in the view. There were lots of surfers, a couple of blokes on those new-fangled paddle boards, and a huge pod of dolphins (maybe 20). 
Lucy and I caught up with Louise Cook, her baby girl Gabbie and Gabbie's quilt last week. Lucy is pictured here rolling about on Gabbie's quilt, which was a present from Katy, JMP and myself when Gabbie was a neonate. Nice to know it's still coming in handy!
Ben was a bit disappointed that he didn't get a swim but was consoled with a splash around under the shower. 
Ben has been getting pretty crafty lately. Of course everyone knows it was Melbourne cup last week. But what you may not know is that Ben turned his hand to millinery and made a very stylish hat for the occasion. He's pictured above sporting his headdress in our living room. Unfortunately for Lucy, Ben couldn't decide if he wanted to compete in fashions on the field or the actual race. He's pictured above trying to convince Lucy that she could run the 3.2km with him on her back. At 14kg he's a pretty light weight jockey, but given that Lucy can't yet get out of a crawl I can't see any shocking upsets happening just yet. 
There was plenty of time for clowning around as well as serious learning. Nick had brought his mate Neddy along, and they had a great time filling their rash shirts with some powerful bubbles. Meanwhile, Will decided it was best to keep his bubble firmly attached to his back. 
On Friday nights Matt plays touch footy, so every now and then the rest of us spend Friday nights at Nanna's place. Last Friday night we had a great time at Nanna's and spent the next morning pottering about in the garden. As an added, unexpected bonus Aunty Chris dropped by. Aunty Chris was heading back to Sydney after spending five weeks in Noosa with my cousin Rob and his enormous family (they have just had baby number five - more about all of them in another post). Aunty Chris, as always, had lots of news and funny stories and we were sorry she couldn't stay for very long. Am trying to convince her to move to the Hunter when she retires. I think she'd be a pretty handy addition to our local family. And she looks great holding my baby!.jpg)
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She simply shifted venues and chowed down on her amazing birthday cake. Meanwhile Ben managed to slip away with Lexie's big sister Stella. They were last seen holding hands and heading for the swings. 
Yesterday Lucy and I had morning tea with Scott, Jack and Elouise Moore. This was exciting in itself, but my joy was increased by the venue. We had coffee and cake at Jordans, in Honeysuckle. Before yesterday I only knew of one Jordans bakery and that one is in New Lambton. They bake super delicious gluten free cakes and bread. What I didn't know is that they have opened a shop in Honeysuckle, which is only a short ferry trip for us. The new Jordans is not just a bakery. It's a cafe, with dedicated children's play area as well. So if you can't find me at home, check the foreshore!!
Today was another stunner in Stockton. Lucy and Ben let me take some shots of them under one of our trees. Then we went for a stroll to the beach, stopped off at a park and finished up with a milkshake at Lexies.
My friend Jane-Maree recently gave birth to her second child. A little girl named Evie. Lucy and I have been visiting the Perkins girls regularly, and a couple of weeks ago Lucy and Evie dressed in matching outfits. Evie was 7 weeks old and Lucy 6 1/2 months. Lucy showed Evie a few big girl tricks, including eye gouging and power rolling. Evie in turn was pleased to see what her future might hold if she knuckles down and consumes as many calories as is humanly possible. 
Before we set out there was time for a quick photo shoot on the foreshore. The girls looked very cute in their pretty dresses. Ben was not so keen to be captured. He was too busy running around and eating ice-cream. 
After all the singing and dancing everyone has morning tea. All this for $4/family. 
Of course Lucy hasn't quite got the hang of singing and dancing yet. But last Thursday she showed everyone how well she could sit without anyone holding her up (first time ever). And the week before she got together with her little mate Samara. They can't dance but they can wear matching tutus. So cute. 
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