Mainly Music

Thursday mornings in Stockton have become super fun lately. Along with scores of other local families we've discovered Mainly Music. The show kicks off with 30mins of free time during which the kids get to go nuts with toys and each other. Then we have 30mins of singing and dancing. The picture below was taken last week when the stretchy lycra was used as a prop and was a big hit. 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.

Swimming Lessons

Ben has started swimming lessons. The first was just over a week ago, when he cried for almost the entire 30mins. But he was a changed man for the second lesson. I put a bit more planning into lesson two and made sure we got to the pool early. It's a very impressive pool, with bubbles and water fountains and all sorts of fun things. So Ben had some free time and was more willing to join in with the lesson after that. His teacher's name is Bec and she is unreal. He's been raving about his lesson ever since and we both can't wait till Friday when we go again. It's a bit of a challenge with Lucy, but she seems more or less happy to watch from the stroller. We all had a splash around in the pool after Ben's lesson was over and Ben offered to show his little sister some of the tricks he had learned. She's not quite ready to put her head under water... but if Ben's progress is any sort of bench mark, Lucy'll be jumping from the 10metre diving board by next week.

Nobbies Beach

Friday was another beautiful spring day in Newcastle. Ben, Lucy and I caught the ferry and walked to Nobbies, where we met up with Kel, Elliott, Paige and Kylie. Kel and Kylie are both pregnant so of course they were glowing in the morning sun. The kids had great fun in the sand and water. Lucy rolled around on the beach, milkshakes and paddlepops were consumed and a great time was had by all.

Nick at Nippers

Nick had his first day at Nippers yesterday. So we all went to the beach to cheer him on. He was a superstar in the flag races and I reckon he would have been in it right till the end, but he was very sporting and backed off so that his mate could get the flag. It was a beautiful day and Jane and I even got a swim in ourselves. Can't wait for next Sunday!

She's So Cute!

These are some shots I've taken of Lucy in the last week. She's so beautiful. And such a happy girl (even though she's not smiling in any of these).

He's So Cute!

I took these pictures of Ben 5 days ago. He's so cute. I love his hair. Can't bring myself to get it cut. His curls make him look like an angel.

Rushcutters Bay

On the weekend we took a day trip to Sydney and spent the afternoon in Rushcutters Bay. It was a last minute decision to go. Our incentive was a promised catch up with Anne, who was in Sydney to babysit Fred while Jane went to her school reunion. The deal was sealed when we heard that Aunty Sal was going to be there too. And our excitement reached fever pitch when we heard Team Whittle were planning an appearance. The picture below of Helen Whittle explains why catching up with the Whittles is always thrilling.

Catching Up With an Old Friend

I was looking through some photos of Ben as a baby and found this one to the left. He's pictured with Sam Homard in July 2007. So the Huggies-box-as-arm-chair idea has been revived. Lucy thinks it's great and Ben really enjoyed catching up with his old friend.

It Must Be Love

Everyone knows Ben loves Nanna, but his love for mangos has only recently been revealed. Ben was observed to eat 2 1/2 mangos in one sitting this month. On the weekend his two great loves came together, so he was in heaven.

New Team Member

I'm very excited to announce that Team aBeckett has welcomed into the family the Canon EOS 1000D. That's right folks, I finally have my digital SLR. Prepare to be inundated with superior quality images (that have been compressed for the web).

Morning Tea at Amanda's House

The picture above was taken this morning at Amanda Homard's place. Long time blog readers will remember that Amanda was also on maternity leave when I was with Ben. Amanda very kindly added to her family at pretty much the same time we did so is again on maternity leave. Lucy is pictured above with Nick Homard who is four days older then Lucy. We've been catching up with Amanda regularly on Wednesdays, along with Kel and Catherine (and all their kids of course).

Afternoon in Stockton

Ben, Lucy and I had a lovely social afternoon in Stockton. We had planned to have a play at the beach but when we got there it was really windy. So we headed for the park, where Ben made two new friends. He's pictured above with Ada and Emily, who moved (with their parents) to Stockton only a few months ago.

Then on the way home we ran into Percy and Neally (twins who live round the corner from us) and they showed Ben their preferred technique for jumping off fences.

Pigs Might Fly

If I said that I was going to start blogging again you would probably say "....and pigs might fly!" Well tonight a piglet landed in our light shade.

Pregnancy Shots

I know this is old news, but I went to some trouble to take these pictures, so I want them on the blog. When I fell pregnant with Lucy I wanted to document my growing bump. I figured that it was probaby my last pregnancy so really wanted to capture the event. The last shot in this series was taken less than 24 hours before Lucy was born. And the picture of Ben and I on the beach was taken two days before she was born.

Hanging Out With The Girls

Today Lucy and I were visited by the girls from Team Reeves. We had a lovely afternoon rounded out at the end by a stroll around Stockton. Lucy snuggled into the sling for the first half of our walk. (The other baby in the shot above is Emma Reeves and she is very good at clinging onto my spare hip) Then we cruised on down to Lexies for hot chocolates and milkshakes. Then Emma and Lucy jumped into their matching Phil and Teds and we headed for home.

Lucy in a Dress

Yes it is fun to dress little girls in little dresses.

Daddy and Ben in the Cot

This shot was taken way back in January. Ben wanted Matt to have a sleep in the cot with him. I was a little worried about the cot taking Matt's weight. But any opportunity to sleep is not missed by Matt. The cot survived.

Bouncing Boys

Ben progressed from his cot to his "big boy bed" about four months ago. But Nick, Will and Ben had a great time back in early March bouncing about in the cot. Nick wanted to demonstrate how strong he was by lifting Will and Ben in and out. He was also pretty keen to show me his bulging biceps. You can see him flexing his muscles for the camera. Pretty impressive!!

Well Rounded

Do you think this baby is getting enough to eat?

Lucy Smiles!

Lucy has been smiling for a couple of weeks now.
But her biggest grins she saves for when she's hanging out in team uniform with her big brother.