Tom turns 15

Tom is a very lucky boy because we bought him an electric bike for his birthday.  He has been wanting one for quite a while and we know that it will be used a lot.  He biked down to Manly with his guitar on his back on Wednesday evening and then rode down with his surfboard on Friday afternoon.  I can see my Uber trips will be greatly reduced for which I am very grateful.  

We had birthday cake from the "Best Chocolate Cake in the World" shop and agreed it lives up to its name.  

Trying to get a decent photo...

This is Tess' card to Tom - I think it's awesome and proves they occasionally like each other ;) 

Lisa and I are trying to do more cultural outings now that Covid restrictions are being lifted and our friends are keen to join us.  This week we went to The Calyx in the Royal Botanical Gardens followed by a quick look around the Art Gallery of NSW where we managed to tick off a few christmas presents in the art gallery shop.  

The girls doing an Abbey Road impression above!  The living wall was incredible and so many beautiful plants in the beds.  

Tom had his Bronze Medallion assessment which fortunately he passed so he's now a fully qualified surf life saver.  

Tess needed a Santa hat for a school dress up and decided to get Ted into the Christmas spirit.  He was unimpressed...

On Saturday we had a fabulous lunch to celebrate Kate's 50th.  There is something so indulgent about a long lunch and we enjoyed every minute.  I was running around like a headless chicken on Saturday morning and had laid out 4 outfits on my bed as I couldn't decide what to wear.  I called Tess to discuss options with her and came home to find the one we had chosen plus matching shoes, bag and jewellery - the benefits of having a daughter! 

Bec, Kate, Lenka

Tom was adamant that he didn't want a birthday party but he did want a "gatho".  Harry shares Tom's birthday and Tia's birthday is 2 days later so we agreed that we'd do a mixed party for the kids down at Forty Baskets.  The kids were very clear that we were allowed to set up the area and provide food but we were then to disappear.  Tom was horrified by all the paraphernalia we took down to the beach and at one point I overheard him saying to Harry: "we should have got the dad's to organise it".  There were just over 20 kids and we left them all playing touch footy happily on the beach.  Tom is not particularly forthcoming with details but I think they all had fun.  

Tom, Tia and Harry