G'day, Mate

Busy day, with early morning pyjama'd football (the boys), lots of shopping (everyone) and an exciting first trip to the Apple Store (our awe-struck kids). Once the presents were wrapped, we headed off to the first main fixture of the New Year season: R and V's kids party. Over the years this has morphed from a simple venue to exchange gifts, to gifts and a quiz (with food for grown ups) to its now evolved form with presents, a quiz, and then the kids locked up with DVDs while we eat, chat and drink until well past our bedtimes - let alone the kids'.

Today's bash had the added exoticism of two visitors from far flung shores, with Stu (Australian college friend) and his 11 year old daughter joining us from New Zealand. I haven't seen Holly since she was 3, and nor has Katherine who was rather overwhelmingly excited by having someone her own age around - never mind someone who has SIX horses. And so we all got caught up, until Stu (42) and Jackson (9) were caught up themselves in a closely fought series of chess matches. In the end, age won out, but as you can see the matches were played in a spirit of mutual respect. Which is more than I can say for the spectators, who were mostly doing all they could to distract the competitors.

The New Year festivities have begun...