So, christmas is over for another year. We had a nice day. Sat outside on our new outdoor setting again and had roast chicken and lamb - nobody likes turkey and the ham went to waste last year so we don't even bother with that now.

I made a cheesecake. The base was the packet one because I thought it would be easier, but it was awful so I ended up making my own base and transferring the cheesecake part over on to it which was more time consuming that just making my own in the first place! I also made a pavlova, the first one I have ever made. I didn't read the instructions down to the part where it says 'leave in oven to cool', so I took it out of the oven and left it on the bench to cool. When I came back to it it had sunk! aww. But a bit of cream and some fruit and she was as right as rain. It got rave reviews but I gotta be honest, it wasn't the best pav I have ever tasted. I am looking forward to having another go.

Baden got spoilt rotten, of course. Callum didn't do too badly either, considering he has no idea of what is going on. I forgot to give him the only birthday present I bought him and ended up wrapping it in christmas paper and giving it to him for christmas! oops, sorry bubby. He loves it though. But his favourite christmas present is probably a little soft soccer ball that cost 50 cents at the Salvos. It was brand new still in the packet and was a dollar but they had a half price sale and we happened to call in that day. I love op shopping! He throws it then crawls round the room laughing and giggling. He throws pretty good for a one year old.

The inlaws have been staying and its been nice to have them here. Baden loves them and gets very hyped up from all the attention. Its wonderful to seem him in 'magic' mode, knowing he is storing memories of a happy childhood. He spent a lot of time in the pool yesterday, he got quite a few new pool toys. He is so well behaved when he is getting constant attention. He has been writing a lot on his new magna doodle writing tablet and is getting pretty good now.

I made a bag for my MIL with my new sewing skills. It took quite a bit longer than I anticipated because I forgot how picky I get when I am making something as a gift, so I had to get it as perfect as I could and it ended up taking two days, off and on, at the machine when I could get to it. Never doing that again!!

I ended up getting nothing from my husband. I have been saying for weeks "make sure you get me something". He kept saying he didn't know what to get me so I said "I don't mind what you get, just make sure you get me something to open on the day". Well, obviously that isn't the best idea I have ever had because I got absolutely nothing. After all the effort I put in shopping for the kids presents and for his present and for his PARENTS presents, and the wrapping, not to mention putting up the tree at the beginning of the month and burning a CD of christmas carols and getting up in the wee hours to put the presents from Santa under the tree. Not to MENTION the cooking of two roasts, peeling the spuds and cooking the veges and buying the grog. I don't think its too much to ask for a $5 bottle of shower gel or something is it? Just something to open when everyone else is sitting round enjoying the fruits of my labour?

Anyway, I won't start because I won't finish for a while, and he has been told and hopefully he will 'get' it. I really don't hold out much hope. I am going to make sure my boys are raised to show other people that they care about them and acknowledge special occasions.

Yes the big picture is important and the big picture is wonderful. My husband loves me, he works very hard for our little family and I love my life. But sometimes, just every now and then, the small picture becomes important too. Just for a day.