Xmas Do

XMAS DO

Oh, I had such a lovely day yesterday at my work's Christmas Do. It was held at St John Bar (where the St John ambulance used to be housed). A very stylish place as you can seen in the top two pictures. I realised I haven't been out for a flash meal since leaving Tokyo in February! My bosses were kind enough to invite me even though I am off work for nine months and I took Luka and he was like an Angel Baby for the full four hours I was there. There were plenty of clucky women around, and a couple who weren't but who had turned clucky after they spent enough time watching me being able to swan around have conversations, while my baby gurgled in his buggy or someone else's arms. He didn't cry once.

We did the Secret Santa thing which I loved. I went around ordering everyone to pose with their gift (a Japanese trait, someone claimed). I'm not sure about putting up people's photos without their permission, so will just add a couple. There was a $10 limit and everyone had great ideas. One person made muesli and put in in a large jar, along with another jar full of different nuts in layers. One guy had always harboured the secret dream of giving someone a salami as a present - and this was his chance! I gave a teatowel from my sister's Dishy brand (very cool, kiwiana-style) and homemade Russian fudge. The recipient cut the fudge up and we had small pieces of it with the coffee at the end of the meal - she probably realised eating it alone was not a good idea!

The food was amazing - I had turkey for my main course because I probably won't have a chance to eat it any other time.

Came home with a real hankering for Baileys - something I drank occasionally in Tokyo (natsukashii!) - so bought a bottle when Seiji got his weekly whiskey top-up.  Mixed with ice and milk, it hit the spot nicely.  When people at the Xmas party asked what I did to make such a relaxed baby, I said I tried to be a relaxed mother. However, I think it might be more due to the fact that I have cut out all caffeine and have the odd alcoholic tipple now and then. Baileys is good because I never want more than a couple of glasses, because, well, it is kind of sickly.

I haven't got the same self-control for licorice.

DATES WITH RAI

Seiji just took Rai out this afternoon for some Daddy-date time. Rai's latest joy is a trip to the dairy - simple pleasures! (We don't have one within walking distance unfortunately, so Seiji needed to drive. I have a secret dream of opening a dairy nearby - isn't that every kid's dream? To have their own personal supply of lollies?).  I ordered a couple of straps of licorice because I can never stop if I get a larger amount. Unfortunately, there was only the box which has about 30 straps - which I would consume in less than an hour if given the chance. I took out some then asked Seiji to hide the box. This is how I control my addiction!

I took Rai out for Mummy-date time this morning and we dropped some old stuff off at the Salvation Army op shop and I found some awesome blankets of that old school style that people now use to make groovy cushion covers (including my mother ; ) ). They were only $30 each and in great condition. Made me very happy.  I was also happy that the Sally Army took the bag of coal I accidentally bought for the BBQ - COAL, not charcoal. Oops.  Rai got a book for $2.50, then we went to a garage sale where he got a full toy farm set for $2. To the library for more books, then McDonald's where we both have Happy Meals (and I wondered - why doesn't KFC do meals with toys?), then grocery shopping. Almost the longest I have been away from baby since he was born. What is great is that I came home to a peaceful house, baby sleeping and Seiji looking stress-free - which means I can do it all again sometime : )