The big 2 ... 5 !

We made it!

Today is our 25th wedding anniversary ... I don't think I feel old enough to be in that sort of age/anniversary category but you can't argue with the numbers!!

Our wedding day, 25 years ago, was in the middle of winter in NZ and it was pouring down with rain. The fact that we needed brollies to get to and from the wedding car into the church and then across to the old historic house, situated beside the church, where we had our photos taken (because it was too wet outside) was just a minor blip and quite frankly didn't bother us very much at all.

We had such a great day with all our family and friends around us. Everything went smoothly and we ended up being among the last to leave the wedding reception (sometime between 1 - 2am) because we were enjoying ourselves too much.

Even if you don't do / won't do / can't do the Math, I'm sure you can instantly tell from our photos which decade we were married in!!! ... 2011 .. take away 25 .. equals .. mmmm???? .... Yep, right smack, bang in the middle of the 80's ... big shoulder pads, bright colours, big hair (well not so much those of us in the wedding party but quite a few of our family and friends obliged) - all the boxes were ticked. My hair was the other 80's style - spikey! Just a bit shorter than I have now so no huge, long veil for me, it was challenging enough to bobby pin in the small veil I'd chosen.

I reckon the cerise pink bridesmaid dresses were never worn again ... oh such a waste (wink wink). Along with the cerise shoes and the cerise stockings ... wait, haven't finished yet ... and the lads cerise bow ties!!!

The boys suits were hired so at least that proved to be the sensible option. I don't think it occurred to me at the time that all the boys in cream suits meant I wouldn't stand out quite so much ... and they all very bravely put on a smile for the photographer - thanks guys!

I'm know there are some weddings that are very classic in their styling, ours wasn't one but I think it's kinda nice when you can look back at the photos and tell what the trends and styles were at that time. Otherwise, think of all the missed opportunities to reminisce about those choices!

Life has thrown it's ups and downs over the years (fortunately more good than bad) but by far the biggest up has been our two beautiful children who arrived in our lives 5 and 7 years after we were married. I'm sure most couples think their lives are busy and full to the brim before kids ... things change dramatically when babies come along and your life becomes even more hectic and fulfilled in a completely different context - something I wouldn't change for anything! Our children have grown up to be wonderful young adults and we are extremely proud of them both.

We are now arriving at the next stage in our life where they will fly the coup and we will become empty nesters (not sure why those all relate to birds) but it is hard to believe how quickly the last 25 years ... quarter century!! ... has flown (there's another one) past.

I wonder if the next 25 will roll by as fast.

Morning Melodies ballet treat

I had a lovely outing yesterday to the Australian Ballet School's Morning Melodies performance at the State Theatre ... In fact if I'm to be exact, I actually went to both performances - the first at 11am with my husband (who also happens to be Hayley's dad - who'd have guessed that?!) and the second at 1.30pm with a friend who was also Hayley's ballet teacher before she went to the ABS two and a half years ago.

Arts Centre Spire - the State Theatre is under this

The theatre looked full from where we were sitting in the Stalls and it was all abuzz as everyone took their seats. It's a great opportunity to see the up and coming young dancers' first performance of the year and is always well supported with a great mix of wide-eyed youngsters through to the 'grey haired but still young at heart' brigade.

The programme featured Senior School students in Levels 6-8 who are around 16-18 years old and there were four different dances performed (both classical and contemporary) with each one being different from the next.

Hayley (Level 7) danced in the Corps de ballet in Paquita with other Level 7 and 8's. Paquita is a classical, tutu ballet and they all looked beautiful in their costumes which were supplied courtesy of The Australian Ballet.

The hour long performance was a treat from start to finish and it always flies by too quickly when you are a proud Mum sitting in the audience.

Hayley (far left) in last year's Australian Ballet/ABS Peggy performance.
This photo appears on the Australian Ballet's Facebook page and was taken by Jim McFarlane

The problem with living with chocolate lovers ...

Missing - 1 x Lindt dark chocolate bunny (less it's head)

It's a bit of a problem in our house where chocolate is concerned because my husband and daughter can sniff out a hidden stash of chocolate wherever it may be. And then once it's been found it doesn't usually last terribly long!

On Tuesday night I started enjoying this delicious bunny and had munched through his head and ears. As it was late'ish in the evening and time for bed, this was as far as I got ... and I remember thinking, I can't just leave it lying around making it far too tempting for the the chocolate lovers in our house to snaffle a piece. So I thought, I should hide it (in a not so obvious place) so it would still be there for me to enjoy the next day.

On Wednesday evening a big problem now presented itself ....... I'd hidden the bunny so well that I could not for the life of me find it!!

After hunting high and low, in obvious and not so obvious spots, I'm at a complete loss for where it could be.

"What about the husband and daughter chocolate lovers?"  I hear you ask. They've vowed that they haven't eaten it ... so I guess I will give them most of the benefit of the doubt ...

It's Thursday morning and I'm still looking while hoping for a super duper memory recall moment. Not holding my breath on that happening though!

I'll let you know if I find him ... until then be warned that it pays not to be too smart for your own good!!