Some of our summer pages

Apologies to all.......

OK, it has been brought to my attention that our blog is "top heavy" with Jasper info and was a little light on holiday details, including how important  the arrival of our newest niece, Oriana. So sincere apologies and let me try to fill in a few gaps. We had a WONDERFUL, AWESOME 7 weeks in Australia and we did SO much in that time it really is hard to know where to start. I guess when I first posted on our return I was well and truly in back to HK mode and I find if I focus on how wonderful and easy it is in Australia it makes the transition back into life here more difficult, Don't get me wrong it is great here and we love our life, it is just different to that ease of being in your native environment- not to mention the very obvious elephant in the room, which is leaving behind our dear family to return.

So instead of trying to recount all the details I have decided to post some of the pages I have been doing of our summer adventures. There is a lovely page of Oriana coming with her Mum and Grandma but I still need to put finishing touches to it, I brought back some 20 + partially complete pages and so have been trying to get then finished in the last few days. 

Lastly, in my defense, other than the fact that obviously Jasper is SUPER cute, he really is at the top of my consciousness at the minute since we are trying hard to re-housetrain him to the apartment  and get him settled into the HK lifestyle which is obviously a big transition for a little puppy. Anyone who has ever had a puppy will likely recall just how much hard work they are so please indulge my "Mummy" phase to baby No 5!

Back to school!

The start to the school year faltered a little with poor Callum coming down with a viral illness and missing the first day. So here are the pics of the kids (and Cal the next day!) We have finished the first week of school and the kids seem well settled, if a little tired out. We are happy with their teacher placements and  are embracing the return to the structure and routine of the school week. 

Home to base

Here we are back in HK after a wonderful 7 weeks summer vacation in Australia. As we had troubles with our internet connection in Oz you may or may not have heard about my last blog post. So a little update on our newest family member. Jasper flew to HK on Thursday night and arrived in good shape early yesterday morning. He seems to have survived the ""ordeal" of international travel well apart from being constantly thirsty. So settling into our new routine, me being jetlagged a little I was up at 5 am and set out for our first walk. Well, maybe I should say drag. Now I know those doggy lovers can imagine me at the back end of a very taught leash as Jasper ran ahead. Quite the opposite, me in front begging, cajoling, bribing, encouraging, pushing, pulling and prompting as Jasper lay flat on his tummy and refused to move. Seems the sights and sounds of a pre-dawn HK were not for our fainthearted little guy. Finally when I despaired I may end up carrying him he finally decided to give it a try and ran, baulking, ears down and tail between his legs most of the way.  Not to mention frequent stops to investigate every Rex, Fido and Lassie (& Carlotta!) potential toilet stop along the way. He is now safely back in the apartment but completely confused by the calling of the monkeys at the zoo across the road. He stands at the window listening then runs like crazy in a big loop then back to his post by the window.  He had a lovely visit from "Aunty" Odila yesterday afternoon and she is now a firm favourite visitor (LOL) after she visited, received loads of kisses and  brought him some puppy treats. 

On to other news. The kids are all ready for their new school year starting on Monday. I am already back into my work routine and spent yesterday morning in the office and will be heading off later this morning for a session as well.  Mark has been working hard for weeks now after he spent time in Australia with us and is just finishing his second last Masters subject- woo hoo!! One more to go....

We had a wonderful time in Australia and got to spend lots of time with family and friends although it just never seems like enough when we know we are leaving again soon. We delighted in our newest  niece, Oriana, as well as enjoying time with the now very "grown up" big sister  Aurora. We had great times with all the cousins including sleepovers and drive-in movies, surfing lessons and swimming pool visits. We spent time of course  at our favourite beach. We were thrilled to be able to be in Australia for Australia Day this year and had a wonderful day with family, visiting Fort Scratchley.  I even got some time to scrapbook so I will try to post some pages in the coming days when life settles back down here.