Matty up to No Good!!

Finally ... the coast is clear!

Wow ... look at all this stuff!!!

Sheeeee ... did it!!

Day Out

Our last big outing before leaving Chile ... Grandparents are allowed to spoil the kids ... right?

Driving Lesson

Young Matilda launching out for a driving lesson ... just a little apprehensive!

First, a hand signal...




Then, look closely, to check for any oncoming traffic.




Well ... how did I do, Grandad?




You'll do me kid!!

A Kiss makes it Better

For the past week, we have had a nasty 'gastro' bug going through the family. First: grandad, then Matilda and finally (we hope) Banjo - more on Banjo soon.

Meanwhile, Scamp (the dog) has been very busy displaying her matriarchal concerns; here she is in the middle of her: 'kiss it better routine'! And, believe it or not ... Matti grabbed Scamp and planted a BIG kiss right on the mouth - in appreciation of course!

Stand in Line

I knew that that pesky brother of mine would try to swipe my viewing spot, here he comes, but I'm ready!

I'm NOT letting go ... stand in line!!



Ah hah ... it worked ... yay for me!!

It doesn't Get Much Better

Well ... it was time to create another cake 'masterpiece' and young Matilda was waiting in the wings!

Even though Matilda loves to watch her favourite TV programs 'without interruption', she came up with a workable solution:

Hang onto the 'beater thingy' with one hand, and the TV entertainment unit with the other; and that pesky Banjo won't be able to pinch my vantage point!!

Snuggles!!

This young lady soon won the 'keys' to Grandad's heart.

If you look closely, she's asking for TWO kisses, ONE wouldn't do!

Distance makes the Heart Grow Fonder

This is my (current) favourite photo of my youngest grand daughter. Even at just 3 months of age she lights up the world around her - captivated and captivating!

As I gaze into her eyes, I see another ... young, innocent, beauty staring back at me - my own daughter (the babies mother).

The feelings that flood my heart and the memories they evoke are bitter, sweet.

Sweet because I love them both so much ... bitter because of the vast expanse of ocean that separates me from them both and the longing I have to hold them!

Where has all the time gone? My 'baby', now has two babies of her own.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the so-called 'empty nest syndrome'. All three of our children left home; one by one; over the period of the last 10 years or so; the last to leave was my daughter - just 30 months ago. Her leaving was the most painful of them all!

Two-and-a-half years ago my daughter left Australia to pursue her career in medicine, in a third world country, literally half-a-world-away!

Today she has matured into a beautiful and extremely capable, young woman, mother and Doctor. I am immensely proud of her!

But where has my little girl gone ... I find myself asking? Particularly when caught up in a reflective, even sentimental moment. I know I can never re-capture those long ago moments; but I enjoy them the memory of them, as though they were just yesterday. And I comfort myself with the thought that in some measure I can live them all over again through my young grand daughter!

Watching (even from afar) my (far too independent) daughter as she explores the complexities and wonders of parent-hood thrills me beyond description.

Ahh the memories ....