Thankfully I decided not to number the weeks, I look back and see it has been 3 months since my last post. Once I get through the details of this post, you’ll understand I’ve been somewhat busy. The first quarter of each year, is the busiest for me in my work, as we deliver Australia’s largest youth writers festival. Always chaotic, throw in a new grandchild, a wedding, planning for a trip and as you can imagine, chaos reigns. My Sunday morning’s have been spent sleeping or just catching my breath.

March

Preparation is well and truly underway for Storyfest where we are getting ready to welcome some 10,000+ people to the festival. This year’s highlight is the launch of a book we played a part, albeit small, getting this book published – something we’re extremely proud of. I’m thrilled that this author, has now also signed another 3 book deal with a major publishing house. Navy was thrilled to make new friends with Kevin the Sheep, now she knows when his birthday is, and when meeting Emma Memma, she was starstruck!

A baby is due – my youngest daughter Dana, who I’ve mentioned previously, was due to deliver my grandson on 13 March – no problem, two weeks before the festival, we can do this. Well, said young grandson, had a difference of opinion and went two weeks over arriving on Tuesday 26 March (the middle day of the festival) but coincidentally on my mother’s 82nd birthday. There is no greater thrill for GG to share her birthday with her first great grandson. Welcome Rip Mackenzie Morris!

Needless to say, I don’t have to explain why there was no blog post in March!

April

Here we are settling into our new normal, planning for my 60th Birthday, the trip to Canada/Alaska and enjoying the spoils of our new baby. Navy’s 3rd baby is coming up and what is now to become a tradition with Manon, Dana and myself to make the birthday cakes together! I can’t tell you how many laughs, trials and tribulations there have been in just three years – but I cherish these few hours/days with my kids.

Navy wanted a rainbow party and that’s what she got! I love this kid more than life…

As we were ready to celebrate Navy’s birthday, Dana noticed little Rip was unwell, turns out our boy ended up having a week long stay in hospital – he’s on the mend but we had a couple of anxious days, that’s for sure. I know firsthand what it’s like to have a newborn unwell, it takes every bit of strength you’ve got. Dana was calm and in control to ensure Rip received the best of care, and that Navy was also able to celebrate her third birthday!

The munchkin spent some A’Ma time while Mum and Dad concentrated on ‘Rippy’ (Navy’s endearment)!

Rip celebrated his one month milestone from hospital, a story for us to tell when he’s older…

Again no explanations needed for why I didn’t blog in April!

May – here we are…

The start of the month has yet again been keeping me busy. I celebrated ‘THE’ day on Tuesday 7 May and had some friends gather the Saturday evening before. I’m extremely fortunate to have amazing family and friends who joined me in celebrating – thank you to everyone!

Gotta love it when your face makes it onto a cupcake…

My friend Cecilia and I embark on our trip tomorrow morning – bags are packed (well, I’m sure Cecilia’s is) and we’ll set off about 4.00am! We received an email late Thursday evening to tell us our cruise had been cancelled during a scheduled maintenance stop in Panama as they discovered an issue. Some quick thinking and phone calls, got us on the next cruise leaving 9 June, so we’ve had to extend our holiday by 9 days. We’re hoping we win lotto between now and then or we may have to grab a swag and camp out under the stars for a few nights…

Stay tuned as I blog our way through our travels abroad!