The circus is in town!

On Saturday, Jeremy and I took Jaiden and his cousin/Jeremy's niece Trinity to the circus! We were all excited since it was all our first time in attending one. It wasn't that far from us and I knew exactly where it was because it was in Liverpool, the area I grew up in and was located where I had my Year 10 Formal (lol). 

Since we were in the area, we stopped by my best friend, Mariecar's house to get the things she had bought for Jaiden when she was in America at the start of the year but only had time to stay for a mere 15-20 minutes. This time around, Jaiden wasn't as scared/shy around her as he usually is around people. Given that the time we stayed there was very little and limited, he adapted and got comfortable enough to go to each room within 5 minutes of entering their house.

Once 6:30pm hit, we went back to the car to make our way to the circus which was just down the road from Mariecar's house, a good 2/3 minute drive. When we go there, we were lucky to locate a parking spot and one that far to walk aswell. We went in and got seated straight away. While waiting for the show to start, Trinity bought herself a lighting crazy wig and showbag.

Once the show had started, the lights went off and the music was nice and loud.. Jaiden was so excited at every time that came on; he would jump up and down while sitting on my lap, dancing and clapping his hands all at the same time! Throughout the whole show! I was so glad that he enjoyed it. Even though he won't remember it when he's older, he still enjoyed the moment. Jeremy and Trinity enjoyed it too so I was glad about that aswell. On the way home, we made a minor detour and bought myself a Krispy Kreme box full of goodies (doughnuts)!

 Since we weren't allowed to take photos, during and of the show, our photos were very limited for the night but still managed to get a few snaps of ourselves.

The start of something new

This morning I had woken up to a phone call from one of the companies I had an interview for yesterday morning. The lady, named Jenny, had informed me that the employers and managers were very pleased with my results with yesterdays testings and exercises they provided/required us to do. She asked if I was still interested in the position and if I would accept. Of course I said yes! After the phone conversation, I texted Jeremy, my best friend Mariecar and our BIL Manuel, telling them about the job & asking Manuel advice & his opinion on it. He raised some questions which lead me to ring Jenny and ask her the questions and she informed me a little more about it.

When Jeremy came back home from his lecture, we got ready to do a couple of errands and to celebrate. First off, we went to the doctors to get Jaiden's 18 months check up and vaccine. It was so cute when he was getting his needle, he yelled "oooowwww" when they stuck it into his arm. Then stopped sooking as soon as the jelly bean that had been given to us was in his mouth and he was happily munching on it. Then afterwards, we headed to the shops to have a 'celebration lunch' at Hogs Breath Cafe and stuffed ourselves with some yummy ribs, salad, curly chips, steak and chicken. After our yummy lunch, we headed to the library where I had to print some papers/contracts off and to see a J.P (Justice of Peace) to sign my i.d photocopies. Lastly, we went to the City Council where I asked information on Family Day Care for Jaiden and had jotted down some available places.

Once we got home, Jeremy and I ducked out to the shops for a little bit to buy a printer, but didn't have enough funds until Thursday to buy ink with it (if you buy ink with the printer, it's 50% off), so we figured we would just wait then and save a few dollars on ink. Instead, we walked around while I look at some corporate clothing, but didn't buy anything because Jeremy said he will take me shopping on Thursday night to buy some :) he's such a good hubby.

I'm so glad that this has come up and that I've been accepted. The role is a Business Trainee so I'd also be doing a Certificate III course in Business as well as working in the firm. Even though the salary isn't it's best, this has to be one of the best starting points for the work force. It just includes so much things in one little package; a stable job, a qualification and earning money all at the same time. Jenny stated that it should take up to around a year to complete, which isn't long at all, and at the end of that, I will have/be on a better earning salary and have a qualification to add onto my achievements. I know in the long run, it will benefit me with the experience I gained if I want to change firms or move up positions. Everyone has a starting point in their career, either being great or not so good, but in the long run and in the future, I know I will be thankful to have this opportunity lay upon me.

As for Jaiden's care, Jeremy only works twice a week - Wednesday & Thursday. Every other day, he'll be taking care of Jaiden. I'm glad this will happen because then it gives them the time to have that 'father-son' bond I've always wanted them to have, they can have moments to share to everyone, including myself and make my heart melt (lol). For the two days Jeremy is working, his mum has kindly offered to change her day off from the Tuesday to a Wednesday and on Thursday, since the dad gets home at 8am from work, Jeremy's grandma will take care of him until dad wakes up/catches up on his sleep and takeover in the afternoon. Our grandma is pretty capable of taking care of Jaiden, he just watches tv with her, eats and plays by himself. She usually takes care of him while I'm sleeping in haha.

I'm going to miss being around Jaiden a lot! It's going to be such a different change for me, from being a full time mother for 18 months to being a full time worker and part-time student. But at the end of the day, I get to go home to him and his daddy. I can't ask for anything else right now. My plans are slowly going into place and how I pictured/planned it out to be.

Here are some photos from today's lunch:

Killa Burger Grill

On Sunday afternoon, Jeremy said he craved for some burgers and since we already had Hungry Jacks/McDonald's earlier that morning, I suggested we go to 'Killa Burger' for a change of scenery, an excuse to go out and a chance to finally see what the all the hype was about. So Jeremy called up his friends and made plans. We waited for Jeremy's mum to get back from work so we could leave Jaiden and then headed off.

When we got there, I didn't like the location of the place. I thought it was just in the wrong place and that they could do a lot better, customers wise, if it were in a more central place. But they apparently get busy sometimes, so I guess it's okay lol. 

Jeremy and I shared the 'Killa Beef Burger' meal, which we didn't finish! Jeremy ate 1/4 of the burger, I ate half of a quarter, gave the other to his best friend Chris & took the other quarter home lol. I also tried their fried ice cream which was recommended by a friend through Facebook, but to my disappointment, it wasn't as great. Apparently it wasn't good all together.. Because it was the first time ever trying it out, I didn't know what was good/bad, but I gotta admit.. it didn't taste great. Then when we were done, we headed back home while the boys went off to play some Aqua Golf.

Che's Baby Shower & Visitors

Today we got up nice and early for Jeremy to get some papers from the RTA and then planned on going to my friend Rachel's baby shower. But we were a little delayed because Jeremy took a while to come back & then Jeremy's sister & brother-in-law came over with the kids, so Jeremy ate before leaving. We ended up arriving at 12pm lol but it was okay, when we just arrived, they were just giving grace for the food so weren't really late.

When we arrived, Jeremy took Jaiden to the playset and let him go on the swings which he didn't like and got scared of lol same with the slippery slide. Then he just ran around by himself and kept going up and down the stairs that takes you to the slide. We had a little walk around aswell where there was a bridge and just walked up and down it & took photos. Then for a little bit more, we let Jaiden play before we left. We ended up leaving around an hour or so later because it was just so cold for all of us and Jaiden started coughing.

Before going home, we stopped off at Shop Smart to look around. They didn't have much things that caught my attention, I mainly went in there to see if I could get a cheap(er) trench for myself and/or Jaiden. I just left with a few lingerie for me & a coat for Jaiden. I was very disappointed at their baby/boys range.. there was literally just one isle for the baby boys and the rest were girls. I really hate when that happens! But at least Jaiden's got a new coat now.

When we got home, we had a pleasant little surprise which was Jaiden's 2nd cousin Tayanna who came and visited with her Grandma & Grandpa. We never see her because they live in Canberra & she hardly comes down to Sydney with her grandparents. The last time we saw her was Christmas last year. Jaiden was a little shy around her but slowly got used to her later on.. Taya was just enjoying getting tickles upside-down by Uncle Jeremy with a little of my help haha.

 

Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie

My brother & sister-in-law requested something chocolate to eat for dessert for our Mothers Day get together. I linked them a picture of a chocolate cheesecake during the week and since that method took too long, I just looked for a different recipe that was similar and so I decided on this.

Ingredients:

• Melted butter (to grease) (I microwaved a thin sliced piece for 30secs. in a little tub)
• 150g butter
• 300g good quality dark chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1.5 cups plain flour
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1x 250g cream cheese (easier to whisk at room temperature)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush a cake pan with the melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to hang over the sides.
2. Combine the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring until well combined mixture is smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool down. Transfer chocolate mixture in a large bowl.
3. Whisk 2 eggs in a small bowl. Add 2/3 cups caster sugar and whisked eggs in chocolate mixture, and stir to combine. Add flour and sour cream, stir and combine until well combined.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and remaining (1/3 cup) sugar in a bowl until smooth. Add remaining egg and beat until just combined.
5. Spoon the chocolate mixture in the pan, then adding the cream cheese on top. Use a skewer to create the marble/swirl effect and to mix it together.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside for 1 hour (I only did 30 minutes). * Best served with Ice cream.