Obligatory Christmas Barbie Number One

Nicole's had a few days off work so we've been working our way through our savings procuring fripperies for the little un.

Nicole has also been working hard on the Santa fantasy. Last night Eloise got an email from Santa telling her that the elves had sent her something and lo and behold if there wasn't a christmas stocking in the postbox for her to hang on her bed.

Yesterday we picked up the tow-along bike which will be Eloise's conveyance to school in the years to come.

And dare I say it there's a Barbie.

Considering Eloise's draw drops open and gasps of delight are uttered when Christmas cards are opened, we should be in for some excitement tomorrow. Which is not even to mention the presents that other kind people have sent her.

We've been busy this week with all that, and eating.

Today we were casting about for a thing to do and decided to go up to Jolly's Lookout for a barbie. It's a jolly little place which looks out (jolly, looks out, get it?) over Samford Valley and over Moreton Bay. It's on the edge of the rainforest so the wildlife sounds interesting and it's high up so it's cool.

A bit windy today though. Nicole worked hard on the wood-fire she was attempting to light but the barbecue she had selected faced directly onto the valley and the wind was blowing straight into her embers.

A couple of others turned up and they soon had their fire roaring but we were struggling away with a lot of smoke and not a lot of action. Of course I had to call into question the Slimm pyro genes. It seemed like every time I turned my back the fire would go out and I would have to come and sort it out!

Nicole of course blamed the wind, the alleged dampness of the wood, and the fact that she hadn't remembered to bring the hand-axe she doesn't even possess.

Anyway after a couple of hours the fire was sort of going and some sizzling noises were being heard. Oh, no, that's rain.

It didn't really start raining but the light was failing. This was a little concerning as someone had been playing with the lamp that we had brought and it was dead.

But all was well and as dusk settled over the mountains we tucked into our kebabs and salad, then left.

Eloise has left a carrot for Rudolph on her windowsill along with a mince pie for Santa. She's tied the stocking onto her bed. 'Tis the night before Christmas.

Nicole won't go out to the shed to fetch the tow-along. There's animals out there. So there are limits.