Jo & Paul...

 Are away on holiday.  Last week, they packed up, said goodbye to their two gorgeous little kiddies and headed off for the sunny shores of Santorini and Mykonos.  Lucky fishes, I am sick with envy!  Connor and Bianca are staying with my parents while theirs are away.  Means we are seeing lots and lots of them, which is always a treat.  I promised Jo I'd put pictures up every day that they're away and so far haven't put up any, so this post is especially for her.  I'm sure her and Paul are both starting to miss these little munchkins, but I hope that they are having the best holiday ever.  Just think - sleeping in late, afternoon naps, late night dinner and drinks, suntanning, shopping - what a life!!

I took these first pictures on Friday, the day after Jo and Paul left.  Bianca's so soft and gentle, but she knows how to make herself heard.  And like me, she's always game for a good laugh.  Actually, you just have to do a cheesy giggle and she'll join in.  Very cute.  Oh and thank goodness for her being in the family, she satisfies some of my broodiness...

 Connor had a pyjama day at school, so he was in his super cool Ben 10 jammies for that.  This was a special smile for the photo for his mommy and daddy...

 Bi's so much more obliging in the photo department though...

 Connor's very into Thomas the Tank Engine.  He has been for a while (check out his last 2 lots of party photos).  His favourite is Gordon and he can even make a cross face just like Gordon's.  It's amazing how well he knows all of the characters... 

 He's very possessive of his trains though and no body's allowed to touch them.  Especially not his sister (or his cousin)...

 The next batch of photos were taken this morning.  Coincidentally, Bi's wearing the same baby grow. Sure mom's washed it in between.  She'd only just woken up (just after 7am!0 and was full of smiles...

 Connor was happy, but playing hide-and-seek with me and not keen on smiling for my camera...

 He was happy to get another present though.  Jo and Paul have bought him a present for each day that they're away.  He's got some super cool presents and is loving getting something new each day.  Plus, he gets to actually see how many days he has to go till his mommy and daddy get home...

 Today's present was wrapped in Toy story paper and had a sparkly smurfette sticker on it.  Connor really liked the sticker and paper...

 And once he was over that, he couldn't wait to get the wrapping off to see what was hidden inside...

A new Thomas DVD - Toby's Triumph.  And a bag of Animal shaped jelly tots - he just loves sweeties.  Jake went to a birthday party yesterday afternoon and took his party box home for Connor, who scoffed the whole lot in about 0.3 seconds...

 Showing me, so I can show mommy and daddy what he got in his present.  Thanks mommy & daddy, it's fun when you're away...

Jo and Paul, I hope you're taking advantage of the well-deserved break!  I hope the weather's been amazing and that you are enjoying your special time together.  I'm sure it must be nice just to be the two of you again for a change.  Still, I'm sure that by next Saturday, you'll both be ready to get home for some serious cuddles from these two!  They're both happy and having fun with mom and dad though, so you have nothing to worry about.  They went by MyCiti Bus into town yesterday and had lunch in the gardens, then fed the squirrels.  They were in the Waterfront on Saturday and went on the Carousel.  Jake & I have promised Corky McDonalds sometime.  They are seeing and doing so much.  I will try put up more pictures tomorrow, but hope these suffice for now.

Sending you lots of love,
Sue XXX