Sat 29 Aug 2026, Poppy's 4th Birthday

Sat 29 Aug 2026, Poppy's 4th Birthday

Poppy had her 4th birthday at the Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club.

Parking was at a premium, however, we were lucky to get one on the street.

It was a very nice day - sun was out and so were a lot of other families. It was very busy at the club.

They had 3 tables reserved and food for the kids and adults were chicken tenders with chips, and pizza slices. Drinks were from the bar - order it yourself although they supplied poppers for the kids.

Kids played in the small playground area - too many kids with a lot of push and shove.

They played pass the parcel, and hit the pinata.

We gave Poppy the following:

Jesse (Toy Story) talking figurine $59, Paw Patrol Skyes World rescus Playset $49-KC, V-Tech Disney Pixar Toy Story $39 - K-Pop Demon Hunters sloppy joe & Tulle Skirt & Red Packet -LC, MC, NC, Hair brush and accessories - FT

After the party, Justin and family came back to Swan Ave. Stopped at Maccas on the way home and bought Fiona a Happy meal for dinner. They left when we made a move to drop Fiona off.

Janet and I dropped her back home.

Kaylene went out and Lily and Mark also went out to dinner.

Sat 22 Aug 2026, Zach's 3rd Birthday

Sat 22 Aug 2026, Zach's 3rd Birthday

Celebrated Zach's 3rd Birthday at Hammondville.

Dinosaur theme - we gave him a Buzz Lightyear gauntlet and Spiderman remote motorcycle with Dinosaur stickers.

2:00pm invite which meant we had lunch at 4:00pm

Lamb skewers. chicken wing skewers, tabouli, potato salad, noodle salad, pork belly salad.

Kids played Pass the Parcel which Ally had wrapped.

Soph baked the birthday cake - red velvet and chocolate. She's getting better.

Didn't have dinner as we were still quite full - but left around 8:30pm 

Thu 20 Aug 2026, OLIO 9-Course Dinner

Thu 20 Aug 2026, OLIO Dinner

Was being spammed on Facebook with this ad for a 9-Course dinner at OLIO, so decided I would ask around and see if anyone else was interested. Booked it for 7:00pm but with a large group there was 10% surcharge

OLIO, The Old Rum Store, Level 2/2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Bindy, Ange, Vanita, Emily, Jacq, Kim and Kaylene made up the party of 8.

OLIO 9 course meal:

Stuzzichino (lamb caparccio tarlet), 

Smoked Burrata (Zucchini alla scapece, lemon, toasted pistacios, basil, evoo), 

Carbonara Arancino (Carbonara style, guanciale, pecorino cheese), 

Tonnarelli (Squid-ink pasta, blueswimmer crab, spicy pork nduja, prawn bisque), 

Tomato, Celery & Basil shot served with crisp faux bruschetta, 

Pan seared barramundi, potato & leek parmentier, zucchini alla scapece, 

Guancia di Manzo (slow cooked beefcheek, truffle mash, crispy parsnip, green peas, beef jus), Tiramisu, Petit Four (coffee macaron)

Plus drinks. Cocktails, lemon lime bitters and other drinks.

Didn't think I would make it to the end. The dishes were substantive and the squid-ink pasta was delicious.

Kaylene and I trained it out to Central and walked to the restaurant.

Emily drove there and had difficulty finding parking. Managed to find parking at a nearby hotel for $20. 

Bindy and Ange picked up Vanita on the way and managed to find street parking.

Jacq trained it in as well and got a lift home with Emily.

It was nice to take our time eating and talking without having to rush.