Thushari 1st birthday and name day 12th July 2008

we have arrived home, no sooner unpacked the suitcase, only to pack the suitcase again and drive over to Melbourne with Jemma in the back of the Toureg for the big event. After 9 weeks Thushari was not sure who we were and gave us the big stare, did not take long for her to thaw out and she was soon crawling over to me and climbing up my legs. When we left she was commando crawling and now she stands up, climbs, holds onto furniture, claps her hands, gives you a big open mouth kiss, waves goodbye, can say Mum Mum, Dadda, Ullo, and Anna (Nana) a little way to go for Grandma ! Hot off the press as of this morning she now has two bottom teeth come through, after many sleepless nights. Her birthday was a very special day, Lanthi and Lockie had gone to a lot of trouble to make it a very special day, about 50 people came along to help celebrate. A Celebrant narrated Thushari's story, Geoff read out the combined Grandparents wishes and Lanthi read out their wish for Thushari which was beautiful and thoughtful, not a dry eye in the house, it was all quite emotional. Mallika from Perth sent a DVD which was played, she told the story to Thushari about how she got her name.....it was a secret she told Nilanthi many years ago in Lobethal, it was her real name,( her parents preferred Mallika) lanthi declared that if ever she had a little girl she would call her Thushari after Mallika. Mallika has now included the name Thushari in her name, so it has gone full circle, Mallika...Thushari....Mallika, again, many tears, but what a lovely story to tell. Lanthi had decorated a box for all your wishes toThushari and I helped ice all the cup cakes with butterflies and flowers. Thushari looked beautiful and behaved perfectly on the day, eventually falling asleep on her Dads shoulder. We all sang happy birthday and had a champagne toast to a delightful little girl who was totally unaware of all her mum's hard work and everyone's wishes, but will one day sit down with her wish box and know how much she is loved.

We stayed in Melbourne for a few days, it was hard to leave, but having been away for so long we were also keen to get home.

quiet story time with Grandma and bunny.