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This was one of the first pieces of celebrity news to grace my iPhone screen on my birthday…  Britney’s going to be on Carpool Karaoke August 25.

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James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke and Jimmy Fallon’s Lip Sync Battle are two US talkshow segments that are guaranteed to make the dinner to bed time witching hours a lot more bearable nay even enjoyable at our house.  When I sense the energy in the house rapidly going south, I find a James or Jimmy karaoke segment on Facebook and press play with the volume as high as it will go.  Preschooler SSG loves the theatrics, singing and the beat while I also love the trip down memory lane.  We both groove around over our dinners and within a few minutes, we’re laughing again.

Preschooler SSG had his first school disco on Friday night.  I know.  Already.  Thanks to this two dollar shop lei, my monochrome work outfit just got me in the door.

Who knew that those leis also double as a poor man’s kind of Snap Chat filter when you’re taking selfies with your little one?

It was such a well attended and supported event.  I met faces I pass at drop off and pick up ‘properly’ during the night as well as being able to have a less rushed conversation with those I know a little better.  Meeting all these new and lovely people through my son has been one of those unexpected bonuses of being a mum.

The disco was so much fun, says she of the two left feet and general awkwardness amongst large groups of new people.  There was a proper DJ who played the top 40 without once giving in to the temptation of dropping ‘Let It Go…’.  He gets full credit from me for that alone.  There were lights, there was smoke and there were Hawaii themed decorations (both made by the children and store bought).  The children busted their  moved in the sandpit or as Preschooler SSG did, took their dancing up close to the light show.  It was just so joyful to watch.

It’s amazing the pull of party decorations on guests.  Whatever their age, whatever the event and regardless of whether or not alcohol is involved… everyone always wants to make off with a souvenir decoration.

I was spoiled with Singapore crab, steamed buns and noodles for my birthday dinner.

There’s a lot to be said for doing your cardio whilst watching the Olympic cyclists on a flat screen.  I just felt fitter, faster and sleeker as I pounded away while they glided around the velodrome.  The precision of the way each cyclist, their bike and the track has to be prepared for each race was fascinating and strangely soothing to watch.  Bits of floor being hand polished one minute and delicate tyres being felt for integrity and pressure the next.  Riveting stuff at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning.

Speaking of riveting things on a Saturday morning… have you tried wearing two of those slim black headbands in your hair at the gym?  It really does help if you’ve got thick and layered hair like mine.  Don’t let a silly thing like thinking it would look ‘too young’ on you put you off.  Last night’s brief blow dry is at stake and there ain’t anything that’s too ridiculous to preserve one of those.

I had one last almond croissant at the cafe that started the obsession all those years ago.  Cavalicious is closing this Wednesday!!  No word yet as to where they will be reopening.  But rest assured, they will be back soon.

There’s also the option of having your meat of choice served as a sandwich.

Everything’s made to order.

And I think the secret to the success of the operation is this fancy oven / roaster that all the meats seem to go into at some stage or other.

Those gherkins are a revelation.  Like nothing I’ve tasted in Australia before, they’re neither super sweet nor achingly sour (perhaps those adjectives should’ve gone the other way… ).  Grab at least two slices for your meat.  There’s also an onion relish on the counter.  If you need mustard or any other sauces, just ask and the friendly staff will only be too happy to help.

I was hoping to find myself a birthday present in the city this weekend but Preschooler SSG and I didn’t get that far.  Every pylon, wall and window pane was a section of some cross CBD train track that Preschooler SSG’s trusty red train had to chug across.  Rubber came off the wheels of his train, flakes of enamel came off as it bumped across various building materials but Preschooler SSG persevered and drove that train to and from every place we visited.  We were trying to patch the train up with sticky tape when we got home (his idea) but it hasn’t really worked.  I wonder if there is a steam works / panel beater for toy trains?