Both ready for a break out of town, we packed light and carefully planned which restaurants we would haunt and where all the major window shopping action would take place. 

Naturally, we were driven by the need for specialist appointments in the big smoke, as 11-year-old Tiani underwent the gala meeting with her new scoliosis expert. 

The last time I was at the Epworth Medical Centre, I was undergoing IVF treatment preceding my pregnancy with this baby girl of mine.

So, our visit was certainly a blast from the past for me. 

With early morning and late afternoon appointments booked in at the orthodontist as well, we definitely had our time management and logistics skills put to the test. 

We were up against it, trying to fit in our favourite butter chicken with garlic naan, the frozen yoghurt and berries, sushi with chocolate mousse on the side and very generous serve of browsing through every enormous bookshop we could find. 

A quick squiz at fashion was all we could fit in as we got our steps up.  

Tiani is quite proud of her status in the family at present.

She is the bearer of newly acquired eye glasses, a scoliosis diagnosis and two plates moving the teeth around in her mouth to emphasise her standing. 

Her big sisters can barely scrape together a few chiropractic appointments.

Although Yasinta has suffered from a couple of nasty migraines lately, and Katianna has a weirdly swollen toe. 

Still, Tiani definitely wins, and the prize for her position of most medically needy is a day trip to Melbourne for some one-on-one quality time with her mummy.

And a whole lot of coffee shops. 

Special time together like this is rare and precious in busy families.

And the break from routine is so restful and refreshing.  

Tiani and I both love the train because we can pour over our reading and slot in a snooze. 

Although the noise of so many other conversations makes us very ready for our trees and sky when we get home.