Day Six

Okay, so what do you do with four kids in a small house (Amie's) when they are getting sick of each other? Head to the park, of course!

I discovered this new playground down the road from Amie's house last Thursday when I took Jonah for a walk. I knew the girls would love it, so I saved it for today when Amie was at work.
It had been raining a bit in the morning but was clear by 11am so we set off. (the power was out for an hour due to work outside so was a perfect time to go)
We stopped on the way at the bakery and got some lunch and we ate it while we walked along.
It was really windy and still overcast but the kids all had a great time and didn't want to leave. They kept asking me to take more photos, I took 47 which was heaps for just a playground!

Playgrounds are such cheap & cheerful entertainment, that I'll be sad once my kids outgrow them!

Cool clock for small hands

Miss Ruby trying out the slide

Not sure what happened here!

The girls had turns on each others knee

This small wee man was a big fan of the slides

The slides were lots of fun for all

In size order from biggest to smallest (well almost the smallest!)

Love this photo of Ella with her hair blowing in the wind

Mastering the steps upto the slides

Making words was a hit with all ages!

Jonah pulling the girls on the swings

Day Five

Last week I booked the girls into a morning holiday program held at our local rec centre. I initially thought one morning would do, as you never really know if they will enjoy it until they are there. I decided on Friday as I work Friday mornings, even though they can come with me during school holidays, I know they would rather be doing something more fun! However when we went to book them in (they came with me after school) they convinced me they wanted two mornings. It only runs Mon, Wed & Fri and seeing Monday was a public holiday, today was the first day!
bags on all ready to go!

To say they were excited is an understatement. They have been talking about it for days. Planning what they would wear. Planning what snack to take. Which drink bottle? They went straight to sleep last night as they knew morning would come quicker if they did (hey, who am I to argue?) I heard them get up way before me and whisper between themselves.

Then Ella came in and asked if they could get dressed now as they had already had breakfast. It wasn't even 7am, but they were so excited I agreed.

It didn't start until 9am and we are like 3minutes down the road. Ella wanted to leave home at 8:20am. She didn't want to be late. It was hard to keep them occupied until 8:50am.

Three hours flew by, both for them and myself and before I know it, it was time to pick them up. They had loved every minute of it and didn't want to go home (we had to race to the airport as Phil's plane was already in) lucky they will be back there Friday.

And they've asked if they can go 3 times next week.

Oh and they did drawing (Kate won her age group colouring-in competition) art and craft, played many games and sport. They will do different things on Friday!

Day Four

Today we slept in abit and then started the day with choc chip banana muffins! They were delicious. We headed down to the shops soon after - we needed to get some art shirts for tomorrow as the girls are going to a holiday program, and their art shirts are at school. We couldn't find any so I suggested the Op shop and get some bigger size t shirts they can use over their clothes. The girls love Op shopping and came out with a few goodies each. Kate got this t shirt in the photo and Ella this HSM jumper. Neither I would pick, but it's good to see them developing their own style.

We came home for a quick lunch before picking up Ella's best friend Hannah and her sister Isla (and their Mum) and heading to the ice skating rink!
The girls had a great time although were rather chilly when the session ended. Hot chocolate soon warmed them up!



and off we go

This is harder than it looks

Hannah, Kate, Isla and Ella

Ella and her best friend Hannah

Day Three

After doing some chores this morning, we decided to get out again for some sun and fresh air, so we headed to Hillary's Boat Harbour which is about 30mins north of our house.
Being a public holiday today and the start of the school holidays we expected it to be pretty packed.
Hillary's has a long surf beach, and also water areas protected by a manmade boat harbour making it a safe place to kids to play.
Of course it is surrounded by many eating places and shops. The girls needed some new sunnies so we got those today.
There are also activities that cost - mini golf, giant trampolines, waterslides but we will save those for another time.

Digging for treasures

Kate the Great

Off to test the water

They were only supposed to paddle their feet as the water was still chilly

Collecting crystals as the girls call them is a very important part of the beach

The girls shot off to the playground which they decided they were now too big for.
If you look very closely, you can see Kate at the top to the left of the slide and
Ella running up the steps on the right.

Hotdogs taste better by the water

We enjoyed watching everyone from the top while we had ice cream.
Kids on scooters, Grandparents deep in conversation with their grandchildren,
young couples sitting close watching the World go by!

Day Two

We took Phil to the airport again today as he's working in Brisbane for a few days this week (and probably next) The girls wanted to wait until he took off so we did that. When we left it was lunchtime so we headed to Hungry Jacks, the girls wanted to eat at a fantastic park near the airport which we haven't been to in ages. It was packed as expected on a sunny Sunday.
Amie, Brendan, Ruby & Jonah joined us for an hour (we stayed over 2.5hrs!)

Meals being loaded onto the flight

The wonderful playground that was packed on this beautiful day

The girls spent most of the 2.5 hrs we were at the park
playing on this spinny thing! Lots of Dads/Uncles/Grandfathers
were pleaded with from the kids to give them a push

Older kids enjoy a canoe ride

Stretching their wings

The birds enjoying the beautiful day by the river

Ella climbs to the top of the monkey bars

Ruby on the swing

Back from a walk along the river

Jonah loved chasing the birds!

Jonah with his Daddy (Brendan)

Amie enjoying an end-of-day ice cream

School Holidays Day One

watching Despicable Me in 3D at the movies!
(this was just before it started so Kate hadn't put her glasses on properly yet)

Jonah

raids the fridge for chocolate dipping sauce!

School is Out!

three cheers from the girls and their friends!

Food

5 minute teacups for afternoon tea

School Excursion

taken out the front, would have been better if the workers vehicles weren't parked right there!

I went along with Ella's class to the Perth Mint today to learn all about gold mining in Australia & in particular Western Australia. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos inside, and there was renovations going on about the place plus it is open to the public and there was another school there as well so only got a few photos.

Ella and her best friend Hannah enjoy morning tea in the sunshine outside The Perth Mint

an idea of what people lived in back then while they scoured around for gold

Maybelline

Today is a very sad day for Amie & I as our old beloved cat that we had in NZ, (and gave to my parents when we moved to Australia almost nine years ago) Maybelline, life came to an end. I
won't go into details on here as a certain family member has caused too much grief to talk about right now.

I came across these old photos taken between June & August 1994 when Amie was 6yrs old and Maybelline was a spring chicken.

She was aged 19 years.

RIP beautiful girl xx