Sleeping Over

Amie and Jonah share a story

freshly made play doh

hard at work

squish squish

Jonah gets into it!

I found Kate and Jonah hiding in Kates wardrobe!

We had the pleasure of Jonah and Ruby sleeping over last night.

Amie & Brendan had tickets to see Wicked, so we minded the kids.

They all had loads of fun, and despite little sleep, there were no major fights between them!

Because today was so wet, I made them some play doh which they all loved!

The goodness of the rain

We are finally having some decent rain. Lots and lots of it. Day and night. For days on end. A few thunder storms thrown in for good measure. Everything is so green. The veges are thriving!

Ella's broccoli

Cabbage

The flowers are loving this weather too

 

 

Yellow Marigolds brighten up the day!

On My Mind ...

is my dear Dad who left us 21 weeks ago today (4th March)

Dad meets his new Great Grandson Jonah aged 8 weeks for the first time

Of course I'm not just thinking about him today, everyday I think of him.

So I was shocked when a couple of weeks ago, I went to phone him to ask him a question, completely forgetting he wasn't here anymore. 

I am thinking about all the wonderful times, all the holidays we had growing up, all the funny stories he used to tell.

I am thinking about him as we approach his birthday next week

I am thinking a part of me went with him when he died

I am thinking life can be so unfair, and it will never be the same again.

Love you always, Dad xoxo

Joining up with Down to Earth today

Why don't you pop on over and join in too!

Toodyay

We did a quick day trip today up to Toodyay (an hour from Perth) to a friend of Phil who has recently moved there. 

Phil had been up there last week for a night helping Dave with some construction work and had left a pair of shoes there. So the trip today was to pick up the shoes. It was a quick trip, mainly due to the weather and Kate had tap dancing at the end of the day. Plus with school going back tomorrow, I had to get some bits and pieces for the lunchboxes.

We did stop at this great playground though in the town, which of course the girls loved!

They played for ages despite the cool weather (at least it wasn't raining at this stage) and didn't want to leave. It would be a lovely spot during the nice weather with this little stream right beside the playground.

Before we left for home, we had a wander down the very small street and of course the girls discovered this lolly shop!

Lots of great choices. The girls ended up choosing a lucky dip each and one other things. So many good lollies.

All that fresh air left one very tired girl on the way home!

Sunday

It's been a busy day of long bike rides for the third day in a row.

I really love Winter in Perth, if you can even call it that.

Perfect weather for biking

We stopped at a great park for dogs and kids to run around in

We spent all morning cleaning out the shed, still have a way to go but the bins are all full

and then we met up with this cute little guy at Sizzlers for dinner

.

A nice way to end the weekend

Ella and I

I decided to go for a walk before tea tonight and in-between all the rain we've had today. Ella decided to come along as well on her bike. It was quite light when we left but almost dark by the time we got home.

The streets were pretty deserted, except for the odd person walking home from the bus.

There was so many great puddles around to ride through. Ella ended up staying drier than myself on foot - my feet got quite wet.

 Ella loved going across this little bridge and seeing all the dirty water rushing underneath

After the bridge we walked/rode down to one of our local parks, which after all the heavy rain today was filled with mini lakes, and ducks floating!

It's always nice to have some one on one time with your kids. Next time Kate and I'll have to go out by ourselves. 

This photo was in our street, it actually wasn't as dark as it looked in this photo, cheap camera with a not so great flash was used.
Ella went through this puddle many times! Such fun!

On My Mind ...

yum porridge bubbles away on the stove!

WINTER, and no better way to start the day than a bowl of porridge with a sprinkling of brown sugar

I like it lumpy, sometimes with a sliced banana

I make a hige pot fill on the stove, it's very satisfying stirring it with all the steam coming out

It brings back fond memories of my childhood and waking up to Mum stirring the porridge on our chip heater stove

the kitchen always smelled so good

If I have a bowl of porridge for breakfast I am less likely to be hungry an hour later because it's so filling

I love Winter and all that it brings

I wish it would go on for longer than it does here

Crisp mornings, short days and long cosy nights.

Joining up with Down to Earth today

Come along and join in too!

Baking Day

Today we made lemon slice

There is nothing as satisfying as knowing exactly what ingredients are in your food

I freeze most of our baking for a number of reasons. Firstly we don't need a whole slice sitting in the pantry - that would just encourage us to eat more than was necessary in a short space of time, secondly it means we have a variety in the freezer that can easily be grabbed and popped into the lunchbox.

 

A perfect slice to enjoy with a cuppa!

Hump Day

Today we headed down the coast to visit Amie and the kids to deliver some toys that my girls had outgrown! After lunch we headed to the library, but it was closed on Wednesdays! I've never heard of such a thing. The library is at the shopping centre so we ventured in there instead.

First we stopped at the petshop to buy some crickets for Brendans scorpion

then to look around, and we came across this Thomas train giving free rides to the kids.

Of course, Jonah loves Thomas, so he sat quietly waiting for his turn.

They all ended up going on twice, then the girls all had their hair cut (no photos after)

and we headed back to Amie's house for a bit, before coming home!

The weather was atrocious on the way home, so the traffic was very slow.

Busy Beavers

about half way through

the bookcase complete - still some empty containers

all that's left of the bigger inside toys

We've been having a BIG declutter at our house since mid-afternoon on Saturday.

We started with Ella's room, and then onto Kates (forgot to get photos) 

then yesterday started on the spare room which had became a dumping ground

All up it took around 18 hours and a couple of trips to the shops for storage containers

22 bags for the Salvos

11 bags of rubbish

and a car full to go to Amie's tomorrow of outgrown toys.

I am pleased the girls no longer want the dollhouse, pram, board games and puzzles for younger kids, a million Barbies and so on.

Everything fits into a container somewhere apart from the Cars/Caravans etc in the last photo.

What a lot of work, but a great feeling!

On My Mind

I'm joining in again today with Rhonda over at Down to Earth about what's on my mind today!
Here's what Rhonda has to say:

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY. If you're in another country you should join in when you read this, even if it's still Thursday.

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, come back and add a comment below, with a link to your blog photo so we can all find you. Please visit all the blogs that appeal to you and leave a comment. Slow down, take the time to cruise around and enjoy your cyber visits.

This is what I'm thinking about today:

  My baby girl who has been away for TWO nights at her big sisters house is coming home this afternoon. I have missed her so much. Her room feels really empty without her, I miss reading to her at night, I miss our cuddles. Her toys await her homecoming! It will be wonderful to hear her voice and laughter again!

Lesmurdie Falls

With Ella away for a couple of nights staying with her big sister and the kids, Kate and I got to spend some quality time together. After a lazy morning, we went off to visit a friend for an hour, then to the shops to pick up some milk and bits and pieces.

Then because the weather was so glorious, we decided on a walk to Lesmurdie Falls. It's been a few years since we've done it, so it was great to get outside in the fresh air and get some exercise. We really do live in a great place, these falls are only 5 minutes drive from our house.

Because of all the recent rain, some of the track was very muddy and slippery. But mostly it was dry and easy to walk on.

School holidays and great weather bought out alot of walkers and their dogs. All the tracks were very busy!

We stopped a few times for a drink and of course - chocolate! A must have on these walks.

We could see Perth City in the distance. Just.

It's fun to poke a stick in the water and dig around!

A rest stop- excellent!

The shoes finally came off and some paddling was done. The water was freezing! Kate was so hot, she had to cool herself down quickly.

We were both pretty tired at the end, then it was home for a quick shower and change and off to tap dancing!

It has been a wonderful day, hope yours was good too!