Day Nine

Ella mentioned last night at dinner that she would like to go to the Zoo these holidays.
So we had today free after taking Phil to the airport at 6am.
We decided to give Amie some time to herself and picked up Jonah (Ruby was having 3 sleeps with her other Grandparents so it meant Amie really was getting a break!)

It was Jonah's first time at the zoo and he loved what he saw. Everytime we put him down though he would run and keep on running. I think he wore his Aunties out!

We saw many signs around the place that were new since our last visit 18mths ago.
I only took photos of a few, but you get the idea.

Kate was our tour guide of the day, so we just followed where she wanted to go.

Jonah gets his first look at a giraffe

it's hard work keeping up the pace of a 13mth old

a sausage tree!

onto the zebras

a new information board for the kids

Candy floss!

a quick slide of course

some of the signs we saw

it's traditional the girls get a photo on this elephant says Kate

Day Eight

We look after Jonah & Ruby on Saturdays while Amie & Brendan work (Ruby was at her other grandparents today though) so we stayed home for most of the day.
The girls got out the puzzle box which they haven't had out in ages, Jonah loved trying to put the pieces in the boards.

He also loved Ella's Baby Alive in the pram. He kept taking the dummy out of the dolls mouth and putting it in his (he does have a dummy but had lost it somewhere in the house!) over and ovare and over!

To finish the day off, we went to Hogs Breath Cafe for dinner for the first time.
It was better than having to cook!

Day Seven

The girls went back to the holiday program this morning while I went to work. Perfect. When I picked them up, they asked if they could go next week as well. So we booked them in for the 3 mornings (Mon, Wed, Fri)
At this rate the school holidays will be over in no time.
We are having a quiet afternoon,
a bit of tidying and sorting in the girls' bedrooms.
I bought them some new 'tree lights' this morning from The Reject Shop which they love!
We are looking forward to the weekend, hope you all have a lovely one!

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