What has been happening around our place?

This is what has been happening around our backyard the past couple of weeks.

We pulled up all the old bricks from the patio

and laid concrete

there were lots of long days and nights

plenty of help came

there was wild windy and wet weather to contend with

still a long way to go

outdoor blinds will be added later

tiles laid on the concrete next autumn

new outdoor furniture to be chosen

guttering to be installed

gardens to be finished

lighting to be hung

gates to be painted

Ella has started a fairy garden

and planted some colour in her pot (Kate is still to do hers)

it all takes time

looking forward to sitting out here when it's all finished!

bricks are pulled up

all ready to go

the first of the concrete is poured

hard at work

first stage completed

concreted to the end of the house, still some to go

starting on the front of the patio

Ella's pot of colour

our little place to sit for now

more colour in pots

the start of Ella's fairy garden

Singing and Dance Troupe

This photo was taken after they received a 3rd placing in the competitions back in April. I was waiting for permission from all the Mums before I published this beautiful photo.

Kate is on the left in the front.

On My Mind ...

is this gorgeous girl before I took her to her ballet and tap dancing exams.

She was pretty nervous, more so about the ballet. Phil got up with her this morning and tested her on some theory, she knew it all, so here's hoping she'll remember it all when the examiner asks her.

Now I think I'm the nervous one.

I'm playing along with Down to Earth today

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Remembering Dad

waiting to be planted

My Dear Dad would be celebrating his 79th Birthday today

It is his first birthday since he passed away in March

It has been a day of tears, happy and sad ones

I missed not being able to phone him up and wish him a happy birthday this morning

I had been thinking for a few days how I would like to spend the day

Phil was going to take the day off and we could go somewhere nice for lunch, however they are too flat out at work, which was okay

So I visited the garden centre and bought some potted colour, yet to be planted

there is nothing like colour on a rainy day to lift the mood

I also wamted to buy this rose, as Dad grew and loved his roses

it's called Father's Love

unfortunately it is so popular, they were out of stock until next month,

so I ordered one

I already have this one, Mother's Love in my garden which I planted 2 years ago

They will take pride in my garden next to each other.

Happy Birthday Dad

Love you always.

Wow - how cool is this dollhouse?

Decorated by a lady in New Zealand. Just to die for.

See it for yourself and read her story about how she made it on Mousehouse.

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

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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

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