Storage

 I found these storage units at a furniture shop the other week. I had been looking for something for the laundry that wasn't too big that I could use for separating whites etc. We don't have alot of spare space, so it took awhile to find what I needed. The baskets are working so well. The top is for white that need washing. I do a load at the end of the week. The second one is for school uniforms to be washed. I wash the whole lot on Saturday mornings. The third basket is for clean socks. Both Kate & Ella's go in here. I got sick of working out which socks belong to which girls, they always ended up in the wrong room. Now they all go in together and they know which are theirs. Win-win. next are for everyday shoes they wear to school and around home. Their good shoes are in their wardrobes.

I also got a unit for Ella's room. She is in the smallest bedroom in the house (her choice as she likes where the window faces) and needed some more drawers. I got her one with 2 baskets and 3 drawers. I will get Kate one for her room too as it works so well.

Praying for Mum

My poor Mum who lost her husband of 50years one month ago today, is now undergoing major surgery as I write this. She fell sick on Friday night, had some tests done in hospital on Saturday and it was discovered that she has a tumor on her bowel. Sitting by the phone again after waiting for news of Dad for weeks before he passed is really hard right now. I'm praying that Mum who is pretty frail makes it through okay, and has a good recovery. I have never felt so far away from my family as I do now.

Please keep us in your thoughts today as your go about your lives.
xxx

Update: Mum came through the OP with flying colours, I'm so happy she is on the mend.

Weekend Break Away

Sisters sharing a special moment

We took off for a night away to celebrate my birthday (it was on Tuesday 5th) it was the same area we went to last year, Mandurah. It's about an hour south of Perth, so perfect for a quick getaway.
I left with the girls early afternoon. Phil was going to a rugby game that night so he came down after that.
When the girls and I arrived, we check into the hotel, and then they wanted a swim in the indoor heated pool.
After we went on a long walk and ate fish and chips by the water. Very relaxing.
It was dark when we got back to the hotle. The girls had another swim while I sat and listened to the live entertainment, which was very good.
Phil arrived about 10:15pm, by then the girls were fast asleep from all that exercise!

We watched some telly then went to bed.

Up early the next morning, we played tennis and the girls had another swim until it was 10am and time to check out of the hotel. We left and headed into town in search of breakfast. Unfortunately when it cam out, I didn't feel very well, so it got left.
We headed down to the foreshore then and the market. We all had a relaxing day soaking up the rays and enjoying each others company.

It was nice and quiet at the end of the day

Across the bridge to see what we could see. The late afternoon sun was just gorgeous

Nothing like eating fish and chips straight from the paper by the water!

The pool was a huge hit with the girls

The view from the hotel room

The stairs were a novelty for awhile

Ella enjoyed rock climbing, and went up 3 times

Kate does a flip on the bungy swing

Kate's turn to climb

Ella loved the bungy swing too

A quiet moment by the water enjoying an ice cone

And onto the playground

Walking hand in hand 

They couldn't help but get wet

and sandy

Even though the water was a bit nippy!

19th March

We have been in this house six years today.
When we moved in, Kate was 3, Ella just 2, Ruby 3mths. There was Amie and her partner (Ruby's Dad) Nick, and Phil's brother Kevin was living with us from NZ. There was no Jonah.
This was our first our we owned.
We had a business and Phil had just returned to working away after 2 yrs at home.
The house was comfy, friendly and ours.

Since then we have painted most of the inside, started building a new patio ourselves, had the roof re-tiled, added roller shutters (my most favourite thing) added security screens to the windows, and security doors, still working on the patio, added ceiling fans throughout and a split system in the master bedroom, installed the second dishwasher, new curtains, and yes we are still working on that patio. Phil is back working locally, the girls are now 9, 8 and 6. Amie and Ruby have long moved out and added precious Jonah to their family (along with Brendan!) We have upgraded our car, bought bikes, and made many many wonderful friends.


What will the next 6 years bring? Hopefully that long awaited patio!

RIP DAD xoxo

fly free with the angels 

One of my favourite photos of Dad - meeting his new great grandson Jonah aged 8wks for the first time. November 2009.

Prayers

Sorry the blogging is so few and far between at present. All my energy is consumed with worrying about my dear Dad, and of course Mum.


Please hold him in your thoughts xxx

Another hot day ...

Well done Ella

 First assembly for the year and Ella receives an Honours Certificate.

It reads:

For:  Being a responsible, well behaved class member. Ella always listens well to instructions and endeavours to complete work neatly and carefully.

So proud!

Adventure World

Aunty Kate watches Jonah have a splash

Off to find something else to do

Pop Pop and Ruby take a ride

Jonah's favourite ride

Kate's favourite ride

One of the best parts of the day

Waterslides are always a huge hit

Kate on this ride, yet again!

With the power scheduled to be off from 8am to 4pm, we had no choice to head out for the day as it was just too hot to stay at home with no air-con, so we headed to Adventure World. The girls have only been once before, so it was a real treat for them. The day was overcast and only about 31 deg, so perfect conditions. We stayed all day until closing however just before we left Ella lost it as she didn't feel well (had been sick a couple of days prior) we got her in the car, and 5 minutes down the road she threw up everywhere, and then promptly fell asleep. Kate went to bed that night with a bucket too - too many rides on the Power Surge! All in all a good day though!

23 years ago ...

We welcomed our first daughter into the World ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMIE

All about Jonah

 Jonah just loves dolls. Any doll really from the Barbies to the Baby Alive. Lucky we have plenty at our house. He loves to push the pram along, but gets cranky when it gets stuck anywhere. His favourite doll seems to be the Baby Alive, purely because she comes with a pink dummy. In the above photo, you can just see he has the dummy in his mouth. So cute!

 He also loves to kiss, anything & anyone!

Happy Birthday Ella

A new DS game

With some of her gifts (not Hoppy though, she never goes anywhere without that rabbit!)

First Day Y5 and Y3

Back to school #3

Lunches are made in their new lunchboxes -

today they are having:

chicken & salad wraps
yoghurt
cut up fruit(one is having watermelon, one grapes)
chocolate cupcake we made last night
bottle of water

They are only small eaters, so this amount is sufficient, sometimes they take something extra, but it often comes home.

Back to school #2

With school starting back and the girls loving their fruit & veg, we went shopping today and stocked up on all their favourites for their wraps etc. Also with dancing starting back, we often get home late, so it's a time saver to have veg already chopped.

 

Here we have:

• watermelon
• deli ham
• grapes
• cauliflower
• broccoli
• red onion
• red & green capsicum
• strawberries
• kiwifruit
• cherry tomates
• lettuce
• carrot

First Day School

Ruby is starting Year One today at a new school (as they moved late last year down the coast) She was very nervous without her friends but I'm sure she'll make new friends really quickly.

Kate & Ella don't start back until Wednesday,