On My Mind ...

is this:

our camping trip up north to a place we haven't visited before. Just eleven sleeps until we go. It's been 12 months since we had a family holiday and we are all well and truly ready for a break. It will be nice to spend time together enjoying each others company. Lots of swimming, reading, eating and lazing about. Making new friends is what we love about camping too - the girls have usually made a new friend by the end of the first day. They are still in touch with friends from past years holidays. I love how kids make friends so easily while on holiday away from the pressures of the school playground.

I'm playing along with Down to Earth today, pop on over and join in!

Sylvanian Families

This is what my girls having being playing with all afternoon and are still playing as I type. I love how they are playing so nicely at the moment, a great start to the holidays. I hope it continues for a few more days yet!

I love all the little pieces and even though it says from 4 years on the boxes, I think it's more suited to kids aged 6yrs and up. I'm pleased Kate still loves them at 10 and a half years just as much as Ella does. Kids grow up too quickly these days, so it's wonderful to see!

Special Christmas Tree Decorations

My Mum often sends us a new decoration for the Christmas tree. In the past when she has been here at Christmas time, we have made a day out to look at the big tree at Myer and we have bought new decorations.

This year, she sent these lovely two:

Then these are some others she has bought us

The girls have their own collection which they add to each year. When we take the tree down, their own decorations go into their own boxes. When they have their on trees later on, the will have a box of decorations from their childhood to start their own trees with.

This is what they chose this year to add to their collections:

Kate:

Ella:

And some others from over the years, bought and hand-made!

Christmas Treats

I made these this morning for Ella to take to school tomorrow for a shared lunch. Due to the heat, they turned out a bit messier than they should have, but the kids will still love them.

Makes

12

Ingredients

• 100g white chocolate melts
• 12 Arnott's Royals chocolate biscuits
• 12 Jaffas
• Spearmint leaves, cut into smaller leaves

Method

1. Place the white chocolate melts into a heatproof bowl. Microwave on Medium/50% power, stirring every minute until they are fully melted.
   
2. Spoon the melted chocolate into a sealable plastic bag and snip one corner of the bag to make a piping bag. Pipe enough white chocolate on top of the biscuits, allow to drip down the side.
   
3. Place a Jaffa on top and a small spearmint leaf each side of the Jaffa and secure in the melted chocolate.

Christmas Lights Display

The girls and I headed out last night to look at a few Christmas light displays. They enjoyed them all, and I enjoyed watching their faces! Lots of people were out looking, the weather was warm - what a magical time of the year.

Gorgeous gals ...

with gorgeous haircuts! Ella has been wanting a bob for months now but it made sense to wait till dancing had finished. So yesterday was the day - and she loves it! Kate is growing hers again, so she just had a trim.

Well Done Kate

For the last day of Kates LOTE Scholarship class up the hill at a high school, the parents were invited along to see what the kids have been learning. We played a few games to begin (even the parents joined in!) then a few teachers spoke about the programme, followed by the certificates awarded, then we watched a slide show with photos taken during the class, then a short film about education in Indonesia. After that there were yummy refreshments, so enjoyable!

Saturday Fun Day

It was lovely to have a day of pottering around the house. With a temperature of 36 deg, the kids wanted the blow-up pool blown up so they could cool off. Amie and Jonah came up for lunch (Ruby was at her other Grandparents) and the kids enjoyed having a splash!

After a yummy lunch of cold meat, salad and chips followed by trifle, Ella and Amie played some Mario Kart on the Wii, then we put the tree up and decorated it!

Once the weather cooled down (to 30 deg) we headed to lake for some fresh air and burgers! And of course a play!

Dance Concert 2011

Kate and Ella - Ballet - Flowers Copellia

Kate - Jazz - Sam I Am

Ella - Jazz - Ghostbusters

Kate - Singing - Light up the World

Ella - Hip Hop - Yeah

There are unfortunately two photos missing, Kate in her tap costume and in her hip hop costume. Due to quick costume changes there was no time for her to go down for photos, so one day over the holidays I will take my own. The girls' had a great time once again but were very tired by the end of the second night. Kate was thrilled she won a trophy again - this time in her singing class!