Merry Christmas...

I would just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Bring on 2009 :)

Lots of  Love

The Baynham Family xxx

Santa's No. 1...

With Christmas fastly approaching, another busy week was had in our household.

It all started with 4.5hrs of shopping at Fountain Gate on Thursday.  The place was packed and luckily for me my girls were pretty well behaved considering.  The worse part is that I still haven't finished and will have to attempt it again sometime this week :(  This photo of the girls with Santa was taken at the start of our shopping adventure, before they started to get cranky and irritable. LOL

 



I just love this photo. I am so proud of Piper as all our other previous Santa photo's are of her screaming or not in it at all.

 



On Friday Bella celebrated her end of 3yr old Kinder with a little concert being held for the parents/grandparents and then a party. She was so excited as Brett managed to get the day off work to attend and she was busting to hand out all her chrissy cards to her "kindy friends". (can't wait for her to be old enough to write them all out herself...LOL)

Later that same evening, we had another Christmas party to attend to which just so happened to be held at a play centre.  The kids were soooo knackered but some how managed to find the energy to party away until 10pm. As you can imagine they were pretty flat by Saturday, and what a perfect day it was to do absolutely nothing and sit indoors snuggled on the couch.



Unfortunately for me the rest and relaxation was short lived as I dobbed myself in to do an 8hr shift at work yesterday :(  Oh well, the extra money will come in handy over the Christmas break.

Tis the season...

Well, after reading Helen's blog I to decided to change the look of my blog for the festive season. If you wait long enough snow will start to fall across the page. Ahhhhhhh

 This is the first time I have changed it in over a year so I thought a change is as good as a holiday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....

HO HO HO!

Kindy Excursion...

Better late then never I suppose.

Bella had her first kinder excursion the other week to Tooradin Foreshore, and to top it off they went on a double decker bus.  As you could imagine there were a lot of very excited little kiddies, but must say that they were all pretty well behaved.  I didn't even realise that Tooradin had a park by the water, and have since been told that the fish n chip shop there is one of the best?  Over Christmas I think we might have to take the girls for a play and stay for a spot of dinner. Mmmmmmmmmmmm

This week at kinder we have Bella's final day and a Christmas concert which we are very excited about.  I can't believe the year is over and that next year it is the BIG 4yr old kindy. Someone please stop the clock. 



Sunday we had some more family photo's taken, which I am glad to say worked out a lot better then the last lot.  A few months ago we did the fundraiser photo's through Declan's school and had a lot of trouble with Piper not wanting her photo taken, and when we checked out the photo's there weren't too many that I liked so decided not to get any and to take the risk and try again. Luckily Bella's kinder also had a photo fundraiser so I decided to try again. The lady taking the photo's was awesome and after about 5 mins we couldn't get Piper away from the camera :)  Can't wait until the end of the week so that I can see them in full.



This photo is of the girls in their new jackets that they got from Glenda and David in England for Christmas. THANK YOU!

I just love Marks and Spencer clothes as they are always really good quality and the girls get so much wear out of them.  I also needed new jumpers and jackets for the girls as this weather has no idea what it is doing, and as it is meant to be "SUMMER", I can't find any anywhere.

Anyway that's about it. Will try to update again before Christmas.

Happy 70th Dad...

Sorry guys for taking so long to update my blog, but just finding it hard to find time to sit down and do it. Usually I get on computer and have just enough time to check my emails, the weather then off again. Oh well, enough of the complaining.

 

Firstly I just want to say "HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY DAD". We love you heaps XXX

On Sunday we had a bit of a birthday bash for dad which was loads of fun. Thankfully mother nature decided to give us a break in the weather and provided a beautiful for the celebrations. Loads of food and drink was consumed, but hey! what fun is a party if you can't pig out? LOL



I was going to say that it is hard getting a good photo when you have so many kids to get to look at the camera, but then I had a good look at the photo and ALL the kids are looking and smiling and it is us adults that are off in la la land. Now that would have to be a first? :)



BOO!!!!!

When telling Piper to say "cheese" for the camera, this is what she is now doing??? I have plenty of photo's with this delightful face, but must say that she is still a cutie no matter what kind of face she pulls.



This is the girls latest game to play. "Lets take turns flying around the decking on top of the car???" Hmmmm I get a little nervous every time they do it as I can just see myself ending up at casualty with one of them having broken arm? Spose I should just keep quiet before I jinx myself.

I am off to Tooradin Foreshore today with Bella's kinder which will be plenty of fun????? (I think)

We are getting picked up in a double decker bus and then heading off to Tooradin to explore the foreshore and park . Lets just hope the weather holds off as 23 wet kids is not going to be alot of fun.

Anyway that will do for now.

Until next time - Caroline

My work chrissy party...

It's coming up to that time of year again, the "WORK CHRISSY PARTIES".

Last night my work held their first christmas party in 5 years, and what a fun night it was. It was a formal event held at the Wheelers Hill International, complete with a 3 course meal and good old karaoke. Brett and I even stayed the night so that we didn't have too far to stumble to bed. LOL

I decided that I wanted to go all out for the night so bought a new dress and got my hair and makeup done. The dress I just happened to stumble across in Jacqui e and fell in love with it straight away. All I need is a few more outings so that I can have the excuse to wear it again.  My make up was a complete disaster. I said that I was going for an "Elegant 50's" style, and the girl who did the make up said "Like Marily Monroe"? Lets just say that I don't recall Marilyn having the dark heavy foundation, large black eyes and huge pink/red lips?????? The problem is that when getting the make up done, they don't let you look in the mirror until it is complete and I think I nearly died when I finally looked into the mirror. Nothing like Marilyn at all :(

I pre warned Brett before I got home that I looked like a "Scary Doll" and his facial expression told me that I did as soon as I got out of the car. Piper took one look at me and asked why I had a scary monster mask on, and then when we got home this morning asked where my scary monster mask had gone. Thanks Pipey. Anyway I managed to wipe a lot of the foundation off and tone down my eyes a little and added a darker colour lippy which made a huge difference, and this was the final result...



I hadn't felt this pretty since my wedding day :)



I LOVE this photo of Brett and I. Ahhhhhhhhhhh :)

We had so much fun and drank so much wine and beer that I even did a few karaoke songs (not on my own of course).  Last night was the first time that Brett and I had been very drunk together in our whole relationship. I don't know why we waited so long as we had sooooo much fun.

When is the next party?????? LOL :)

Caroline xxx

Cup weekend...

Sorry for all the photo's but there were just too many to choose from so I thought bugger it and put them all on.

Well as you all know last weekend was the Melbourne Cup long weekend, and for us car lovers out there also means time for the annual John's Rod and Custom car show in Pakenham. Luckily the weather held off for us this year and if anything was a little too hot as some of us (meaning myself) got a little burnt.  Piper seemed to have a great day walking with nanny and poppy but Bella had tantrum after tantrum to the point that we lost count, and thankfully nanny and poppy were there to distract her as I was ready to go home and leave her there. (Well maybe not literally...)



* A photo of Bella in a calmer mood on our way home.



* The girls in Poppy's car with Nanny.



I just love this photo of Piper walking with Uncle Steve. Uncle Steve thought it was pretty good as well as this gave him an excuse to dawdle :)

 

 

The following Tuesday was cup day which we celebrated with a small family BBQ. Mum and Dad also just got back from Vietnam so it was a good chance to catch up and hear all about there great trip.



* Perfect day for a barbie.



* Miss Tilly thought better to be safe then sorry :)

boring boring boring...

Well not a lot has been going on over the past few weeks as all us girls have been sick and have just bummed around the house.

Being that I am such a sharing mother (LOL), both the girls came down with terrible colds and coughs (which they got from me. Oops!) but unfortunatley for Isabella, she has now ended up with tonsilitis and an ear infection as well :(

Over the past week and a half we have visited the doctors 5 times and the chemist 3 and still have to go back again on Tuesday. Poor Bella was prescribed Penicillan for her infections which we later discovered she was allergic to as she came out in a nasty rash all over her body. We headed back to the doctors today to get another antibiotic and back their again next week for a check up to see how she is going.

I informed Bella this morning that she can't go to kinder as she would make all her friends sick and she came back with "Bella saw the doctor and is all better now so I can go to kinder and see my friends."  Poor thing is just too young to understand :(

Looking forward to Sunday afternoon as Mum and Dad get back from their Vietnam holiday. Can't wait to see some photo's as it definately would be an interesting place to visit.

Well that's about it. Hopefully something more exciting will happen so that my next post won't be so boring.

Caroline xxx

My Garden...

Well considering I don't have a "Green Thumb" I think my garden is doing pretty darn good at the moment. My motto is "If it needs constant watering or care, then it doesn't belong in my garden" as I am guaranteed to kill it :)

Here are a few samples that my garden is producing at the moment. My weeping blossom tree which I have had for at least 3 years is in full bloom for the very first time and finally I have pink blossom. Yippee!!!  Over the years I have purchased a few blossom trees stating that they are "pink", but when the time comes only white blossom appear???  My roses have gone made and are absolutely covered in buds, so looking forward to the next few weeks of colour.



Both Isabella and Piper have been going around the garden telling me the colours of flowers, and I am trying to teach them that not all flowers need to be picked.  Their latest is picking all of the buds and then peeling them open and the reason for this is that Nanny bought them the DVD of "Thumberlina" and now they think that inside every bud they will find Thumberlina. It has taken a while but I think I have finally got the message across :)

Not much else has really been happening as both Piper and I have been sick with conjuctivitis and a virus/flu. Today is the best that I have felt for the past week so fingers crossed that this bug has left for good.

Today Brett started on a door for the kids cubby house FINALLY.  It has only taken 3 years of asking but now we are halfway there. He got a little side tracked halfway through making the barn style split door and ended up adding a little verandah out the front. It does make it look very cute and will look even better once we add a coat of paint.

 

Till next time.

Caroline xxx

Jumping Beans...

Well not a lot to report from the last week or so.

With this fantastic weather we have been having, Brett decided to inflate the girls jumping castle which they thought was great. They bounced on it nearly all afternoon, then after dinner in the PJ's and then Piper even headed out the doggie door at 7am the next morning for a little more jumping action :)  It's good for Brett and I as well as all that jumping really wore the girls out which made bedtime hassle free. (Not that they are any hassle getting to bed anyway.)



(Sorry for the dark picture but it was taken in the shade and I think I should have had my flash on?)

Poor Piper was struck down with some bug last week. She was very quiet for a couple of days, had a little chuck but then came good and then got the dreaded conjuctivitis. Nasty daddy nicknamed her "Pinky" after the disease Pink Eye as both her eyes were bloodshot and gunky, but she thought it was funny. I am so proud of my little girl as we had to administer her drops every 3 hours and each time she reminded me, then went and got a tissue and then laid on the floor so that I could drop them in. Such a star paitent :)

The only thing is the sharing little bugger passed it over to mummy who is also suffering from a rotten cold and very husky voice (which for some reason Brett seems to love???Hmmmmm).

Anyway we might try and venture out today as the poor girls have been stuck at home for pretty much over a week and Bella this morning has asked to go to the shops as she wants to buy a baby doll that she found in one of the catalogues. Lucky for her Opa gave them some money and as they have been so well behaved couped up in the house, a treat would be well deserved :)

Take care

Caroline xxx

Busy weekend...

Well that is another term down and only one more to go for the year. I had so many plans for these school holidays and not one of them was really achieved as we never really seemed to be home long enough to get anything done. Oh well, the big holidays are just around the corner so maybe will have better luck then? :)

On Saturday we headed up to Brett's parents place to help Nanny and Zeke celebrate their birthdays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both XXX.  The weather was perfect and the kids always have so much fun running around and enjoying the open space.



Nanny did a superb job on the spiderman cake.



Both my girls just loved the trampoline. I think we might have to have a word to Santa for next year as he already had the girls requests for this year. For the last 3 days Bella keeps telling me that she needs to say please to Santa for a new bike. I keep trying to remind her that Santa will only grant her wish if she behaves herself for the rest of the year. I won't hold my breath. LOL

 

Yesterday was the Cora Lynn Car Show and this time we actually made it.  The weather was beyond perfect for a picnic amongst the cars and the place was packed. It's nice that all the car shows are starting up again as this is our chance to catch up with all our friends and spend some family time together.

Isabella saw the camera come out and decided to model with daddy's car. She was striking a pose left, right and centre and unfortunately I just couldn't keep up. Here are a few of her best photo's caught on camera.



Thanks Lisa for the headscarfe. She looks so the part with it on and just loves it to the point that she went to bed with it last night and the first thing she did when she woke this morning was put it back on :)

Happy Term 4 to all. Our next lot of holidays will be Christmas. YAY :)

Melbourne show 2008...

On Wednesday to help Gracie celebrate her 4th birthday, Joanne, Helen and I along with all the kids headed out by train to the Melbourne Show. The weather was perfect, the crowds were huge and thanks to the kids for being so well behaved, a great day was had by all :)

I can't believe that it has been nearly 10yrs since I last went to the show. Not much has really changed except for the prices of the rides. We actually found one ride that was $15 per person per ride and believe it or not had a queue to get on. CRAZY!!!



Bella wasn't too sure on some of the rides and I can't really blame her. My stomach was doing somersaults just looking at them. LOL (I think I am getting too old for this kind of stuff??)



This was the monster truck show that Riley just loved. There was no way you could wipe the smile off his face :)



They even had some stunt bike riders. One had even riden with the "Crusty Demons" which was pretty awesome.



This was the ride that Bella was looking at in the first picture. Now you can understand why she is trying to hide behind her hands. LOL



Declan, Riley, Gracie and Mitchell just loved the little roller coaster. Bella and Piper weren't so keen.



Ahhhhhhhhhhh! On our way home. Considering we caught the 8.22am train and didn't get home till about 4pm, the kids did really well.

Thanks Helen and Jo for a great day. Maybe next year we should leave all the kids at home and all the parents go for a night out to the show????

Caroline xxx

 

Where has the time gone...

Sorry to all for me taking so long to updating my blog, but I just can't seem to find the time to sit down (with out being pestered). Anyway all is good and here we go...

I just love this photo that Helen took of all the kids on father's day. They are looking in different directions, have different expressions on their faces and all the colours seem to blend. Definately one of my favourites :)



We headed to mum and dad's for a Father's Day BBQ which was nice and relaxing, well for the dad's anyway. And couldn't go without taking the kids up to the park to lose some of excess energy. Helen thought that it looked like too much fun and didn't want to miss out, so here is an action shot of her attempting to slide down the pole.



I think I am going to be shot for posting this picture but Oh well :)

 

 



The other week I witnessed a beautiful sunset, but when I took the photo's the colour of the sky just didn't seem to come out on the camera, then I came across this shot and I just love the way the sky starts off light and then slowly darkens to almost black. The Southern Cross pointer stars just finish the photo off nicely :)

 

 



Last week Bella's kinder had the mobile farm pop around which was loads of fun. The kids got to make butter and cuddle all sorts of cute little farm animals. It is so hard to explain to the kids not to squeeze the animals, but I think Bella did a great job for her first time :)  It was a shame that the rain started and the fun was short lived but I think all the kids had loads of fun anyway?

 

 



The other day Bella wanted to wear her shorts, but as the weather wasn't the warmest this was the closest she got. LOL  To top it off they both wanted their "superhero" capes on and as it was blowing a gale outside, had an absolute ball with their capes blowing in the wind. Not too sure what the beanies had to do with it? 



My two beautiful little "SUPERHEROES".

Our QLD holiday...

We're back!

As most of you know we headed off to the Sunshine Coast in QLD last week for a well earned break and had an absolute blast.  We managed to find some apartments which were central to everything and only a 5 minute walk to the beach, and the manager so kindly gave us an upgrade to the rooftop apartment which meant 4 flights of stairs, 4 suitcases, 2 strollers and 2 toddlers. We certainly got our daily workout thats for sure :)

The flight up was interesting as Piper started screaming to go home as we started walking up the stairs to board the plane and didn't stop until about 10 minutes in the air. The stewards were great and tried their best to distract her and then had to repeat the process for landing. Luckily for us she wasn't as bad on the journey home as she knew what to expect.



 

We didn't plan on doing to much while away, just as long as we got to Australia Zoo.  I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the girls?  The place was amazing. We got to feed an elephant, cuddle a koala (and no he didn't pee or poo on me but gee did he stink.), see the tiger cubs play and yes we saw the Irwin's. Even if it was from a distance it was still very exciting.



The remainder of our time was spent on the beach, strolling the streets and doing the touristy things. But most of all we got to spend alot of time as a family ( Yippeeee!!!  :), and neither myself or Brett wanted the holiday to end. 

Till next time

Caroline xxx

We love you mum...

My mother is my lifeline, she is my complete saviour,
She does everything she can for me, and for that I praise her,
She went without when I was younger so I could have nice stuff,
She worked herself to the bone, but never did she give up.

My mother is my lifeline, she is truly my best friend,
she help me through the good and bad, she stayed there till the end,
she pick me up when I was down and wiped the tears away,
she will be there when I need her every night and everyday.

 

My mother is my lifeline, she’s completely a shining star,

She has never made me feel alone, no distance is too far,

She’ll travel to the moon and back, if I ask her to.

My mother is my lifeline, this poem I wrote for you. 

 

Poem by Jessica Styles



Lots of Love

Caroline xxxXXXxxx

Winter wonderland...

Wow! What a chilly weekend it was. I must say that I do enjoy this kind of weather when you can lock yourself indoors with the heater going and not do too much. But sometimes it is also nice to get outside amongst the cold and wet and have a little fun :)  So on Sunday we decided to have a little family outing and headed up to The Dandenongs hoping for a little snow action, and as you can see The Dandenongs did not disappoint.

The girls have never seen snow before and I was a little curious as to how they would handle it, and they LOVED IT!  Bella just couldn't wait to get amongst it and all she wanted to do was "throw and catch snowballs." Which I must say she did very well as both Brett and I coped a few from her. LOL!  Piper too enjoyed herself, especially when it came to the puddles. At one stage she was ankle deep (thank goodness for gumboots) in the water and ended up with pools of water in the folds of her jeans. She seemed to be having fun and didn't complain so we decided to leave her to it.

Seeing that both girls loved it so much, I now want to take them to Mt Donna Buang where they can enjoy a little more snow and even go tobogganing. Oh well, we will have to wait and see?



The scenery was beautiful and it's amazing how different everything looked when covered in snow. 



 

A few months ago my sister Helen bought me this small cross stitch from Spotlight as it had cherries on it, and I finally decided to give it a go and this is the outcome. I don't think I did too bad, especially being that I have never done a counted cross stitch (blank canvas) before.



(excuse the photo quality. A bit blurry I know)

Bella has now requested that I do one to hang in her room, but only if I can find one small enough as they are very time consuming and I don't have much spare time :(

Stay warm.

Caroline

 



 

look out elle mcpherson...

Move over Elle there is a new fashion label in town and it's by "Bella B".

This is what happens when Isabella gets to choose what she wants to wear for the day. It's a bit of everything all rolled into one, but at least the colours match :-)  I had to take a photo to show Brett as he has this thing about socks and jandals. He "loathes" it. LOL! 

It actually took me some convincing to get her to change as I refused to take her to the shops looking like this. (Mean mummy aren't I?)



Not too much has been happening except the usual.  We are counting down the days until we go on holidays and I am stressing a bit about the flight as I just have this feeling that Isabella is going to freak out a bit on the plane? Just keep your ears open on the evening news in case you hear a story about a flight having to make an emergency landing due to an out of control, noisy child. That will be my Bella. LOL

We are heading out to Turkish on Saturday night YUM!!!! Finally getting to take my girlfriend Bec out for her birthday dinner :-)  It's a shame her birthday was a while ago in May but we are both finding it very hard to have a night off at the same time. Anyway, any excuse will do to have Turkish. Mmmmmmm

 

My sister came over the other night to motivate me into doing some scrapping and this was the out come. Unfortunatley I always manage to wait until the light is bad to take my photo's so the photo doesn't really give it justice as the colours look pretty bad.



Well hope all are well and until next time.

Caroline

yummy recipes...

I recently made both these recipes for Piper's birthday and they were a huge and "YUMMY" success, so decided to share them with you all.

 

BEETROOT DIP...

1 x 450g can baby beetroot, drained and coarsely chopped or pureed depending on you desired texture.

250g (1 cup) Greek-style yoghurt

2 tbs fresh Lemon Juice

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve in a bowl with Lavosh crisps or Turkish bread (yum).



 

HOMEMADE VANILLA SLICE...

2 x Sheets of Puff Pastry

600ml Cream

300ml Milk

2 x Packets Cottee's Vanilla Instant Pudding.

METHOD

Jab pastry with fork all over and cook in a hot oven until light brown.

Mix together cream, milk and pudding mixture with an electric beater until thick.

Spread between 2 layers of pastry and dust with icing sugar. Cut to the size of your choice. (or don't cut at all and have one HUGE vanilla slice. Mmmmm)



Hope you all enjoy, and please let me know what you think.

Take care

Caroline xxx

My baby turns 2...

It only feels like yesterday that we celebrated Piper's 1st birthday, but another year has gone and my baby is now 2 years old :(  We celebrated on her actual birthday with all the family coming over for an "inside" BBQ which was loads of fun. As usual she got spoilt rotten with an abundance of great pressies which I now need to find homes for. LOL

The following day we invited all of Piper's friends to come help her celebrate her birthday once again at Hungry Jack's. Let's just say that alot of food was consumed and that we had to make a little pit stop on the way home as Bella started to go a little pale in the back seat. Luckily for us a little fresh air and a walk around helped her to hang onto her lunch and all was good in the end. Phew!!!



I just love this photo of the cousins.



Until next time.

Caroline xxx

Hi-5 Fun...

Another school holidays down and half a year gone. Where did that go?

We had a pretty relaxed 2 weeks with staying home as much as possible and using the time to chill out a bit :) Our first week we concentrated on the toilet training which is going better then I could have planned. Isabella is now nappy free (except for nights, but no need to rush) and we have not had one accident :) Yippee!!!  At the end of week one we headed off to Warragul to see Hi-5, which was good timing as this ended up being a treat to the girls for a job well done with the toilet training. Little did I know until the night before, but my girlfriend's husband who ordered the tickets for us managed to get centre front row.  We were so close that Piper was a little scared with the loud music and bright lights and hung onto me for dear life through out the entire show.  



My and my girls just before the show started :)



The next few days weren't so much fun with Piper and Brett getting the "back end" of gastro and then it was my turn again. I can honestly say that I think gastro has hit our house 4 times over the last few months, and am now begging you to PLEASE STAY AWAY!!!

Undies at last...

Well the reason for me not updating my blog sooner is that not much has gone on over the past few weeks except the usual. Work, cleaning, kindy, playgroup etc etc. And didn't want to bore you all.

The school holidays are here, (Yippee!) which for me meant the perfect time to stay at home and toilet train the girls. Yes I know what your all thinking, Bella is 3 and a half and should already be going and Piper is a week shy of 2 but they are doing it together. :)  We haven't had much luck over the past 9 months with training Bella. She started off using the Potty back in October last year and then for some reason decided that she didn't like it and just stopped. Until now we haven't had any luck getting her back on the loo and going, but yesterday that all changed :) Piper on the other hand decided that last weekend was a good time to start and by Tuesday lunchtime was taking herself even for a number 2. (Too much info I know but I am just so proud) Yesterday we had no accidents at all from either, even though I know to expect them, and Piper has even stayed dry through her last 2 day naps as well. YAY!!!!!  Lets hope the enthusiasm stays with them and that nappies are a thing of the past.

It's been a very busy week for me. I unfortunatley got stuck with 4 close shifts in a row at work which meant I haven't really seen Brett for more then half an hour a day and am missing him terribly. Last night once I finished work I headed to Fountain Gate with Helen and Jo and attempted the crazyness of the K-mart and Big W toy sales. I hate it every year but know that once it's done that the lead up to Christmas is alot less stressful as ALL the kids are taken care of and even Bella's birthday present is sorted. The only problem is the getting home at 2.45am, not getting to sleep until close to 3.30am, having the girls pull my blankets off at 7.30am and then working until midnight the same night :(  I think I might have to invest in some "V" drinks and no-doze just to get thru the day? LOL

 

Just thought that I would share a few of my favourite pictures taken from my mobile phone.

         "Home-Boy Piper"                     "Nudie Gnome Bath"



         "I Hate Bubbles"                           "Ahhhhh cuddles"

 

Have a great school holidays to all.

Caroline xxx

QLD here we come...

Well, all I can say is bring on August. Other then this being Brett's birthday, it is also now the day we leave for our family holiday to the Sunshine Coast in QLD. Yippee!!!

It's a very long story which I will try and cut short for you, but I had booked some really, really cheap flights back in February to Newcastle as a surprise birthday present to Brett to go and visit his Aunt, Uncle and cousins. I had booked everything including accommodation, travel insurance and even car hire so that I was all organised for when the time came to surprise Brett. Well Thusday last week, Tiger Airways so kindly sent me an email telling me that they had cancelled my flights (but gave me no reason why?) and I had the option to either get a full refund (which was $85) or we could change our destination to any one of their destinations within Australia at no extra charge. Anyway long story short, we have changed our flights to Maroochydore QLD where we will be spending 5 exciting nights in Alexandra Headlands 450m from the beach. The most exciting thing will be taking the kids to Australia Zoo as both the girls just love "Bindi the Jungle Girl" and I can't wait to cuddle a koala or feed the elephants.

The only downer to all of this is that I lost my accommodation deposit for Nelson Bay NSW, but then in saying that I am flying our family to QLD for under $85 total. BARGAIN!!!!

Now we just have to play the waiting game until departure and hope that Tiger Airways don't decide to cancel these flights as well. Fingers Crossed X

 

Not much else really been happening. Bella has her 3yo kinder photo's on Friday which is exciting. I'm not sure if I want to take the risk and put her hair in pig tales as knowing my luck she will pull them out just before they take the photo and I will end up getting a load of pictures of Bella with a "Princess Leia from Star Wars" hairdo.

Take care.

Caz xxx

Lots to show & tell...

Well I'm not too sure where to start as a bit has happened in the past few weeks. I tried to up date a few days ago but for some reason I was unable to download any pictures and just got very frustrated so decided to leave it for a few days then try again and here we are :)

 

A couple of weeks ago Brett and a mate headed 635km north to a little town in NSW called Junee to pick up my Holden FB wagon (thanks boys).  They left at 5.30am and decided to make the trip in the one day (crazy I know.) They didn't do too bad as Brett actually beat me home as my girlfriend and I headed out to see a Roller Derby Bout which was loads of fun. Anyway that's another story.

Here is a picture of the car on it's way home stopping at the famous Ettamogah Pub. Pretty good picture I thought?



The  following day Isabella was busting to get outside and help daddy start to clean the car up. All we have heard since buying the car is "We need to paint mummy's hotrod yellow"?  Anyway here is some of the dirt and leaves that they managed to get out. By the time they finished there was a huge pile and I believe there is still a lot more in the car?



 

 

Another lot of exciting news is that Piper has upgraded to a "Big Girls Bed". I am so excited to see her grow but at the same time so sad that she is not a baby any more :(  We put her bed up before her afternoon nap (bad move), and she didn't want a bar of it. For the first 5 minutes she continuously got out of bed, put on her shoes and tried to open her bedroom door. We think she just didn't want to miss out on all the fun?

I was dreading her going to bed that night but she surprised us all by going to sleep on her own and has done so ever since. Not once has she gotten out of bed and in the mornings she just lies there and calls us to come and get her even though her bedroom door is open. She is such a little cherub.



This is her first night. We are so proud of our big girl :)



 

The end of May was Helen's birthday which we celebrated with a family dinner at Mum and Dad's place. All the kids had fun playing with each other, which doesn't often happen any more with Declan now in school as they use to catch up mainly during the week after playgroup. It's great to see that they can all get along as cousins and friends :) 



 

Here are my latest 2 scrapping pages. Unfortunately I don't get many chances any more to scrap with working 3-4 nights a week. And when I do have the night off, all I want to do is sit down and vegetate in front of the TV.  Not a good thing I know but my energy levels aren't the best at the moment.



 

 

Until next time.

Caroline xxx