Last Day of Adventure in the City

We re-evaluated our plans today, originally we were going to go to Taronga Zoo. After a very late night last night I wasn't sure the little kids would last a whole day out there. The Zoo is very hilly and lots of walking is involved. From memory there is a lot to see and to get the most of your $$ you should try and see everything. Also it was an overcast day, after a rainy night. The Zoo has a beautiful outlook high on the hills overlooking the Harbour so if its windy it can be very chilly. We went about 7 years ago I think, and I really wanted to see the new elephant exhibit, it was in the planning stages when were last there. Oh well we will have to save that for the next time we are down. Emma will be a little older and it should be a little easier.
So instead the kid wanted to go to the Aquarium, which we went to also on our last trip 7 years ago and I remembered it being really enjoyable. Also a half day is enough to get through everything and I thought I might be able to sneak into the city. I wanted to look at one of the really big book stores there. I knew I wouldn't buy anything but I just love how big it is and like to just soak up a little of the atmosphere.
I also wanted to look in David Jones and Myers, not really sure why when I don't have any spending money, but I just love how big they are.
The kids really enjoyed the Aquarium and so did Geoff and I. Geoff had set the kids a challenge about the behaviour and it really made a difference, which made it for a much more enjoyable experience.
We stopped and had a bit for lunch, it was after 1 when we came out.
We headed into the City because I wanted to show the kids the QVB (Queen Vic Building) as its very old and has a fabulous clock. They also had their Christmas Tree up which had Swarovski crystal ornaments and was just beautiful.
We headed into the Book Stores and Myers but the kids were getting a little ridiculous and I thought it was silly to try and take them shopping.
We had wanted to see Happy Feet 2 at the IMAX but in the morning when we checked it out the only session was 10am. Instead we went to see Puss in Boots at 4 o'clock. The kids were in awe of the size of the screen and its a real experience. Geoff and I had been on occasion when we had been here, mostly before we had kids, but once when we came down for his Nan's funeral we went to see Avatar. Its a wonderful experience and surprisingly not that expensive, not much more than a 3D ticked at our local cinema.
We were back at the Hotel around 6 and had dinner in. I've packed pretty much everything and have organised an overnight bag for David and Liz's. Geoff is taking us for breakfast in the morning because he knows its my favourite thing to do. Then we will head out to see the family again on the way to Berrowra Waters. We will spend the night with David and Liz and then head back home.
The last few days of holidays always fly by. Our time in the city has been wonderful, the kids haven't been as well behaved as would have liked but its hard to be all couped up together I guess. I hope they have enjoyed it and some day appreciate the effort it takes for a family of 6 to have a holiday.

A Day With Family

I'm posting this the day after, but we arrived back at our hotel so late last night by the time I got organised it was nearing midnight and there was no way I was going to turn my Macbook on.
We had set aside Thursday as a day to visit with family.
First up was Geoff's Aunt Helen who later last year was diagnosed with breast cancer and is the middle of having chemotherapy treatment. Earlier in the week she had her last of the big doses of chemo and on the 16th of January she starts having a not so heavy lot of doses.
When Geoff called her early in the morning to see if she was still up for a visit he said she didn't sound too well at all but was happy for us to pop in. I really didn't think we would be there that long. When we arrived Helen looked a lot better than I thought she would and she really seemed to enjoy our visit, I am hoping that the visit brightened her spirits a little. She really is a wonderful person and has certainly been dealt a harsh hand with life. Geoff's father died over 20 years ago in his late 40's. Helen then living back in Sydney ended up caring for her parents who after Geoff's father's death were emotionally frail which then took its toll and they became physically frail and dependent upon Helen until they were both required to go to Nursing Homes until they passed away. It still is a little sad to go and visit at Helen's house and not have Nan and Pop there, they were truly beautiful, caring and loving people. Helen gave Geoff a book that a former war mate of her fathers had compiled and published. It is quite a thick book and I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading through all the stories. It is solely focused on Geoff's Grandfather's battalion and there are quite a few photos of Geoff's Grandfather in there. Its a wonderful book to be able to pass down to the children. History becomes lost if we don't retell the stories.
From there we travelled out to Castle Hill to see Geoff's Aunt Pat and Uncle Merv where we had some sandwiches. They had an old friend drop in for a visit. We then had a quick trip out to Castle Towers to look at the shops. I of course found a handbag I really liked that I couldn't afford.
Geoff's Nan had given the kids each $10 when they arrived earlier in the week and then Helen had given them each $30 for Christmas. Emma and Thomas spent half of theirs when they found some Pillow Pets. The other boys are being very cautious about what they spend theirs on and are hanging out for something they really want. Quite sensible I thought.
We then headed back to Pat and Merv's house where we were staying for dinner. Geoff went and picked up his Nan so she could come for dinner.
Pat and Merv aren't used to having small children around so dinner was a slow preparation and the kids were getting a little hairy. Merv ended up playing a couple of movies which kept them quiet for a while. As dinner was late, the evening ended up finishing very late and by the time we got home and I got all the kids into bed it was nearly midnight.
We had a big day planned the following day and we had to re-think those plans because I thought the kids would be very tired.
It was great to catch up with family again, really the sole purpose of the trip. I think Geoff's Nan really enjoyed getting to see her Great Grandchildren, something I'm sure she wishes she could do more regularly.

Harry Potter Experience

Today is our second full day at Darling Harbour. Geoff when looking up things to do in Sydney came across the Harry Potter Exhibit at the Powerhouse Museum. Generously Geoff’s cousin David and his wife Elizabeth bought the family tickets to see the exhibit whilst we were here as a Christmas gift.
We had tickets for the 10am entry so we were out and about early. The boys were really excited when we got there just waiting at the entrance as they were surrounded by Harry Potter posters and they took a photo of the family with a green screen behind us so they were excited as to what the photo was going to be when we collected it upon departing.
It was all very well done upon entry, we went through to a small area that a few kids were picked out of out group to sit up and wear the ‘sorting hat’, it was interesting that none of children put up their hands when volunteers were asked for.
Then the next room we went into was surrounded by screens and was kind of all different snippets of the movie…that was pretty cool. Then we were ushered through to the exhibit….at first I was very concerned because it seemed extremely crowded and it was hard for the kids to get up to the displays as people weren’t really moving along. My older boys were okay with the waiting but the two youngest got a little bit distressed about being separated from us and not being able to see. Thankfully it was only the first couple of displays and then I think people realized that you could move around easily between the exhibits. I’m always dismayed at how selfish the public can be about where they want to be and what they want to see, particularly adults who make no room for younger children even though they can easily see over the top of their heads. The exhibit was by tickets only and you purchased tickets for a particular entry time so they did limit the number of entries. The entire day was sold out and I’d be interested in how many other days are sold out. I’ve really only watched the first movie in its entirety and we had 2 audio devices that you could enter the numbers in the exhibits and listen to a commentary and explanation as to what everything was. I found that really helpful. Of course the boys knew what everything was anyway. I really enjoyed looking at the costumes and artifacts and was amazed at the detail that has gone into everything. It was very impressive and I’m so glad we went.
I wasn’t sure how the younger kids were going to cope as I really wanted to look around the remainder of the Museum and Joseph particularly was really interested in seeing the space section and the steam section. We had a brief look around at the space and a couple of smaller sections and then found a Café as I thought if the kids were fed they would be a little more co-operative in looking around further. We are trying to stick to a strict budget on this holiday and I’m finding that okay to follow, with the exception of when we are out for lunch. We have been having breakfast and dinner back at our hotel room. I haven’t wanted to buy stuff to make lunches for us to take with us purely because I don’t want the burden of carrying it around. We are taking 2 water bottles with us so that we aren’t purchasing drinks. I also find it frustrating that mostly the options are crap food, anything fried with chips usually. I got confused at the ‘fast food’ type café we ate at today and ordered a wrap because I wanted something a little on the healthier side and only ordered one as I thought Geoff and I could share, and then I was annoyed at having to pay nearly $9 for and then when it came it was tiny. That just ticks me off.
So anyway the kids ate and the little ones settled a little after that so we continued on with the rest of the Museum. I love Museums and anything with a little history. Thankfully Joseph seems to share that interest. Samuel does to a certain extent to in that he is happy to look and read about it all, but Joseph seems quite enthusiastic about learning whatever he can. There was a small section with old articles, like clothing and jewellery. Lots of old carriages, so much to look at.
There was a Wiggles section that Emma and I had a look through and I think she would have enjoyed it more if Thomas had been with us or she had someone to play with in there.
The steam section was just amazing and there was a lot to look at. It made me think of my father who would have absolutely loved it, and sad that he wouldn’t travel to look at things like that. The kids loved it because there was lots of interactive sections that they could push buttons and turn wheels and make it more interesting. There was a really cool one where you had to turn a wheel to make lights go on in this little house and they enjoyed the challenge of who could turn on more lights. Its great for the kids to learn how things were once done and how much easier it is for them in this current day.
It was a nice walk back to our hotel when we had finished. Joseph and Samuel had used some of their money (me adding a little bit to the pot) to buy a wand each, Joseph got the Elderwand and Samuel got Voldemort’s wand. So there has been a bit of chasing and casting spells around the hotel this evening.
Probably the thing that is stressing me out the most is trying to keep them on the quiet side in the hotel. Emma’s squealing is driving me nuts and I’ve tried so many things to get her to stop. There is an indoor pool in the hotel and I took the kids down there late yesterday and they enjoyed it. I didn’t enjoy it so much because there wasn’t really anywhere to sit without getting wet because it’s a narrow room with a narrow pool (kind of like a lap pool). Certainly not somewhere you’d take the kids for a few hours entertainment. That is disappointing because all my kids really need to be happy is a pool to swim in. It’s a little bit too much to expect Emma to be out and about walking for the entire day, so it would be nice to come back around 3ish and relax by a pool. We plan to have some dinner soon and then maybe go out for a little walk around Darling Harbour. I thought the kids might like to see the city at night. They can see some from our hotel room but it will be nice to see it down by the water.
A lovely quote from Joseph when we were leaving the Powerhouse Museum….”I really enjoyed that experience thank you Mum and Dad”….kind of makes the stressful parts worthwhile.
Tomorrow is about visiting Geoff’s relatives, a morning visit with his Aunty Helen who has not been too well having chemotherapy treatment. It will be a short visit with her as we don’t want to overtax her, and then out to Castle Hill to see his Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle. Not sure what the plans are to entertain the kids. Geoff’s Aunt wanted to know if I wanted to go to Castle Towers and have a look around with her, which ordinarly I would love, but as I’ve not got any spending money it seems rather pointless. I’m sure I’ll see loads of bargains that I can’t have.

Happy Australia Day

Well I don't know where to start really, I like to do everything in order, but it has been awhile and I have had a bit going on.

I have had an awesome weekend.  Last week was such a busy week, the last week before school goes back.  I seemed to be busy every day. 

Friday night I went to Daisys.  I am having a good run at the moment and I think I have only missed one Friday night for 2009.  I look forward all week to Friday night.  It is my time to kick the shoes off and relax with my friends.  It always seems a huge effort to get there, and I sometimes think of plenty of little reasons I should skip it to get a few things done around the house.  Geoff leaves the house early on Saturday morning to go to golf, so it is always tough to get myself out of bad after a late night out.  But it is well worth it, when I walk through the doors at Daisys, I can feel the weight lift from my shoulders.  I have dinner with Barbi, Jenny and most nights Lisa.  I don't usually get my scrapping stuff out until after 8pm.  Sometimes my scrapping comes really slowly, well in fact it always comes slowly and I sometimes wonder why I persist with this craft.  There are a lot of reasons I persist, the main reason being I love the end result, looking at the layouts with precious photos of my children.  Another reason is because of the social side.  I have met the most amazing ladies through Daisys, who enrich my life with their friendship and kindness ... and make me laugh on a regular basis. 

I am prattling on I know, better get on with it.

Friday night wasn't a particularly late night, home around midnight.  

Saturday Geoff went off to golf and was pretty happy with his morning because he got a NTP, which of course I had no idea what that meant.  It was "nearest the pin" shot.  His name was even in the paper on Sunday.  Pat on the back for that Geoff.

Geoff then spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out our computer problems.  We had a storm on Friday afternoon .... the kids and I got stuck over at school in the middle of it.  When we came home I noticed that the power had gone off, but was back on.  I turned the computers back on but couldn't get an internet connection, but didn't think too much of it.

Apparently there was a lightning strike up the road, and it must have blown something.  We have managed to get back the internet connection on the Mac, but not the PC.  He thinks it may have blown a chip.  All the more reason for me to get a Macbook I say ... lol!

Saturday night I went to dinner at my dear friend Jenny's house.  We had an amazing night.  Her husband had organised for a lovely french chef Laurent to come to Jenny's house and cook a 3 course meal for herself, and five friends.  I feel very privileged to have been included.  The food was wonderful, the main being Lamb Rack which is my very very favourite.

I could have stayed and talked all night long.  We have never socialised together as a group outside of Daisy Chain so it was so nice to be able to sit around a dinner table and talk away.  I probably talked too much as always.  It would be so nice to be able to do it more often.

Thanks so much Jenny, Barbi, Sue, Lisa and Corrine for such a lovely evening.  

Today I was busy getting everything organised for Tuesday.  It will be a busy day, first day back at school, first day back at Kindy, I am on Kindy roster.  We will all need to be heading out of the house shortly after 8am.

Heather and Merv wandered down the road to join our Australia Day bbq.  The kids and Geoff and myself had one last year and decided that we should mark the occasion every year.  Geoff and I wanted the kids to march with their school on the parade at Buderim, but Emma kept us both awake throughout the night, and we were just too tired to get up and organised that early.  The rushing around will start all too soon.

We tried to make our bbq an 'aussie' flavour.  We had lamb chops, rissoles and sausages.  I made baked potato that we had with garlic aoili, which were just fantastic.  I knew Geoff would love them because he loves his roast potato, they were just perfect.  Heather made a noodle salad because that is T's favourite and he virtually eats the entire bowl.  We also had pavlova, of course.  J had made a choc tim tam mousse that he saw in the paper.  It was pretty good too.

Tonight has been spent making lunches, making sure I have all the kids school stuff, and folding washing ... and now updating my blog.  

I have raved on way too much .... a good reason not to leave too long in between blogging.

Farewell No. 2

I am a bit behind in posting on my blog.  I think because I have just been quite exhausted after the events of the last month.

Last Thursday we travelled to the airport in Brisbane to say farewell to my Uncle Trevor and Aunty Angela, and their two granddaughters Hannah and Georgia as they were heading to Perth to meet up with Mark and Sarah.  The kids were really excited about going to the airport.  I drove down on my own with the four kids, as we didn't all fit into one car.  I was all a bit hairy really the driving, particularly on the way back.  There are so much roadworks and cars and trucks travelling at varying speeds and all trying to outdo each other.  I was blessed to arrive home without a scratch.  The trip back was very quiet as it was just J and I, he is just like his father, barely a word spoken!!!  The other three opted to come back with their Nanny.

It was really sad to say goodbye, it always is, as you never know if and when we will see them again.  Mum is talking about taking a trip to the UK later in the year to see her sister for her 70th birthday.  Geoff and I won't be able to afford it, the airfares alone would be expensive.  Mum's brother seemed quite emotional about leaving my Mum.  Mum just goes very quiet when she is sad.

We briefly called into the DFO on the way back.  I managed to score a bargain for E, 3 pairs of winter pj's that are really cute, reduced from$24.95 to $5.00 each.  It was only when I got home that I discovered I had purchased the wrong size, and they will fit her by the time she starts school ... what a twit!!!!  I might try and organise a trip down one Sunday just to have a look around.  It is the kind of place you need all day, and no children in tow.  I think there are bargains to be found, but you have to look through lots of crap.

Nothing much else has been happening for us.  I think we are all quite exhausted.  I put myself to bed at about 2pm on Saturday, because I just didn't feel too well at all, and I think I was just extremely tired.  I woke up at about 5.30 and felt a little better.  We were supposed to go to a friend's 40th but cancelled at the last minute because I just didn't feel up for it.  I was disappointed that we couldn't go, but felt better for the early night.

Now I can't believe we only have a week left of school holidays and then the kids are back at school.  I collected the boys' books from school.  My year 3 boy this year has to be more responsible for his own belongings so they have sent the books home for everything to be labelled.  I believe he has his own desk this year for the first time.  It is all very exciting.  There was a recorder in his pack, so I am sure that is going to be very entertaining listening!

Tomorrow I need to go and get some laundry markers so I can label all of his new uniform.  This is his first year of wearing the formal uniform.  When I put it on for us and gave us a parade, he looked like he could almost head out and get his drivers'  licence.  He looks so much older and I just can't believe how quickly he is growing.

Well its getting late and I need to get some sleep.  I have been watching tv until quite late.  There are a few shows I am really into at the moment, my latest being Entourage.

Farewell No. 1

Happy Birthday Sarah

Bye Bye ... see you soon

Today we travelled to the airport to wave off Mark and Sarah, who headed to Sydney for a few days.  Their children Hannah and Georgia are staying behind with their grandparents, Trevor and Angela, and my mother.  They are in Sydney until Thursday where they will then fly to Perth and meet up with the others.

They have a few things planned, one of which is the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, which I think would be amazing.  I hope that they have a really good time and enjoy the break.  Sarah was a bit teary at leaving her little girls, and its always hard, but the thought of a few days R & R wouldn't stop them.

We had a really nice bbq dinner last night.  They were then heading out for a night on the town with my brothers.  Funny Geoff and I weren't asked if we wanted to go along.  Whether that is because they think because we have four children that is just something that's impossible these days, they probably aren't far off there.  I probably would have been asleep at the bar by 10pm.

After the airport we went to Chermside for a quick look around.  I was pretty pleased I picked up a Country Road bag that I had been eyeing off at $100.00 and today it was $30.00.  Not bad.  I also got some shorts from Lorna Jane at the DFO, so there really is no reason that I can't get on that treadmill and walk off some of this Christmas cheer!

The kids were pretty good at the shops, but T lost the plot towards the end so we decided to leave.  Shopping just is not enjoyable with four kids in tow.

We went to the DFO before the airport, because the others were lagging behind.  Most of the shops weren't open and I am tempted to go for another browse around when we go down on Thursday to farewell Trevor and Angela.

J & S were feral tonight going to bed.  So frustrating.  They really do need separating but I am just not sure what the best option there is.  Need to figure that one out before school goes back.

I now have to tackle that mountain of folding that has been piling up.  With all these visitors and day trips out I am so far behind in my household stuff.  Have been staying up late to get it under control and haven't been having much sleep.

Extended Family Time

What a busy day today ended up being, full from the minute it started.

I took all of my children to Myers at 9am this morning so that I could get the boys fitted for their school shoes.  They have a sale on buy one pair get the second pair 50% off so I wanted to take advantage of that, and go early enough before they ran out of sizes, which were limited already. No worries though we were successful.  J needs two pairs this year, a black leather pair and sports shoes and S just needed sports shoes.  T scored his first real pair of sports shoes, velcro ones because I could take advantage of getting another pair for half price.  The poor child really does just have to fit into every pair of hand me downs and he hasn't had some sports shoes for a while because I just haven't had the right size.  That will be good, he can do the velcro himself, and use them for riding his bike as well.  He was quite chuffed that he got to sit with the big boys and get measured as well.  Easy and painless, and its good to save a little bit of money.  A thought did run through my head as to what it will be like when I have to take them all to be fitted and will be buying 8 pairs of shoes!

Then we headed out to Australia Zoo to meet up with the rest of my family.  It was quite special that we were all spending the day together at the Zoo.  Even my older brother Steve came along, and I don't know that I can ever remember him having a day off work and joining in something like that.  Now I know why my mother phoned me this morning and told me to make sure I brought the kids out.  It must have been really pleasing for her to have all of us there.

Trevor, Angela, Mark, Sarah, Hannah, Georgia, Matthew, Amanda, Steven, Mum, Myself and my four troops made up our group.  We met up at various points, and did our own thing for some of the time, it gets a bit complicated following each other around, you don't get to see as much.

At one point I just took my 3 boys and wandered around and we went to see the Croc show, and it was much easier than mucking about with the stroller.

The Zoo is fabulous, but really quite expensive now.  Mum paid $172.00 for herself and me, and my 3 boys, E was free.  So a visit to the Zoo is not something you can do often.

We did enjoy our day though.  The kids were all good.

Mum and I left just after 4 because we had to go and pick up a birthday cake for Sarah, as she turned 31 today.

Tried a few different places to book in for dinner, and our first 3 options were booked out, so we booked a table for 6 o'clock at the Chancellor Park Tavern.

We wanted to eat early because of the little ones, and I wanted to finish at a reasonable hour so I could head into Daisy's.  Geoff and I were there on time.

The others all dwindled in at various times after that, not too late I didn't think though.

But of course it was 7 before we ordered and it took 45 minutes for the first meal to arrive.

I think there was some frustration as to the length of time that it took, but they were busy, I think everyone must have been ordering at the same time.  The meals were really good when we got them.  I had chicken, which I would not usually order when I was out.  The kids meals were good value to, $8.95 for a good serve and reasonable good quality meal, a soft drink and ice cream.

It was about quarter past 9 by the time we got home.  

We are all pretty tired.

It would be nice if all the kids would sleep until lunch time.

I hope my UK relatives are having a nice time, such a short trip, hard to fit everything in.  I love having them here though and will be sad when it comes time for them to go.  I know Mum dreads when it is time for them to leave.  She gets a little down afterwards, understandably so.

I should sleep well tonight.  

One little pic from today, I loved the Elephants, they were splashing around in their pond and having a great time.  I have never seen Elephants so playful.

A Great Day

I can tick today off as a good day had by all.  I had been telling the kids that if I saw some good behaviour by them, then I would think of somewhere to take them swimming.  We are really missing not having a pool in our own backyard this summer, and swimming is a great way for them to burn some energy.

So this morning, we headed off to the Mountain Creek Aquatic Centre.  It is smaller there than at the Kawana Aquatic Centre, but I thought that this one wouldn't be quite as busy.  Also the small children's pool is perfect for E, because she can touch the bottom of the entire pool.  Unless she gets knocked over and loses her balance, she happily plods around.

We spent two hours there.  J and S went into the 50 m pool and did some diving and laps.  T was keen to get in the 50m pool but I did suggest to him that he stick with E in the little pool, as the outside lanes were taken up with kids having lessons, so they had to use the two middle lanes, and to be honest I just didn't want to have to dive in myself to help him.  It is a shame because it is great to see him having confidence to swim in the bigger pools.  I had thought it would be a good idea for me to take he and E when the boys are back at school so that they can have some fun.  It will be quieter than too.

We had some lunch with Nanny and the UK relatives.  I then had to be home by 2 as a valuer was coming to give us an updated valuation of the house for the bank.  We were home before 1, and I put E to bed and she slept for just over 2 hours.  Not surprised that she had worn herself out.

I let the boys watch a bit of telly because it was hot and I just needed some quiet time.  Then they went outside to play for a bit until dinner.  

I noticed that when we were at the pool, there was no fighting between any of the kids, they happily played together.  They were like that when we had a pool at the other house, it was always an easy option for me when they were bickering and difficult, to let them burn that frustration and energy in swimming.

Let's hope for another nice day tomorrow.  I did need today's reminder, that my children can get along and be well behaved, well mannered and considerate of others.  I have had my doubts in recent days.