10 Days on the Island (part 1)

So we did this trek around our state. Changed the plan a bit as we went along because - all that DRIVING! It was too much for the kids, especially the youngest who decided she would only be happy with her dummy in her mouth whenever we would give in to that. And if you know me, you know I do not like to give in. But for the sake of everyone it had to be done. It HAD to be done. 

Picked them up from school in this baby and we headed out.

Here's the crew when we first started out. 

First night fun with headlamps! Way cooler than using regular lights. 

And even though the first 2 days of driving was hard,
I found all these pictures on the camera that the kids had taken.
So there's evidence that it wasn't all crying from miss C,
she did have good times, and there was even fun to be had making origami! 

 

Singing... "up above the world so high". 

And stopping for a little bushwalk.

So basically when you're 1, you spend way more time
strapped into something than not. 

Fortunately she gave in and fell asleep.

Enjoying the little things. 

Our fearless leader. 

Seriously, who wouldn't follow this guy anywhere he would take them?! :) 

Finally getting to walk! 

Preparing for invaders... (this is apparently the shooting position Grandpa!) 

More to come. Too many photos to sort through...

6 year old fun

Nick turned 6 and Oma turned... well let's just say she turned a number that worked
with 4 at the end of Nick's 6, so it was the only year where 

I could make these cakes and the numbers worked.
Bit of fun...

Waking up...

Beautiful moon on his birthday - an eclipse that night! 

This boy moves around a lot, I can't often get a clear shot of him... 

A winner of a present - a digital (toy but still real!) camera that adds 

animation to the photo. The kids set up their own photography business 

on the day and they took turns asking everyone to book in a photo shoot.

Took 2 friends to the movies. 

Can't lose with popcorn, soft drink and then McDonalds afterwards!

Happy birthday Nick!
We love your easygoing nature,
your confidence,

your ability to make friends with anyone,
how you don't like when you don't know people's names,
and your love for your siblings. 

What a wonderful brother you are. 

Quote of the day (actually the night before): 

"I can't wait to be 6 cause then I can take Dad down in wrestling." 

(me: 'do you think that will happen as soon as you turn 6?') 

"Yep."

Friends who fly

So these little kids (oh sorry, they're big now) have known each other all their life.

And they've now each flown solo to visit the each other. 

Daniel's trip was last year, and Ella came here for the weekend a few weeks ago. 

Pretty exciting stuff, getting on a plane and flying away from your family. 

Considering I had never even been on a plane till I was 18, 

my kids sure are having a very different experience of life in that regard!

Here she comes Mum!

Nervous smiles 

Exploring the local Saturday market together, 

feeding on junk food and shopping for trinkets.

Enjoying the military open day.

Saturday morning Monopoly game

Sunday at church, so cute, singing and clapping along. 

 Thanks for all the fun Ella, it was a pleasure 

to have you here and we can't wait to see you again soon!

Boy Band Dan

The kids are getting ready for school and I hear squeals of laughter going on. 

This was the cause.

 

I wanted him to wear the new style to school and see if he could start a Boy Band. 

Didn't happen. :(

6 people in this for 10 days!

This is where we're going to bunk for 10 days on a trip around the state at the end of the month. So we have to get Miss C used to a regular bed so she can bunk in with the other kids. It'll be squishy, but the kids can't wait, the mum is definitely excited too, and the dad, well he's coming along happily, but let's just say a motorhome isn't his first choice of accommodation. But he's a good sport and, well, he married me, so something's gotta give! :) Anyway, he'll love it, he just can't admit it too easily!

As the days go by...

This is the toy of choice at the moment. 

Put them in, dump them out, repeat.

Every day.

The only change in pattern is to put them in the wrong spot 

and then she says, "Noooo..." and finds the right spot. 

Repetition is the spice of life!

(something I would do good to remember when I am doing laundry... 

or dishes... or cleaning up... but anyway, this post isn't about me. :) )

Little gymnast. Dang it, I always wanted to learn
how to do stuff on the balance beam. 

But seriously, this post isn't about me. :)

This Jessie bear is very loved. 

She came home with this bear from hospital
when she was born, so it's kind of special.

I figured I better get a good picture of Jessie before she's threadbare. 

Cause she will be soon the way she's loved!

Everyone needs a good drinking friend.

And a lunch buddy.

And someone to care for us when we're tired. (she's saying "shhhh" as Josh fell asleep)

New favourite shoes. "Now I have cool shoes like Aunty Sharon!"

In case you're wondering, I don't have this problem. Definitely not.

Daniel and Laura are racing, and C thinks she is too!

This is when Daniel realised Laura beat him...

...and then when Laura realised she beat him!

The kids like the panorama setting on my phone.
1st thought: Am I always standing there?
2nd thought: Wow, look at that empty space on the bench! :)

Rock climbing fun

So much snow so close to home!

She's only crying because she loved it and didn't want to be held!

I can walk all the way. By. My. Self.

Sometimes it's like parenting Laura all over again. 

But then I remember Miss C's genetic makeup isn't from us, 

so it's the whole nature/nurture thing in question.

3 feisty girls in one house, sheesh!

And that's a wrap.

Puddles are for jumping in.

Hats are for being silly.

Yoghurt is for eating with your fingers.

Flowers are for taking pictures of.

Cockatoos are for making noise outside the house!
There must have been 30 of them, it was so cool.

Sisters are for cuddling in bed with.

Brothers are for pushing!

Dads are for annoying you!

Life is for all this and more!