Birthday Celebration

Rhianna decided not to have a party this year and instead wanted to take two buddies up to Treetops Adventure Park on the Central Coast (NSW). What a great day we all had - despite the wind. If you have kids around the 5 and up age it's such a fantastic place to spend a few hours.

The girls geared up and beyond excited

The girls giggled and chatted all the way up there (1.5 hours) - now where did I put those ear plugs?????

And then we were there....... and ready to be kitted out.

Luckily Rhianna's two friends are not the nervous nellie types - it's straight onto the equipment and around the course.

This is probably the hardest challenge of the course - a "rock climb" wall.

The girls didn't mind stopping for some photos when they were on the easier parts of the course, like the swinging tunnel.

Resting on the platform between challenges

A few hours later and we're all ready for lunch. I had envisioned having a picnic at the Adventure Park but with the wind, we decided on the fast food option instead.

Back home again and the girls are ready for more - so it's some backyard monkey bars and trampolining till the parents arrive.

One of the little girls parents both work and as such I had not seen much of them around the school. We invited them in for a few drinks and nibblies when they turned up and enjoyed a few hours with some really funny and interesting people. Isn't it great how our kids find friends for us?

So, all in all a lovely day for the little people and us adults.

If you ever get the chance check Treetops Adventure Park out - it really is great.

What a Week

Well hello everyone.

I've just finished my first week back at teaching and it was great. I have a lovely little Year One class full of some of the funniest little people you could ever hope to meet. For example, during the week I had to explain why I was wearing my husband's watch to school ( I don't own a watch) and one little boy asked incredulously, "Did somebody marry you?"

I tell you, they can bring you down to earth.....

The school I am at is quite small in comparison to some of the other schools I have taught at and I think this makes it a much nicer environment for the kids and the staff. The staff have been so welcoming with the Principal coming to see me every day to make sure there is nothing I need and that I am OK.

I was initially quite tired in the early part of the week but I perked up by Thursday and for the first day this week didn't feel like falling in a heap when I walked through the front door. And a few of the other teachers have been so fabulous in finding me resources and helping me out with different things that I kinda feel like I've been there longer than a week.

That's not to say that I'd like to go back to work full time - I wouldn't. I really enjoy being a stay at home mum with all that goes with it :: baking, coffee mornings and the like. And with the Summer season almost upon us, we entertain quite a bit and I like to organise all that through the week and not at the last minute on a Friday night or a Saturday morning. No, no ,no that's far too stressy for the likes of me.

So,tomorrow I am off to the Central Coast with Rhianna and two of her little buddies for a bit of an early birthday celebration ( so not even a sleep in tomorrow for poor old me) . Then on Sunday it will be housework and shopping. If you could see the state of my house at the moment.....well truly, it would give you nightmares.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Some New Loves

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I am doing a little bit of casual teaching at the moment and I have been a bit busy (not to mention tired) the past few days.

But I just thought I'd drop by to say hi and to show you some of my crafty goodness. Technically it's not mine, as in I did not make it, I just bought somebody else's wonderful talents.

Oh and also some vintage cuties from the States. Here we go.....

It won't be a surprise to most of you that I have bought another crochet item.

Yes, I am obsessed. I am especially loving afghans that are bordered in the cream wool. Like the one below. And really, with the dollar being so good in the US at the moment this afghan was so cheap I just could not resist.

This is a cute little granny square tote I picked up in a local shop. It's mass produced, not hand made but at $15 who cares? It's cute and it's colourful and more importantly it's crocheted.

This one is a hand made item from the UK. I love how big and colourful it is. I took it on holidays with me and it fits everything but the kitchen sink in it. I think I'll use it as a beach bag at Christmas.

And finally the vintage deers.

These are highly collectable and should appreciate in value ( Did you read that last bit Bill?)

I've done my research to find out the most valuable ones but I do only collect them if they are cute also.

These ones were made in Japan in the 1960's. This is one of the most important points as well as having the big eyes. Anyhow, Rhianna and I like them and when I fall off the perch hopefully Broc and Rhianna will make some money from them and won't sell them in a garage sale for 25 cents.

Thanks for dropping by - I'll try to post again on the weekend. Take care.

Travel Diary - Days 4 and 5

Two days spent travelling the Great Ocean Road along the Victorian coastline.

I have wanted to do this for such a long time. And I was not disappointed.

There is one main area near the Twelve Apostles to stop and view both the coastline and the Apostles. Nearby you can opt for a helicopter ride to view it all from the air. We bite the bullet and decide to splurge on the helicopter.

I'm a little nervous when I see it, as it looks so tiny and the pilot looks about 12 years old.

Here we are walking out to the helicopter. Notice how small it is? I mean, you can hardly see the thing behind that kid...oh, I mean the pilot.

All strapped in and microphoned.

Not an ounce of nerves for Miss Rhianna.

The coastline is spectacular. So much better than I even imagined.

And the helicopter ride is thrilling.

You can see how isolated the area is.

The famous 12 Apostles - of which only 8 remain.

The highlight of the trip.

We are already planning another trip there. So, so much fun.

Travel Diary - Day 3

Today is a big car driving day. We leave Adelaide to head for Portland. Portland is a seaside town just across the state line on the Victorian coast. We have time to stop and have a little look at some of the towns along the way though.

And we are mindful of the fact that we have a very energetic 6 year old in the car who needs to have time to work off that excess energy (or we all suffer!)

First stop Menengie SA for some coffee and a playground break.

Next stop is the Big Lobster at Kingston SA. We are hoping to have some lobster for lunch as there is a restaurant here but alas we are a month too early for lobster.

A friend had told us about a great playground to visit at Warrnambool. We found it easily and boy, it was great. We spent a couple of hours here. This is just a part of it below. It was a great place for lunch and a play.

The playground at Warrnambool even had its own maze to work your way though - great fun.

This is Rhianna at the entrance of the maze.

Then across the pond we spotted flying foxes. One was far too scary - for any of us! But the other one was just right for little people. Here's Bill playing the work horse.

And off she goes. Sorry about the poor quality of the photo. I was miles away sitting in the sun and eating a chocolate choc chip muffin.

After Warnambool we stopped at a place called Allensford. There is not much at Allensford except for a fantastic place called Cheeseworld. A large factory and shop devoted to local cheeses and wines - Oh my God, it was my nirvana. Not many photos taken here as we were far too busy sampling (and buying)

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the car until we pulled up to our cabin at Portland which was lovely and located right on the beach.

Travel Diary - Day 2

After a very restful nights sleep we head off to a place about an hour south of Adelaide called Victor Harbour. It's supposed to be beautiful and we can't wait to explore. Rhianna is recovering from yesterdays activities and sleeps most of the way down there.

While Rhianna sleeps in the back, a bit of romance happens up front. And believe me, with the three of us sleeping in tents and small cabins, this is the only romance that happens all holiday.

We arrive at Victor Harbour and to say it is beautiful is a massive understatement.

This is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The foreshore is quite touristy with a carnival happening and an assortment of food vans but the scenery, beaches and views out to Granite Island are spectacular. And the weather is unbelievable.

About 500m off the shore is Granite Island. There is a walking bridge out to the island. Or you can climb aboard the horse drawn carriage and get pulled across by a Clydesdale horse. Here is Rhianna aboard the carriage looking out towards the island.

The island is lovely. It has plenty of walking trails around the island and is famous for it's fairy penguins which we see one or two off as we walk around the island.

Bill does a bit of horsing around.

There are some great rocks to climb for photo opportunities.

Then we walk back across the walk bridge for some fun at the carnival.

(Rhianna's idea - not ours).

Of course no trip to the carnival is complete without a ride on the ferris wheel.

After some lunch at the local cafe we head back to Adelaide and another late night of playing on jumping pillows, swimming in the pool and drinking some lovely Adelaide wine.

Another night in the Eco tent tonight before we head off tomorrow.

Home Again!

We're back and we had the one of the best holidays ever. I thought for the next couple of days I'd fill you in on what we've been up to for the past week.

Travel Diary Day 1 (Sunday)

Up at 4.45am (which was actually 3.45am as it was the start of daylight savings).

Caught the train from Blaxland station to the airport and onto the plane for Adelaide. We were supposed to catch the Indian Pacific down to Adelaide, but that got too complicated so we jumped on a plane instead.

By 10.30am we were in sunny Adelaide. We collect our car and drive to our accommodation for the next 2 nights - the Big 4 caravan Park at West Beach. We are booked into an Eco tent. The facilities are fabulous - lovely and clean and plenty to keep Rhianna amused.

Here are Bill and Rhianna at the start of our trip.

Here is our accommodation - the Eco Tent

Inside the Eco tent.

We are only at the park for 10 minutes before Rhianna has made a friend. This is Rhianna and her new friend Alissa watching a DVD.

The inside of the Eco tent. Bunks, a double bed, table and chairs, and a small kitchenette.

First day's lunch is a picnic on the grass next to the tent.

Rhianna is quick to make use of the park facilities including the go karts.

After lunch we head into Glenelg a lovely seaside town near our accommodation. This place is fantastic. We grab an ice cream and soak up the sun.

Every beachside town has it's tacky tourist traps and we lap them all up.

Glenelg has a pier that people can swim and fish from so we have a nice long walk along the pier after our ice creams.

On the boardwalk there is heaps to do including a fly motion ride which Rhianna loves.

We are exhausted after all this and head back to our tent. It's school holidays in SA as well so there are plenty of families around and we get to meet people from all over Australia. Finally we fall into bed around 9pm.

Ta Ta Everybody.

Just popping in to let you know that things will be a bit quiet here for the next week or so as we trundle off on our little holiday.

We are over the moon excited to be going away - especially to places that we've never been to before.

We have been packing and cleaning and packing and ironing and..... oh so much more.... just so we can be ready to leave at 5am in the morning. Yes, you read that correctly. We have to leave at 5am to catch a train to the airport.

I am dreading to think how tired we are all going to be tomorrow night and tomorrow night's accommodation is going to be "glamping" in Adelaide. That's glamorous camping if case you were wondering near the beach. Don't worry I'll take lots of pics for you to see.

Take care my lovelies and I'll be right back.