The Zoo

This time of year is always busy, but we were well overdue for a family trip out together. So off we went to Taronga Zoo last weekend. We don't often get into the city, so it's always an exciting adventure driving in and seeing the beautiful harbour and tall buildings of Sydney.

 

 

 

While we've been to other zoos before, this was the first time we've taken the kids to Taronga. And it didn't disappoint! We had a fantastic day together, with so much to see. Our favourites included the lions, tigers, elephants and giraffes. Luke loved the reptiles (the girls weren't such fans!) and Sarah the penguins.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

It's been 8 months...

since I last posted! My excuse? Life!! Between full time uni, assisting at the kids' school, running around to swimming lessons, karate lessons, soccer, netball, cricket etc etc...I have barely had time to catch my breath! So much has happened in that time. Here's a quick recap of the main events...

May:

Sarah came 2nd in her cross country!

  

June:

Our beautiful, sweet boy turned 8!

 

July:

Karate lessons begin!!

 

August:

Sarah wins 1st place in her race at the athletics carnival!

 

Luke's soccer team finish another great year together!

 

September:

First ever game of club cricket!





 

October:

A rare chance for a couple of days away together as a family.

 

The arrival of our beautiful nephews, Finlay & Jacob!!

 



November:

Our beautiful, grown up girl turns 6!!

 

I certainly haven't captured everything, but at least it is a snapshot of some of the things that have happened over the last 8 months! So for my sisters who've been asking when on earth I am going to post again, here it is!

 

 



Canberra!

Easter holidays are here! For something a bit different, we decided to take the kids down for a few days to Canberra. We were joined by friends of ours, who have two boys the same age as our kids.

Day 1 saw us visit Questacon, which was a fantastic, hands on science experience for the kids. Highly recommended! Best part of the visit was definitely the free fall slide which everyone (but me!) was brave enough to have a turn.

Day 2 we headed to Cockington Green. Lots of fun for the kids - so much work has gone into each of the displays.

Next stop the Dinosaur Museum.

Small rest at lunchtime, then spent the afternoon at the War Memorial. What an amazing place, so moving. Both kids really enjoyed the experience here, especially Luke. We were there for the closing ceremony, hearing the Last Post played.

Day 3 we headed in the (very) chilly weather to Parliament House. No sittings, so had a wander around and stopped in the cafe for morning tea. We went outside briefly for some photos, but it was so icy!

Our next stop was the Mint. Kids very excited to watch their own coin be minted - although think we were slightly ripped off since a $1 coin cost us $3!!

Our friends headed home after that, and we headed up to Black Mountain Tower. Rode the lift up for a great view over Canberra. Again, too cold to stay out on the viewing deck for long!

We didn't get to see all of the War Memorial the previous day and Luke was so keen to head back there, so we went back for a second visit. Glad we did - we came across the kids section, which had some great stuff for them to experience! A helicopter, trench, submarine, uniforms to try on etc. I think we could have spent another whole day there!!

 

A really great trip!

Love these guys!!

Beautiful sky as the sun was going down + two kids in crazy moods = photo time.

Catch up with Cousins!!

Yesterday, my sister Erin and her family came around for a bbq dinner. It had been way too long in between visits, so it was great to catch up - for both adults and kids alike!

It is so nice to have the children all similar ages, they play so well together. Their play these days usually starts off with the girls going in one direction and the boys in another (usually plotting to see how they can booby trap or trick the girls!). But then they come up with a game for all four to play, and yesterday was no exception! They had a great time having running races (complete with handicaps and obstacles - in the form of thrown dog toys!), trampoline picnic and showing their dance moves on the Wii.

A great Saturday!

Patrick and Luke!

 
Amelia and Sarah!


Those boys love to trick the girls!

Cheers! (Luke was being a ratbag!)

First Day of Kindergarten!

After weeks of count down, Sarah's first day of big school finally arrived yesterday! She made me so proud - she was excited, happy and confident! She already knew two little boys in her class from preschool, however had no problem making friends with a couple of little girls in her class too.

Today was her second day, and she took off as soon as we arrived at the school gate. She knew exactly where she had to go! She was also pestering me to give her money for the canteen - all of these things she has been watching her big brother do and now she wants her turn!

I know she is ready for this next big adventure, however it doesn't stop me from getting teary thinking of how quickly time has flown by. I will certainly miss her at home and it will take some time for me to adjust to a quiet house!

Christmas, holidays and a great start to 2012!!

My first post for 2012!! Lots to catch up on!!

We had such a great Christmas - visits with family, loads of yummy food and so many wonderful presents! Defintely the highlights for the kids were the iPods from mummy and daddy, the Harry Potter book collection for Luke, and the Pillow Pet Pig for Sarah! We finished the day absolutely exhausted, but had lots of fun!

 

On Boxing Day, we headed down to Merry Beach for five nights, which was a much needed break. Close friends of ours were there too - it was so nice to spend the time with them and their two gorgeous children. Beautiful weather meant plenty of swimming, sand castle building, bushwalks - not to mention plenty of eating and drinking!!

 

With only one week left now of school holidays, it's amazing to look back and see how many great things we've done during our Christmas break. To highlight some of our favourite things:

• Sarah and I going to see Annie with my mum, my sister and her daughter Amelia. We absolutely loved it!
• Taking Luke to see the Harry Potter exhibition! He is Harry Potter mad at the moment, and has already read the first four books in the series, and made a start on book #5! And that is just since Christmas Day! Such a clever reader.
• Brett's work Christmas party at Stanwell Park Reserve. They hired some games for the kids (and big kids too!), including a huge hamster ball and laser tag. It is a great place for a day out - beautiful playground and a great beach. The kids loved watching the hangliders coming over the clifftops.
• Going to the movies! One trip I took Luke to see Tin Tin while Sarah went with Grandma to see the Chipmunks, and another trip we went to see Hugo, which was a fantastic movie for young and old!!
• Luke's cricket camp at the SCG. Luke participated in a 2-day holiday program at the SCG which was a great experience for him!

 

Hamster ball fun!

 

Batting inside the nets

 

The SCG grounds!