Just see where this road leads...

We had some time to fill before visiting one more family on the way home.  Hmmm, where to go?  Master G points the car in a direction and off we go. 

We found a park for the kids to burn some energy

and then a little walk to a fantastic view of the coast and hang gliders.

Love hotels - room service - view - big plush towels

At the end of a long day we relaxed back at our hotel.  We had a new room with a view, which meant nice new bathroom, carpet and furnishings.  It was great!  Kids loved it, and as usual, they got settled straight away.

Master G and I were too tired for our usual card game so once the kids were well and truly asleep we played out nocturnal game in the bathroom!  wow!

Room service in the morning! 

oh, so easy, love it!

Kids slept in too, amazing!

They love lazing around with Master G. He is great with them.

Marks Point, Newcastle

We stopped off to see friends, and I admit it was the most wonderful catch up and so relaxing, even with six kids!  The ideal house on the shallow lake. 

The kids played so well and just loved paddling and playing in the water.  Without so many others there we got to catch up with the family and talk. It was great.  Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Great conversation, fabulous lunch, great way to start our mini-getaway!

Newcastle

We're off to Newcastle for one night.  Master O has packed his own bag full of toys in the main compartment and in the small zip section at the front of the bag, he has stuffed it one pair of undies, pants & shirt! I guess I'll have to take a jacket, hat and pajamas in my bag for him.  He's so funny.

Leaving Little T the cat was more difficult than I though.  I know he'll be fine though but its the first time for T that we will not be around.

As much as I'll miss T I'm looking forward to our one night getaway!   As we drive up, I'm wondering if I'be put in the deck of cards for our game tonight?!  Perhaps I will have to grab Master G for some 'private time' in the bathroom!  With mirror!  That sounds much more fun than cards ;)

Little T's christmas present

Cute little T loves his christmas present.  Everyone loves watching him play, jump around and run off and then sneak up on his toys again.

The piece of string is the all-time consistent favour it though.

Swimming with the Sharks

It sounds exciting, and being inside the tank is probably more exciting... but for those watching, well the sharks weren't that interested in food and as the lady with the mike talked about the shark facts Master O and Miss S yawned and said 'the sharks aren't very hungry.'  Miss S ended up laying down watching from her relaxed horizontal position.  As always, people smiled at her dearly.

We'd walked around looking at the huge sting rays and sharks.  We 'aaawww and aaagh' at all of them.  By the time we watched the shark feeding the kids were over any sort of fish, large or small.  It was nice to get out for some fresh air afterwards and stroll around Manly. 

Kids played in large plastic balls on water, laughing until they were exhausted. 

Thankfully Sienna didn't throw up.  Vomit in the plastic ball would've been a

complete disaster, and only funny the next day!

At the Beach

At the beach for a stroll before Master G goes in to feed the sharks! 

It was nice to sit in the sun, listen to the waves roll in lazily to shore and watch the kids enjoy.  Secretly, I'm hoping Sienna doesn't vomit as she's been sick the last day.  I'm carrying a plastic bag incase we're inside for the emergency.

Miss S and my feet as we sit at the beach.

Morning view at Manly.

Long day

Wow, today was long. Miss S woke at 1am being sick. Poor little thing. Stripped her bed, made new bed on mattress next to our bed, finally fell back to sleep and Master G wakes startled by a phone ringing. Mine. I jump up half asleep at 5am, stagger to my bag to find se put an alarm for 5! Free, Master O! Miss S wakes 6.30am and we read interactive bookspn her iPod. I barely keep my eyes open as the boys sleep. I'm now sitting quietly on the lounge. The cat stretches out safely with the kids in bed. I listen to their giggles and laughter as they try and pretend to sleep. The long day, aching back wash away. I love the sound of their lighter. I love it when they're finally tucked in bed too! I'm very tired tonight but need to pack the beach bag and food for tomorrow; Master G is feeding the sharks at Manly!

Is that a gorilla!

We had my father's family's christmas lunch today.  The kids had a wonderful time playing in the pool.  Master G and I talked to family that we only see once a year.  It was a good catch up.  Uncles and Aunts are getting older so important to see them.  My cousins are now having their own children so hopefully the family traditions will continue.  This will mean I'll have to improve my cooking skills!

Driving back Master O was watching the cars on the freeway next to us.  He looked over and said, 'look there's a man in a gorilla suit driving the car.' 

Master G looked over and laughed, 'that's not a gorilla, that's a hairy man!'

The occupants with the hairy man then looked at us, looking at them, it was hilarious.

Out of Control

Tomorrow we have to go and buy Master G his own remote control helipcopter.  Master O doesn't get much of a chance to play on it before Master G uses all the battery from playing with it. 

Its so funny watching Master G hogging the helicopter.

Ofcourse the Litte T the cat is not happy about the hovering helicopter he hides under the table waiting for it to stop.

Loving: Digital Radio

Kookaburras were up at 5.30.  Little T the cat was up at 5.40.  Kids were up by 6.30am.   The sun is shining and Master G has put on one of the digital radio. There is such a great selection of channels. Great morning, nice music, just hanging out, love it!

My beautiful Christmas present!

How lucky am I?!  My man surprised me with a beautiful ring.  Perfect fit too.  Feel very lucky.  Wonderful surprise.  I love the ring!

Christmas at Mum's House 2011

Mum has created such a wonderful Christmas experience for the kids.  They love going to Nanna's house and every year they count the days till the tree goes up and the decorations come out.  The house is filled with so many decorations that its hard not to get in the festive mood.  There is always a new Santa novelty decoration.  One year it was climbing Santa, another was 'sensor' Santa that danced when you walked past.  The kids have so much fun.  This year was toilet Santa.

Below is Nanna's Christmas tree with stockings on the mantle piece. 

The kids love the surprise treats in their stockings.

Mum and I normally just add chocolate to each other's stockings, and

add another 5 kilos to our hips!

Santa is on the way

I feel a tremendous amount of satisfaction at my accomplishments today;  the presents are all wrapped, we got a few extra gifts today without any drama, we enjoyed a nice lunch, the food is read for tomorrow and the house is clean.

The only thing left to do is to write on the Christmas cards.   For me it can take a while to find the right words without getting too melancholy.

Litte T our Cat

Taking a nap from his hard day of chasing bugs and watching the birds!

He has made Master G in to a big softy.  Its so nice to watch.  Little T has been so

wonderful for this family, there is so much love, affection and playfulness that has

come out in all of us.  Little T has also brought more laughter than I thought

possible.  And I thought our family was funny and crazy enough!!

Love our home

I really do love where we live

Feeding the birds by hand

Painting and hangout,

Little T the cat always by our side (as he creeps past in this photo)

Finding jelly fish, star fish and shells at the beach

(Master G makes me very clucky when he plays with the kids.

He is so good with them.)

Only for the Brave!

It has to be done.  There is no option but to face the crowds, the parking mayhem and hordes of determined and tired mum and dads amongst the teenagers that hover in the walking paths of shopping centres.  Yes, today I faced the shops to complete the Christmas shopping.

Thankfully my work car spot is close to all the shops so without much hassle I parked and strolled in while chatting to mum about her Christmas preparations.  I was in such luck when I went looking for Master G's present, the shop assistant was helpful, shepointed me in the direction of my next gift which was the only one left.... I got served at the registers right away.  Slowly, the crowds of shoppers weren't so bad, the Christmas music playing got me in the spirit and I smiled to myself as I looked for gifts for the kids.  I did do some miles walking from when end of the huge shoping centre to the other and then back again as I tried to work out if I had everything I needed.  Next year I must do a list!

As my feet began to ache I finally sat for lunch at 3pm!  Sushi Train beckoned me and a cup of green tea.  ooooh, nice, this was good.  Shopping complete, no stress or drama.

On my way home I talked to Master G, he was loading up the kids new iPod Touches, which was proving more challenging than he thought.  Glad we're getting it done today!

I sat in the kids room, listening to some easy music and wrapping presents.  It was a good feeling.  In the background were some frustrated grunts from Master G as the iPod registrations weren't so smooth.  All in all, great day!

 

Yearning for a holiday

2011 has been a big year. I'm exhausted. Emotionally it's been a roller coaster too but I'm wiser and stronger for it. Was the Universe testing me on my decisions, perhaps. But I'd really like for the Universe to help with a holiday. Just small little breaks would b fine.

Grateful for sunny afternoon

Thank you Universe.  Out of all the days I needed it to stop raining, the clouds cleared and the blue sky came out to warm us.  The kids played in the park under the watchful and amused eyes of nanna while I went to an appointment.  They ran around the new park for half hour having a great time.  Mum enjoyed relaxing in the sun after a busy day.  It was such a big, leafy park with lots to explore and climb, so easy to sit back and watch the kids have fun.

Afterwards we cooked dinner for mum.  She loved having a home cooked meal and she laughed as the kids told stories and we passed the 'speaker' spoon around to ask questions.  We all missed Master G who is away.

I'm tired now.  A big day, although normally, as I get the kids ready for school, drop them off, race to work, grab groceries at lunch, pick them up, play with them, cook, and do the bath, brush teeth, read book routine with them, clean up and prepare for tomorrow, put the clean clothes away.  I'm blessed, they are wonderful and make me laugh everyday but geez I'm tired.  I need a holiday.  Please Universe, I need a holiday

I just received the best head massage at the hair dressers - I'm floating

Tiger's Big Adventure

Late Saturday night, still awake, Master G and I decide on a drive.  We enjoy cruising around, checking out the sites, people watching, a stop off for gelato, cake or hot chocolate.... tonight though Master G thought Tiger might like to come with us.  In his litte carry bag he hopped in his bag for the car ride and off we went -

Tiger crossing the Harbour Bridge!

Tiger checking out the characters at Kings Cross with its bright lights

Tiger taking in the locals at Manly

Tiger at McDonalds - we could interest him a in a fillet of fish though