Grand Final Day

Tonight I feel a bit lost….. I often do at the end of the footy season… what am I going to watch on TV on Friday nights now?.  Steve showed just how much he loves AFL and went riding today. They did have a bit of a get together to watch the game afterwards but when I arrived home at 6:30 tonight he had no idea who had won?, how is that possible when you live in a footy mad city such as Melbourne?.

Anyway, spent the day at Carolines house for a BBQ and to cheer on Geelong   Her and Dad are supporters and we were hoping the boys could get up and win again as Dad missed out last year on the festivities (as he was travelling around Europe at the time, tough I know!).

Well it wasnt to be but we all had a good day anyway.

After a yummy lunch and a couple of wines we settled down to watch the game.  Declan was cheering on the Hawks as his friend at school supports them.  Honestly I was shocked that he was allowed to stay in the house the way he was getting all excited when they were in front :-O

Half time saw us migrate out to the park for a quick kick, along with most of the neighbours it seemed.  Declan put some of the skills he learnt this year at Auskick into action.

Matilda, never wanting to be left out, joined in as well.

The others just had fun running around.

The second half of the match saw Geelong drop their bundle, Caroline and Dad grow decidedly quiet and Miss Matilda ………

lucky girl.

Despite the result it was a good day with perfect weather. 

At least there is always next year guys.

Hope you all had a great Grand Final Day

Helen xxxxx

Royal Melbourne Show.

Well we did it, we survived, and the kids loved it.  The weather was perfect and all 7 children were fairly well behaved (they did all have their moments but it was a very long and exciting day for them). It started with an early morning train ride into the city. We arrived at the show in time for the 2for1 ride deal YAY   We got to see the Monster Truck and MotoX show (well some of us did…..long story!). We battled and I mean battled the showbag pavillion and managed to get everyone the show bag they wanted, Ben10 for the boys and Matilda got her first fairy dress up…aaahhhhh.

The crowds were HUGE by the time we left and we missed out on the Animal Nursery as there was an 1 hour wait to get in   . It didnt matter as there were so many other things going on to keep the children occupied. All in all it was a great day (especially for Gracie, the birthday gir) and we all came home exhausted but happy and even with some money still in our pockets.  My 2 boys have not stopped talking about all the rides and how they want to go on them again and again.

It did take me back to my youth, making me wish I was 17 again, hanging out with my friends at the show. I think next year Steve and I will go in on our own and pretend for a few hours that we are teenagers again

Helen xxxxx

Its a record!

For the first time EVER I scrapped an event within 1 week of it happening   Here is the mini book I made  to remember our recent holiday.   I have a thing for mini books at the moment, have not scrapped a page for ages.

The only problem now is finding a way to store all these little creations . 

Today is the first “real” day of the school holidays. Had a nice lazy morning and we didnt get out of our Pjs until 11am, it was pure bliss .  I have a few things I want to achieve over the next couple of weeks including some serious cleaning and de cluttering in this house   Not the nicest job but it MUST be done. So far I have sorted out the pantry and bathroom cupboard YAY.

The boys and I made some chocolate cup cakes which are waiting to be iced (and eaten). Thats next on the list. 

Pouring with rain here at the moment, bugger, wish our water tank was hooked up.

Hopefully the rain is long gone by Wednesday when we head off to the Melbourne Show.

Enjoy your week

Helen xxxxx

She did it!

Finally, my baby girl is walking.  Over the last few days she has started to walk everywhere, I have not even seen her crawl today. YAY

I thought we were never going to get there.

Helen xxxxx

Mackay

We were lucky enough to spend the past weekend in Mackay, Queensland. It was a trip that we booked at the start of the year, taking advantage of some cheap airfares. The weather was perfect, even though a little humid (the locals tell me that was nothing and I should come back in December!) .  It was just a short break but a nice change from the day to day. 

The flight up was fairly smooth.  Matilda was so tired but refused to sleep until we were coming in to land at Mackay.  Luckily the gentleman seated next to me was happy to help entertain her.  We stayed at some lovely apartments just north of the city, and right on the beach front (the above picture was taken about 25m from our door).

Our days were spent swimming at the beach or in the pool, playing tennis (which we discovered Declan is quite good at!) and footy and making many trips to the local shop for an icypole.  

We got to see some of the local wildlife, including HUGE bats, some pretty amazing butterflies and strange ants with big green bums, which as you can imagine the boys thought were really funny. We also got a reminder of how things have changed recently when Riley asked what sitting on the lawn and it turned out to be a sprinkler. He honestly had no idea what he was looking at and Declan thought it was strange that people would “waste” water on their grass or wash their cars.

My camera got a good workout (700 shots!) but to be honest, its still not something I understand . Thank goodness there is the Auto function. 

It was all over way too quickly and I must say quite a shock to step onto the runway at Tullamarine (yes thats what happens when you fly “cheap” with Tiger), dressed in shorts and tshirts when its blowing a gale and about 8 degrees, brrrrrr. Today has been a real struggle and Steve and I keep turning the heater up.  Its funny how quickly you can get use to the warm weather again.

I wish I was still there…. I’m off to turn the electric blanket on and the heater up, again

Helen xxxxx

I love it!

I love my new camera and you know it must be true love because I did something I have never ever done before…..I took a photo of a spider AAAGH.  I have a HUGE fear of these creatures so this was a big thing for me, but it was just there and unlike my children it sat still so I took a shot and here it is…

It was just a tiny thing I know  

Struggling to get use to a view finder again as my point and shoot doesnt have one all, only the screen.

Still just playing around with the manual focus at the moment. Going to try and learn some of the more “technical” features when I have time to play without 3 children taking my attention every few seconds.

Speaking of the cherubs, here they are.

We went for a huge walk/bike ride today, visiting a couple of playgrounds along the way. It was a lovely way to enjoy the amazing weather we had today (Poor Steve had to work an 11hour shift and miss it all).

You may notice Matildas new hair style. Her hair was getting a bit crazy and looking pretty scruffy so I decided to give it a trim, try and get it all one length and grow it out from there. It is much neater now, though not that straight (I am certainly no hairdresser thats for sure).

Wishing all the dads a very happy fathers day for tomorrow.

Helen xxxxx

P.S. GO THE PIES!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new toy :-)

Despite saying that I am not spending anymore money this year, I found a new toy on ebay during the week. I had some money saved (not quite enough…) but this little gem just had to be mine……….

Heres a clue

Yay its a new camera ***happy dance***.  I found a brand new Nikon D40x for alot less than I was expecting to pay.  To be honest I am still in shock that its here already. It arrived on my doorstep from Brisbane only 24 hours after the auction ended.

I am a complete novice when it comes to SLR’s.  There is so much to learn. I am loving the whole manual focus thing.  Have not had much chance to play but here are a couple of shots from this arvo.

 

And Steve took these of Riley who was in a strange mood this arvo.

Posting the pics here does not do them justice as I have to reduce them so much to avoid wordpress having a ”moment of madness”. They are just amazing when looked at  in their original state.

I can see I am going to have alot of fun with this toy.  If anyone knows of any great beginners photography books (and I mean real beginners books!) please let me know.

I am off now, lots of reading to do.

Helen xxxxx

 

This weeks obsession…

Declan and his class have discovered “Mr Men” books. I am sure his teacher will be glad when this phases passes and she can stop reading them.  This is how my boys spend 4pm every weekday, its their new favourite show…..

Declan is looking forward to Friday as he gets to spend the $5 canteen voucher he won.  Its the prize of a raffle held at school every week. Entry is gained if you are seen to be doing something “good” or “helping others” etc at recess by a yard duty teacher.  Declan was picking up some rubbish one lunch time and received his ticket, which was drawn out at assembly on Tuesday  

This beautiful weather drew me outside again with my camera to take a few more shots of Spring.

It is quite amazing how quickly everything comes back to life. I mowed the lawns on Saturday and they could easily be done again this weekend. Its a good form of exercise and truth be known if I had a choice of mowing lawns or cleaning the house I would be outside quick as a flash everytime. Problem is I then have to come inside and clean.

Enjoy the rest of your week

Helen xxxxx 

Take care

Helen

A Boy and his Dog …..

Butch is better for now there will be more tests next week and we will take it from there.  Riley has really grown close to Butch over the last few months and here they are taking a little afternoon nap yesterday

 I know I am a day late but….

SPRING HAS SPRUNG !!! !!!  the sun is shining (today), the birds are singing and the garden is growing.  Cant wait to get some spare time and fine weather so I can put a few hours work into the garden and get it ready for the months ahead.

Can you believe its nearly the end of term 3?.  HUH? Where did that term go?.

Enjoy your week, Enjoy SPRING

Helen xxxxx

Proof!

Its in the paper so it must be true……

written down in “black and white”……see…. and you all thought we were just one eyed  :-P

Helen xxxxx