Saturday, January 16, 2010

Summer Mini Break Part I.


We have just returned from a very short break.
Husband E arrived home one week early from China, and it was so good to have him home again!
As it is our long Summer holiday and I was mindful that I had promised to take the children to the lake, I set about researching a mini holiday that I could manage alone.....
Husband E was able to join us in the end....


First, a lovely day/night at the groovy Aunt's house. We all went to the beach on one of the hottest days in Sydney this Summer. As people were released from work, they came running on to the beach and diving into the waves. Everyone was smiling and happy to have access to such a wonderful, cooling resource.


The next day we headed South, to the Highlands. I was wondering what it would be like to be there in the heat, however, lovely, cool weather and mist that surrounded the area.


We stayed in an old guesthouse, built in the 1920's. I went to this guesthouse as a schoolgirl for a Geography assignment to study the region. This house had peacocks that would cry out eerily, with no warning. The grounds were huge, we did not get to explore due to the weather, but the weather did exaggerate the effect of these spiderwebs or "fairy baskets" as the girls and I preferred to call them.


The dark wood inside the house, with the warm lighting was lovely. The bathrooms are still as they were in the 1920's. Black and white tiles, with external plumbing and a particularly characteristic smell...... We had a whole wing to ourselves.





Part of this holiday package was to go to the Illawarra Fly; a treetop walk with a tower that had 106 steps and was 45 metres above the ground. The weather was perfect to visit this forest. We saw a wombat hole, but he/she must have been fast asleep!

The guesthouse provided us with a simple but perfect picnic hamper for our family. Egg and lettuce/ vegemite and cheese/ ham and lettuce sandwiches.....chips, drinks, chocolate and choc/caramel slice.

I indulged and visited my favourite cafe in Bowral, "The Elephant Boy". I sat in my favourite spot by the window and watched the people go by. I also drank coffee and read a lovely magazine. Bliss.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Tables are Full.






It is fortunate that we can eat out on the deck or on the new patio.



More of What We Have Been Up To.

I am mastering 11 year old son's Ipod,




I have sorted artwork from pre school to now for all four children,




We are still enjoying our photo albums,

What We Have Been Up To.

Looking at baby photo's and albums; First born son below and eldest daughter on top.



No. 3 child on top and youngest on the bottom.

I have been eating choc covered peanuts......


8 year old daughter has been painting:

The girls have enjoyed playdough......

11year old son has been busy with books, Lego, DS and downloading "Top Gear" episodes for his Ipod.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

2010.....


New Year's Resolutions:

-Realigning priorities of God, husband, family and then the rest....

-Not planning too far in advance,

-Exercise.
I have just read this and found it helpful and peaceful.

Images of Christmas Part II.





Each year we put baubles on the tree with family members' names on them. Some are no longer with us but we can remember them especially as we put them on the tree. This year's tree was in Grandad's front garden. There was a lovely breeze.

Images of Christmas Part I.



Sleepover at the groovy Aunt's....beds made beautifully for everyone.