End Of Year Excitement!

With 2013 winding up we have been busy, busy, busy with end of year activities and events!
On December 3rd we, & Grandma, had the pleasure of watching Milla's Irish Dancing Christmas Concert. Milla had a ball dancing her little heart out in her red and black costume complete with a tiara! The concert ended with a small presentation where all the girls walked away with a trophy and the raffle was drawn with us winning one of the prizes - lucky night!

Only one week later Milla had her school Presentation Day. We had been sent a letter informing us that Milla would be receiving an award on the day but weren't sure for what.
Our girl was awarded one of only 5 'Conscientious Application' medals awarded to the kindy kids and was very proud of herself, as are we!

That afternoon we happened to pop into the shops for a few things and when the kiddies spotted the man in the red suit there was some very adamant arguments for needing to tell him their Christmas wishes. Up they jumped and were both AMAZED they got to touch and talk to the actual Santa!!!

The next day, Wednesday, was Milla's Christmas concert. I was able to make it to see her sing her loudest among her class buddies.

On Thursday Milla's school had a scripture assembly service which I couldn't quite get to but this photo came through to my phone from Uncle Greame letting me know the school raffle had been drawn at the assembly and Milla had won the HUGE 5th prize hamper of Christmas goodies! It was almost as big as her!!

Thursday night it was Harris' turn for the spotlight. Our little elf was just a bit cute dressed up and had a ball singing all the Christmas songs he had been learning at preschool over the past few weeks.

LOTS happening and we are having a ball along the way but very much looking forward to slowing down over Christmas now!

Milla is 6!

What a birthday week Milla has had - between end of year dance, school and swimming events she had a small afternoon tea Paw-ty on Wednesday afternoon. Milla invited 6 little friends from school and had lots of puppy fun!

With her actual birthday falling on Friday Milla woke super early to open her presents before school. One of the gifts she got was a new bike so, despite sprinkling rain, she rode to school that day (after a big breakfast of pancakes)!

We have had such a crazy busy week that I almost forgot to ask Milla our traditional birthday interview questions (thanks for the reminder Aunty Ezz)... here is what she replied with this year.

1. How old are you? 6
2. Who is your best friend? Penelope
3. What is your favourite thing to do? Hold babies
4. What is your favourite colour? Yellow
5. What is your favourite food? Mashed Potato
6. What do you like to do with your family? Go out and ride my new bike
7. What is your favourite toy? Scarves
8. What do you want to be when you grow up? Ballerina
9. What makes you happy? My birthday
10. What makes you sad? Losing my special things
11. What is your favourite show to watch? Barbie
12. What is your favourite book? A book about unicorns
13. What do you like to learn about? Irish dancing
14. What was the favourite part of your birthday? Everyone singing happy birthday
15. Where would you like to go for a holiday? Somewhere you can swim and bike ride
16. Who is your teacher? Mrs Kalule
17. What is your favourite treat? Sweeties
18. What do you think about before you fall asleep? What I should do tomorrow
19. What is your favourite animal? Giraffes
20. What was your favourite birthday present? Jewellery box

Happiest birthday to you Milla Moo. We love you a whole bunch!!

Marathon Holiday!

Were back and ready to start a new school term. Our two weeks off have been fabulous, fun, full and fun! We headed north to Ocean Shores for our break and although the first few days we had a bit of rain we managed to still find lots of things to do...

On the Thursday of our week and a half away we made a trip to Dreamworld and had a BALL!! Roller coasters, rides, animals, shows, water rides and more!

We had two rather exhausted kids that night so the next few days we chose to take it easy with a picnics, some quiet fishing and the kids even braved the chilly water for a little swim at Brunswick Heads.

The weekend finally rolled around and my Marathon arrived so my gorgeous hubby and kids graciously all woke way before dawn to drive me to the Gold Coast to line up for the 7:20am start then headed off to hang out with Aunty Erin and Uncle Dale while I pounded the pavement.
4hours and 44minutes later I finally and painfully crossed the finish line of the 42.2km course.... there may have been a few tears but it was pretty fabulous to have that done and with my family cheering me over the last few 100m was very cool!!

After I stretched out a few cramps and a had quick shower we spent the rest of the afternoon with Erin and Dale by the water catching up and playing in the sunshine.

Again, we were ALL pretty tired so took it really easy the next few days but did manage to spend half a day at The Macadamia Castle feeding the birds and baby farm animals and playing putt putt.

The next day we had to say goodbye to our holiday and had another very early morning with a 3am start to head home again. LOTS of driving but well worth the trip with a quick visit to Grandma Barabara and Papa's on the way.
Matt is now back at work and school & pre-school starts again on Monday. We're all feeling well refreshed for it - Yay!!

Apple Pickin'

With not a plan at all locked in for last weekend it was lovely to let the kids and Matt wake on Saturday morning slowly and lazily while I went for my run. It was during my brisk Autumn morning run that the thought hit me - Let's go apple picking!!
The family was easy to convince so we all popped some warm clothes and gumboots on and headed up the mountain to Bilpin.
There are plenty of 'Pick Your Own' orchards to choose from. We stopped at Pine Crest Orchard.

We grabbed two buckets and had a instructions of what to look for in a perfect Pink Lady apple and were off.

Of course the best ones are at the top of the trees so there was allot of picking up the kids to help them reach!

Once our buckets were full poor daddy was roped in to carry the 7.5 kilo load back to the shed while I ended up carrying Mr Harris Lazybones! Luckily there was an old farm tractor half way to have a quick play on to give everyone a little rest.

We had our apple stash bagged up by the farm staff ready to turn them into apple pies and apple sauce but not before a few taste tests.... they were YUMMY!!

It was such a fun family outing for all 5 of us and one I think we'll be doing again!!