The House Is Quiet Again..

 

 

After having a house full of noise and people for the past 14 weeks, the house is now feeling rather quiet as Tyler, Hayley & Nicholas join their Mum for term 2 and the June/July holidays. After having them at home for so long this time, it will be odd not having them round for the next 12 weeks (aside from every other weekend). After a turbulent term of Miss 11 entering adolescence & hitting the puberty blues BIG TIME and a sibling rivalry battle between herself & Mr 9 over a school performance audition, the ceasefire is probably a much needed break to gather our frazzled nerves & regroup for next term. It is also a change of pace for all of us and it is during these 'breaks' that I get to spend some quality time with my boys on a different level & get jobs done around the house that seem impossible when 7 occupy the home!

During this time when the kids are away, we take on more of the 'fun parent' role & spend the three nights we get with the kids differently than when they are home for the term ~ Friday night is movie night, Saturday is spent at home 're-connecting' & chilling out with their toys/rooms and or friends and Sunday is 'family day' where we do something as a family. Usually part of the weekend is chaotic as the kids are settling in from a different routine & Mr 8 & 1 readjust to having others back home to share/interact with, but usually they are happy to be 'home' & the others are happy to have them home.

We try to lay down a few rules during the term such as 1. No homework or assignments after Friday afternoon (I also ensure they don't take homework with them to complete at their Mums on our term) I find it just takes away precious interaction time & can (usually) be completed during other times of the week. 2. No friends/playdates/sleepovers Sunday, this is family day. On the term the children are home, this is fine (we've seen them all week) but when you only get to see them once a fortnight, it takes away too much time and 3.Our normal rules apply even if it's just for the weekend (this one is often forgotten!) 

 

Im sure things will continue to change as they grow older but to me family is important and we'd like to encourage them even as they grow into their teens that it is important to still call this place home. Iv seen far too many other kids as they grow stop visiting their 'other' parent and it's kind of sad, because in a few years time when they are an adult, they will have their own agendas and be off amongst the world.  They are only small for so long, so you have to make the most of now. 

Wordless Wednesday 17th April 2013

Last week we were fortunate enough to escape to the Gold Coast for a few days holiday with the kids. Great accommodation at the Towers of the Chevron Renascence, fun touristy moments at Putt Putt, Ripley's Believe it Or Not and Infinity and lots of good family memories hanging out at the resort & the beach. Enjoy :) ~ Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday http://mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au/

Mobile First Aid Kits - Why I never thought of one before!

A First Aid Kit is something I never really gave much thought too until our first camping trip 2 Easters ago on Stradbroke Island.  Mr 8 (then 6) got bitten by sea lice and had a reaction to them, which made him break out in red itchy spots on his face.  I borrowed some Panadol from my Sister in Law before driving the Island to source an antihistamine and our own Panadol when it dawned on me that perhaps it is something I should be packing in the future!  Being a born panicker, I don't know why it never dawned on me to have one before, I have a well stocked medicine cupboard at home, but I never thought about a mobile one. I guess I always just assumed you could purchase when your out, but it's faster and more conveniant to have it on hand thats for sure! {Particularly when your on an island!!!}

Ever since that trip I have kept the necessities such as Panadol and Fess in the Nappy Bag and have a well stocked 'mobile' first aid kit for when we travel on holidays or day trips etc. Because we're off on holidays again shortly I checked over our kit again tonight to ensure it was well stocked.

 In the kit I have:

* Panadol (all ages plus soluble tablet form & some for adults for day trips turned noisy!)
* Nurofen  (all ages)
* Hydralite Sachets
* Claratyne for allergies
* Dettol Cream
* Ventolin x 2 & Spacer/s
* Fess spray
* Chap Stick
* Sunscreen
* Tweezers
* Bandaids
* 2 Dosing devices

I am wanting to add bandages & some of those cold/hot packs to our kit also so will add them shortly. I don't have everything on hand, but I guess it is better to have a few supplies rather than no supplies at all, as I discovered for myself 2 Easters ago!

Do you have a mobile first aid kit?
What essential item do you think every mobile first aid kit needs?

Wordless Wednesday - Wednesday 3rd April 2013

On Monday we took the kids to Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin, Queensland.  As an official start to kicking off the school holidays & also ending a fantasic Easter long weekend.  

It was the second time we have visited the Zoo and the kids really enjoy the laid back atmosphere and I am always astounded at how quiet it is, you literally have most exhibits to yourself both times we've been.  Thoroughly recommend it to locals and for those visiting the area. Like most places I go to, I wonder why we never got to go earlier!

Linking up to My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday

Easter 2013

Well the Easter long weekend has come to an end ~ I am all chocolated out & cannot believe it's only been a few short days since the kids started school holidays and there are still 2 weeks left to occupy them {more on that later!}

 

This year we had all of the kids home for the whole of Easter (we get every second year) so it was nice to have them all wake up in one home & celebrate together.  It was the first Easter we have been at home in 4 years, so a day at home to kick back and enjoy was long overdue!  On Friday I spent the afternoon finishing off the shopping (mainly for my Mum who uses me as her personal shopper) my task was to get the kids an Easter present each but avoid chocolate, preferably slippers.  Target, however, at 2pm on Easter Eve was not cooperating size wise for slippers only & I ended up instead with a selection of slippers, coloured skinny leg jeans, hooded jumpers and flanelette Pj's plus a small chocolate side accompaniant all for $100 the lot!  Mum & the kids were most impressed. 

 

Sunday we spent the day celebrating at home, we had plans on going to the park or the beach, but the rain soon changed our minds and the kids didn't even want to go on a drive so a home day was settled upon.  The kids played up a storm and watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, they also watched Men in Black 2, but I fail to see the Easter significance in that one.  Do you know Foxtel only had Christmas movies on Easter Day????? Odd. 

 

And on Easter Monday we went to Alma Park Zoo for the day followed by a local beach for a wander, play at the park and some shell collecting. We went to Alma Park Zoo last year and the kids thought it was great, so this time when I saw a Scoopon I decided to purchase another family ticket for $34 and go along again.  This time Mr 1 was a little older so really enjoyed his day and the others enjoyed revisiting the animals and we even saw a few we missed last time such as the spotted Quolls and all of the Monkey/Orangutan area that was closed last time we went.  I got a kick out of the Monkey's, they are so funny to watch - rather amusing, but the Baboons really freaked me out, he was so person-like, it was like seeing an old man locked up in a cage (although Iv clearly never seen this in real life to compare it to) he seemed too wise the old monkey.    The food at the Zoo was even reasonable (thank goodness because I forgot to bring our lunch along!) with each of our lunches costing $5.00-$5.50 and the kids got a Fanta Slushee at the end for $3.00 each. 

 

So all in all we have had a great weekend with just the right measure of busy, fun and rest. I hope your family had a Happy Easter also!

 

Wordless Wednesday

The other day it stopped raining long enough to take the kids out of the house (we felt as if we'd been locked up for weeks) and we ventured to the Nerima Japanese Gardens in Ipswich QLD. It was lovely to explore the peaceful gardens & get some fresh air. The kids loved stretching their legs & Mr 1 was in his element exploring the gardens & afterwards the animal park.

Meal Planning Monday

Hey Guys, We've had a sick household all weekend so I didn't achieve much other than lots of time spent with my 2 unwell little men, Mr 1 & Mr 7. I too am sick so I don't think this meal plan will be too adventurous..

Monday (Meatless Monday) Tomato Soup & Toast (told you it wouldn't be too adventurous!)
Tuesday: Herbed fish w/ vegetables.
Wednesday: Apricot Chicken on Rice.
Thursday: Ravioli with Tomato & Basil Sauce.
Friday: Homemade Pizza's
Saturday: Salmon & Vegetable Bake.
Sunday: Sunday Roast (chicken) with Veggies.

Bake List:
Choc chip cookies
Vanilla cupcakes
Pikelets

You might see Iv made Monday, 'Meatless Monday' something a little different to always having meat with our meals (other than scrambled eggs or spaghetti dinners! Lol)

Till next week ~ happy cooking xx