fun at Wynnum

On a Sunday afternoon we like to go down to the water and relax.  This particular afternoon we visited Aunty Jo and the finished the day off down at Wynnum with the scooters.

Lucy and Annie

Matty

BJ and Daddy

Lucy, Annie and BJ

Such a great way to spend the afternoon.

Mary Poppins...

Thanks to Noonie we all got Mary Poppins tickets for Christmas.  Everyone was so excited to be going and we counted down for weeks before we went.  The musical was amazing!  The kids really enjoyed the whole theatrics of it all - the singing, the dancing, the props, the special magic pieces, the whole thing!!

kids dressed and ready to go

waiting for the show

Mama and the kids

The original plan was for Noonie to come with us but due to Noonie's special trip to England Mama joined us instead.  It was such a lovely afternoon.  The kids will remember this for a long time. 

school 2012

Well this was the year I was dreading.  The year ALL my babies go to school.  Lucy started prep this year (and has loved EVERY minute of it) while Matthew is inYear 5, Benjamin Year 3 and Annie Year 2.  Lucy was counting down the days until she started school and she hasn't looked back.   I struggled to begin with but then my time has been filled up fast with reading groups in all the kids classrooms as well as relief teaching and running the church's playgroup.  All this actvitiy has really helped me deal with the quietness at home.  I wouldn't have it any other way as ALL the kids LOVE school.  We are so blessed to be able to send our kids to such a great school.

Lucy in her Prep uniform

Matt, BJ and Annie in there formal uniforms

first day all the kids left for school

(Lucy had a staggered start to school due to being in Prep)

all I wanted was one decent photo...

..... and I failed!! 

With Noonie away and the 8 grandkids altogether I thought it would be a great idea to get a photo to send to Noonie.  With many attempts, I did not succeed.  The kids though did have alot of fun making it difficult for me !!

Here are a few of my attempts....

The grandkids are in order of age:  Ryan (13), Jakeb (11), Matthew (9), Mikayla (8), Benjamin (8), Jordyn (7), Annie (6) and Lucy (5)

Australian War Memorial - Canberra 2011

During our christmas holiday we made a trip down to Canberra to visit the family.  We had such a great time and can't wait to go back again!!  Part of the Canberra experience was some sight seeing.  On one of the days we head off to the AustralianWar Memorial.  This was definitely a highlight, the kids absolutley loved looking around the exhibits and playing (and learning!) in the childrens section.  We all came out of that experience in awe and wonder for what our service men and women do for us.  We all learnt new things and came away with a new appreciate of freedom really means.

the kids in the freezing cold in the middle of summer!!

Matt in front of one of the exhibits

BJ playing dress ups

Daddy playing dress ups

Lucy playing in the childrens section

Annie in Anzac Hall with the beautiful stain glass windows behind

LEST WE FORGET

fun in the tub

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.  Every child loves bubbles!!

The boys with their Father Christmas beards on!

This activity of playing with bubbles in the bath with never grow old.  The kids love piling into the tub to have a big bubble bath after playing in the rain.

growing up too fast..

I can not believe how fast my gorgeous kids are growing up.  It only seems like yesterday that we welcomed Matthew into our lives but that happened to be 10 years ago.  Before we knew it, we had Benjamin, Annie and then our lucky last, Lucy.  I just can not imagine my life without them.

science centre

What a fun day!  We headed out to the Science Centre for a wonderful day of exploring and discovering.  Firstly, we decided to head to the Science Centre by train, which is an adventure in itself.  Once at the Science Centre we discovered lots of cool stuff, gravity, light, magnets....  We sat through a fantastic interactive demonstration on sounds and the kids were mesmorised by the presenter.  After visiting the Science centre we walked over to Southbank for some lunch and fun in the sun.

some memories from our great day

updated kids photos

Here are some updated photos of the kids...

my four munchkins on mothers day 2012

my posers!!

Lucy 5, BJ 8, Annie7 and Matty 10

Matt and Lucy

Annie and BJ

He's at it again...

Matthew is always in the wars.  If it isn't a broken leg, a broken collar bone, sugery to remove porcelain from his eye, nearly broken fingers then it is something else!!  This time he was riding BJ's new bike down a very steep hill when all of a sudden he hit the breaks and went head first over the handle bars.  Blood was gushing everywhere but luckily it was only his eyebrow and not his skull.  This injury required lots of 'glue' from the doctor and thankfully no stitches.  It did however, leave a big scar in his eyebrow!!

Christmas with Noonie

Due to an unexpected turn of events we celebrated christmas a few weeks early with Noonie.  I can tell you that didn't stop us from having great time.  We laughed, sang and ate ourselves silly!! 

christmas with Noonie

boys enjoying a full blown christmas dinner

Lucy and Annie with their new togs on riding on their new boogie boards

Thanks to Noonie ALL the boys got BIG nerf guns for Christmas

After much was eaten and all were relaxed Dad came running out with his new nerf gun starting war!!   We had such a special time with Noonie, this christmas will not be forgotten. 

Annie's 1st gymnastic competition

Annie was learning gymnastic last year so she was able to compete in a fun beginners comp.  Annie really enjoyed herself but was not in a rush to compete again as she is NOT a competitive person and found the experience quite nerve wrecking.

At the end of the day all children were presented with a cerificate and a ribbon.

north zone

Last year, Matt was chosen to play for the Under 9's North Zone team.  This is the first age group for representative soccer and a carnival was played at Ipswich with all the surrounding distiricts in South East Queensland.  Matthew's team did very well and came 2nd overall. 

 

Matt was one of only three players who played every minute of every game in his team.  Needless to say that by the end of the carnival we had one very tired boy.

Matt's first BIG carnival

Matt has competed in his first BIG carnival - that is the Yrs 4-6 carnival at school.  Matt was quite nervous at the start of the day but finished off very strong.  He came 5th in high jump and 2nd in long jump!!  therefore Matt was able to go to the CSSA carnival to represent school in the long jump. 

Matty jumping in the high jump

Matty jumping in the long jump

WELL DONE MATTY!!

Disney On Ice

For Annie's birthday she received a ticket for Disney On Ice, so we may a girls day of it.  The girls absolutely loved watched the dancing and were mesmorised from start to finish.  I don't know what they loved more, the Cars characters driving on the ice or Tinkerbell ice dancing.  It was such a great day with lots of happy memories.  The girls also came home with a special Tinkerbell cup thanks to Noonie. 

Birthday Boy Benjamin

Our Benjamin has turned 8!!  WOW, WOW,WOW is all I can say. Time flies when you are having fun. We are truly been blessed to have this special boy in our lives.  He keeps us smiling and laughing all day, every day.  I especially love the things BJ says, for example when we were shopping one day he stopped in the middle of the shopping centre and asked himself aloud, "Am I wearing undies today?"  He then proceeded to check and reassured himself that yes indeed he remembered to put undies on.  As you can interrupt from this story, my 8 year old can still forget to put undies on!!  This is only one of the many stories we have about BJ and the things he says.  

BJ with his birthday card from Matty

BJ finding his new bike at the front door

 BJ's icecream volcano birthday cake

can't have a volcano without sparkler birthday candles.

I love you Benjamin Jack Robert and I am so glad you are in my life.  You make me smile on a daily basis :)

back to blogging!!!

Yes I am back!!  I know it has been a while since I have posted something SO I have lots to catch up on.  Please be patient as I endeavour to catch up on all the things we have been up to these past months.