which means the girls have already launched into a VERY cold pool….

Mad aren’t they?

Sorry I’ve been so absent on the blog. It’s really taking quite some time getting back into the swing of things. I’m almost there and hopefully will get back to regular blogging soon.

Yesterday I joined Amy on her AG class excursion to Kiama. We met the class at the railway station and walked the blow hole. It was a very different experience to the last time we were here which some of you might remember. Today it was cool but we had a beautiful blue sky and just a little breeze.

The blowhole in action.

And the class releasing balloons to test wind speed/direction.

We then had recess – just like at school . Mine was even packed in my lunchbox.

I ate a muffin while enjoying the view.

Loved this sign…

We then caught a bus around to the little blow hole – which was in fact blowing bigger than the big blowhole.

And I decided I could quite happily live in one of these homes overlooking the blowhole. Mind you I probably wouldn’t like having lots of people walk past my house and interupting co my view .

Then the main part of the trip…for me at least… a dairy farm in Jamberoo.

The owner, Kerry Burke, showed us around and told us all about how they operate. I’m pleased to say I’m still happy to include milk as part of my lacto-ovo diet.

The milking stalls…

Some one week female meat calves waiting to be picked up by new owners. These lucky girls are going to be used for breeding.

and some dairy calves…

These girls are waiting to give birth…

And these girls were enjoying the lovely day…

We had lunch before leaving the farm. Hmm, I could get used to eating with a view – feels like I’m on holidays again .

It was a truly lovely Winters day.

And of course, no trip to Kiama is complete with an ice-cream.

When we got back home we went over to Nan & Pops to celebrate Pop’s birthday.

So yummy….

Then tonight we headed back out again for Christy to sing as part of the massed school choir. She was so excited and happy to have us all their to watch her.

She’s in the front row, forth from the left, for her school performance.

Unfortunately when the massed choir sung (half is seated on the floor) we couldn’t see her very well – being the little thing that she is.

She had a great night and we were very proud of her.

Not much to report at the moment – still finalizing our UK/Baltic trip and enjoying the last few days of school holidays. This week has been all about the girls friends – playing and sleeping over – tonight we have 2 extras! We went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D today which we all enjoyed, followed by lunch at Mum’s. Kevin has just gone to pick up Chinese for dinner – to feed the extra mouths.

And I just wanted to share this photo of Christy in the new jacket she got yesterday. She’s all ready for the cold weather – even though it’s been like Summer this week .

Today Amy had some purple streaks put in her hair. They look really good and are just what she wanted. Can’t believe how grown up my baby is looking.

I’m quite happy for her to colour her hair as a way to express her individuality – much better (and less permanent) than a lot of other options.

Todays activity was a nature scavenger hunt. We went for a walk down by the lake to see what we could find. I was quite amazed what we saw – most of which I missed on this mornings walk.

There was the usual ducks and other birds…

but we noticed lots of different flowering plants….

and quite a few mushrooms…

After being bitten by mozzies and trudging through the grass we had a quick break before heading home.

The girls seemed to enjoy the activity and working together to find things, though we did have a few “moments”.

Camp Sisterly Love is now up and running. The relationhip between Amy & Christy has deteriorated to the extent that intervention is needed. We’ve got two weeks school holidays ahead so I am hoping desperately to repair things before they return to school.

Day 1

Yesterday we made friendship boxes (as seen on Alisa’s blog). We took plain white boxes…

and the girls decorated them…

They turned out great but I’m not sure what it says that’s Amy’s box is all about her, whereas Christy’s was about Sisters – which is more what I had in mind.

Their next task was to write a list of things they liked about each other and later  they purchased a gift for each other at the shop. They’ve been asked to add things like letters, cards, small presents to each others boxes – at least once a week.

Day 2

Today I challenged the girls to do a good deed for each other. Christy bought Amy a chocolate and included a note to say she’d make her a cup of tea to have it. Amy spent the day at a friends so word on her good deed yet!

Before Amy left we played a board game TOGETHER! I won, which was probably a good thing .

Poor Christy had a stack on her scooter coming home from school two days ago. She wasn’t too badly hurt and luckily was wearing her helmet, but she was rather shook up and was all concerned about the fact that a stranger bought her home. It was a Mum from school who knew me and both the girls (but not that well). When I first started letting her go to school on her own I worried what would happen if she fell off her bike or scooter but know there are plenty of Mum making their way home at the same time and I was confident someone would help her. I obviously wasn’t wrong and sometimes you just have to trust in human kindness.

Her knees are worse than they look in this photo but after icing them the bruising didn’t get too bad.

One of my first thoughts was “I’m glad school photos were last week!”

Not long ago Vanessa at Green Ness was asking how I tackled the school holidays. At the time I replied we had nothing planned this time around because the girls were misbehaving. But on further reflection I think it might be good to use this time at home to get them to bond again and enjoy being together like they used to. So I’m going to plan out some fun things for us to do together both at home and out.

I’m also going to make between 9am and 5pm screen-free time (unless there are special circumstances). This is going to apply to me as well (with possible exception of trip planning).

Here’s some of my ideas so far :

* Make friendship boxes – thanks to Ailsa for this idea

* Go on a scavenger hunt – never done one before but Annie’s kids always seem to enjoy them.

* Learn to knit class at library

* Photo session – with us taking photos of each other

* Trip to beach with dogs

* Movies (plus I plan to take both girls on their own as a special outing)

* Painting or drawing down at the lake

* Work on a jigsaw together

* Manicures & pedicures

* Play wii together (I very rarely do this)

* Family bike ride

* Get girls to plan and cook a special meal for each other

That should keep us out of trouble and hopefully help the girls realize just how wonderful it is to have a sister. If anyone has any ideas for me – esp. to help with the bonding – please let me know. Being an only child this is all new to me!

Amy was very excited to receive this letter in the mail – acceptance into the academically gifted class. She was in it last year and loved it. One day a week she attends this class and every other week they seem to go an excursion. I went a couple of times last year and they cover some great topics. I’m so happy for her!

Today we took Amy and 3 of her friends to Jamberoo Action Park. They had a fabulous day and we were treated to wonderful whether (after a cloudy start to the day).

I’m not sure who had more fun today – the kids or Kevin & Noel!

Amy chose to have chocolate crackles rather than another birthday cake.

It was a super-fun day and everyone had a good time, lots of sunshine and too much water .