GOMA Visit

During our last week in Brisbane, I took the kids and my nieces to town on the bus. We were going to swim at Southbank, but the rain put a damper on that. We decided to take a look at GOMA ( Gallery of Modern ARt) They had a fantastic exhibition on about the 21st century. It was completely interactive and fun. The highlights were the slide that went from the top floor to the bottom; the room filled with finches, classical music and decorations made of coathangers and the large build your own lego display. The kids enjoyed it and it kept us dry which was great.

Christmas is Over

You will note the title of this post is carrying on from 'Christmas is Coming' which was written over 3 weeks ago. Since that time we have packed up, cleaned out, thrown out things we didn't want and loaded our belongings into a container bound for Sydney. Yes, that's right. We finally decided after living without Dan at home during the week for over a year... that we'd all had enough. We decided that being together as a family was the most important thing and last Sunday said our sad goodbyes to family, friends and our ward in Brisbane. The move is only temporary, but sad nonethe less. After spending over a week with my parents who were kind enough to let us stay there, we celebrated Christmas and enjoyed the festivities. The kids attended the local Neighbourhood watch christmas party up the street with Santa and we went to Myer in town and rode on the train and visited Santa. Eryn was too tall to ride the train, but Addi was big enough and loved the trip. Dan's sister and her fiance were visiting and it was great to meet her husband to be. Christmas day was spent at my sister's house for Breakfast and at my inlaws for lunch. Before we went, I managed to cook a delicious ham and cheesecake to take along. Boxing Day was spent in the unusually rainy weather saying our farewells at church, packing and me stressing that everything would fit and was finalised.

I can't believe how quick the weekend went. The children recieved some wonderful gifts. Santa brought Eryn some new clothes; Lachlan a Wii game and camping utensils; Morgan a My little pony set and Wii alphabet game and Addison had to wait to Sydney to see her musical Fisher Price Kitchen that she hasn't stopped playing with. I just loved being around family and enjoying the delicious food. Until next year!

Christmas is Coming

I am still in shock that it is already the 3rd day of December. Even though I have most presents, I can't believe the speed at which it is coming. Morgans Prep class started even earlier. Most kids in her class have been handing out Christmas cards with the traditional candy cane for the past two weeks. I was really impressed when Morgan handwrote all of the cards for the kids in her class. For someone who struggles to know her ABC's I was very proud. I even dragged the kids outside to get some pictures to go on the yearly Christmas card this morning. The lovely (cheap) Christmas shirts that I bought them at the $2 shop, all managed to shrink in the dryer, but I made them wear the shirts anyway. It is my goal to have some Christmas decorations up by the start of next week, we'll see how I go!!

Music Concert 2010

Last night was the final concert for 2010 for Eryns Senior Band. Eryn has done well in her progress with the flute this year. Along with her private lessons, she really enjoys playing in the Senior Concert Band. Last night she also was able to play in a trio with her teacher. Since Dad was in Sydney, Lachlan videoed it using the Iphone. The picture is a bit wobbly, but the sound is good. Take a listen.

Goodbye Fish

Last year Santa brought the children an Aquarium all decked out. They then went and chose some fish to put in it. Over time, some died, some jumped out and we replenished the stock. Only one of those died, thankfully! They have been happily swimming around now for some time, but the children have lost interest. They haven't been feeding them, never clean the tank and have left all these jobs for Mum. We made a family decision that we would give them a better home, and last week took them to a beautiful lake not far from where we live. We all hope that they are enjoying their new home!

Sisters

Every year Mums sisters invite us and their daughters out to either morning or afternoon tea. It is a great time to catch up with them and hear about all their goings on. Mum is blessed to have such wonderful, talented and beautiful sisters. Yesterday we went to customs house and had high tea. The venue was lovely and the company was just as nice!

Ikea Fun

One of our favourite family pass times is to go and eat at Ikea. Since we live nearby, we go when there are no crowds. The fun is that you get to sit at a table and it really feels like you are sitting down to eat in your own home. Funnily enough, it is just me and the kids - as it is usually when Dan is away, and I don't feel like cooking! The way Ikea design it, even if you eat at the restaurant, there is no other way to get out, except by walking through the rest of the marketplace to try and entice you to buy something. When you are almost out, there is a section which is filled with high warehouse type shelving. Lachlan, who is our resident clown, loves to walk down the opposite end of these aisles and pretend like he is dancing, so that each time we pass a new aisle, he is at the other end doing a different dance. We find it pretty funny, so the last time we were there earlier this week, I tried to capture it on film!