A Day in Melbourne

While we waited for Mick to fly in on Friday afternoon we headed over the river to check out the Craft and Quilt Fair. There were lots of people around - as was to be expected so we didn't stay long but it was nice to have a bit of a look around. 

We then went for a tram ride and checked out the Mall! Leilani pulled some funny faces for me, we saw the Mary Poppins flag flying and a Lego Woody and Buzz! 

These girls have been very lucky to have stayed in so many hotels during their first few years of life! (Thanks to our year away). So many in fact, that they have even learnt how to find the right room number and how to use the key card! 

I Just Want You to Take a Picture of Me

At the end of July we decided to take the kids for a quick trip to Melbourne. A few months earlier we found out when St Kilda and Hawthorn were playing at the Telstra Dome and booked our tickets for that weekend. It was cheaper for the kids and I to go over on Thursday, so that's what we did and then Mick flew over on Friday after working a week of night shifts, so it worked out really well. 

All was good, and everyone was happy while waiting at the airport in Hobart for our flight. The kids kept themselves entertained and I read. 

Things got a bit challenging when Emily continued complaining about feeling sick while we were flying. She had woken up that morning and mentioned she didn't feel too good, so I was a little worried then, but just hoped she would feel better soon. She felt a bit hot and got quite tired and I started to become a bit stressed that she was going to be sick! (Not a good feeling while out and about!) 

Once off the plane, she still complained of having a tummy ache and as soon as we got on the Sky Bus she fell asleep. (Pretty unusual for Em!) Luckily I had the stroller as once we were off the bus we had a 10 minute walk to our hotel - Em just sat there looking miserable while Lani and I looked for the right hotel. I felt so sorry for her, but was just really glad she didn't chuck up on the bus!!!!

Once at the hotel (it was about 4pm) we decided to just stay in and get an early night. (Where would I go  with 2 kids on my own anyway!) The kids like being in hotels and they think it's fun. I got Em some Panadol and her fever went down, which made her feel a little better. She didn't eat much all day - and I still don't really know what was wrong with her.  

The next day she still wasn't 100% but had more cold like symptoms. Lani woke with a bit of a cold too, which was a bit sad because that made them feel tired which took the excitement out of 'being away'. 

But it was better than a sore tummy and stressing they were going to vomit while you're out and about!!!!!! 

We got a free upgrade at the hotel and it was fantastic! We ended up in a suite and it was huge! Here's some of what the girls got up to whilst I was in bed reading... they were playing with my iphone.... and this is what I found.... 

Am I A Princess?

A Trip Away with Daddy

Both Leilani and Emily love and adore their Dad. He's a great dad and even though he is pretty busy working full time and studying, he gives them lots of attention and is always so happy to see them. When he does get to spend time with them he makes it quality time. He teaches them things, talks to them, listens to their stories and asks questions. He takes them to the park and for walks and plays games with them. He loves his little girls and would do anything for them. 

In July it was Grandmama's 90th birthday, so Mick took the girls up to see her in Launceston and stayed with Grandma and Poppa for the night. Unfortunately I couldn't go because it was my first shift back at Salamanca Inn. I was a bit sad to be staying home alone, but I was also kind of excited to have a huge sleep-in and the next day all to myself. However it turned out to be a total disaster - I finished worked about 11pm, came home, rang Mick, started to feel a bit sick (put it down to not eating much for tea)  went to bed and then spent the whole night throwing up every 20-30 minutes. It was awful. So much for a nice day at home to myself - I stayed in bed all day tossing and turning - only getting up to empty my own sick bucket!!! Yuck!

Anyway, back to Mick and the girls - who were having a great time away while I was at home in bed!!!!! Not really sure exactly what they got up to but I did hear a few stories, and found these pictures!

{Emily drinking her OJ and ending up with a bright yellow mo!}

{A visit to see Aunty Kristy and Gus - It was his birthday a few weeks earlier, so they took him a present - which he loved!}

{Of course a visit to Grandmama's to wish her a huge happy 90th Birthday}

{And a visit to Nanny King's as well}

The girls loved spending time with their Dad and also with our Launceston family.

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Look at that cute little face peeping up at the cake she decorated for her Mum!

Toy Story 3

I took the girls to see Toy Story 3 in June with Ange, Jaclyn, Will, Meea, Lin, Dean and Brady. The kids were so excited and did a great job waiting to go in (we were pretty early, in order to get good seats - it had just come out and the cinema was packed). The kids were so cute sitting up in their seats sharing their popcorn and lollies. Leilani saw Mollie, her friend from school there too, which was exciting and a bit of a new thing for us (having and seeing school friends out and about!)

Took a couple of pictures before we went in - I didn't get Brady in the photo though - he was roaming around somewhere! He was pretty excited to see Woody and Buzz!

We had a great time together and loved the film, it's fun to have cousins to head to the movies with! 

Pink Nails

We stopped in to see Grandma and Grandad one Saturday morning so Leilani could show off her beautiful long nails. She was very proud and so was I! 

I was a nail biter as a child and hated it. Leilani has bitten her nails for the last couple of years and they were looking horrible, it was making her hands dry and I felt a bit sad that she had picked up this horrible habit. 

Anyway.... one day we were driving along and she said to me "I'm never going to bite my nails again mummy" (I was often telling her not to bite them!). It was a bit of a random comment, I didn't think much of it at the time, but encouraged her and said that was a great idea. A few weeks later (maybe 3?) she had long nails on every finger and her hands were looking so much better! I couldn't believe it and wondered how she managed to kick the habit just like that!!!!! 

This all happened in June, her nails got quite long and we even had to cut them! It didn't last quite as long as I would have hoped, as she now bites them every now and again, but not as badly as she used to, so I am happy! 

Grandma gave Emily the Big W toy catalogue to take home - she thought it was wonderful! 

Not sure what was happening here - no doubt Grandad had found something out in the shed and turned it into a game for the girls to play!! He's always teaching them new tricks out there!

80 Birthdays

We celebrated Pop's 80th birthday in June... now that's a lot of birthdays! I love our Pop and have lots of great memories of him from when I was a kid. Walks in the paddock, sleepovers, trips to the shops (no one can forget him slipping you a couple of extra dollars after Nan had already given you some!) 

He's a lot quieter these days, just sits back and takes it all in I think! But you can tell he loves you, just from the way he looks at you! He has always been a great Pop, and I think we are really lucky. He loves seeing all the little kids and always gives them a big smile. He would do anything for us, for anyone really. 

Leilani and Emily waiting in line for their turn to give him a present! We had a lovely Family Tea, with almost everyone there. I think Pop likes seeing everyone together. It gets pretty noisy these days - but I guess that's what families do! 

Going Private

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Birds in a Tree

Mum brought me back some wall art when she returned from her trip to America at the beginning of the year.  The branches and birds were all separate so you could stick them where ever you wanted. I decided to cut it in half and stick them on 2 canvas'. I was really happy with the way it turned out and these two hooks already in the wall were a perfect spot for my new picture(s). Thanks Mum.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

In the June school holidays Jenna and Locke came and spent a day with us. We stayed home for the morning and decided to head out to the Museum for the afternoon.  

Check out this photo below where Emily won't take her eyes off the dino bones! She looks a bit freaked out really... poor kid!

It was so cute to watch the 4 of them hurrying around the place checking it all out. Jenna quickly became Leilani's guide and Locke became Emily's. 

Locke took very good care of Em and explained lots of things to her..... I overheard this:  "See these bugs Emily, they were once alive but the museum people stuck a pin through their backs and now they are dead!" Emily didn't say much in response.... she just stared and believed every word Locke told her! lol

We spent a bit of time in the discovery room (or whatever it's called) before we left, which the kids really enjoyed.

Check out little Em's pose here - gee she cracks me up!

And you can't go to the museum without crossing the road and getting an icecream from Mures!!!! We had four happy kids at the end of the day!