Girls in the City...

Last weekend, whilst the male contingent of our family 'roughed it' up at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Beth and I were left at home to enjoy a girls weekend together. Along with the cooking, scrapbooking, playing of games, park-visiting, and morning cuddles in Mummy's bed, we spent the Anzac Day public holiday on a trip to the city. After riding the bus from Maundrell Terrace into the Cultural Centre, we stopped in at the Art Gallery to look at the Hats exhibition that is currently on display. I really would have liked a little longer to browse through all the interesting hats they have on display, but Beth was like an excited puppy racing from one window of hats to the next, crying, "Look Mummy! Look at this one!" By the time I would arrive at the new and exciting window, she was off like a rocket to the next one. *Sigh*

The highlight of the exhibition, though, was the hat-making corner, where you could use the materials they had set out to make your own hat. We had a fun 20 minutes putting together a suitably girlie creation, which Beth wore around the cultural centre for the rest of the morning.

At a later juncture of the morning, we popped in for a quick look at the museum. Beth again was doing her puppy thing, but I managed to get her to stop for a minute for a quick photo.

WANTED: inhabitants for one chicken coop...

We're finally getting closer to realising a long-held desire of mine to have a few chickens in the backyard - both as pets and egg-providers. Over the last few weeks, Andy has enjoyed himself in doing a man-puzzle... that is, planning and putting together our own home-made chicken coop.

It didn't take long for the basic structure to be put together, then we all donned old clothes to together give it a coat of paint.

The finished product! Coming up next: chickens!

Lego-man...

Our fella's main wish or his birthday this year was for lots of Lego... and lego he got! Whilst most of it was assembled within a few days, this one took a bit longer due to some tricky parts that required a bit of adult attention. So when Beth was away at Granny and Grandad's for a couple of days over the school break, we had a Mummy and Liam day and together put this fantastic lego crane together.

Happy 60th, Mum!

Well, it's hard to believe my Mum is now into her 7th decade!!! To celebrate the big six-oh, we had a family weekend at Rydges, Caloundra - Mum, Elaine, Aaron, plus the four of us.

Relaxing on King's Beach, Caloundra.

On Saturday evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Rydges restaurant, after pre-meal drinks and pics in one of our rooms! The food was just fabulous, mm-mmmm, the salmon was melt-in-your mouth delicious.

A spot of fishing...

A while ago Beth asked plaintively when she might learn to go fishing. It took just a quick word in Nan's ear and a date was set for fishing in the backyard during the school holidays. My Mum has been a keen fisherwoman for a long, long time, and I'm sure has been dreaming about the day when she would be able to take at least one of the kids fishing with her. When we had arranged this first fishing venture, she was off like a rocket to Anaconda and bought Liam and Beth their very own fishing rods - one blue, and one pink, of course.

A quick lesson was given on baiting hooks, parts of the rod, and also the importance of watching the tip... as well as many reminders to 'watch where you're pointing the rod, Liam!'

We probably only spent about an hour casting the lines out and waiting for bites, but you should have seen how many fish we caught!!! I wish I could put a picture of the bucket filled to the brim with tasty-looking fish, but alas, that will have to wait until another more successful fishing experience in the future. No, there were no fish biting this time, but Liam and Beth enjoyed themselves all the same. For me, it was a trip down memory lane, and it brought back many memories of fishing at Burrum Heads as a kid... I could even still remember how to bait the hook and cast properly - I guess fishing is like riding a bicycle in that it always stays with you; you never forget how to do it!

A 7-year-old in seven days...

That's how fast it feels that the last 7 years have flown by. Liam turned 7 a week ago, and we celebrated with family here at home on Good Friday. The chocolate cake was even complete with chocolate easter eggs to match the occasion.

Sparkler fun...

Our little schoolgirl...

Beth has thoroughly enjoyed herself during this first term of her schooling life, although has happily declared now that the Easter holidays are here that she's "finished school!!" The prep classes held open mornings a couple of weeks ago, so I was able to watch a small class performance and tag along as Beth's helper during some activities.

I wonder how old she will be before she grows out of the desire to climb inside empty baskets??!!