Worth Watching

My dear friend Karen shared this with me. I had to share it with you all. I hope that you will find it as beautiful as we did.

A Day With Each Other

Yesterday was not the best of days, but my marvelous, loving husband Dean did everything he could to make it better. We met for a food court lunch and a little bit of retail therapy at our favourite shopping centre.

For my 30th birthday, we're headed down to Tasmania for a bit of time away. However, in my not-so-great wisdom, I left all my winter gear at home in Indianapolis. So, since it's been snowing in Hobart, it was necessary to get a jumper. Dean found a lovely, warm cardigan for me at the store where he's on the VIP list. (Trust me, the VIP thing is not a snooty deal - it's a discount deal! However, since they know us by name in there now, it is a bit of a worry. Actually, maybe that's just a Queensland customer service thing. That's the second store that actually "knows" us.)

After work, my darling came home and said, "I want to take my wife out." So, we headed down to Portside for dinner and a movie. We decided to check out Dendy Cinemas for their offering of arthouse type shows. (I had learned that I really enjoyed those type of films thanks to a couple of exhibitions at Nova in Carlton (Melbourne) with the beloved aunt & uncle and Stone Family.) We weren't sure what to see and the gal at the counter was torn for us when we asked between a couple of different flicks. In the end, another movie-goer came up and told us one movie was really sad, so we decided on the other - an Australian flick, Noise. (It was an interesting film - kind of a whodunit meets search for the meaning of life.)

Before the movie, we were going to head over a little, local italian place for dinner. However, when we stepped outside the cinemas it was pouring down with rain! Rain, glorious rain!!! (In case you are unaware, there is a drought occuring in this part of Queensland. Lucky for all of us, the rain has continued all not and into today!)

For more than one reason, the rain was a good thing. We redirected ourselves to the Japanese restaurant across the hall from the cinemas. What a treat! The service was great, the foood was wonderful and we couldn't get over the entire presentation. We were impressed!

We wrapped up the night with the movie, browsing the leaflets and finding another we'd like to see later this month. Isn't Dean wonderful??? :-)

What We've Been Up To

Yes, I know. I promised lots of updates. And I have failed you all. Apologies. Do you want excuses?? Well, how about a research paper on Corporate Relocations and the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behaviour? I know, it doesn't matter. An excuse is still an excuse.

We've had a couple of interesting weeks here. Last weekend my darling husband took me to the ballet! It was beautiful. And, we are quite certain the choreographer was seated in the audience. Who knows - that might be standard practice. Nevertheless - the performance was absolutely delightful.

That weekend we also went to see one of his favourite comedians at the Tivoli. (In my opinion, it was a good thing the show was so incredibly entertaining. The venue left alot to be desired for someone who is slightly claustrophobic.)

On the Sunday, we had a BBQ here at our new place. We were joined by Mark & Jane, our dear friend Constable Jo and..... (drumroll, please).......(attention Steve)..... Cousins Kate & Stuart!!!!! We were so tickled to spend some time with everyone and just have a nice relaxing day. Dean grilled up a feast. (So much of one in fact, we STILL have left overs!)

Over the last week, we have spent some time establishing ourselves with a local physician. I have had a nasty cold and Dean had some areas of concern checked out. We're both fine. But, we're pretty pleased with the doc we chose - Dr Ben Powell - really nice guy.

Uni basically wrapped up for the semester this past Friday. (Hence all the finishing of a research paper versus blogging.) Still on the hunt for an internship. Still hopeful something will pan. Something HAS to pan out. Right?

This past weekend was another visit with the kids. Poppi still has a nasty cough and that made sleep on Saturday was pretty rough. Actually, unfortunately, we ended up having the visit cut short. This weekend's visit proved to be quite a learning experience. Poppi had another school-friend's birthday party to attend (her third!) on Sunday. We took her back to Lee Ann for a couple of hours with plans for her to come back to our place for a trip to the Library later in the arvo.

Well, we ALL learned we just can not break the visits up. We won't be doing that again. It's just too confusing for the little ones. Poor Poppi got herself so worked up we were really scared she was going to cause herself to vomit. And our little bull, Hunter, just didn't know why his big sis was so upset and he got all upset, too. And so in a very heartbreaking good-bye for Dean, the little ones went home with Mum about 18 hours early.

Before all the hysterics, though, we did have a chat to Lee Ann about Miss Poppi sleeping in her own bed. She's of the same mindset about it - it's time she started learning. So, she got some tips from another mother at Poppi's school and we're all going to work together with the help of one special reward fairy!

New Beds!

I think we mentioned to everyone awhile back about getting Poppi new bedding in an effort to encourage her to sleep in her own bed. (Which is only actually working for a few hours a night. We're trying to find a solution. Still. The answer is hiding from us. We have ruled out using tequila, though. HAHA. I am just kidding.)

She does love the princess bed. (No surprise really. The girl looooooooooooves her Disney Princesses.) Actually, the funny thing is that Hunter loves the princess bed, too! In fact, the introduction of the princess bed proved a more effective teaching tool for our little bull!

You'll undoubtedly noticed the strategically placed "new" Bob the Builder bed (ok, ok, ok, it's only a mattress.) The weekend we introduced Poppi's new bed and started encouraging her to sleep in her own bed, Hunter (as per his usual) wanted to do what his sister was doing. We laid out a little couch pillow bed for him next to Poppi and he slept happily through the night. (The next night of course, he wanted to be in the princess bed.)

So, we went out looking for bunk beds, trundle beds, etc. We took the kids with us and they climbed up the ladders, crawled on the mattresses and generally had a ball. They were happy with just about all that we looked at. Too bad we weren't. (We were hoping to find a bunk bed set with the beds set in opposite directions to each other. But to no avail in the South East Queensland area.)

So, without the kids, we settled on getting another mattress for starters and a bedding set he would like. We got lucky guessing on Bob the Builder. We went out with the intent of getting him something with Thomas or Cars. Selection was limited and the designs were silly. WE actually liked the Bob the Builder one the best, not knowing if he was even familiar with the character. But, OF COURSE he is! Bob the Builder features some of his favourite things on the planet - construction machines!

So, when the Bob the Builder bed was revealed the following visit, there was one very happy little two year old! He's actually got the whole "sleep in your own bed" thing down pat. Such a quick learner!

Funny, he still had a bit of an affinity for the princess bed. But, at least this time, Poppi had a trump card she could pull. Threatening to sleep in HIS bed got his attention and got him into his own bed.

And for us, gave us a perfect happy snap of the two of them having a quick cuddle!

A Southbank Adventure

After playing around at the Bike Shop, we headed into the city to Southbank to have some lunch. We recently discovered the kids really like to have picnics (especially if it's anywhere near a park), so we've been trying to have more of them.

Southbank was the perfect location! It's on the south side of the Brisbane River and is just beautiful. Heaps of eateries and places for a barbeque, well layed out, beautifully landscaped and a perfect inner-city escape for families! One really special feature of Southbank is Streets Beach - a pool that is really a man-made beach, with heaps of water features the kids can run through. (Of course, we HAD to do this. And the kids LOVED it. So did we! So much so we forgot to get out and take pictures!)

But perhaps the funniest part of our time at Southbank was during our picnic. Young Hunter took it on himself to be our protector. As you can see below, the birds were getting just a little to close for his comfort.
It was really a wonder we could get him to eat anything at all! Everytime he chased a bird off, well, they came right back, didn't they? And as our picnic protector, it was his duty (or so he felt) to chase them off. (Did I mention he learned the behaviour from his dear step-mum?)


And, for as much as he was chasing the birds, Dad was up chasing him. I'm sure you can understand how hard it is to chase a two year when you're buckled over in laughter at his antics. Most times, he slipped away. But, Dad always wins. Even if it means using the whole "I'm bigger than you" fact.

But, his passion for protection could only be contained for so long. It was merely minutes before the pesky birds were back and he was itching to chase them away!

How to get him to stop? Pack up and head for the beach. For as much as he couldn't resist the birds, he can not resisit a swim even more! :-)

Time to Start Updating!

Hey Everyone! Sorry it's been such awhile since we've posted. And, yes, we've certainly done more since our last movie date. We should get mostly updated this week. Please bear with us. We didn't realise we hadn't posted anything in well over a month.



Soooo... going back to a month ago... when we had the kiddos... we certainly were having some fun! First, because Dean sold his motorcycle, we had to take it down to Team Moto and have a roadworthy done on it. (The kids let Tara drive Dad's car while Dad road the motorbike.)



And there is no doubt that the Balmforth Grubby Biker gene is running strong in the latest generation. Hunter was so excited to see all of the bikes lined up.






There were even some that were his size!




Poppi was pretty excited to see kid sized motorcycles, too!

(I'm sure you can guess what Dad would love to get them as a new toy!)

Then we were off to Southbank for our next adventure....

All Day at Chermside (or aka We had a movie Date!)

Easter Monday Holiday was a day that we got to spend with just ourselves. Between Uni, Moffat & the kids, we really cherish these days! So, we decided to go out for brekkie and then I would get my nails done while Dean had a browse around our favourite shopping centre.

Well, we had a delightful brekkie together at Toscani's - which is not overly great, but a good staple. Our choices from the menu (Mediterrenean Breakfast & Mixed Berry Pancaked) were just fantastic, though. Plus, we had really nice coffee's - Hazelnut Latte for me and A Kahlua Cappucino for Dean.

We ended up tooling around all the shops just browsing at nothing. Well, ok. Not nothing. Toys for Hunter and Poppi. Partially because Hunter has obliterated his little trike, partially because we started out looking for pressies for Janine's little one and then got distracted. And of course, we had to pop into Kikki K. We always have to go to Kikki K. (Judith-Ann should have never introduced us to the joy that is Kikki K products.)

But, what was different this mindless trip (besides the fact that we were there ALL day) is that we had a little unexpected movie date! We went to see 300. An Australian actor, David Wenham, narrates and is a lead character in the film.

We both like the historical epic-type movies, so needless to say, we loved it! Highly recommended. Well, not recommended if you have an aversion to blood or violence. But, then again, if you did have such an aversion, our review of a movie about a war would be pointless.

Ah well. :-)

There was 387 Photos!

Hi Everyone....
We're going through the photos from The Big Day. We'll get copies of the best of them out to everyone soon. (It's just there are so many, it'll take some time... Please bear with us.)

But, in the mean time... here's a few you might not have seen.

Full-On Morning (Part 2)

Now, family & friends... Do not think that our "Cram-it-all-in-in-under-4-hours" morning ended with Thomas. Oh No. Not by a long shot. Why - at 9:00am (as soon as it open) - we had to go SWIMMING!!!

Oh boy!

It might just have been the shortest swim session you could ever get away with when you're entertaining a 2 & 4 year old. But, everyone had fun! Especially the camera operator - who managed to escape actually getting in! :-)

Hmmmm... wonder if it'll be cold. Kids! Watch this! Kids? Are you watching??

Hunter is such a good swimmer already! You should see how strong his kick is.

This is the deep end??? But, Dean's touching the bottom of the pool!

Dean's exact quote before Hunter took his big leap: "No, wait! I'm not ready!"

And after the swim, the kids were ready to go. This picture, though posed, was not posed by us. The lil' munchkins went out in the garage to wait for Mom, so they could go to the farm and hunt more eggs! :-) My goodness, they are so entertaining!

The Full-On Morning! (Part 1)

Our Bonus Visit with Poppi and Hunter was short, but heaps of fun. HEAPS. And by heaps I mean - how much can you fit in to 4 hours? Saturday, the kids were up and at 'em at 6am. And they did not stop until Mom arrived around 10:30 to go to the farm.

First, it was wake Dad & Tara up. Then time for Breakfast. Then it was time for the "Singing Kids" movie (aka The Sound of Music). Then time for Thomas. (We looooooooooooooooove Thomas!)

Who needs a track? There's tiles everywhere! They'll work just as fine!

Let me show you how to do it!

Dad is the Track Master!!! (No, he doesn't need instructions. Ok, well, maybe sometimes.)

Daaaaaaaaaaaad.... This goes here! DUH!

Thomas.... It's a beautiful thing! Fun for everyone!

The Easter Bunny Came Early to Dad's House

We were so very lucky last week. We got to have a bonus visit with Poppi & Hunter! With the Easter holiday happening on the weekend, it just so happened our visit coincided with an early visit from the Easter Bunny!

The kids were just tickled to see Pressies left from the Bunny herself when they arrived at our house on the Friday. Both little ones received lunch bags of their favourite Disney character (all the princesses for Miss Poppi and Lightening McQueen for Cars Mad! Hunter) filled to brim with Giant Easter Eggs, Tiny Easter Eggs, Jelly Beans and other assorted goodies.

Lee-Ann came in with the kids for a chat and coffee and "help" in the Easter egg hunt that followed. (Earlier in the day, she had helped Dean and I prepare Miss Poppi for her **new** Disney Princess Bedroom! And we were so grateful! The heads-up about the new bed from Mom got Poppi so excited she actually slept in her own bed on the weekend! Well, mostly.)

Afterwards, we enjoyed a (traditional Aussie) Good Friday dinner (or so I'm told) of Fish & Chips! (Well, Fish & Mash. It was easier.)

And then! All Poppi wanted to do was go to bed! (It was only about 8pm.)

The pics that follow are of the Easter Egg Hunt on Friday night!

Is Hunter Hunting? Or Not?

Miss Poppi Claire Finds the Mother-Egg Load!

Only a few left to find... And they're off! (Well, maybe that's just Poppi. Does it look like Hunter might have found and kept one to himself??)

Who's got the height advantage here?

Did you know we went to the Zoo?

It's true! Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo is just an hour from our house. Earlier this year (yes, we forgot exactly when), we took the kids up the road to have a play at the Zoo.

And what a marvelous venue!!! A perfect family-friendly environment. Not only were the entertainment and interactive options available outstanding for kids of any age, it was as near spotless as you can get for a zoo.

There was so much you could do. Here is a list of what was on the day we visted:

We got to see the Elephants being fed (only just barely - it was quite a popular parade). And then we trapsed over to the Crocoseum to wat the Wildlife Warriors 101 Show! In the Crocoseum we saw some Zoo Employees being silly (one had to chase some birds all around the zoo!) and view Elephants (again!), snakes, more birds and CROCS!

It was such an easy to understand presentation. It really spoke to the kids about conservationism, especially in relation to animals which could easily be turned into a further discussion about overall conservationism and why it's a good idea to "be nice to the planet".

Walking around the zoo, many employees were about carrying animals (blue tongue lizards for one!). Poppi was keen to have a pet of the lizard and a couple birds, but Hunter was a tad shy.

While we were there, we took the opportunity to pay a little extra (in support of animal breeding programs) and have some up close and personal encounters. Age restrictions applied to most, but we were able to get in to feed the Giant Tortoises with both Poppi and Hunter.

And because he loves his wife sooooo much, Dean arranged for me to have my own encounter with my favourite Australian marsupial - The Wombat! Oh, it was so much fun. I was just tickled.

Throughout the rest of the day, we wandered about the Zoo. Other highlights included the Kids Zoo (where we saw Hunter's favourite animal - The Elusive Bob - aka a cow... Like father, like son, huh?) and a walk through the Kangaroo enclosure where we got to pet about 30 kangaroos (and tred on the toes of one poor fella, learning what sound they make when they're "Not Happy, Jan!"). They also had on offer a spinning teacup ride (which we had to do about 3 times), a jumping castle, a giant trampoline and multiple playgrounds.

(The best part of the day? $12 wagon hire for the kids! It kept young Hunter entertained all day!)

Poppi keeps asking when we can go back to "that zoo". Not sure when that will be, we're thinking of doing Sea World with them next. But, for us, we're headed back up in June. The Dalai Lama is giving a talk as part of his Australian tour in June. It's our way of offering support.

If you're in any major metropolitan city in Australia in June, we would certainly encourage you to attend one of his many events. Click on this link for more information: Dalai Lama in Australia.

We LOVE New Farm Park

Nearly every weekend spent at our house comes with demands to go to "the big park in the trees". Well - that's New Farm Park, in the city. It's a great facility. Huge tree fortress playground area entwined in massive shade trees along with two other areas of playground equipment under the trees as well. It's currently getting an exapansion with a playing field and toddler / age-specific "castle" themed playground being put in seperate to the tree fortress.

Needless to say - the kids go nuts. Last Sunday, we spent a couple of hours swinging, sliding, swinging, see-sawing, swinging, sliding, running through the fort, swinging, running, running, running and having an ice cream!Here's just a few of the MANY photos from that day!

PS - We're still playing catch up on the photos from this year. Hopefully, today, we'll make some more headway.

Let's Go to the Beach! (And new toys!)

Lucky for us, we'll get to spend time with Poppi & Hunter TWO weeks in a row! So, in an effort to keep our visits fun and lively, it was time to shake things up a bit before our big Easter visit! (Plus, a certain lovely little four-year old informed us we did not have enough toys at Dad's house.)

Friday night arrival at home gave the kids quite a surprise as they came into a whole HEAP of new toys. Sidewalk chalk, a giant beach ball (bigger than Hunter, who, of course, immediately tried to climb it), sandcastle bucket & shovels, Play-Doh, balloon people, Aquadoodle pads (possibly the greatest learning / creative / fun / messy-without-the-clean-up toy ever invented) and.... the piece de' resistance.... Hungry Hungry Hippos!!! (Which, of course, Dean had to have a go at before the kids even arrived.)

Saturday (in a move that we thought was oh-so-clever), we ventured up the Bruce Highway to Caloundra's King Beach. Kings Beach is the main beach of Caloundra and has a great picnic and children's play areas, including a massive waterfountain and community pool which is environmentally friendly - built to be separate from the ocean, but fed directly from seawater. However, after a small picnic lunch - we learned Poppi & Hunter are not too keen about the ocean. Crashing waves and "yucky" seaweed put a stop to the adventure.

But, thank the town planning gods for the play areas and swimming pool. The afternoon was not all lost. As you can see - we all had a ball... even if our trip to the beach itself last all of 5 minutes.

Trying to get caught up (trying!!!)

So, today we checked Dean's email (which really only happens once a week - IF we're lucky) and received some pictures from Steve that Miss Poppi took during his visit in Mid-March. (My goodness how time flies!!)

They're just so cute we had to share! (Some were published in the recent Balmforth Bulletin, so if they're repeats for you... many apologies!)

We all had a delicious brekkie with Cousins Kate & Stuart at Liquorish. (Dean had been there in October with a heap of mates to celebrate his business partner's birthday and loved it. He was quite keen on checking out their breakfast offerings.) Poppi and Hunter both were on their best behaviour - even enjoying "coffee" with all the grown-ups.



It was quite a lovely day. As a group, we enjoyed a lovely walk to and from the bistro.



(And Tara learned NOT to wear heels when she knows full well she's going to be walking. Result?? Blisters! Blech.)

We learned of the arrival of Young Thomas later this year and saw all the wonderful progress being made at Kate & Stuart's place!



But the best part of all was being able to spend time with family. Especially Pop! :-)