The Donaldsons in Oz

We spent this past weekend with friends at Port Campbell holiday park and what a fun time we had.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather (although my slightly sun burnt legs might have appreciated a few degrees cooler on Saturday!), better company and with that the unexpected addition of one of Ella’s classmates, her mum and twin brothers.  The more the merrier.  In the end we had 9 adults and 14 kids, no mean feat but everyone got along just fine.

We spent hours on the beach with the Dad’s engineering a swimming pool for the kids, (because clearly the ocean a few metres away was not enough).  We were close to 7 hours that first day and the kids would happily have stayed longer in the same spot doing pretty much the same thing for way longer if we’d let them.

The freedom they have on a camping holiday is fantastic.  Making new friends, scooting laps of the camp site, learning to negotiate the skate park, visiting the games/tv room and ducking past the tent whenever they needed a snack or a drink and everyone looking out for each other.  Here are some photos.

That’s a Whole Lot of Kids!!

Their Very Own Swimming Pool!

Dinner Time

AJ and Ella scooting

Ruby & Aiden having a chat

Go Kart Fun

Play Park

Kids Doing the Dishes (shame we only learnt their enthusiasm for this on the last night!)

Hanging Out  L to R – Poppy, Jake, Frankie, Kaleb and Charlie

Ruby & Poppy asleep in the tent

Mums Together L-R Marie, Shannon, Andrea, Danielle (sorry its the only one on my camera) and me

We arrived home late this afternoon and yes it’s a pain to unpack, load all the laundry and scrub everyone clean but will we do it again?  Of course….when is the next holiday weekend?

K

Alan & I took Charlie and 4 of his friends to the movies on Friday morning.  He could hardly contain his excitement awaiting their arrival in the morning.  Ella tagged along too despite Charlie begging her to let it just be boys (and mummy)!

I seem to always forget the volume of noise that comes out of groups of boys together…..then I remember how lots of my close friends feel every day!!  They ran everywhere and I’m sure none of them heard any of my requests but that was all part of their fun.  They all loved the tram ride and in particular putting their own ticket into the machine and squabbling for who could press the bell (I think they requested every stop).

Next challenge, what did they want to eat.  Eventually we settled on ice-cream and popcorn for all.  The movie, The Muppets, was a little slow to start for us adults but the kids didn’t seem to notice.  Charlie has been singing along to the songs these past few days.

Posing after the movie

The tram ride home was equally as boisterous and back home they all had fun on the trampoline and playing with water guns.  We had one tired but very happy Charlie that night, as he fell asleep during dinner!

K

Today we celebrated Charlie’s 5th birthday.  In my head it seems such a whirlwind since our beautiful boy came into the world but then I stop myself and think of all that’s happened in that time and look at the smart, energetic, caring and loving boy that we have now.  He was in fantastic form today and was lucky to get lots of wonderful presents, although Uncle Harry has a lot to answer for with the remote control tarantula.  I swear that thing will take years off my life!

Auntie Maz looked after everyone today as I had to work but we’re taking a couple of his closest buddies to the movies on Friday.  He’s very excited for that!

The birthday boy

Time for cake

What a mess

K

Charlie was excited to take part in the NAB kids at work holiday programme today.  It was run by Camp Australia and was fantastic.  They spent the morning doing art & craft and rehearsing for a little Christmas performance which they performed on stage for all the parents at lunchtime.

I then took him to lunch and we sat outside on the balcony on our level and Charlie counting the many cranes at work in Docklands. We then had a wander around in the sun.

The afternoon session involved more art & craft then an excursion to the park where they played cricket and other ball games. He had so much fun that as soon as we left he asked if he could come back next year.

He then visited my colleagues and happily helped himself to some snacks from the kitchen!!

K

Today was the last day of kinder for the year.  I have mixed feelings as most of Charlie’s buddies are going off to school next year with only him and 2 others continuing in 2012.  I guess we never really contemplated this scenario when he started 2 years ago, not appreciating the impact of being a year younger than his initial classmates.  We’ve had our fair share of issues as a result so I’m looking forward to a fresh start next year.

Here is Charlie as they gathered together to sing some Christmas songs

Later this afternoon we had a picnic at school with Ella, it was the preps last proper get together with their grade 5 buddies and Ella loved it.  She has been lucky with her buddy, Jess, who has really looked after her this year.

It was  also lovely to see the kids present the teachers with beautiful bouquets to thank them for the fantastic job that they do!!

K

On Sunday I took part in the Eureka Challenge along with my team from work. The challenge: 88 levels, 300 vertical metres, 1642 stairs…..and I did it in 15 mins 52 secs! It was certainly tough but very satisfying to complete and I definitely witnessed a few team members (you know who you are) saying they’d to do it again next year….

The challenge ahead

Race number on and ready to go….

Then I look up….this was daunting!

Team all set (with our boss’s son in the front, youngest competitor at 9 yrs and he completed it just under 16 mins)

Everyone survived!

K

Halloween is still not a big event here in Oz but this year there seemed to be more going on than usual.  Charlie’s kinder had a day of dress-up and a ‘gathering’ in the park afterwards.  The kids loved the halloween lollies and cakes….thanks to all the mums who did the baking!

The prep class reps at Ella’s school organised a treasure hunt on the oval.  I was amazed how well everyone gathered their loot and brought it back to the adults to share out.  We also went out ‘trick or treating’ in the evening.  Some parents from school had nominated their houses as having treats so we had a map to follow.  After 2 hours I had sore feet but the kids didn’t complain at all!

Ready to Go

Too many lollies

Lollies from the tram driver

Fun was had by all!

K