The Donaldsons in Oz » Uncategorized

Reality Check

Donaldson — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:30:27 +0000

Our little girl is all the way at the other side of the world. It was planned, she was excited and we were delighted she was getting this opportunity to have some one-on-one time with her grandparents, something she has often foregone as the eldest of 4. However, the reality has been a little different.

Talking to her on Skype we see a little girl firmly in control of those around her, through no fault of hers or theirs, refusing to do things and speaking to adults in a way she has not been raised to do. Then I realised telling her off through the camera has zero impact. Further thought reminds me she is only 6, away from her parents and although it’s ‘home’ for us it’s not for her. She’s being the best she can be and I’m happy when she tells me that she’s having fun.

She arrives back into Melbourne in the early hours of Saturday to 3 adoring siblings that have missed her a lot.

Donaldson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:19:27 +0000

Hard to believe its been close to two months since I updated my blog…..clearely I’ve been letting the side down!

I have some exciting news to report – Ella arrived safely in Scotland with her Auntie Mhairi to spend the Easter holidays with her grandparents. She has been so excited about her ‘big trip’ and I’m amazed that the secret was kept. As departure day drew closer I was nervous during our skype chats that someone would let the cat out of the bag but no – mum & dad got a huge surprise when they went to pick up Mhairi from the airport. Alan’s parents got an equally big surprise when they went to pick up a ‘parcel’ we’d given Mhairi for them and then were greeted by Ella at the door!

I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…..

The ‘surprise’:

Hanging Out with her Cousins – Elliot & Lennox

Lost Another Tooth in Scotland

Fun in the Park with Grandma & Grandad

I really wish I could be with them but its not to be for now. Charlie is missing his big sister and while Ruby & Poppy ask for her, they don’t have the same concept of time as to how long she is away. I’m delighted for her to spend time with the family but in the back of my mind my focus is April 14th when I get to give her a big hug again!

Family Camping

Donaldson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:48:18 +0000

We spent a fantastic few days and nights camping in Bright this past weekend. Ruby, Poppy & Charlie developed chicken pox on day 1 but we didn’t let it get in the way (although poor Pops was run down with it for an afternoon). Our campsite was alongside a river giving the kids endless entertainment from swimming, fishing, dam building and stone skimming. It was also the perfect place to cool off from the sun. Ella & Charlie loved having the freedom to ride their bikes around the site and visit the playground when they wanted…..something they can’t do in St Kilda due to traffic & trams!

In all there were 9 adults and 13 kids, brave you may think but for us it worked well. Everything we had forgotten was covered by someone else and vice versa. Between us we had a great set up!

My only complaint….the torrential rain we had to pack up in but I guess that makes for a hardy camper!!

A stop off on route

All the boys (minus Frankie)

Ruby taking a nap in Zach’s pram

This couldn’t have been comfortable but she did fall asleep….

Beer for the girls!

Friends together!

Charlie & Jake at the Skate Park

Ruby hitching a lift

Alan’s turn to cook

Breakfast

Our campsite

Navigating after dusk

Boys looking for Wally!

Fun in the river

Marshmallows by the campfire and an introduction to s’mores by our American friends

Hectic Weekend

Donaldson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:36:18 +0000

It seems that the silly season is definitely upon us and weekends are busy, busy, busy.

After school on Friday I took everyone to see the Christmas light show in Crown Casino….they were mesmerised. Ruby & Poppy danced along to the music, much to the amusement of those around us.

On Saturday we were delighted to attend Naomi’s Dedication. She is the youngest child of our friends George & Janice. The service was lovely with readings from both of her big brothers telling of their experiences since the family emigrated from Scotland to Australia six years ago. Here’s Naomi with Alan & I:

The kids spent most of the time vying for turns on the trampoline. Here is Charlie in action:

We then headed to Jill & Dave’s housewarming party. They recently moved to East Bentleigh so no longer a 10 minute stroll but a 30 minute drive to visit them. Lots of fun was had by all with the highlight for the kids being the bath!

They then snuggled down to watch a movie before we headed home.

Today Ruby & Poppy went to their first party without Ella & Charlie. They love George (little brother of Sascha who goes to kinder with Charlie) and had lots of fun.

This afternoon we decorated the tree which was delivered amidst yesterday’s busy schedule. Ella & Charlie put decorations on but it took Poppy a while to grasp that she couldn’t then take them off and move them around.

Everyone was exhausted tonight so it made bedtime a whole lot easier!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ruby & Poppy

Donaldson — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:42:57 +0000

Hard to believe 3 years have passed since our little bundles came into the world so abruptly….a whole 10 weeks premature. Without looking back at pictures, we struggle to remember just how tiny they were compared to the healthy little girls we have now:

On their birthday we had dinner with all the family and then they had a little party with their friends from Treehouse on the weekend. They were so excited to have their own friends there. Two very happy little girls! Here are a few pics:

Poppy

Ruby

School Holidays

Donaldson — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:46:12 +0000

With 1 more day to go of school holidays I thought I’d share some of the things we’ve been up to. During the first week I took Ella & Charlie to Monkey Mania play centre with Andrea and Danielle and their boys. We had planned a museum trip but given that I tore ligaments in my foot the previous week I needed somewhere I could sit and watch as the kids ran crazy! Ruby & Poppy were in childcare that day otherwise this would not have been possible. Later that afternoon we went to see Cars 2.

All set with their 3d glasses

Later that week we went to see The Gruffalo’s Child at the Arts Centre. Nicole, Eve & Ewan came too. I had a challenge on the way home when Ruby & Poppy both decided to fall asleep on the tram – always happens on days we try to venture without the pram.

All the gang waiting for the tram to come home – Eve, Ella, Ruby, Poppy, Charlie & Ewan

I guess the big event of the holidays was our ‘Christmas in July’ festivities. It definitely felt more ‘christmassy’ to me than a hot summer day and roast turkey with all the trimmings was delicious. We all had a great time (at least I’m hoping nobody thinks otherwise!!) collapsing into bed around 3 a.m. – unheard of in my world!

Ella & Charlie watching a pre-dinner movie (note Ella’s beautiful dress)

And that beautiful dress had been replaced by the comfort of pyjamas before dinner!

Christmas Dinner – yum!

Claire & Ella

Needless to say a pyjama day followed – here are Ruby & Poppy taking an afternoon nap in our bed.

Olivia & Sophie came for a sleepover this week. Ella and Charlie were so excited for them to sleep on their trundle beds. It was a busy(ier???) house that night.

Everyone ready for bed – Charlie, Ella, Sophie, Ruby, Poppy & Olivia

Doing a spot of painting

Sophie & Poppy

Ruby’s best camera smile

As if that wasn’t enough we’ve had lots of birthday parties, Christine has taken them swimming, to the play centre plus lots of playdates with their friends so its been pretty non-stop. It all caught up with Charlie this afternoon while he was watching a movie.

Back to school on Monday…..

End of Term 2

Donaldson — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 21:10:37 +0000

Hard to believe term 2 has finished already and Ella is half way through prep already. At school they had a few activities to celebrate the end of term:

The first was ‘crazy hair day’ where everyone was encouraged to make their hair as crazy as possible and give a gold coin donation to raise money for charity. Ella was very particular about how she wanted her hair:

On the last day of term the preps had to dress up as a character from Letterland – Ella chose to be ‘Talking Tess’ which is quite appropriate! She was reluctant to have her picture taken. They finished an hour early on Friday and had an end of term party in the playground. Ella had great fun eating cupcakes and running around with all her friends.

Charlie is looking forward to kinder holidays too although he was worried he wouldn’t see his friends so we’ve arranged a few playdates.

Here’s hoping for happy holidays!

Impeccable Timing

Donaldson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:34:32 +0000

As a parent, how often do you marvel at the impeccable timing of children? On Saturday night Alan was out and I had a thumping headache so I decided to have an early night. I put my head on the pillow at 10 (ok that’s early for me) and at that moment heard a thud on the floor in the kids room. I found Ella had fallen out of bed but worse there was an overwhelming smell of vomit. Poor Ruby was sound asleep covered in it.
Once I cleaned her up she was unsettled for a few hours and had disturbed sleep through the night. As I lay with her beside me I could hear Ella shouting out in her sleep, obviously disturbed from her earlier fall. Eventually I drifted off to sleep, all the time aware of Ruby by my side.

I glanced at the clock periodically as Ruby woke with a sore tummy, each time thinking how close it was to morning and how my body craved hours more sleep. Alan came home around 2 and wanted to have a ‘chat’ about why Ruby was in our bed, a ‘chat’ I pointed out we could have in the morning. And so the night went on. When Charlie wandered through to me at 5 having wet his bed, all I could do was throw back the covers and let him snuggle into an already busy bed telling myself I would deal with it all in an hour when the other kids woke up.

I was so thankful for that hour as I ushered them all downstairs so as not to disturb a hungover Daddy and sleeping grandparents. We all cuddled up on the sofa to watch the Gruffalo until Grandad appeared at 7:30. Then the mayhem of breakfast in the Donaldson house took over and at the same time dealing with all the laundry generated from the night’s upsets. Timing, or lack of it, is obviously a child’s prerogative!

Happy 4th Birthday Jake!

Donaldson — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:47:48 +0000

I’m 1 day late with my post to wish Charlie’s best buddy Jake a very happy 4th Birthday. We joined in the celebrations on Sunday and Charlie was very impressed with his ride in the fire truck, although I couldn’t convince him to put on the gear. Here are some pictures:

Jake, Cameron & Charlie in the Fire Truck

And the Girls Turn

And Alan….not to be left out!!

Happy Birthday Jake!!

Aidan, Ruby & Poppy having a dance together

Happy 4th Birthday Charlie

Donaldson — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:18:29 +0000

Our ‘little’ boy turned 4 today and due to his excitement the day started at 5:30 when he came wandering through to our bedroom. He was delighted with his new bike and Alan took him out on it before Ella, Ruby & Poppy woke up.

Here he is in action – still a bit dark at such an early hour of the morning!!

Fun with his Bucket of Soldiers

And firing at them with his water pistol

He spent the morning playing on the beach at Sandbar with his kinder class and in the afternoon met more friends in Cowderoy Park. When I came home from work he was delighted to show off some of the presents he’d collected along the way. Danielle came over with Jake & Cameron for dinner and of course birthday cake!

Trying to escape mummy cuddles

With his best buddy Jake

I’m proud of the pirate ship cake!

Happy Birthday Charlie!!

Time for Cake

More presents

Fun with Uncle Dave

Concentrating on his helicopter

And right before bed is a good time to become a ‘racing driver’!!

With Aunties & Uncles and Blanche & Tim visiting too it was a late night for everyone……maybe they’ll sleep in tomorrow or is that just wishful thinking?????????