The Donaldsons in Oz

Our Babies are All Grown Up

Donaldson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:53:15 +0000

Yesterday was one of those days when I stopped and looked at our family unit and realised how quickly the kids are growing up. Ruby and Poppy started 3 year old kindergarten and went off happily without even batting an eyelid. Two confident little girls, comfortable in the surroundings of a kindergarten that they have visited many many times in their 3 years with Ella and Charlie. Charlie was with me when I dropped them off and proudly showed them around, made sure they put on their sun hats cheerily repeating “No Hat, No Play, No Fun Today”. He can be a loving big brother when he wants to be!

Ready to Go

On the Way

Happy Girls

A Weekend in Port Campbell

Donaldson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:13:31 +0000

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?

Birthday Celebrations

Donaldson — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:54:01 +0000

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!

Happy 5th Birthday Charlie

Donaldson — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:23:44 +0000

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

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

Charlie’s Adventure

Donaldson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:54:16 +0000

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!!

An Emotional Day

Donaldson — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:33:27 +0000

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!!

Early Christmas Celebrations

Donaldson — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:22:13 +0000

I can’t explain why but it’s taken a long time for me to start feeling christmassy this year. I will forever lay part of the problem to being in the wrong hemisphere….wrong temperature, light outside and most importantly lack of family to celebrate with. Still with the kids excitement mounting the feeling at home is fun!

Here are the kids having a Christmas picnic with Olivia & Sophie

Last night we had the annual Cowderoy locals Xmas party, great turn out and lovely to meet neighbours we otherwise never see. The kids had a ball.

Today saw the last day of kinder for the year (which will have its own post) so tomorrow Charlie is coming to work with me to take part in the NAB kids at work holiday programme. Fingers crossed he goes happily!

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!

I Conquered Eureka!!

Donaldson — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:41:25 +0000

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!