NO WHALES YET...

The whales return each winter and we hope to make it back this calving season but, this little holiday was all about sharing a work trip with Dada. Despite having to work, he was 'home' nice and early each day minus tales of traffic congestion and crazy drivers, though the views did distract him at times, which must have been just horrible! :)

Enjoying Logans Beach also known as the Southern Right Whale nursery

A visit to the Whale Nursery left us wondering how a whale can tell if her waters have broken? Ha!

At our own holiday 'nursery' enjoying a different kind of water!

Fun at Lake Pertobe

EXTRA LONG

It already seems like so long ago but how can that be when the weekend only really finished on Wednesday? What a treat having Labour Day tacked on to the end of the Easter long weekend! We had a great weekend with family, eating, cooking, celebrating all things Easter and for me, sewing.

Felt Easter Bilbys for a niece and nephew

Plenty of egg dying

My first ever Tsoureki (first one I've made that is, I've eaten plenty!)

And new winter pyjama pants for the kids (this has become and Easter tradition in our house...does three years consitute "a tradition"?)

She was very impressed with her first ever "big girl pony-tail"

And a new 'Lazy Days Skirt' for Elsa - a long one this time, at her request



PENGUINS AND PLAY

Last week, we had a wonderful few days on Phillip Island with family (one brother and familia, one brother-in-law and kids, minus my sister who couldn't make it). The highlights?



Watching all the kids enjoy immensely  the time together cousins and siblings alike; giggling,  intense concentration over a board game (many played), happy squealing and screaming as they darted through the kitchen on the chase (or being chased), quiet time with drawing pencils in hand or sharing a story book, the self-discipling (some may call it 'bossing' or 'directing'!), splashing in the outdoor spa (so much fun!), walks on the beach, wrestling, cuddles...ALL the play. They certainly  "played hard" as my brother put it.



Humouring their little cousin/sibling...yeah sure Raf, you can play....for a second...

Sharing time with the adults; evenings of laughing til our sides hurt, remembering aspects of our own childhood, reflecting on the day and enjoying 'adult sweets' (because clearly, the kid's had had enough during the day - well, that's what we told ourselves though, actually it was probably true).

Spending some time 'alone' in the kitchen (minus little helpers!); preparing food for all the kids including baking chocolate apple cake (yum), chocolate chip cookes and scones and cooking pizza and lamb on the bbq and making lots of jelly (oh, they're poor teeth) (better still, watching all the kids and adults devour and enjoy all the food!).

Knitting uninterupted for lengthy spells; Dino's vest is now oh so close to completion and the kid's Easter bunnies are knit and ready to be sewn up - woohooo! Sorry, no photographic evidence yet.

Taking in the lovely views; visiting 'The Nobbies' and seeing Dino inspired to take up the camera again and go for a little hike.

Hearing all about the 'penguin parade' from the 'big' kids; we chose not to visit the penguins as they were due to arrive on the beach at about the same time as our kid's were due to arrive in bed for a much needed sleep! (another time) but, it was great to hear all about the adventure from their cousins and uncles and aunt...it sounds amazing!

Planning our next get away; with even more of our sibling group and their families and hopefully before Christmas, when we're all ten of us (and partners, children) are together but have hardly a moment to breathe!