The Mind Won't Rest

These photos were taken at Ringwood Lake this month. We have had a pretty good holidays over all. Lots of play dates with friends and some social outings for me. :)

We are ALL looking forward to school starting next week though!

What the??? ... love the look on his face here.





I can't believe these shots taken of my kids with Kerryn's kids... where has the time gone??
the then photos were 2005 and the now was this year.

THEN



NOW



THEN


NOW




Today we headed to the Botanic Gardens here in Melbourne and had a great day... was slightly warm, but still not too bad, the kids had a ball playing the ipod application that Gareth loaded... they had to look for things and do puzzles and it took photos and superimposed images over them... Sian has fairies that we "found" in the park and Brad has a dragon that was a little further on!! Was fun for them and fun for us watching them have fun.... have to have a good imagination and play along. (www.hiddenpark.com.au) for anyone that is interested.

I took loads of photos... alot of the flora.... I love my nature photography.

Us at the gates... I really hate photos of me and was happy to take one of the other 3... but some kind gentleman offered to take a shot of us all and I thought it might be rude to say no (haha)



















Having a play in the Children's Garden , Brilliant area for the kids









Now are all my nature/flower photos... this is probably my favourite type of photography :)

This tree reminds me of a hand with the fingers outstretched

Get Your Game On!!!

Over at Bon's Scraps while the boss is in WA, the Design Team are running a competition.

there will be chances to gain points through numerous activities during the time bon is away....
* put up your post tally at the start of the comp - you will receive 5 points for every 100 posts you make
* every Bon's Challenge layout you create during Game On will receive 5 points
* you will receive 1 point for participation when joining games, challenges etc, winners will receive 5 points

They will be having scrap n chat nights, bingo, blog-hopping, photography & random challenges - all sorts!!! so make sure you drop into the forum and REGISTER for it!!!

Guaranteed to be loads of fun :D

Well looks like life may take another turn for us.... work "may" be moving into the city from where they are at Richmond.... this is going to make a difference for me because most of my shifts are late shifts. I will drive to Richmond this is fine.... not so sure about driving into the city. Scares me silly and not really something I want to do. But we will see how it goes and if it goes ahead. I don't like catching public transport at 9pm at night... especially when it means changing from tram to train and taking about 1 1/2 to get home :(



See what the furture brings I guess. Not stressed at this stage.... just might be something else that doesn't go to plan this year.



Other than that life is good. I am getting out and about with the kids and on occasion without them. We are having fun and thats the main thing. I need to get onto labelling the kids clothes this week ready for the return of school... feeling a little wierd now that it's so close to Sian starting!!



Sian has her hearing test this week and I am not sure how she will go as she has had a runny nose and that usually means her ears are not going to play the game either.


I did Sandie's free class at Bon's scraps and loved it. It's free all you have to do is register to the forum and you will have access.




I haven't done any more yet... but I am hoping to. The Scrappy Hollow Retreat is just around the corner and I can't wait to get there and try and get some mojo back.

I took some photos of the cats the other day .... I was really pleased how the ones of Smokey turned out :)

Well my first week off went well apart from me getting a little burnt at the park and feeling very unwell for a few hours. Silly me!!

We went to the park early on Monday. Tuesday we spent chilling at home, and with the heat I think we all needed it. Wednesday we caught up with Kerryn, Dave and Bec at the little park. The kids had a ball. Thursday we went to the train park with Kerryn, Dave and Bec. We were there for a couple hours and I thought I was sitting in the shade..obviously not as this is where I got burnt. Friday was a nice relaxing day at home before heading to work for a 4.30pm start and a 4.5hour shift. I really enjoyed getting out of the house kid free. The kids are getting to the point that they are starting to get niggly with each other. I am hoping it doesn't get worse as we still have 2 weeks to go!!

I scrapped!! Yay something I haven't done in ages. I really would like to try and get back into it more. I really got slack last year... and what a better way than to join in at

BON'S JANUARY CYBERCROP - JANUARY 19TH
lots of challenges, bingo and prizes to go with it.
You have a week to submit your entries
A great bunch of girls and a very inspiring DT to challenge us all.

why not come join in too :D

SO wow it's now 5 days into the New Year.... Going to be a better year this year :)

Christmas went well and we all had a ball with my family in SA. The kids got on really well as did the adults. I felt alot calmer than I had in a long time... apart from 1 HUGE meltdown ... but that passed.

I caught up with some old friends which was so much fun I have missed my friend Kel so much, we were inseperable as teens. But hadn't caught up for a few years. I also caught up with my ex mother in law and had a laugh and a cry with her. She lost her husband (my ex FIL) back in Septemeber and I had a tough time deciding wether going to the funeral. I didn't go, but she showed me the photo board they displayed and I was touched that she insisted that a photo with me in it be on the board. I also read the Eulogy and order of service (can't think what else to call it) I thought the end quote was very appropriate. "Let me go, but never forget me"

We saw the New Year in with friends and it was a good night, despite me not getting there until 1030 (thanks to Kezz for picking up from the station after work)

The 3 day weekend flew by, giving me little hope that this year might slow down a little.

This afternoon Gareth and I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to have a month off of work. We are stuck with child care issues. We thought we would be ok, but his work now have indicated that the project they are on is critical and he will have to put in longer hours until it is handed over. There is just no way I can drop the kids on friends at such short notice and so often. They probably wouldn't mind, but with me being on late shifts they would likely be there at tea time. Not fair on the kids either. Being casual and being that our family comes first so be it. I am actually not looking forward to having that much time off. But I am sure it will all work out for the best.

Now time for photos ....

Brad singing at his concert



Sian in the audience



Sian at her concert



Sian with the kinder teachers from the last 2 years



Brad and Sian with their kinder teachers spanning the 4 years








THE HAT

This is Duane's hat that got passed around so I needed to get a photo with everyone wearing it. I missed out on Troy, Dot, Aaron and Jake though as they didn't arrive until Christmas Day





















Duane and Sereah's Gorgeous Puppy



My little poser