TIME IS FLYING

My kids asked me just yesterday if I was still blogging because it seems like forever that I posted anything.  Life is passing by so quickly and I don't seem to have any spare time.  I know that in life we make time for things that are important to us.  So, I decided today was the day that I would add a post.

March came and went.  Here we are at the end of April.  With that in mind, I will quickly highlight what we have been up to this month.

The girls finished up Term 1 and started school holidays.  We had planned to take the kids down to Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach again for a week of the two week break.  Hyams is one of our favorite beaches in Australia.  It has the whitest sand in the world and is a really relaxed setting.  It is one of the places where distractions fall to the wayside and we are able to just be together.  We eat simple delicious dinners, play games together and just disconnect from outside influences.  It brings out the best in us.

No vacation is complete without gelato!

Bubbles are great entertainment!

There was a storm one night and it carved out a HUGE slice of the beach!  Water is so POWERFUL!

When we returned from the beach, we celebrated Claire's 17th birthday.  She wanted to see Eddie the Eagle in the new theatres that have lazy-boy recliners.  Watching a movie as you are reclined is a real joy!  It might be difficult to adjust back to a regular theatre.  We love this girl and are in complete shock that she is almost ready to leave the nest!

We might love CONVERSE tennis shoes!

We went out to the Blue Mountains to see the autumn leaves.  Traffic was terrible so we pulled over for a picnic and bush walk.  It turned out to be a fun filled day with stunning vistas, fresh apple pies and hillbilly cider.

 

No school holidays is complete without a trip to The Vogue Cafe for a yummy milkshake!  

One day we decided to try the TREE TOP ADVENTURE PARK!  It was amazing to be climbing through the trees and testing every muscle in our bodies.  I think my favorites were the flying foxes however, any activity with this gang is a GOOD TIME!  

Grace and Jane also took a cupcake class at a darling little cupcake bakery.  They had a great time making cupcakes and I had a great time EATING THEM!

HOT AIR

Two weeks ago, a friend sent me a message on a Thursday afternoon letting me know that in the nation's capital of Australia, Canberra, there was going to be a hot air balloon festival happening during the weekend.  Tom happens to have a real soft spot in his heart for hot air balloons.  Combining Tom's love of balloons and the spontaneous feeling we were having, we decided that night that we would pull the kids early from school the following day and head to Canberra for a quick visit - (3 hours from Sydney).

Midday Friday we jumped in the car and we were off.  Next stop - the Blu Ginger Restaurant Canberra (favorite Indian food restaurant).  We had a lovely 36 hours in Canberra.  We watched the balloons prepare for take-off even though they could NOT lift off due to the high winds, we ate some tasty cuisine, shopped a little, visited a beautiful young lady that is a family friend attending university at ANU and took a Segway tour around the lake.  All of the girls have been wanting to take a Segway tour and this was our chance.  We were given a quick safety course on riding a Segway safely.  I was feeling nervous prior to jumping on one.  However, we are converted; it was so FUN! Jane has added it to her Christmas Wish List.  My girls really know how to dream big.  :)

Canberra was very delightful!  We have decided that experiencing life on the "spur of the moment" can be really enjoyable.

UP, UP AND AWAY

THIS FLAME IS SO HOT!

A MUMMA WHALE AND HER BABY!

READY FOR BREKIE AND A SPOT TO WARM UP!

WE ARE ALL NUTCASES - READY FOR SEGWAY LIFE!