Meet Stuart Little.....

Image borrowed from here

We began the process to become a Foster Family in early 2013. Before we were fully accredited we were asked to consider taking on a little 2yo Boy that would be with us until the age of 18. This was a huge decision as we were only just finishing up training and thought that we would start off with Short Term placements, as is the normal introduction to Fostering. We knew though that our plans  were to eventually do Long Term care and decided that we would just take the leap!

In August 2013 we met the most gorgeous blue eyed, blonde haired, glasses wearing, pocket rocket of a little boy. After a process of getting to know him and he our family, he came to live with us in September 2013 and has since been lovingly dubbed a mini George Little from the Stuart Little movie. And so for the purpose of my blog I will refer to my little man as SL = Stuart Little.

Mumma loves you baby boy, we are so blessed to have you as a part of our family xox

Flashback Friday ~ Birthday Sunset 01/05/2013

On my Birthday just gone, Woodi was on afternoon shift, I was in the kitchen cooking and waiting for my Mum, Brother Franky, SIL J and Nephew Lil D to come join the girls and I for a Birthday dinner.... Boo thought she heard a car and asked to go look. "Mum!!! You're gonna want to see this.... Bring a Camera!", well naturally I ran outside before hearing the camera comment thinking something was wrong. Instead I was blessed with this beautiful sunset, ran back inside to grab the camera and call Moo and Loo out to see it too.

It was a beautiful Birthday gift, as was having my family over for dinner to share my special day :)

Wordless Wednesday (Kinda) ~ Backyard Boganism

A few weeks ago the cold was just starting to kick in, we were supposed to be away camping but our plans fell through..... so I decided not to waste the opportunity....

Marshmallows, sparklers and fun were had by all.... except the chickens and dog :)

Linking up today with Trish at My Little Drummer Boys

Family Camping trip for Easter

For Easter we organised a camping trip with our family on my husbands side. We picked out a little place that is located 3.5 - 4 hours travel for our family in QLD and roughly 6 hours for us. Unfortunately my MIL and FIL had to work and my BIL and his partner couldn't make it either, but we had my two Sister-In-Law and families join us.

We chose our camping spot from a camping website and had never been there before. We were a little concerned that we would get there and everyone would be disappointed, but we needn't have worried because it was a magical little spot. We were off the beaten track with beautiful bush scenery, right on the beachside!

The cousins all had fun with fishing, body boarding, bush walks, shell and creature collecting, totem tennis, collecting fire wood and roasting marshmallows. The adults relaxed amongst the beautiful scenery, did some adventuring and enjoyed watching the kids and taking photos of the amazing surrounds.

He are some of the photos taken by both my SIL's and my eldest nephew.....









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My 30th at Old Texas Ranch

For my 30th B'day a group of my family and friends hopped on a coach and headed to the Old Texas Ranch for an evening of fun!

I had a fantastic evening celebrating turning 30. I was the 1st (of many in our party) to ride the mechanical bull, I was pulled up on stage to dance to the YMCA and ended up singing a song with the band :) We played games and danced all night, it was a wonderful way to celebrate surrounded by the special people In my life.

Last Day of school celebrations ~ memories in the making

A couple of Christmases ago when our Family Christmas traditions had all changed and my little family was threatened with not getting to experience them, an online reader suggested that we start making our own. She listed some of the little traditions that make Christmas and other times of the year special for her family. Inspired I went searching online for "Family Tradition Ideas", and came away with a list of ideas that I wanted to implement for my little Family.

One of these ideas was on the last day of school each year to have a water fight when the kids get home from school. Yesterday was our first time to implement it, and we were so excited to surprise the kidlets!

Woodi and I bought 5 water pistols, filled them up and had a bucket of ammunition - water for refills - at the ready.

We filled another bucket with water bombs, all ready to go...

When Woodi brought the girls home he told them to put their school bags down, and go straight out the back "Mumma needs your help with something!". I of course was hiding James Bond style and took sneaky shots at them, screaming "Happy Last Day of School!" :o) They were shocked and surprised and quickly cottoned on to what was in store for them!

MissC from next door popped her head over the fence to see what all the commotion was and we invited her to join in. Many Pistol refills and two buckets of water bombs later, we were all wet and filled with laughter and smiles, and the back yard looked like it had been scattered with confetti!

We had soo much fun that we forgot the time and ended up running late to a party! This is definitely a tradition that will continue in our home and will be fun for all the ages, Woodi is even talking about having super soakers next year!! I can't believe that a whole year of schooling has come and gone!

Happy end of Kindy Moo and Boo, Mumma loves you lots and lots xoxo

What fun traditions do your family have???

Woodi's Work Xmas Party :o)

We are part of Woodi's work social group and the main event of the year is the Social Christmas Party. This year was held at Dizzyland. The kids eyes lit up as soon as we pulled into the carpark and then the squeals of delight and excitement started!!

I however, whilst loving the kids excitement and enthusiasm, was a little less thrilled at the sight of all the really old rides that looked like they had been removed from the carnival scene for being too old..... a century or two ago! The carny staff also looked less than friendly and enthusiastic!

Despite my hesitations though, the day was wonderful and the kids had a blast! They loved the rides and went on all of them (that were running) at least two or three times through out the day. My favourite being when our little family all boarded the dodgem cars with the girls at the steering wheel.... there was heaps of crashing and laughter :o)

It's great catching up each year with the wives and families from Woodi's workplace, and sharing such a special day together. The kids get Lollybags, and we all get a BBQ lunch, drinks, ice-creams, tokens for the clowns and carnival games. After lunch there was a dance party that was followed by the arrival of Santa with a sleigh of presents.

Loo received an electric guitar with a microphone headset for singing, the box was so big that Boo got up and helped her carry it back to Mum and Dad :o)

Boo had a little chat with Santa, got to ring his Bell and received a Zhu Zhu Pet named Bamboo with an Ice Cream Truck for it to drive.

Moo got cuddles with Santa and got to ring his bell too! Moo received a Zhu Zhu Puppy with a Chinese Take-away cart for it to pull!

The girls loved their presents and it was a great day had by all!!

We had a blast...

Our trip to the Gold Coast with our Neighbours was fantastic! We had a slow start, Woodi, the kids and I are quite used to the trek to the Gold Coast and usually achieve the trip in 8hrs.... This time however the trip was a bit longer taking 11.5 hours, which I guess is to be expected traveling with a family that also have 3 kids that aren't used to the trek. I'm proud to say that Loo made the (extended) trip nappy and accident free, I was stressing for no reason :)

It was great catching up with our Gold Coast Family and the kids are always so excited to see each other and to get big hugs and kisses off Nanna, Poppy and their Aunties and Uncles. As always we sat up for hours chatting, catching up and having a good laugh.

The next day we went & joined our neighbours and spent the day at Seaworld, despite the disappointment of half the park being closed for maintenance we had a great day! The kids paired up, stuck together and behaved so well. The shows were fun and interesting as always, the weather fantastic and the company even better.

Our next day was a day of relaxation spent around the pool at the neighbours holiday complex, the weather was beautiful and the pool was heated! Friends, drinks, swimming, BBQ, fun and sunshine, you couldn't ask for a better day!!

For our 3rd day we once again joined our neighbours and went to Movie World. It was another a fabulous day with so much more for the kids to do and they had an absolute ball!! I was so proud of all six girls, they paired up again and were beautifully behaved. It was so much fun watching their faces on the rides and during the many shows and performances.

We spent the rest of the week catching up with our Qld family and getting to know it's newest member - our little nephew Lachy :)