Easter Camping with friends

This Easter long weekend we went away with friends camping. My good friend B who has an awesome blog found an awesome spot that we will now name: our secret camping spot. We loved it so much and it is so quiet that for now we have decided to not reveal it's whereabouts....selfish I know ;-) us campers can be a little possessive.

Being Easter we had easter egg hunts and consumed way too much chocolate. The kids loved exploring the massive camp ground.

Some of the things the children did:

• went for walks explring the massive camp ground
• tackled
• played board games
• easter art and craft
• paddled in the creek, rock jumping, looking at tadpoles and making a dam wall
• toated masmallows on the fire
• played spot light running around with torches and glow sticks
• exploring the remains of a very old house and rebuilding the bed in one of the rooms

Some of the things the adults got up to:

• 4wding
• collecting firewood and making the fire
• talking
• eating
• drinking
• reading

Perfect weekend in a beautiful spot with lovely company....cant wait to go back again!

Date Ideas :Number 2

Camping!

We have done the resort holidays and the little cabin in the rainforest and the 5 star hotel in the city. As we often camp with the family but wandered what it would be like to camp just the 2 of us.

It was FUN!

We went to Kingscliffe .
From the moment we dropped the kids off to grandma(love my Mum) we relaxed and decided to have FUN. We even laughed and enjoyed the setting up.

Keeping things very basic we only bought along the absolute necessities. The beauty of Kingscliffe is that the shops, cafes, take aways and surf life saving club are all right there within 5 to 10 minutes walk. We ate out or bought food back to our beach front site for every meal including breakfast! An absolute BREAK for both of us not having to prepare, cook or clean up all weekend.

Going for swims without children is also a treat! Just the freedom of being able to swim right out and not holding on to anyone or supervising kids, was bliss.

We came back from our date camping weekend, refreshed and rejuvinated ready to give our all to our 3 beautiful children.

By looking after us and our marriage we are giving our chilren a gift..... I believe.

***Looking for a babysitter??? Comment here and I can provide you with details of a caring, experienced, qualified and affordable "adopt a grandma" : )

Date Day Ideas Number 1

Those that know my hubby and I know that in the 10 years we have been married that "dates" have always been very important to us. Now with 3 children aged 9, 7 and 2 they take on even a new meaning again!

We decided this year to start a "list", its not a "bucket" list but a "date" list of things we would like to do together when given the chance for some child free time, so as we go through our list I thought I would share and maybe inspire other couples, especially "mummies and daddies" to do the same

Date Day Idea Number 1:
Day Trip to Tamborine Mountain

Started the Day with an early lunch at  cedar creek estate restaurant. We both ordered the special of the day and had a 2 course meal and a glass of wine each all for $72. We were both very happy with the food and the service. The setting is gorgeous, beautiful garden surrounds, overlooking a lake with a fountain and ducks. There are several options of indoor or outdoor seating.

We then wandered over to the Queensland Wine Centre which is on the same property and stocks wine from local wineries including the granite belt, some of which are available for tasting. We had wonderful service and had lovely conversation with the one of the workers, who even opened a couple of "special" bottles that aren't normally available for tasting just for us.

With tummies full of good food and wine, we decided to go for a walk. We headed to Gallery Walk to browse the many shops. We found a celar door that we had been meaning to go to when in the Granite Belt heritage estate . We had very personalised service here and tasted some lovely wines.

For afternoon tea we went to one of the very many coffee shops to choose from ( sorry I Cant remember the name) BUT we had a lovely coffee with a very yummy homemade caramel slice that was BIG enough to share.

All that seem to much for one day??? Yes well we were tired and very stressed from all that eating, drinking and walking so off to Getaway day spa for a couples massage. The massage was in a candle lit room with gorgeous ambience and relaxing music. We both enjoyed our massages and can't wait for our next one.

Feeling very relaxed and content with our date day we drove down the mountain to our child free home for an easy night eating dinner in front of a movie, having a spa bath and YES another glass or two of wine !

***Looking for a babysitter??? Comment here and I can provide you with details of an affordable "adopt a grandma" : )

My baby girls first day of "classes"

This term we have organised 'lessons in the park' with other homeschoolers.
A few of us had been looking for a toddler dance program for a while when we came across  dance along .

C(dd 2) had a ball! She was following directions to stretch, shake her belly with bells on, reach for the sky, stomp in a circle amongst many other fun moves. She interacted well with the teacher and smiled her way through the class.

C was delighted with her sticker when the class finished and sat down next to the teacher keeping her company while she packed up her things.

She proceeded to her second and last class for the day, Spanish lessons ( i forgot to take a photo but I will!)
She sat on the mat, quite happy to be like the big kids and was ready to learn.
She came back counting to 4 and saying 'bread' in spanish.

We all had such a lovely day catching up with the other families and C was quite happy to be included in all the action.