The Ozone

Going to the pub with the family while on summer holidays was a tradition and a classy one at that when it was a the Ozone.  A red lemonade or lemon squash was my regular order as a kid.  Dad would also buy a packet of chips for us all to share.  We would close our eyes as he approached the table with the packet so we could do a taste test and guess the flavour. 

Walking past the Ozone last weekend it wasn't a surprise to see the business offices and apartments that now exist inside this grand old building, but it was a little bit sad. 

Early morning puzzle

Holiday treats

Caravan fun

Outdoor Fun

When we arrived at the caravan park, the kids and I left Leigh with his parents to put up the annex.  We explored the park and found the indoor heated pool and water play area, the big playground with jumping pillow and the cinema room showing movies twice a day.  Since it started to rain we decided it was a good time to sit back and watch 'How to train a dragon'.  Great way to start a holiday. When it finished we walked back to our site and the van was ready for us!

The park hired out go-karts which Jack loved!  Lachlan was keen every morning to escape the caravan and go riding on his bike.  Leigh and I enjoyed trips into town for coffee and cake.  

The great thing about caravan holidays is that the kids are outside all day exhausting themselves so they sleep really well each night!  It was great to see them enjoy themselves so much too!

Caravan neighbours

How small is this caravan?  It's tiny!  And you should have seen the massive four wheel drive that towed it!  Ridiculous! Apparently this thing is classified as vintage and is very much sort after???  I heard from the neighbours two sites up from this one that it had a little kitchen and a seat with a table in it that turned into a bed.  Seriously I have seen trailers bigger than this!

This row of caravans was opposite us and as it turns out they all know each other and live in the suburb next to us!  I'll probably see them up at the shops!

Anyway, neighbours in caravan parks are funny.  All you have is a bit of tin and material between you so you do get to know each other quiet well.  We had drinks one night with the family next to us.  They had four kids, the last two were 3 month old twins, so I was very impressed!   As you wonder around the park, everyone likes to check out everyone else's accommodation.  The family across the road from the tiny one had a huge state-of-the-art fancy-pants caravan.  Probably the first outing it had, as the whole family set up their deck chairs facing the caravan (so they could admire it?) rather than looking out at the scenery like everyone else.

  

Caravans

It's been a bit quiet on the blog as we have been away.  Here's our accommodation!  I've got caravans in my blood, so I'm very glad to be able to share the experience with my boys. Both the boys slept surprisingly well in the annex and the days were filled with lots of outdoor activity.  You'll see what over the next couple of posts (I have to get my quoter in before the end of the month!).

Just a little bit of privacy...please?

This is the door to our ensuite.  Enough said!

My project

Our TV has been sitting on one of those Expedit units from Ikea since we moved in last year. It was never supposed to be a permanent thing, besides I have plans for the Expedit in the rumpus room.  I've patiently waited on ebay to find a TV unit that met my requirements.  It had to be made of wood, low and long, no glass doors, hide away storage, enough room for the DVD player etc., and my ebay rule is that I wont spend over $100.  So have a look at the bargain I found!  Leigh only had to travel to the next suburb to pick it up and it was practically a steal at $40 !!!  So with a new handle and a lick of white paint, my TV unit will look great!  I'll take a photo of the finished product when I'm done.

Camping on the stairs

He is so excited about going camping tomorrow that he is roughing it early by sleeping on the stairs in his sleeping bag!

Story time and the MSO

The Ivanhoe Library's story time was brought to life with a double bass quartet from the MSO today. I was keen to take the boys when I heard about it as I thought it was an opportunity to give them some 'culture'.  Jack was impressed with the 'big volins' and a little bit afraid of them too.  Lachlan seemed to take it all in as well. And with a constant stream of food, the boys stayed quiet and within arms reach for the whole performance. 

After story time was finished, the kids were invited to have a closer look at the instruments.  Jack was very hesitant, but I was insistent that we get a picture of him and Goldie for the Kinder book.  So here we have Goldie having a go at playing the double bass.  I think this picture will be perfect for Goldie's book!

Mum had brought Nana-Bet to story time and afterwards we ended up at Mum and Dad's for a cuppa.  Jack played with Nana-Bet's walking stick, even getting Nana (my Mum) to stand up while he pretended to play her like a double bass using the walking stick as his bow!  The morning must have made a good impression on him!  

'Baby B' Baby Shower

Yesterday was a dear friends baby shower.  Her journey to pregnancy was similar to mine so it was with so much joy to celebrate with her.  

It was the kind of baby shower you see photos of on pinterest.  It was beautiful and creative.  Food delicious and beautifully presented. Tables covered in beautiful cloths, drinks and food served on vintage styled platters, bottles and glasses.  There was mousse in cute little bottles, quiche on cake stands, slices on platters, punch in decanters.  Several styles of tea to drink in pretty china cups and bubbly in gorgeous champagne glasses!  Everything was colour coordinated down to the take home party bags!  Guests were invited to treat themselves by making their own foot soak to take home and fabric earrings at the craft table!  A very lovely girly day!

A night at the theatre

Front row tickets!  That's what you get when your Mum works with one of the actors!!  

I left Leigh at home with the kids tonight and went out with my parents to an amateur theatre production.  I have to say I very much enjoyed the sherry beforehand and the light supper of chicken, salad and dips afterwards.  The play was enjoyable too, very funny in fact!  Good value for $25 a ticket!

The evening brought back memories of school productions.  My friend who now lives further away than whoop-whoop, (you know the one with the fiancé), she and I were in the high school production together in year 12.  We only had one scene, but we thought we owned that play!  Good memories!

Goldie at our place

Goldie the bear arrived at our place yesterday.  Jack is the first kid in his kinder class to have Goldie come home for a visit.  We have to document his stay with us, print out some photos and add it to Goldie's book.  I'm itching to get him some new clothes, I wonder if he's up for a shopping trip tomorrow?

They will thank me (Part III)

Jack vacuumed his own bedroom today!  And he actually did a good job!  Yes, his future wife will be thanking me!!! 

See here for "They will thank me" Part I and Part II

Building blocks with friends

King Jack

A crown made out of play dough. If you look closely you will see the jewels he made for his crown!

He made a crown for me, as I am a princess.  Leigh took a photo of both of us, but I didn't look any good as I was trying too hard to keep my crown on my head.  Jack said I had to wear it like a rainbow on my head. As opposed to a circle on his head, if you get the idea?

Of course nobody is going to tell the king he as play dough on his nose...

Wedding flowers

This afternoon we met the florist for Alice and Yannick's wedding.  Her name, aptly, is Rose.  These flowers were her gift to Alice!  I can't give away any details about what the wedding flowers will look like, I've been sworn to secrecy, so you'll just have to wait for the big day! 

We also firmed up plans for the Ladies High Tea (that is NOT a Hens party).  Fiona and I need to send out some invites this week, if possible, and then work out some sophisticated games.  I found a quiz that needs you to match the wedding tradition with the superstition, it looked good.


Wedding talk is all around me at the moment. My walking friend was a bridesmaid today in her sisters wedding. I'm very much looking forward to seeing her photos and hearing all about it next week.  And my friend, who lives further away than 'whoop-whoop', got engaged this week!  I hope she gets married somewhere a bit closer to Melbourne so I can sticky-beak and throw rose petals at her and her hubby!  Right now she's practising saying, "My fiancé this..." and "My fiancé that..." and "Have you met my fiancé?"  So no plans yet and no pressure from me! :)  I'm just enjoying this wedding season.  

The log

Way back in 1998 when Leigh and I were dating, the log was a meeting point for all our friends.  Emails would fly around all week about our plans for the weekend and it always started with a meeting point.  The log was the 'official' term for outside Leigh's parents house and HQ was outside another friends house.  Both central points for everyone and the various destinations we'd end up frequenting.

So this is the very same log that the kids and I were waiting at for Leigh today. We had booked a tutorial on how to put up his parents caravan and annex.  In the end, I don't think we passed the test.  His parents have now offered to drive with us to the caravan park and put up the annex for us!

Tunnel

This photo is from before Easter, but I thought it was cool enough to share.

Such a poser!

Love this little cutie to bits!  

Visiting Papa

We popped in on my Papa today. He has been moved into higher care over the past few months.  You may remember our last visit to Nana and Papa's place, I wrote about it here. The day after that photo was taken things went down hill so I am even more grateful that the boys and I were able to spend that time with them both that day. 

The boys were lovely with Papa today.  They both explored his room.  Jack liked Papa's bed and was very impressed that he had a TV in his room!  He asked me later if he could have a TV in his room too.  I think, not!  We brought some of Jack's kinder artwork to put on Papa's wall.  One was of a car and the other was a treasure map with a person and a few 'x' that mark the spot of hidden pirate treasure! Of course with all the exploration of Papa's room, someone knocked the emergency alarm.  Oops!  The nurse was nice about it though.

After our visit today with Papa, went walked down the hill to visit Nana, but she wasn't home.  She must have been out painting somewhere.  We will have to come back another day.  

I really like that Jack knows these two special people.  He calls them by name and talks about Papa and Nana-Bet.

The new do

Love this hairdresser!  They have couches, play equipment and toys out the back for kids while they wait.  Then the kids get their hair cut on trucks, cars and bikes while watching Toy Story or Mickey Mouse on the individual TV's!  And no it doesn't cost a fortune!   Love it!

What do you think of Jack's new style?  We've had it long for a while now. Do you think the short cut makes him look older or younger?

Watching the footy

Beach day

Lovely day to sit by the waters edge.  Even Lachlan enjoyed a paddle in his boat-like-blow-up-life-vest-toy-thing.  Jack pretended to surf on his boogie board, standing up on it and leaning on Leigh for balance while being dragged around in the water.  It is very cute when you hear your 3 year old son say, "Look Mummy!  I'm surfing!"

Hot choc date with Mum

Treated Jack to a hot chocolate at Koko Black this afternoon.  He had to lay down on the bench seat afterwards, but he really it enjoyed it all the same!

Ballooning around

Time out

A couple of hours in the backyard well spent with a pot of tea!

Walks in secret

I caught Lachlan walking in Jacks room again, but as soon as he saw me he sat down.  I'm convinced he can walk and just wont admit it!  

Easter stash

A perk of having a one year old at Easter is being able to eat his chocolate!  But in hindsight, I should have bought him Lindt!