Jenny and Maddie's visit

This week has been a lovely time hanging out with Jenny and Maddie (and Julie for a day). When we got home from Tamworth we came home to see Jenny, Maddie and Julie. It was lovely for Jenny to be able to meet her nephew and for Maddie to meet her cousin (and for Daniel to meet his Auntie and cousin and see his Nana J again).

First cuddles with Aunty Jen and cousin Maddie

Kisses from Nana J

Smiles with Aunty Jen (beautful!)

Kisses from Maddie (beautiful too)

Pats from Maddie

Sadly that night Julie got a call to say that Grandpa had passed away, peacefully. She then changed her flight to return to Hervey Bay to be with Nana. This was sad as we had waited so long for her visit, but there will be lots more cuddles from tomorrow when we fly up to Hervey Bay. It was lovely though that Jenny and Maddie were going to stay until Sunday.

Jenny and I decided that we would do a park crawl on Thursday with Maddie and Daniel. In the morning we walked to Ruddock Park for Maddie to have a play on the pirate ship.

She enjoyed going up and down the different objects and exploring the playground

Daniel found that it was more fun to sleep at the park

Then after returning home for a sleep we went to Pennant Hills Park to have some sushi lunch and another play.
Maddie enjoyed playing in the fire engine, going down the slide (backwards), climbing up the rock climbing wall and putting bark on the steps. Jenny and I enjoyed eating our sushi, following Maddie around and chatting. Daniel enjoyed sleeping and watching Maddie play.

Driving the fire engine

Concentration when climbing

Climbing the rock climbing wall. She knew exactly where to put her hands and mostly where to put her feet.

Going down the slide is much more fun on your tummy and backwards

Daniel decided to join the park party.

I have been so pleased with how Maddie has played with Daniel. She hasn't been too rough with him and each time she starts to push Jenny or I just remind her to be gentle and she lightly pats him. Daniel has received lots of cuddles, kisses, pats and toys from her.

She has also helped Daniel understand what to do when playing with his mobile. She has also loved hanging out with Oscar which has been so nice. As Jenny says it is very rare that you hang out with your cousins cousin but Maddie and Oscar have gotten along so well. I have also been so proud of how Oscar has played with Maddie and looked after her.

Playing at mum and dad's place. Maddie sharing the blocks with Oscar and Daniel just hanging out

Maddie helping Daniel in the bouncer

 On Friday we decided to go on an adventure to the Australian Reptile Park. We asked Jenny and Oscar to come along as well to help be tour guides as they have yearly passes. Daniel got loaded up into the Ergo so that it was easy to move around. The only downside of that was it got very hot for us both!

 When we entered, Oscar took us to see the platypus, Maddie following close behind. It was so lovely to hear Oscar constantly saying 'come on Maddie'.

 Then Daniel decided that he wanted to have a feed. While I fed him, Oscar took Maddie and Jenny to see the crocodiles.

There they are!

Next we went to see Hugo and Dippy. Jenny and Maddie were amazed at how big they both were and how cute Dippy was while eating.

Then on our way to look at the birds the cutest thing happened. As we were walking, Oscar leading the way, Maddie walked up to him and took his hand. Oscar didn't resist, but instead held her hand back. It was so precious to watch! They were so cute.

We then went on to see the birds, koalas, dingos, wombats, etc. Maddie seemed to love seeing the different animals. Just before she came to Sydney she learnt 'Woof, woof'. Each time we have seen a dog she would say 'woof, woof' and point to it. When she saw the dingos, she kept saying 'woof, woof'. So cute!

Looking at the koalas

'Woof, woof'

Daniel decided it was too hot to be in the Ergo so he was carried around after the dingos to try and cool down. Thanks Jens for helping carry him.

 It was a really lovely day hanging out with my niece, nephew and baby boy, as well as their lovely mums.

When we got home, after a nap Maddie had a bit of a play outside looking at the different flowers.

Then this morning we had a bit of a lazy day as it was the AFL grand final day with the swans playing in it (excitement plus!). Daniel got dressed, ready for the game.

Maddie helping Daniel play with his mobile

Gently pats

Playing with the phone

Running circles around Mummy and Daniel

Today I have noticed that Maddie seems more comfortable with Jenny holding Daniel. Before she would want to be held too, but today Jenny got some longer cuddles which was lovely. Then Jenny, Maddie and James went to get a coffee and play in the park which was lovely. I stayed home with Daniel to do a few things and to feed him. When 2:30 ticked around Dad, Jenny and Oscar came over to join in the party.

My family ready to cheer on the Swans

Daniel ready to play for the Swans

 At half time we all went outside to have a bit of a kick around with the ball and a run around outside. Maddie was more comfortable with James today which was great to see as she had been quite shy around him.

Maddie and Oscar also had more fun hanging out.

Cheese

Oscar leading Maddie over to the windmill

Maddie giving Oscar a cuddle

 Ever since out neighbour built a windmill in his garden Oscar has loved going over to watch it spin. Today was no different. He introduced Maddie to the windmill and it was a very windy day for it which made it even more exciting!

Watching the windmill

Wow! It is spinning so fast!

I loved watching Maddie look at what Oscar was doing and try to copy it

The fun game then became run in circles around Auntie Debbie. Maddie started doing it and then Oscar noticed that he liked playing that game too so he joined it. I am glad that I could provide some entertainment.

Toward the end of the game Daniel woke up. Fortunately he was happy to have cuddles with Aunty Jen and not have a feed as it was a very close and stressful game. I don't feel that feeding would have been very appropriate or safe. He is such a cuddly little boy!

I ususally get very stressed in the Swans games but James was quite funny to watch. With 3 mins left on the clock, James couldn't stay seated - he was too nervous. Then when there were 30 secs left on the clock we scored another goal and knew that the Swans had won the grand final. James was a little bit excited!

Daniel did pretty well to survive with all the cheers, singing and excitement in the air. In the end it all was quite tiring for him and I got to have some lovely cuddles before Daniel's bed time.

It has been so lovely have Jenny and Maddie stay with us. It has been lovely for Jenny to be able to have lots of cuddles with Daniel and I have really enjoyed playing with Maddie and seeing her warm to both James and I. Tomorrow they return home again but we also head off to Hervey Bay tomorrow too. I am a little bit nervous about taking Daniel on a plane as I don't know how he will go with flying, but it will all be good. We are thing hiring a car from Brisbane so hopefully the drive will be ok too. It will be lovely to see the rest of the family (not so lovely the circumstance) and for them to meet Daniel. I am hoping that he can bring some joy during a hard time. I am really looking forward to Nana meeting Daniel and also to seeing Ruth again as she is coming in from Scotland. Now for a good sleep tonight!

By the way, well done Swannies! Very exciting stuff :-)