After missing out on our 2 week holiday to Hervey Bay at Christmas time, we decided that we would try again at Easter time. There was a moment of uncertainty (as seems to be the case each holiday period) after some cases popped up in Tweed Heads and also in Brisbane, but they were quickly contained and well handled. We just needed to wear masks in Tweed Heads when we went out, otherwise it was all good.
This trip was my first time having the kids choose what they wear. They did a pretty good job at deciding what to put into their bags. I just made them a little packing list.
We did our regular drive up to Tweed Heads for the night, stopping at Maclean for lunch. Alexander was pretty keen to keep the Easter celebrations going by having his special cookie made by Lorraine.
We sent a message to Tim and Rach with this being the closest we will get to Scotland for a while
We made it to Tweed Heads just before dinner and checked into our regular Hotel. Eliza and I filled in the time by playing with her Dogman card game.
We headed out to dinner at the local RSL. The kids enjoyed their meals and were excited that it came with an activity bag.
After a pretty good nights sleep we headed up to Hervey Bay and the kids were pretty excited to see Nana J. They made themselves right at home, playing with the green Cotton Sand (I think it feels gross and it goes everywhere. It has definitely made me decide that I won't get kinetic sand for at home or anything because it makes such a mess, even when it isn't supposed to).
Eliza and Aly were so very excited to see each other and were dressed in their matchy matchy outfits from their birthdays.
They enjoyed skipping together.
And across the road was having a tree cut down and stump removed so that also provided a lot of the morning entertainment!
Maddie and Daniel swapped between playing AFL (Daniel teaching Maddie) and playing Austag (Maddie teaching Daniel). To play Austag they used leaves in their shorts for the tags to grab. Very creative!
We planned a trip out to Burrum Heads with Nan and Jenny and Ryan and the girls which was lovely. The weather was perfect! We played backyard cricket, soccer, enjoyed lunch of fish and chips, the kids went for a swim, we found crabs (many, many many crabs), the kids played on the sand and we just had a lovely time together. It was so nice to see Nan too.
The kids were keen to feel the water before lunch
I walked over to see this from the other side of the boat ramp. It was so many crabs! So cool to see.
I went and got the kids to show them. They showed no fear in walking near them (Maddie in particular). Alexander enjoyed walking like the crabs in Bluey, pinchy pinchy.
Crabs burying themselves in the sand
So many crabs!
No fear Maddie!
Pinchy, pinchy
We headed back over the others for lunch - tasty fish and chips.
Before Nan headed home we got some lovely photos with this amazing lady. Can't believe that she will be 100 in a couple of months!
After lunch the kids were desperate to go down to the water.
Maddie and Daniel were keen to go back over to find the crabs. The little crabs had all gone, but Maddie managed to find a large crab in the rocks. She then used a stick to catch it and put it into her bucket to take over and show everyone else. I was very impressed with how she did it all. I sure wouldn't have.
Catching the crab
The stick that she used with the crab on it
Daniel being brave and holding it
The girls playing in the water
Charlie boy has been very friendly this trip, more than before. He has loved the pats and has loved sleeping on the kids' beds at night as they go to bed. I have been very impressed with the kids and how they have been with Charlie.
I did a double take with Daniel sitting with Charlie in this place. It is where Malcolm would often sit in the morning to give Charlie a pat and sit with him.
So much love for Charlie... Until he ate Aly's food. Then she was a bit grumpy with him.
This trip, because of having our new bike rack, we decided to bring our bikes up which meant that we could go for some adventures. I borrowed Julie's bike which was a great help. The kids were very excited to go for a ride. It was a pretty hot day so we rode to Aquaview and got some cold drinks to enjoy before heading back home. The kids did really well with their riding!
Photo at the pier
So nice riding along the Esplanade
Filling in our time using the exercise machines
Nice cool drinks as a reward
Heading back
Sitting on the back deck we did a bit of drawing. I drew a picture of Daniel, Eliza and Alexander drew a picture of me.
We organised to have a morning at the beach, my happy place. That of course included climbing up the tree too. The kids had a blast in the water. It was a bit too cool for me to fully enjoy it but I did like cooling my legs off in the water.
We found Malcolm's instructions to play a game that we called 'Debbie' but really it's called Speed.
Julie introduced the kids to Mary Poppins which was awesome because it brings back my childhood memories. I love the movie. We watched it because the next day we were all going to the Mary Poppins Museum in Maryborough. The kids did well with watching it, they enjoyed it, giggled at times, got confused about why things happened at other times. But they did enjoy it and it gave them context for the next day. I will write a seperate post about the museum.
After the museum we headed to the big park for lunch. It is such a lovely area. It doesn't have play equipment but it doesn't need any when it has this gorgeous tree for the kids to climb and explore. They spent well over an hour here using their imagination, climbing, pretending they had houses, etc.
Alexander's hideout
Alexander wanted me to take a selfie of us in his hideout
We recreated a photo that James took of Eliza in the same place a few years ago (I can't find the photo on my computer. Will need to look for it on James' phone)
We couldn't have a trip to Hervey Bay without an ice cream trip. It was a nighttime one. The kids loved it though! And the bonus was that it didn't melt as quickly because it wasn't as hot as at Summertime.
Alexander's choice was hokey pokey. Much more flavour than vanilla :-)
Eliza used her creativity and made a dress out of paper.
We had a nice morning tea with Nan, Pat and Norma and Auntie Wendy.
We enjoyed a breakfast together at Enzo's place (tradition!) followed by a play at the park.
Swinging with my boy makes him happy
Julie with her kids
Alexander was excited to have Mummy sit next to him in the car
Alexander and Eliza decided they wanted to send a letter to Tim and Each. We made them, then went to the post office to send it in the letter box. The kids have hardly even done this so it was quite the novelty!
Alexander's picture and writing for Tim and Each. I love it!!
Eliza made a list of things that she does at Nana J's place, Aly's place and our place.
We also went and saw Uncle Geoff and Aunty Wendy. Always lovely to visit them and catch up. They love us so much and are so encouraging and patient with the kids.
The car trip home went smoothly, stopping at Tweed Heads looking at the ANZAC memorial with the kiddies, playing at the park at the Big Axe and lunch just before the rain started (which Alexander wasn't too happy about).
So glad that we were able to go to Hervey Bay for Easter holidays and spend time with family.
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