September Happenings 2022

September was a busy month. Daniel had his first performance at ASBOF in the city. James was a champ and took Daniel while I went to the AFL presentation day with Eliza and Alexander. Daniel and the junior band did a great job performing. So nice for them to experience performances. 

Meanwhile, I received an award for Coach of the Year which was such a big surprise.

We enjoyed more family dinners. It's always a lot of energy when the cousins are together.

The kids all started their cricket season. Eliza and Alexander were in the same team which was great! Alexander was very excited to be playing up.

Both kids were very excited to get wickets in their first game.

I taught my family to clinkers game. So fun (and tasty).

Daniel enjoyed his drama performance and loved that Nana and Poppy came to watch him.

Andrew finished up at our church. I loved that the kids wanted to write him a card saying thank you and bye. I also loved that they included things that were meaningful to them - things like playing tip and playing AFL with them.

Eliza made a hand to tip him again

Hawthorn vs Swans guernseys on them while playing

Andrew preaching in church and all the people listening

James, Poppy and I went to the Swans Preliminary Final. So amazing to be there, the atmosphere was just next level. My stress levels were pretty high, especially in the 4th quarter. It was fun having my Apple Watch on to see my heart rate. So crazy. Amazing when the siren went and the Swans were through to the Grand Final! (sad that they didn't win the Grand Final but still did an amazing job to get there.

Not long to go in the game. My heart wasn't coping!

Sometimes my kids surprise me. Others say it's because they see the service from James and I so because it's modelled to them, they then see needs and follow through. Anyway, after Andrew's service, Daniel noticed that there were lots of extra chairs out. He went and got the single chair mover, and started to stack them and pack them away. When I asked him if someone asked for him to do that, he said 'No. I just saw that it needed to be packed up and decided that I could do it. I do it each week at band so I know what to do'. Bless. I was so proud of him - brought tears to my eyes. He saw a need and he followed through on that. We done sweetheart!

Our beautiful Chilli enjoyed more cuddles. She may be temperamental, she may be crazy at times, but she is also just so beautiful and I do love when she is cuddly.

The kids had a 'P' themed mufti day. The kids were so excited to dress in pjs for the day. Daniel was already at band but was also nice and comfy.

When Cousins Come To Visit

It's not often that we get to enjoy having our Hervey Bay cousins visit, but this year we got to see them and spend some time with them. We didn't tell the kids because we thought it would be fun to surprise them. Of course, our kids didn't perform and when Auntie Jen, Maddie, Aly and Ollie walked through the door they basically just said 'hi'. Oh well. They were still excited.

Aly wanted to bring Eliza an outfit so they could be matchy matchy. It was pretty cute to see. 

I do love how Oscar hangs with the Leman's and it's like they're cousins. We headed to the park for a play together.

Alexander loved having a cousin to play with, as Daniel and Maddie hung out and Eliza and Aly hung out. I loved seeing Oli warm up to Alexander and enjoy playing with him.

Sleepovers were asked for and were enjoyed. Took a while to sleep but a lot of fun was had.

We headed to Australia Zoo for a fun outing. It was so cool seeing Maddie in her element - she loves animals so much and loved seeing the animals up close. She was so excited to see the Otters playing, but every animal she enjoyed seeing. She said 'This is the first zoo I've ever been to.' So glad that we could be a part of our animal loving niece's first zoo experience.

tigers...

and lions...

and zebras... (not quite how the saying goes)

Ollie wanted to walk around so wasn't keen to be in the carrier. He was much more interested in the  ground than the animals.

First time I saw a shark in the aquarium section

Aly loved watching the frogs for a bit

Jen took the girls and Ollie home and we enjoyed lunch by the meerkats

The kids were super keen to go up in the ferris wheel. I decided because we hadn't paid for this visit as it was our annual passes we could go up. Nana J also kindly bought the kids ice creams to help cool them down.

Hi Nana J safely down on the ground

The kids were super keen to play some tennis, so we headed to the Westleigh tennis courts to play together. The kids had a blast, even though there wasn't much proper tennis played.

We had the extended family around for dinner which was so lovely to be all together.

Family

Family is so special.