End of the school holidays

The second week of the school holidays went really quickly.

The kids had heaps of fun having their cousin's Katie and Lilly over while Tammy was on prac. We taught them to play Monopoly Deal.

Flynn loved having another two girls to baby and spoil him.

We went to the bike centre which Lisa had organised and even though it was raining, the kids had a ball.

Hallie was sick for three days straight so any plans were put on hold while she rested up and got better.

And the chooks didn't escape it either. The kids long loved silky bantem, Snowflake, a wonderful little mother who would take on anyone else's chicks if their mother didn't want them, along with her own brood, grew weak from old age and we watched her take some last laboured breaths.

It was sad for the kids to say goodbye but she had a wonderful life living free on our land and not in a cage and having yummy scraps each day along with some pellets. And the kids looked after her very well. She was bossy with the other chooks so they are probably happy!! ;)

On Friday Hallie was a little better, still not herself but well enough to take a trip to Oma and Pop's house in Ulverstone. It was very very windy down at the park where Simon's Mum had organised a bbq lunch but we were sheltered for the most part and it didn't stop us later from having some fun on the pedal bikes. It was so fun to go on something altogether because usually with five kids, we have to take turns and be split up.

An ice-cream afterwards also helped seal the deal.

To finish off the school holidays, after helping Simon build a hutch, Sarra was allowed to get a guinea pig. Peppa (in memory of Mum's dog Pepper, but spelt like Peppa pig who Flynn is obsessed with) joins the growing family of chooks, fish and cats and yes they would all love a dog but I'm not giving in... for the time being anyway!!

This morning Simon left for two weeks of search and rescue training. One week at Coles Bay and the next week in Hobart. 

This time there is no camping in the freezing rain and wind or snow in tents but living it up in luxury.

The photo he sent me of his view of the Hazards from his apartment is amazing.

Can't wait for some more pics and I think they may be doing some caving training and Simon has an underwater camera so they will be amazing.

A boy called Noah.

I once knew this boy. His name was Noah.

He had the most beautiful rich dark brown curly hair. He had the biggest most enviable brownest of eyes. His skin was soft, made softer by the care from his loving parents. He was the wisest boy I have ever known, even though he never spoke a word in his ten short years. 

He was the most selfless boy I have ever known even though he was never able to walk and needed round the clock care from his parents. His personality was not unlike his Dad's and he was often called cheeky monkey. If anyone could get a giggle or a laugh out of him, it was his Dad.

Noah's 6th birthday (photo here)

I didn't just know Noah. I had the privilege of knowing Noah, the privilege of being one of his students. I didn't know him like his parents did but he taught me things about life, about death, about what I can do to try to do better, to be better and let his influence, influence me for the rest of my time here.

Noah meeting Flynny in hospital.

This beautiful boy passed away two years ago, today. (photo here)

 His father Aaron, at only 39 years, followed him just 3 1/2 short months later. (photo here)

Aaron said at Noah's funeral that Noah was his hero. They are both my heroes.

Noah was the most loved boy I have ever known.

The strength, grace, love and courage of this boy lives on in his mother, Lisa. So in a way he is still here.

I once knew this boy.

And one day I will know him again...

And my greatest anticipation will be seeing Noah and Aaron reunited with their family on earth once again. To see the joy on all their faces...

but especially on my dear friend Lisa's face, when her heart is finally healed... will be the most joyous to behold of all. (photo here)

And as today drew to a close, with a magnificent sunset for a backdrop, we let a few balloons go along with some sparklers for our beautiful friend Noah.

This photo cracks me up of Flynn running away from the sparkler because it scared him. I'm sure Noah would chuckle at that.

School holiday visit to Toby (and Collette and Hayden)

On Tuesday Hallie and I set off to Hobart to visit the Bells. As per usual it was pouring with rain and very windy, especially once we hit the Midlands around Oatlands but we made it by cranking the tunes up and singing along... or making the words up if we didn't know them.

We had such a great time down there and the weather didn't dampen our spirits.

Hayden had told Collette that she just had to take us to Daci and Daci, this amazing bakery. It was SO good. I felt like I was in one of those chic Melbourne patisseries.

We took Toby to his first movie and he loved it. It was Turbo, about a super fast snail that entered the Indy 500 and I think he loved seeing all the cars and talking snails.

Hayden kept Hallie entertained on the arcade game he built earlier in the year. I think they were getting a bit competitive (or maybe just Hayden) ;)

And Collette got us hooked on a game called Monopoly Deal. Hallie and I just had to head to Big W and buy our own pack before heading home.

And even when Collette's friend Brodie dropped around we couldn't help but play another game.

We had such fun and I very much enjoyed not having to cook or change any nappies or wipe anyone's butt - except for Toby's but he is too cute to count. It was nice to sit and chat and not have to have anywhere to be, or to rush off to, or to be a taxi and have the kids somewhere at a certain time for an after school activity like during the school term. 

WIndy start to the school holidays

Just before the school holidays started we got quite a bit of rain...

The water pooled outside our back door.

And even at school, where Flynn loved to go and jump in the big puddles.

We lit a bonfire in our back yard wondering if the warmer weather was ever going to come to Tassie!!

But the rain kept coming and then the wind started...

It blew our trampoline into our swing set which slammed into one of our windows and broke it.

But the next day was GRAND FINAL day and the kids' favourite team was in the grand final so as long as they got to watch it on TV, they didn't mind a bit of wild weather.

It was very exciting when they won...

SO exciting in fact that the kids were just too excited to clean up their grand final day junk food mess!!

On the morning of the grand final, Jonty and Flynn were invited to their friend Abby's 4th birthday party.

They were very excited because the theme of Abby's party was horses and if the rain held off there were some horses going to make an appearance at the party.

We were very lucky that the wind and rain held off for parts of the party that were outside as Abby's Mum Ashlee, had organised some great party games.

The horses were a great hit. 

Flynn was not scared at all and even had two turns.

Jonty however was not interested in the horses  and preferred to play on the pretend ones.

So even though the holidays look full of wind and rain, there is no doubt the kids will have a great time and a well-deserved rest before the last term of school begins.