Solo

More Christmas craft. I fit so much into my day when the sun comes up at 4.45. This was before breakfast. 

Paper plate Christmas trees. 

After breakfast we headed out for a wheel alignment & a wander around the shops. I've agreed to host Friday night drinks, as is the custom at Graham & Libs. Noela suggested we transfer drinks to the pool so the kids can swim. What a fabulous idea. Carol, Noela & myself chatted & enjoyed a beverage, whilst the kids swam & ate chips. What a lovely afternoon. 

This hasn't happened for ages but it's a great way to save water.

What else would you do of an evening in Brisbane? Let's go cane toad hunting.

Today we headed to Jason & Teal's for a BBQ/swim day. The kids got on famously & really didn't want to leave. We may call in for a cuppa on our way past on Friday, as they are heading down the coast.

Aurora is a terribly unsettled baby. She fell asleep in the middle of all the chaos.

Being solo, with the kids, whilst travelling is no fun. International work trips are the WORST because I can barely even speak to Michael due to time differences. I especially dislike the weekends. No matter where you go you are surrounded by families enjoying family time & I really miss him. 

Having said that, we are heading to Movieworld tomorrow. I really don't feel like it but the kids are busting & we already have the passes. 

On a positive note, Roger is behaving!

Roger

Mechanic arrived Wednesday, as organised with my shiny new radiator.

As we were pulling the old radiator out we cracked a plastic cover from the radiator fan. We need a replacement because it's part of the support for the radiator. The only one we can find is from Toyota & it's $250.

Doesn't look like $250, does it. Another day at home. We'll try again tomorrow (Thursday). 

Christmas craft to while away the hours. we've baked, cleaned, done school work. One of our lovely neighbours even invited us for a swim. Hopefully we'll have a car tomorrow. 

Yes, after preparing me the possibility of further damage to the motor, all is good. Just short of $2,000 & I have to check fluid levels for a few days to make sure we don't have an air lock anywhere. I hope Michael is proud of me (lol).

There's no greater way to celebrate than with a swim at Redcliffe with the lovely Richardsons. We hadn't told them we were coming so the kids reaction was awesome. 

Nice selfie girls :-)))

Brisbane

The good news is that I found a mobile mechanic, on a recommendation from Graham & Libby's neighbour. He came out first thing Monday morning and....Roger needs a new radiator. How much would you expect to pay? $900 plus fittings! Just in parts we're looking at $1,245 and it's not fitted. We just have our fingers crossed that there's no other damage when he does the pressure test. 

Libby & Graham kindly offered use of their car so after a successful morning if school & the fabulous news about the car, we headed to Redcliffe for a swim.  A huge lagoon but it's fed by the sea which is nice. I even managed to reverse park the Suzuki. 

Today we did a few hours of school & then I mowed the lawn. After 12 months I was impressed that I could start the whipped snipper. I can hardly lift my arms  :-). This afternoon I though we needed some fun so our school sport was water balloon fights. It never gets tired for a laugh. I got smashed when they all ganged up on me!

Mechanic has the parts & will be here in the morning. Fingers crossed for another swim tomorrow afternoon. 

Farewell Gold Coast

So I farewelled my boy again but this time at 4am. That's just stupid o'clock. He's been booked on a 34hour flight to Germany. Should be a fun way to spend his weekend.

My mission is to find my way back to Libby & Graham's. As is always the case, something is bound to go wrong when Michael is away, or about to leave. Roger has started overheating. I watched that temp gauge the whole way home & left the air conditioning off. I got home but we still have a problem. 

On the way home we made a detour to the Carrera markets. It was so hot that we only had a very brief look before Keira started to feel sick. The worst thing...I couldn't put the air conditioner on & it gets so hot in the back of that car.

 We spent the afternoon creating beautiful headwear. What do you think Libby?

I think I'll try to track down a mobile mechanic on Monday. I got under the car & we are losing coolant. I don't want to risk damage to the motor &, if I do drive it to a repairer, how do we all get home...grrr! I do love a challenge. 

Gold coast

It was a stinker here today, as it was everywhere else. Michael has been booked a 5.55am flight out of Brisbane. It is not possible for the Lynns to be packed & dropping dad at the airport at 4.30 so dad has booked a hire car. The cheapest is a Nissan micra. He's taking the little girls on a tram adventure to pick it up.

They are very excited. 

Even a new hairdo for the occasion. When Michael returned Keira & I had a date to Pacific Fair shopping centre...OMG! It's ridiculous. My biggest concern was that I wouldn't be able to find my HUGE car...the micra. 

It looks as though we'll escape the Gold Coast just in time for schoolies to kick off tomorrow :-)))

Tweed Heads

Ok...so as we've travelled around this great country of ours, we've come to realise that crossing from one state to another makes you feel like a Mexican. Rules are different, costs are different, terminology is different. What you can & can't take across the border is different.  Well, car rego is no different. We decided that, to save the hassle, we'd just drive down the road, into NSW & get a roadworthy, pick up rego papers & done. Queensland do not need an annual inspections, and therefore do not have an e-check system...grrrr!

Michael dropped us at Kirra Beach for a swim, while he dropped the car off. Of course, in troopy style, nothing is ever that easy. E-check turned into five hours. There were a few repairs needed to the shocks. Let's just say we are all a little sun kissed. 

Tough spot for a picnic!

Remember, before children, when we could have had an afternoon nap...instead a tower (lol). 

A quick trip to the RMS to get a copy of the rego papers & I should be able to pay online tomorrow. Job well done!

Gold Coast

An early morning outing. 5.30 & the beach is packed. 

It's not a great photo but believe me, hundreds of people along the beach. It's because there's no daylight savings & your eyes pop open at 5am.

This would have to be the coolest putt putt course ever. The kids are actually quite good & having a ball. 

A picnic lunch & a swim in the surf....heaven! I have to say the Gold Coast is not my new home. It's lovely but I've never seen so many silicon implants & spray tans...and that's just the men (lol). It's lovely for a few days though.

Surfers Paradise beachside markets. The kids got conned into boomerang balls. They are a rubber ball tied to elastic...what the? Anyway, it's their pocket money :-)

Gold Coast

Today we ticked off the final theme park in the trifecta...SeaWorld. I think it was my favourite. The park is spread out so the lines don't appear as long, the wait times are very reasonable, & there was loads to keep Charlotte interested.

We even managed a few rides for Chatlotte!

I love that even though the older kids have become daredevils, they are still happy to go on kiddy rides with Charlotte!

Doesn't Michael look good sitting aboard the first pink jellyfish. 

Keira had been eyeing off the storm coaster all day & finally, at 4pm, she decided she was going to do it. The line wasn't long do that was a bonus. We got aboard, lap belt locked & Keira says "I want to get off"...too late. She started shaking uncontrollably & I thought she was going to pass out :-(

Gold Coast

Five nights in a 2 bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast. When we booked it 11 months ago, as part of our Accor membership, we thought it was forever away! Now it's here & our "gap year" is nearly over. 

The kids are very excited...big TV, bath, washing machine. A small fridge, obviously bigger than the caravan, because Isaac says its enormous. Wait until he sees ours when we unpack at home. 

An afternoon spa...don't mind if I do. They even have a gym. I might visit in the am and try weights. I might start with lifting a fit ball & see how I go :-)))).

We've reached the age where dining out is a possibility, in relation to the kids behaviour. Proud mum & dad...

An evening walk found sculptures along the waterfront. Check out this cool koala.

Ocean that you can swim in without fear of crocs or stingers!

Brisbane

I went out for an early morning shuffle and I return to this vision. She's so creative. We watched a show called "totally rubbish". Charlotte was inspired to make this crown made from plastic  shopping bags.

Today we headed to Bribie Island with my cousin Jason, Teal & the kids. They all got along so well. 

Isaac took a real shine to Aurora, Jason's & Teal's youngest. She is adorable. Talea & Chatlotte are so much alike it's frightening. I think they could both be lumberjacks. 

We thought that this was an appropriate property name for us. It certainly is an accurate depiction of our financial state of affairs. The "kids" have returned back into NSW. 

I said "no" to Isaacs request for another sister (lol).

Jason's favourite camp spot, complete with thousands of baby cane toads (yuck). A great day out with fabulous tour guides. 

Brisbane

Today we farewell our lovely hosts Rod & Lee. Thanks for putting up with our chaos for the last three nights. You've looked after us & we've really appreciated it!

My beautiful girl is healing well but I've managed to find some anti scarring cream to try to minimise the scar. She certainly did a good job of it :-(

After a lovely farewell BBQ last night, today we bid farewell to Lib, Graham, nanny & poppy as they head off to Aaron & Leslie's wedding. Have a blast & I promise we'll look after the house :-)

Wet n Wild today! The big kids had a ball big I spent a big of time waiting with Charlotte! She's just not a daredevil. Isaac has turned into a maniac. He did every slide. I didn't mind because Michael LOVES rides & it's so nice to see him hanging with the kids. 

Charlotte lined up for 25mins for a slide & then chickened out so we had to walk all the way down the slide.....grrrrr!

We are stuffed! The day just flew! Another theme park ticked off.

Brisbane

A big day! I got home from my shuffle and Charlotte has big news...her wobbly tooth has fallen out :-) The tooth fairy had better find us tonight.

The kids have taken up chess & smash me when we play. I'm not so great!

After a spot of shopping & some laptop spare parts shopping, we head to Mt Gravatt lookout for a picnic lunch looking over Brisbane CBD.

Who said you only play dominos with Domino's. Charlotte thinks she's pretty fabulous. Nan & pop are joining us for a BBQ and the kids are pretty excited.

Brisbane

An early morning walk is just what the doctor ordered. I'm feeling a little dusty after our few wines with dinner last night. Uncle rod has found me some stairs!

A lovely morning walk but my eyes opened at 4.30...I wish it was daylight savings lol!

A big day today & the kids are a tad excited! It turns out that Isaac has turned into quite the daredevil. Charlotte...not so much! I was a bit disappointed that about 5 attractions were not working & there  are not too many rides at Movie World. One of us had to wait with Charlotte each time which made it a long day but the big kids had loads of fun.

The stunt show was cool...similar to when we came for our honeymoon.

The girls with Lola bunny whilst the boys did the hard core roller coaster & batwing.

Charlotte did end up finding a ride she loved.

We got home & our lovely hosts had prepared tacos. Early night for all :-)))