Christmas Time Already?

Well we decided to hit the much loved and raved about Christmas shop out at Breadbo. So we took a family drive out to the country with Grandma. Was quite a bit further out than the advertised 30 minute drive from Tuggeranong! Was actually 81 kilometres and around an hour away.

The kids were very keen to get there in the end. The shop truly is amazing and has to be seen to be believed. So many beautiful baubles in every conceivable design and colour. The kids were able to choose a decoration each, as is our Christmas tradition. Although the prices were considerably higher than the Reject Shop jobs that the kids usually choose!

Luckily they had some gorgeous and cheap glass train ornaments so the boys were in heaven. String Bean on the other hand wanted to purchase a dog ornament. She has always chosen dog ornaments! They didn't really have any cheap ones of these, unfortunately.

We then had to leave the shop as it really isn't the place for young children. The shop assistants, of which there are many, were zealots in policing the children. To the point that one of them physically picked up and carried out of the shop a child who wouldn't stop touching the ornaments. Luckily it wasn't one of our kids for once.

We finished the day by having pancakes at the lovely old pancake shop, followed by a play in the local park.

P.S. Karen String Bean is wearing the outfit you got her for her birthday.

String Bean's Birthday Party

Was a great success after a stressful start. The plan was to arrive at around 12pm to set up. I don't know why, but at 11am the thought popped into my head that I needed to get the venue. Just as well as they were doing a working bee that day and the place was crawling with men mowing, pruning, laying mulch, planting new plants and painting some of the outside fixtures of the building.

But what really took the cake for me was the fact they had lifted half the bike track to replay pavers that had sunk. So there were pitch bars, pick axes, wheelbarrows, wet cement etc all over half the play area. Plus the pavers were all over the grass play area.

String Bean and her alien cake!

Thankfully the men all gave up on the other jobs and worked super fast to complete the job on time. Phew!

The girls going for a ride!

The party really did go incredibly smoothly though and the kids all had a great time. The play area was a big hit as were the bike's. Lots of the kids chose to ride round the track. Lots of fun was had by everyone.

A Mouse!

String Bean received a set of Magnetix for her birthday. She started out following the example shown on the box. But of course in her usual creative style of doing things she was quickly thinking outside the square.

As always I am amazed at how she views things and just how clever String Bean is at putting things together!

The Lighting of the Tree

String Bean and Fuzzy Wuzzy waiting for the tree to be lit.

We went tonight to our local for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. It was so packed so we didn't head down to centre stage, opting to stay upstairs and view things from above.

After it was all over and everyone had cleared out we had some 1:1 time with the very lovely Mrs Claus. She sang the kids three songs and String Bean had a wonderful time dancing on the stage (she is natural Irish Dancer!)

Mrs Claus & Squealy! Irish Dancing girl!

Happy Birthday String Bean!

String Bean turned a big 6 years old today. She had a fabulous day of feasting. Started by opening gifts. Then off to school with a tray of homemade mini muffins. We decided to pick her up early and headed over to Cherry Seed for afternoon tea and a play around the gardens of Gold Creek Village.



We then spent a few minutes at home, long enough for a bath, then it was off to Guides. She wanted to take a chocolate cake to share with the girls. So all round a fun day full of feasting on chocolate cake! Luckily she ate a homemade lamb wrap with lettuce (didn't want the cucumber or Greek yogurt). She's come such a long way with her eating.....at last!


Fuzzy loved the Shop. Very hip and vintage. With gorgeous tea seats for the kids to play with.

He especially loved the tiny little open sugar bowls. Just the right size for tipping the whole lot into your mouth! Oh dear he needs to be house trained I think lol.




Cupcakes at Cherry Seed.

Meeting Dora and Diego!

Diego and Dora strut their stuff.

The kids got to go meet Dora the Explorer and Diego this morning at Brand Depot. They have decided that these guys are the flavour of the month, possibly started by several people giving the kids Dora/Diego toys for their birthday's. It also happened to be the opening of Toys R Us. There were hardly any bargains and the prices just seemed to be regular retail prices....weird given BD are supposed to be a factory outlet type place.....hmmm. The place was packed but we weren't overly excited to be honest.

Happy Birthday Fuzzy Wuzzy

On Sunday the 2nd of November Fuzzy Wuzzy turned a big 4 years old. He ended up having a fantastic day as he got to have the party of his choice: McDonald's and the cake of his choice: a lolly car race track!

Overall it was the easiest party ever. We had two hosts, as one girl was in training. They took care of all the games, keeping the food and drinks going and generally keeping the kids happy. I tell you, best $115 I've ever spent! Highly recommended.





Fuzzy loved his special day. Now to get through the 4 year old immunisations and get him ready for big school next year. Wow my boy is growing up...thankfully!