Sept 21 - 27

I was smart and took Monday as a LSL day and it was grand!!!!!! Even though I had to get Daz to the doctors as his rash had gotten worse. I washed and unpacked. Then I got the news not to go to school on Tuesday...Narelle and I were presenting at the PSP conference, welcome back!!!!! Just as I was about to change Max for bed I walked into him putting sudocream on his arms....maybe he had gone out in sympathy for his father. His first words were "Don't get cranky mummy, don't be mad".............man that cream is hard to get off.

Tuesday - Narelle and I laughed our way through the stress of the PSP conference and in the end she pulled off a sensational presentation. That night we had Kyle's 15th birthday dinner....wow 15 makes me feel old...that means Daz and I have been together for 15 years and 5 months!!!!!!!!!!

On Wednesday my heart skipped a beat as Dad rang to say Doreen was not likely to make it another week. She was in pain. There was nothing else they could do. We went to see her on Thursday afternoon, walking into that room was shocking, I did not expect to see her body looking the way it did. I wanted to be able to talk to her like I did on Fathers day, it was sooo sad. That night my heart broke as I heard my day cry out the news that she had passed away, to hear your dad cry and to know he lost someone he loved and there was nothing you could do......a 3 year battle had come to an end and it was so sad.

A good game of footy was enjoyed at Karen's on Friday night. I was happy Parramatta was into a grand final. Max and Phlynn put on a dancing show just as we left.

We picked Milly up from her 2 week training course on Saturday and then Max was off to a preschool birthday party. On Sunday the wind nearly blew us away at Zac's 7th birthday. Scenic Hill riding ranch was such a nice location but the wind cut you like a knife. Max was not keen to get on a horse and kept complaining about the cold. A busy and sad week.

Day 7

Home Time

As usual when a holiday comes to an end I get all teary and emotional. I keep wishing we could do it all again or stay longer. We had a total ball .........much needed family time, lots of fun and I guess we had to go home or we would run out of money.

Our last day was spent packing and MORE shopping ( I just can't resist the shops here). We then let Max swim in the pool until we had to get on the bus for the trip to the airport.

It was quiet at the airport as we had to get Max out of his stroller to go through security. He woke up in a foul mood and Darren was tired and the rash on his arms and neck was irritating him.

I will leave you with the gorgeous view we had from room 2603 (level 26), at the Crown Apartments Surfers Paradise.......one day we shall meet again.

Some things i don't want to forget.

I loved it how Max referred to the heated pool as Suzanne's pool ( his swimming teacher). It had the same colourings, was heated/indoor and the same size.

Max ate about 10 ice creams over the 7 days. One night 3 ice creams cost us $20...!!!!!!!! His daily ritual was to visit the monsters and get an ice cream.

If I ever win the lotto I am buying an appartment in Surfers!!!!

Day 6

Chillaxing by the POOL!!!!

Poor Daz had to stay in the room all morning as he has had a bad reaction to sunburn....his skin has a rash all over it...he has not had it for many years but I guess many years of hard work has stopped him from getting regular sun.

So Max and I set off into the main street at 9am and got a boost juice and morning tea as I had planned a much needed day of "NOTHINGNESS". And that is what we did, Max played in the sand by the pool and splashed around while I played with my camera, experimenting with settings in the BRIGHT sunshine. Max made another friend and they played and built sand castles together. I love hearing him say "hi-I'm-Max" quickly as soon as he sees a boy that looks interested in playing. We lazied around until 1.30 when Darren appeared from the room and sat with us for another hour. We went for a swim in the heated pool and headed out for some lunch.

We spent a few hours in the main street doing some shopping, looking at the markets and eating dinner.

When we got home Max begged me for a swim so we played in the pool for over an hour. Watching him mingle and play with the other kids made me all warm and fuzzy. Watching Max walk up to kids and say "Hi-I'm-Max" quickly with a very strong and wise tone. Playing with mum in the pool is no longer exciting and he will go off with any child that chats and plays with him. Tonight he met a family with 2 girls and a younger boy and they were smitten with him. I chatted with their mums and Max played games and swam laps of the pool with them. When it was time to say goodbye Max gave them all hugs and told them "I see you soon oo-kay...we will play soon....don't forget to look for me oo-kay, remember me". It was the sweetest moment and they all gushed over him. I have loved every minute of this holiday.....so many memorable moments. xxxxxx thanks Max and Darren for a fun holiday.

Day 5

Already???


there is no way...this week has sadly gone way tooo quick.
It is 10pm and Max and I have just sat down....meaning we have been on the go for 14 hours!!!! We were in the wonderful heated pool and Max made a 4 year old friend called Jaime, I love it how he has met someone along the way on most days and he often asks if he will see them again....I love how friendly and happy it is here...one day we might cross paths with these great people once again, i guess can you always wonder.

today we went to

Dreamworld AND Whitewater World

As soon as we arrived Max fell in love with all the NICK central had to offer....he loved the ball cage where you SHOOT balls in all directions (he called it 'shoot shoot) and then enjoyed the Blue's Clues and Dora rides. We then saw the gorgeous tigers and had a photo with one. Max liked the Wiggles rides and was excited to sit in a big red car. We took the train around the park and enjoyed the view. There were a few rides today that made me THINK once upon a time I would have been on that in a flash......now they make me feel sick just LOOKING at all the heads being thrashed around!!!!

I tell you Max and I are water park freaks!!!! We loved Dreamworld and once all we could do was done we went and spent 2 hours in WW. Poor Daz had a headache and a touch of sunstroke so he rested in the shade. Max and I found some water sprays again, we splashed in Wiggle Bay and then relaxed in a tube in the wave pool. We could have fallen alseep in the warm sun. Max had a ball pulling me around in the tube and jumping the waves.

We shopped, ate and did a few more rides before we dragged our tired and aching bodies to the bus stop.

A nice Italian restaurant for dinner and home to bed for Darren, while Max and I hit the pool!!!! Yawn .......4 parks in 3 days........YIPPEEEEE for rest day tomorrow..........YAWN!!!!!! My feet are killing me.

Day 4

Wet 'n' WILD I have wanted to go to this park for a very long time. I LOVE water slides and water parks and since there is now ZERO in Sydney I was HAPPY to be here. This Pregnancy meant I saw it through Max's eyes and that was still exciting.

Max fell asleep on the bus trip in. So Darren and I unpacked in the cool wave pool beach area and went off to explore the EXTREME section of the park. Darren braved a fast and DARK water slide (I left my camera in the locker). There were 4 or 5 things we wanted to go on but as they needed to be in pairs and the fact that one of the pair was pregnant it was impossible so I think we will be back at this place one day.

Max woke up a little confused and wanted to be back at Elmo's 'water sprays'. He kept asking for them.....once we showed him the wave pool he was a little happier. We swam for an hour and then had some lunch by the pool.

Darren and I really wanted to go on Mammoth Springs with Max. It looked calm so I ignored the "NO PREGNANT women" sign and the "Riders must be 100cm sign" and climbed the ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY STEPS (18m up). I was prepared to just throw Max in a tube as the attendant seemed to be not measuring with a stick. My heart was in my mouth from the climb and Daz carried Max from the 40th step, so he was buggered too. We got right to the front of the line and I thought we were in ............then Max freaked out and refused to be put in the tube.............I talked to him, i begged him, i was ready just to throw him in but he was scared and I could see the guy staring at this 98cm (really 94cm but his Crocs and hat added 4 cm easy) boy that did not want to get in a massive tube and go down the calm??!!!! falls........and so began the climb back down 120 stairs, I was soooo sad and my heart rate was working overtime.

We spent another hour in the wave pool and then we went for a walk with Darren so he could ride the twister water slide, the aqua racer and the fast water slides (I was sooooo jealous). Max then was still CRYING for the Elmo 'water sprays'. A nice staff member heard him and asked if we had taken him to this..........................

NO!!!! we had spent all day at the wave pool and since the kids lagoon was being renovated we thought this was shut as well!!!!! Guess where we spent the rest of the day??? Max made a friend who was 3 months younger than him but was such a dare devil. Max wanted to follow him and go down the slide but stayed mainly on the ground playing with water sprays and chasing Ryan under the tipping bucket. I spoke with Ryan's mum and they moved to Brisbane 2 years ago from Sydney and love it. I was starting to think I would love to move tomorrow.....i loved the weather and the lifestyle sooo much more....food for thought. The 2 boys played to late in the afternoon and at close we got on the bus and headed home...Max was asleep again.

Before we got our Chinese take-away for dinner we visited the Monster shop again and Max got his routine ice cream 3 doors down. The man 'pretending' to be a statue had Darren fooled for around 4 minutes. He was good and if you gave him money he would shake your hand, so I made Darren give him money. A lady watching was SHOCKED, she had seen him the night before and still thought he was a robot, she asked Darren what he felt like.

We watched some Toy Story, ate some Chinese and then slept like logs.

Day 3

Sea World

We were off to an early start (lucky as we were sent to the wrong bus stop) and when we finally did find the bus it was an easy trip to Sea World. I had fond memories of Sea World as a child and it had changed sooo much.....sadly on a HOT 28 degree day the water park was closed until Friday....grrrrrr. When we arrived we saw a family swimming and feeding the dolphins. I promise we will do that one day once the kids meet the 120cm height limit.

We found the Sesame Street rides and were happy to see 98cm was enough to get Max on with an adult. Max went on all the rides he could with Darren and loved going on 'Big Birds' bounce all by himself. He was very amused by this ride, he giggled and laughed and then tried to look serious but could not contain the giggles. He looked so casual and grown up. Max went on this ride about 4 times.

We then found the Viking Boat ride and I challenged Darren to take Max on, I was soooo sad the NO PREGNANT women sign was up AGAIN!!! Here they are enjoying the ride....Darren refused to look the moment they got to the DROP.

We then sat and enjoyed an ice cream while watching the Sesame Street show. It was so hot and after some walking and exploring Max decided to play in the Elmo "water sprays". He spent just under an hour running in and out and jumping and skipping in and out of the water. All day he insisted on going back.

The dolphin show was brilliant. This truly must be one of the most fantastic jobs on earth. We enjoyed front row seats too!

We went on the scenic cabin ride across the park, looked at all the sting rays and said our final goodbye to the 'water sprays'. Max bought an octopus from the shop and we headed to the RSL for some early dinner (same as yesterday as it was YUMMY).

I was tired but Max and I still went for a swim in the heated pool at the apartment for an hour. It was so relaxing. Max followed some older boys around and had a ball jumping in the water with them. He kept running after one of them calling "boy come and jump with me, come on boy come and swim". We went to bed before 10, knackered.

Day 2

Shopping and Swimming

Max came into our room and announced in a very surprised voice “Mum the sun is up here…can you see it???? I can see it, it’s ok”. I nodded and said good morning. Max said “it’s ok mum you can get up and look out the window mum and see the sun”.


It was bright at the early hour of 6:30 I tell you. I was blinded by the sun dazzling over the water. Looking down from the 26th floor you could see so much movement and action even at this early hour of the morning. I got up and prepared some breakfast…Daz kept sleeping.

We decided to spend the day relaxing and shopping. I spent some time looking at the map and all the attractions. Then at 10am we were on the bus to Pacific Fair. We hit the surf shops and I started Christmas shopping. Darren got a massage and an ice cream and a toy alien kept Max happy.

Max fell asleep in the stroller and when we got on the bus the cranky bus driver instructed us to get him out. I tell you carrying a 16kg sleeping child on a bus was not EASY for a pregnant ladies back. We got him back in the stroller and went and had lunch at the local RSL.....gotta love a yummy RSL lunch, fish and salad for me, T-Bone for Daz. Max ate some chips and nuggets when he finally woke up.

When we got back to the apartment we changed into our swimmers and explored the pool downstairs. It was gorgeous but still a little chilly with all the shade from the palm trees. Max went down the slide once and I had to hold his hand, when he hit the cold water it took his breath away so we warmed up in the massive indoor heated pool.

I forgot to mention the 'Haunted House Shop' we found it on our first night....as we walked back from dinner tonight Max requested to go there again. He was really scared of the monsters the first night but still insisted on going back. Here he is on the first night (I sadly lost over 25 photos of the holiday, Day 2 ....never delete while engaged in a conversation, I am lucky I never lost the whole holiday).

Our GOLD COAST HOLIDAY - Day 1

On a beautiful and very HOT Sydney weekend we flew out to the gorgeous Gold Coast. This trip was for our 10th wedding anniversary in October. A much needed break since our last holiday in Sept 07.

A delay was not what you want to hear about with a 3.5 year old in a busy airport. Max’s first time on a plane was an exciting experience and he did really well. I loved the fact that by the time I sat in my seat he had his seat belt on and was ready to go. Sadly the captain was not and Max chatted about the whole experience until take off. I loved the look on his face as the plane lifted off the ground. He was good the whole trip and took most things in his stride.

Our apartment was GORGEOUS...I tell you I was happy with what we got for such a great price. A massive apartment with everything y0u need. A massive indoor and outdoor pool with pirate ship and water slide. Great service, sensational views, one block from Surfer's fantastic shops and beach and a bus stop right outside our door.

We did a quick food shop, a look around and then back to the apartment to watch a DVD.

My poor boy started to cry just as bedtime approached as he wanted to go home. He was very tired and sad and he let out a few massive sobs with a plea to return home straight away. We played a game of memory and he did well to fall asleep in his massive room with little fuss once he started to understand we would go home in a few days.

Sept 7 - 13

Week 7 at school and the term is flying by!!!!Max had his Olympic Fun Day at Pre School. I had a great time taking a group through the course of "swimming" with goggles, cycling, shot putt, trampolining, gymnastics and an obstacle course. It was well organised and a successful fundraiser. It did not get off to a great start for Max who was tired from a rough nights sleep......when tired look out as Max is slowly learning how to deal with issues that arise. He had a bad morning.......I was totally embarrassed and confused.....HOW can a sweet but confident boy suddenly become a BRAT....a show off???? Was he having a bad week?? Anyway after a bad morning he turned the day around and enjoyed every activity with his friends. We had a really nice picnic BBQ and Max and his 2 friends Rhys and Andrew enjoyed their ice block and some laughs.



Max ended up at the doctors the next day with some pain and discomfort in his lower stomach. argghhhh a busy few days with baskets of washing and ironing, the need to pack for QLD and lots of housework.

We flew out of Sydney on a HOT Sunday ........yipppeeeeeee....gotta love long service leave!!!! GOLD COAST here we come!!!!!!!!

Aug 31 - Sept 6

This working week (a 5 day working week) ended with lots of LATE nights and lots of laughs and girly giggles. On Friday night I went to Anabel's jewellery party and then stayed up chatting with Tina and Karen....I crawled into bed at 1.30am.



I backed up for Saturday night and it was SENSATIONAL. On Thursday lots of us at work decided to go to Mounties to watch 2 of the teachers at our school perform in the girl group Mahogany. They were great and the LOOK on their faces when they came out to 23 of us in the front row was priceless. Part of their act saw Karen and Narelle up on stage.....I laughed so hard I could not get a good photo as I was shaking hysterically. I was called upon but I used pregnancy as MY EXCUSE!!!!! getting up on stage did make me feel sick next to the 4 Mahogany hotties. Maureen and Faye (with their 2 other sisters) rocked and they made us all proud to say we work with them. Another night where I got into bed after 1am again. When I got home Max and Darren had set up a camp out in the lounge room. They were sooo peaceful when I arrived home....I could not wake them!



Sunday was Father's day. We had a quiet start to the day. Max had lots of preschool gifts for Daz and we brought him Underbelly Season 2. We then went to my Dad's to say hello, poor Doreen was not very well and he was stressed and running around trying to get lots done. We helped him get to the shops and get a few things done. He is such a caring man. We kept on the move to Darren's mum's to say goodbye as she was off to Hawaii.......lucky woman!!!!!

I just wanted to have dinner and hit the sack .......but I couldn't.....wouldn't lol....It was time for the annual IDOL party.....were 12 girls had more giggles and the annual IDOL sweep was determined and the dares to match. My IDOL is Hayley and for once I might have a chance of top 5!!!!!! I got to bed at 12...yawn....some needed lesson prep for Monday and the need to tidy up parts of the house.

just because

I love this Russell and Max photo taken for August

and winter is OVER....Yippppeeeee I LOVE SPRING.

happy birthday to my mum tooxxxxxxx