Welcome to Australia Stanley

Meet Flat Stanley!!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine in England (who's little boy, Master C, just so happened to be Master J's best buddy when we used to live in England), contacted me asking for a favour.  Master C, who is also in year 1, was doing a class project that involved making 'Flat Stanley' and sending him off to another country where he could have some adventures and then make his way home to report back!

We were delighted to be involved and once I told Master J all about Stanley, he couldn't wait for him to arrive, and kept checking the post every day.

Stanley's arrived!  The big smile says it ALL!

Welcome to Australia Stanley

Stanley arrived all tucked up in an envelope with a set of instructions and we couldn't wait to show him around.

"Dear Master J

As part of our learning we have made ourselves a flat Stanley, based on the story of a little boy that is sent on an adventure.  Master C has decided to send his flat Stanley to you!  Please look after flat Stanley and tell us about his adventures.  Maybe he could come and spend the day with you at school or work, maybe you'd like to take him with you on a special trip and send us some photographs or information about where you have been or maybe he could find out about your home!  When flat Stanley is ready to come home after his adventure, please could you put him in the enclosed envelope, add some stamps and and pop him back in the post box.  When he arrives back to us we will find out about your adventures together as a class!

Love Master C"

Flat Stanley with Class 1R

Our first stop was to take Stanley to school.  Master J's teacher was absolutely thrilled to get involved and set aside some time for the whole class to learn about Stanley.  Master J got to do a 'special' news presentation to the class telling them all about Stanley and where he came from.  After looking at some pictures of Master C at school in England, the class learnt all about the differences between School in England and school in Australia.  (I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at their discussions and the kids just loved learning all about what kids their ages did at school in another country.  They then each drew a picture of something they do at school in Australia and we popped them all in an envelope ready to go back to England when Stanley has finished his adventures.

Poor Stanley brought the English weather with him - but he still had fun at the beach luckily.

We put Stanley in a bucket to stop him from getting blown away by the wind

Miss H held Stanley's hand just in case he was scared of the seagulls.

Of course Stanley had to visit the beach before he went home.  The first day we took him to the beach just happened to be a pretty cloudy, grey day and we all had a chuckle that Stanley must have brought the chilly English weather with him.  He didn't seem to mind though.

Stanley also learnt how to scooter and skate board and he went on the ferry to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House before we said goodbye and popped him back in the post.

Safe travels Stanley, we hope you let us know about your class in England.

The first day of Autumn

Isn't it funny how the last day of summer was boiling hot with really icky,sticky humidity (and a very irritable me because the air con in my car decided to break!!!!) and the very next day, (which just happened to be the first day of Autumn) it was cool and grey?  How does Mother Nature know how to do that???

First few items of winter clothes making an appearance

I've decided that I love Autumn.  I get cranky when it's too cold and I've now discovered that I get cranky when it's too hot too!!  (Not that I'm hard to please, honest!!).  Today was just perfect - even with the angry grey clouds.

After a whole morning of torrential rain, the kids were climbing the walls, so as soon as it stopped we all headed out for a walk.  I just love spending time with my family and it's days like these that make me absolutely certain we did the right thing moving us all from England to Sydney.

Hard to resist the beach - even on a grey, blustery day

She loves the great outdoors but not the hat!!

The heavy rain, winds and huge high tide had created a massive wall of sand on our usually flat beach, and the kids thought it was FANTASTIC!!!  They had so much fun diving and rolling off it - and Mr D and I had a great arm workout pulling them back up again (and again, and again, and again)  as it was just too high for them to climb it (although there was much giggling while they tried).

Master J and his buddy ditched their bikes for the beach

I nearly ended up head first at the bottom several times much to Mr D's amusement!

First time I've worn jeans in 6 months

Little dudes!

The best thing about Autumn is the skies are (usually) still blue, the water is still beautiful and warm, the days are still warm enough to wears t-shirts but without all the sweating and the evenings are cool enough to finally have a good nights sleep!!

What's your favorite season??

Wordless Wednesday - Out on a school night!

Good morning Sydney

A roundup of the first week in February (already!!!) in pictures. Love Instagram!

This week we have had the most beautiful summer days - February on the beaches has certainly lived up to its reputation.  I've also been very snap happy with my iphone, so I hope you're ready for a long list of pictures.  Here is our week - love Instagram!

Girls lunch in Manly

Last Sunday I spend the afternoon with the girls, sipping cocktails and watching the ocean at The Manly Wine Bar to celebrate a good friends birthday.  If you're ever in Sydney you really should drop in there.  It is one of my most favourite bars - right opposite the iconic Manly Beach, it's mixture of ocean views, old fashioned retro decor and awesome food is not to be missed.  It has such a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that you could loose a whole day in there - and it's policy to accept board-shorts and bikinis too if you so wish!!

How good does this dessert look???? 

Seems I wasn't the only one watching the view!  Even after  almost two years in Aus they still give me some serious heebie jeebies

Do you like my new hat?

Pretty little toes.  A pedicure date with Mummy

Can you spot the rainbow?

I love Wednesday's with my girls

Spagetti pizza

Another quick and awesome Thermomix dinner.  Left over Spagetti Bolognese on fresh pizza dough with cheese and fresh basil.  

How lucky are these two little munchins - look at that view!!!!!

A scooter and an apron.

We decided to have and impromptu BBQ dinner at the beach one evening as the weather was so lovely. Something that we really have to do more often.

I just LOVE these photos

The girls just had an absolute ball together playing in the lagoon mouth whilst Master J was doing his nippers class on Saturday afternoon.  Now that Miss L is crawling she thinks she is a real little clever cloggs

She really is a beach baby!

Sunday morning sunrise!  One advantage of being woken up by the kids at 6:30am

Sundays are such perfect family days

Watching the waves with Daddy

Alfresco Dinning

Today was one of those days where the weather was just PERFECT!  Not too hot and the sky was as blue as the ocean with not a cloud to be seen.

You see what I mean........perfect!

Being a school day I was all ready for the usual evening routine, when I got a txt from a good friend suggesting we meet for a quick BBQ at the beach with the kids.

What a fabulous idea - I wish I had thought of it!

Miss H helping dad cook the sausages!!

perfect evening for an impromptu BBQ

We live almost directly opposite this park and it takes no effort at all to just grap some sausages to throw on the BBQ and walk over for some alfresco dinning.  I don't know why we don't do it more often??????

Even the wind must have been perfect as all the kites were out in force this evening and they were just beautiful to watch.

Getting my fix!  I could just stare at this view for hours

I have to pinch myself on a daily basis!  I am truly grateful to be living in such a breathtaking beautiful part of the world.




Linking up with Leigh from Six By The Bay and Thankful Thursday.  Gratitude is an attitude!   What have you got to be thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday: Waiting for a wave

Take two!  I posted this up yesterday before realising that it was in fact Tuesday and not Wednesday!!  The school holidays have taken over my brain.........I don't even know what day I'm on.  So here is is again "Wordless Wednesday" The real Wednesday.

If you'd like to join up with wordless Wednesday then pop over and visit 

MY LITTLE DRUMMER BOYS