355 + 251 Weeks

It's been such a big week, despite the fact that we don't like going out during school holidays!  The kids' cousins Zach and Baz were down for the week, and the kids wanted to take them to the Bommie, our favourite exploring beach.  It was such a beautiful day, and totally deserted down there. Georgia couldn't believe they have never been to that beach before, despite living in the area for six years.  The kids did a bit of rock climbing.  Arley refused to take his sandals off, because he is going through a phase where he doesn't want anyone to see his feet (even though you can pretty much see them with his sandals on!).  It was a lovely afternoon, and Carmie loves being around her older cousins, so much so that the next day she invited them over for a play. :)

We also took a trip to Kiama this week.  The kids wanted to catch the train up, so the plan was to drive to Nowra and then train it, but somehow both Jeff and I misread the train time table, and we missed the train!  They were so disappointed!!  But we drove up instead, and then the kids and I caught the train home and Jeff picked us up from Nowra.  While we were in Kiama, the kids had a big play at the park, and they both went on the bungee trampoline, although Arley was not terribly adventurous (it's pretty impressive that he got up there at all though, to be honest!).  We walked up to the Blow Hole (the kids were very impressed) and took in the scenery.  It is gorgeous up there.  And then we caught the train home, and the kids couldn't stop smiling.  Arley just thought it was the best thing ever.  His love for trains is still going strong!

Another day we went with Carmie's friend Ness (and family) to Honeymoon Bay up near Jervis Bay.  What an amazingly beautiful place!  Ness's mum Sarah took Carmie snorkelling, which she loved, but took a while to get the hang of.  Arley once again refused to take his sandals off, so wouldn't go swimming.  Sarah kindly set up towels to make a little cubby for him, so he could exchange his sandals for a pair of flippers so he could swim.  But then he decided not to swim and instead just walked around in flippers for four hours.  Such a goose.  It was such a beautiful place, however it got very crowded towards the end of our day, and then I almost ran out of gas on the way home, so it got a little stressful!

We had to cancel a play date this week because Arley was having a rough day.  He was super emotional, crying in the evening, worried about me dying, worried about me leaving him, and then acting out and pretty much causing mayhem.  He has been pretty even-keeled these last two days though, which I am very thankful for!

The kids have been doing lots of bike riding in the cul de sac, which is good.  I can actually send them outside for chunks of time now, and have a breather while I get some never-ending housework done.  They have also been drawing and playing together nicely sometimes, which gives me so much hope!!  They both have had their moments (some seriously bad ones too!) but all in all, a good week.

Cousins

 In Kiama

 At the entrance to the Blow Hole

 Train faces.  So cute!

 At Honeymoon Bay

 Her borrowed wetsuit was a tad too big!

 Face painting today at Bunnings

He always wants to be just like his big sis.