Renovations!

So, After just about finishing the big renovation next door - I have decided that my house totally sucks!
I am going through now and slowly repainting (and changing some fixtures, ie from white ceramic to stainless steel/brushed aluminium etc). We decided on doing it all in shades of grey (NO! nothing to do with that bloody stupid book!).
Main living areas pale grey, toilets, laundry, hallway and stairwell a mid grey and our bedroom a dark grey (Victorian Pewter - but with some shots of yellow to take the lavender out of it).


In preparation for our new backyard (which has STILL not happened yet - don't get me started on the bloody neighbours dragging their heels on that effing fence!), I am also re-doing our courtyard. Plan is to make that area a bit more contemporary and adult so we have our section and the kids have their own area to tear around in.


In other news, as it is school holidays, we are doing family stuff. Scitech, Zoo, Movies, Play gyms etc.


Photo update below!

I planted pink and burgundy Cordylines as well as Rainbow Dianella along here with blue metal on top (weed mat underneath because I hate weeding). You can also see I hve a new fence as the storm the other week blew mine out (And not the effing fence next door that NEEDS to be done!)

Closer view

Cutest tortoise at the zoo. This little fella is a Radiated Tortoise. It was about the size of a hockey puck!

T-Rex at Scitech

One of the little fellas in the Paleontology pit "discovering" a dinosaur. He was fairly confident in telling me it was a Coelophysis. LOL

Stegosaurus at Scitech.

This is the grey colour in the laundry. I had to paint the mirror chrome as the brassy/gold it was just didn't work.

What a great ad!

You know when something just clicks and makes sense...

Today has been a very hard trying day. The whining and nothing ever being  good enough wears me to the bone more often than not these days :(
===========================

Captain Hook: Now pay attention, class. We have a lot to go over. 
Lesson one: Why Parents HateTheir Children. 
Anyone? You, the cute little urchin, in the front row. Won’t you share your thoughts, with the whole class?
Maggie: Yes!I said mommy reads to us every night, because she LOVES us very much!
Captain Hook: Loves you? Isn't that the, uh, the...
Smee: The 'L' word, Captain.
Captain Hook: Ooh, yes! 

No, child, Your mother wants to read to you every night in order to stupefy to sleep, so that she and daddy could sit down for three measly minutes without you. And your mindless, inexhaustible, unstoppable, repetitive, and nagging demands: He took my toy! She hit my bear! I want a potty! I want a cookie! I want to stay up! I want, I want, I want, me, me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, mine, now, now, now, now! 

Can't you understand, child? They tell you stories to shut you up.
Smee: And conk you out.
Maggie: That's not true, Jack! You're a liar!
Captain Hook:  Lie? Me? Never. The TRUTH is far too much fun. Oh my child, before you were born, your parents would stay up all night, together, just to see the sun rise. Don’t be frightened. Maggie, before you were born, they were happier. They were free.

CWM GOCH

Well, we had a lovely day today up at Cwm Goch
Her place is just a beautiful sprawl of greenery that makes me so completely jealous - of both the space, location and green thumbery!
If she is reading this, I want you to know that I have all the time in the world for you and your family. Honestly, you guys are probably the nicest most genuine people I have the honor of knowing :)

Anyway, enough of that kiss assing ;p
Here is a photo journey of our day.

Easter

Easter 2012!

We did our annual Easter hunt with a twist this year. Last year we all overdosed on chocolate. We had so much that I ended up donating most of it.

This year we decided to fill up plastic eggs with various things. Some had jelly beans, some had small solid eggs, some had balloons, some had kids jewelry, some had various other toys. It was a huge success with the kids :)

Comparing their haul.

Contemplating the Universe

One of the Easter Sunday crafts. Easy as biscuit decorations!

And a picture of the finished bench.

Verge side shopping

The Armchairs! - One on the left is after I got to it with a sander and stain/varnish :)

Had a seriously good day today in terms of picking up free great stuff!
There is a verge side collection in the next suburb atm and so far I have managed to 'score' for the new backyard (4 weeks to go! YAY) 3 jarrah bench seats, 2 outdoor jarrah armchair, 1 outdoor jarrah table and a triple seater see-saw.
The furniture was in pretty good nick too. 2 of the benches, the arm chair and the table just need a light sand and some varnish/gloss. Maybe some new screws to tighten them up. The other bench was painted, so have already sanded it back and repainted it. Will post photos later!

This bench was already painted. As I couldn't get the paint off, I decided to go with the burgundy and black theme. It is half done. Just have to do the top 3 bars in black. Chair was painted alternate blues and greens.

One of the benches.

And the table!

Channel 9 80's health adverts

I wish commercial channels would run these again.












Pure Gold.

Things to do with kids - in South West of Western Australia

Okay, I like staying in The Yallingup, Dunsborough, maragaret River, Balingyup, Nannup, Pemberton Area. So here is my list of places that are family/child friendly - dining or just family days out.
Dining and kids
Wills Domain - http://www.willsdomain.com.au/
Playground
Laurance Wines - http://www.laurancewines.com.au/index.php
Playground
Duckstein - http://www.duckstein.com.au/index.php/margaret_river
Playground
Briarose Estate - http://www.margaretriver.com/accom_result1/briarose-estate/
Playground
Bootleg Brewer - http://www.bootlegbrewery.com.au/default.aspx
Playground
Bush Shack Brewery - http://www.bushshackbrewery.com.au/default.htm
Playground
Cape Mentelle -  http://www.capementelle.com.au/
Playground
Colonial Brewing Co - http://www.colonialbrewingco.com.au/brewery
Playground
Goanna Gallery - http://www.goannacafe.com.au/goanna-gallery/
small play area
Cowarmarup Brewery - http://www.cowaramupbrewing.com.au/family-fun.html
Playground
Millers Ice-Creamery - http://www.millersmargaretriver.com.au/view/home/
playground
Simmos Ice-Cream - http://www.simmos.com.au/
Playground
3 Bears Pub, Cnr Seymour Boulevard & Caves Road, Dunsborough
Playground. $2 kids showbags.


Just playgrounds
Apple Fun Park (Donnybrook)  http://www.crendon.com.au/apple_funpark.htm
Pemberton Town centre playground - http://acoffeeinthepark.com/pemberton-town-centre


Other kid stuff
Sunflowers animal farm - http://www.sunflowersfarm.com/
The mythic mazes - http://www.mythicmazes.com.au/
The Yallingup maze - http://yallingupmaze.com.au/
Quindalup Fauna Park - 962 Caves Rd, Quindalup WA 6281, Australia
Ph: (08) 9755 3933
Country Life Farm - http://www.countrylifefarm.com.au/Country_Life_Farm/Page_One.html
A Maze'n Margaret River - http://www.amazenmargaretriver.com.au/
Gabriel Chocolate - http://www.gabrielchocolate.com.au/
Boranup Forest Maze - http://www.margaretriver.com/accom_result1/boranup-forest-maze/
Metricup Bird Park - http://www.womo.com.au/reviews/Metricup-Bird-Park-Margaret-River/
Naturaliste Reptile Park - http://www.naturalistereptilepark.com.au/

Child Friendly Dining in Perth

Here is a go to list of places that you can eat out with your kids and they have some sort of entertainment for kids.

Venue: Brooklands Tavern
Location: Huntingdale/Southern River
Child Friendly Attributes: new indoor playground. $2 kids showbags.

Venue: 3 Bears Pub
Location: Dunsborough
Child Friendly Attributes: Playground. $2 kids showbags.

Venue: Eden Hill Bar & Bistro
Location: Morley Drive, Eden Hill
Child Friendly Attributes: Childrens play area. Free video games.

Venue: Red Rock Noodle Bar & Restaurant
Locations: Mt Lawley, Claremont, Applecross, Vic Park
Child Friendly Attributes: Have an indoor kids entertainment section - games and such.

Cater4Kids - group move from pub to pub providing childrens entertainment, like face painting and crafts.
Pubs involved (check their website http://www.cater4kids.com.au/index.asp?laCode=ENGAU - for which nights) are;
The Saint George (aka The Saint) Innaloo
The Glengarry Tavern - Duncraig
The Left Bank - Fremantle
The Whistling Kite - Secret Harbour
The Oxford Hotel - Leederville
The Balmoral - East Victoria Park
The Iris Bar and Restaurant - Jandakot
Paddy Malones - Joondalup
Captain Stirling - nedlands
Bentley Hotel - Bentley
The Northwood Alehouse - Mirrabooka
The Gate bar and Bistro - Success
Byford Tavern - Byford 

Venue: The Laughin' Barrel

Location: The Swan Valley

Website:  http://www.thelaughinbarrel.com.au/ 
Child Friendly attributes: A large fenced outdoor playground near a patio with a few tables for adults to sit and enjoy their meal. Also they do a meal where the kids go and make their own pizza, they roll out the dough, put their toppings on and then the chef cooks it

Venue: Siennas
Location: Leederville
Child Friendly attributes: An indoor kids playground.

Venue: Eaton Tavern
Location: Eaton, Bunbury
Child Friendly Attributes:
Good food, lots of room, outdoor play equipment where you can eat at the restruant and watch your kids play. 

Venue: The Grove Grill
Location: Wattle Grove
Child friendly attributes: Outdoor, fenced playground with tables nearby for adults to see them clearly.
Con: The playground only has "mood" lighting so early dinners are best but you can still see sufficiently if you stay later.

Venue: Ninniku Jip
Location: Victoria Park
Child friendly attributes: Indoor playground.

Venue: Portofino's Cafe
Location: Quinns
Child friendly attributes: Outdoor playground under sails
Open during the day until 4.30/5pm 

Venue: Salt on the beach (cafe side)
Location: East Fremantle

Website:   http://onthebeach.net.au/ 
Child friendly attributes: Outdoor playground plus free kids entertainment on fridays from 5.30 - 7.30pm from Feb-Oct and on thursdays, same time, from Nov-Jan.

Venue: Gloria Jeans
Location: top floor of Myer, Morley Galleria
Child Friendly Attributes: cubby house and kids play area with lots of toys, near tables. Also very spacious so lots of room for kids to run around. 

Venue: The Yallingup Maze
Location: Caves Road, Yallingup
Awesome outdoor play area and deck, massive grassed area with free balls/kites etc. Inside, there are all sorts of little puzzles on the tables for the kids to play with.
Staff very accommodating to make meals "kid friendly".

Venue: Stringbark Tavern
Location: Wanneroo
Child Friendly Attributes: Large playground within the venue. $2 showbags. Kids eat free on Tuesdays.

Venue: Piccos Kitchen
Location: Peninisula Road/Tranby Road Maylands
Child Friendly Attributes: It is quite small but has some toys and a blackboard - great for tea/coffee for you and a friend and the kids, but not for a big group. Nice food but a bit exxy.

Venue: Bindoon bakehouse
Location: Bindoon

they have a lovely toy kitchen with kitchen utensils and coloured dough for the kids to play with, a blackboard etc. Also the yummiest cakes!

Venue: Fired Cafe
Location: Joondalup
Childrens activities: Ceramic painting
Website: http://www.firedcafe.com.au/
Con: Can be expensive.

Venue: Ceramica Cafe
Location: Clarkson
Childrens Activities: Ceramic Painting
Website: http://www.cafeceramica.com.au/

Venue: Portofinos
Location: Mindarie
Childrens Activities: large outdoor fully fenced playground. Free colouring sheets and pencils
Website: http://www.portofinos.com.au/

Venue: Dome Cafe
Location: Mindarie
Childrens Activities: Enclosed childrens playground. Free colouring in and pencils.

Venue: Outback Jacks
Location: Fremantle
Childrens Activities: Kid’s rooms are fitted with toys like Playstations, TV’s and Colouring Books.
Website: http://www.outbackjacks.com.au/
Kids eat free Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5-7pm.

Venue: The Boat
Location: Mindarie
Childrens Activities: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Two trained staff members entertain the kids. Activities they can choose from include books & puzzles, Nintendo games, arts, crafts and more.
Website: http://www.theboat.com.au/whats_on_events

Venue: The Chocolate Factory

Location: Swan Valley
Has colouring / activity sheets and pencils for kids
Has large grassed area with bats and balls for the kids to run around and play.
Great chocolate fondue and of course free chocie sampling

Venue: Koorong Bookshop / Pages Cafe

Location: Mt Lawley

Has a childrens enclosed playground.

Venue: Sticky Beaks Playground Cafe

Location: Kings Park Road, Kings Park

Large playground (not enclosed)

Venue: Mount Helena Tavern (nb: has a creek and supervision is required)

Location: 900 Keane St, Mount Helena

Website: http://www.mounthelenatavern.com.au/

Sunday session they have a bouncy castle for the kids.
Sunday buffet breakfast kids eat free.
Any other day Kids eat free (daily 12 -2 ) - 2 kids per one adult ordering a main meal. 10 years and under.

Venue: Gloucester Park

Location: 4 Nelson Crescent, East Perth

Website: http://www.gloucesterpark.com.au/gloucester-park/

"Gloucester Park in East Perth fires up on Friday nights with harness racing and offers a free creche for three to 13-year olds with toys, activities and movies from 6.15pm-10.15pm (phone (08) 9325 6662 to reserve a place). There are three restaurants overlooking the track and over summer there's children's entertainment in the form of bouncy castles, rides and face painting. The free red CAT bus will take you to the main gate on Nelson Crescent and admission is $10 for adults, $5 for concessions and accompanied under-16s enter free."

Family Days out - Perth and surrounds

I am going to do some posts on my blog about where to dine with kids, and one with where families can go out together. Mainly because I keep losing my list, so I need someone easier to find it :p
So, here is Family Days out in Perth (a couple are kids entertainment/holiday occupiers)


The Maze
Scitech
AQWA
Perth Museum
Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm
Whiteman Park
Coventry Square markets
Boshack
Piney Lakes
Mandurah Dolphin Tours
Fremantle Arts Centre
Lake Leschenaultia
Landsdale Farm School
Whats2Eat
Pioneer Park in Mount Helena
Noble Falls
Walyunga National Park
John Forrest National Park


or
Gloucester Park
"Gloucester Park in East Perth fires up on Friday nights with harness racing and offers a free creche for three to 13-year olds with toys, activities and movies from 6.15pm-10.15pm (phone (08) 9325 6662 to reserve a place). There are three restaurants overlooking the track and over summer there's children's entertainment in the form of bouncy castles, rides and face painting. The free red CAT bus will take you to the main gate on Nelson Crescent and admission is $10 for adults, $5 for concessions and accompanied under-16s enter free."

UPDATED TO ADD
http://www.gravitycentre.com.au/


http://www.perthroyalshow.com.au/

Other things to do with kids in and around Perth are
Rotary Park in Wanneroo
Maylands Water Park 
Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre in Hillarys
Wildkidz in Wangara
Go Bananas in Joondalup
Playground at Hillarys Boat Harbour
Landsdale Farm School
Lotterywest Playground in Kings Park (http://www.acoffeeinthepark.com/kings-park-family-area)
Kings Park Wetlands (http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/education/naturescape)
Perth Zoo
Lagoon at Yanchep
Whiteman Park
Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup
Mundaring Weir
Volcano Park in Belmont
Tomato Lake in Kewdale (Playground and kiosk)
Heathcote Reserve in Applecross
Mighty Jungle in Morley
The State Library
Perth Museum
Art Gallery
Maritime Museum (Freo)
Fremantle Museum
Cohunu Wildlife Park (http://www.cohunu.com.au/)

Some links as well to other resources for Perth
http://www.experienceperth.com/

http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/whats-on/kids

http://perth.netii.net/

http://www.kids-around-perth.com/perth-things-to-do.html

http://www.acoffeeinthepark.com/

I also recommend going to the Kalamunda Markets (http://www.marketsonline.com.au/kalamunda-village-markets/75/)
They also have a farmers market on Sundays (http://www.kalamundachamber.com/farmers_market/kalamunda_farmers_market.phtml)

Homeopathy

Because we all know it is a bug bear of mine.


This is an excellent link for describing exactly what is Homeopathy
http://darryl-cunningham.blogspot.com/2010/06/homeopathy.html


List of scientifically controlled double blind studies which have conclusively demonstrated the efficacy of homeopathy

Just coz

Snowmen and Gardens

So, today has been taken up so far with making marshmellow snowmen gifts. I swear all the kids at the Christmas party are going to be so fed to the gills with sugar!

Instructions for Marshmallow Snowmen is HERE

My corn and zucchini patch at my mothers house.

She has heaps of these vicious bastard plants. They are called the "Crown of Thorns".

Meanwhile, back at home one of the various projects has been to try and rid ourselves of pigeons. 3 kilos of poisoned feed hasn't seemed to have done anything to the bastards, so have reverted to deterring them from my garden. So far this used disc mobile has been working. (used discs and fishing wire).

My little patch of tomatoes, basil and garlic.

My mum lost a few Rhubarb this year, but the lone survivor is doing fantastically.

And then there is my little Angel. I lost my son, Byron, nearly 9 years ago. We buried him here and this is his memorial statue. My poor little boy was the same size as this cherub, so it seemed fitting when I saw it to get it to mark his grave. 

Christmas 2011

And Christmas is nearly here already!
My how this year has bloody flown.
Anyway, I have been stuck in the repeating tasks of Christmas crafts with the kids - usual of Santa heads, Bells, ornaments, xmas stocking decorating, cookies and little houses (photos of them below).

Soooo, rest of this update, is - shock horror - a photo update!

Their relatively new cubby and the outdoor Xmas tree (aka Loquat that suddenly died on me)

Fake gingerbread houses. Look at my cooking blog on how to make the "Ungingerbread House"

All wrapped up and ready to give away. There are going to be 8 kids at the Christmas party this year, so my boys and I made enough for all the kids!

For the place settings at the Christmas party, I thought I it would be 'cute' this year to make up bags of Reindeer Noses.

One of the painting projects for the cubby. We had some left over Bouganvillea wood, so painting it seemed like a good idea.

More painted wood for the cubby decoration.

We took all the kids down to a life size snow dome.

Quickie photo update

Spiderwebs in the morning

All I can show you of one of the recent birthday parties. 

OMG, Master C just loved this Perth Royal Show slide!

The boys just LOVED the Dinosaur petting zoo at the Perth Royal Show.

?Ladybird Poppy from my garden.

The kids really enjoyed playing in the creek at the Helena Valley "Whim" Festival.

Ta-dah! I made the Snake cake as requested by my eldest for his birthday. I did an awesome job of it too!