Christmas Came Early

This year Darryn and I decided to give the kids sand for Christmas.  Lots and lots of sand.....30t to be exact.

We were trying to find a present that was unbreakable, long lasting, versatile and that would provide endless entertainment for the little people living at and visiting Neerim.  I can also say that it is certainly a gift that keeps on giving - sand is everywhere - in the house, in hair, in eyes, in mouths, in the shower, in pockets, in hats, on the trampoline, everywhere!!  But they are absolutely loving it....

Lewis has particularly enjoyed the spreading of the sand.  He absolutely loves anything diesel powered!!

So with a few minor adjustments the sandpit is ready for PLAY! Merry Christmas kiddies :-)

In other news, Darryn has broken in his first horse, this is Diva on her first ride in the big yard.  All went smoothly.

Lewis got a belated birthday present, a tool kit.  Darryn was pleased that now he can have all his tools back.  Lewis is running himself ragged 'fixing things'!!

After all that sandpit playing, this little tigger could barely stay awake long enough to finish his dinner...

2 Years Young

Our darling big boy turned 2 last week.  We spent the weekend at Baralaba so cousins were as plentiful as presents.  With 6 kids under the age of six - the urge to assist the birthday boy with present opening and candle blowing was almost unbearable for the other five!

Lots of presents.

 

 

And of course birthday cake.

Dane had to relight the candles a few times so everyone could show Lewis the art of candle blowing. 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday beautiful boy.  You are determined, stubborn and oh so very cheeky.  You love trucks, tractors, screwdrivers and 'fixing things'.  You love your Daddy, with the first words I hear every morning when you get out of bed "Where's Dad?"  Most days you only roll out of bed at 8am so Dad is usually long gone!  You love going in the buggy to 'check cows' or 'feed sheep' or just do anything with Dad.  You carry your beloved 'ted-ted' everywhere and will not go to sleep without it.  Heidi bosses you around but you are starting to stand up to her 'Lewis, get me a drink' requests.  We love you more than words can say and look forward to many more birthday cakes with you xoxox.

Terrible two's here we come!!!

The Style Files

From the time that Heidi was able to dress herself, I can honestly count only one day (in probably about a year!) that she has worn only one outfit all day!  I mean, the clothes she puts on after taking off her pjs are never ever the same clothes that she takes off at her end of the day bath.  It would be safe to say this kid would average four outfits a day, every day.  That four does not include (during summer) a couple of nudie stints throughout the day also!!  She is certainly a girly girl - wanting everything to be oh so pretty.  I have a lock on her cupboard containing all her pretty 'town' dresses to curb her desire for twirly skirts and sparkly dresses.  Due to her only having access to boring 'work' clothes she never misses and opportunity to jazz it up a bit....  

Pegs are not just for hanging out the washing.  Apparently they make excellent fashion accessories.  Also handy for holding up skirts which are about 50 sizes too big but must be worn.

No mention of going swimming - she just thought it felt like a flippers and goggles kind of day.

Heidi informed me in no uncertain terms that she must wear her rainbow dress and sparkly boots so that Bergie will think she is so pretty. No way was this kid donning jeans to ride her horse!

And then she found a blonde wig...

The kid has style :-)

But we love our sparkly little princess despite the strain she places on the poor old washing machine!!!

Moo, Baa, Quack, Neigh, Woof....



We are starting to accumulate a bit of a menagerie here of late!  Heidi of course is still loving her rides on Bergie.  Lewis has gone from stone cold in his affections towards horses to just cold.  He will now stand on the rail while Heidi rides and the photo below his leg is actually touching the horse!!!!  For Lewis, this is an incredible achievement in our quest to make him love horses.  I do fear, however, that Lewis will not be lining up for Aunty Tayla's horse riding lessons in the years to come. 

 

 

 

After Darryn's attendance at a local dog training school, he returned home chanting "we need sheep".  So low and behold we have welcomed six sheep to the Neerim family for the purpose of training collie pups.  Four of these sheep may possibly be 'in lamb' so standby for cute lamb pictures in the coming months...

To keep the sheep company we also have Peppa Pig which roams freely around Neerim.  She will, hopefully, soon give us some piglets which will also free range until they are ready for the chopping block - pork chops here we come!  Peppa has become more like a cow than a pig.  She has mated up with our steers and even comes into the yards when they are mustered. 

 

 

Of course the chooks are still going strong, with the introduction of "Big Red" the chook family is now complete.

Our dog numbers have remained steady of late, nine canines is more than enough for any family I say!

With plenty of calves starting to hit the ground, I pray every day that I don't have any 'poddies' to add to this list! 

We are also yet to list "skinny pigs" (guniea pigs) as Heidi calls them - and going by her growing fascination with them I fear the day is closer than I would like!  Darryn is adamant that no 'meow' will ever be heard ringing from Neerim - so for now, that's a wrap on all things domesticated. 

Of course there are still three cheeky monkeys residing here....

Playgroup

Last term I took the kids to a pre-school activity day held every fortnight at St Lawrence.  Heidi absolutely loves it, Lewis cruises around getting into mischief and Rhys enjoys the love and affection received by anyone and everyone peering into the pram.  The final week was 'book week' where the kids had to dress up as a character out of a book.

 

Of course Heidi wanted to be a 'sparkly fairy princess' of any variety.  She settled with Angelina Ballerina.

 

Lewis 'cowboyed up' with his Woody from Toy Story outfit.

And not one to be left out, Rhys was Supermanbaby!

They had a ball!! Lewis even won best dressed in the under 5's!

We have been making a mess at home too....Heidi loves to art and craft - especially painting.  With a three year old and a one year old at the helm the paint is rarely restricted to just paintbrushes!

Sometimes I get a bit distracted in my supervisory role.  Rhys paid the price for me quickly ducking over to let the dogs out - a Lewis sized hand print to the head!

 

 

Darryn has been coming and going a bit lately so we have been in charge of keeping an eye on these first calf heifers.  The kids love seeing the new calves every day.

 

Heidi had a couple of days sleepover at Aunty Tina's.  Lewis was loving not having to fight for his spot in everything.  He ditched Rhys and I in the buggy for the shotgun position with Dad.

 

We had a visit from Cyclone Absolon.  While the men 'left the building' with boat in tow, making promises of delicious fresh fish. We kept the home fires burning and in between researching fabulous fish recipes we wrangled some chooks....

 

Played in the sprinkler....

 

Tackled obstacle courses...

 

And I am happy to report we closed out the weekend with a feed of fresh fish...

These two, I hope one day, will be the best of mates.  So far so good.  Rhys cracked 6 months (where oh where does the time go!?!?) and Lewis spoiled him with kisses and cuddles for his half year birthday.

These two mates were of course joined by their lovingly bossy big sister, who doesn't like to miss out! Three little peas in a pod.