In through the nose ...

And out through the mouth!!

Just as well I've got Maggie, my Canadian yoga teacher/friend. What, with a busy nearly 7-year old, a busy and noisy nearly 3-year old, a partially present husband, and more house guests, it's good to have a tiny constant in my increasingly chaotic life.

Whisker inspection

Isabella's been enjoying a summer art camp, run at a local cafe - the only local cafe, might I add. After a solid morning's "work", she emerges tired, but quietly content, laden with goodies: painted bird house; hand coloured stocking and wire dragonfly; dream catcher; and piggyback - so far!

Note hand painted visor and froggie

Platypus impersonation, but then, you knew that!!

We've also had our own "art camp" at home ...

Daniel was given a plate - artist's palette - with a number of colours which he proceeded to blend, while Isabella preferred to stick to solid colours!

Isabella and I discovered the local library this week and she's now engaged in a summer reading program which rewards kids for reading a certain number of books with stickers, vouchers to the basketball or the local pizzeria.  When she heard of the loan limit of 50 books, Isabella's eyes widened -  we've already been back with 14 of the 16 books read, and another 10 out! I'm not sure we'll maintain the same momentum throughout the entire 2 month break, but I did try to impress upon her that I didn't want to hear the "I'm bored" phrase, as it would only indicate that she was lacking the imagination to entertain herself!! So far, so good!

It's been lovely having more family stay and I think Bernie and Jean have gained a newfound appreciation for home - by being here. The pics say it all, I think ...

Enjoying dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse - one of our locals

The kids are loving having "new blood" to bounce off, tantrum in front of, and generally chatter to. 

They are also enjoying a bit of kick with a "real" footy ...

At the local hardware shop with Uncle Bernie ... Just like Saturday mornings at Bunnings!

Uncle Bernie, looking somewhat biblical here in the back of Dave's "truck", has also come in handy putting the kids to sleep!

Dinner in our proper grown-up dining room 

This week, Bernie bravely hired a car and drove himself and Jean across to Savannah for a few nights. They're still there, and from the limited comms we have, it sounds as if they're loving it as much as we do.

Summer is well and truly upon us and I can't say I'm enjoying it too much. Airconditioning - in the house, car and everywhere else, is my only saving grace. Shady car parks (in the treed sense, not the criminal one) are a luxury, so even parking the car for 10 minutes ensures you return to a hot box that gives you a headache just sitting in it. Aaargh - can't wait to head north to cooler climes!

Daniel's daycare has "water play Wednesdays" throughout June, and yesterday, being his first one, saw him come home, tired, limp and whingy. All he wanted to do was to have a rest "with Mummy" - of course, because I have nothing else to do at 5 in the evening - whereupon he chucked up, poor fellow. I suspect he was suffering from some degree of heat stress and was dehydrated after just too much time outside, even with a bit of splashing thrown in.

A quiet day at home with Mummy and Bubba seemed to see him turn the corner and after a 3-hour nap this afternoon, the boy had made a full recovery, eating a giant dinner of sea perch, broccoli and corn, followed by ice cream with sprinkles, and a snuggle in bed with Bubba, while listening to the Frozen soundtrack. I'm hoping that's it for the both of them until at least 7 tomorrow morning.

Dave's busy, busy, busy, and really not getting a huge amount of time with his mum and brother, but that will change soon when we set out on our summer road trip ... Watch this space!!

In the meantime, here's some location shots ... this is where we live, and I fully understand if these don't inspire you to visit us over here! 

This is why we try to get out and about as much as we can, if not as much as we'd like!!

The people you meet in the car park!

Chain restaurants 

Dollar shops

Cars, cars, cars

Tattoos ... I should have included gun and pawn shops in this little montage but felt a little iffy about photographing those, especially from a slowly moving target.

The entrance to our estate ... Quite the oasis!