Chinchilla Melon Festival

We've been waiting a loooong time for the Melon Fest to come around and it didn't disappoint. On Friday night we could've gone to the Rodeo but I knew it would be really crowded and difficult to get good seats for the kids so we went to the 'movie under the stars' at Amita's school. We watched Oddball which is probably a very funny movie but I couldn't understand much of the dialogue with all of the kiddies running around! haha... next time I'll request subtitles :) 

Lizzie being cute.

Amita being crazy.

Lizzie snuggling up to Nan and Pa.

Saturday morning we headed to the markets down the main street. We have never seen so many people in one place in this town before!

Amita and Lizzie had a go on a ride each and got to choose one thing to buy. Amita chose a necklace from the crystal shop that looks like Moana's necklace. Lizzie got one of those plastic expanding ball things. She's holding it in a photo lower down. 

Time for the Street parade. We saw lots of interesting cars and people.

This is Miguel from 'The Living Room' being filmed for a segment on the show I guess. Those are some pretty big Watermelons on that float but the one that won the biggest weigh-in was 75kg heavy. 

A family shot just before heading home. We were on the last day of this 4 week long heatwave and at 11am we were done and needed some air conditioning. 

About 4pm and we all went out to check out the Melon Sports (It was still about 40 degrees at this time) and we were very grateful for the free watermelon! Even Steve had a piece to eat.

We stayed to watch a chariot race and then decided it was just too hot and headed home. We had a great time though and are hoping we won't be in a heatwave next time and will be able to see all of the activities. 

Amita is back at school

Here's Amita on her first day back at school. This year she is in grade 1 and has settled in nicely with her new teacher and friends. Lizzie on the other hand is missing her play buddy and keeps asking me to play doll house with her.

Amita received an award on parade. 

It says: For consistently being a responsible learner who follows all the school values. Amita you are a very respectful class member. Keep up the fabulous work.

Christmas and New Years

Christmas was so good this year. Nice and relaxed! Which is just the way we like it. We woke up and checked out our goodies from Santa and then had a yummy breaky of coco-pops, croissants and mangoes. Christmas, being on a Sunday this year meant that we could get dressed up in our Christmas dresses for church.

 Here are the girls obliging me with a pose under the big tree outside the chapel.

Once home it was time to put baby Jesus in our nativity (a new tradition we started this year). And then we opened our presents. I know it doesn't look like it but Lizzie was super excited to get a Star Wars play-dough kit.  

Amita was so happy to get a Harry Potter book. We have been reading it together at bedtime and are almost half way through.

I can't remember why they were hugging but it's such a cute photo.

Here's my crazies! We had a delicious lunch/dinner with turkey, ham and salads. Poor Steve had only just got his braces on 2 days before and was struggling to eat. He was grateful for the soft potato salad. After Steve set up our new Xbox we got to skype our extended families and wish them Merry Christmas.

Here's just a quick pic from New Years. We stayed up to watch the kid's Sydney fireworks and had some fun with sparklers.

And this is a picture I just found after Amita hijacked my camera. 😁

Camping trip to Hervey Bay

We have just spent a week camping at Hervey Bay. Steve and I think we have found our camping style and we call it 'Camping with Facilities.' I liked having a camp kitchen, showers, bathroom, laundry and shops close by so I didn't need to stress about anything. There was also lots of interesting things to do around town with the girls so they didn't need to be entertained by us so much. I got an awesome king single size air mattress, which meant I actually slept well for the first time while camping. It makes a big difference when you're well rested. Unfortunately Steve and Lizzie both had the Flu but they soldiered on and we had a great time.

Amita and Lizzie are going to share their camping experience now.

We're inside the tent while Mum and Dad were setting it up. We had to stand in the tent because it was really windy and we didn't want the tent to blow away.

I liked flying the Butterfly kite and I had to run in the right direction to make it fly in the air.

Daddy caught me from the wave.

I got a towel and got a cough. I was sad.

I collected shells on the beach to make my sand-castle tower.

We were making sand angels. It was so fun.

I buried Sleeping Beauty in the sand. I made her into a mermaid. 

At night we played in the tent. Lizzie was throwing her toys at me.

This is me (Amita) at the Jump Park. I did a flip into the big white pillow. I also did the big obstacle course and I was very brave because I had to do a big jump from on top of a wall. There was a wall made out of trampolines and I liked crashing into it.

Lizzie liked jumping on all of the trampolines.

 This is Lizzie and Dad playing checkers. Later Mum and I played and I won! I trapped Mum's piece so I could jump over her.

My family went to the China gardens. It was so pretty. 

This is my family.

I can see me doing a funny face ~ Lizzie.

I am sliding on the little slide. (This is at the free water park in Hervey Bay - we loved it!)

Lizzie is standing on the stingray and I am standing on the octopus' head!

This is me running through the water fountains.

I was doing a funny face with Dad. 

We found Santa at the shops and took a photo with him. I told Santa I wanted a lot of stuff but Santa said we'll figure it out ~ Amita

I wanted a doll ~ Lizzie

We went on a riding animal. When I started it moving Lizzie fell off the back but Daddy caught her. So Lizzie went on the front of the Angry Bird. 

We played giant chess near the park. I got the most pieces out and Lizzie stole my Queen.

End of Year Celebrations - The Dance Concert

Amita was a wonderful dancer at her concert. She was always smiling and had lots of enthusiasm! Here are some photos and videos from her concert. 

My favourite dance move of the night is the hip wiggle right near the end.

She was very spoilt and received a certificate, medal and trophy for being a shining star!

Steve was a shining star too! He took care of all the lighting and sound for the concert. 

Lizzie showed off her skills during intermission too...