Somerset Dam

I was lucky enough to have a day off on the weekend, so we decided to have a drive somewhere localish and have a BBQ picnic. We decided on Somerser Dam, we had not been as a family and neither one of us could remember going more than once as a kid (a loooooooooong, looooong time ago).
We went to the Lake Somerset The Spit day use area - we really didn't know where exactly we wanted to go so just drove there and picked somewhere!
There were lots and lots of undercover tables and chairs, there were lots of BBQs (some were a set of two to share between a few of the covered areas). They were all very clean and well maintained. There was an area to swim, a boat ramp, a play ground, lots of open space to run around. There was a food van/truck there also (cash only).
Now to the serious stuff. The amenities.
There is 1 block of toilets. Lumpy, at the age of 6.5, had her first encounter with long drop/pit toilets. She was not happy "MUM, these toilets are broken! they go down a long way" then afterwards she walks out and says "I prefer electricity and running water"!!!
We had a small play/splash around in the water however it was a little too cold to go all in.
A great day was had by all, we stopped at the Somerset General Store on the way out to have an ice cream on the deck (they take card and cash). The blisters I got from doing the monkey bars and climbing wall with the girls have now settled.

Playgroup!

Something I never did with Lumpy, mostly because I had a lot of friends with babies/toddlers/children the same age- both friends and mothers group through the health centre, was join a Playgroup, I looked at them but never signed up or attended. With having a 4.5year gap between Lumpy and 2.0 and not many friends with babies at the same time, I found I needed to find something to help socialise not only 2.0 but me too.
We have been attending Playgroup during the school year this year, we love it! There is always so many things set up - some crafts, play dough, puzzles at the tables, on the floor there are play kitchens, dress ups, dolls, a clothes line and pegs, some blocks, cars or other transport activity for the children to play with to their hearts content. There is also some other activities, this week was an obstacle course. 2.0 loved it. It was the first time she actually went through the tunnel and discovered how much fun they can be.
There are other children of a variety of ages and after a play and afternoon tea, they do some songs and listen to a story.
I am glad I gave it a go and have met some wonderful parents and grandparents and 2.0 has more people to interact with.
to find your nearest play group click here

Glow sticks and balloons!

My girls are obsessed with balloons and glow sticks at the moment. 2.0 especially has been playing with balloons every day - Balloon play is fantastic for gross motor skill development (kicking, throwing, catching) and I have noticed they also helping with colour recognition. While glow sticks are fun but I haven't found any benefits developmental benefits, I did find a heap of uses for doomsday prepping though, that's a whole new blog though. Anyway, we had some friends over for a play date and decided to try putting the glow sticks inside the balloons (let me tell you, it's easier in theory than in practise!). It's safe to say the kids enjoyed themselves. and once the balloons popped, we used the glow sticks in the bubble bath.
Photographing balloons with glow stick, in the dark, is very tricky. I apologise for the poor quality photos.

Supplies needed -
Ballons
glow sticks (we used both the thin and thick ones, the thin were easier to slip in after the balloon was inflated, the thick ones were brighter though)
A dark room or night time :)

Hervey Bay road trip and camping!

As I've mentioned once or twice before - I am all about making memories on a budget. So with this in mind, for the second week of school holidays I took the girls camping in Hervey Bay, we stayed here.
 Torquay Beachfront Caravan Park the facilities were very clean, they had multiple camp kitchens (microwave, kettle and locked fridge), the sites were flat and big (though we had a very small set up) right on the beach. There is a park just next door for the kids (and a few more along the esplanade), cafes, convenience stores and restaurants in walking distance, It's a small drive to the water park (info), Urangan Pier and other wonder things to see and do. We spent most of our time down on the beach, between the flags, in the stunning water. It was calm/no waves and very small child friendly.

Lumpy was very impressed and said it was a great trip! 2.0 keeps asking to go back to the beach for a swim. I'm going total that as wins and that the trip was a success.

As I was the only driver with a 2 and 6 year old, we had a few stops along the way - or as Lumpy said "More adventure stops". Including the Mary Poppins statue and story trail in Maryborough, the birth place of P.L Travers. We also stopped at the Bauple museum which had a lovely fenced playground to let the kids stretch their legs and burn off energy.... Ok, yes, I did do the slide. Only twice.

Our small set up!

There is a stunning Lagoon and Tea Garden not too far in the car from where we stayed  - the coffee was pretty good! https://www.arkarra.com.au

Mary Poppins statue!

Play ground at Bauble museum  

Wet road trip!

It's school holidays here at the moment, I managed to have a couple of days off mid week and wanted to do something different, new, exciting with the girls.  Last week the annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (info)  was on. I decided to take the girls to check it out - I've always wanted to go but never got around to it, what better excuse for a girls trip, right? I had two excited girls to go on a road trip and spend the night away... except we woke up on the day and it was raining, it had been raining in Toowoomba and surrounds for a few days.  I decided we would still go and hope the rain eased off so we could still see something. It didn't. So we went and got some wet weather gear and were determined to go and enjoy the flowers and events. It was like magic, we put the raincoats and gumboots on and the rain eased up and then stopped!
Of course the most exciting part for the girls were the puddles, 2.0 may as well not have worn her boots and coat because she was absolutely saturated! nothing a warm shower and pyjamas didn't fix.

On the way home we decided to take adventure and drive the scenic route, which took us to the Darling Downs Zoo (info)  which I have to be honest and say, I had no idea it existed! 

Lumpy and 2.0 had a great time feeding the animals, and being able to touch them. 2.0 was the perfect height to be in the firing line for the emu's so we had to be careful around them - those beaks are huge. 

Water and ice play

Temperatures in the high 30°c range make it very unpleasant for the small people.
Before work I make some coloured water in a dinosaur mould and put in the freezer. Thinking the girls. Would love a play after school / daycare to cool down.
Lumpy loved playing with (and eating) coloured ice dinosaurs, 2.0 was not so sure! She was fine with just the water but not the added ice. After playing with the water and ice Lumpy went off to play on the swings and 2.0 played with some shaving foam.

(I just found this draft from March 2015! so will publish now!)

WOW, I've been neglectful!

So, I just realised there has been a loooooong time between posts!

Lumpy is now 6.5 - Loving school, loves reading, loving the Harry Potter series and is quiet an independent and strong willed little person.

2.0 - is now 2.25 - loving to sing (especially wheels on the bus, at 930pm), loving exploring the world, and is very opinionated on all things "mine.

I will try and do some more posts over the next few days of our adventures and happenings!

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