Road trip to...the Gold Coast - again!

We've been lucky enough to have taken a few holidays so far this year. I'm not sure why, but we always seem to go on a lot of holidays whilst I'm on maternity leave! No complaining here. So in April of this year we went up to the Gold Coast again. It's one of our favourite spots, and we were dying to meet the new additions to the Ashcroft clan, twins Chad and Charlotte, who were born on February 23. We also wanted to get another use out of our 3 park super passes, which were set to expire a couple of months later.

We decided to drive since we knew we would have to take soooo much stuff. Tyler had just reached 8kg at this point so we were happy to turn his car seat around. Well, what a difference that made! He was fantastic in the car. All three boys were. We stopped only twice, very briefly, and I even managed to reach back and give Tyler a bottle (unheated) while we were driving, as we were at Byron Bay and didn't want to stop when we were so close to actually getting there.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment at Breakfree Moroccan. It was a great room with a full kitchen, laundry, huge balcony with ocean views and 2 bathrooms. Liam and Brayden were so excited to have a room of their own. Liam immediately set up his toys and belongings in the bedside drawers and on the bed. This is the view of the lounge room with the kitchen in the background.

The day after arriving we headed straight up to Ningi as it was a Sunday so we knew the boys would be off school. They're such great mates, they had an absolute BALL! Straight in to playing like they'd seen each other yesterday.

We left late and after the 90 minute drive we got back to the hotel about 10.30pm. We were all exhausted, but we got up early the next morning and headed to Movie World. I love that place. Even though we'd been there a few months earlier (September 2011) it was still great. The kids went on a heap of rides, we watched all of the shows and we got photos with a lot of the characters -

The following day (Tuesday) we went to Sea World. We weren't there the entire day as it was almost boring to see the same shows and exhibits so soon after the last time. When it started raining just after lunch we took that as our queue to leave.

That night we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. The food was delicious but it was so awkward as were sitting at a table surrounded by child-less couples. There were three different couples around us who were just staring at us the entire time. I realise it's almost a circus act taking a 5yo, 3yo and 5 month old to a restaurant, but I felt so uncomfortable I couldn't wait to leave. I had my first alcoholic drink since before I was pregnant whilst there, a cocktail no less, and I was struggling to drink it. I had to top it up with juice about 3 times. Greg was making fun of me the entire time.

The next day was Anzac Day. I got up super early and headed out on my own to the dawn service at the Surfers Paradise cenitaph. It was only a few blocks walk and there must have been thousands of people there. It's the first time I've ever been to a dawn service (we usually go to the mid-morning one held near our home). It was so moving, I'm so glad I went. I was just sorry I didn't take the boys. Even Greg was sorry he didn't go.

After breakfast we headed back up to see the Ashcrofts and had a bbq lunch with them. 

Even though the weather wasn't really that hot we really wanted to get the maximum use out of our theme park passes, so the following day (Thursday) we went to Wet & Wild. We were only there about 2 hours as the kids were shivering and turning blue.

Since Movie World was right next door we tried to talk the kids in to going back there for a few hours but they wouldn't be in it. They just kept saying 'Let's go back to the hotel'.

On the way back we stopped at the most awesome park in Qld. The GIANT jumping pillow is awesome sauce! It was good to let the kids have a ride of their bikes and scooters since we had carted them all that way.

Afterwards we went back to the hotel and had a swim in the indoor pool. Tyler's first time in a swimming pool. He seemed to like it.
The following day the Ashcrofts arrived at Surfers. The weather was really lousy by this time so there wasn't a lot we could do. We took the kids to Time Zone for a few hours and watched a movie in the mini cinema at their hotel.

We left at the crack of dawn on the Saturday and had a really good drive back home. The kids were great again and Greg did ALL of the driving. I kept offering but he doesn't like my driving. haha. Doesn't worry me in the slightest.

Another great family holiday for the memory bank.

We have paint!!

After about three years, I finally decided on paint colours for the cubby house. I know it shouldn't have taken me so long to decide, but it was also laziness holding me back. Here is the before -

It was getting so weathered that I worried it wouldn't last long enough for Tyler to get some play time in it. So, here is the after -

I've since painted the stilts and the ladder white as well, but I don't have an updated photo.



I made the banner from some material I had in my stash. I didn't intend to leave it out there, but it's holding up really well. The kids seem to be playing in it a bit more now that it looks more friendly. They talked me in to letting them draw sea animals on one side but the rain washed them off.

Hopefully it will last quite a few more years now.

Our littlest dude

Finally, an updated photo of the youngest Ramsey, Tyler...

This photo was taken about 2 weeks ago, whilst on holidays in Cairns, and during a day trip to Low Isles (off Port Douglas).

Tyler turned 10 months yesterday and he is one clever little chicken! He's crawling everywhere and pulls himself up on anything and everything. He says dadadadad and occasionally mumumum. He used to say bububub but not really anymore. He yells at us to get our attention when we aren't looking at him. It's very effective haha.
He looooves his food - especially hot chips, which he had far too many of on this trip. He and Brayden will do just fine together, eating hot chips, as Brayden constantly asks for them.

He sleeps through the night (in my bed of course, but hey, whatever works), and doesn't even wake up until 8am! Awesome sauce. He loves his brothers to pieces, and especially likes interacting with Liam, as he's so gentle with him. It's strange but he always seems to end up crying when he and Brayden are alone in a room together. Strange my foot, I haven't caught him in the act but I'm certain Brayden tries to pick him up or something like that.

He has recently begun to show us his stressed out sign, for when he isn't happy or doesn't like something. He grabs his fingers in his opposite hand and pulls on them, usually whilst grunting. He also tries to bite me, but I think that has a lot to do with his teething, which he is doing at the moment. Right now he has four teeth on the bottom and two on top, but I can see the seventh tooth is just about to cut through on the top left hand side. He's handling it well.

He loves his dummy and blankie and unless he's dog tired, he struggles to drift off to sleep without them both.

He loves to have a bath with his brothers and hates to get out.

We've just started going to swimming lessons at PLC on a Friday morning and he likes that. The only problem is that it's right in the middle of his usual sleep time so it's a little bit of a struggle for him by the end. He likes to splash and sticky beak at what everyone around him is doing. He isn't fussed on the teacher dunking him under the water, but then again neither am I.

We've been on three holidays since Tyler arrived and he has just been so great. We drove to the Gold Coast in April of this year, when he was just 5 months old and he was fantastic in the car. We only stopped twice during the 10+ hour drive! We stayed in an apartment where he and I slept in an ocean front room - bliss! It was during this trip that he started sleeping through the night without waking for a bottle.

In the July school holidays we went for a long weekend in Port Macquarie. We stayed in a basic hotel room which meant we didn't have a kitchen. He didn't complain once about having un-warmed bottles. He just went along with what ever we were doing.

Tyler my boy, you are a gem and we are sooooooooo lucky to have you in our lives. I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!! xxxx

Living with a SIX year old!!!

Well it seems like I blinked and another year passed by and now Liam is 6! Here he is on his actual birthday, at home with just us 5.

I asked him the birthday questions and here are his answers...

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR? Red 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY? Trash pack truck

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FRUIT? apple

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Mr Maker
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD FOR LUNCH? Honey sandwich

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM OF CLOTHES? Transformers jumper
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GAME? duck...duck...goose
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SNACK? Noodle Snax
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL? Monkey

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG? One Thing - One Direction
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? Mr Tickle
WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Brayden & Tyler

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Porridge

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO OUTSIDE? Trampoline, soccer, swing

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK? Milo
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY? Hawaii
WHO DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE TO BED WITH YOU? Bugs Bunny
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST? Vegemite Toast
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER ON YOUR BIRTHDAY? Potato pie

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Artist   It's funny to read those answers again as I type them, as a lot of them have changed already (since 1st August).  

The following Saturday we had a birthday party and invited all of his friends from his class, KA. Everyone came and they had a ball. It was a Transformers party, as Liam is completely obsessed with everything Transformers and Optimus Prime.

We sent out Autobot invitations -

Made a pinata out of a Huggies nappy box -

This was a family affair, I cut the shape and Liam and Brayden both helped me tape it together - they were the sticky tape cutters and placers. Then Greg spraypainted, I drew the symbol on the front and Greg slipped the zip-tie in the top to hang it. I wasn't sure how it would hold up, but it was ok. Liam had 3 whacks first, then another friend had 3 and the third boy gave it a running thump and the side broke off. All of the kids scrambled for the goodies so I tipped what didn't fall out on to the ground. It was a shame that not all of the kids had a go, but they were happy with the lollies.

We made a banner -





And of course made transformers cupcake toppers and an autobot cake -

Liam had such a great time and got some great presents. Afterwards Brayden looked at Liam's presents and said, "Mum when it's my birthday can I get all of that stuff?".

As usual I enjoyed the planning a little more than the actual event, but it was a lot of fun. I just can't believe my boy is six!!!!!





Birthday Boys

I know my posts are a bit out of sequence, but who cares, right? I plan to ask my boys these same questions on every birthday to see how their answers change.

First, here's Liam's 5th birthday which was on the 1st August 2011. (I asked these on the 15/11/11, when he was 5yrs and 3 months, because thats when I saw the idea on Pinterest).

This was taken on his actual birthday, with just the 4 of us. 

This was at his birthday party, the following Saturday

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR?     Red & Orange
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY?        Transformer truck
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FRUIT?      Pear
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?    Peppa Pig
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD FOR LUNCH?  Honey sandwich
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM OF CLOTHES?   Transformers tshirt
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GAME?   Sticky tape (a game played with Reesey)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SNACK?   Tiny Teddy's
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL?   Monkey
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?   ABC's
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?   Toy Story
WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?      Brayden
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?    Porridge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO OUTSIDE?   Swing
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK?   Apple Juice
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY?   Christmas
WHO DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE TO BED WITH YOU?  Big monkey
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST?   Porridge
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?  Potato pie
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?  Artist

 This is Brayden's third birthday, the 22nd of November, 2011. We didn't have a party for him since Tyler and I had just gotten home from the hospital.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR? Green

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY? Doggy
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FRUIT? Na-na
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Bananas in Pajamas
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD FOR LUNCH? Peanut butter sandwich (Peta butter)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM OF CLOTHES? Huh?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GAME? Hungry hippos
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SNACK? Bics
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ANIMAL? Doggy
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG? Bon Jovi
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? Doggy book
WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND? Liam
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Sultana ceral
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO OUTSIDE? Jump on our trampoline
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK? Juice
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY? Birthday
WHO DO YOU LIKE TO TAKE TO BED WITH YOU? Scrap and Snakey snake
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST? Toast
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER ON YOUR BIRTHDAY? Tacos
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Police

This was so much fun to do, I can't wait to ask again next year. I was laughing so much when they were answering, especially when Brayden said his favourite song was Bon Jovi. A few weeks ago he said "me want to watch tv". I said, "No, no TV at the moment". He thought about it for a second and then said, "Me want to watch Bon Jovi". I couldn't stop laughing.
I love you my boys xxxx

BIG news! And then some even BIGGER news!!

The big news is that I'm PREGNANT! No surprises, it was all planned and very much wanted. I'm possibly a bit surprised at how quickly it happened. So is Greg. We're due about the 22nd of November, 2011. Two days before Brayden's 3rd birthday. Here is an ultrasound picture.

And here's the even bigger news... It's been so long since i've blogged that the baby has arrived!
Tyler Christopher was born at 10.42am on Wednesday the 16th November, 2011, weighing 3.4kg and measuring 51cm in length. He looks so much like Brayden. Another ceasarean unfortunately, but atleast he's with us now and all is great. I was lucky enough to get my own room at the hospital (thanks to some string pulling by Lenora, who was working on the day). Here's our precious little guy 

Liam and Brayden love him so so much. We came home from the hospital on the Sunday and the following morning I woke up and Liam asked me, "How did Tyler go last night?" Brayden always wants to hold him. He's fascinated by breastfeeding. The first time he saw me do it he laughed out loud and said "ha ha what you doin to your boobie?". Nanny Chris was here on the weekend and asked if she could take Tyler home with her and Liam said, "You can't, you don't have any milk in your boobies". LOL.
They both cover their ears when he cries, especially in the car, which he doesn't seem to like much.

I feel so lucky to have 3 healthy, gorgeous, perfect little boys to love.

Mr Chatterbox

Well Brayden has found his voice and gee is he using it. He's a right little chatterbox now and if he's not repeating everything he hears - from us or a tv show or commercial or a song  - he just babbles about what ever he's thinking. 

The other day he was walking around the house saying "Everybody! Me done big pooooo!" Of course because we laughed he kept on saying it. He loves riding his bikes, running around the house, playing hide and seek and jumping on the trampoline.

Doggies are his favourite, especially Reesey's dog Lola, although he tries to like leopards and whales because he knows his big brother does.

He loves strawberry sticks, sausages, rockmelon, water melon, peanut butter sandwiches (pronounced peta butter), cheese, ice blocks and the usual - chocolate and lollies whenever he can scam one.

One of his favourite things to say is "WATCH ME" then he jumps off, swings from or climbs up something. He's definately a little entertainer and is so much fun to be around.

He also likes to take things he knows Liam likes and says "Liam, me got ...... HA HA".

Liam is 4 and a 1/2 now and it's like I can see him growing in front of me. He's getting so tall and is almost eating us out of house and home. He's the best big brother ever although he does like to tease Brayden occasionally (and increasingly). He lets Brayden fall asleep in his bed with him most nights, as long as Brayden promises not to touch his 'stuff'.

He's absolutely CRAZY about leopards and whales and loves cutting out pictures of them. We went to a Marine research centre at Terrigal last weekend and he painted a plaster model of a whale which just made his day. His room is covered in everything leopard and whale (despite my efforts in giving the room a surfing sort of theme). He's even added small pictures of them to a family tree picture I have so it looks like his great grandfather was a whale and his sister is a leopard.

He loves watching ABC kids and would do so for every waking moment if we'd allow it but he also likes to ride his bikes and run around. He's pretty good at hide and seek and love love loves to do craft. That's my best bribery tool. I usually promise him we'll do some craft when he gets home from pre-school, just to help him get through the day. 

He loves his cousin Reesey to bits and always looks forward to seeing her.

He made my day last week when he ran up and hugged me and said 'you're the best mum'. It was a moment i'll never forget.

They're the best kids in the world.