Harry's day out with Thomas - 20 Oct 2009 - AEC

Well since there is a familiar trend in my previous posts on how much Harrison loves every thing about Thomas the Tank Engine and all of the other engines on the Island of Sodor, I thought it was only fitting that I blog about the day Harrison got to see Thomas live on stage.

I thought it would be good to have an outing out with just me and Harrison, so I arranged for Mitchell to spend some time with his Nana, and then it was time to go. Harry was excited, but I don't really think he knew what he was in for. He knew it was something to do with trains but had no idea that he was going to be within a few metres of the 'real' Thomas :-)

We arrived at the Entertainment Centre, had a look at the over priced merchandise which I of course gave into the pressure and bought Harrison a flicking Thomas light that cost $20 - honestly how absurd - it is obviously suckers like me who keep those companies in business.

In Harrison's age of innocence, it is really hard to describe just how great Harry made me feel when the curtains opened and Thomas gave a 'toot toot' and came out on stage. His eyes lit with excitement, he looked at me and mouthed the word 'THOMAS!!!!' then pretty much sat there star struck for the rest of the show. It really was a priceless moment that ill cherish.

We had great seats, we were in row H, which was only 8 rows from the front. There was no flash photography allowed during the show, but I did manage to take a few great shots with my flash turned off. Here are a couple of photos from the show - how great does this look!

When the show ended, Harry asked if we could stay for the next show and watch it again - to be honest I think he could watch it 20 times and not get sick of it! The below photo was taken at the end of the show - check out the look of satisfaction on his face, he was pretty impressed with himself.

Pink Concert - 10 August 2009 - AEC

I thought it was about time to be a paying patron at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for a change and check out the 'Pink' concert.

It is funny even though I work there, and this is I think the 5th concert that Pink has done here in Adelaide, I have always worked front of house and have not got to see even a small snippet of the show, so hearing how good it was, I thought it should be my turn to be 'tickled pink'!

I went with Tash, Courtney and Rachel for a bit of a girly night out. I had a great time mostly because firstly it was the first time in ages that Tash and I have had a chance to catch up, it was one of many that Rachel and I have planned to do, and it was special for Courtney as this was her first ever concert - man they grow up way too quick, doesn't seem like that long ago I was giving her big baby cuddles and now here I am going with a gorgeous 12 year old to a concert!

'Evermore' was the support act and were really great, they played for just over half an hour and did a mix of the their old and new stuff. I have seen them live now quite a few times and enjoy them every time.

Then after interval Pink (Aka Alesha Moore) came on and ohhh what a show - I say show because this was so much more than just a concert! There were dancers, theatrics, artistic stage set ups, gymnastics and more costume changes than Carrie in the Sex in the City Movie!

this is a photo of her grand entrance

We were in the general admission standing area, and were at the end of the runway, so when she was on the main stage there was a little bit of distance, but when she was on the end of the runway we were only about 2-3 metres away from her.

Photo taken at either the right or wrong moment - you be the judge :-)

Pink sang a great cover of 'Queens' hit Bohemian Rhapsody, it was brilliant, the stage and blow up clowns were also amazing!

I don't know how she can physically do so many shows, the gymnastics and acrobats she uses throughout the show must be so exhausting - it is amazing to watch, but that woman must be so tired!

First Day of Kindy

Well turning 4 means Kindergarten, and after a few sessions of pre-entry, Harry is now in full time Kindy, spending four half days per week there. So far after one week, he has loved every minute. He comes home with paintings, he tells me about using tools such as hammers and nails, he loves story time and every thing else that comes with it. Here are a few photos of his first day:

Harry turns 4

Well Harry my beautiful first born has just celebrated his 4th birthday - where oh where has the past 4 years gone, this is going to sound mushy but every second with my children is so precious because I know that this age of innocence will only last for so long.

Harrison celebrated his birthday over a couple of days, on Sunday he invited some of his little friends and went to the movies to see 'Ice Age 3' - in fact 18 children in total came to his party, which seems like a moment of insanity on my behalf, but it actually worked out really well. Each child had a lolly bag, drinks and chips and all of them sat and watched the movie without any dramas, then they were picked up by their parents at the end (no mess - no fuss). Harrison had a great time and felt very special and important being the centre of attention of all of his friends.

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Then on his actual birthday we just celebrated with family, I made something resembling a Thomas cake again (seems like dejavu from last year) for dinner we had chicken nuggets and chips as per Harrison's request.

Thomas the Tank Engine is still the object of Harrison's attention, in fact in Harrison's eyes there is nothing more important on the planet than Thomas and his friends - it is really adorable, he talks to his trains, sleeps with them, and obsesses over every train he sees. As you can imagine the theme for presents for his birthday pretty much revolved around Thomas and my son has so much Thomas merchandise that we could start up a display museum!

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HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY HARRY - WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH XOX

Our Holiday in Goolwa - 20 to 26 June

Well to get us out of the house we decided to take the boys on a mini break to Goolwa and to be tourists in our own town! I was lucky enough to be able to secure a holiday house through my union at work, and because we went in winter in the off peak season it only cost us $215 for the week - there is nothing better than a good bargain holiday!

We don't get to head south of Adelaide too often and it has been probably 10 years since I last visited Goolwa. I could not believe the extent of damage to the Murray River. I have heard all of the reports on the news and really did not think that the reports were anything to be taken too seriously. The water is honestly that low that it almost look like you could walk across the river with a pair of gum boots on. Here are some photos of how low the water really is:

Any way despite the dismal water levels we still found ways to amuse ourselves and even found a patch of river where the paddle steamer named 'The Oscar' did some trips. Harrison loved this, the bottom of the boat was all open and showed the engines working and the driver even let him have a go at steering the boat, he offered to let him blow the whistle but Harry declined telling him it was too noisy! However in my sons reluctance, I grasped that whistle with a firm grasp and let rip!!!!

Whilst the weather was sunny it was still really cold and Graham being a good dad, made sure Mitchey was snug as a bug in a rug!

In a couple of weeks it is Harrison's 4th birthday and I had promised him that I would take him for a trip on the Steam Ranger train which is a steam train that runs from Mt Barker through to Victor Harbor - great plan but I did not anticipate that the steam trains were in their sheds waiting to have their wheels replaced. So the plan was to take Harrison on the Cockle Train which runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor and that way he would forget about my birthday promise (that I wont be able to keep) - No way man, he loved the trip on the cockle train but then gladly reminded me that I am still taking him on the Polar Express Steam Train (that is what he calls the Steam Ranger) - I am in big trouble!!!!!

We took quite a few trips into Victor Harbor, did some local shopping, had lunch and ice creams in the local gourmet pizza bar (my friends that know me well know my love of gourmet pizza) and of course what is a trip to Victor Harbor without a walk around Granite Island! We treated the boys on a trip across to the island on the Horse Drawn Tram, then made the venture around the island.

To start the journey around the island you have to go up approx 100 steps to start the tour - Graham and I provided quite a fair bit of amusement to other tourists as we carefully manoeuvred Mitchell's Pram up the steep steps. It was a lovely walk around the island, we stopped half way and had lunch then continued - we kind of forgot that Harry is not quite 4 years old and what seemed like a leisurely stroll to us was like a trip up Mt Everest to him. The poor boy got so tired that he went to bed early that night and without any protest!

Quite a few times throughout the week we went to different beaches to have a look at the Southern Wright Whales that come to South Australian waters. We went to Minlaton, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor but saw them best at Beecham Beach, they were so close it was amazing. I tried to get a photo of them spouting water out of their blow hole but every time they did it, I wasn't quick enough with the camera, so here is a picture of what looks like a blob in the water but is actually a whale the size of a semi trailer:

These a few of my favourite photos from our week away, this is me and the boys taken at the lookout called 'Freeman's Knob', a beautiful spot - probably one of my favourites:

Here is Graham and Harrison taking a walk around Rapid Bay - Mitchell was asleep in the car so I stayed with him, it was way to cold there to take him out anyway

And finally a couple of my favourite pictures of my precious boys enjoying their trip away!

(Sorry to all my facebook friends, you have probably already seen the photos, but at least my blog has the story behind them xox)

Amanda's 30th Birthday Party

Today is officially my youngest sister Amanda's 30th birthday, (Happy Birthday Chicky) but to celebrate her departure from the wonder years (that being anything less than 30) she held a great party where the theme was to dress up as either a hero or villan! Amanda dressed up as Dracula and looked beautiful, she enjoyed herself and it was great to see her having so much fun. (A little too much fun by the end of the night but if you can't lash out on your birthday, when can you?)

Now believe it or not this is the first real dress up party that I have been to since I was a kid and found the concept a lot of fun. I had no idea what to wear and after spending about an hour in the costume shop decided on the 'Queen of Hearts' who was the villan from Alice in Wonderland. The dress was great, but towards the end of the party I ditched the shoes and took off the hoop skirt that made me look like I was still pregnant!

Graham, well the decision was made as soon as he tried on the 'Buzz Light Year' costume! He was so funny, and the fact that he actually dressed up was also a miracle - I really did not think that he would do it!!!!

Mum was there, she dressed up in a roaring 20's outfit, and looked lovely as well, I think her theme was 'Roxy Heart' from the musical Chicago - not sure if that is Hero or Villan!

Speaking of effort - I think there was only about three people who did not dress up, so all round it was a fun night. We went with our very good friends Rachel and Michael, and it was great to get out of the house, get the kids babysat and enjoy good adult company!

It was a great night - even if I did have a midnight curfew to get home to hungry Mr Mitchell.

One note though Amanda - next time you cater for an event, be sure to contact Africa to let them know you will be sending over the left overs to put their country out of poverty!

Harry has been published!!!!! (Again)

Well once again Harry has made an appearance in the magazine 'Take 5', this time on account of my mum - his photo was so cute that it actually appeared twice in the magazine, on the contents page and on the kids photo page.

Harry is wearing a rabbit suite that was actually made for me when I was some where around his age. I believe he spent a day at Nana's house playing dress up and striking a pose for nan when the camera was out!



I'll have to send in some pictures of Mitchey and see if we can get him published too, don't want him wondering one day why he didn't get his 15 minutes of fame too!

Thanks for putting it in mum - Harry loves it, and I hope you get your $50 bucks prize money soon!