Australia Day...

It is not a very 'Aussie' thing to do but you can guess how I spent Australia Day, that's right - working. 

 

 

making posters for my classroom

 

We did have Vegemite on toast for breakfast. A staple item in our pantry.

 

Covering books - the Vegemite jar left out after breakfast came in handy

Happy Australia Day!

xo



back to school and a birthday...

This week we were preparing for 'back to school', returning to work and celebrating my birthday.  I was lucky to celebrate my birthday with my colleagues at work and then with our good friends for a surprise birthday dinner.  I was totally surprised!

I am so grateful for having such wonderful family and friends. 
xo

52 Weeks of Grateful: first days...

She is only three years old. 

'but mummy, I'm a big girl now'

'I can do it my own self'
She is strong, she is clever and she is such a sweet-heart.  

 

He is only 20 months.

'see ya later!' is his favourite saying.

He is cheeky, he is affectionate and he is determined.

 

 
These milestones make me teary.
These milestones make me smile.
These milestones, I want to savour.
I really hope they have a good day today.
xo

moment from the week/weekending...

xo

 

Cairns Holiday (Pt 4)

As you know, I love butterflies! So the day before we left Cairns we just had to take a trip to Kuranda to visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and Kuranda markets. 

  

  

 

 

 Above: walk amongst the butterflies

 

Above: getting in behind the scenes in the lab, using equipment and examining the images - very interesting

  

 Above: Cairns Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus euphorion)

 

 Above: Ulysses
This dazzling butterfly is widely recognised as North Queensland's unofficial emblem.  This butterfly an erratic flyer and it has one of the shortest lifespan of any butterfly, living a mere two weeks (information card).  I took many shots to try and get a good photo for you. 

  

 Above: lucky landing

 

 Above: The Cruiser (Vindula arsine)

  

Above: Orange Lacewing (Cethosia penthesilea)

This little cutie landed on my sister's phone while she was taking a photo of another butterfly on her toe!



 

Above. An extensive display (this was only one) of butterflies from Australia and around the world.

 

The Butterfly Sanctuary at Kuranda was beautiful.  I purchased a few things from the gift shop but namely a couple of butterfly identification posters hence my good captioning above:-).  After visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary we browsed the markets and had some lunch.  

 

Below. Browsing Kuranda streets and markets.  Enjoying lunch with family.  Baby flutterbug love sharing lunch with nana and grandad. 

 

Below: The following day.  Back in Brisbane Airport one week's holiday; Long Term Parking ($$).   Trying to look sweet and innocent but someone here is guilty (Ahem...the one in the middle) of leaving the car light on.  Here we are waiting for RACQ.  Yes, a $200 bill for a new car battery!

 

Despite the sweltering heat we had a lovely time in Cairns.  We enjoyed catching up with our family, meeting the newest member, baby Alexander and exploring Cairns and its surrounds.  





xo

Cairns Holiday (Pt 3)

While in Cairns it's definitely worth visiting Cairns Tropical Zoo.  (Not a sponsored post)
Cairns Tropical Zoo is privately owned and operated.  There are a variety of 'shows' (informational/educational) sessions on some of the most popular Australian animals such as kangaroos, snakes, crocodiles, koalas and birds. 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can really get quite up close to some of the animals.  Its great for the kids because everything is well planned out and the exhibits are quite close so walking around is easy. 
We had a lovely day at Cairns Tropical Zoo.

 

Cairns Tropical Zoo

Cairns Holiday (Pt 2)

The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas is simply beautiful.  We have driven along this road a few times and we never get tired of the scenery.  The day we travelled it was quite cloudy, hence the quality of photos from the car. 

 

The vegetation changes from rainforest to open forest.

The town of Port Douglas is very pretty. 

There are plenty of shops and places to visit.

As you drive into town there are directions to the Lookout.

Our favourite spot is just behind this historic church.

-back of church-

 

Despite how beautiful it looks there is no swimming allowed.

 

 

Funny, almost right next to this sign (above) is a kids playground. It didn't seem to bother these two anyway. 

 

It was a beautiful, relaxing day in Port Douglas.

xo