Play Time

The other day, I took Jamie and Ari to one of my favourite local playground. And again, today, Jamie and I went to the same place. I like this place very much. You see, it has a lot of trees that provide the shade, very exciting and challenging playground for adventurous children, or if you have younger kids, there are plenty smaller equipments for them. Also there is a road safety training track to learn about the road rules. I think it's really good for the children to learn about the road rules from the early age. If you feel like kicking a ball or flying a kite, there is a big open field. Just bring the picnic basket because there are plenty of picnic tables. That's the reasons why I really like this playground.







Have a fantastic weekend...

Sleepover Party

"How do you like the idea of a sleepover party for your birthday?" I asked Ari. "Rrrr, mmmmm, I'm not sure!" he replied. "Ok, that's fine. Have a think about it and let me know tomorrow" I said.

Less than five minutes later, he came to see me and said "I think I really like the idea. So, how many friends can I invite mum?"

Wait..wait... take it easy boy. I don't think I can have ten 'nine years old' boys, sleeping in the tent in my back yard. Just the thought of it already made me headache.


In the end, he invited seven friends, but only one that had a sleepover in the tent. It was a bit disappointing. The other six came and help to celebrate Ari's birthday from three in the afternoon & they didn't leave till about ten at night. They had a great time.

The activities that we did:
* Pinata. Through the week before the big day, Jamie and I made and decorated it.
* Cops and robbers.
* Pass the puzzle. Its always a favourite game.
* Hide and seek. They loved it, especially the did it at night.
* Sparkles and glowing sticks.
* Rocket baloons.
* Movie time.
* Toast some marsh mellow. Forgot to mention that we had bon fire too.



Over all, it was a great party. And now have to start thinking for next year party. Any idea that you like to share??

Dust Storm

Sydney was blanketed by the dust this morning and as the wind blow to the north east, the blue sky came back to normal this afternoon.

This picture is from Sydney Morning Herald by Luke Johnston
Before and after


For more pictures, you can click on The Sydney Morning Herald website.

More Pictures From Lahti

Meeting family and relatives is very important, especially when one lives on the other side of the world. These are some pics of our loved ones and also some Finnish traditional food.

The boys with Untie Siru


With Vaari and Mummu


Ari with cousin Daniel


Mummu


The cousins, Ari, Onni, Linnea, Jamie, Ilona


Fishing


Table full of sweets


Blueberry pie


Strawberry pie....irresistible


Mmmm yummy humongous ice cream

Summer in Lahti

My boys and I are very lucky and so grateful that we could travel to Finland, where my hubby is from. The city is Lahti, southern part of Finland, about 100 kilometres north-east of the capital Helsinki. It really is beautiful city.


The world famous ski jump.


Lahti Town Hall


Market place


The midnight sun



The lake, sauna, and the pine and birch trees


Fishing


Man-made bird nest


Cute squirell



The blue berries


For me personally, as I grew up in a tropical country, this whole summer experience was just mind-blowing. The berry picking, mushroom picking, swimming in the lake, fishing, sauna, and the midnight sun. It was just gorgeous. Thanks again to Steve's family and friends (Vaari, Terhi mummu, Aili mummu, Siru and Seppo, Ninni and family, Pia and family, Ulla and Hannu, Jyri and Camilla and Alexandra, Timo and family, Ollie, and Kari).

Can't Thank You Enough

This post is dedicated to my beloved family, relatives, and friends who made our family holiday so memorable and so enjoyable. Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality. Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful country. Thank you for everything.




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Will post some pictures later on in the week.

Happy Birthday Ari

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Indoor Soccer

It has been raining on and off here in Sydney for the last three weeks. The soccer field is so wet,so for the last three weeks, Ari and Jamie didn't have training or games. Just got the news that Jamie's tomorrow game is cancelled too.

The club's manager has organised training in the indoor field and is scheduled for this Saturday. The boys are really looking forward to it as they never been in to the indoor field.

The Last Stop : Glenn Davis

This is the last part of the Easter holiday trip. Before we were heading home, we stayed a few nights at Glenn Davis. It's such a beautiful place, good facilities and best of all, it's FREE. Yes, it has got free campsite with a hot shower and the kiosk that open on the weekend.

On the way to Glenn Davis


The boys had so much fun even though the water was freezing cold


We went for a drive to the nearby place called Turon Gates and found really stunning view. To get there, the car has to cross the river through an old wooden bridge, but we (well...the boys) decided instead of drive over the bridge, we drove straight through the river. It was really fun. The boys enjoyed it so much.

Stunning view (Turon Gates)

Easter Holiday Trip (Part 2)

This is a long overdue post that I have been delaying for sometime. Bourke was the next destination after we left Ligthning Ridge. We camped at the really nice caravan park with very reasonable rate. It has two lovely swimming pools, clean bathroom and excellent barbeque and kitchen facility. If you ever visit Bourke, I recommend this place.

If tent is not your cup of tea, there is cabin you can hire


Nice tropical style swimming pool

The green frog, they were everywhere in the caravan park. Seriously, they were in the kitchen, toilet, bathroom, even in our camper trailer. The boys just loved them.

North Bourke Bridge


Jandra the paddleboat, I really enjoyed the one hour cruise along Darling River

Captain Ari and Jamie behind the wheel

The famous Fred Hollows monument.

The mysterious Mt Oxley


Next post, is Glenn Davis. I'll show you the pictures later on in the week.

Catching Up

Due to moving house, I haven't got my internet connection for about 2 weeks. I couldn't blog hop, check my email, do my internet banking...gee how I hate that!! So,a lot of catching up to do. See you later



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Goat Race Clip

I promised Vonny for the goat race clip.

Here is the clip.

Happy 5th Birthday Jamie

Today is Jamie's 5th birthday.....gee how time flies. We will have a small party for him later. I have been so slack to organise one for him. Today, as normal birthday celebration ritual, four of us had dinner together with a birthday noodle as a must. Followed by birthday cake that Steve baked. It was a chocolate cake and was delicious.

And the most important thing for him, of course, the present. I gave him a binocular with compass in it, and the extended robot arm, with the hope that he will picking up his toys and pack them away. It worked so far, for how long? I don't know......

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Easter Holiday Trip (Part 1)

Just wanna share some pictures of our Easter holiday. These photos are the first six nights of our stay at Lightning Ridge.

The road to "Lorne Cattle Station" where we stayed was so muddy after the rain

Gorgeous sunset while dipping in the artesian bore bath

Wheelie bin race

Goats race at Easter Festival

Very interesting view...everyone fossicking tried their luck.

My boys were having fun look for opal

Having lunch at the local pub


To be continued....... next destination is Bourke