Whiteman Park with the Niupalau's

School holidays are not complete until we've had our date with the Niupalaus. This time round was a trip to Whiteman Park for a ride on the Bennett Brook Railway.

It really is a fun time, a nice long ride through the bush of Whiteman Park in big open carriages.

You can easily move around and enjoy yourself.

The best bit is, once you have paid for your ticket, you can ride as many times as you like during the day!

This guy loved it!

When we were done, we went over to Pia's place on the other side of Whiteman Park, which is the most amazing playground! Gated around all sides, it's safe, but still huge. I am obsessed with the lighthouse in the middle. I love that playgrounds have gone back to nature and have so much wood and natural play areas now. It's the best! If the kids can't play in the bush like we did... we bring the bush to them. I'm so grateful for these wonderful playgrounds near us. 

 

Hillarys boat harbour with the Niupalaus.

Without a doubt, the kids favourite part of every school holidays is our standard date with the Niupalau's. We always have the very best time with them. This time we hit up Hillary's Boat Harbour and had a swim at the beach.

Joseph loved it! He was so happy because the water was nice and warm. I even came and stood in the water with the kids so he was thrilled.

Alex was in his element. He is such a water baby!

Maddie will find absolutely any excuse to wear a bikini, so today was definitely one of her favourites haha. I love that nearly every photo of her I manage to get is her sitting by Alex watching, which is what she does day in day out. It's very rare, but every now and then she tells me "MUM! You need to watch Alex, it's not my job!" Um well yes I know that, but considering you've made it your job and always tell me to go away...

We ended our day with a trip to Cold Rock for some icecream for everyone. $63 later, but worth every single cent. Look at those happy faces!

Just wouldn't be a real holiday without our party. ❤

outback splash

because we had decided to go to outback splash in the school holidays with our cousinbesties the niupalaus, until our plans were very much changed... we decided to play hooky from school today and sneak off the day before the long weekend, while there was (hopefully) no one there, instead of going on a saturday.

turns out you should always listen to that little voice, as while we were there (with the place indeed pretty much to ourselves) a snap 3 day lockdown was announced after an outbreak of covid-19 was detected in the community. 

we had everything we needed at home, so we remained at the park until it closed and drove home to make the 6pm curfew - and the kids had the time of their lives.

although the water wasn't very  warm, you would have never known while their crew did the slides and ran about

while this dad caught up with the latest news in sport

and cuddled the cold toddler while he warmed up

the kids all also did a run through the mazes, which are adjacent to the water park and included in the daily admission.

our model child posing for yet another photo.

i never thought i would be the mum letting her kids have the day off school without a really good reason, but in the past few years things have changed. sometimes you just have to listen to that voice telling you books and pens can wait awhile and run away for the day. i'm so glad i heard it.

today was a good day. ❤