Bunny Eggventures

The weekend before Easter, the Ipswich Rail Museum (a current favorite destination) put on the "Bunny Eggventures"-- a day of Easter-themed train activities (or train-themed Easter activities)...either way, it was a great outing! Julia and I usually have most of Saturday as a girls' day out. She has gymnastics first thing in the morning, and I take her to that and then out for morning tea and an activity most weekends. Meanwhile, Liam and Matt have a boys morning together and then head to Gymboree. So after gymnastics, Julia and I headed over to Ipswich and ended up spending most of the day there!

We started with some of the standard favorites....

The Thomas-the-tank-engine bouncy house is always a hit!

Climbing over the train bridge

And the first of many kid-sized trains to drive.


Then the Easter bunny stopped in for a visit...

Julia wasn't interested in waiting in line for a proper photo (which was fine with me!), but she was VERY interested in his basket of chocolate eggs!

We spent awhile at the craft station, decorating Easter bonnets and coloring in pictures of bunnies (too busy there to take pictures). Then we headed to the 'Little Nippers' train station....

Driving her car to the station

Have to buy a ticket to board the train

All aboard!

Doing some construction work on the rails...have to put on a helmet!

While everything was fun at the Museum, the absolute highlight of our day out was getting to ride the real train! On these special event weekends, they have an old-fashioned steam train that goes for a couple of hours on a scenic tour of rural Queensland. I was a little hesitant about it (once you're on it, there's no getting off for the full 2 hours), but I'm glad I took the gamble because Julia absolutely loved it and so did I!

Cushy leather seats from back when riding trains was a luxury -- very comfortable!

Julia was glued to the window before we even left the station

Looking up at the massive bridge supports as we crossed over the river

More views from the bridge

We spent a lot of time out on the verandahs between the carriages

Julia tried out the sleeping berths


Great day out! We're ready for the next adventure!

Montessori Picnic

A few weekends ago, Julia and Liam's school had a wonderful family picnic day. Unfortunately, Matt had to stay home sick with the stomach bug Liam had had the week before, but the children and I had a great time! I had volunteered to help set up the grounds that morning, so Julia and Liam had a couple of extra hours to play before the crowds arrived. Luckily, the other two mothers helping out have daughters in Julia's class.

Liam tried for a little while to keep up with the girls...

but decided that with his breadstick and a whole playing field to explore, he didn't need their company

*Side note: I've mentioned to some of you my concern with his turned-in foot (which is really apparent in this photo). The doc said it doesn't seem to be a structural problem and should self-correct as he gets stronger with his walking

Elsa, Indiana, and Julia

(10 photos and not one of them all looking in the same direction)

Lucy and Julia (chowing down on a sausage)

Julia was so excited about the pony ride the whole time up until the moment she actual sat in the saddle

Meanwhile, Liam could've stayed with the 'Barnyard Babies' for hours
(hanging out with the goats here)

Trying to figure out how to get into the pig pen

"Oooh, girlfriend..."
(Julia and Elanna, enjoying snacks and a chat)

Tuckered out Liam
(after hours of excitement, Liam crashed for a bit in the pram)

Julia LOVED the baby animals (as long as she was on the outside of the fence!)

Not quite getting the concept of the 'Limbo' but loving it anyway

Liam really mastered his walking this weekend. He took off across the playing fields, and instead of crawling when he got tired or took a spill, he'd just squat down (as pictured) and take a bit of a break before toddling off again.

'Roary' the mascot for the Queensland Lions soccer team
Reaching out for Roary after she'd warmed up to the concept that a giant, mute lion chasing the children was actually supposed to be fun

That's Julia, 2nd from the left, keeping up with the big kids with a little soccer ball and Roary's giant one.

Relaxing at the end of the day with a banana. This was right after I told Julia it was time to leave (notice, she is not in the picture)...
she immediately bolted, thinking that if I couldn't find her then she wouldn't have to leave (it did prolong the process, but I was glad she was having such a great time).

Photo Catch-Up: Beach Pics