Out and about

Liv and her cousin Taylor.

Every time we ask Charlotte what she would like to do today, she always says, "Painting!"

Liv also gets in on the painting action but the sound of the lawn mower sends her straight into my arms.

We always knew the holes in Nanny's walls would come in handy for something other than holding vases.

Charlotte is a great climber now at the park

Liv is not far behind but with alot more help.

The Samford Show

We took the girls to the Samford Show on the weekend. Despite the muddy conditions, we had a great day. The girls got to pat dinosaurs (puppets), watch the woodchop and dog jumping competitions and go inside the petting zoo. Charlotte and I were sensible and wore our gumboots, although that didn't stop us from getting muddy. Charlotte was particularly excited to try fairy floss for the first time and to buy a showbag, with the money she got from Nanny.

We started the day remarkably clean.

Liv loved all of the animals.

Charlotte was sticking her finger in the mouths of the baby goats and letting them suck it. She thought it was hilarious but I think the goats were less than impressed by the lack of milk.

On the ferris wheel.

Charlotte's boot got stuck in the mud and she had a little fall. I told her that some women pay to be bathed in mud - that seemed to cheer her up.

Park time fun

Olivia is now at the age where she really enjoys going to the park. She is adventurous and risk taking and will blindly follow her sister, wherever she goes.

This is Charlotte doing her 'rock and roll' hand signal. She loves loud music. Hmm, wonder where she gets that from ...

Junior Masterchefs

Both the girls love to cook (or should I say, lick the bowl). Liv often eats  the ingredients before they even make it into the mixing bowl.

Last week, we made scones but Charlotte decided she wanted to make different flavours. We we made some with sultanas, some with choc chips, some with honey and macadamias and some with everything. They actually turned out alot better than I expected.

Eating the results of our cooking session.

Anytime Liv sees a camera, she does this goofy smile and says "Cheese!"

Rolling out the dough

Showing restraint

Charlotte's 4th birthday

I can't believe our 'baby' is 4! Charlotte and I were talking the other day about how she can get dressed, pack her bags, brush her hair etc without my help. I said, "You don't need me anymore." To which she replied, "Yes I do mummy. I need you to cook my dinner!". So brutally honest.

For Charlotte's birthday, we started the weekend with a visit to Dreamworld. Cousin Gracie also came along and the girls had a great time. They would often walk around holding hands. It was so cute!

Gracie and Charlotte say hello to Kenny Koala.

Phil and Kate - the trusted tour guides.

I lost count of how many times the girls rode the tea cups. A big hit!

No hands!

Liv looks on and thinks, "If only I was bigger!"

Riding the vintage cars

Such dare devils.

The next day, cousins Gracie, Emma and Molly came over to help Charlotte further celebrate her birthday with a birthday cake.

The cake. Had to cut off Barbie's legs but Charlotte didn't realise so it was all good. It was actually the easiest cake so far that I have had to make.

Liv seemed to really enjoy the cake.

It is never to cold to swim, even though we are in Autumn. Charlotte, Emma and Molly take off to the other side, while Gracie is a little more reserved.

And Liv watches on ... again.

The next day, Charlotte's friends Maja and Sean came over to celebrate her birthday. And yes, that is a bought cake (which I promised I would never do, but I have a good excuse).

And if all that is not enough, I then made 36 cupcakes for day care (minus three which we ate that night!)

Thanks goodness birthdays are only once a year.

Our girls

Liv is now the age where every day she is challenging boundaries and is eager to explore everything around her. She loves being outside playing with the dogs and picking up bugs, sticks, flowers ... anything.

I can't believe I am preparing to celebrate Charlotte's fourth birthday. She is such a loving and thoughtful girl and makes us laugh every day.