January is almost over... almost.

We spent Australia Day (26th Jan) at Parramatta Park. Channel Nine's Morning Show was filming live from there and I waited to get a lovely photo with the every so classy Lisa Wilkinson. It was a really good day. We got up really early and got a short hot air balloon ride. They're tethered to cars so you only go up and down. My youngest daughter was a bit scared but it was fine.

Here are the boys going up with their dad. 

We also ended up watching the 9pm fireworks show. It was pretty awesome. At the end they had two sides going and you didn't know which way to look! They had these fireworks which seemed to stay like little clusters of colour in the sky. It was worth it. I'm glad they did it in the park. A few years ago it was in the park near the school and it wasn't that great. Too many people and not enough food stalls. This year there was a big section for the kids. The wait in line was rather lengthy though. Even during the evening. At least the local council allowed free parking so we didn't have to pay. The portable toilets were clean and it wasn't too hot and sunny.

I've been needing this side table for about a month now. When I couldn't find them in stock at any Kmart I placed an on-line order. After three weeks they couldn't find stock either and refunded my money. Then that same week I tried my luck at my local store and found they had four of them in stock. I grabbed two and happily went home to set them up. I'm no home decorator but these will be perfect when people come over and when we need to have our cups/ipads/tissues/barbie dolls in the lounge room

Someone also graduated Preschool and will start Kind this year. Wow! I'll have all my kids in school. People have been telling me that I'll have more time for myself but I find that hard to believe. Don't they know that I still work and I'll most likely be working full-time come this March/April if all goes well at work. Fingers crossed at least I'll get back into exercising and doing the whole life balance thing.

Anyway time to tick off a few more things on my list as school returns tomorrow for the bigger kids and then Kindy kicks off half days Thursday and Friday. What a week. We've been having a summer like no other. The weather has been crazy. This week has been above 35degrees (95 Fahrenheit) with the last two days 40Deg / 104 F. We have been at Wet N Wild or swimming at the pools. My kids are all dark and tanned and I can't wait til they go back to school. I really want to clean the house while they're gone this week, not that the tidyness will last but I am a wishful thinker.

Anyway, best get off my butt. Hope you mums are all ready for school or already have started this week. Hats off to you. I am exhausted just thinking about it...