Christmas - Part 4 of 4

Another three hour drive and this time we crossed the NSW border into Queensland.  Destination this time was Toowoomba to stay with Michael's sister Libby, her husband Michael, and their three children Aisling (9), Rory (7), and Ciara (5).  The last time we all saw each other was Christmas 2008 when they came to us in Newcastle.  It was a long overdue catch up, a great chance for the cousins to all play together, as well as their first meeting of Buster.

Within the first few hours of our arrival there was an incident.  The type that stops a parent's heart.  The kids were keen to get in the pool, Michael had gone off to get changed into his swimmers and I went down to the pool with the kids to supervise.  Buster was still fully clothed and just wanted to continue his fascination with dangerously teetering on the pool edges, throwing in all the pool toys.  This was his kind of fun.  I was already on high alert watching him, when Michael entered the pool area.  Then Buster picked up a pool noodle and stepped too close to the edge to throw it and fell in.  A split second of panic and fear from me thinking "this is it, this is how kids die the silent death of drowning, my Buster is going to die".  I screamed "Buster" and before I knew it had jumped in the pool fully clothed to save him.  Michael had also dived in and come up holding Buster who was a little shaken and crying, but breathing and ok nontheless.  It all happened within seconds and I was in shock for a while.  Buster on the other hand was fine and wanted to continue throwing things in the pool.  Michael put him in his swimmers and Libby gave him a life vest, and Buster continued his holiday happily throwing things in the pool, and us slightly less nervous if he fell in again - which miraciously he didn't.  I went to bed that night insisting Buster sleep with us so I could feel closer to my little man.

I think it is fair to say that the cousins all got on very well.  Buster loved the extra attention he was getting and played up to it.  He is a cheeky little rascal and needs no encouragement, but it was truly wonderful watching the kids playing together.  I never experienced growing up with my cousins who all live overseas, and I don't want that for my children.  I want them to have a strong sense of family and their extended family and be close.

Rory.

The artists Milly and Ciara.

Swing set.

We celebrated New Year in Toowoomba.  Well sort of.  It was a funny old night.  The town was putting on fireworks at 7.30pm.  Henry didn't feel well and had gone to bed before 5.00pm.  The two Michael's had had a couple of beers and me a glass or two of wine, so all unable to drive.  My Michael volunteered to stay behind to watch over Henry and put Buster to bed.  Libby's Michael also stayed at home.  So me, Lib, Milly, Ciara, Rory and Aisling went to the fireworks.  Ciara had a little meltdown over which shoes to wear, and Milly then had a meltdown about getting in the car and having to sit in a child seat.  I couldn't get over how similar in personalities and temperament Milly and Ciara were. 

We almost didn't make it to the fireworks on time, but found a park just as the fireworks had started.  I have to say it was a great display.  Firework after firework was let off.  They just kept going and going and going.  They didn't have any flashy fireworks, but what they had they had plenty of.

Then it was back home and trying to stay awake to bring in the New Year.....and no one did.  Me and Libby were in bed before 9.30pm, and neither of the boys made it to midnight either.  Yes we are a bunch of sad old farts!  On the plus side, when we woke up early the next morning to the sounds of children, none of us had a hangover.

The nail bar.  The girls and Buster get their nails painted.  Buster chose a hot pink colour for his first day and then black for the next.

 

Three gorgeous girls.

I was so relaxed by this point in our holiday I had forgotten about getting family photos.  Which is a shame because I really would have liked one of all the cousins together.

We had such a great time in Toowoomba.  It really is a beautiful city and again we were spoilt by our hosts.  Big thank you to Libby and Michael for having us.  Thank you to Aisling for giving up her room to Henry and Milly, as well as being a great helper wrangling the kids.

From Toowoomba it was a very, very long drive to Coffs Harbour where we stayed the night with my Dad and Tracey and then headed home to Newcastle the next day.  It was a fantastic holiday with lots of great memories created.

Now we are back at home, the car has been unpacked, everything has been put back in it's place.  The kids are busy playing with their Christmas presents and Michael has another day of holiday before he returns to work.  Before long Henry will be back at school starting Year 1 and Milly will be at preschool three days a week.  It doesn't take long and time really does fly by, which is why it's important to stop and take time out. 

Happy New Year everyone and wishing you all a terrific 2012!