SHAMPTONS: Holidays and Travel

Kit made some boats out of quilts for he and Hannah to row...

Neil Diamonds Lyrics for The Boat that I Row say so much about our life here int he Dock and my hoeps and dreams for Kit and Hannah:
I don't have a lot, but with me that's fine
Whatever I got, well, I know it's mine
I don't go around with the local crowd
I don't dig what's in so I guess I'm out
I'm saying these things
So you know me, baby
So, you understand what I'm all about

The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you

There ain't a man alive
Can tell me what to say
I choose my own side and I like it that way
I don't worry about all the things that I'm not
There's only one thing that I want I ain't got
You know that I'm talkin' about you, baby
But you better know before you come along

The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you
(instrumental)
I'm saying these things
So you know me, baby
Do you understand what I'm all about
The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you

The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
The twins love having a shower at the pool after their swimming lessons.

School had a mini-masterchefs competition - so of course Kit wanted to enter. He made chocolate bombs with marshmallow with minimal help from me...

A friend organised for 4 families (all with 1 child with DS) to go away for the weekend to the Shack. We had a great time! The kids got on really well together and there seemed to be a good mix between them. As we sat around on Sat night sharing a bbq I loved how the weekend was just like other we have been on - with families from school or old friends...that is that even though we were away as a group of people who have a the fact of having a child with a disability as the thing we have in common - our weekend away was so very 'normal'. We wished it had been just one night longer - but came home feeling truly relaxed having got away from it all... and the kids had had a blast - they were so busy with their various activities:

Hannah's digs at The Shack

Two very gorgeous girls sharing a drink for breakfast

Hannah wasn't the only one who enjoyed some drawing and writing time

Scooters were a big hit on the weekend

One of the girls who came away with us just loves handball. The brats loved the idea of it - especially Kit. I will have to get them a couple of balls so they can play it at home.

In the afternoon we walked to the beach. It was pretty windy but that didn't stop the twins from having a blast playing in the sand an the sea.

listening for the sea in a shell she found

Dancing in the kitchen

All the kids had a swing

Hannah set up a bus. It was to take the passengers to the icecream shop and the zoo

Phil loved playing guitar while Sophie sang From Little THings Big Things Grow... a number of the other kids there danced while they sang and played

It was late to bed on Sat night for all but 2 of the children with us...

The twins loved giving Phil the gifts they got from the Fathers Day Stall at school

Packing the car for the return trip

We left Shoalhaven Heads a bit earlier than we would have liked - to be back in Sydney fro a family Father's Day picnic. Worth it though as it was a lovely way to finish off our weekend.